The character of a true patriot. A sermon preach'd at the Thursday-lecture in Boston, August 1. 1745. / By Nathanael Walter, M.A. Pastor of the Second Church of Christ in Roxbury. Interpreter to the Honourable General Pepperrell, and Chaplain to the gallant Col. Richmond's regiment in the late expedition against Cape-Breton.

The character of a true patriot. A sermon preach'd at the Thursday-lecture in Boston, August 1. 1745. / By Nathanael Walter, M.A. Pastor of the Second Church of Christ in Roxbury. Interpreter to the Honourable General Pepperrell, and Chaplain to the gallant Col. Richmond's regiment in the late expedition against Cape-Breton.

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Title page

THE CHARACTER OF A True PATRIOT.

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THE CHARACTER OF A True PATRIOT.

EXODUS xxxii. 11, 12.

And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy Wrath wax hot against thy People, which thou hast brought forth out of the Land of Egypt, with great Power, and with a mighty Hand.

Wherefore should the Egyptians speak and say, For Mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the Mountains, and to consume them from the Face of the Earth? Turn from thy fierce Wrath, and repent of this Evil against thy People.

THE Excellency of the christian Religion is very apparent from it's natural Tendency to promote the Welfare and Happiness of Mankind. An universal Conformity to the moral Precepts thereof, wou'd make this now miserable Earth, a very Heaven [Page]for Pleasure and Delight. All its Lessons are grand and noble, infinitely superiour to the most refined Maxims of an Epictetus or a Seneca. So yonder Sun outvies the lesser Stars, and when it sends forth it's more radiant Beams, they disappear. Numberless admirable Rules for the Regulation of our Conduct in the World, so as to be Ornaments to Society, and Blessings to our Fellow-Creatures, are scattered in the sacred Oracles. Among them all, none more worthy of our Notice than those which plead for and enjoin a Spirit of Generosity and Disinterestedness. Thus God by the Apostle commands, Phil. 2.3, 4, 5. In Lowliness of Mind, let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every Man on his own Things, but every Man on the Things of others. Let this Mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. When that divine Redeemer cloathed himself with humane Flesh, Angels proclaim'd the joyful News in that surprising Language, Unto you, for you, is born this Day, in the City of David, the Saviour, who is the Christ, the Lord. Jesus was born for us. His very Birth was appointed for our Benefit. 'Tis also true, no Man comes into the World for himself. We are born for God, for the Laws, for our Neighbours, for our Country. No One of us is independant. No One of us has an absolute and sovereign Right over himself. When we are born, the Laws, the Common-Wealth, our Friends may say, To us, for us, he is born. This is a Truth plainly taught by the Light of Nature. Accordingly, ancient History informs us of whole Nations who were [Page]instructed from their Infancy to look upon the Welfare of their Country as the grand Design of their Life, and the End of all their Labours; nor did their Tutors fail to teach them, that in Paradise there were exalted Seats for those, who had contributed to the Glory and Grandeur of their Country. Train'd up in such noble Sentiments, many a brave Soul carried this Virtue of Love to their Country to a sublime Pitch, and thus have immortaliz'd their Names among Mankind. While Time and Days shall endure, the generous and the heroic Part of our Race, will revere the Names of a Codrus, a Camillus, a Regulus, and many others, who greatly sacrific'd their Lives for the Good of their Country.

Thanks to the divine Being, Christianity is not destitute of Heroes. The sacred Oracles furnish us with Instances of true Bravery, after having instructed us what true Bravery is. There we meet with a Moses, whose flaming Love to his Country, carried him thro' innumerable Difficulties, and has made his Name renowned in the Church of Christ thro' all Generations. This Moses is the Hero, whose Character we are now to lay before you, and in him give you an Example of a noble Patriot, a true Friend to his Country. Whatever can aggrandise humane Nature, whatever can add a charming Lustre to One in a publick Station, is to be found in Moses. This we shall now briefly lay before you for your Imitation, and to draw forth your Praises to God who raises up many, many a Moses, even in these sinful Days.

