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

6SSERMOKS.appointed, faying, Come to me on the third day.And the king aniwered the people roughly, and forfookthe old mens ccunfel that they gave him, andfpoke to them after the counfel of the young men,faying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I willadd to your yoke ; my father alfo ciiaflifed you withwhips, but I will chaftife you with fcorpions." Theedi(^ itfelf was rigid and tyrannical ; and it was announcedto the people with roughnefs, with a flernand haughty countenance, and evident marks that theking held them in contempt. You are to obfcrve,that there is one article cf tlie advice given whichwas not delivered by the king to the delegates; " Mylittle finger iliall be thicker than my father's loins."Did this proceed from the king's lenity.'^ I wifh Icould think {o "; but the king fpake roughly." Perhapsthe king had forgotten a few of the words whichhis counfellors had dictated to him •, for I believe itwas not yet the cuftom for minifters to write thefpeech which the king was to deliver ; the king wasleft to recollect the feveral words of their advice ashis memory fhouid ferve him.The effccb this tyrannical declaration produced wasthe fam.e that every fuch declaration ought to pro^duce, and w ill produce on. free minds. Such an un^difguifed determination to ejJercife unlimited and defpoticpower would infpire even cowards with manhoodand refolution ; for, will free men tamely fubmitto be fiaves, and, if pollible, worfe than Haves,w^hiifl they have it in their power to preferve tlieirliberty, and to do themfelves juflice ? The new counfellorsmight flatter Rehoboam, that there were awe-6il rays of glory darting from his auguft countenance;that the people would be intimidated at his prefence;that they Vv'ould receive his royal orders with a humblefubmifhon, and yield obedience in the bcft mannerthey could ; but both they and the king were altogetherdifappointed ; Though their rcmonftraace