IN these words the Psalmist expresses, in strong and beautiful language, his love of his country, and the reasons on which he founded it; and my present design is, to take occasion from them to explain the duty we owe to our country, and the nature, foundation, and [Page 6] proper expressions of that love to it which we ought to cultivate.

I RECKON this a subject particularly suitable to the services of this day, and to the Anni­versary of our deliverance at the Revolution from the dangers of popery and arbitrary power; and should I, on such an occasion, be led to touch more on political subjects than would at any other time be proper in the pulpit, you will, I doubt not, excuse me.

THE love of our country has, in all times, been a subject of warm commendations; and it is certainly a noble passion; but, like all other passions, it requires regulation and direction. There are mistakes and prejudices by which, in this instance, we are in particular danger of being misled.—I will briefly mention some of these to you, and observe,

FIRST, That by our country is meant, in this case, not the soil, or the spot of earth on which we happen to have been born; not the forests and fields, but that community of which we are members; or that body of companions and friends and kindred who are associated with us [Page 7] under the same constitution of government, pro­tected by the same laws, and bound together by the same civil polity.

SECONDLY, It is proper to observe, that even in this sense of our country, that love of it which is our duty, does not imply any conviction of the superior value of it to other countries, or any particular preference of its laws and constitution of government. Were this implied, the love of their country would be the duty of only a very small part of mankind; for there are few countries that enjoy the advantage of laws and governments which deserve to be preferred. To found, therefore, this duty on such a preference, would be to found it on error and delusion.—It is however a common delusion.—There is the same partiality in countries, to themselves, that there is in individuals. All our attachments should be accompanied, as far as possible, with right opinions.—We are too apt to confine wisdom and virtue within the circle of our own acquaintance and party. Our friends, our country, and, in short, every thing related to us, we are disposed to overvalue. A wise man [Page 8] will guard himself against this delusion. He will study to think of all things as they are, and not suffer any partial affections to blind his un­derstanding. In other families there may be as much worth as in our own. In other circles of friends there may be as much wisdom; and in other countries as much of all that deserves es­teem; but, notwithstanding this, our obligation to love our own families, friends, and country, and to seek, in the first place, their good, will remain the same.

THIRDLY, It is proper I should desire you particularly to distinguish between the love of our country and that spirit of rivalship and am­bition which has been common among nations.—What has the love of their country hitherto been among mankind? What has it been but a love of domination; a desire of conquest, and a thirst for grandeur and glory, by extending ter­ritory, and enslaving surrounding countries? What has it been but a blind and narrow prin­ciple, producing in every country a contempt of other countries, and forming men into com­binations and factions against their common [Page 9] rights and liberties? This is the principle that has been too often cried up as a virtue of the first rank: a principle of the same kind with that which governs clans of Indians, or tribes of Arabs, and leads them out to plunder and mas­sacre. As most of the evils which have taken place in private life, and among individuals, have been occasioned by the desire of private interest overcoming the public affections; so most of the evils which have taken place among bodies of men have been occasioned by the de­sire of their own interest overcoming the princi­ple of universal benevolence: and leading them to attack one another's territories, to encroach on one another's rights, and to endeavour to build their own advancement on the degradati­on of all within the reach of their power—What was the love of their country among the Jews, but a wretched partiality to themselves, and a proud contempt of all other nations? What was the love of their country among the old Romans? We have heard much of it; but I cannot hesitate in saying that, however great it appeared in some of its exertions, it was, in ge­neral, no better than a principle holding toge­ther a band of robbers in their attempts to crush all liberty but their own. What is now the love [Page 10] of his country in a Spaniard, a Turk, or a Russian? Can it be considered as any thing better than a passion for slavery, or a blind attachment to a spot where he enjoys no rights, and is disposed of as if he was a beast?

LET us learn by such reflections to correct and purify this passion, and to make it a just and rational principle of action.

