It is true, our Church is supported in some sense by the Government, but that is not the reason of our praying for our governors. For that was done in all times of the Gospel, from the very beginning, when the governors of states were the bitterest enemies of the Church. It was a law of Scripture that even then supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks should be made for all men: particularly for kings and all who are in authority. Now how it can be reasonable and consistent for us, after we have been praying to God to bless our king or other superiors, to go away and amuse ourselves with speaking, hearing, or reading evil, of that very person perhaps, any one may easily judge for himself.

Lastly and above all, there is great ingratitude and impiety towards Almighty God, in this too common disposition to speak evil of dignities. Difference of rank, power, and riches, between man and man, is no doubt God's appointment, as much as difference of health and strength. And when we speak or think unkindly of our neighbour, for being nobler, or richer, or of more consequence, than ourselves, we do in fact grumble against our Maker, and set up ourselves as better judges than He of what is really good for us. And if we die in such a temper as that, our end can be no other than everlasting destruction. On the other hand, a cheerful submission to authority, a desire to find one's superiors in the right, and such a respect both for them and ourselves, as shall hinder us from saying anything lightly and rashly of them, whether in the way of praise or blame; these are real parts of sound Christian wisdom, and will be found material helps in that, which has been truly said to be a sincere Christian's main object in life, that is, To pass quietly

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through this world to a better. In his words and in his thoughts, as well as in his outward actions, it will be such a man's endeavour always to observe the caution of the wise man, My son, fear thou the Lord and the king, and meddle not with them that are given to change.

HURSLEY,

Jan. 29, 1826.

[The King's Accession.]

SERMON XIX.

DANIEL vi. 10.

"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime."

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these words we have a description of the conduct of the Prophet Daniel, when his enemies had conspired to find occasion against him concerning the law of his God. They had got a decree passed, that whoever should pray to God within such a time, should be cast into the den of lions. It is worth our particular observation, how the good and wise Prophet behaved himself on this occasion. For it appears from a good many passages of holy Scripture, that he was a very particular favourite of God, He was repeatedly called by angels, A man greatly beloved. And he is mentioned, together with Noah and Job, as one of those whose intercession would be most likely to prevail in turning away God's anger from a sinful people. After such recommendation as this, it is impossible for those who would in earnest please God, not to be anxious to understand Daniel's example. For He is the same God always, and delights in the same things now as He did then. Now the account of the Prophet's behaviour on this trying occasion is plain enough, and easy to be understood. The decree of the king, the spite of his

servants, the thought of the den of hungry lions, made no difference at all in his conduct. He went quietly on with his daily duty of prayer, and trusted God Almighty for the consequence. Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

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We may observe, that he did not go out of his way to run himself into danger. There is no unruly zeal, no violent opposition, to the king's decree. merely goes on with his usual devotions in his usual manner. It had been his custom to pray three times a-day, that is, as I suppose, three times besides his morning and evening devotions at getting up and lying down. He kept the hours of prayer which were usual in the Jewish Church; the third, the sixth, and the ninth. What a reproach to those who are so full of business, that they can hardly find time for calling on God in the morning when they go about their work, and at night when they lie down to sleep! Here is a man continually employed on the most important business of the world,

-the Prime Minister of the kingdom of Persia and Media, and yet he finds time to pray and give thanks before his God three times a-day, in the middle of his hours of business. And whereas most Christians are but too easily persuaded to omit or hurry over all devotion that is not fashionable, Daniel, we see, in his high station, was never ashamed either of his God or of his country, but opened his windows in his chamber toward Jerusalem and prayed and gave thanks continually, as

the Jews had been directed to do whenever they should be in captivity. For this sober, simple, unpretending obedience to what he knew to be the will of his Maker, he received the very highest reward. God sent His angel, and shut the lions' mouths, so that he received no harm, though he lay for a night among them in the den. The calmness and quietness of his manner, when the king came in the morning to see for him, are very remarkable. He receives him with the accustomed salutation, O king, live for ever; and then tells him what had happened, as if it were a great mercy indeed, but no wonder at all, that the Almighty should protect an innocent person believing on Him. My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

By faith Daniel stopped the mouths of lions; but perhaps it may not appear at first sight, what this has to do with the daily duties of ordinary persons. It is a great miracle of God's power and mercy, and it is impossible to read the account of it without being filled with reverence and religious wonder; and there, perhaps, some may think, is an end of all the concern we have in it. This however is not at all correct. We are greatly mistaken, if we reckon upon finding our trials less severe than this of Daniel's, or standing less in need of the mercy of God to bring us through them. For (to pass by all other considerations, of the many afflictions and dangers which beset the life of man, to which we are, every one of us, exposed every moment, if it should please our Maker) one trial is certainly to be undergone by