h his civil sanction all its
ordinances, by exerting his influence in her outward support and defence
against all external enemies, and by keeping from places of power and
trust in the nation all hostile to her interests. He should employ his
power on its behalf; and not on any account should the principle of
expediency in any cases, whether of legislation or jurisprudence, be
adopted to give scope to measures denounced in the word of God.

The people, both in regard to the choice of rulers and to obedience to
them, have important duties to perform. As to the first--between the
character of a law and the qualifications of those who dispense it,
there ought obviously to be an intimate correspondence. Of no law,
however excellent, could the benefits be extended, were individuals
either ignorant of its nature or opposed to its precepts engaged in its
administration. While an irreligious or immoral governor would pervert
the course of justice in the administration of laws truly excellent, he
would be utterly incompetent to the improvement of those that might be
defective. The acts of the best of civil governments--even those founded
upon the statutes of Divine truth--from the very nature of society,
require frequently to be modified. And, since the modelling and increase
of laws, as well as their dispensation, are very much dependent upon the
agency of rulers, how important would it be to have supreme and
subordinate authority committed to those who, having learned from the
source of all true wisdom, and having been rightly impressed with the
great responsibility connected with the situation of those who, by the
authority of God, judge between man and man, and legislate for his
declarative glory, alone are fitted to bear rule over mankind! Every
human system is liable to change for the better or worse. To admit then
into the councils of a nation, or to the administration of its laws, men
opposed to their salutary spirit, would be not merely to show no regard
for its welfare, but to employ means for its destruction. Those who
suppose that the votaries of false religions, and error of whatever
kind, however liberal might be their professions, would pay respect to
institutions favourable to truth, are ignorant of that unholy zeal with
which the abettors of delusive systems, carry into effect their designs.
And they who would imagine that men, uninfluenced by any moral or
religious feeling, would promote in their administration