IT is very remarkable that the founder of our religion has not once mentioned this duty, or given us any recommendation of it; and this has, by unbelievers, been made an objection to Christianity. What I have said will entirely remove this objection. Certain it is, that, by inculcating on men an attachment to their coun­try, Christianity would, at the time it was pro­pagated, have done unspeakably more harm than good. Among the Jews, i [...] would have been an excitement to war and insurrections; for they were then in eager expectation of be­coming soon (as the favourite people of Hea­ven) the lords and conquerors of the earth, un­der the triumphant reign of the Messiah. Among the Romans, likewise, this principle had, as I have just observed, exceeded its just bounds, and rendered them enemies to the peace and happi­ness of mankind. By inculcating it, therefore, [Page 11] Christianity would have confirmed both Jews and Gentiles in one of the most pernicious faults. Our Lord and his Apostles have done better. They have recommended that UNIVERSAL BE­NEVOLENCE which is an unspeakably nobler principle than any partial affections. They have laid such stress on loving all men, even our ene­mies, and made an ardent and extensive charity so essential a part of virtue, that the religion they have preached may, by way of distinction from all other religions, be called the Religion of Benevolence. Nothing can be more friendly to the general rights of mankind; and were it duly regarded and practised, every man would consider every other man as his brother, and all the animosity that now takes place among con­tending nations would be abolished. If you want any proof of this, think of our Saviour's parable of the good Samaritan. The Jews and Samaritans were two rival nations that enter­tained a hatred of one another the most invete­rate. The design of this parable was to shew to a Jew, that even a Samaritan, and conse­quently all men of all nations and religions, were included in the precept, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF.

BUT I am digressing from what I had chiefly [Page 12] in view; which was, after noticing that love of our country which is false and spurious, to ex­plain the nature and effects of that which is just and reasonable. With this view. I must desire you to recollect that we are so constituted that our affections are more drawn to some among mankind than to others, in proportion to their degrees of nearness to us, and our power of be­ing useful to them. It is obvious, that this is a circumstance in the constitution of our natures which proves the wisdom and goodness of our Maker; for had our affections been determined alike to all our fellow-creatures, human life would have been a scene of embarrassment and distraction. Our regards, according to the or­der of nature, begin with ourselves; and every man is charged primarily with the care of him­self. Next come our families, and benefactors, and friends; and after them, our country. We can do little for the interest of mankind at large. To this interest, however, all other interests are subordinate. The noblest principle in our na­ture is the regard to general justice, and that good-will which embraces all the world.—I have already observed this; but it cannot be too often repeated. Though our immediate attention must be employed in promoting our [Page 13] own interest and that of our nearest connexions; yet we must remember, that a narrower interest ought always to give way to a more extensive interest. In pursuing particularly the interest of our country, we ought to carry our views be­yond it. We should love it ardently, but not exclusively. We ought to seek its good, by all the means that our different circumstances and abilities will allow; but, at the same time, we ought to consider ourselves as citizens of the world, and take care to maintain a just regard to [...] rights of other countries.

THE enquiry by what means (subject to this limitation) we may best promote the interest of our country, is very important; and all that re­mains of this discourse shall be employed in an­swering it, and in exhorting you to manifest your love to your country, by the means I shall mention.

THE chief blessings of human nature are the three following:—TRUTH—VIRTUE—and LIBERTY.—These are, therefore, the blessings in the possession of which the interest of our country lies, and to the attainment of which our love of it ought to direct our endeavours. By the diffusion of KNOWLEDGE it must be distin­guished from a country of Barbarians: by the [Page 14] practice of religious VIRTUE, it must be distin­guished from a country of gamblers, Atheists, and libertines: and by the possession of LIBERTY, it must be distinguished from a country of slaves.—I will dwell for a few moments on each of these heads:

OUR first concern, as lovers of our country, must be to enlighten it.—Why are the nations of the world so patient under despotism?—Why do they crouch to tyrants, and submit to be treated as if they were a herd of cattle? Is it not because they are kept in darkness, and want knowledge? Enlighten them and you will elevate them. Shew them they are men, and they will act like men. Give them just ideas of civil government, and let them know that it is an expedient for gaining protection against injury and defending their rights, and it will be impossible for them to submit to governments which, like most of those now in the world, are usurpations on the rights of men, and little better than con­trivances for enabling the few to oppress the many. Convince them that the Deity is a righ­teous and benevolent as well as omnipotent Being, who regards with equal eye all his crea­tures, and connects his favour with nothing but an honest desire to know and do his will; and [Page 15] that zeal for mystical doctrines which has led men to hate and harass one another, will be ex­terminated. Set religion before them as a ra­tional service, consisting not in any rites and ce­remonies, but in worshipping God with a pure heart, and practising righteousness from the fear of his displeasure and the apprehension of a fu­ture righteous judgment, and that gloomy and cruel superstition will be abolished, which has hitherto gone under the name of religion, and to the support of which civil government has been perverted.—Ignorance is the parent of bigotry, intolerance, persecution and slavery.—Inform and instruct mankind, and these evils will be excluded.—Happy is the person who, himself raised above vulgar errors, is conscious of having aimed at giving mankind this in­struction. Happy is the Scholar or Philoso­pher who at the close of life can reflect that he has made this use of his learning and abilities: but happier far must he be, if at the same time he has reason to believe he has been successful, and actually contributed, by his instructions, to disseminate among his fellow-creatures just no­tions of themselves, of their rights, of religion, and the nature and end of civil government. Such were Milton, Locke, Sidney, Hoadly, &c. in [Page 16] this country; such were Montesquieu, Fenelon, Turgot, &c. in France. They sowed a seed which has since taken root, and is now growing up to a glorious harvest. To the information they conveyed by their writings we owe those revolutions in which every friend to mankind is now exulting.—What an encouragement is this to us all in our endeavours to enlighten the world? Every degree of illumination which we can communicate must do the greatest good. It helps to prepare the minds of men for the re­covery of their rights, and hastens the overthrow of priestcraft and tyranny.—In short, we may, in this instance, learn, our duty from the conduct of the oppressors of the world. They know that light is hostile to them, and therefore they la­bour to keep men in the dark. With this in­tention they have appointed licensers of the press; and, in Popish countries, prohibited the reading of the Bible. Remove the darkness in which they envelope the world, and their usurp­ations will be exposed, their power will be sub­verted, and the world emancipated.

