and distrust, and as ready to say how can it be, as Nicodemus was, at the doctrine of the new birth. And so, because their natural reason cannot comprehend the sufficiency of divine influence, or the probability of its being exerted so as to deter evil doers, and support civil government, as they suppose it may be done by swords and guns, therefore, they strive to force Christ's plainly opposite doctrines to a consistency with what they imagine absolutely necessary to the support of civil government and human policy. But they ought to consider that in so doing, they reverse the commandment; and, instead of seeking first the heavenly kingdom, and trusting God, according to his promise, to add other things, they seek first to secure what he has promised to add, and neglect to seek first the heavenly kingdom, which he has commanded them; hoping, it may be, that he will add that to the earthly, though he has not promised, nor indeed have they any solid grounds to expect it, for if they love earthly things more than Christ, he has expressly declared they are not worthy of him.

Now it is observable, that the prayer he taught, agrees exactly with the precepts he delivered. "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven:" not as in warring, avenging, lusting christendom; no, no, but as it is in heaven, where all is love, harmony, and peace. "Give us this day, or day by day, our daily bread." Behold the moderation of the request. Not give us vast estates, to increase our ease, honour, popularity, and power; and to perpetuate our names and families in the earth. Not protect us, in the luxurious enjoyment of an hundred times more than enough, and that at the loss of others' lives, in the field of battle and blood; but "give us this day, (mark well, this day,) our daily bread." Were our desires after earthly things, in any good degree conformable to this petition, I believe we should seldom find occasion for the use of carnal weapons. But to proceed. "Forgive us our trespasses"-how?" as we forgive those that trespass against us." Not as we have loved the world, lusted after, and murdered the workmanship of thy hands, made after thy image, to obtain it. Not as we have rigorously exacted the utmost farthing, and revenged every little injury and offence; no, no: but as we have

forgiven those who injuriously treated us, and trespassed against us; for we are taught, that if we forgive men their trespasses, our heavenly Father will forgive ours; and we are taught also, not to avenge ourselves; and that war proceeds from lust warring in the members, desiring to have wherewithal to consume upon those very lusts. So that lust seems to be the origin from which war proceeds, and the gratification thereof, the centre to which it tends. But as we come to trust in him that clothes the lillies, to clothe us, (otherwise, we should justly deserve to be reproved with an "O ye of little faith!") we renounce the world, pray, "thy kingdom come, and will be done," and cheerfully forgive, yea, love and feed our ene

mies.

This, this is the language of the gospel disposition; this the spirit of a real Christian unto whom, it is not difficult to find a way for the maintenance of civil government, without the violation of the Lord's commandments; though it may be hard for him to make a mere nominal Christian, or even a fearful and unbelieving one, whose eye is not single to the Lord, believe it possible: because, to see clearly through the whole mystery of godliness, the mind must be redeemed from the world, and the love of it; for if we love the world, the love of the Father, we are assured, is not in us. And if his love is not in us, it is impossible we should have a firm dependance on, and unshaken faith in him and so, for want of this dependance, and of the eye being single, the mind turns outward, and seeks protection from the arm of flesh; and being destitute of that fulness of light that attends a single eye, darkness overspreads the understanding, and in this darkness, dark and carnal reasonings enter and prevail; fear, trouble, and alarm, confuse and confound the poor unbelieving, wandering soul. And thus, instead of exhibiting to the world, an example of true christian faith, fortitude, and patience, he becomes a fearful, worldly politician; flying to the arm of flesh for protection. This is not "the patience and faith of the saints;" no, by no means: neither is it conforming to those holy injunctions, "See that ye be not troubled," "Resist not evil;" "Love the Lord with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself," &c. but is directly the reverse.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thine own understanding," is an excellent precept; for the world by its wisdom knows not God, nor his way of preservation; and accordingly the son of his bosom, who well understood his counsels, was heard reverently to return him thanks because he had hid those things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes. Now these babes, having a filial trust in and dependance on the Lord, their holy Parent, they wait for the word from his mouth, and babe-like, pretend not to know better than he, nor to dispute his divine authority; nay, nor even strive to pervert or evade the force of his injunctions. They do not presumptuously conclude, they will not observe his laws, nor understand them in their plain and proper meaning, unless he will promise to defend their lives and properties from all invasions. They do not refuse to follow him, unless he will clearly show them beforehand, how, and by what means, he will preserve them; or how he will confound their enemies; but they believe the declaration, that "when a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." Though for a season he may suffer the wrath of the wicked to rise up against him, and threaten inevitable ruin and destruction; yet, none ever trusted in the Lord, and were confounded; for no weapon formed against such, shall prosper; but every tongue that riseth in judgment against them, they shall condemn. Let it be again repeated, "Here is the patience, and the faith of the saints."