[Page]1. Moses was a Man of strict Devotion. His Prayers, oh how frequent, how fervent, how efficacious! Take this One Instance of his prevalent Applications to the God of all Grace. When he sees that the Lord is angry with his People, and just going to strike the fatal Blow, his Love to his Country sets him upon praying, and he prays with such a flaming Zeal, that God repents him of the Evil which he tho't to do unto them. See the Account in our Context, v. 7,—12. What did Abraham for that City, which served as a Place of Refuge for Part of his Family, when God threatens them with utter Destruction? His Zeal sets him a praying, and he addresses God in that forcible Language, Gen. 18. Wilt thou, Lord, destroy the Righteous with the Wicked? Peradventure there shall be found in the City, fifty, forty-five, forty, thirty, twenty, yea, ten righteous Persons, wilt thou [...]t spare the Place for their Sakes?

In this Devotion we see a good Patriot. All our Concerns, all our Undertakings, must be commended to the Blessing of Heaven, by importunate Prayer. Far, far from us be the impious Thought, that we have no need of the Assistance of Heaven in our warlike Engagements, and that our Armies and Fleets are sufficient of themselves for gaining the Victory. 'Tis false Heroism, nay, 'tis Madness, to trust in our own Bow, and to say, that our own Sword shall save us: Negligent of the most High, careless of engaging his Favour upon our Knees—Never call him a Friend to his Country, who is not a Man of Prayer, and who delights not in pouring out his Supplications [Page]to the Governour of the Universe for Success in every lawful Enterprize. Thy Walls, O Louisbourg, shall stand to the latest Generations [may they stand the Possession of the British Nation] an ungainsayable Proof, that the watchful Eye of God's Providence is over the Righteous, and his Ear attentive to their ardent Cries. Infidelity shall stop it's Mouth, or humbly acknowledge, that there is a God in the Heavens who hears Prayer, and thro' Jesus, the only Mediator, will answer the Requests of his Saints.

2. Moses was a Man set for Reformation To a flaming Devotion, he join'd a Spirit of Amendment. When he once went forth to visit his Brethren, and saw two Hebrews sinfully striving together, he said to him that did the Wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy Follow? Exod. 2.13. He would fain rectify whatever was amiss among his Countrymen. When Nehemiah found the Crimes of Jerusalem to exceed their Miseries, he immediately strives to bring about a Reformation. He banished from the Land, griping Usury, horrid Oppression, Prophanation of the Sabbath, and mixt Marriages with the idolatrous Heathen; and by his own Example taught them Charity and Generosity towards the Poor. What signifies it to rend the Heaven with our Cries for Mercy and Help, if we will hold fast our Iniquities? Has not the God of Truth spoken in his Vengeance, saying, When ye spread forth your Hands, I will hide mine Eyes from you; yea, when ye make many Prayers, I will not hear, your Hands [Page]are full of Blood, Isai. 1.15. What signisies it to raise Armies and sit out Fleets, if they consist of none but the Vile, Men who are perpetually vomiting out their Blasphemies against Heaven, and waging open War with the Lord of Hosts. What signify Laws of Policy, if the Laws of Virtue are trampled under Feet; if God's Sabbaths are violated, if his Name is profaned, if his Religion is flouted at? What signifies it to enter into Alliances with earthly Princes, if we are not reconciled to the God of Heaven? In a Word, What signify good Politicks if we are bad Christians, or English Bravery in our Breasts, if our Hearts are uncircumcis'd to fear the Lord of Hosts? The Soldier should, like David, be a Man of God, as well as a Man of War! Soldiers prepar'd for Death by an anticipated Repentance, will fight with Courage, and meet Dangers with Intrepidity: But, alas, when Soldiers carry about with them a guilty Conscience, when by the Blaze of Cannon they view the eternal Flames of Hell, and see the Horrors of Damnation succeeding the Horrors of an Engagement, they usually fight with Reluctance, and strive to skreen themselves from future Misery by flying from present Death.

