sanctioned injustice, oppression, and cruelty, however protested against, still maintain their ground. The particular call of the day is to bless and praise the LORD for his mercies: but the general call of the times is to "weeping and mourning, and

girding with sack-cloth." We may indeed humbly hope, that he who "hath delivered, and doth "deliver, will yet deliver:" but we should beware of self-confidence; or confidence in our national resources, our fleets and armies, our valour and good policy, or in an arm of flesh however exerted. And we ought at least to be equally upon our guard against a presumptuous confidence, like that of the Jews, "The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, are these;" while no care is taken to "amend our ways and our doings:" from a vain imagination that God will certainly deliver us, even though we continue to act, as if we thought ourselves delivered, on purpose to proceed in our rebellious courses. For my part, I shall never think the danger over, till a general endeavour be manifested among all ranks and orders of men in the land, to promote the cause of genuine Christianity, in principle and practice, through their several circles; attended by a conscientious performance of the duties of their several places, and improvement of their various talents, to the honour of GoD and the good of men: and till a general protest be entered against every specics of infidelity, impiety, oppression,

venality, and profligacy. For the invasion of the land by these spreading evils, is far more formidlable to the spiritual mind, than even that of the most numerous and well appointed armies of enraged enemies; and indeed it is now making more dire havock of men's souls, than the French themselves have hitherto made of their bodies.

It is likewise peculiarly incumbent on us, to watch against all impatience under the pressureş of the times. We should compare our burdens, losses, and trials, with those which we have deserved, and which have actually desolated many other countries: and thus, while we cannot but feel, that the war has greatly impoverished and distressed numbers, and still bears very heavily on us; the spirit of murmuring will give place to that of patience, contentment, and lively gratitude. Indeed this is the grand difficulty, in respect of the service in which we are now engaged. For while pride and love of worldly objects prevail, and the state of things exceedingly impedes men's desired success, and involves them in manifold difficulties and straits; it is vain to expect that they will be truly and durably thankful for the most evident interpositions of a merciful Providence, to preserve them from vastly more dreadful calamities. And as even pious Christians are far from that depth of humility and fervency of spiritual affections, which become their character and situation:

the same causes render them proportionably pronė to impatience, and backward to the sweet duty of praise and thanksgiving. Hence it arises, that it is more difficult to prevail with men in general, to unite cordially in this most reasonable service, than perhaps in any other: and unfeigned gratitude to God, in some measure proportioned to his unmerited inestimable benefits, is almost, if not absolutely, the most uncommon attainment in the world. But the due consideration of the evil and desert of sin; of our own exceeding sinfulness; of the miseries which a just and merciful God is pleased to inflict on our fallen race in this world, and to threaten in another; on the riches of redeeming love, and the sufferings of the divine Saviour; on the privileges and prospects of the real christian, and his infinite obligations to the GOD of his salvation, which are daily and hourly accumulating; and on the blessed inheritance reserved for him in heaven, after the light and momentary afflictions of this present world: These, reflections, I say, are suited to counteract our propensity to ingratitude, to repress our murmurs, and to make us fervent in thankfulness, when otherwise we might repine in proud and sullen discontent.

We should likewise, my brethren, consider how the view which we have taken of the subject, suggests the most powerful motives and encouragements to persevering importunity in prayer.

Yet it is to be feared, that many, who, in the crisis of danger and alarm, felt the propriety of joining in this important service, are grown slack in wrestling with God for the land, even in consequence of having apparently begun to prevail! But is not this most unreasonable as well as ungrateful? Surely the language of the Psalmist. contains the proper sentiment on this occasion; "I love the LORD, because he hath heard my

voice, and my supplication; because he hath "inclined his ear unto me; therefore will I call

upon him as long as I live." And the words of the apostle form our proper instruction; "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with "thanksgiving."" Let us then, my brethren, not only persist, in publick, in our families, and our closets, (daily, but more copiously if we have opportunity, on the LORD's day,) to beseech God to spare our guilty land, and to avert the calamities that still threaten us but let us also take courage to hope and pray for still more abundant and important blessings; for "the effectual fervent prayer of a

"

righteous man availeth much;" and, "if two "of you," (of Christ's true disciples,)" shall agree "on earth, as touching any thing that they shall "ask; it shall be done for them of my Father "which is in heaven.""

It may, perhaps, be useful here to remark, that Isaiah, whose prayer availed so much against the 'Ps. cxvi. 1, 2. * 2 Col. iv. 2.

3 Matt. xviii. 19, 29.

power of the proud blaspheming Sennacherib; when he saw the glory of Israel's God and witnessed the adorations of the exalted Seraphim, cried out "Woe is me! for I am undone, for I am "a man of unclean lips:" and that before Job was honoured to be the appointed and accepted intercessor for his friends, he was brought to say, “I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Let none then from conscious and lamented unworthiness yield to discouragement in praying for the land, or in expecting a gracious answer to their feeble supplications. One soldier indeed can do little towards resisting an invading army; but if every soldier, on that pretence, should desert his post, the land would be left defenceless: in like manner every Christian, who on this or any other ground, refuses to join his prayers in this emergency, deserts his post; and did all his brethren imitate the example, our land would be left exposed and defenceless indeed.

While some persuade themselves that the obstructions to a safe and desirable peace are few and small; others seem to think, that they are, and must for a long time continue, absolutely insurmountable. But, whatever they may be; if the whole company of Christians in Britain could be induced to unite in fervent prayer for this most desirable blessing, in behalf of this land and of the harassed nations on the continent; I am persuaded we should soon be called upon to join in