every tie, however flight, which links man to man, forms an additional thread in the band of fympathy. From the precepts of Chrift let us pass to his example. Was not the whole period of his miniftry a fcene of patriotism, manifefting itfelf in enduring the most cruel ufage from his own nation for the purpose of promoting its happinefs? His miffion, it may perhaps be faid, was exprefsly to the Jews; he could not have fhrunk from their malice without deferting his undertaking. Besides, whatever he fuffered was not merely for their advantage, but for that of all mankind. Be it fo. But did his especial miffion to the Jews, or his gracious purposes towards mankind at large, feem to call for the affectionate concern which he felt to his laft hour for his ungrateful and malevolent perfecutors? Did they call for fuch pathetic lamentations as we find him repeatedly uttering over the impending fate of Jerufalem? Did they evidently require Chrift, after having made one attempt at the risk of his life to convert his own countrymen of Nazareth, to return thither a fecond time, for the fame purpose and at the fame hazard? Is there nothing in all thefe, tranfactions of the

fpirit of genuine patriotifm? Such was the leffon impreffed on the Jews. Let the objector, in the next place, fatisfy himself what the Gentiles learned from their great Apostle. Let him hear St. Paul teaching them, that their injustice and fraud were aggravated by being directed against "the brethren (s) ;" and enjoining them to "do good unto all men, especially "unto those of the household of faith;" to fhew warm and unceafing love in the relations of hufbands and wives, of parents and children: thus leading them, in the fame manner as Christ had led his hearers, to the principle already ftated as the real and neceffary fource of patriotifm. Let him hear the Apostle coming ftill nearer to a plain inculcation of the duty in question, and folemnly profeffing, that for the fake of his brethren the Jews he could even wish to be anathematized from Chrift, to sustain in their ftead the temporal judgments of God about to overwhelm them. Finally,

(s) "Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud; and that the bre"thren." I Cor. vi. 8. St. John's direction, "We ought "to lay down our lives for the brethren," 1 John, iii. 16, is alfo applicable to the point in queftion. See likewife Romans, ix. 1-3. x. 1, &c. xi. 14, &c. I 3

let

let him lay together all the facts which have been adduced; let him eftimate their united weight; and then fay whether pure patriotiẩm is not more than countenanced, whether it is not commanded, by Christianity.

The duty being established, it remains to fubjoin fome brief remarks on the manner of fulfilling it.

The natural and most effectual method by which each individual may evince his love to his country, is by confcientiously striving to discharge, with fidelity and diligence, the special duties of his ftation; and by ftudiously availing himself of thofe opportunities of promoting the public good, which his rank and 'occupation in fociety afford him. The peculiar duties and opportunities of doing good, which attend different stations in life, will be diftinctly confidered hereafter. The present chapter is defigned for observations applicable to British fubjects in general.

The greatest benefit which any man can render to his country, is to contribute to the diffufion

diffusion of religion and virtue, of science and learning, of intellectual and civil liberty, of general tranquillity, harmony, and competence. To attend to these objects, and to each of them in proportion to its relative importauce, is the office of patriotifm. There is no person who has it not in his power to promote them, in a greater or a lefs degree, by instruction and example. The latter mode is the more attractive; it has the advantage too of being at all times attainable, and of being a vifible incitement to numbers to whom inftruc tion cannot easily be conveyed. Admonition itself, when thus feconded, has a grace and an energy, which few but the most careless or the moft hardened can entirely withstand. Let the man then who loves his country endeavour to render himself and his family a pattern of christian virtue, of ufeful but unaffuming knowledge, of modeft and fimple manners. Let him exert himself, as far as a fit coincidence of circumftances may enable him, to impress on the hearts of his friends and acquaintance the momentous truths which are near his own. Let him felect his companions, as far as may poffibly be done, from the good and

the intelligent. Let him be on the watch to stem the increasing tide of luxury and diffipation. Let him be ready to reconcile disagree ments, to refute calumnies, to counteract and eradicate prejudices. Let him encourage the virtuous and industrious poor; and discountenance and feek to reform the profligate and the idle. Let him patronize public inftitutions which are likely to cherish the spirit of religion, to enlarge the fphere of knowledge, or to difpenfe useful charity. Let him forward every plan which promises general benefit, though it be attended with fome facrifice of his private interest and convenience, In every way, as far as his ability and influence extend, let him advance the welfare of his fellow-fubjects; let him aid them by his advice, let him relieve them by his bounty, let him befriend them by his exertions, let him remember them in his prayers. He who fulfils thefe duties is a true patriot. He may pafs his life in obfcurity; he may have no opportunity of rendering fplendid fervices to his native land; but the effect of his labours may reach even to multitudes. The brook that flows in filence through the valley, fwells the

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