pettishly quarrel with his station in the community, though it may happen to be less privileged than that of some others.

Should he be obliged to earn his bread by daily labour, he will consider, that the very existence of society requires a large proportion of its members to remain subjected to this necessity; and supposing him in a land of freedom, though the fruit of his toil should be small, he will not forget that he enjoys it in security; equal in this respect to the proudest of his fellow-citizens, and superior to the highest subject of a despotic government. Again, instead of looking with envy on those above him, he will endeavour to reap the solid advantages of his humble condition, in health and content; blessings which he sees often paid down as the price of wealth and distinction.

Should he be raised a little higher in the order of society, and together with liberty and security, should enjoy a modest `competence; he would see still further reason to be satisfied with his lot. round on human life, he

Calmly looking would perceive

himself in one of her most eligible situations, notwithstanding a few civil disadvantages he might happen to lie under; which, if warranted by sound policy, he would approve; and, though unwisely imposed, he would bear with good humour; nay, would be inclined to consider them as a happy bar to his ambition or avarice, and a security to his present peace.

What then shall we think of him, who, exempt from every political inconvenience, and in possession of all the means of a virtuous and noble independence, is still dissatisfied with his condition, and ready to quarrel with the general state of affairs, because, alas! he is distinguished by no place at court, or not invested with some public office of honour or profit; or, perhaps, because he is not gratified with some title or trapping of nobility? Such as this, however, is the preposterous ambition we have sometimes to lament in the conduct of a country gentleman, who chooses rather to obtrude his services where they are neither required nor wanted, and waste his days and nights at the levees and in the

antechambers of men in power, than to reside with the dignity of a prince upon his paternal inheritance! To descend from this elevation to a state of low dependance, to sigh after places or pensions, ribbands or titles, and, if he cannot obtain them, to set himself in opposition to the laws or government of his country, is the part of a man lost to nature and true honour, and prepared to sell his birthright, like Esau, for a mess of pottage.

Were it possible to work upon such depravity, we might oppose the example of a great statesman *, who tells us, in his Essay upon Gardening, that as a country life was the inclination of his youth, so it was the pleasure of his age; and that of the many great employments which had fallen to his share, he had never asked or sought for any; but had often endeavoured to escape from them all, into the ease and freedom of a private

scene.

Again: Should there be found a class of men in a country who stand excluded from

* Sir W. Temple.

its public honours and emoluments, merely for what they deem a purer faith or worship; however impolitic or illiberal such an exclusion might be, it would lie upon them in a peculiar manner to be studious of a just deference and submission to the powers that are; to show that good christians are of all men least disposed to clog the measures of government, only because they are not admitted to share its favours; that provided they can enjoy liberty of conscience, with a reasonable security for their persons and property, they will not eagerly contend for other advantages; and that when, upon some pressing exigency, they step forth on the public stage, it is at the clear call of duty and of their country, and not from any low inducements of honour or profit.

There are few things to be met with more odious, than a busy meddler in politics pretending to religion; nor is the difference much, whether he list himself under the banner of Whig or Tory. Above all, this is odious in a teacher of christianity; especially if he suffer it to appear in his public

ministrations. To make the pulpit an engine of court flattery, or a drum ecclesiastic to beat up for patriotic recruits, is a conduct deserving the severest reprehension. A true minister of the Prince of Peace, whose kingdom is not of this world, directs his attention to higher objects, and shuns the strifes and entanglements of secular affairs.

It is an old charge against those who have made a profession of true religion, that they were movers of sedition, hurtful to kings and provinces, paying neither toll, tribute, nor custom; and this charge, it must be acknowledged, has not always been groundless. The Jews are known to have been a seditious people, and sometimes to have proceeded to actual rebellion; nor have there been wanting men bearing the christian name, who have followed their example; men, as described by an apostle, presumptuous, self-willed, and not afraid to speak evil of dignities; who have said, with our tongues will we prevail, who is lord over us? Nay, such monsters have sprung up

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