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A Sermon to Tryon's Militia 407
who Las the least spark of humanity and compassion remaining in
his breast.
ANOTHER motive which cannot but have great weight with
every generous mind, is the reflection that every the least Insult
offered to magistrates and governors, is an act of the basest ingrati-tude
against those who are, under God, our protectors and guardians,
not only from foreign Enemies, but from every domestic foe: To
them we owe our security from all that numerous train of mischiefs
to which we should be daily liable, from the corruption and wicked-ness
of the world, if under no restraint from human laws, and
unawed by proper authority!—To them are we indebted for the
safe and comfortable enjoyment of all the blessings of private life,
and all the advantages we derive from civil society!—Were there
not some who would take upon them the arduous business of public
government, the execution of laws, and administration of justice,
how would vice and iniquity every where triumph ! And what must
become of the welfare and tranquility of every individual, were
men left at full liberty to plan their malicious schemes against them,
and knew they could safely execute them whenever they pleased?
What must become of the general peace and happiness of the whole
community, when fraud and injustice, oppression and violence, with
every other crime that is injurious to society, might be perpetrated
with impunity, and without controul ? How infinitely then are we
obliged to those persons who willingly undertake so important a trust,
and by whose care, abilities and vigilance, these evils are prevented,
and the public felicity preserved? And how very [10] enormous
and shocking is the offence, when in the discharge of their laborious
office, they are treated with insolence instead of honour, and met
with theatenings instead of thanks!
BUT lastly, there is one remark I have further to make, and
which ought to have a peculiar force with the people of this land,
in leading them chearfully to that subjection which is represented
in the text, as the common duty of all men.—I would beg leave to
observe therefore, that for an Englishman to oppose the laws of his
country, is an instance of the highest folly and contradiction we
can conceive : For such is the singular excellence of our happy con-stitution,
that the laws to which our obedience is required, are, in
reality, no other than what we ourselves have been partly concerned
in making.
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| Title | Page 419 |
| Full Text | A Sermon to Tryon's Militia 407 who Las the least spark of humanity and compassion remaining in his breast. ANOTHER motive which cannot but have great weight with every generous mind, is the reflection that every the least Insult offered to magistrates and governors, is an act of the basest ingrati-tude against those who are, under God, our protectors and guardians, not only from foreign Enemies, but from every domestic foe: To them we owe our security from all that numerous train of mischiefs to which we should be daily liable, from the corruption and wicked-ness of the world, if under no restraint from human laws, and unawed by proper authority!—To them are we indebted for the safe and comfortable enjoyment of all the blessings of private life, and all the advantages we derive from civil society!—Were there not some who would take upon them the arduous business of public government, the execution of laws, and administration of justice, how would vice and iniquity every where triumph ! And what must become of the welfare and tranquility of every individual, were men left at full liberty to plan their malicious schemes against them, and knew they could safely execute them whenever they pleased? What must become of the general peace and happiness of the whole community, when fraud and injustice, oppression and violence, with every other crime that is injurious to society, might be perpetrated with impunity, and without controul ? How infinitely then are we obliged to those persons who willingly undertake so important a trust, and by whose care, abilities and vigilance, these evils are prevented, and the public felicity preserved? And how very [10] enormous and shocking is the offence, when in the discharge of their laborious office, they are treated with insolence instead of honour, and met with theatenings instead of thanks! BUT lastly, there is one remark I have further to make, and which ought to have a peculiar force with the people of this land, in leading them chearfully to that subjection which is represented in the text, as the common duty of all men.—I would beg leave to observe therefore, that for an Englishman to oppose the laws of his country, is an instance of the highest folly and contradiction we can conceive : For such is the singular excellence of our happy con-stitution, that the laws to which our obedience is required, are, in reality, no other than what we ourselves have been partly concerned in making. |
