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and obedience that are acquired under the domestic roof, that the foundations are laid, of that subordination which is necessary to secure the peace and order of society.
Our limits will not allow us to mention Infidelity, Inattention to relative duties, Murder, Dishonesty, Falsehood, and Covetousness, all which are opposed to God's holy nature, and liable to his punishment; but it will appear, that a universal violation of any one of the last six precepts of the law, would lead to the entire destruction of the human race, and so subvert God's moral government, and the same effect would ultimately follow from a violation of the first four precepts of the decalogue.
The little attention that is paid to the principles of divine revelation, in our intercourse with the world, is another prominent sin; it would not be known that many make a profession of religion at all, except from their appearance on Sabbath. For instance, if they have a vote to give for a legislator, the command, "Provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, hating covetousness," seem to have little influence with the multitude; they will give their vote to any who please their own selfish views, or will forward their own interests, although he were an infidel; when, according to the Bible, religion is as essential to a civil ruler, as in a minister of the gospel, and states will flourish just in proportion as their constitution is according to the writen word.
"While honour, virtue, piety, bear sway,
States flourish; and as these decline, decay."
Again, there are a great number of denominations of professing Christians among us, differing in their constitution and doctrine, which doubtless must be hurtful to religion. If, under the Mosaic law, even the form of the tabernacle and ark, was to be exact to the patern shown in the Mount, we must be under higher obligation to have that branch of the church to which we belong according to the Bible. As the supporting unscriptural churches has been the root of all the heresy, and most of the immoralities, that have ever been in the world. The keeping the church pure, is the most important trust we can hold from God; and for which we will be awfully responsible. But the greater part pay little attention to this subject, they attend the church that is most fashionable, or where their fathers went before them; of the principles of different denominations they know little, because they think little about religion, and "care for none of these things." They act otherwise in the concerns of this life. If they purchase a piece of land, no pains will be spared to know if it is the best. If they buy a yoke of oxen, they must ascertain if they are of a sound constitution; but for the constitution of the church they care little.
"When nations are to perish in their sins,
'Tis in the church the leprosy begins."
DAVID HALLIDAY, PRINTER AND BOOKSELLER,
(BELOW THE COFFEE-HOUSE.) DUMFRIES,