Oh! my heart's desire and prayer to God is, that his kingdom may come, and his will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. That righteousness may cover the earth, as waters do the seas. That swords may universally be beaten into plough-shares, and spears into pruning-hooks. That nation may not lift up sword against nation, nor learn war any more at all, for ever; but that the nations of the earth may become the nations, (yea, and the peaceable followers,) of God, and of his Christ. And this I not only pray for in sincerity, and in feeling fervency of soul, but I also have an unshaken faith and expectation, that such a time will come; that such a reformation will prevail; however enthusiastical it may seem to worldly minded Christians. But

know, O christendom! that, in so far as thou hast denied the Lord that bought thee, and hast treacherously refused to hold forth his ensign to the nations, and to lift up his standard of peace among the people; but hast hidden thy light under a bed or bushel, and been ashamed of his blessed testimony, in so far will he deny thee before his Father and the holy angels. He will blot thy name out of the book of life, and deny thee an inheritance among those who have followed him in the regeneration and the daily cross, bearing his reproach among the sons of men, and maintaining his testimony through persecution, scorn, and death. The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Therefore, be awakened, O careless christendom! Be aroused, O lukewarm and unfaithful professors of the holy name of Jesus, the prince of peace! Be persuaded, I beseech you, to look around and consider your sad departure from the self-denying life of our holy head and pattern, and from the example and testimony of his primitive followers. They denied themselves, took up their daily cross, and followed their redeemer, bearing testimony to the peaceable nature of the gospel dispensation. Alas! how unlike the conduct of the present professors! How contrary to the wrathful, revengeful spirit of fallen, worldly christendom! What lamentation shall be taken up-what language shall be used, to impress the minds of mankind with a proper sense of the woful apostacy that has bewildered and benighted poor christendom! My very soul doth mourn, and my heart is moved within me while I write, in consideration of these things, and as they now seriously affect and impress my mind.

A very sorrowful, yea, even painful circumstance now presents to my view, namely, the case of those who on account of their violation of our christian testimony against war, and the spirit of it, and perhaps from a desire to enjoy a little more liberty, have suffered themselves to be cut off and separated from our religious society, as members. I believe such, if ever they were green and lively, must have been greatly withered, before they could so far deviate, and I greatly fear they will, unless they pass through deep repentance and condemnation, shrivel and die, as members disjointed from the body, or as

branches separated from and not abiding in the vine. Oh! how is the cause of reformation wounded by such examples! How may the hearts of tender inquirers be discouraged, and the mouths of vaunting adversaries opened against them, as well as against the pure truth, by such mournful departures from, and renouncings of the testimony thereof! Oh! that they who have so sadly fallen away, might be persuaded to a serious consideration and amendment of their ways before it be too late. Oh! that they might be brought back to a state of true sensibility and enjoyment of that divine presence, without which a man's life is a burden, and all earthly enjoyments, vanity and vexation of spirit. I feel sincere desires for their awakening and return, that so their immortal souls may rest in the day of trouble. It seems as if I could suffer great tribulation for their sakes, if it might tend to the enlightening of their darkened understandings, and softening their hearts.

"When the Lord turns again the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad." Meantime wisdom is justified of her children. And though the world may lie in wickedness, and even some who have known and tasted the good word of life, and the powers of the world to come may fall away; though the stars may fall from heaven, and Demas may love this present world, yet be encouraged, ye upright hearted testimony-bearers; ye tribulated followers of the Prince of Peace, among all denominations. Be ye strengthened in your zeal and fervent resolution to follow him to the mountain of the Lord, where none shall "hurt nor destroy." Give not back, though multitudes of worldly christians reproach and discourage you. As ye abide faithful, ye shall witness preservation, evincing that "to us a child is born to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder;" his name is the "wonderful Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace; and of the increase of his government and peace, there shall be no end:" for he sitteth upon the throne of David, to order it, and to establish it, from henceforth, through all generations. Therefore, hold on your way, hold on your way ye conscientious burthen-bearers!