The benevolent views and intentions thus evinced by our Sovereign, cannot but make us confider him (in the most exalted fenfe of the expreffion) THE FATHER OF HIS PEOPLE. His watchful Solicitude must certainly increase the Love of all his dutiful and obedient Subjects; and even (one would think) muft" turn the hearts of the Disobedient to the wisdom of the Juft."

He feems actuated by a pious and laudable Ambition to form his Kingdom here upon the model of that heavenly one which is referved for him hereafter: to fix his own and his Subjects' Glory upon the only folid and permanent foundation--Holiness of Life: to be the King of "a peculiar People,—a People, zealous of good Works."

And who is there fo loft to a sense of Religion,-fo loft to all the nobler feelings of the foul, who will not unite with him in fo righteous a caufe? who is there who calls himself a Chriftian, and is a native of this highly-favoured Country, who will not, to the utmost of

his

his

power, correct in himself and in his Countrymen, thofe Vices and Enormities which disgrace our national Character, and which may caufe the Almighty to "vifit those offences with the rod, and those fins with fcourges?"

To avert this dreadful vifitation, by reftraining (as far as he is able) the fatal progrefs of Vice, our gracious Sovereign, with a Solicitude truly paternal, has iffued his royal Proclamation. The Expediency,-nay the Neceffity of this as well as of that for the Suppreffion of feditious Writings, you all, I trust, acknowledge and if you acknowledge this, you will co-operate with your King in attempting to produce the good Effects defired.-With him you will try the prevailing power of Advice and Remonftrance, wherever an opportunity offers: and with him too, the still more prevailing force of Example.

Do the British People wish a living Model for their Imitation ?—Let them look up to the British Throne. In their Sovereigns, each Sex may behold an Example of distinguished Virtues ;-not only of those which ought

ought to attend their exalted Titles; but of thofe alfo which fhould adorn a private Station.. Go on, illuftrious Pair! in the Light of that Gospel whofe "Nurfing Father and whofe Nurfing Mother" ye fo truly are, -of which Gospel ye are "not ashamed,” but equally glory in the Faith, and follow the Example, of Chrift your Saviour! Go on-to afford the best Defence of that Holy Faith, the truest Patronage to that blessed Gofpel-a Chriftian Life :-a Life which has enthroned you in the Hearts of all the Friends of Virtue, and which is tacitly approved by the overawed Votaries of Vice.

But I intend not this difcourfe to be an Eulogy on their Characters, but a mean to accomplish among you their Wishes and Prayers to make you afpire after that Righteousness which exalteth a Nation ; and to raise in you an abhorrence of those Sins which are not only reproachful but deftructive to any people. From the dreadful Example of other Cities and Places, who have done amifs and dealt wickedly," who have incurred the Almighty's Vengeance by their Profligacy and their. Crimes ;-from the

Example

Example of that City more efpecially, which is alluded to in the text-I fhall (after noticing the tender Circumstance therein recorded of our Saviour) attempt to frame a cautionary Leffon for ourselves.He beheld the City, and wept over it.

66

I need not tell you the City here mentioned was Jerufalem." But why," you will afk, did Jefus weep over it, when he beheld it? What were the Caufes which could disturb fo pure a fountain, and draw a flood of tears from thofe facred eyes?" * -Was it on account of the Sufferings which there awaited him, that his tender and prophetic foul was wrung with anguish ?— Here we find a remote and inferior caufe; but not that immediate and efficient one which principally moved him on this occafion.-He, no doubt, felt as we feel, when we have done or meant well, and yet fuffer for it;" when we are unkindly treated by any of our fellow-creatures, who return us hatred for love, and evil for our goodwill. Such unavoidable Reflections muft have pained him deeply; but they were not

* Munton.

the

the great Cause of his Sorrow. Neither are we to suppose it to have been occafioned by Fear or Apprehenfion. What he was deftined to fuffer, he fubmitted to without Reluctance; and even forbade the tears to flow for him, which were shed by fome pitying spectators on his way to Mount Cal

vary.

Why, then, did he weep?-What was there in the ftate of Jerufalem at that time. to excite forrow and compaffion? It was then profperous and happy,-" a City that was at unity with itself," and whose Temple and Palaces were the Admiration of the world. Had it been in ruins; or had its ftreets exhibited the carnage of hostile armies, and its channels ftreamed with human blood:-had its Children been torn from their Mothers' breasts, " and dashed against the ftones"----we should then be at no lofs to discover the Caufe which affected the heart of the compaffionate Jefus.

And were not his tears occafioned by the melancholy circumstances which I have mentioned? Undoubtedly they were. "For these things he wept, and his eyes ran down with water." These things his prophetic