3. Moses was a Man of great Mortification. The Severities of Fasting he was well acquainted with. When God cammanded him to sanctify the People for the giving forth the Law to them, we read, that he sanctify'd them for three Days together, that is, by a solemn Fast, and an entire Abstinence even from the lawful Pleasures of [Page]Life; for, he suffered not an Israelite to come near his Consort during the three Days, Exod. 19.14, 15. When Esther was resolved to sacrifice her All, for the Deliverance of her beloved People, she gives that Commission to Mordecai, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three Days, Night nor Day: I also and my Maidens will fast likewise, and so will I go in unto the King, which is not according to the Law; and if I perish, I perish, Esth. 4.16. Far be it from us to abandon our selves to Mirth and Jollity, when the Liberties of our Country are in a tottering Condition, and the State is threatned with the Blows of Heaven. Woe, Woe, ten thousand Woes to him, that is not grieved at the Afflictions of Jacob, and that can meditate on the dying Groans of the brave Soldier, expiring in the Cause of Liberty and Virtue, without the Emotions of Tenderness and Compassion! The God of Heaven shall resent the Injury, and punish the Criminal with a Vengeance. Attend to his own Words, in Isai. 22.12. In that Day did the Lord God of Hosts call to Weeping and to Mourning, and to Baldness, and to girding with Sackeloth: And behold, Joy and Gladness, slaying Oxen and killing Sheep, eating Flesh and drinking Wine; and ye said, Let us eat and drink, for To-morrow we die. And it was revealed in mine Ears by the Lord of Hosts, Surely this Iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord God of Hosts. The Zeal of a good Patriot will incline him to join with the solemn Assemblies of Zion, when the [Page]Trumpet is blown, a Fast sanctified, and the Priests of the Lord address him, weeping, Spare thy People, O Lord, and give not thine Heritage to Reproach, that the Heathen should rule over them.

4. Moses was a Man of profound Prudence. When he was informed by God, that he must go to the King of Egypt, and demand a Permission for the Israelitish Nation to depart his Land, he modestly declines the Service, from a Fear that he was not equal to it. Oh my Lord, says he, send I pray thee by the Hand of him, whom thou wilt send; that is, by some Person more fit for the Business than I am, Exod. 4.13. And in all his Messages to Pharaoh, you see a Spirit of Prudence and Caution accompanying his whole Carriage: But especially, what admirable Prudence, as well as Faith, does he discover, when to says to Joshua, upon Notice given him that Amalek was come forth to fight against Israel, as in Exod. 17.9. Chuse us out Men, and go out, fight with Amalek: Tomorrow I will stand upon the Top of the Hill with the Rod of God in my Hand. The same Spirit of Prudence you observe in that excellent Governour Nehemiah, when his Nation was in great Distress. No Language can equal his own Account of his wise Conduct. Neh. 2.12, 13, 15, 16. I arose in the Night, I and some few Men with me, neither told I any Man what God had put in my Heart to do at Jerusalem. And I went out by Night, by the Gate of the Valley, and view'd the Walls of Jerusalem which were broken down, [Page]and the Gates thereof which were consumed by Fire. Then I went up in the Night by the Brook and viewed the Wall, and turned back and entred by the Gate of the Valley, and so returned. And the Rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did. Such Governours, such Officers deserve the Good-Wishes and the Thanks of the whole Commonwealth. They are a rich Present from Heaven. When they are taken away, and Men of an opposite Character are put in their Room, 'tis a Token of God's Indignation against a People. Sad was the Condition, when God said, as in Isai. 3.12. As for my People, Children are their Oppressors, and Women rule over them: Oh my People, they which lead ye cause ye to err, and destroy the Way of thy Paths. Wisdom was the first Favour which Solomon requested of Heaven when he ascended the Throne, and Wisdom is that Virtue, whose Praises he has sung in that inimitable Strain, Prov. 8.15, 16. By me Kings reign, and Princes decree Justice. By me Princes rule, and Nobles, even all the Judges of the Earth. One Way, whereby ancient Rome rose to its superior Glory was this: They kept at the utmost Distance from false Heroism, insomuch that they equally abhorr'd a rash Commander as a cowardly One; and they had an insurmountable Aversion for military Deceit and Trickishness, so that when One of their Generals gained a Victory over a Macedonian Prince by flattering him with Hopes of a Peace, the Senate judged that he got the [Page]Conquest in open Violation of the Roman Laws and Customs, which ordain that Conquests should be made by Courage and not by Fraud.

