sand shields hang forth for our protection,-of that vineyard, which we shall for once suppose to be the Spanish kingdom, that chosen heritage which the Father of families has so wonderfully placed under your care, by means of so many prodigies, (as you know,) and of which the fruits should correspond to his paternal love.

The sentence which is pronounced is against the wicked husbandmen, not against the righteous-it is fearful to the bad, but consoling to the goodit confounds the careless labourer, but in your Majesty it ought solely to produce the effect of an exquisite Christian vigilance, which is necessary for the better discharge of your duties. Jesus Christ our Lord, who adopted it, and the church which promulgates it to us, expect this good from it.

"He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen." From this sentence there is no appeal; the Lord has said it, and it shall be fulfilled. The husbandman who neglects the culture of his land, or the king who governs not his kingdom with equity, alike subject themselves to be despoiled of them. Terrible anathema! such that even the Jews who heard it uttered, (saith the Evangelist,) cried out, "God forbid." But, in respect to ourselves, ean such evil befal us? No; trusting in the rectitude of your Majesty, I hope it cannot; yet it is needful to fear it, lest the evil should befal us.

From not doing this, Belshazzar lost his kingdom, his life and his soul, although a holy Daniel at his side had timeously predicted the ruin of his throne. Saul lost the sceptre, his life, and his soul, for his mal-administration, notwithstanding the prayers and mediation of so great a prophet as Samuel. Rehoboam saw his kingdom fall in pieces, and pass into other hands, in punishment of his caprice, and because he despised the counsel of the ancients. Ahab experienced even a more unfortunate lot for his perverse conduct, though the great prophet Elias had so often forewarned him. The Romans lost the Spanish dominions, the Goths saw them pass

"But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him."-2 Chron. x. 8.

under the Moorish yoke; and in our days the whole of Europe—

But whither am I wandering?— Your Majesty is an eye-witness-is he who has most nearly felt this testimony of the certain truth, this evidence of the infallibility of the sentence which Jesus Christ, through the Evangelist," this day lays before us. Your remembrance of it, and meditations upon it, ensure your own felicity and the happiness of the whole nation. The Father of all sees that it is impossible for you personally to assist in all the parts of this great vineyard-sees the indispensable necessity you lie under to avail yourself of the aid of labourers in its culture; but if you seek, O King! to secure your own and our happiness,

if you seek to shun the fulfilment of this dreadful denunciation,-you must watch without ceasing, and apply it to the husbandmen to whom you entrust the cultivation; when they do not fulfil their obligations, "destroy the wicked men." To persuade you, Sire, to adopt this vigilance will form the subject of my discourse. Nothing can be more worthy of your care. To explain it with the utility I desire to your great soul, and to the whole nation, I stand in need of the Divine assistance-Ave Maria.

"He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen."

FIRST. What life, what efficacy is in the word of God! The Apostle Paul hath well explained this, where he says, "The word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow; and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." This ineffable quality, "which may be considered as existing in every word which the Almighty addresses to his creatures," particularly applies to the terrible sentence which he this day pronounces against the wicked husbandmen of the vineyard: "He will miserably destroy those wicked men." No one can meditate on this denunciation attentively, without experiencing the most salutary effects. It is sufficient to reform the

*Heb. iv. 12.

most careless husbandman, administrator or king.

If you respect not my words, attend, O King, to those of the exalted Saint Theresa of Jesus, glory of Spain, and delight of the heavenly Jerusalem. This enlightened virgin was tenderly interested for, and warmly attached to, the throne of St. Ferdinand, which you worthily occupy. She had also a particular regard for your immortal ancestor, the just, the prudent Philip the Second, and having compassion on him, because surrounded by flatterers, he had no one near him to tell him the truth, though, considering the circumstances in which he was then placed, it was necessary he should be warned of it, the Saint herself resolved to admonish him, because she loved him. Her heart was nigh to fail her, but encouraging herself, she said, "It is better that my heart should suffer, than that my king and his kingdom should be lost." She could not ascend into this cathedral to preach before him, for although she was a doctor of theology, being a woman excluded her, but as ambassadress of the King of kings, she addressed unto Philip a letter, which, being read, comprehended in two lines, that which I feel it a duty incumbent upon me to inculcate in this Sermon, viz. “Remember, Sire, that Saul was a chosen and an anointed king."

Having perused this paper, that great prince was (saith the history) somewhat astonished, but on reflection, he soon became sensible that God spake to him through the medium of this celestial heroine. He bethought himself of that carelessness which had led him into peril, he became watchful and zealous for the happiness of his kingdom, and grew so perfect himself, that not long thereafter, the Virgin Estifania, of the apostles, “the daughter of the saint," beheld him come forth triumphantly from the tribunal of God, favoured by the most holy Virgin, to whom he had rendered so many services.

