The National Register.
London, England, 1812-06-21 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REcasTEn.

tide pulpit,

SERMON PREACHED AT LINCOLN'S-INN ON THE OCCASION

OF TILE ASSASSaNATION OF MR. PEItCEVAL.

When virtue is suddenly snatched from this probationary scene, and
recalled to her native sky, the earth mourns, but Heaven rejoices.
This different affection, produced by the same event on human and cc-
kstial minds, clearly displays their various degrees of purity and per-
fection. Man, whose intellectual vision is dimmed by perishable
clay, and whose soul is chiefly moved through the medium of bodily
tierises, cannot penetrate deeply into the mysteries of Providence. But,
if his views be limited, the violence of his passions is unbounded, and
even when most restrained by discipline and judgment, it stains with a
particular dye the current of his thoughts, and gives a decided bias
to his feelings. Hence he dares intrude in things passing his knowledge,
and from the bosom of the dust whence he sprung, arraigns the mercy
and wisdom of his Creator. Self mingles in his best affections. He
love ti virtue, not for herself alone, but for the benefits she su plenteously
yields, and when he sees the good man plucked in the fulness of his
excellence, he laments that God should have so glorious a light, to
quench it in its-brightest blaze—like the traveller, who long rejoicing in
the splendour of the sun, regrets that it should set to beam on another
. world.
This egotism springs from our nature, not our will. As long as we
remain in this imperfect state, it cannot be eradicated from our hearts.
It is fixed there by so many ties of feeling, interest, and affection, that
its removal would disorganize the whole system of our being, and can
only be, effected by that total change in our nature, which takes place
when we are called to a higher state of existence.
Celestial minds alone, whose happiness is centered in their God,
whose unclouded eye beholds the whole extent of his purposes, are
equally exempt from selfishness and grief. The death of the righteous is
to them an accession of bliss, as it is an increase of their numbers, and
they view our graves, so dark, so dreary to our sight, as doors of glory
opening from earth into Heaven.
After having proved the existence of that spirit of selfishness, which
'repines at the fancied loss, but the real advantage of the good, It remains
to be shown that, as by cultivation, the most barren land may bear
so by proper discipline, a feeling, in itself inconsiderate, if not
wrong, may change its nature, and become a source of moral improve-
ment and religious virtues. For this purpose, we shall advert to an ex-
cellent Sermon preached on Sunday, the 31st of May, at Lincoln's Inn
,Chapel, and since published by the Rev. WILLIAM VAN M!LDERT,
h. M. Preacher to the Society, and Rector of St. Mary-le-Bow, on the
occasicn of the Assassina•ion of Mr. PERCF.VAL. In this discourse,
written with the elegance and energy of a classical and strong mind,
the expression of a feeling heart, and the spirit of a true Christian,
we. fre rightly taught how to lay to heart the death of the Righteous,
" affords at all times, and under all circumstances, the most solid
agrouncls of hope and consolation;" for " their removal, however sudden
or violent, is not to be regarded as ;he act of Divine Wrath, or judg-
. merit upon ihemse.lves. The chastisement, if it be such, is inflicted, not
an Meat, buto:i those that survive them." The loss of just men is then
considered in a national point of view, and the following pertinent re-
' -marks are, made on the importance of the virtues, as well as the talents
of public servants:-
4' The value of such becomes still more apparent, when they are
. placed 1.1 statiens of high authority and responsibility; when they are
• endowed with distinguished abilities and attainments, when they arc
called to time (ace of conducting public :Hairs in difficult times, and at
a period when, to a more than usual extent, " iniquity abounds," and
" the. overflowings •of ungodliness make us afraid.' Under these cir-
- cemstances, it is to the virtues, and nut to the talents only of those who
guide the helm of state, that we must look for success. The kof
these their excellent qualities is then especially felt; not only from the
lustre of tbeir good example, making vice abashed, and encouraging
the well clispesed ; nor merely from our confidence that they will no t
pursue measures injurious to pure religion or sound maxims of policy;
but from the persuasion we are led to cherish, that foe the sake of such
person- the Almighty himself may be more favourably disposed towards
us. and ,fze:itimes eosin rid the judgments which would otherwise be
intleted upon a clieibedient. and gahisaying people. They may prevail
with God; t exercise long-suffering and forbearance. '1 ht y may stay
the hand of up ifted justice ; and thus be instrumental in the way, which
of all others, is least considered or thought ut by mere political obses4ert,
to the welfare and Fens vationt of the state:."