5. Moses was a Man of admirable Watchfulness. By means of his wakeful Temper, he was incomparably well fitted for a publick Station. When he was commanded of God to deliver his Messages to Pharaoh, respecting the Safety of Israel, and the Ruin of the Egyptian Nation, we find that he rose up early in the Morning to do as the Lord had commanded him, Exod. 9. An idle, indolent, unactive Man is altogether unfit for a Post, either in the Magistracy or the Ministry, the Fleet or the Army. It was an excellent Saying of that renowned Monarch Vespasian, That an Emperor ought to die standing. His whole Life was a charming Coment on this Text, and Rome was more indebted to him for his Vigilance, than to any other of her Generals. An Officer should be perpetually upon the Look-Out. The common Rules of Oeconomy must sometimes be leap'd over by him. Those trifling Regularities, those Hours appointed for Sleep, for Meals, for innocent Recreations; he must sometimes disregard them. Order it self does sometimes require that a Man should keep no Order. We see it in Nehemiah. When his Country lay desolate and exposed, he was indefatigable in his Endeavours for its Welfare. The Drought consum'd him by Day, and the Cold by Night, and his Sleep departed from his Eyes. He goes from Babylon to Jerusalem, and from Jerusalem to Babylon: From [Page] Shushan to Jerusalem, and from Jerusalem to Shushan. He passes whole Days and Nights on Horseback, ever watchful; constantly devoted to the Welfare of his Country. What a Disgrace to a Commander, and what a Mischief to his Army, when an Enemy enter their Trenches, or invade their Camp, while they are buried in Sleep and Wine.

6. Moses was a Man of steady Courage. When he appears in the Character of the General of an Army, or in the Character of a Messenger of God, he gives remarkable Proofs of his Resolution and Valour. The first Martyr Stephen witnesses of him, that he was mighty in Words and in Deeds, that is to say, He was a fine Speaker, and a gallant Soldier, Acts 7.22. Never did a Mortal shew firmer Courage than Moses in all the Messages which he delivered to that proud, haughty, cruel Monarch, who filled the Egyptian Throne in his Day. And as for his Courage in War, if we may believe the Jewish Historian, he commanded an Egyptian Army against the Ethiopians, play'd the Man in the Field, defeated the Enemy, and obtain'd a glorious Conquest over them. Such an one also was David, who in the Day of Battle never fear'd the Face of a Foe; and who in the Court practic'd the heroic Resolution which he took when he ascended the Throne, as recorded, Psal. 101.5, 6. Whoso privily slandereth his Neighbour, him will I cut off: Him that hath an high Look and a proud Heart will I not suffer. Mine Eyes shall be upon the Faithful of the Land, [Page]that he may dwell with me: He that walketh in a perfect Way, he shall serve me. Vain is Prudence, vain is Watchfulness, where Courage is wanting. By an undaunted Courage it was, that ancient Rome, compos'd of three Thousand Inhabitants in the Beginning, push'd their Conquests to the Extremities of the known World, in less than six hundred Years. And shall the Disciples of the Son of God, for whom he has merited eternal Honours in Heaven; shall they flinch, when Cannon roar, and Bullets fly? God forbid.