THE next great blessing of human nature which I have mentioned, is VIRTUE. This ought to follow knowledge, and to be directed by it. Virtue without knowledge makes en­thusiasts; [Page 17] and knowledge without virtue makes devils; but both united elevates to the top of human dignity and perfection.—We must, there­fore, if we would serve our country, make both these the objects of our zeal. We must discourage vice in all its forms; and our endeavours to en­lighten must have ultimately in view a reformation of manners and virtuous practice.

I MUST add here, that in the practice of virtue I include the discharge of the public duties of reli­gion. By neglecting these, we may injure our country essentially. But it is melancholy to ob­serve that it is a common neglect among us; and in a great measure owing to a cause which is not likely to be soon removed: I mean, the defects (may I not say, the absurdities?) in our establish­ed codes of faith and worship. In foreign coun­tries, the higher ranks of men, not distinguishing between the religion they see established and the Christian religion, are generally driven to irreligi­on and infidelity. The like evil is produced by the like cause in this country; and if no reforma­tion of our established formularies can be brought about, it must be expected that religion will go on to lose its credit, and that little of it will be left except among the lower orders of people, many of whom, while their superiors give up all religion, are [Page 18] sinking into an enthusiasm in religion lately revived.

I HOPE you will not mistake what I am now say­ing, or consider it as the effect of my prejudices as a Dissenter from the established church. The com­plaint I am making, is the complaint of many of the wisest and best men in the established church itself, who have been long urging the necessity of a revisal of its Liturgy and Articles. These were framed above two centuries ago, when Christendom was just emerging from the ignorance and barba­rity of the dark ages. They remain now much the same they were then; and, therefore, cannot be properly adapted to the good sense and liberality of the present times.—This imperfection, however, in our public forms of worship, affords no excuse to any person for neglecting public worship. All communities will have some religion; and it is of infinite consequence that they should be led to that which, by enforcing the obligations of virtue and putting men upon loving instead of damning one another, is most favourable to the interest of society.

IF there is a Governor of the world, who directs all events, he ought to be invoked and worship­ped; and those who dislike that mode of worship which is prescribed by public authority, ought (if they can find no worship out of the church which they approve) to set up a separate worship for them­selves; [Page 19] and by doing this, and giving an example of a rational and manly worship, men of weight, from their rank or literature, may do the greatest service to society and the world. They may bear a testimony against that application of civil power to the support of particular modes of faith, which obstructs human improvement, and perpetuates error; and they may hold out an instruction which will discountenance superstition, and at the same time recommend religion, by making it appear to be (what it certainly is when rightly understood) the strongest incentive to all that is generous and worthy, and consequently the best friend to public order and happiness.

LIBERTY is the next great blessing which I have mentioned as the object of patriotic zeal. It is in­separable from knowledge and virtue, and together with them completes the glory of a community. An enlightened and virtuous country must be a free country. It cannot suffer invasions of its rights, or bend to tyrants.—I need not, on this occasion, take any pains to shew you how great a blessing liberty is. The smallest attention to the history of past ages, and the present state of mankind, will make you sensible of its importance. Look round the world, and you will find almost every country, respectable or contemptible, happy or miserable, [Page 20] a fruitful field or a frightful waste, according as it possesses or wants this blessing. Think of Greece, formerly the seat of arts and science, and the most distinguished spot under heaven; but now, having lost liberty, a vile and wretched spot, a region of darkness, poverty, and barbarity.—Such reflections must convince you that, if you love your country, you cannot be zealous enough in promoting the cause of liberty in it. But it will come in my way to say more to this purpose presently.

