The National Register. — London, England, 1817-07-21 00:00:00

I • I ' 4 91 ,1 11' M br litationaT Ut ti. MR. BATES'S SERMON. A Sermon preached in the Cathedral Church of St. Paid, before the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, the Juil.;cs, 4.c. on Sunday, the B th June, 1817, being Trinity Sunday. the Rev. G1:011GE VERNE BATES, M.. 1. CHAPLAIN TO HIS LORD:•IIIP. 4 . Whosover will not do the law of thy (Ina, and the law of the 6. King, let jadm ,. .nt be executed speedily upon him, wheeler it •` be unto de an, or to banishment, or Li .amtiaAtion of gliOdS • .` or impriwoment."—Eara vii. Ver. 2,5. From the above text, Mr. Bates rreaelted a sermon on Trinity Sunday last, which has created mach dis cussion in two successive meetings of the Common Council ; the one party deprecating it as containing doctrines of passive obedience and divine right, while the other applauds it as a manly and dispassionate appeal to the good sense of the country, in a time of no common danger. That our readers may be enabled to form an opinion for themselves, we shall ex tract such portions, as have most excited the feelings of the opposite parties. The Reverend Preacher commences by a brief sketch of the character and employment of Ezra, as recorded in the 7th, and three following chapters of the Book which bears his name. Having stated that he was appointed by Ahasuerus to superintend those tribes, and individuals of the Hebrew nation, who returned with him to Jerusalem, and that he was invested by the Persian monarch with ample authority ; in the words of the text, to requlate the chore!' according to its ancient appointment, the Preacher pro ceeds:— " I have already intimated, that this ite.,:ericl mandate confirms in I. the fullest matinee that power which by the sovereign is vested in the hands of judicial characters, for the pur.ishment of offences commit ted against the state or the community at large. The instance ap• pears to be the best that can be adduced. It is that of a Penmen sovereign, who had by lawful conquest obtained the right of govern- Lig a certain class of persons, to whom, in his clemency, he tits poeell to exhibit acts of great kindness, arid to make inintediate provision for their present as well as future pmsperity. That he was not of their own anintry or kindred, and that they were his tributary vassals, were circumstances very ill-suited to calm the minds of a people naturally disposed to revolt. But as they were no longer feoperly their own, they were bound to obey the will of chair law ul ruler. And if the argument be valid in such a case, it must be tar more so in any other, where, by inheritance, by legitimate suc cession, and by the consent of a nation, a sovereign is called to pre side over a people. Mr. Addisou, with his usual accuracy and ele gence, has said, that the obedience of children to their parents, it the ba,is of all government. and it set forth as the measure of that obe dience which we owe to those whom Providence has set over us. "Scholar Armed., Vol. ii. p. ino.l By another able writer it has Leen very justly observed, that though env man has no power over the life of his fellow-creature, society have this right given to them by (lira who hel.ereated man in his own iteage. [Scholia. Armed., Vol. ii. p. 2931 By Him. thciefore, all lawful goeermitcnts may by virtue of this permission, and in the 'my add administration of justice, inflict the ”i e liest as w ell as the minor penalties of the law. A name unwarranted distinction has sometimes been attempted to be set up lictwern the persons and authority of the magistrates, which can only be producove of insurrections and rebellions. For ilkingly or inasistorial authority be net resident in some one person, then may any person seize upon it without offence against any other per. sea. But the Divine permission on the one part, anal the generally admitted authority on the other. totally pteclude the possibility of such a false and dangerous supposition. But here it racy be suen. gested. that in the lament care: the acquiescence of die people wit , not from choke, but front inability to resist the dictates of so great a warrior,who could easily enforce obedience to his cool:Panda. however • ntnoons those commands might be. To this it may be replied, that • though a heathen by birth and education, he was evidently disptoed, from some cause or other, probably from his marriage with Queen I :stber, goady to