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they may discover one, if not the only "imperishable type of evanescence"-the only form of humanity over which time and circumstances have had no controul that only form with which all generations can fully sympathise; which the Jewish economy, far from invading, so recognised and venerated, and which it remains for Christianity to exhibit in all the power and beauty which were intended from the beginning by its Divine Author.

The Domestic Constitution, thus surviving all the changes of time, without any change in itself, its power of accommodation must needs be great, but the charm of all in this case is, that nothing is sacrificed. Its power of accommodation, therefore, to the social forms of man's device, must arise in part from its being complete within itself, and independent of them all, as it also existed before them," the result of mere nature; requiring the intervention of no force, no law, or human contrivance; yet extending throughout the world, over every age and nation, in the same easy manner: it exists everywhere, through mere propensity, under forms of political government, which may be called the two extremes; and under both it exists at once, without contention, and without difficulty."* Invaded it has been, indeed, both by the arm of despotism, and the injudicious intermeddling of human kindness; but both at last have been alike wearied, and have desisted the reason is, that the Christian church, and the human Family, have, in fact, but one and the same favour to implore, in every land, whether from tyranny or pretended benevolence, and that is to let them alone.

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Amidst the ruins of the Fall, it is truly refreshing to see two such Constitutions in existence, and thus upheld; which blessing, and being blest, will, of themselves alone, one day, introduce the Millennium.

2. The inimitable character of the Family and the Church, is another striking proof, that they are the only Constitutions of divine formation, upheld by God, on which the eye can rest.

Much, indeed, may be learned from both, for the purifying and perfecting, as far as may be, both political and civil arrangements, whether systems of government or of natural jurisprudence; but man, with all his ingenuity, cannot frame any constitution of things, precisely similar, either to a Family or the Church of Christ. They are of God's own production, and, like every thing else which He has "created and made," defy imitation, and cannot be copied. With regard to a Family in particular, there is not only nothing else like its Constitution among men, but, though there are gradations of rank, or degrees of glory, there is nothing similar to it even among the angels of God. Framed for this brief and transitory, yet all-important state of existence, and to expire with the last generation of human beings, still it points to what is permanent and unchangeable. In its constitution, as far as we can penetrate, it displays the nearest approach to the divine government, and, unquestionably, it bears this resemblance, with an immediate view to the best interests of that government. As man himself was originally created in the image of God, so it should seem, in the depth of his condescension, he intended to place him at the head of a government, the shade or similitude of his own!

PART SECOND.

THE UNTRANSFERRABLE OBLIGATIONS, AND PECULIAR ADVANTAGES, OF THE DOMESTIC CONSTITUTION.

By thee

Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure,
Relations dear, and all the charities

Of Father, Son, and Brother, first were known.
Far be it that I should write thee sin or blame,
Or think thee unbefitting holiest place,
Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets.

MILTON.

By this most astonishing connexion, these reciprocal correspondencies and mutual relations, almost every thing which we see in the course of Nature is brought about. Things, seemingly the most insignificant imaginable, are perpetually observed to be necessary conditions to other things of the greatest importance.—BUTLER.

PART SECOND.

SECTION FIRST.

OBEDIENCE AND SUCCESS CONTRASTED WITH

NEGLIGENCE AND RUIN.

Introductory remarks. The inevitable consequences of obedience and neglect illustrated by reference to two of the most memorable instances in Scripture.

THROUGHOUT these pages, the object of the writer, with regard to the Domestic Constitution, is to arrive at the knowledge of "the thing as it is." Whether he succeeds, it will remain for others to determine; but the object is certainly of the first importance, not only to the kingdom of Christ, but to the state of society in general: for although God himself does not govern the world as he does the church, nor treat the individual Christian as he does the unbeliever, still there are certain great fixed principles which, it seems, He owes to himself to his government-and to man, as man, inviolably to maintain. Thus, if Jehovah is

angry with the wicked every day," he also "judgeth the righteous" every day; and his judgments thus beginning with them in this life, though all should be

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