I, O King, possess not that fervour of soul which inspired Saint Theresa of Jesus, but I yield to none in my desire for your happiness, and the welfare of your kingdom; in which, "as is known to you," I am deeply interested; because I love you, I do not flatter you, but speak the truth

unto you. I repeat with my holy mother, "Remember, immortal Ferdinand, that Saul was a king, that he was chosen by God, and anointed by his prophet; but in the end he was forsaken by the Lord, lost his life, his soul, and his kingdom, because he did not fulfil his obligations." This sentence of the Saint's is, as it were, an abridgment of the words of the evangelist, by which we are this day told that the Father of families will punish the wicked husbandmen, and bestow the vineyard upon others, who will cultivate it with advantage. "He shall come and destroy those husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others."

At present, may I not expect from your guiltless heart equal, or even greater fruits, than those words of Saint Theresa produced in that of your heroic ancestor Philip the Second? Surely I cannot doubt it. Already, nethinks, I see you vigilantly driving from your side those who do not love you, those who will not tell the truth unto you. Already, methinks, I behold you cleansing the public offices from that filth which (if I may be allowed the expression) hath so iniquitously been introduced into them, in these latter times of trouble and confusion. Already, methinks, I perceive you visiting the labourers in the vineyard, examining their labours, and striving that it may bring forth its fruit in due season. If this you do not, know, O King, that this you ought to do, to render yourself and your kingdom happy. For example, there are in the vineyard of Spain labourers (or ministers) of state. Those ought to be men with clean hands, pure intentions, and of upright conduct: men who would not allow themselves to be biassed by self-interest, by friends, relations or connexions, or by those who are destitute of merit, in managing the national property, or in the distribution of situations (or employments). But is this the case? Alas! Sire, I go forth from considering this great obligation, and I find the people see, sigh, and weep, that directly the contrary takes place. I find that scarcely is any one entered upon an elevated employment, when he raises up his whole house, family and friends, "and this in the face of all the nation," forgetful that among those regarding him are

a thousand of acknowledged merit, who are thereby injured and defrauded of their rights: a thousand, who, though justly entitled to employment, are denied it, while it is bestowed on those who deserve it not, sometimes even as the wages of iniquity, through the mediation and interest of an accomplice of their crimes. What horror, Sire! that such abuses should prevail. The vineyard brings forth only weeds and thorns, (these are resentments, clamours, and complaints,) which cannot be remedied, but by driving from the midst of it these perverse husbandmen, fulminating against them the sentence of the Almighty, Destroy those

wicked men."

66

as

There are also warlike labourers in the Spanish vineyard. The individuals of this department have a right, the defenders of their country," that justice should be rendered to their heroism, that equity should be observed in the distribution of rewards and ranks,-that merit should obtain a preference, and that activity and valour should take the lead of laziness and cowardice. This is peculiarly needful in a profession where honour holds so prominent a place. But is this the reality? Ah, Sire! Thousands of military men of merit deplore the want of justice,-the scandalous disorder which (contrary to your good intentions) prevails in this branch of the service of the state. Thousands of men of valour see others who, by intrigues and interest, enjoy a fictitious fame, elevated above them, true merit being obscured by that which is unreal. Thousands of brave men who have been faithful to their country, see others, though tarnished by disloyalty, 66 yet covered by the veil of interest,' receive those ranks in justice due to the former. Thousands of heroes, their bodies full of honourable scars, who are entitled to the highest rewards which can be bestowed, find themselves oppressed by want, scattered through the nation, nay, sometimes even in prison, because no one in power will raise his face to obtain justice for them, because no one compassionates their misfortunes. These men cry aloud, raising their hands to heaven, praying that the justice of your Majesty may apply to the delinquents the sentence of the Father of families, "Destroy those wicked men.”

Finally, there are in the vineyard of Spain innumerable judicial labourers in tribunals, governments, and a variety of situations in which they ought to administer justice; but what confusion and disorder exists among them! I throw a glance around the whole Peninsula,-I examine the sentiments of its inhabitants,-I hear their words and reflect on their complaints. All Spain resembles one great hospital, where each one bewails his miserable lot. One complains because that power eclipses justice, because favour has inclined the balance to the opposite side, because his rights are sepulchred without a chance of resurrection before the world end. Others lament the want of money to render their just claims effectual, without which their labours and fatigues, they see, are lost. Thousands of sufferers complain because that, under the name of fees in prosecuting their causes, they have been robbed of all they had, and left prostrate in the depth of misery, from which they can never extricate themselves, unless Jesus Christ descend to give them his hand, as he did to the paralytic person mentioned by the evangelist. The conduct of these wicked husbandmen, Sire, is grievous to the nation,-fills it with sorrow,-forces it on to the fatal verge of most dangerous discontent, and imperiously demands that your Majesty should apply to them the sentence of the Most High, "Destroy those wicked men.”

SECOND. Wherefore is it, Sire, after singing songs of triumph over foreign foes, that we are in such danger from domestic enemies? Can it be possible, after all the labours of your Majesty in search of men to execute their duties faithfully and promote our happiness, that the vineyard of our nation produces only weeds and thorns in place of fruit? Can it be possible that so many magistrates and ministers who have given such proofs of fidelity towards you, the country and religion,-who have suffered so much, and even exposed their lives for you and them,-can it be possible that such men are careless or unfaithful in the discharge of their obliga tions?

Alas! from hence I think I hear each of the ministers exclaim, "The nation is not unhappy through my