Suffer me then, in conclusion, to draw from what has been said, a few words of serious _admonition_ and _exhortation_, suited to the present circumstances of our country. Let me admonish you to _beware of those who, in these disturbed times, would induce you to think lightly of the duty we have been considering_. Many such are abroad in our land. Many wicked and evil designing men would induce you to believe, that there is no connexion between religion and the submission due to the king and to the governors sent by him. But "to the law and to the testimony!" You will learn from them, that wherever there is true religion, there will of _necessity be submission to civil authority_. A man cannot be a faithful subject to his heavenly King, and at the same time a traitor to his earthly king. If a man "fears God," he will "honour the king;"[16] and if he fail to honour the king, it may be safely concluded, that he has not at heart "the fear of the Lord." Are there then any here, who are dissatisfied with the government they live under? who are disposed to listen to those "that are given to change," and that would stir them up to acts of violence and outrage, not only in opposition to the authority of their governors; but to the disturbance of the public peace and tranquillity? The religion of such men, whatever be their pretensions to it, is _false_, and _unscriptural_, and _vain_. You have never yet been taught (if I speak to any such) "the truth as it is in Jesus." You have never been brought with the simplicity of children--to listen to the instructions of the word of God--you have never been enlightened by the influence of his Spirit, to "behold wondrous things out of his law"--you have never learnt, under the teaching of his Spirit, "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ." If this had been the case with you, if you had been humbled, enlightened, and sanctified by his Spirit, his commandments would be no longer grievous to you; you would "esteem all his commandments concerning all things to be right."[17] And the precept of the text, therefore, would be as dear to you, and as respected by you, as any of the rest.