too harsh a sentence, nor err greatly in our judgment, in believing that it can proceed only from a mind unsanctified by the influences of religion, uncleansed from illwill towards man, and not unwilling to proclaim the enlargement of the boundaries of hell. He, therefore, that will "love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile ;" for if " any man seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, this man's religion is vain.” "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." "The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell." "He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth slander, is a fool." Let us, then, think often and seriously, on the comprehensive nature of Christian charity; and whenever a doubt arises within us as to our line of duty, let us ask ourselves the question, what, under the same circumstances would have been the conduct of our blessed Saviour? and let not the remembrance of the past, nor the gratification of the present moment, ever so sour our minds, as to allow us to sully the character, or prejudice the fame, of our erring but yet our earthly brother. But whenever the interests of religion remain uncompromised, let us show forth the virtues, and conceal the failings of those around us; and endeavour constantly to remember, that while God forbears it is not for man to condemn. Such a frame of mind will tend to our comfort while on earth, will be productive of kindred virtues, will gain for us the regard of man, and above all, ensure us the approbation of God. And when the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll, and the earth, and all that is therein shall be burnt up, the Redeemer whom we served on earth, will usher us into those realms, where flows the river of pleasure at the right hand of God for evermore. SERMON XIV. AN ASSIZE SERMON. ROMANS xiii. 1. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers; for there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God." THE rights of men have been classed as natural and acquired. In this twofold division, those which we derive from the Almighty alone, who is the Author and Giver of every good, and which belong to us as creatures of His power, being independent of any human institutions, and such as no laws can cancel, no customs dissolve, nor circumstances abrogate, have been styled natural; while such as accrue to us by human appointment, and are secured to us by the laws of the country |