favour the cause of the Jews, over whom lie at this time presided. In his first official act, he pays a just tribute of hontege to .lehneeth as the God of heaven, destemating the prophet Ezta as his acerelli.ed representative, to pen vide for the welfare of the people. to sec that the laws both of God and of the king should be d.ligently observed, and to punish those who fearlessly transgressed than. Thoue.,h distinguished by his mighty deeds, and by she spleen • deur of his court, he is even more remarkable for his wied.os as a severeign, and his piety a a man : hence we find him pec scribing such plans as were instrumental in raising the Jewish chutelt and nation to some faint resemblance of their former grandeur. And if it was no ways inconsistent with the exalted station of the noble. minded Ezra to inculcate obedience to Goal and the king. it is surely quite as expedient that a chriseian minister should adopt n similar course, whenever the ta.ses or any particular occasion seem tu de wand it " Although it might not be proper to dwell upoa thoo: topics on which men do and will chair, and which they may continue to do. provided such difference of opinion lead to no dangerous oonse qnences; it is, nevertheless, the duty of every minister, whether is the eetabliehment or out of it, to use every lawful persuasirc to deter men from th e c r im e s of rel.4iiot, anarchy, and toriall. I have spoken of them as crimes. fir as such the scripture cleatly efeccribes t'arn ; and it is by Imo-nod:I; to view them in a less heinous view, that so many are, through their more wikly associates. drawn in to teemit things worthy of tantisionent, estwilsretfoo of goods, or ono, isonnicnt. Men are ever aiming es separate those duties *such God for wise purinrws has joined together by an indissoluble compact. They inta e oste that to rise up in rebellion against the king, or to endeavour to overturn the state, is merely wishing to bring ass on a change inure consonant to their idene, and which they are et foil liberty Ludo, whenever the ennuis are within their reach. Bat as it would have been a crime to be punished by the judges, had any Israelite disputed the right of Artaxerxes to rile over him; so in a snitch higher degree must it be flagitious and stne%cal for any British subject to dispute Ms authority of the sovereign of these dominions, Our tng, Colusti anti it aW. MONDAY, JULY 9.1, 1817. L o enforce obedienoc to those laws which the legislature, is conjunc ion with him, has thought lit to enact. Disobedience to the lawful magistrate, implies much more than a simple act of disloyalty, since it is a positive infraction of those precepts which have received the express sanction of Aliniehty God. Let any impartial person consider what is so constantly enjoined upon Christians in the New 'fest:anent, os the true mark of their discipleship, r.nd they will find it to consist in fearing God, loving the brotherhood. and honour iog tie king. The religious. the lord. and the social duties must each enipage their full :share of every real Christian's belief and prac tice, Take nway any One, and the test are perfectly useless: since you have dissolved the union, iir.paited tlio authority, mid lessened oho obligation to fulfil the rentemmg duties. He is guilty of the !mach c.rati, who wilfully I eane s oresesbeititer. The doctrines, of the 011ouiel of the Ncw Testament are toton this as upon every other topic. in poillet acasodience with each other. Even the decree of a heathen sovereign runs purraliel wit! the will of the most High i iks. God: the siune res " ode is proposed un w; . lAct the sacred behests of the our, and the imports} dictates ei .. other. New laws were not framed. but the breakers of those ainagy in existence wen to receive coudign punishment '• How roundstely doss such en illustrious example, so much in point, and so well faillowed up, at once set aside tit the flimsy argu- Deems, subtle artifices, and daring insertions of self-constituted re formists. Their apparent love of justice, and presented hatted of peculation: their bold and unqualified declarations of what they deem gross evils in church and state. when aitkei by talents that would grate a better eau" present much that is eaptivatiug to these who cannot perceive the dengetous tendency of their hifinnimatory speeches. Happily, as I had occasion formerly to notice, the extent of the evil has sot been commensurate with the means which have been