7. Finally, Moses was a Man of perfect Disinterestedness. His noble Soul scorn'd the trifling Pleasures, Wealth and Dignities which base Worldlings breathe after and pursue incessantly. Moses is the renowned Patriot concerning whom the Apostle witnesses, in Heb. 11.24, 25, 26. that when he was come to Years, he refused to be called the Son of Pharaoh's Daughter; chusing rather to suffer Affliction with the People of God, than to enjoy the Pleasures of Sin for a Season; esteeming the Reproach of Christ greater Riches than the Treasures in Egypt. Nay, so open, so generous, so great was his Disposition of Mind, that when the divine Being made him that Offer, I will make of Thee a great Nation, if thou wilt let me alone, that my Wrath may wax hot against Israel, and that I may consume them;—when God try'd him with this Offer, he passes it over in Silence; but generously adds, Remember Abraham, Isaac and Israel thy Servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own Self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply [Page]your Seed as the Stars of Heaven; and all this Land that I have spoken of, will I give unto your Seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. 'Tis impossible that a covetous, greedy Man should be a great Man. A Man that has not a generous Soul, never can fill up any of the Relations of Life in a becoming Manner. What think you of a covetous Father, that is afraid to spend his Cash in the Education of his Children? What think you of a covetous Son, that won't relieve his aged Parents in their decrepid Years? What think you of a covetous Merchant, that will squeeze even to Cheating? What think you of a covetous Soldier, that can't be content with his Wages? And what think you of a covetous Officer, that will sacrifice his Men of fill his own Pockets? A good Commonwealth's Man must have an open Soul. One Step by which the Persians of Old rose to that Degree of Splendor so renowned in History, was their Generosity; that Virtue which always inclined them to shew Favour to their conquer'd Enemies, and to leave them all the Marks of their ancient Grandeur. We now pass to the IMPROVEMENT.

