OF LANCASTER COUNTY. 235 



A SEKMON, &C. 



Luke iii. 14. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, sayinj,'. And what shall we 

 do? and he said unto them, Do violence to no man, and neither accuse any falsely, and be 

 content with your wages. 



At a time, when the unjust storm of ministerial wrath is discharging 

 itself in a cruel and ignominious manner, on the noble, patriotic, brave 

 people of the ancient, loyal important colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, 

 in New England; at a time when all the other colonies in North America, 

 like the true children of a free-horn family^ are roused to some just re- 

 sentment of such insults, on their natural and legal rights, taking each 

 other as by the hand, and uniting by the invincible chains of love, friend- 

 ship, and interest, are determined to support this their elder sister colony, 

 now suffering so gloriously in the common cause, or sink together; at 

 a time, when the alarm is sounding from east to west, over this vast con- 

 tinent of North America, to arms !— to arms ! — in short, at a time when 

 the minds of all are in such a ferment, that they can be scarce composed 

 to hear any subject, but what may have some reference to the present 

 times; it is but reasonable to suppose, that even the Minister of the 

 Prince of Peace^ whose business for ordinary is, neither tear or politicks, 

 in such a situation, being member of civil society, and interested like 

 other men, would improve the times, by adapting their public instruc- 

 tions to the best service of the people, and not offensive or displeasing to 

 God ; whose holy word is a blessed directory in every emergency. 



It is also but reasonable to suppose, that every judicious, sober Ameri- 

 can, being now reduced to the dreadful alternative, either to take up 

 arms, apparently against that very government which he was wont to 

 revere, and under which he expected protection for both life and pro- 

 perty; or submit tamely to the galling yoke o^ jjerpetual sJaverf/ ; I say, 

 it is supposable, that every such Christian American soldier will be all 

 ear to wholesome instructions, relative to his present duty. 



We own it is rare for soldiers to ask counsel of gospel Ministers ; and 

 the more pity — for they are men and sinners, as well as others; but I am 

 not called to address Bed- Coats, but Christian Provincials; yet blessed 

 be God, it is not a case wholly unprecedented, for even regulars to apply 

 to a gospel Preacher for direction; we have an instance in the words of 

 our text: And the soldiers demanded of him, saying, Andivhat shall toe do? 

 and he said tmto them. Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely, 



and be content ivith your ivayes. 



We here find a very important question proposed to a person, every 

 way qualified to solve it ; for the mouth of truth itself tells us, that of 

 all who were then born of woman, there was not a greater prophet than 

 John the Baptist : Also, the angel who predicted his birth, said, that he 

 should be filled with the Holy Ghost, from his mother's womb. He was 



