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

SERMONS.rhis, I think, implies, that the old counielloys knew orfeared, that the king's anfwer was formed already,by his having liftened in private to thofe young menwho were grown up with him. It may, however,feem, that when they faid « this day," they advifedthe king to make large promifes, and to give fairwords on that critical day -, and that, if he oncc^gotthe people to fubmit^ to his rule, fhould they afterwardprove refraaory, he m.ight treat them as rebels,and compel them by force to be his fervants for ever.I cannot think this to be the meaning; the meamngcertainly is, if thou wilt this day gratify the people-, if thou wilt aaif thou wilt ufe lenient expreffionsagreeably to all that is equitable and right in their pe-•tition ; and if thou wilt continue to do fo, then theywill be tky fubjeas for ever. A prudent advice mfuch circumftances, if ever there was one ;and nvthis advice the old privy counfellors feem to have .-,been unanimous and had the new miniilry giventhe like advice, the ten provinces, in all human probability,v/ould have continued in fubjeaion to thehoufe of David ; the united kingdom would havebeen better able to withftand. the attacks of foreignpowers•, and all the bloody wars which were afterwardscarried on between the two kingdoms wouldhave been prevented. But, alas !" Rehoboam forfookthe counfel of the old men." This is the firftappearance of any thing blameable in Rehoboam j-he^forfook the counfel ; he was not fatisfied with ithe did not acquiefce in it •, he departed from it, andrejeaed it, becaufe it did not gratify his love of domination.And having got a new privy council, itwas but decent that he ihould confult with them ;«« He confulted with the voung^iien that were grownup with him, and which ftocd before him." It commonlyhappens, that when a new king fucceeds to athrone, there is, as it were, an uni^Ferfal agreementto flatter and to magnify him : His knowledge, his^F. 2^S