Step Men take, by which they rife into the View of the World, is an Abridgement of their innocent Liberty, and binds them to a ftricter and feverer Self-denial. For there is a natural Envy in Men, which loves to fee the Honour and Dignity of great Places, qualified with Trouble and Anxiety.

But Men who are distinguished by the Advantages of Birth and Education, should be above the common Prejudices and fordid Paffions of the Vulgar; and think themfelves obliged, in Honour as well as Duty, to pay a steady and regular Obedience to the Government. It is fome Excufe for the Dishonour of the Nation, in the late Rebellion, that we can fhew fo brave a Lift of Nobility and Gentry, who fell in Defence of their King; and left the Honour of their Death, a nobler Inheritance to their Families, than their Lands and Eftates. Imitation of their Virtue and Obedience need not to be preffed in this Audience; where the Rules of Duty and Honour are better practised, than they can be taught. The noble Families have Examples of their own, to instruct them how they fhould behave themselves to their Prince and their Country and in the Hiftory of their Ancestors, C 4 may

The

may learn, that Loyalty to the Crown, is the first and the nobleft Title of Honour. And furely thus much Good we may expect from the Evil of the late Times; that Men would learn at length to value the Bleffing of a good Prince.

It is the Goodnefs of God to us, that, after fo many Convulfions, we ftill enjoy our ancient Government; that there is ftill Life and Vigour in the Religion and Liberty of England: a Goodness that on our Part requires the utmoft Returns of Gratitude ; which can no way be fo acceptably fhewn, as in the worthy Ufe of the Bleffings we enjoy. We fhall but ill perform the Duty of this Day, unless we amend in ourselves the Errors we reprove in others. The Crown and the Virtues of the royal Martyr are once more joined together; let not then our Reproach be renewed by the repeated Want of Obedience and Affection. If, whilft our Governors watch with Care and Solicitude, to make us easy and happy in ourselves; strong and fecure against our Enemies abroad; we labour to difturb the Methods of our Government at Home; we muft thank ourselves for the Evils, which will always follow from the turbulent Humours, and distracted Coun

fels

fels of a Nation. We have an Enemy ftrong and cunning to deal with; an ancient Rival of the Power and Honour of England; an Enemy to the Religion of Protestants, and the Liberty of Mankind: and if nothing elfe will, yet Intereft would prevail with ust to unite for our mutual Safety; and whilst our brave Countrymen expofe their Lives to the Hazard and Fortune of War Abroad, in Defence of their Prince, and their Country; methinks the leaft that can be expected of us, is to be quiet and peaceable at Home. To fave the finking Liberties of Europe, is worthy a Queen of England; and if the Spirit of our Fathers be not degenerate in us, it will, it must rife to check the Progrefs of an ambitious Monarch; and it will ever be the Choice of an Englishman, rather to die by his Sword, than live by his Law: but our Lives and Fortunes are fafe in the Conduct and Prudence of our Governors; we need only facrifice our ill Humours, to the Peace and Security of our Country; and be content to ftand fill and fee the Salvation of the Lord. Let us at least be willing to be faved; and, for the Sake and Defence of our Religion, fubmit to live by the Rules of it. We have been long

fighting and contending for our Religion; it is now high Time to practise it; and a better Foundation we cannot lay than in the Duties of the Text, To fear the Lord, and the King, and not to meddle with them that are given to change.

DISCOURSE II.

MATTHEW X. 41, 42.

He that receiveth a Prophet, in the Name of a Prophet, fhall receive a Prophet's Reward: And he that receiveth a righteous Man, in the Name of a righteous Man, fhall receive a righteous Man's Reward.

And whofoever shall give to drink unto one of thefe little Ones, a Cup of cold Water only, in the Name of a Difciple, verily, I Say unto you, he shall in no wife lofe his Reward.

Tow

OWARDS the Beginning of this Chapter we read, that our Saviour sent forth his Disciples to preach the Kingdom of God. That they might preach with Authority, he endowed them with Power from