tribute to rulers, but to submit to their authority. "Be subject," says the Apostle, "to the higher powers; for the powers that be are ordained of God. The Jews were ready to question their obligation to submit to the Roman laws and government: But our Saviour very clearly inculcated the duty of submission. The Apostle also exhorts christians, since they were providentially subject to the authority of the Romans, cheerfully to submit to their rulers, not only for wrath but for conscience sake: For, says he, they are God's ministers: Christians are under obligation to submit to rulers, not only under a good constitution, but even where it is not the best. The Roman government was extremely arbitrary under the emperors, as all know, who have been acquainted with their history; yet, as the power they exercised was, in a sense, delegated to them, the primitive christians were under solemn obligations to submit. Accordingly, the Apostle says, he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God, and shall receive damnation. We are under obligation to submit, not only to good rulers, but to infidels, if providentially in the place of government; such, as it appears, were the rulers in the days of Christ and his apostles. We are, at all times, under solemn obligations to submit to con-. stitutional authority. It was wrong in the Jews to choose a king, and God remonstrated against it. But when they had delegated authority, the divine command was binding on them, "fear God and honor the king.",

I proceed

II. To enforce obedience to the fifth command. -The duty enjoined in it is not only enforced by positive injunction, but is of a moral nature, and is placed among moral precepts acknowledged to

be of the highest importance. It is often inculcated in the Scriptures. "Honor thy father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise." It is enforced by abundant Scriptural examples. We may notice the honor which Solomon paid to his mother, in seating her at his right hand. We may notice also, the example of the Redeemer, which is of the highest impor tance. He, though Lord of all, honored his pa rents by being subject to their authority, and when in the bitter agonies of death, remembered his mother, recommending her to the care of the be-Joved disciple.-He never stirred up complaints against government, but inculcated submission :: And when the Jews came to entangle him respect. ing tribute, he prudently let them know, that they ought quietly to submit..

In like manner, the Apostles and primitive christians were no troublers of state. When the Jews rose in opposition to the Roman government, they avoided entering into their plans of insurrection, and enjoined it as a duty, to submit not only for wrath but for conscience sake.-I would not, by what has been said, be understood however to mean, that it may never, in any instance, be right to seek redress of oppressive and unconstitutional measures in a constitutional way..

Further, such subordination as I have describ-ed, when existing in families, towns and largersocieties, is exceedingly beautiful.. It tends.to. peace and happiness: And indeed, has some resemblance to the harmony of heaven.

Disobedience to parents, and reviling are strictly forbidden in the word of God. A disobedient child was to be put to death among the Jews: But on the contrary, obedience appears to have ensured the divine blessing. The command in the text: is connected with a gracious promise, "that thy

days may be long upon the land which thy God giveth thee," and doubtless, spiritual mercies. were prefigured under the shadow of temporal. blessings.

Improvement

1. We see that strict family government is a matter of great importance in a religious, as well as civil view. It is necessary to establish proper subordination, in order to a religious education. Indeed, the peace and good order of society have their foundation, greatly, in family-government and subordination. You who are parents, have a good opportunity, while your children are young,. to render unto them important service in their ed ucation.. Forming them to such manners and respectful conduct, as have been described, will fit them to be useful and respectable in the world, blessings to parents and to society..

2. We see that the neglect of the duties enjoined in this command, is one of the crying sins of the present age, and exposes our land to the judgments of God. Let me press upon you obedience to the command.. Be exhorted to submit your selves, one to another. We all owe subordination: This is a duty which we owe to God and to one another..

There exists a great and growing evil, in the disrespectful conduct and language of children and youth towards superiors; which is inconsistent not only with the dictates of religion, but with proper refinement of manners. Let me then urge the duty in a religious view. Compliance with it has a promise that implies important good. There are great evils threatened to disobedience. If therefore, you regard your temporal, or spiritual good, attend to this moral duty. There are im-. portant spiritual fruits which will result from the

faithful discharge of it, and which powerfully re

commend and enforce it.

In a worldly view it will redound to your honor and interest, and in a spiritual view, to your eter nal benefit. I call upon you to take a view of your past conduct in every respect, and to enquire with yourselves, whether it is not high time to form new resolutions. You that are parents, and are convinced that you have not been faithful in inculcating this duty in your families, now set about it in serious earnest. Let children take up à resolution to reform their conduct, and may God by his spirit, assist in the discharge of this and every duty..

DISCOURSE XIX.

PROV. XXII. 6.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old,. he will not depart from it

IN a late discourse, I attended to the duty of a child to a parent. The words of the text lead us to consider the duty of a parent to a child. Tho? the duty of a child does not altogether result from the parent's doing his duty; yet it may be said greatly to depend on it.

The charge of the head of a family is most important and solemn, both as it respects the present and future world. The result of the education of children is, at least in general, the formation of a character which extends through life. There are many important things which encourage the duty, as it respects the child, as it respects the parent,

and as it respects society at large. The text is a proverb: "Train up a child in the child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." The wise man, no doubt, meant that education would have great influence in forming the character. The words hold up a connexion of some kind between training children up right, and their doing right, or continuing in that way in which they are brought up.

Some suppose, that the training up, means in the exorcise of faith, and in compliance with the cov enant, and is connected with a promise of grace to the child to secure his obedience: That the connexion is in a religious view certain; that is, if parents, in the exercise of faith, discharge their duty in training up children, that the promise is sure and will be fulfilled with respect to children.. -Others suppose that the text is not to be under stood, as holding up so certain a connexion;, but that the meaning is that children, generally speaking, will walk in the path in which they have been educated: That if they are trained up to be externally conformed to moral and religious duties and principles, they will continue in them: But if, on the contrary, they receive a bad education, they will probably retain the influence of it through life.It is not my present purpose to urge considerations in favor of either sentiment, exclusively. The words of the text do, at least, contain this truth, that faithful endeavors in educating chil dren, have a powerful influence in forming and fixing their character for life.

In the ensuing discourse, I shall

I. Consider what is implied in the duty.
II. The benefits of it.

I. I shall consider what is implied in training up a child in the right way.