—Consider the deep religious
sentiments of the Scottish people. Our religious sentiments
are the true abodes of Majesty—the seat of legitimate authority
and supreme power—God is the Lord, He is Ruler over
the Nations. He alone is to be feared and held in reverence by all his creatures. A deep reverential acknowledgment of a divine Superintending
Power, is the fundamental principle of the British
Constitution. And it implies a sacred respect for the worship
of God, and dutiful obedience to all lawfully constituted
authorities, in the legitimate exercise of their functions, as
the vicegerents of heaven. u Let every soul be subject to the higher powers—for there is no power but of God—for the powers that be, are ordained of God." " Whosoever therefore
resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God" is the absolute law of the Almighty.Rev Dr Matheson
Hosea 4:6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge
In a short time there will (we have reason to fear) remain but two kinds of persons among us, either those who think not at all, or those whose imaginations are active indeed, but continually evil. Of these latter it may be said, "Their foolish heart was darkened." Of the principles, I do not say of the detail, of political science, a sound theology is the only sure and steady basis. Now we trace the operations by which a destruction so extended in its consequences has been effected. The master-spring of every principle which can permanently secure the stability of a people is the fear and knowledge of Almighty God. The first operation of a principle of atheism, and perhaps one of the most formidable in its consequences, is that which leads political men to conceive of Christianity as a mere auxiliary to the State. Religion was not instituted (in the Divine council I mean) for the purpose of society and government, but society and government for the purposes of religion. As a...
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