THE observations I have made include our whole duty to our country; for by endeavouring to lib­eralize and enlighten it, to discourage vice and to promote virtue in it, and to assert and support its liberties, we shall endeavour to do all that is ne­cessary to make it great and happy.—But it is proper that, on this occasion, I should be more explicit, and exemplify our duty to our country by observing farther, that it requires us to obey its laws, and to respect its magistrates.

CIVIL government (as I have before observed) is an institution of human prudence for guarding our persons, our property, and our good name, against invasion; and for securing to the members of a community that liberty to which all have an equal right, as far as they do not, by any overt act, use it to injure the liberty of others. Civil [Page 21] laws are regulations agreed upon by the commu­nity for gaining these ends; and civil magistrates are officers appointed by the community for exe­cuting these laws. Obedience, therefore, to the laws and to magistrates, are necessary expressions of our regard to the community; and without this obedience the ends of government cannot be ob­tained, or a community avoid falling into a state of anarchy that will destroy those rights and sub­vert that liberty, which government is instituted to protect.

I WISH it was in my power to give you a just ac­count of the importance of this observation. It shews the ground on which the duty of obeying ci­vil governors stands, and that there are two ex­tremes in this case which ought to be avoided.—These extremes are adulation and servility on one hand; and a proud and licentious contempt on the other. The former is the extreme to which man­kind in general have been most prone; for it has oftener happened that men have been too passive than too unruly; and the rebellion of Kings against their people has been more common, and done [...] mischief, than the rebellion of people against [...]

[...] odious, and when offered to [...] them, by giving them [Page 22] improper ideas of their situation; and it debases those who offer it, by manifesting an abjectness founded on improper ideas of themselves. I have lately observed in this kingdom too near approaches to this abjectness. In our late addresses to the King, on his recovery from the severe illness with which God has been pleased to afflict him, we have ap­peared more like a herd crawling at the feet of a master, than like enlightened and manly citizens rejoicing with a beloved Sovereign, but at the same time conscious that he derives all his consequence from themselves. But, perhaps, these servilities in the language of our late addresses should be pardoned, as only forms of civility and expressions of an overflow of good-nature. They have, how­ever, a dangerous tendency. The potentates of this world are sufficiently apt to consider themselves as possessed of an inherent superiority, which gives them a right to govern, and makes mankind their own; and this infatuation is almost every where fostered in them by the creeping sycophants about them, and the language of flattery which they are continually hearing.

CIVIL governors are properly the servants of the public; and a King is no more than the first servant of the public, created by it, maintained by it, and responsible to it: and all the homage paid him, is [Page 23] due to him on no other account than his relation to the public. His sacredness is the sacredness of the community. His authority is the authority of the community; and the term Majesty, which it is usual to apply to him, is by no means his own majesty, but the MAJESTY OF THE PEOPLE. For this reason, whatever he may be in his private ca­pacity; and though, in respect of personal quali­ties, not equal to, or even far below many among ourselves—For this reason, I say (that is, as repre­senting the community and its first magistrate), he is entitled to our reverence and obedience. The words MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY are rightly ap­plied to him; and there is a respect which it would be criminal to withhold from him.

You cannot be too attentive to this observation. The improvement of the world depends on the at­tention to it: nor will mankind be ever as virtuous and happy as they are capable of being, till the atten­tion to it becomes universal and efficacious. If we forget it, we shall be in danger of an idolatry as gross and stupid as that of the ancient heathens, who, after fabricating blocks of wood or stone, fell down and worshipped them.—The disposition in man­kind to this kind of idolatry is indeed a very mor­tifying subject of reflection.—In TURKEY, millions of human beings adore a silly mortal, and are rea­dy [Page 24] to throw themselves at his feet, and to submit their lives to his discretion.—In RUSSIA, the com­mon people are only a STOCK on the lands of gran­dees, or appendages to their estates, which, like the fixtures in a house, are bought and sold with the estates.—In SPAIN, in GERMANY, and under most of the governments of the world, mankind are in a similar state of humiliation. Who, that has a just sense of the dignity of his nature, can avoid execrating such a debasement of it?

