OF PUBLIC EVENTS. $i$ sacred thing, and that the empire of it belonged only to God ; and as he would not assume a power over it at home, nor impose yokes of boíidage on any of his sub- jects, so neither was he patient to see this a.ntichristian spirit prevail over mankind abroad, wheresoever it was possible for him to procure a redress of such grievances. His own counsels, his wise orders to his ministers, and his royal letters to foreign princes bear a glorious witness to this part of his character. It must be told also to the immortal honour of his name and memory with what` zeal he sought the union of protestantsamong themselves. How readily he employed his good offices to relax the bonds of imposition and severity in some of the reformed cantons of Switzerland, that conscience might have a larger liberty in the modes of professing the same faith and worship. Surely the Yuan who laboured so gloriously to procure this freedom for christians abroad, must'be influenced by higher views than those which are merely political, to maintain and promote ajust liberty of conscience among his own sub- jects. To conclude, he was a prince who sought to oblige all that he *had to do with and to make them easy and happy; but for those who would not be wrought upon by the condescensions of his love, he knew how to keep them in subjection. The church of God in the world, the protestant kingdoms, and the nation of Great Bri- tain have sustained a great' and certain loss, when such a governor, such a benefactor, such an extensive bles- sing is taken from the earth. II. We proceed now to the second thing remarkable in the late event of providence, and that is to consider " What mercies are mingled with this awful dispensa- tion, that we may raise our souls to a delightful and grateful sense of them." 1. That a prince of so many excellent' qualifications reigned so long over us, and that we enjoyed the blessing ofhis wise and peaceful governmentfor such a number of years. And here it becomes us on this occasion to call to mind the former years of our distress and danger, and the sur- prising pleasureof our first deliverance. Blessed be the name of our God that he raised up euch a successor is
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=