and more justifiable title, than can be derived from any pretended divine indefeasible hereditary right, however expreffed or made out.

Another great error arifing from mistaken notions of political duty is the contention for the mastery, in cafes, where all parties fhould co-operate reciprocally to affift each other, and, as far as may be, to give permanency to the separate rights of both, for it is the intereft of all that they should severally be preferved inviolate. Encroachments on either part are lefs generous, and more dangerous than open attacks; for it will require a watchful eye to obferve, a found judgment to deliberate, and a determined spirit to refift every attempt to carry by furprife or treachery, or both, what neither law nor justice will give, and what power alone can effect. And, in proportion to the importance of the matter in agitation, all parties fhould proceed to investigate the queftion with difpaffion and coolness; and pursue fuch measures as the occafion makes neceffary, and their judgment approves, with refolution and vigour. Without these previous circumstances of right and wisdom

the

the expulfion of the Stuart family, and the establishment of the house of Hanover would probably have failed from the opposition of fome of our own mif-judging countrymen, and the then hoftile armies of France; an event this which would have configned us to the dominion of tyranny and popery, and denominated that noble struggle an "unfuccefsful rebellion," which we are now happy to remember as a glorious revolution.”

Neither fhould we, in the commemoration of these events fo highly favourable to the interests of true religion and true liberty, to all that is dear to us as proteftants and as Britons, forget our acknowledgment of the fervices of our deliverer, nor of the patriot virtues of that no lefs illuftrious band of men, of whatever rank in fociety, who hazarded their lives and properties in defence of their rights, and the liberties of their country.

To conclude. The commemoration of bleffings received, whether national or perfonal, fhould excite, at once, our gratitude to, and our confidence in, the almighty parent and governor of all; and infpire that measure of

virtue,

virtue, which may be neceffary to enable us to preserve our integrity, by refifting the temptations which may be held out to divert us from the ftraight path of our duty as citizens of a free country.

Religion and government have been well faid to be the only two fubjects deferving a wife-man's attention; for he who has been diligent and faithful in his researches into both will proportionably enlarge his own mind, improve his own happiness, and qualify himself to be eminently useful in his generation.

But

It is not, indeed, in any degree, probable that we should be called to fo arduous a task, as that which tried the fpirits of our fathers, both at the reformation and revolution. let us make the fortitude and virtue of our ancestors, in the accomplishment of those great and happy events, the example, whereby to steer our own conduct in preserving and perfecting their work; for it is by advancing the general knowledge and love of truth and liberty, that we shall beft promote the profperity and happiness of our fellow-creatures, and fhall beft confult the honour of God,

the

the true dignity of our prince, and the inte grity of our own minds.

66

Happy then are the people that are in fuch a cafe; yea, bleffed are the people "who have the lord for their God."

SERMON

SERMON X.*

THE PROGRESSIVE IMPROVEMENT.

OF CIVIL LIBERTY.

JOB V. 12.

HE DISAPPOINTETH THE DEVICES OF THE CRAFTY, SO THAT THEIR HANDS CANNOT PERFORM THEIR ENTERPRISE.

very

THE language of Eliphaz, in this and other expreffions in the fame chapter, is unequivocal and ftrong. By the "devices "of the crafty," we must understand the schemes and projects which are founded in deceit, injuftice and oppreffion, and conducted by means which can only be approved by fuch mischievous schemers and projectors. Craftiness, in common speech, carries, in its very found, fomething that is deteftable

* Preached in the unitarian chapel, in Effex-ftreet, London, on Sunday, November 4, 1792, being the anniversary of the reyolution of 1688.