HAD I been to address the King on a late oc­casion, I should have been inclined to do it in a style very different from that of most of the addres­sers, and to use some such language as the follow­ing:— ‘I rejoice, Sir, in your recovery. I thank God for his goodness to you. I honour you not only as my King, but as almost the only lawful King in the world, because the only one who owes his crown to the choice of his people.—May you enjoy all possible happiness.—May God shew you the folly of those effusions of adulation which you are now receiving, and guard you against their effects.—May you be led to such a just sense of the nature of your situation, and en­dowed with such wisdom, as shall render your restoration to the government of these kingdoms a blessing to it, and engage you to consider your­self as more properly the Servant than the Sove­reign of your people.’

[Page 25] BUT I must not forget the opposite extreme to that now taken notice of; that is, a disdainful pride, derived from a consciousness of equality, or, perhaps, superiority, in respect of all that gives true dignity to men in power, and producing a con­tempt of them, and a disposition to treat them with rudeness and insult. It is a trite observation, that extremes generally beget one another. This is particularly true in the present case. Persons justly informed on the subject of government, when they see men dazzled by looking up to high stations, and observe loyalty carried to a length that implies ig­norance and servility: such persons, in such cir­cumstances, are in danger of spurning at all public authority, and throwing off that respectful demean­or to persons invested with it, which the order of society requires. There is undoubtedly a particu­lar deference and homage due to civil magistrates, on account of their stations and offices; nor can that man be either truly wise or truly virtuous, who despises governments, and wantonly speaks evil of his rulers; or who does not, by all the means in his power, endeavour to strengthen their hands, and to give weight to their exertions in the discharge of their duty.— Fear God, says St. Peter. Love the brotherhood. Honour all men. Honour the King.— You must needs, says St. Paul, be subject to rulers, not only for wrath (that is, from the fear of suffer­ing [Page 26] the penalties annexed to the breach of the laws) but for conscience sake. For rulers are ministers of God, and revengers for executing wrath on all that do evil.

ANOTHER expression of our love to our country is defending it against enemies. These enemies are of two sorts, internal and external; or domestic and foreign. The former are the most dangerous, and they have generally been the most successful. I have just observed, that there is a submission due to the executive officers of government, which is our duty; but you must not forget what I have also observed, that it must not be a blind and sla­vish submission. Men in power (unless better dis­posed than is common) are always endeavouring to extend their power. They hate the doctrine, that it is a TRUST derived from the people, and not a right vested in themselves. For this reason, the tendency of every government is to despotism; and in this the best constituted governments must end, if the people are not vigilant, ready to take alarms, and determined to resist abuses as soon as they begin. This vigilance, therefore, it is our duty to maintain. Whenever it is withdrawn, and a people cease to reason about their rights and to be awake to encroachments, they are in danger of being enslaved, and their servants will soon be­come their masters.

I NEED not say how much it is our duty to de­fend [Page 27] our country against foreign enemies. When a country is attacked in any of its rights by ano­ther country, or when any attempts are made by ambitious foreign powers to injure it, a war in its defence becomes necessary: and, in such circum­stances, to die for our country is meritorious and noble. These defensive wars are, in my opinion, the only just wars. Offensive wars are always un­lawful; and to seek the aggrandizement of our country by them, that is, by attacking other coun­tries, in order to extend dominion, or to gratify avarice, is wicked and detestable. Such, however, have been most of the wars which have taken place in the world; but the time is, I hope, coming, when a conviction will prevail, of the folly as well as the iniquity of wars; and when the nations of the earth, happy under just governments, and no longer in danger from the passions of Kings, will find out better ways of settling their disputes; and beat (as Isaiah prophesies) their swords into plow­shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks.

AMONG the particulars included in that duty to our country, by discharging which we should shew our love to it, I will only further mention praying for it, and offering up thanksgivings to God for every event favourable to it. At the present sea­son we are called upon to express, in this way, our love to our country. It is the business of this day [Page 28] and of the present service; and, therefore, it is necessary that I should now direct your attention to it particularly.

