The Anniversary Election Sermon

" become as a widow ! ^he that was great among the " nations and princess among the provinces, how is she *' become tributary !* O that mine head were waters, " and mine eyes a fount^ of tears, that I might weep " day and night for the slain of the daughter of my " people !"J The pathos of the prophet's lamentation, on account of judgments already executed, is equalled only by the ardent language of the apostle in the text, in which he deprecates impending calamities. " My hearfs desire and prayer to Gad for Israelis, that " tkey might be saved, I say the truth jn Csttist, Hie '■'■not, my conscience hearing me ixiitnessAn the Holy " Ghost, that I have great heaviness and continual sor- " row in my heart, J*'pr I could ivish tJiat myself ixiere '■'■ accursed from Christ,'^ for my br:5thben,-my KINSMEN i^p^coRDiNG TO THE elesh" Oppressed with the presentiment of that unparalleled tribulation, which awaited his countr}^men, his bowels yearned with compassion, and his most affectionate prayers as* cended to God iii behalf of his kinsmen and brethren according to the flesh. But why such a limitation of benevolence ? Why such deep regret on account of the destruction which imperided the Jews, when the spirit of prophecy might have taiiglit the apostle that like miseries awaited the crimes of other nations ? Why not from the prime • Xam. Jer. 5. 1. § Jer. ix. 1. ^ I could ■'wish that myse/f "acre accttrsed from Christ. — ^This passage, has been variously interpreted. By some the most literal construction is preferred, and the \vriter is understoodto say, that he was willing' even td "postpone his own salvation, if it could be the means of saving hi? countrjTnen, by atoning for their sins. By others,he is supposed to describe his own former ch.^racte^, (I did wish myself accursed) the recollection of which made him more solicitous for the conversion and safety of his kinsmen, as it created a more lively feeling of their error and danger. — Another interpretation may be grounded on the antbiguity of the original term, rendered accariei/, which may properly be used* to express an honourable oblation. The meaning then is, that the apostle Wished to have been deputed from Christ an apostle to the Jews, rather than to the Gentiles. From patriotic feelings, he would prefer to exercise the functions of his apostleship with his kinsmen and brethren. Whichever constniction be adopted, the idea of love to country in the doubtfid sentence under consideration concurs with the whole passage vigorously to express the sentiment of patrioUsm.

minister of the gosipel of peace on earth expressions of more extended s]^pathy ? Why iiiot an imitation oif the. Father's love, who is no respecter of persons, and whose blessings flow, at time^ appointed, on Jews and Gentiles ? It is replied, that as " man was made for his species " by the christian duties of universal charity, so he was " made for his country by the obligations of the social " compact."* Patriotism is no more incompatible with general benevolence, than the more partial assections of domestic life are with patriotism. General benevolence implies particu^ ; it includes the limited affections; it is a seminal principle in the heart, prod^icing, in just measure and at proper Seasons, the fruits of beneficence to our family, €nlends, fellow-citizens and fellow-men. While it propels to every useful exertidn as opportunity is, pres^nlefli conscious of imbecility and obedient to thq emotions; of nature, its beneficent hand is most frequently cii)ene(^;to comfort ancl supply the household. IriitjLegd, as the domestic assections may be cherished and expreSspdj'Withpiit any infraction of the maxims of justice arid« mercy to our neighbours, or encroachment upon the rights of the commonwe^th, so these rights may be r^sp^cted^ an,tf* the duties of patriotisni be performed^, withotit, any infringement on the dbligafidns] of humanity. — ^It is^then no proof that the apostle Paul was destitute of gehet;p*'^ benevolence, that he had aii ardent love to Israel, %is brethren and kindred according to theflesK, While the patriotism 'of St. Paul operated according to the dictates of nature and the necessities of man in a state of society, it received an accession of strength from hS reflections on the invaluable privileges which had been long participated by the chosen people of God. He seems to assign a reason for his love to Israel in the words subjoined to the textr " I could.! wish myself " accursed from Christ for my brethren — -to whom " pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the cove- ♦ Mr; J. Q; Adams'Ann. Or*. Plymtfutfi; '*' " nants and the giving of the law, the service of God ** and the promises ; whose are the fathers, and of " whom concerning the flesh Christ came," Why ti^ls particular enumeration of j^tipnal honours and privileges, unless because a gratelUf partiei|jati;0!ss in thj£i|fe\f|^ intimately associated with a deep solicitudfe for the fiiture welfiire of his fellow, participants ? He is himself an illustration of his own description of charity, when he says, ■'■'if one member be nonoufed, all the " members rejoice with it; and if one suffer, the ce^ "suffer also." . Wereitpecessary, ui .explaining atid vindicating the patriotic character of St. Paul, it ipight be further urged that hig Ibve to his brethren was exercised in due subordination, to ^e "win of God, and the highest demands of philanthropy. Obedient to the voice from heaven he resisted his tender desires after his brethi-en, and pursued his mission to the Gentiles. He preferred comphance with the invitations of general bi^p^filence and the will of God to the gratification of his, limited affection^. …