only in a vigorous prosecution of them, that we can warrantably hope for success, or comfortably meet the reverse. To trust God without the use of means, is to tempt him: to use means withont dependence on God, is to despise him. Duty is ours: Events are God's. Nor can Religion be brought forward in vindication of any such supineness as I considered more at large on a former occasion.

Instead, therefore, of a sluggish or presumptuous neglect of those means of defence which Providence has put into our hands, let us imitate the wise conduct of Jacob, in contriving the most effectual methods for disarming his malignant brother. Let us learn of Joshua, to use every measure which sound policy and determined courage dictate for counteracting the designs of the common enemy. Let us stand, like Nehemiah, armed for war, as well as diligent in our proper callings; and having, like him, thus played the man for our people, and for the cities of our God, let the Lord do that which seemeth Him good.

The Volunteer System, so numerous in its members, and so determined in its object, is a splendid monument in English History. Such a union of zeal and unanimity one cannot but hope comes from God, as a token for good. A still stronger token for good is, the zeal which has been kindled in the hearts of many for the support and propagation of the Gospel. But the best warranted hope is, from that Spirit of Prayer which

has long been stirred up in the breasts of real Christians, of all denominations, for the safety of the nation. We should be thankful that we can mark such tokens for good, in times like these. The record of Nineveh's deliverance should ever be present to our minds on a Public Fast; and should prevent despondency, even while the most Solemn Monitor is speaking.

Nor ought I to pass by the good example which the Volunteers before me have set, in having never blotted their profession, no, not in a single instance, by profaning the Sabbath in the exercise of their arms. Strange infatuation, indeed, in those who could concert or employ such a measure for safety! What! will men pray to God for success in their undertakings, on the very day in which they mean to break his commands? They hear their Minister proclaim, on divine authority, Remember that thou keep Holy the Sabbath Day: "Lord have mercy upon us, they reply," and incline our hearts to keep this law." Keep this law! what, by the exercise of arms-by disturbance-by dissipation-by gathering together and amusing an immense number of idle spectators? Shall we hope to defend our nation, by imitating the profaneness of our enemies; and that under a dispensation of light which they never enjoyed?

The man of piety will not only listen himself to the Solemn Monitor, which speaks so loudly to Europe at this day; but will also join the Pro

phet, in his pathetic exclamation, My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at the heart: for thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet and the alarm of war. The very next reflection, however, which will arise in his mind, will be this-" Oh that my country also could hear the voice of God in this war! and seriously inquire, Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me -Oh that it knew, at least in this day of its visitation, the things that belong to its peace!-a day, when not only a drawn sword hangs over it, but a raging pestilence also threatens its shores, and has occasioned its government to call in the aid of medical science, and bid it stand on the watch for our national security. Oh," says he, Oh," says he, "that it knew, at least in this its day, how much it lacks that ONE thing so essentially needful, a spirit of true and vital RELIGION! This would give an ear to the Admonition. This would put meaning into its Fasts. This would give true confidence to its arms, and afford it security against every Invader."

Such, indeed, must be the natural reflection of every pious man. And, true it is, that a spirit of real religion would teach us, with Abraham, to intercede on this fast, even for our hostile neighbours. It would lead us, with Daniel, to humble ourselves before the Most High; and to cry, O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of face. It would instruct us, like David, when he saw the destroying angel stretch

a drawn sword over Jerusalem, to fall on our faces, confess our sins, and call for mercy. It would incline us, with Jeremiah, to pity and thus to instruct, even the despisers of our giving glory this day to the Most High: Hear ye, and give ear: be not proud; for the Lord hath spoken. Give glory unto the Lord your God, before he cause darkness-But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride.

A pious man, impressed with the warning of this Solemn Monitor, will naturally, in his retirements, ruminate on his ultimate resource, under all possible consequences. He may picture to himself the rising up, at an unexpected moment, of an invading army; rushing on, like a mighty torrent that has broken down its banks, and overwhelms the adjacent country: he sees every effort made by the distracted inhabitants, to repel its violence, or to flee from its approaches. But, in such an extremity as this, will any thing present itself to his mind, but the utter weakness of man, and the almighty power of God? Oh the strong consolation, at such a moment of that voice, When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee!-Brethren, such as extremity has visited nations around us: such an extremity may visit us. May we be prepared thus to meet it!

We are admonished: but do we lay to heart this warning voice? As a man, who is overtaken with his neighbour in a storm, and, seeing him

fall by a stroke of lightning, walks on with trembling lest the next flash should be directed to himself; so should we be found walking on the day of national humiliation, before the Lord of Hosts.

Fellow Citizens, and Fellow Sinners! if I have wearied your patience by the length of my Discourse, impute it to my zeal as your Minister, and to my affection as your Brother. And as any particular Application of it is precluded by such enlargement, let it suffice to recollect its general aim :-TO ADVANCE AND ENFORCE THE UNIVERSAL DOMINION OF HIM, WITHOUT WHOM EVEN A SPARROW FALLS NOT TO THE GROUND; AND TO POINT OUT THAT STATE OF MIND, IN WHICH WE SHOULD STAND BEFORE HIM ON THE PRESENT OCCASION.

In a day of atheistical rebuke and blasphemy, like the present, you will doubtless meet with some, who will despise such considerations. What serious truth will not ignorance, joined with vice, despise? You may properly, however, inform them, that ENGLAND was once lost to an invader; and you will do well to bid them mark the circumstances in which it was lost. "The English," says Rapin, spent the whole night in carousing and singing, as if they were SURE of victory. The Normans, on the contrary, were employed in preparing for the battle, and offering up prayers to God for success." You know the event: and you know who hath said, Them that honour me I will honour.