WE are met to thank God for that event in this country to which the name of THE REVOLUTION has been given; and which, for more than a cen­tury, it has been usual for the friends of freedom, and more especially Protestant Dissenters, under the title of the REVOLUTION SOCIETY, to celebrate with expressions of joy and exultation.—My high­ly valued and excellent friend, who addressed you on this occasion last year, has given you an inter­esting account of the principal circumstances that attended this event, and of the reasons we have for rejoicing in it. By a bloodless victory, the fetters which despotism had been long preparing for us were broken; the rights of the people were assert­ed, a tyrant expelled, and a Sovereign of our own choice appointed in his room. Security was given to our property, and our consciences were eman­cipated. The bounds of free enquiry were en­larged; the volume in which are the words of eternal life, was laid more open to our examina­tion; and that aera of light and liberty was intro­duced among us, by which we have been made an example to other kingdoms, and became the in­structors of the world. Had it not been for this deliver [...] [...], the probability is, that, instead of be­ing [Page 29] thus distinguished, we should now have been a base people, groaning under the infamy and mi­sery of popery and slavery. Let us therefore, of­fer thanksgivings to God, the author of all our blessings. Had he not been on out side, we should have been swallowed up quick, and the proud waters would have gone over our souls. But our souls are escaped, and the snare has been broken. Blessed then be the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. cxxivth Psalm.

IT is well known that King James was not far from gaining his purpose; and that probably he would have succeeded, had he been less in a hurry. But he was a fool as well as a bigot. He wanted courage as well as prudence; and, therefore, fled, and left us to settle quietly for ourselves that con­stitution of government which is now our boast. We have particular reason, as Protestant Dissenters, to rejoice on this occasion. It was at this time we were rescued from persecution, and obtained the liberty of worshipping God in the manner we think most acceptable to him. It was then our meeting houses were opened, our worship was taken under the protection of the law, and the principles of to­leration gained a triumph. We have, therefore, on this occasion, peculiar reasons for thanksgiving—But let us remember that we ought not to sa­tisfy ourselves with thanksgivings. Our gratitude, [Page 30] if genuine, will be accompanied with endeavours to give stability to the deliverance our country has obtained, and to extend and improve the happi­ness with which the Revolution has blest us—Let us, in particular, take care not to forget the prin­ciples of the Revolution. This Society has, very properly, in its Reports, held out these principles, as an instruction to the public. I will only take notice of the three following:

FIRST; The right to liberty of conscience in religious matters.

SECONDLY; The right to resist power when abused. And,

THIRDLY; The right to chuse our own gover­nors; to cashier them for misconduct; and to frame a government for ourselves.

ON these three principles, and mere especially the last, was the Revolution founded. Were it not true that liberty of conscience is a sacred right; that power abused justifies resistance; and that civil authority is a delegation from the people—Were not, I say, all this true, the Revolution would have been not an ASSERTION, but an INVASION of rights; not a REVOLUTION, but a REBELLION. Cherish in your breasts this conviction, and act un­der its influence; detesting the odious doctrines of passive obedience, non-resistance, and the divine right of kings—doctrines which, had they been [Page 31] acted upon in this country, would have left us at this time wretched slaves—doctrines which imply, that God made mankind to be oppressed and plun­dered; and which are no less a blasphemy against him, than an insult on common sense.

I WOULD farther direct you to remember, that though the Revolution was a great work, it was by no means a perfect work; and that all was not then gained which was necessary to put the king­dom in the secure and complete possession of the blessings of liberty.—In particular, you should re­collect, that the toleration then obtained was im­perfect. It included only those who could declare their faith in the doctrinal articles of the church of England. It has, indeed, been since extended, but not sufficiently; for there still exist penal laws on account of religious opinions, which (were they carried into execution) would shut up many of our places of worship, and silence and imprison some of our ablest and best men.—The TEST LAWS are also still in force; and deprive of eligibility to ci­vil and military offices, all who cannot conform to the established worship. It is with great pleasure I find that the body of Protestant Dissenters, though defeated in two late attempts to deliver their coun­try from this disgrace to it, have determined to persevere. Should they at last succeed, they will have the satisfaction, not only of removing from [Page 32] themselves a proscription they do not deserve, but of contributing to lessen the number of public ini­quities. For I cannot call by a gentler name, laws which convert an ordinance appointed by our Sa­viour to commemorate his death, into an instru­ment of oppressive policy, and a qualification of rakes and atheists for civil posts.—I have said, should they succeed—but perhaps I ought not to suggest a doubt about their success ^*. And, indeed, when [Page 33] I consider that in Scotland the established church is defended by no such test—that in Ireland it has been abolished—that in a great neighbouring coun­try it has been declared to be an indefeasible right of all citizens to be equally eligible to public offices—that in the same kingdom a professed Dissenter from the established church holds the first office in the state—that in the Emperor's dominions Jews have been lately admitted to the enjoyment of equal privileges with other citizens—and that in this very country, a Dissenter, though excluded from the power of executing the laws, yet is allowed to be employed in making them.—When, I say, I consider such facts as these, I am disposed to think it impossible that the enemies of the repeal of the Test Laws should not soon become ashamed, and give up their opposition.

