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prayers of his people he will influence him to adopt salutary measures. So that a wise regard to the peace of the church and the publick welfare, as well as goodwill to the persons of princes, will always dictate sincere and fervent prayers for blessings, spiritual and temporal, on their persons and families, and for success to all their measures; except we evidently perceive them to be engaged in unjustifiable and pernicious undertakings; and then, instead of expressing our disapprobation in virulent invectives, or bitter complaints, we should earnestly intreat the Lord to withdraw them from their purpose, and to dispose them to hearken to more salutary counsels. Indeed, when this duty is conscientiously performed from the heart, it has a powerful tendency to calm our spirits, and to render us averse to turbulent opposition; and it is by far the most becoming and efficacious weapon of our warfare, though too little made use of.

VI. We are commanded "to study," or to be ambitious, "to be quiet, and to mind our own busi"ness;" "to be content with such things as we "have;" "to fear God and the king, and not to med"dle with those who are given to change;" to consider "that we have here no continuing city," for the christian's "citizenship is in heaven;" that "we are "strangers and pilgrims on earth;" that "in the world "we must have tribulation," let who will govern it; that we must not love the world, or any of its idolized possessions, distinctions, or enjoyments; and that we must "not mind high things," or "seek them" for ourselves.

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Indeed every station has its proper duties, and a man may serve God in almost any one; provided he do not officiously intrude himself into it. Saints in Cæsar's household had employments that differed from those of saints in an obscure village. The Proconsul Paulus had duties to perform, of another nature than those of the Apostle Paul. David "served his gene. "ration, by the will of God," as king of Israel; Daniel as prime minister of the Babylonian, and afterwards of the Persian, monarchy; and Nehemiah as governor of Judea. Thus christians may serve God as senators, magistrates, or ministers of state; or as kings or emperors, if properly called to it. A prophet may deliver the Lord's message in the plainest language to the proudest monarch; and Paul the prisoner was performing his duty when he caused his wicked judge to tremble by his faithful admonitions.

But surely if the apostles would not "leave the "word of God to serve tables," though a very good work in itself, ministers of the gospel ought not to intermit their important labours to dispute about politicks or to attempt the reformation or subversion of governments, or to unite with heretical, infidel, or irreligious persons, because their sentiments coincide in these secular concerns. They seem to have nothing. to do in such questions, but to instruct the people from the word of God, in this, as well as other parts of their duty; to set them an example of a quiet and peaceable behaviour; and to assist their prayers for kings and all in authority.

Nor should private christians relax their diligence in attending on divine ordinances, mutual edification,

and the duties of their several relations in life; to form such associations, or concert such measures, as not only excite the jealously of rulers, but induce the world to conclude that they are as selfish and ambitious as their irreligious neighbours; and in many other ways give the enemies of the gospel an occasion of speaking evil of them, and the holy doctrine they profess. On the contrary, it behoves us in our several stations to suppórt that Government which protects and tolerates us: for "the world lieth in the wicked one," and it is absurd to expect more favour in it than protection and toleration.

We profess to seek heavenly treasures and honours; and we should not seem desirous of the perishing distinctions of this world, which commonly ensnare those who obtain them: if we are christians indeed, we are travelling to heaven; and all our earthly prosperity or adversity will soon be swallowed up in the joys of eternity: if we can do any good by the way, we should readily embrace the opportunity; if any thing contrary to our consciences be required of us, we should meekly refuse compliance; if we be abridged in our civil privileges, or have hard measure from the world, let us not marvel or murmur, but bear it patiently and cheerfully, as the disciples of a crucified Redeemer. This conduct will most conduce to our comfort and edification; and best "adorn the "gospel of God our Saviour," by "putting to silence "the ignorance of foolish men.—”

Though liberty, as distinguished from licentiousness and anarchy, liberty civil and religious, personal and political, be very desirable, even to the utmost extent that human nature in its present state can bear,

and that can consist with God's plan of subordination, which is manifest in all his works and all his word; and though we should aim, by every peaceable and proper method, to promote it in every land: yet we should shew a decided preference to that liberty which Christ bestows on his redeemed people; for without this, the most celebrated and successful champion for eivil liberty must continue for ever the abject slave of sin and Satan.

VII. Lastly, It becomes us to "sanctify the Lord "of hosts himself; and to let him be our fear;" that humbly accepting of his salvation, trusting in his mercy, grace, and providence, committing all our concerns into his hands, valuing nothing in comparison of his love, fearing nothing but his frown; we may make it our great business to glorify him by our worship and obedience. Thus we should seek deliverance from those fluctuating hopes and fears which agitate the minds of others as appearances vary: we should not expect much additional comfort on earth from the most promising changes; nor yield to trepidation or despondency in times of danger or publick calamity; and we should shew that we are "not afraid "of evil tidings, as our hearts are fixed, trusting in "the Lord," "whose kingdom is an everlasting

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kingdom, and his dominion endureth to all genera"tions:" that so manifesting that "our minds are

stayed upon God, and kept in perfect peace," when "the hearts of others are moved, as the trees of the "wood are moved by the wind;" we may convince all around us, that they only are blessed who trust in, and serve, the Lord.

END OF THE THIRD VOLUME,

Theological and Literary Book Store,

No. 52, CORNER OF SECOND AND CHESNUT STREETS,

PHILADELPHIA.

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WILLLIAM W. WOODWARD,

PROPOSES TO PRINT BY SUBSCRIPTION,

DISSERTATIONS,

HISTORICAL, CRITICAL, THEOLOGICAL, AND MORAL

ON THE

MOST MEMORABLE EVENTS OF THE

OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS:
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF
JAMES SAURIN,

PASTOR OF THE FRENCH CHURCH AT THE HAGUE;
M. ROQUES, OF BASLE,

AND C. S. DE BEAUSOBRE, OF BERLIN;
To which are Added,

ORIGINAL NOTES, ILLUSTRATIONS, AND CHRONOLOGICAL ARRANGEMENTS;

BY F. A. COX, A. M.

Extract from the London Editor's Proposal.

THESE discourses were published in Holland nearly a century ago, at the expense of a merchant, whose impression of their excellence induced him to devote 100,000 gilders, or nearly Ten Thousand Pounds English to the purpose. It has been a subject of frequent surprize, that a work of such value and magnitude has never been translated into our native language The first folio volume indeed appeared in English in the year 1723, by J. Chamberlayne, Esq. under the patron. age of the Royal Family, and dedicated to Prince Frederick; but the imperfections of that performance, the quaintness of the style, the small portion of the work it embraces, and the total deficiency of plates and illustrations, supersede the necessity of any apology for a new and enlarged translation.

The celebrated VANDER MARCH, Lord of Leur, devoted 25 years to the original work, the splendid designs of which, by HOET, HOUBRAKEN, and PICART, are explained at foot, in Greek, Latin, English, French, High and Low Dutch.

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