the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. While, therefore, some trust in chariots, and some in horses, we with David, should remember the name of the Lord our God.

And, surely, our God has a special claim upon this nation for the remembrance of his name. Come and see what desolations He hath made in the earth, and then contemplate your peace and privileges at home. What has He done for this nation, in former times! What, at this day, is He doing for us! I must dismiss the topic-I am overwhelmed with particulars! General recollection, however, is sufficient to remind us to WHOSE almighty and gracious hand we stand indebted for the blessings which we enjoy at this moment, and upon WHOм alone we can depend for their continuance. Such a recollection should teach us, with Asa and Jehoshaphat, to look away from human strength, numbers, arrangements, and exertions; lest folly, weakness, and disappointment should be written on them all. Then, and then only, do we exert ourselves rightly, and advance against invaders with a well-grounded hope of success, when, with the men just mentioned, we own and forsake our sins, trust in promised mercy, and, employing the means put into our hands, cry, with them, Help us, O Lord our God-in thy name we go against this multitude-our eyes are upon thee.

To set up our banners on any other ground, is to fall into the atheism of our enemy. His language, like that of Sennacherib and Goliath, has always been with me a token for good. Notwithstanding his temporary success, we should hold fast this truth, THE LORD REIGNETH. Such an enemy, like the Assyrian, may serve for a time as the Rod of God's anger, which He sends against hypocritical nations to take the prey, and tread them down like the mire of the streets. Howbeit HE meaneth not so. He seems to say, "Shall I not as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols! Religion is but superstition, whether in London or in Rome."

But shall the axe thus boast itself against Him, that heweth therewith? or the rod shake itself against Him, that lifts it up? I will take courage while my enemy thus vaunts himself: I tremble when I hear any leader on our side imitate his language.

Sanctify, therefore, the Lord of Hosts himself; and he shall be for a sanctuary. The worse the present aspect of affairs, the more need have we to remember the name of the Lord our God. Whoever now frets under difficulties, and thereby increases them; let us recollect ourselves and our only Helper. He alone, who once said to the raging sea Peace be still, can now speak peace to the nations. Whenever it comes, HE ought to be acknowledged as the sole giver of it; and, in the

mean time, He will keep them in perfect peace, whose minds are stayed on HIM.

2. To proceed with a right disposition, we must regard our NEIghbour.

Confining our views here to the occasion, let me remark, that, while the maintenance of peace and order is the single object of this association, UNION is its strength. It may not consist with the health and avocations of every neighbour to join you as a corps. Every neighbour cannot think with you about some particular measures; and some, like Eliab, may be ready to speak before they think. Here, Brethren, Let your moderation be known unto all men. Study to shew yourselves, like the children of Issachar, men that have understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.

David, in my text, affords us an incomparable example in this respect. "David," says an excellent commentator, had right and reason on his side and, therefore, did not render railing for railing; but, with a soft answer, turned away his brother's wrath. This conquest of his own passion, was, in some respects, more honourable than that over Goliath. He, that hath rule over his own spirit, is better than the mighty. It was no time for David to quarrel with his brother, when the Philistines were upon them. The more threatening the Church's enemies are, the more forbearing her friends should be with one another."

In a word, our exertions should be conducted with such wisdom and moderation, benevolence and forbearance, comprehension aud energy, that UNION upon the broadest scale may be effected. It is a master-stroke in our enemies, abroad and at home, to damp the efforts which they cannot prevent to separate you by suspicion-to unhinge you with discord-to discountenance you with ridicule. They will affect to despise, what they really fear. They will attempt to benumb by a panic those endeavours, which they know to be irresistible when in union and in action. And need you to be told the success of such stratagems?

What, then, let me ask, is a right disposition respecting our neighbour, in an association like this? or in such of us as wish to concur with it as our common defence? Evidently, to unite for a just end-to pursue that end with a temper, which while it seeks to disarm the disturber, would try if possible to save the man:-to abstain from even the appearance of injury:-and thus, by a variety in our exertions, to produce an unity in effect. Whether, therefore, we are found in arms or not, on the present occasion, let us be one in heart; for, IS THERE NOT A CAUSE?

3. To advance with a right disposition, we must regard OURSELVES.

To be found in the due improvement of those privileges for which we are contending, is essential

to our character as Wise Men, as well as Chris_ tians. Are we banded for a party?—for a humour? Or, on the contrary, is it not to secure privileges of inestimable value, both civil and religious? But, while we are anxious to secure them, especially the highest of them,—our religion; should we not be equally anxious to improve what we secure? Suppose this House of God, in which we are now assembled, to be assaulted, and the inhabitants, who surround it, to rise in its defence; suppose, after the tumult was over, they paid no regard to the opportunities afforded by it for devotion or instruction ;-must not the minister say to such," For what have ye fought? For the walls, or the worship, of this Sanctuary? Whether is greater, the temple, or He that dwelleth therein? While ye neglect its services, the temple itself that ye have defended stands a witness against you."

Thus it is with the best and highest of those privileges, for which thousands at this day are ready to contend. Christianity stands as a witness against many of its defenders. How many, in a national struggle, are ready to die for Religion, who yet are spiritually dead to it! How many spurn at a Decade, who yet profane the Sabbath! How many fathers of a Country and bulwarks of a Church have secured every thing in both, but their own Souls!-defended the faith, yet perished in unbelief!-opposed Satan one