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r ArfE Death of the late Queen was * _ J _ a favourable subject for pulpit eloquence , though at the same time her name and history had been so connected with angry politics , that it was difficult for a preacher to treat the subject cautiously , without being thought tame , or boldly-without being censured
as violent . This difficulty induced many ministers that sympathized deeply in Her Majesty ' s afflictions , to be-silent on a topic which they felt incapable of discussing so as to preserve the dignity , purity and charity which belong to the services of the House of Prayer .
Mr . John Clayton ' s Sermon is only one continued and ineffectual struggle with this embarrassment . The * text ( Esther i . 15 ) and the composition are quaint , and the whole discourse is unsatisfactory . Yet the preacher is
praiseworthy in having conveyed no sentiment , in the little that he has said or intimated of the Queen , that i 3 not sympathetic and kindly . The Sermon by Mr . Fletcher is still more characterized than Mr . John
Clayton ' by those Calvinistic opinions which these gentlemen hold in common : it also approaches nearer to politics ; and it goes much further in its declarations in favour of the Queen ' s character and cause . The text is 2
Tim . iv . 7 . The divine speaks thus of the exclusion of the Queen ' s name from the Liturgy : " It is not our duty in this hallowed place , to blame the decree by which her name was removed from the National
Liturgy of the country . The remarks we are about to make , are not of a political , but of a moral and ecclesiastical description . Let it be observed , we do not blame ; those who conscientiously obeyed the royal mandate of him whom they sacredly and piously consider as the head
of their holy hierarchy . We may pity the man who has a mistaken conscience , but it would be ungenerous to blame him for rigidly obeying the inward monitor , which is itself beclouded by a mistaken delusion . He deserves our pity 9 not our blame . Whom then do we blame ? Those who
considered the mandate sinful , and obeyed it . We conceive that they have brought upon themselves deserved reprobation . But what could they do—the command was urgent , and must not be dispensed with : if they opposed it , they did it at their peril . We state in reply , rather than submit to a command they considered sinful , as violating the liberty of
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the gospel , as interfering with the most sacred and valuable rights of men , they should have removed themselves ^ from an establishment which could command such impositions . Had they done so , they would have held up their character to future ages , as entitled to their
admiration . As it 13 , they have preferred emolument and filthy lucre , to peace of conscience and Christian consistency . It is true , that some were to be found among the Dissenting bodies of ministers , who preserved the same' capricious silence in not praying publicly for her late Majesty .
The cases are widely different . They who are unconnected with the hierarchy , were bound by no preventing laws ; they were left to the freedom of their own wills , with consciences unfettered by the restraints of rulers . If they followed the humour of their inclinations , in opposition to the dictates of their conscience .
we consider their conduct more criminal than that of the minister of the Episcopal Establishment ; as they sinned , comparatively speaking , without temptation . "Pp . 17—19 .
Mr . Fletcher describes and comments on the Queen ' s death with manly and Christian feeling : " Our late Queen died at Brandenburgh-House , on Tuesday , August 7 th . The complaint whkh terminated her life
was violent and painful . She experienced more bodily anguish in her last moments than generally falls to the lot of expiring mortals !—It appeared as if the more violent efforts of the king of terrors were required , to dissolve her naturally vigorous constitution . Her death was sudden .
If the last enemy performed his work violently , he did it speedily . Her death was most unexpected . But atfew days before , were witnessed the magnificent , expensive and imposing ceremonies of the Corouation of a British monarch ! But a few days before , in perfect health , she demanded a crown , which she considered herself never to have forfeited ! It is
probable she died of a broken heart ! Whether the instruments of her suffering acted justly or unjustly , is not our province to determine . In whatever light we view their operations , we forbear to
state it . We leave it with Him who is the searcher of hearts , and who , at the day of final retribution , will reveal the secrets of all hearts , and bring to light the most hidden plans and machinations of mortals .
" On her death-bed she displayed some noble virtues . As far as we are-enabled to judge , she died in a manner worthy of a Queen . We must regret , that those who attended her during the closing scene
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Review . —Funeral Sermdns for the Queen . 551
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1821, page 551, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2504/page/47/
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