BUT the most important instance of the imper­fect [Page 34] sect state in which the Revolution left our consti­tution, is the inequality of our representation. I think, indeed, this defect in our constitution so gross and so palpable, as to make it excellent chiefly in form and theory. You should remember that a repre­sentation in the legislature of a kingdom is the basis of constitutional liberty in it, and of all legitimate government; and that without it a government is nothing but an usurpation. When the representa­tion is fair and equal, and at the same time vested with such powers as our House of Commons pos­sesses, a kingdom may be said to govern itself, and consequently to possess true liberty. When the re­presentation is partial, a kingdom possesses liberty only partially; and if extremely partial, it only gives a semblance of liberty; but if not only extre­mely partial, but corruptly chosen, and under cor­rupt influence after being chosen, it becomes a nuis­ance, and produces the worst of all forms of govern­ment—a government by corruption, a government carried on and supported by spreading venality and profligacy through a kingdom. May heaven preserve this kingdom from a calamity so dread­ful! It is the point of depravity to which abuses under such a government as ours naturally tend, and the last stage of national unhappiness. We are, at present, I hope, at a great distance from it. But it cannot be pretended that there are no ad­vances towards it, or that there is no reason for ap­prehension and alarm.

The inadequateness of our representation has [Page 35] been long a subject of complaint. This is, in truth, our fundamental grievance; and I do not think that anything is much more our duty, as men who love [...]heir country, and are grateful for the Revolution, than to unite our zeal in endea­vouring to get it redressed. At the time of the American war, associations were formed for this purpose in LONDON, and other parts of the king­dom; and our present Minister himself has, since that war, directed to it an effort which made him a favourite with many of us. But all attention to it seems now lost, and the probability is, that this inattention will continue, and that nothing will be done towards gaining for us this essential blessing, till some great calamity again alarms our fears, or till some great abuse of power again provokes our resentment; or, perhaps, till the acquisition of a pure and equal representation by other countries (while we are mocked with the shadow) kindles our shame.

SUCH is the conduct by which we ought to ex­press our gratitude for the Revolution.—We should always bear in mind the principles that justify it. We should contribute all we can towards supplying what it left deficient; and shew ourselves anxious about transmitting the blessings obtained by it to our posterity, unimpaired and improved.—But, brethren, while we thus shew our patriotic zeal, let us take care not to disgrace the cause of patriotism, by any licentious, or immoral conduct.—Oh! how earnestly do I wish that all who profess zeal in this [Page 36] cause, were as distinguished by the purity of their morals, as some of them are by their abilities; and that I could make them sensible of the advantages they would derive from a virtuous character, and of the suspicions they incur and the loss of conse­quence they suffer by wanting it.—Oh! that I could see in men who oppose tyranny in the state, a dis­dain of the tyranny of low passions in themselves; or, at least, such a sense of shame, and regard to public order and decency as would induce them to hide their irregularities, and to avoid insulting the virtuous part of the community by an open exhi­bition of vice!—I cannot reconcile myself to the idea of an immoral patriot, or to that separation of private from public virtue, which some think to be possible. Is it to be expected that—But I must forbear. I am afraid of applications, which many are too ready to make, and for which I should be sorry to give any just occasion.

I HAVE been explaining to you the nature and expressions of a just regard to our Country. Give me leave to exhort you to examine your conduct by what I have been saying. You love your coun­try, and desire its happiness; and, without doubt, you have the greatest reason for loving it. It has been long a very distinguished and favoured coun­try. Often has God appeared for it, and deliver­ed it. Let us study to shew ourselves worthy of the favour shewn us.—Do you practice virtue your­selves, and study to promote it in others? Do you obey the laws of your country, and aim at doing [Page 37] your part towards maintaining and perpetuating its privileges? Do you always give your vote on the side of public liberty; and are you ready to pour out your blood in its defence? Do you look up to God for the continuance of his favour to your coun­try, and pray for its prosperity; preserving, at the same time, a strict regard to the rights of other countries, and always considering yourselves more as citizens of the world than as members of any particular community? If this is your temper and conduct you are blessings to your country, and were all like you, this world would soon be a heaven.

