none perhaps is greater than our assigning SERM. all possible reasons for it, except that of XXI. our own transgressions, which, if we would narrowly enquire into, would probably always serve to vindicate such just judgments of Almighty God. We think we have detected the causes, perhaps, in the profligacy of some, or the sordid covetousness of others, forgetful all the while that both may be but instruments in the hands of God, to awaken us to a sense of our dependance on him, which previous prosperity, and blessings, perhaps without interruption, may have stifled and obliterated. Woful misapprehenions also occur in regard to those who put themselves forward on such occasions to alleviate the evil. If œconomy is recommended, it is aggravating the famine; if the transportation of corn is attempted, for the relief of others in greater want, an act of Christian charity as well as of civil justice, it is called plunder and robbery, and resisted without remorse. Often, too, open violence, in many other ways, is had recourse to-the worst mistake and misapprehension of all; for SERM. for in no way whatever can it conduce to XXI. any good end, but is always destructive of its own views, and in its consequences leads to every thing ruinous to man's happiness, both here and hereafter. The last event I have to allude to is one in which, though we were all concerned, but few, it is to be hoped, had any share; I mean the base and black attempt upon the life of the Sovereign. Though this may well be referred to the operation of principles not of our own growth, yet that they should have taken any root among us, is a foul degradation of that high character we once were proud of. It was a deed of darkness unbecoming a Briton. I need not, I am sure, enlarge upon the value of the life attacked; it is deeply felt by all good men-by all men of common reflection and consideration. It is felt at home, abroad, wherever civil order, justice, virtue, religion, have a friend; it is felt by millions of faithful subjects, attached to him by long acquaintance and undoubted experiment of his good and gracious government. But let the event warn us of the XXI. the approach of foreign principles. If the SERM. war we are engaged in has any pretensions to self-defence, it is chiefly against such baleful and pernicious tenets. Let us vigilantly guard against the propagation of them; they have driven one nation to distraction, and we should fare no better. May God, in the year we have entered upon, protect us from all things hurtful, and grant us all things profitable, to our salvation; all things needful, both to our souls and bodies! May he, who can change the times and the seasons at his pleasure, look down upon us, infuse into all nations a desire of unity, peace, and concord; preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, bless and defend our gracious sovereign, forgive us all our sins, and endow us with the grace of his Holy Spirit, in time to come, that we may learn to amend our ways according to his holy word! SERMON ON THE THANKSGIVING DAY*. 2 CHRON. xx. 27. 30. Then they returned every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies. And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries, and harps, and trumpets, unto the house of the Lord. And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms FROM the first invention of letters, by SERM. means of which the history of past ages XXII. has * Preached in the parish church of Shobdon, Herefordshire, on the general thanksgiving day, 1798; and printed |