Let us bless God who raises up so many worthy Patriots in this our New-English Israel, after having instructed us in the Road to true Glory. Our Praises are due to the divine Being, who gives us more Light to know, and Strength to practice the Virtues which constitute real Greatness, than ever he granted to the ancient Monarchies [Page]of the heathen World. Their Knowledge of them was but superficial, mixt, confused; and as they err'd in Religion, they necessarily err'd in Politicks, many a Time. But thanks to the God of all our Mercies, he has plac'd at the Head of our Councils the most perfect Lawgiver that ever held the Reins of Government, even Jesus, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. This divine Legislator has carried the Ideas of every Virtue to the highest Pitch: That Generosity towards Enemies, that Contempt of Life, that Veneration for noble Exploits, that Scorn of false Honour, that Devotedness to the publick Service, and those other Virtues which render Antiquity venerable. These Virtues we are as well acquainted with as any People on Earth; and, God be praised, we have seen our Land full of Men, who nobly dared to practice them, in the late Times of Danger and Distress. How forward have our gallant Country-Men been to serve the Publick! How prodigal of their Lives for the Interests of the Commonwealth! Not many Months are past, since we humbled our selves before the Lord, lay low at his Footstool for our Crimes, and with utmost Earnestness of Soul, begged his Favour and Protection. Kind Heaven lent a favourable Ear to the Requests of his People, and has crowned their Fleet and Army with Victory and Success. The Great and the Good, the Steady and the Brave, influenc'd by the God from whom descends every good and perfect Gift, leaped upon the Shore of their Enemies, drove them before them, and went on performing [Page]Wonders from Day to Day, 'till they obtained all that generous Englishmen could desire. Wherefore, let us go on to practice the noble Virtues of the christian Religion. Then will our Happiness be as compleat, as an earthly Happiness may justly be expected. The great Jehovah has already manifested the Truth of this; he has proved it to a Demonstration. The Demonstration is, the Walls of Louisbourg. 'Tis true, our Victory is a mingled Victory. In one Part of this Land we view an aged Father mourning over a valiant Son, slain in the Field of Battle: In another Part, we view a tender Consort, bewailing the Loss of a gallant Husband, that breath'd his Soul into the Arms of Angels in a Trench.— They died bravely.—But, ah me, a mingled Victory proves a mingled Righteousness. Yet after all, the Victory is our's, the Conquest is our's: And, to you, our generous Hearers, we give Joy in the Reduction of Louisbourg, while to God alone belongs the Praise. To him is the Glory due, who led us on from Step to Step, 'till he crowned our brave Troops with Laurels superior to those of an Alexander or a Caesar. To him is the Glory due, who wafted them in Safety over the boisterous Seas. To him is the Glory due, who animated them with a Courage astonishing to the Beholder, and incredible to the Hearer. To him is the Glory due, who safeguarded them from Harms, when every Ear was deafned with the Noise of Cannon, and every Eye intent on Bombs blazing in the Air. To him is the Glory due, who led them victorious into the almost impregnable [Page]Fortress of Louisbourg, and has there lodg'd them safe from all Annoyance. Let then every British Heart rejoice in God our Saviour, and give thanks at the Remembrance of his miraculous Goodness. But, is it only the Calves of our Lips that we are to offer to our kind Benefactor? Shall we think it sufficient, that our Tongue proclaim his Bounty? No, there is the Tribute of an holy Life due unto him; a Life devoted to his Honour; a Life spent in a studious Conformity to his holy Will, and in the Promotion of his Kingdom among Mankind. If such a Life be not henceforward found with us, the Walls of Louisbourg shall testify against us, and proclaim our Ingratitude to all the Earth; Ingratitude, the basest of Vices, the blackest of Crimes. Every Stone shall have a Voice, and cry aloud, saying, Did not the God hearing Prayer, lend a gracious Ear to all your Requests, and grant the Petitions which you were conscious included nothing less than Miracles? And do you thus requite the Lord, O foolish People and unwise? Well then, from this Day, Righteousness shall be practis'd by us, manly Virtue shall adorn our Conversation, and every one merit the Character of a steady Patriot and a christian Hero. Thus shall we go on cheerful in the Road which leads to the unfading Honours and the immortal Glories of the heavenly World; into which God grant us e'er long an open Admission, thro' Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, to whom be ascribed the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, henceforth and forevermore, Amen and

AMEN.

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Mr. Walter's SERMON ON The Character of a true Patriot. August 1. 1745.

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The Character of a true PATRIOT.

A SERMON PREACH'D AT THE Thursday-Lecture IN BOSTON, August 1. 1745.

By Nathanael Walter, M. A. Pastor of the second Church of CHRIST in Roxbury. Interpreter to the Honourable General PEPPERRELL, and Chaplain to the gallant Col. RICHMOND'S Regiment in the late Expedition against Cape-Breton.

BOSTON: Printed for D. HENCHMAN in Cornhil. 1745.

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The character of a true patriot. A sermon preach'd at the Thursday-lecture in Boston, August 1. 1745. / By Nathanael Walter, M.A. Pastor of the Second Church of Christ in Roxbury. Interpreter to the Honourable General Pepperrell, and Chaplain to the gallant Col. Richmond's regiment in the late expedition against Cape-Breton.

Walter, Nathanael, 1711-1776.

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2011-05.

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N04594

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N04594

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Evans 5706

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APV8230

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5706

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— The character of a true patriot. A sermon preach'd at the Thursday-lecture in Boston, August 1. 1745. / By Nathanael Walter, M.A. Pastor of the Second Church of Christ in Roxbury. Interpreter to the Honourable General Pepperrell, and Chaplain to the gallant Col. Richmond's regiment in the late expedition against Cape-Breton., Walter, Nathanael, 1711-1776..

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Printed for D. Henchman in Cornhil.,. Boston: :: 1745.. (Half-title: Mr. Walter's sermon on the character of a true patriot. August 1. 1745.)

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