Divines, as well as eminent Mathematicians and Philofophers. And to the decline of Sacred Philofophy on the Newtonian principles, may we attribute much of the prevailing Hypothefes and Reveries, or fanciful fyftems in Metaphyfics, Politics, Ethics and Theology-fapping the folid foundations of Reafon and Revelation. And it is only by the ftudy, co-operation, and united efforts, of "Scholars ripe and good,”—that the Hydra of Irreligion, Immorality and Anarchy, can be repulsed and crushed, -vindicating the Constitution of Human Nature, and of Civil and Ecclefiaftical Polity. In this arduous, perilous and thanklefs warfare O Quifquis volet impias Cades aut Rabiem tollere civicam; Si quærit PATER URBIUM Subfcribi ftatuis; indomitam audeat Refrænare LICENTIAM CLARUS POST GENITIS: "O, if any wish to banish Impious Maffacres or Civic Rage; If any afpire, to have FATHER OF URBANITY, Infcribed on his statues; Let him dare to curb the unbridled LICENSE OF THE TIMES RENOWNED TO AFTER AGES. HOR. May May God vouchsafe a bleffing to all fuch pious and patriotic champions, and veterans in Literature, who fhall rally round the Sacred Standards of the GOD OF ORDER, and of the venerable Conftitution of their Coun try-as HE formerly did to the magnanimous Nehemiah,* and his pious and learned coadjutor Ezra ;† in repairing the *When the noble and difinterested" Tirfhatha," (or Chief Governor of Judea, under the Perfian Crown) who contributed his whole allowance for "twelve years" after his appointment (B. C. 445) to the exigencies of the State-during which, “He and his household ate not the bread of the Governor—because the bondage was heavy upon his people"-was advised by a daftardly Cour fellor and hired Traitor, to fhut himself up in the Fortress of the Temple, for fear of affaffination; Le fcorned it:- "Should fuch a man as I flee? And who, in my station, would go into the temple to fave his life?—I will not go in." Nehem. v. 14,-18, and, vi. 11. - Exra likewife, that "Ready Scribe in the Law of Mofes" and Reformer of the Religious Establishment, to whose learned labours we are chiefly indebted for the prefent Canon of the Hebrew Scriptures; when B. C. 458, returning to Judea from Babylon, with the Gleanings of the Captivity, about 1754 men— 78 years after the firft and principal return, under Zerobabel, in the first year of the fole reign of Cyrus, B. C. 536-boldly braved the dangers of the way, with his fmall and defencelefs caravan; relying on the Divine protection against the Arabs or robbers of the defart.—“ For I was ashamed, (says he) to require of the King a band of foldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way; because we had spoken unto the King (Artaxerxes Longimanus) faying, THE HAND OF OUR GOD IS UPON ALL THEM FOR GOOD, THAT SEEK HIM; BUT HIS POWER AND HIS WRATH IS AGAINST ALL THEM THAT FORSAKE HIM."And the hand of ouR GOD was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way--and we came to Jerufalen." Ezra, viii. 22,-32. -But the walls and rebuilding the city; in re-establishing religious and civil polity-and in manfully and vigorously reforming public abuses, and chastising private offences in Jerufalem. "Paul planteth, Apollos watereth, But GoD only, giveth the encrease." But "Critic Moles" forfooth, and "unready Scribes"Meffeurs Jenyns, Paley and Co. would fain perfuade us, that “FRIENDSHIP, PATRIOTISM and VALOUR" are not EVANGELICAL VIRTUES!!!-and that CHRISTIAN HUMILITY, or lowness of Spirit," is no other than "meanness of Spirit”CREDAT JUDÆUS. 66 "Believe it Infidelity.”—And rue it FRANCE. |