Проповеди и лекции

e begun the work after the example of the holy Prophets, Ivy L-x]xiiting first of all the state of the evil among the higher orders of the people; of the rulers first, then of the ooblcfi and proprietors of the land, then of the posaeaaors of the wealth and conductors of the traffic of the country. From each of Tvhicb several classes, we have seen tkai Satan had rooted out the ancient and true phiw ciple, that Christ is the Head of all power, and the rightful Pos^ssor of the earth, and Owmt of all its store£, from the fulness of whose power and providence every man hath received his po^ tion in stewardships to be used for the holy and good ends revealed in hia worJ, and for which they shall be responsible to him at the judgmeni of the (jreat day. Which judgment, be it remark- ed in passing, an it i>i given in Si. Matthew, turns entirely u]ion our devotcdnt-na to Him and his church ; that is, to the cati&e of righleouaness and HI,] UOD't COHTHO^RRKT WITH TJIK Liitt>. 921 truUi, and mercy, and blessedness, for which he g^Yc htmsclf ; und his true spirttual cliurcb sliU doth give herKelf to bo \n hungered, and athiat, and naked, and tt stmnger, and a prisoner in this world. From this sense of responsibility to the Kreat Head both of the wtate and of the church, iher^ htttb been a breaking; loose on ibe part of those ia- rested with the otGcetim the church, aud steward- ships in the state of this ancient ChmtJan land^ aince the time of the ItcfDrmation until now, aud esjiecially within these hxl thirty years, till, from being the umrcrsally acknowledged principle, it hath gone into such utter obUrion as never to be beard of by any chance or in any way; whence we conclude, lliat it hath no longer any exifttcucc as a practical principle in tli« government of thi^ min. Pfow, I have no hrRitation in calling this a disravowat of God'R authority, and direct rebellion a»ainst Christ, whom he hatli solemnly inaugurated in his highest office of Prince o£ the kin^s of the earth, and endowed with the inheritance of the uttermost ends of the world ; and that, like ali rebellions, it will be jHit down by force, if it cannot be composed by grace; the usurped power, vain titles of poj^session. and insignia of office, will all be wrested away» when, by refusing the grand-niaslcr*hip of Chrirtj they have become signs of coutradiction, badges of rebellion, and weapons of warfare ^igsin.st the I^rd and hi« HnniTttfd, What matter though the abstract principles of justico be better under- stood, and the principles of free