used for its diseroinetion. The good old maxim of fearing God, hotiouring the king, and not inedellingasith those who are given to change, has been so deeply impresseet upon the minds of our • honest and inelustrious poor, that tuniolt awl rebellion have in most instances found in them nothing esuagenial or suited to the base pur poses of their zertious but mistaken ii tructors. Distress of various kinds has Len very generally felt ; but it has been known to arise not from men, or from any fortuitous muses, but from circumstances beyond the control of human agents. The poor have been taught to iniagir.e otherwise ; they have beer. even persuaded to think that the benevolmt exertions which were suede in their behalf, because they were not folly canal to thewants of the applicant', were intended - rather to mock than relieve them . the insiretation howeves has been thrown out in voin. One cause of this has been, I presume, because they have long sat with delight under the grateful shadow of a tee° constitution ; and though they may oat irate fully understood its mature anal principles, they have shared ifs blessiags enjoyed its ad entn.ecs, and have been protected by ;ts esit!fable arrnea, muds, in as ample as degree as any of their more wealthy superiors. Another cause may be found in the benefits reatiOng from our established re ligion, in which the poorest have participnted in common with all who in this good old way have worshipped the Cud of their fathers : often have many hufrible but sincere l'hriatiaaa , is the lower walks of life, felt the efficacy in their hearts, while their lips have responded to thoso subiinie words of our liturgical service,We raise thee, O tt Goal ; we at-knowledge thee to be the Lo " d: all the earth doth tt worship thee, the Father everlasting." This exquisite composi tion, though introduced niter use. in the (liristiati church so early as the shah century, has 100 nothing by frequent reps thion, much less by any recent abominable attempts to lessen hs influence by bias pheniour parody. It still retains its acaus-tomed high veneration, in the opinion of all who can appreciate genuine piety, elevate(' feint went's, and fervent praise. It is no small advaetage connected with our establishment, that while in the use of appropriate forms to lead the devotional supplisaut when boning before the Most High, his mind inipercesnibly acquires a fundot scriptural phraseology which may ultimately had 1;i:n into all truth. t• These will form his best safegueni against the crow of the times. Our enemies were aware of this, as we may gather front their mode of attack, which was indirectly made against the constitution, by 1 aiming to bring into contenipt the services of that church which is in union with it. If stieeess had happened in the one case, (ha downfall of the other would speedily have followed. 'Then of course every man would have done wlso was right On his own eyes, anal neither the law of God or of the king woold have beets of any avail. To prevent such a state of anarchy and confusion, it is tile duty of every welloe Ulla of his cowitry to keep dept of all questions or projects whieb ceoertly or O.:reedy May base thie ultimate to nelency. It surely is no proof of hole aft; coon woich a dild has for his potent. guar dian. or instructor, when he is constantly dwelling upon trivial de fects, some islets - Mary tokens of inisniaeogement.soine particular acts which to not scorn with his erroncons ate( untried judgment ; more esp ecial'? when he is at the same time oh - Nether silent shoot those numbeliple instances of aroidtaity. tenderness. and fomthought. which 1114ve mainly promoted his cemart and mooperity in the world. If this hold true in the history of any private itoilvidual, it is equally so as it respects the tot:duct of those who lays' to find fault with out constitution, but who never by accident speak well of it ; who can iragnify the slightest inadvettence to almost any extent• but who »- fuse to admit numerous comosi of triumph and exultation produced, under God, by etc on - if:hod eneraies and able neenagemeut of these who sit at die head of &laths. .° If, them our foothen be drawn within narrower bounds titan formerly, W oar privilegre be diminished. or our comforts in some measure invaded, every one n.ust or (sight to know that it is the disafileted and refractory, tho s e who will neither Oar God lair obey mall, 8/Loin we have to thank for the esispension of over dear-bought rights. 