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II.

A Divine Regulation in the Moral
Government of the World.

PREACHED BEFORE THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD MAYOR AND THE SHERIFFS OF THE

CITY OF LONDON,

AT THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARY WOOLNOTH,
ON SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1822.

A DIVINE REGULATION

IN THE

GOVERNMENT OF THE WORLD.

1 SAMUEL ii. 30.

Them that honor me, I will honor; and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

THE Omissions and disobedience of the church are frequently more displeasing to Almighty God, than the decided and virulent hostility of the world. From his avowed adversaries he looks for the contempt of his laws, and the dishonour of his Name. From his professing people, he has an undoubted right to expect a conduct suitable to their vows and obligations, and in accordance with the will of Him who hath called them to glory and virtue. If this be naturally required from his servants in

general, how much more from those who wait at his altars, and proclaim his word to the congregation! From such it were surely only reasonable to anticipate the most ready obedience to his commands; the most cheerful acquiescence in his will, and the nearest resemblance to his divine. image. If the priest's lips should keep knowledge, we may properly expect that the law of his God should be written on his heart; that his life should be a pattern to the church of every thing that is pure, and peaceable, and lovely, and of good report. Nor is it too much to conclude, that his family should be a little sanctuary, the church in miniature, conducted upon Scriptural principles and governed by Christian love; the abode of heavenly graces, and the residence of holy tempers; the school of the prophets, and the nursery for the future labourers in the word and doctrine. Happy that Christian community whose pastors, having been originally trained in such families, conducted on such principles, are now endeavouring, in their turn, to bring up their households in the

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nurture and admonition of the Lord, ruling them with the mild sway of Christian firmness and parental affection! Having their children in subjection with all gravity. For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?

It may perhaps be objected, that a minister is only responsible for the discharge of his official duties; and that it is hard, and indeed cruel, to censure, with severity, what may, by some, be considered as the amiable weaknesses of his character. A criminal remissness in discipline, may be attributed to parental indulgence; and the improper gratification of youthful wishes may be extenuated as an exhibition of fatherly affection. Alas! my brethren, what have been the baleful and tremendous consequences of such indulgence, and such affection, the subject connected with our text most plainly declares! Awful is the instance that it furnishes us with of a saint and a priest so neglecting the grand duty of religious education, and the due exercise of parental authority, as to bring, upon himself and upon his offspring, denunciations of the Divine indignation and wrath,

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