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

SERMONS. 22.7the treafure and the precious things, and have mademany widows in the midfl of thee j like w^olves raveningthe prey, they have devoured fouls. The peopleof the land have ufed oppreflion, they have exercifedrobbery, and have vexed the poor and die needy."It is indeed very likely that fome of you will blameme, becaufe I have told you the truth. You willcry out, that I have departed from the ufual track offermons ; that I fhould have preached on faith andrepentance ; that I have not a thorough underftandingof my fubje6l ; that I meddle with things thatare above me ; and that I am not a friend to mycountry. And was I to publifh this fermon, thofewho feel themfelves pinched by its do6lrine may hirefome abjeft and proftitute fcribbler to varnifli overtheir oppreffion with fpecious colours ; that it is tobaxiifh floth and promote induftry that they rack theirrents j that there are yet many tenants in a thrivingcondition j that the diftrefs complained of is but temporary,and will, in this trading country, foon \^-orkitfelf off; and that thofe who have left the country,or are intending to leave it, are the lazieft, the moflYicious and fooiifli of the people. I think every miniflerof Chrift hath a right to preach againft the finsof the poor and of the rich, " and to make his faceftrong againft their faces, wit'hout being afraid ordifmayed at their looks ;" and that he only who confcientiouily" warns the wicked,'' without fear ofman's judgment, or feeking " to pleafe men," difchargcshis duty. Sloth is certainly a bad thing 5but oppreffion, inftead of removing, tends direftly toftrengthen the difeafe. There is no appearance thatthe diftrefs of farmers is coming to an end , and if itwas, who is obliged to fuffer it for an hour, when hecan get away from it ? I am glad that fome tenantsthrive ; and it is well if thofe who talk about theirthriving are not forry that it is fo well with them.He, I think, is a friend to his country who preaches