FOR which reason I have chosen for the subject of my following discourse, this solemn charge of the wise King _Solomon_ to his Son; _My son, fear thou the Lord and the King: and meddle not with them that are given to change_. In which words are bound upon us three rules of life, very necessary to be observed by all who would not be deemed enemies to the publick peace and tranquility.
The third is, _Not to meddle with those that are given to change_.
OF each of these injunctions I shall discourse in order, and shall shew in what latitude, and with what restrictions, they are to be understood; how highly reasonable they are, and of how great importance to the preservation of human society, and the maintenance of the magistrate's authority.
THE fear of God is a duty equally obliging persons of all ranks and conditions, at all times, and in all places; and in its full extent comprehends all other duties. It has for its foundation, all the glorious attributes and perfections of God; but more especially his omniscience, his holiness, his justice, and his almighty power. For they who are firmly persuaded, that all their actions, and words, and thoughts, are open to the view of the Deity; that [A]_he is of purer eyes than to behold evil with approbation, and cannot endure to look on iniquity_; that he will one day judge all men in righteousness according to their works; and that the united force of all the creatures of the universe cannot hinder him from executing the terrible sentence which he shall then pass upon the transgressors of his laws; they who do, in good earnest, believe these things to be true, and frequently and seriously consider them, will of course be very careful not to incur the displeasure of the Almighty, by doing those things which he hath forbidden, or by neglecting to do what he hath commanded. Hence, in Scripture, the fear of God is often used to signify the whole of Religion: because in all who live under the influence of it, it is a very powerful principle of constant and uniform obedience to the divine laws.
THE fear of the King too comprehends the whole duty of a subject to his soveraign. To fear the King is, to yeild to him that homage, and submission, and obedience, which the laws of God, and of the land, do require: chearfully to contribute towards the supporting his royal honour and dignity, and the supplying the necessities of the state; to labour every one of us in our own sphere to defeat the expectations and contrivances of his enemies, and to promote the peace of his government, and the success of his designs; and continually to pray to him who disposeth of all events, to protect his person, to direct his counsels, and prosper his undertakings; to demean our selves towards him with profound reverence, to speak honorably of him, to think of him with aw, to entertain the most favourable opinion of his character, and to put the best construction upon his actions; and finally, to render due honour and obedience to all inferior magistrates and officers, who act by his commission, and in subordination to him.