PART SECOND

BRING

A VINDICATION OF ITS PRINCIPLES

AS CHRISTIAN.

My design in this second part being the scriptural vindication of the system, I am here prevented from entering upon any arguments in its favour drawn from other sources; and am confined to that support which particular passages of the Bible, or legitimate inferences from the tenor and doctrines of Holy Writ may furnish. These two classes of proof will be seen to bear me out I trust, in the main features of the scheme, namely, a monarchical form of Government-a moral standard of the suffrage and the entire disconnection of Church and State: if they fail me in some sub

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ordinate points recommended in the plan, the reason is, that though a political code was given by inspiration in a formal manner to the pious of the old Testament economy, one is not so delivered with regard to the Christian communion; therefore whilst certain principles of civil rule may be countenanced by prophets and apostles in so unrestricted a way, as to shew they are obligatory upon the disciples of Jesus Christ, many things pertaining to the regulation of countries will be passed over in silence by the sacred penmen so far as we are concerned,-what is recorded in relation to them being obviously limited to antient Israel. With respect to such points, it is enough if the laws I propose are necessary to the outline demonsrtated to have the divine sanction, and that they contain nothing contrary to the righteous mandates of Revelation.

MONARCHY

Has in an eminent degree the approbation of God.

It is a political imitation of himself, and the only species of Government that takes Jehovah for its pattern. The character of the Almighty as judge of souls regards mankind individually,

and by reason of the everlasting issues involved, is to them of superlative importance, of most thrilling interest; Lut it does not describe the whole of his transactions with our race: according to Scripture he exercises also a temporal sway, which contemplates the children of Adam as banded together in States for mutual earthly advantage, and reveals God in what may be termed a national relationship. Is this aspect of the Deity to engage no thought? Is it devoid of glory! Does it throw no light on the propriety of human conduct in civil affairs? If the spiritual developement of our maker solicits the continued' meditation of every person, with a view to immortal benefit, shall not communities study the Infinite mind in the one we are now noticing to assist them in rearing the social fabric, and to obtain: lessons of ruling wisdom? That they possess such a manifestation of God those who are conversant with the Bible cannot doubt; but we will submit a few passages out of a considerable number which establish this truth:

The Lord said unto Abraham, I will make of thee a great nation.-Gen. xii, 1, 2. As for Ishmael I have heard thee, twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.—

Gen. xvii, 20. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even 1erah the father of Abraham and the father of Nachor: and they served their Gods. And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed and gave him Isaac. And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau Mount Seir to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into. Egypt. I sent Moses also and Aaron and I plagued Egypt according to that which I did amongst them: and afterward I brought you out. And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and you came unto the sea and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen into the Red sea. And when they cried unto the Lord he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt. And ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season. And I brought you into the land of the Amorites which dwelt on the other side Jordan, and they fought with you; and I gave them into your hand that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you. Then Balak