'they are Illbsole cruse of those measures which have been judged expedient to prevent any recurrence of scenes recently wit mooed withiu this metropolis. t• lot every one. cher, •• study to be quiet, and to do his own business," uol not intermeddle with those things which are too high for him. Let the inexperienced and impetuous, who are most sus ceptible of wrong impressions, call to mind the instructive fable of antiquity, of that vain young mart; who, desirous of showing his skill, requested that he might guidothe &mint of the sun, but who in one day, by the oast of experience sail thress for the undertak ing, coated the peaces: mi.ery and !ssolatien: and would not si milar disastrous eflirts Sutton, shoulei the reirs of government ever fill into the hands of the e, whose vain ambition, ontried skill, and selfish purposes, pro Wee the hope of a more propitious issue to their projects, than the cute just Aimed , el to :' Is it so easy a nuttier to legislate for upwards of ten milli oes of people, t , .at they who are but mere cotters in pertinent science sheuld feney themselves quash fi:.l to take situations of the greatest -estos.slsility ? " Every Well-instituted mind :sat* F:: ensible of the danger of entrusting the welfare of the netloo 7n the puiosnee of those persons who arc more likely to involve us in rater calamities than on?: we arc now sufferinguneler. We have Igoe esperienoed the blessings of nMild and equitable i.;tiv , rr.mcnt, We Lave lived to see the termi nation of a protracted and most deetructive warfare, but we shall have lived to little pun use. if intestine commotions end political ' stratagems ate ...tiered to embitter cur peaceful avocations As di vision isinoooet elOiiit who ought to be of use wised is the mat das- No. 493.—V0t. X. PRICE 9 tittV+ gerous condition In which any community can possibly be placed ; so a true cordiality et' sentiment and action, the laying aside all minor causes of difference, and agreeing to strengthen the common canoe, is the readiest way to cheek all tendency to inoneecticn end timiolt, and to sow the seeds of furore prosperity arid, enjoyment. It was the declaration of our great Exemplar, that every kingdom ce house divided agairat itself. is speedily bre tight to desolation. However then daigoina men may endeavour to warp the minds of the irresolute and usslcilfral, there are reciproeal dirties of childreft and parents, cf subjects ar.d tubas, which nu ingenuity can evade, no aopaistry Reason as well as revelation ()Dalian the truth of what has been said. In matters that are utrimportalit, the a ishes of the individual; *nay be the pica fcr adoptiug, certain expe dients; but in those weightier matters, such as obedience to the lawful tuagietrate, where a departure from tile rule enjoined might be of the greeteet cousemience, tiresome letittuie is never granted.— One law is common to all of every degree ; for " whosoever will not a• do the law oi' God and of the' king, let judgment be executed " speedily upon him." Dot, as was the ease respecting the dee: ee made by the Fenian monarch, the happiness of the people he in tended to berefit, wits the primary cause of its . pronolleativre though they, by their perverseness and oppeeition, n ight in part defeat hi intentions: so it may with equal LULL be affirmed of tic laws lee which ae ere governed. They have been studious]) framed for tor benefit, and nenhing but wilful contumacy at e ! opposition can c. t: them to have a contrary tendency. In many instance. the v , :y leniency and mercy that base been manifested toisatde reailty duels, have met with no other return but inert: efforts to the law, or to set at nought its denunciations. Thatanch Abtad 4t • length reap the fruit of their doings is quite consonant to the rules bf holy writ, and to the general practice cf every civilized state ; tehorie existence anti eirosperity must depend neon the enactment of wholif- • some Laws and regulations, with the impartial Leant:Mu Aden of jot tiee, in succouring the innocent, and punishing the gusty. "Tu conclude.