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nities, professions, instructions, and prayers of the last season of fasting and humiliation. We should ask ourselves whether we have really acted consistently with them, and been more fruitful, zealous, and conscientious than before? Thus we shall be prepared to plead with him as his children and friends, in the manner that Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Jehoshaphat, and others of old did; and prevailing with him we shall prevail with man also.

But we must likewise remember, that we are bound to use our influence and improve our talents, by every exertion, to promote the cause, and obtain the blessings, for which we pray; both in our families and private circles, and in more publick stations. Thus we should seek, as well as pray for, the peace of the community, the prosperity of the church, the reformation of manners, and removal of every occasion or encouragement given to vice and impiety. If indeed we are decidedly for the LORD, and determined to follow him fully, without regard to men or dread of consequences; our conduct will have a considerable effect: for the example, endeavours, and prayers of his faithful people are the means by which our national character must be improved, and our privileges continued to us.

Let such as profess to "turn unto him that "smiteth" them, take care they do not rest in notions, forms, or external reformation; without true

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conversion, repentance, faith, and holiness. The prophet took notice of persons answering this description, when he said, " They return but not "to the Most High."" And nothing more effectually prevents the conversion of sinners, than a mistaken idea that they are already converted.

Charity to the poor and afflicted is likewise an essential concomitant of acceptable fasting and humiliation: "Is it not to deal thy bread to the "hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are

cast out to thine house? When thou seest the "naked that thou cover him, and that thou hide "not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy

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light break forth as the morning,—then shalt "thou call, and the LORD shall answer.-If thou "draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the "afflicted soul: then shall thy light rise in ob"scurity, and thy darkness shall be as the noonday."

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Finally, my brethren, if you thus return to the LORD, and seek his face, I am sent to you with encouraging words. "Let the heart of those rejoice "that seek the LORD." "Say ye to the righteous, "that it shall be well with him; for they shall eat "the fruit of their doings."—" In the time of fa"mine they shall have enough."-" Though the

fig-tree should not blossom," and every resource should fail, yet they may rejoice in the LORD, "and joy in the GOD of their salvation," Be not

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therefore" afraid of evil tidings; let your heart "be fixed trusting in the LORD." If "you hear of wars and rumours of wars, see that ye be not "troubled." Should a deluge come, the LORD will

prepare you an ark, in which you may be secure and comfortable: and he will say to you, "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, "and shut thy doors about thee; hide thyself, as it "were for a little moment, until the indignation "be over-past. For behold, the LORD cometh "out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the "earth for their iniquity. The earth also shall "discover her blood, and shall no more cover her "slain. *"

'Is. xxvi. 20, 21.

THANKSGIVING SERMONS.

ON THE

CLOSE OF THE AMERICAN WAR,

PREACHED AT

OLNEY, BUCKS,

JULY 29, 1784.

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.-1 Cor. x. 10.

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