I AM addressing myself to Christians. Let me, therefore, mention to you the example of our bles­sed Saviour. I have observed, at the beginning of this discourse, that he did not inculcate upon his hearers the love of their country, or take any notice of it as a part of our duty. Instead of doing this, I observed that he taught the obligation to love all mankind, and recommended universal benevolence, as (next to the love of God) our first duty; and, I think, I also proved to you, that this, in the circum­stances of the world at that time, was an instance of incomparable wisdom and goodness in his in­structions. But we must not infer from hence, that he did not include the love of our country in the number of our duties. He has shewn the contra­ry by his example. It appears that he possessed a particular affection for his country, though a very wicked country. We read in Luke x. 42, that when, upon approaching Jerusalem, in one of his [Page 38] last journies to it, he beheld it, he wept over it, and said, Oh! that thou hadst known (even thou, at least in this thy day) the things that belong to thy peace.—What a tender solicitude about his country does the lamentation over Jerusalem imply, which is re­corded in the same gospel, chap. xiii. and 34. Oh! Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them who are sent to thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen gather­eth her brood under her wings, but ye would not.

IT may not be improper farther to mention the love St. Paul expressed for his country, when he declared, that, for the sake of his brethren and kinsmen, he could even wish himself accursed from Christ. (Rom. ix. 3.) The original words are an ANATHEMA from Christ; and his meaning is, that he could have been contented to suffer himself the calamities which were coming on the Jewish peo­ple, were it possible for him, by such a sacrifice of himself, to save them.

It is too evident that the state of this country is such as renders it an object of concern and anxiety. It wants (I have shewn you) the grand security of public liberty. Increasing luxury has multiplied abuses in it. A monstrous weight of debt is crip­pling it. Vice and venality are bringing down up­on it God's displeasure. That spirit to which it owes its distinctions, is declining; and some late events seem to prove that it is becoming every day [...] reconcileable to encroachments on the secu­ [...] of its liberties.—It wants, therefore, your pa­triotic [Page 39] services; and, for the sake of the distinctions it has so longed enjoyed; for the sake of our bre­thren and companions, and all that should be dear to a free people, we ought to do our utmost to save it from the dangers that threaten it; remembering, that by acting thus, we shall promote, in the best manner, our own private interest, as well as the in­terest of our country; for when the community prospers, the individuals that compose it must pros­per with it.—But, should that not happen, or should we even suffer in our secular interest by our endea­vours to promote the interest of our country, we shall feel a satisfaction in our own breasts which is preferable to all this world can give; and we shall enjoy the transporting hope of soon becoming mem­bers of a perfect community in the heavens, and having an entrance ministered to us, abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

You may reasonably expect, that I should now close this address to you. But I cannot yet dismiss you. I must not conclude without recalling, par­ticularly, to your recollection, a consideration to which I have more than once alluded, and which, probably, your thoughts have been all along anti­cipating: A consideration with which my mind is impressed more than I can express. I mean, the consideration of the favourableness of the present times to all exertions in the cause of public liberty.

WHAT an eventful period is this! I am thankful that I have lived to it; and I could almost say, [Page 40] Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. I have lived to see a diffusion of knowledge, which has undermin­ed superstition and error—I have lived to see the rights of men better understood than ever; and nations panting for liberty, which seemed to have lost the idea of it.—I have lived to see THIRTY MILLIONS of people, indignant and resolute, burn­ing at slavery, and demanding liberty with [...] irre­sistible voice; their king led in triumph, and an arbitrary monarch surrendering himself to his sub­jects.—After sharing in the benefits of one Revo­lution, I have been spared to be a witness to two other Revolutions, both glorious.—And now, methinks, I see the ardour for liberty catching and spreading; a general amendment beginning in hu­man affairs; the dominion of kings changed for the dominion of laws, and the dominion of priests giv­ing way to the dominion of reason and conscience.

BE encouraged, all ye friends of freedom, and writers in its defence! The times are auspicious. Your labours have not been in vain. Behold king­doms, admonished by you, starting from sleep, breaking their fetters, and claiming justice from their oppressors! Behold, the light you have struck out, after setting America free, reflected to France, and there kindled into a blaze that lays despotism in ashes, and warms and illuminates Europe!

TREMBLE all ye oppressors of the world! Take warning all ye supporters of slavish governments, and slavish hierarchies! Call no more (absurdly and wickedly) REFORMATION, innovation. You cannot now hold the world in darkness. Struggle no longer against increasing light and liberality. Restore to mankind their rights; and consent to the correction of abuses, before they and you are destroyed together.