But there are other occasions, and the present is one, when it has been customary for preachers of the gospel to direct the attention of their hearers to subjects, more apparently secular in their aspect, although intimately connected with religion, and to consider the political bearing of states and nations upon the influence of religion and the spread of the gospel throughout the world.

I make not these remarks by way of apology for preaching a political sermon-for the time for preaching political sermons, as they were called, has gone by; and I take my people to record, that in those days of excitement, I was never accustomed to add fuel to the flame, by advocating any set of political opinions.

The subject upon which I propose to address you this day, it is true, may be considered political; but it embraces no party politics; and I flatter myself that I shall advance nothing in which all the friends of rational liberty in a republican country are not agreed. My design is to call your attention to the present political state of the world, and the influence it is calculated to exert upon the cause of religion and the spread of the gospel.

The words which I have prefixed to this dis

course, were uttered in immediate reference to the approaching captivity of the Jews, and the dethronement of the last of their kings, Zedekiah, from whom the diadem and crown were to be removed, while he and his people were to be carried away captive into the land of Babylon. This revolution was to be followed by a series of others, all of which were to issue in the disappointed hopes of royalty, until He, whose right it is to reign, the Lord Jesus Christ, shall come, to whom the mediatorial kingdom shall be given. The sceptre was now to depart from Judah, and a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh, the Prince of peace, should come. All the revolutions that were now to take place in the history of God's ancient people, were to be overruled for the furtherance of that great event which was to bless the world with righteousness, -the advent of the Messiah and the prosperity and perpetuity of his kingdom. I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is, and I will give it him.

While the language of our text received its immediate accomplishment in the destruction of the Hebrew monarchy, and in the introduction of the Redeemer's throne, it may be expected to

have a more complete fulfilment in the changes that are taking place, and are yet to take place, in the governments of the world, and in the final and complete establishment of the kingdom of the Prince of peace.

No man of observation and reflection can have viewed the recent events that have taken place on the continent of Europe, with indifference and unconcern; nor without serious consideration of their probable results upon the character and destinies of the world. We have seen one of the most powerful and interesting nations of Europe, passing through a most astonishing revolution within a few critical and important days,dismissing the reigning monarch with the immediate expectants of hereditary royalty from the throne of their ancestors, and elevating to the vacant seat of regal power the man of their choice. We have seen, too, this most astonishing revolution speedily acknowledged, by the powers of Europe more immediately concerned in it and affected by it; and although, to the attentive observer of these singular scenes, there may appear to be some remains of revolutionary disquiet that yet threaten the repose of Europe, still it must be acknowledged on all hands, that a most important, and remarkable, and eventful

change has taken place in the policy of nations, that cannot but have a controlling influence upon the character and destinies of the world.

It will not be so much my object to dwell upon the circumstances attending these recent events, to which I have alluded, as upon their connection with the cause of religion and the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom. Although, as citizens of this free and happy republic, we cannot but regard all the circumstances attending them, with deep and lively interest; especially those which more immediately relate to our country's ancient, and true, and valued friend, whose happy lot it is in a green old age to see the same generous plant of true liberty, which, in his youth, he beheld springing up in strong luxuriance in this friendly soil-taking deep root in the land of his nativity. May his valued life be spared a little longer, to defend the tender plant from the rough hand of unprincipled licentiousness, and to interpose the weight of his character and influence between the misguided advisers of a deposed monarch, and those whose thirst for vengeance will be assuaged with nothing but their blood.

Whatever may be the issue of these wonderful events that are taking place on the continent of

Europe, there can be little doubt that it will be such, as will eventually promote the cause of true religion, and advance the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom.-It is in this light that we wish to present the subject to you this day, and it is only with a view to lead you to acknowledge the overruling hand of an almighty Sovereign in the disposal of kingdoms and empires, and the superintending and controlling influence of his providence, in educing good from evil, and in restraining the remainder of that wrath which is not made directly to praise him, that we have been willing to deviate from our usual path, and to call your attention to the political state of the world. And we conceive that much practical wisdom may be learnt, and much animating encouragement may be received, from a contemplation of these passing events, when viewed in connection with their bearing upon the moral and religious condition of the world.

Those have not well considered the subject, who are not ready to admit that the form of government adopted by different nations, has an important influence upon morals and religion. That there are good men to be found under every political constitution, however arbitrary and despotic, will not be denied; while, at