THE CHRISTIAN REMEMRBANCER.

PART III.

CHAPTER I.

THE REAL CHRISTIAN LOVES HIS COUNTRY, AND IS THEREFORE THE BEST OF PATRIOTS.

POLITICAL hypocrisy hath made the laudable name of patriotism almost suspicious. But he, that is sincere in the best things and walks as in the sight of God, will, of all men, be faithful in lower matters, and carry a sterling integrity from religion into every duty of social life. On the other hand, he, that regards not God, nor yet other men but as they are convenient to himself, may very justly be suspected in his fidelity to his country. Profit and vain glory, indeed, will carry some men very far, as they have done; but strip a worldly man of these, and where are his motives for promoting the national welfare?

The Christian is not a mere showy patriot, for lucre or for fame; but he is, what none but a Christian can be, a patriot in spirit and in truth, pouring out his secret and earnest prayers before God for the true prosperity of the land. The world, indeed, hath a low opinion of this artillery of heaven; but one, who is wiser than the world, hath told us, that the effectual

fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. And if one such person, like an Elias, can be instrumental in drawing down public blessings; what may not be hoped for from the prayers of legions of Christians throughout the nation? We may read what the prayers of such men have done, in Heb. xi. 33. 34.

The Christian patriot will rejoice in all the good done to his country; though other hands rather than his have been employed in the doing it. That man deserves not the name of a patriot, to whom the peace honor, and prosperity of his country are valuable, only as they may contribute to his own.

As the Christian's patriotism is founded upon the pure principles of religion, he is more desirous of his country's prosperity in true worth and virtue than in mere power and riches, which are often the dangerous fuel of luxury and pride both to states and individuals. He is no enemy to commerce, for a thousand reasons, but an utter enemy to commercial vices, for reasons infinite and eternal.

In wishing for his country all kinds of temporal blessings, he cannot forget to ask before God for a greater abundance of spiritual mercies. His heart's desire is, that the gospel and religion of Jesus Christ, happily countenanced and established by the laws, may for ever flourish through the land in all its genuine power and purity. Though he is not, and cannot be an enemy to any man, yet he is a well principled adversary to all wicked and blasphemous errors and opinions, and to all profligacies of heart and life, which flow from them, and which have overrun the country with guilt and shame.

The Christian carries religion into his patriotism, but not his patriotism into religion. The things of God are too holy and sacred with him, either to be mixed with or truckle to the little low politics of men. He is the citizen of a better country, and a pilgrim in

all others, though a peculiar friend to that in which he was born.

As he can say with Samuel, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord, in ceasing to pray for this nation; so he would act upon all occasions, as Samuel did, and endeavor to promote the welfare of his country by being a good countryman. He will contribute fairly and cheerfully to her burdens, live in all godly quietness and honesty among his people, and pray faithfully and earnestly for the whole public weal as a Christian. Were all the subjects such patriots, the nation, with God's blessing, would have but small reason to live in fear of the most mighty and numerous enemies.

CHAPTER II.

THE REAL CHRISTIAN IS CONSCIENTIOUSLY A DUTIFUL SUBJECT TO THE KING AND HIS GOVERNMENT.

HE that said, fear God, immediately added, as one evident proof of the reality of his godly fear, honor the king. Being chief magistrate, the king is God's first temporal minister, who is to bear the sword of justice and judgment, for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well. The Christian then, living like a Christian, has no just cause to fear a wound. We are commanded by God to reverence those who act under the king for these ends; how much more then are we bound to regard himself? And if the Christian be concerned for his country, he cannot be unconcerned for his sovereign, who is more deeply interested in its welfare than any other man.

He prays publicly and privately for his king, for his family, and for all that are put in authority under him. It is his wisdom, interest, principle, and duty, thus to pray; because their prosperity is not only connected with his own, but their downfal would occasion the worst of hazard both to his country and his friends. He who countenances strife and sedition, can no more be a true and benevolent Christian, than a real patriot and subject; for by these, confusion, rebellion, rapine, and murder, may overspread a land, to the destruction of millions, and to the reproachful hindrance of all godliness and piety. I can find examples of pardon for the most atrocious private sins in the bible; but I do not recollect one instance of God's mercy extended to the public crime of rebellion. Possibly the reason is, because, as in an aggregate, it involves and induces every other wickedness, and is precisely that offence, which first ruined the fallen angels, and through them brought all misery and mischief into this present world, as well as occasioned the irreparable sorrows of eternity.

A true Christian values private, public, and religious peace at too high a rate, ever to sacrifice it to the caprices and suspicions of selfish parties and worldly politicians. Corrupt as the world now is, he is thankful for the civil and religious liberty he enjoys, esteeming it a wonderful providence to him as a Briton above almost all other men; and therefore he is not captious and querulous that governors are frail mortals, like himself, and so cannot possibly please every one, nor be absolutely perfect in all things.

In cases of real oppression, the Christian hath a better God to go to, than his own passions, or the violences of sinful men, or the evil god of this evil world, who kindles those passions and violences by his own. He doth not rave, but pray; not swear and curse, but bless; not strive to cut throats for his own self-will,