—it follows, as the natural consequeece of all. Ont . has been this day advanced, hat that is the truest wedeln widen leadsmen to fear God and to keep his commandment.. The obsa: V. ante of this to tafol.l duty gives stability to empire:. Imsppinea eividuals, and s aurity from the evils of the present as well as c£ she future world. To know and to do the law of Ged, will be found convey a never-failing source of consolatinn, that wll amply reniti. • nerate us for any' sacrifices we may be called upon to make, aly pouches we may be called corn to bear. We may feel curia: iota. cif cur imperfect romp fiance eith the law of God ; but that feeling. when rightly directed, will es',ue us the more eernestly to seek for finite and strength to serve and please him. He who gave its die saw as a rule of life, has supevedeled to it his awn spotless cent eple, and has directed tl3 to tread iu hisser's. He lies neereover cocoai rated us to conic aid learn of him, ler he is meek we shall fled rest unto our souls. From his infallible domino' we shall learn to cherish those dispositions, habits. and pursuits, whi4e will make ul sumble in a high estate, and centre., el in aline 0nte..... This will suppress a proud, munuuring and reaellious spfl it. h will teak os, that one law of universal application is Empalme - lad to as the ruling principle of our actions—e law of leve ; and that one I hope of reward as the animating motive to obedience is placed before . us—an eternity of hiplines in the lciagaorn of oar Coil end Father. In his house there are many transeme, to 1a preeenee thane io fulness of joy, and at his right hand there are pleasures for evermore. In or der that we may obtain en inheritance aumeg thenith7et are exectified. se must, like David, meditate in the lew or God contieually, that its putity, copiousness, and excellence, may daily hewome mote ap parent. Or, to recur again to the best pattern for our imitation, ws meat endeavour to fill up the station that is allotted to us, so as most to promote the glory of God and the welfare of mankind. Of our blessed Saviour it is exprealy recorded, tl.at he went down to Ns itretia after his first public eppearance at Jertsalentin the Temple. s . and was subject unto his parents; the happy consenuence of this eminent instance co filial duty and affection was, that, its he ad. winced in stature, he increased in wisdom and in favour with God and man. The same simplicity and godly sincerity, as far as it is possible for us to attain them, will certainly lead to similar resorts; while a contemptuous neglect of our duty will necessarily incur the threatened punishment. In the animating and suitable language of the great Apostle of the Gentiles, " Let us hold fast the profession of " our faith without wavering, for he is faithful that promised ; and o let us consider oat another to provoke to love wed works: trot " fora:king the assmibling of ourselves together, as the mapner " o. sonic us, but exhorting one another t and so much the more, as " ye see the day approaching." An experiment is making on the Seine, at Paris, under the inspection of the Institute, of a new-con structed boat, with oars, which is described as possess.. ing all the advantages of the steam-boat without any of its inconveniences and dangers. One man, placed in this car-boat, is sufficient to ute it onwards with full rapidity, by a handle, which resembles the rounce of a printing-press, and Much gives motion to the wheels. The price of Bread in Salisbury has lately fallen (Ti. the gallon loaf, viz. ea. on Tuesday last, and •?d. in each of tha two preceding weeks. The new Court in Lincoln's-Inn for the Vice Clus.n -rellor, has been opened for the present sittings after - Trinityterm, and affords very good accommodation to all the bur and the practitioners, as well as ample space below the bar for the public ; the whole arrang meta of the bench, the table, and seats for the Counsel &c. is formed front the Lord Chancellor's Court in Lincoln's-inn Hall, of tvliich it is the counterpart ; a stove for warm air is judiciously placed - interfere with the scats as it ilia in roan, and the entrance door opens to perattd by a skreen from the (7ourt-room are painted of the modern brown and the stile and moulding ittitcte the ,the Vice Chancellois sent is raisedasttsua' is not wholly sect' as at Lincoln's-inn deck is placed la time his Florarer, which taring notes.—AfVe have had tht ;dear the bar fully attended, and of bearirg the assiduous attention of Hunt to mitted to • . red so as not to, 0 • 1 the ad CVO& k to a vestibulelW ' lt r: mot, the pan A _ vr.in%cot c o l in.,,,e, 1 9110. the getHe 0 l'il S.Q.° VII S ua', 1....: Jas.!), ' i t PAL but a ~% ~,, 10 kb fiteilitt-t „4 leo: ore of s ' ' ) ;, c c'i .; our tuttitoony ..: - ' to Jr. th.tt is stn. 9S