towards the saints, a love of complacency. We are united to them in the closest bonds; and should " love them with a pure heart, fervently" and intensely11.
We must " fear God" also. Our regards must not be con- fined to man : they must soar upwards to God ; and be fixed on him supremely. We must love man ; but not fear him : whereas God must be the object both of love and fear. No- thing under heaven must induce us to displease him. All the creatures in the universe are to be withstood, if they enjoin what is contrary to his revealed will : for his commands are of paramount obligation ; and life itself must be sacrificed rather than the least of them be violated by us. If, however, so painful a necessity arise as that of disobedience to an earthly governor, we must shew clearly, in the whole of our conduct, that our opposition is the offspring, not of a contentious mind, but of a pious regard to superior authority.
Together with all this, we must " honour the king." What- ever is good in him, we must delight to applaud : and, if there be any thing in him of human infirmity, we must readily cast a veil over it, and make due allowance for the temptations with which he is surrounded, and for the weaknesses of our common nature. Viewing him as God's representative, we must honour him in our hearts ; and be ready to shield him against every adversary, and to concur with him in all his en- deavours for the welfare of his people. If he appear disposed to exceed the powers which are assigned to him by law, we are not to indulge in strains of querulous invective : for even " against the devil himself would not Michael brine: a railing accusation; but temperately said, The Lord rebuke theex." And, if an archangel so restrained the emotions of his mind, much more should ive, who are expressly enjoined " not to despise dominion, or to speak evil of dignities." Whatever methods of redress the constitution prescribes, we may cer- tainly use: but we should use them, not in a spirit of clamour- ous opposition, but in the spirit of Him " who, when he was reviled, reviled not again ; when he suffered, threatened not ; but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteouslyy."
In a word, we are to maintain an harmonious regard to all our duties ; compromising none, forgetting none. We must be conscientiously intent on all ; " rendering unto Caesar the things which are Cassar's, and unto God the things which are God's2."]
I cannot close this subject better than by desiring you all devoutly to unite with me in the follow- ing prayer —
u 1 Pet. i. 22. the Greek. x Jude, ver. 8, 9.
y 1 Pet. ii. 23. z Matt. xxii. 21.