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or provision. Above all, we should "pray without "ceasing," that the light and liberty of our holy religion may be continued to us; that its avowed enemies may not be permitted to destroy, or alienate, the places appropriated to the worship of Gop; to drive away the ministers and professors of the gospel, by rigorous exactions, oppressions or persecutions; or in any way to deprive us of our invaluable religious privileges.

To these more general supplications, we may subjoin many of a more particular nature: beseeching the LORD, "for his name's sake," to bless the labours of all faithful pastors and teachers, and to bestow on them an increase of wisdom and grace; to send "forth more labourers into his harvest," to illuminate with true knowledge and understanding of his word,' all who sustain that sacred character; and to reform such as are wicked, ignorant, or heretical. We may beg of him to purify the places of publick education, that they may indeed be seminaries of sound learning and true religion;' to prosper every method taken for the religious instruction of the poor, and of their children; and all endeavours of his servants, publick or private, to repress vice, to exterminate national enormities, to promote true religion, to diffuse the light of the gospel, or in any way to relieve misery, and do good to mankind: and we should most earnestly pray, that many active zealous instruments may be raised up, by whom such

effectual remedies shall be applied to the moral and religious distempers of the land, as may prevent the ruin which our iniquities seem ready to bring down upon us. If we add to these supplications for ourselves, our unfeigned and fervent intercession, not only for our friends and allies, but also for our enemies; for every part of the visible church, and for the nations "that sit in darkness, "and in the shadow of death;" we may confidently expect that "the LORD, for his name's sake," will accept us and either spare our land in answer to them; or, if in his righteous sovereignty he hath determined otherwise, our prayer will return into our own bosoms, and we shall be mercifully regarded in the day of calamity.

IV. To state the duties which are especially required of us on this occasion, as a means of obtaining those blessings, which are the objects of our prayers and desires.

It is obvious to every one, that self-examination, in respect of our state, character, and every part of our conduct; with personal humiliation, repentance, renewed acceptance of the salvation of the gospel, and serious purposes of devoting ourselves to GoD, "as bought with a price, to glorify him "in body and spirit which are his ;" forgiveness of injuries, restitution to the injured, charity to our poor brethren, and amendment of life, should accompany such prayers, as we have been this day

presenting before the throne of Grace. Various regulations, duties, and endeavours, in our families and in relative life, might with great propriety be inculcated one especially should not be omitted. It is too well known, that many who call themselves Christians, and even appear to be religious in the house of GOD, neglect his worship in their own houses, and in this respect, resemble the heathen: Would it not then be peculiarly suitable to this occasion, should any master of a family, who is consciously criminal in this matter, call together his domesticks, own before them his conviction that his former neglect had been very sinful, and declare that he had now adopted Joshua's resolution, "As for me and my house, we "will serve the LORD;" and should he, having made this declaration, begin to read the scriptures to them, and join with them in worshipping GoD from that time, in a regular and constant manner? Thus instructing and "commanding his children "and household after him, to walk in, the ways of "the LORD," in imitation of Abraham's example; he might reasonably hope that God would regard his prayers for the guilty, as he did those of the Patriarch for Sodom; and that future generations also might in some measure derive benefit from his pious endeavours.3

It becomes us, on this occasion especially, to enquire seriously, what talents the LORD hath

Jer, x. 25.

2 Josh, xxiv. 15.

3 Gen. xviii. 17-33,

committed to our stewardship? and whether we have duly improved them? This will conduce to our humiliation, and instruction in our own duty; for no real advantage can arise from an acquaintance with other men's faults and duties, or intermeddling "as busy-bodies in other men's matters, whilst our own business is neglected. Such a conduct in domesticks throws a family into confusion, and it can produce no better effects in the community but when every man studies to know and practise the duty of his station, the whole goes on regularly and is well managed. Numbers, indeed, will continue ignorant or negligent of their proper work; and will be ambitious of attracting the attention of their fellow-citizens, by a clamorous officiousness in matters "too high for them :" but Christians should "be ambitious (poda) to "be quiet, and to mind their own business.'

The minister of state and the minister of religion, the senator and the magistrate, the gentleman and the merchant, the rich and the poor, the master and the domestick, have their several stations, talents, and employments assigned them by their common LORD, "who is no respecter of persons." Every man should, therefore, conscientiously rectify what hath been amiss, perform what hath been neglected, and improve every advantage of his situation in " doing good to all men, and espe"cially to the household of faith;" not knowing

'Thes. iv. 11.

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how soon it may be said unto him, "count of thy stewardship, for thou mayest no longer be steward." Nor can any Christian consistently spend his precious time in animadverting on the faults of others; except his office require him "to reprove, rebuke, exhort with all autho

rity and doctrine;" or unless it be his duty to inspect the conduct of some part of the community. By attending to our own business, we may all, in some measure, conduce to a revival of undefiled religion, and help to preserve the peace or improve the morals of the nation; which things are not likely to be effected by those who know every one's duty but their own, quarrel with vice in every body except themselves, and are zealous for a reform any where rather than in their own lives and families. But here alas! their charity should 'begin at home.'

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It is also incumbent upon us, brethren, at pre sent to give peculiar attention to the scriptural exhortations" to fear GoD and the king, and not to "meddle with those who are given to change;' The ministers of CHRIST are required to "put you in mind, to be subject to principalities and

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powers, to obey magistrates," and "to honour "and obey the king;" "to pay tribute also," and "to render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's." Indeed it is of the greatest importance to the honour of the gospel, especially in these turbulent times, that "all who name the name of CHRIST" Prov. xxiv. 21, 22.

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