such men, encourage

them to such violation.

And by the encouragement which they afford them, lay the foundation for their own increasing immorality. For let it be remembered that a government gives to a people a moral as well as a political character, and has a most important influence upon their moral as well as their political habits. Hence an irreligious, immoral magistracy, will not merely introduce, among the people over whom they are exalted, a system of political principles subversive of truth and honour, but will give currency to irreligion and immorality in social intercourse and domestic life.

2. The spirit of party which prevails among us is another national judgment, which God inflicts upon us on account of our national sins.

A difference of opinion on political, as well as on other subjects, must necessarily take place between members of the same community. We cannot all think alike, from the variety of views, feelings, and habits, which exist among men. But this difference of opinion ought never to prevent any from

acting in political matters according to the Redeemer's rule, "Whatsoever ye would "that men should do unto you, that do ye "unto them, for this is the law and the

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prophets." In direct opposition to this rule, party spirit has introduced another rule subversive of every thing which is calculated to preserve peace, and maintain integrity of conduct between those who differ in their political opinions. Oh, it is a BITTER and BASE spirit! hostile to every generous, noble Christian feeling. It has established an interest, and empire of its own, in the midst of us; but its interest is the interest of iniquity, and its empire the empire of irreligion. On this subject I speak fearlessly and confidently, because I speak from my own knowledge of facts which have fallen under my observation, and not from conjecture or speculation. I know, and I blush whilst I state the fact, that there are men, and Christian men too, who have broken friendship with Christian men, and have endeavoured to injure the usefulness of Christian Ministers, on account of difference of opinion in political

1

matters, whilst they have gone hand in hand with men who never had publicly honoured their Redeemer; nay, with men who are more than suspected of hostility to his cause and interest; I may add, with men who are known to profane God's name, to break his Sabbaths, and to reject the Gospel of his Son. With such facts daily occurring, I ask, is not the spirit of party iniquitous and irreligious? And do not they who act under its influence, act iniquitously and irreligiously? The truth cannot be concealed; it ought to be published-published with a voice of thunder, that Christians separate from Christians, merely for political reasons, whilst for the same reasons Christians associate with and countenance blasphemers of their Redeemer.

Moreover, party spirit has introduced amongst us that most profligate and flagitious principle that the end sanctifies the means. Hence we find the foulest libels upon private character to issue from the press; the most abominable falsehoods in relation to matters of fact, to be circulated; the grossest misrepresentation of conversa

tions to be deliberately given, and the sacred recesses of social intercourse to be violated by wanton breaches of trust. Many partizans appear to forget the elementary principles of truth and integrity, and to consider every deviation from them venial, provided such deviation promotes the success of their party. One of the most extraordinary phenomena in morals has been produced by the spirit of party, viz. the creation of a new conscience, which approves immorality, if immorality is necessary for political purposes, and condemns morality, if morality contravenes these purposes. I call this a most extraordinary phenomenon, because it occurs not among avowed infidels or pagans, but in the midst of a people professing Christianity; and therefore acknowledging that the only standard of right and wrong in all cases is God's law.

It is in this view that party spirit is so fearful and condemnable. It is decisively hostile to the law of God. No apology ought, therefore, to be offered for it from the examples of Greece and Rome. Their conduct cannot, without criminality and guilt, be fol

lowed by us, because they were pagans. We are Christians, and therefore must act in a different manner from them. The spirit of the Gospel is peaceful, forgiving, honourable, and therefore opposed to the spirit of party as it displays itself amongst us. No arguments drawn from the experience of heathen republics can have any authority now, in a country avowedly Christian, and ought, therefore, to have no weight with us.

If it be alleged that party spirit, as it appears among us, is necessary for the preservation of our civil liberty, I do not hesitate to say, that civil liberty if this were true, is a curse. O, that the inhabitants of our country would listen to the voice of reason and of Scripture, and cease from their shameful, their ungodly conduct in political inter

course!

3. The destruction of property is another national judgment.

On this subject I will not enlarge, for it will only recall painful scenes to your minds, and excite anew the feelings of sorrow. I only remark that in this judgment, though experienced largely by you, yet not exclusively, God has dealt with us as he did with