X54 THE RELIGIOUS IMPROVEMENT ñess there : And these virtues shone so much the brighter, by how much the higher station they were placed in. Gentleness and love to mankind, and friendly benevo- lence, are excellent dispositions in any man, but when they are joined with majesty, they imitate the glories of God himself, and carry an illustrious resemblance of our Maker. The death of such a sovereign, who sat on the throne with meekness, and love, and compassion attend- ing on each side of him, is as great and heavy loss to a free-born nation. 4. He was a prince without pride. His whole con- duct made it appear, that he regarded the good of his subjects more than his own grandeur. He seemed to have no superior airs about him ; no supercilious looks ; but was affable in his whole deportment toward those who were so much beneath him. Ile had nothing of that restless and mischievous quality of ambition, that takes every opportunity to grasp at more power, and to seize on the ancient rights and the freedoms of even a loyal and obedient people. The happiness of his subjects seemed t6 be his constant wish and highest joy. 5. He was a prince who delighted; to reward his friends, and would never forget past services : Of this we are witnesses in a special manner who worship God according to our consciences in a way somewhat different from the national establishment : he knew the heartiness ofour zeal for the protestantsuccession, and our activity for bis interest according to our limited and narrow powers before he yet arrived at the throne ; and the repeal of some hard and severe laws which stood in force against us, and the increase of our liberties, must be ascribed in some measure to this generous principle which reigned in the heart of our deceased 'sovereign. And it must he said to the immortal honour of king GEORGE, that this is no very common character among the princes of the earth. 6. Among his .other excellent dispositions it ought never to be forgotten, that he had the commonwelfare of protestants. much at heart, and upon every occasion inter- posed in their behalf. He could not bear to see his brethren in the profession of the same faith, ill treated by popish princes, and unjustly burdened by the perse- 'cuting powers of this world. He knew consciencewas a
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