Stamp Act. The colonists, sheltered under the flag of England, permitted her to regulate their foreign commerce; but the Stamp Act violated their domestic independence; and they showed, by custom, by equity, and by their charters from the king, that Parliament had no jurisdiction within their territories, and they refused to submit. England sent her armies to compel submission, and the colonists appealed to Heaven. The Stamp Act1 involved the principle in dispute for the next eighteen years. In his Sermon of 1750, Jonathan Mayhew declared the Christian principles of government in the faith of which Washington, ordained of God, won liberty for America, not less for England, and ultimately for the world; so that the engraving of Mayhew and that of the Stamp fitly introduce these Sermons of the Revolution. By the conflict with her children, England herself was rescued from the slough of unlimited power into which she was fast drifting under George III. The reäction roused her from political apathy, and revived the ancient principles of freedom. By defeating England, America saved the liberty of both. Both governments rest upon 1 A stamp duty was a familiar tax in England. It had existed as far back as 4th William and Mary, 1694; and the act of 1765 was simply to "extend" 2 this mode of taxing to the colonies. The engraving upon the title-page was taken from a veritable stamp, issued under that act, and loaned to the publishers by Mr. Samuel Foster Haven, of the American Antiquarian Society, through Mr. Charles Emery Stevens, of Worcester, whose valuable suggestions in the preparation of the work are also gratefully acknowledged. The impression is on a blue, spongy paper, capable of receiving a sharp, distinct outline, in which was imbedded a slip of lead, or soft white metal, as indicated in the engraving. The paper is pasted on parchment, and on the reverse is the royal cipher, "G. R." The word "America" was the only difference between the English and American stamps. They were issued in sheets, like our postage stamps. 2 Bancroft's U. S., iv. ch. viii; Knight's England, vi. 271. the right of revolution, and the will of the people is the constitutional basis of each. On presenting his credentials as American ambassador, June 1, 1785, Mr. Adams, in his address to King George III., said: "I shall esteem myself the happiest of men if I can be instrumental in restoring an entire esteem, confidence, and affection; or, in better words, the old good-nature and the old good-humor between people, who, although separated by ocean, and under different governments, have the same language, a similar religion, and kindred blood."1 God grant that this benign spirit of generous brotherhood, this blessed unity of which he was the Author, may never be imperilled by malign counsels. Now, after three-quarters of a century, these ties of nature, stronger than treaties, reässert their genial sway; and the heir of the Throne of England the guest of the Nation - and the President of the Republic stand reverently at the Tomb of WASHINGTON. 1 See Index," America and England, Unity of." BOSTON, Nov. 21, 1860. CONTENTS. UNLIMITED SUBMISSION AND NON-RESISTANCE TO THE HIGHER POWERS THE NEWS OF THE REPEAL-REASONS FOR REJOICING AND THANKSGIV- 105 MR. COOKE'S ELECTION SERMON, 1770. CIVIL GOVERNMENT IS FOR THE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE THE CHARACTER 147 MR. GORDON'S THANKSGIVING SERMON, 1774. 187 POPULAR GOVERNMENT-THE TRUE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY -REQUISITES TO THE NECESSITY OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT TO THE HAPPINESS OF MANKIND INTRODUCTION. THIS collection of Sermons presents examples of the politicotheological phase of the conflict for American Independence, a phase not peculiar to that period. Its origin was coëval with the colonization of New England; and a brief review of some leading points in our history will afford the best explanation of its rise and development. There is a natural and just union of religious and civil counsels, not that external alliance of the crosier and sword called "Church and State," - but the philosophical and deeper union which recognizes GOD as Supreme Ruler, and which is illustrated in this volume of occasional Discourses and "Election Sermons," a title equivalent, in the right intent of the term, to "political preaching." There is also a historical connection, which is to be found rather in the general current of history than in particular instances. In this we may trace the principle, or vital cord, which runs through our own separate annals since our fathers came to the New World, and also marks the progress of liberty and individual rights in England. "New England has the proud distinction of tracing her origin to causes purely moral and intellectual, a fact which fixes the character of her founders and planters as elevated and refined, not the destroyers of |