new hearts of his redeemed, believing people. "Created anew in Christ Jesus unto good works," they have hearts to hate all sorts of sin, and to love their God, and to love their duty in all its branches. This new principle, or new nature this grace of God in their hearts guards them against evil thoughts, tempers, passions, words, and works; and promotes in them all holy affections, and all the works of piety, justice, and mercy. And it is by this principle alone, that man is able rightly to rule his own spirit. This government of one's self is obtained by grace. The grace of God in Christ Jesus is the foundation of it, and without this grace no fallen being will ever govern himself to the acceptance of God who made him. But when this grace is received in the heart by faith, and preserved in a spirit of true obedience, man lives a new life. He can say with St. Paul, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." And now, as this redeemed people are taken into Christ's kingdom, adopted into his family, have partaken of his nature, have become children of the King of Zion, and rule themselves as he rules the Church, they are styled, "a ROYAL priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people;" and it is said, they are "made KINGS and priests unto God," and that "they shall REIGN on the earth."

But, though this government of the redeemed soul is obtained by grace, though grace alone can give strength to maintain it, yet the Christian is still to give diligence to "make his calling and election sure," lest he be " entangled again with the yoke of bondage!" And even now, it is only by a humble sense of his dependence on God, a firm resolution to do his will, a steadfast perseverance in watchfulness and prayer, and a faithful application to all the

branches of his duty, that he can "stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made him free."

II. WHAT ADVANTAGES ARE TO RESULT FROM THUS GOVERNING OURSELVES?

We may answer as an apostle did with reference to another subject, "much every way." This course confers many blessings on every situation in life, and affords numerous advantages to men in all their concerns and relations.

1. Great are the personal advantages.

The individual who maintains this government over himself, is in a state of peace in his own soul: "Being justified by faith, he has peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." He is favored with a testimony from heaven that God loves him; for "the love of God is shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto him." He is delivered from those corroding anxieties and tormenting fears respecting the future events of life, to which many are subject, and by which so many are made miserable; for now he puts his trust in God, and rests in an unshaken assurance that God will protect him, and order the changes of his state, so as shall be best suited to his present and future happiness. He is saved, also, from those sinful gratifications and excesses, by which, otherwise, soul and body might be prostrated; and is conducted safely through the journey of life, in that manner which will best contribute to his present improvement and comfort, and train him up for the hallowed joys of that place into which nothing impure can enter.

Although the wise counsels of Heaven, which, to enlighten the world by examples of Christian fortitude and patience, have permitted martyrs and other saints to suffer, may also call him to taste the cup of affliction; yet he will find support and comfort in a consciousness of the presence

and care of his heavenly Father, and in a firm belief" that all things work together for good to them that love God."

He who rules himself is honored of God. They who walk humbly with God, being in subjection to the Father of their spirits, have a near access to him, and are styled, in the Scriptures, "kings and priests." Neither is it an inconsiderable advantage, that they are honored with the friendship and care of angels, and blessed with the fellowship of good men. As they are happy themselves, they are also a blessing to others: instead of corrupting their fellowcreatures by their example, they become the honored instruments in the Divine hand, of shedding abroad the blessings of Heaven on mankind; for they are the light of the world. These, my brethren, these are the faithful servants, whom God will accept, bless, and support in the day of death. These being delivered from the guilt and dominion of sin, shall not be afraid of the king of terrors; the Sun of righteousness will illumine their path to a happier world; holy angels will bear them to the mansions of rest; and there shall they remain for ever happy with the Lord.

2. Great are the advantages of self-government in the relation between rulers and subjects.

Under its influence, rulers properly estimate the origin and dignity of their authority. So far from presuming that the right to rule others is the effect of chance, or that it is an inherent right, or that it is merely the gift of the people independent of a higher power; they consider that they have derived it through the people from God; to whom they must ultimately render their account: "For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." Realizing the principles of ministers of God, they feel the force of their high obligations; and far from trusting solely to human wisdom, which has led so many of the great and mighty men of the earth in the paths of cruelty

and oppression, in all their deliberations, they consult the will of Him, who has intrusted them with this distinguished service, and to this will they reverently conform. "David, the son of Jesse, said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God," 2 Sam. xxiii, 1-3. Such personages, (especially in a country like this,) not esteeming themselves the masters, but the fathers of the people, and the ministers of God to them for good, perceive that the great object for which they are elevated above their brethren, is, to employ their superior talents, and order their commanding example in such a manner, as shall best secure the happiness of those over whom they bear rule. Such rulers will faithfully perform the great duties of their stations duties connected with the obligations into which they entered under the "oath of God," in a manner agreeable to the nature and design of their offices. Such are, indeed, a blessing to their country; "not a terror to good works, but to the evil;" for, when the righteous are in authority the people rejoice.

When the people are under the influence of the same principle, they obey their rulers, whether acting as legislators, holding executive offices, or sitting in the place of judgment. A conviction that they rule their own spirits, will inspire a confidence, that they will enact equal laws, enforce their due execution, and dispense righteous judgment; hence the people feel safe and happy in committing their dearest earthly interests to the direction of such rulers. Not disposed to unreasonable jealousies, or to magnify errors connected with public measures, which, through the imperfection of human judgment, will sometimes occur, or to imagine errors where they do not exist, the people have that prohibition of Heaven written on their hearts, "Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people." And

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although men who have no rule over their own spirits, are unwilling to be ruled by others, saying with the aspiring Absalom, "O that I were made judge in the land, that every man who hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!"-though such demagogues foment party contentions, raise clamors against their rulers, disturb the peace of society, and, in some measure, prevent the good effects of salutary laws, the people we have described are willing to be "subject to the higher powers," and yield a cheerful obedience. They regard their rulers, not merely as their brethren in the ordinary walks of life, but as the representatives of God; and as the instruments of accomplishing his benevolent designs toward man, as a social being. They render, therefore, unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's; tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. We may further remark, that however self-interest, popular opinion, or fear of punishment may operate on some men, while under the public eye, inducing them to appear as the obedient subjects of salutary laws; yet experience has evinced that in general nothing but the influence of pure religion can secure this object. It operates on the heart, nips evil in the very bud, follows man into the secrecy of retirement, where human law is divested of its authority, and where no human judge can enter. There it inspects every motive, takes cognizance of every action, raises a tribunal in every breast, and pronounces sentence upon secret faults, as well as upon open offenses. Whatever despotism may accomplish on an uncultivated, ignorant multitude, in securing obedience to law, yet, amongst an enlightened and free people, under a free and popular government, like this under which Heaven has placed us, we can expect obedience to our salutary laws, only in a degree proportionate to the prevalence of the heaven-born principle of self-government.