fests a more humble, spiritual, zealous, and conscientious disposition, in consequence of these ordinances? The few instances of this kind, which doubtless have occurred, are scarcely visible in the great mass of those, who outwardly observe the day and then think no more about it. Many who are supposed to concur in its appointment, openly refuse to attend on any of its duties; and this gives others an occasion of representing the observance as a political device, and of turning the whole into profane ridicule !

Some fast, or pretend to "fast, for strife and de"bate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness:" and while they revile, others pay court to, their superiors; and thus they make a day of fasting and prayer an opportunity of seeking favour, either from the populace or from the magistrate! In short, the very observance of so important and solemn an occasion, as it is too generally conducted, may be considered as an accession to our national sins: and the spirit discovered by numbers, even of those who in other respects seem to be religious, creates an alarm, lest the proper remedy for our maladies should hasten the death of the enfeebled patient.

In the mean time the most daring and blasphemous infidelity, scarcely distinguishable from atheism, is zealously propagated, and greedily imbibed by a deluded populace and the rising generation while almost every effort to counteract its progress is marked with feebleness; nay, too often

with treachery, the defenders of the outworks betraying the citadel into the hands of the besicgers! -Impiety, profanation of the sabbath, perjury, venality, dissipation, and licentiousness, are rapidly increasing. An unruly spirit disdaining subordination threatens to level all distinctions in society; while alas! few of those, who are thus distinguished, take proper and decided methods of counteracting its inroads, or softening the odium, envy, and contempt, from which it springs! The various species of vice and profaneness, heretofore protested against, are permitted to exist and gather strength; while little is so much as attempted in removing occasions and encouragements to them. Yea that horrid monster, the slave-trade, is still sanctioned by the British legislature, and conducted by merchants professing to be the disciples of Him, who said Whatsoever ye would "that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them." These are notorious facts, and demonstrate that notwithstanding all appearances, "The people turneth not to him that smiteth "them, neither do they seek the LORD of Hosts." And though the present scarcity seems to have given a temporay check to the excessive luxury that prevailed, and to have called forth a very commendable spirit of humanity to the indigent: yet other symptoms prove this to be merely a partial and occasional effort; and we may still say, that with comparatively a very few exceptions,

"the whole head is sick and the whole heart is "faint." So that "except the LORD of Hosts had "left us a very small remnant, we should have "been like Sodom and Gomorrah."

IV. Then we observe, that this circumstance may justly excite serious alarms, concerning the event of our present difficulties.

If we were, as a nation, generally united in turning to the LORD, and strenuously seeking a revival of genuine Christianity: neither the number, courage, or violence of our foes; the wavering or dubious conduct of our allies; the weight of taxes and publick encumbrances; nor even the scarcity of provisions, could give alarm in respect of the future, to a mind accustomed to judge according to the scripture. But an opposite conduct, in a nation favoured like Britain with every advantage for religious improvement, must excite serious apprehensions for the consequences. No doubt we stand in the same relation to the LORD, that Israel did of old, and must expect to be dealt with according to the same measure. Nations, as well as individuals, which have not known the will of GOD, may be beaten for their crimes with few stripes but we, who have had the most abundant opportunies of learning his truths and precepts, yet have pertinaciously continued in disobedience, must expect to be beaten more severely.

"You

only have I known of all the families of the "earth; therefore will I punish you for all your iniquities.'"

46

Let us attend to the words of the prophet, "In "that day did the LORD GOD of Hosts call to "weeping and to mourning, and to baldness, and "to girding with sackcloth; and behold, joy and gladness, slaying oxen and killing sheep, eating "flesh and drinking wine: let us eat and drink, for 66 to-morrow we die." Sennacherib's invasion was a divine call to fasting, mourning, repentance, and prayer but the people united excessive sensual indulgence, with infidel principles and daring impiety. "And it was revealed in mine ears by the "LORD of Hosts; surely this iniquity shall not be 'purged from till ye die." Alas, does not the spirit and conduct of men in general, throughout our land, so exactly accord to this description, that a serious mind cannot but dread the denunciation of a like sentence against us?-Thus Amos also warned the Jews and Israelites in his time. -"Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and "trust in the mountain of Samaria.-Ye that put "far

you

away the evil day, and cause the seat of vio

lence to draw near That lie upon beds of ivory, "and stretch themselves upon their couches; that "eat the lambs out of the flock, and calves out of "the midst of the stall: that chaunt to the sound "of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments ! Amos, iii. 2.

2 Isai. xxii. 12-14.

"of musick like David; that drink wine in bowls, "and anoint them with the chief ointments; but

they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

Therefore shall they go captive with the first "that go captive: and the banquet of them that "stretched themselves shall be removed. The "LORD GOD hath sworn by himself, I abhor. "the excellency of Jacob and hate his palaces: "therefore will I deliver up the city with all that "is therein."" And in another place" I have "given you cleanness of teeth in your citics, and "want of bread in all your places: yet have ye (6 not returned unto me saith the LORD. I have "withholden the rain,-yet have ye not returned "unto me. I have smitten you with blasting and "mildew;-I have sent pestilence upon you.— "I have overthrown some of you, as GOD over"threw Sodom, and ye were as a firebrand pluck"ed out of the burning: yet have ye not returned 66 unto me saith the LORD. Therefore thus will I "do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do "this unto thee, prepare to meet thy GoD, O Is"rael." If the people would not return to the LORD, when he corrected them as a Father, let. them prepare to meet him as an avenging Judge.

In this case the form of godliness or profession of Christianity, will avail nothing, "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto "me? saith the LORD. I am full of the burnt Amos, iv. 6-13.

'Amos, vi. 1-8.