The works of the Rev. William Thom, late minister ... - waughfamily.ca

SERMONS. 177noble lords and comnioners difcover alio a mighty abhorrenceof that fame fni of idlenefs ; they wouldmake U3 believe that they are in fear left the veryfouls of their tenants fhould be ruined by it ; theydread the eifects of it at leaft on their inferiors. Youmay hear one of them boafting with much felf-applaufe: " Such a tenant of mine was idle ; I doubledhis rents ; he works hard foon and late ; he attendsto his buiinefs even on the Sundays -, fo that I believehe will pay me better now than he did before." Tlierehave been ignorant and perverfe ftatefmen who gaveout, tha< the heavier the taxes were which they impofedon the nation, the fubjects becam.e the morehappy ; and there are landholders of a like underftandingand temper, who believe, that the higher therents are which they exa6l from their tenants, theyare in the better condition to pay them. The nexthead of difccurfe is3land,to fhow,. What are already the effects of the high rate ofand what muft be the further confequences ofit. Its etieclis are grievous to individuals, and intime muft hurt or ruin the nation j it is the caufeof mifery, and debauches the morals of the people.For,I. It is oppreffion ; and oppreffion, as hath beenfeen in part already, \s mifery : It is indeed but anothername for it. Perpetual and fore bodily labour,without any profpect of enjoying the fruits of it, orof fome eafe, is certainly mifery. Indeed the feverityof labour is mitigated by the lx)pe of eafe or profit jbut heref it often happens, that no fuch hope can beentertained. By the hardeft labour, in very manycafes, no more can be done but the tale of the bricksmade up ; as much gained as will pay the greedymafter. Nay, in many inftances this cannot bedone; and then the diftrefs and mifery of the poorfarmer is complete. He hath the vexation to fee hischildren ftarved and naked, his houfe fpoiled, hi&,