nance, and my God!" This is indeed the utmost sublimity of human greatness. If there be wisdom upon earth, if there be virtue, if there be happiness, this is the wise, the virtuous, the happy man. Well might David say, " O Lord God of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee!" To such a man as this, the Lord addresses his most special consolations. "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God 2."

Whatever then our care or anxiety may be, there is, in that confidence which the religion of Christ imparts, a remedy and relief provided. Here is a calm amidst tempests, strength in weakness, joy in tears, safety in the midst of enemies and death. "Be careful for nothing;" saith the word of God 3, "but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all under'Ps. xlii. 1, 2, 3. 11.

2 Isa. 1. 10. 3 Phil. iv. 6, 7.

standing, shall keep your hearts and minds. through Christ Jesus."

How

There has never been a period in the memory of any man living, in which it was more important to cultivate and maintain a spirit of confidence in the Almighty, than at this moment. It is not my intention to enter into public affairs farther than to express my conviction, that the true religion, in these countries, is placed in so many and great dangers, that it is not easy to discern in what way it can be extricated and preesrved. I confess, I despair of any succour from human wisdom or exertion. far our present condition is to be ascribed to a general spirit of distrust and unbelief, I will not now inquire. But this much I would earnestly impress on your minds, my brethren, that no man has any rational grounds to expect, that he will himself walk uprightly in reliance on the Almighty in public employments, except so far as he maintains that reliance in private, and regulates his private affairs upon this unvarying principle. If it be true, as it undoubtedly is, that no man is fit to be

trusted, except the man who makes a conscience of every thing; it is equally certain, that no man is fit to be trusted, especially as a public man, except the man who trusts in God, and who carries this trust into all the details of his life, his private business, and his public duties. On no other man can we depend for consistency of conduct, for unbending integrity of principle. He alone has got a stability on which we can calculate. He has not separated politics from religion, because he knows that the Almighty has joined them together. In his estimation, duty and interest are as perfectly coincident as they are in fact and reality'. He cannot therefore consent to suppress or omit, in the conduct of public transactions, the consideration of religion, or sacrifice principle to expediency. The steadfastness of his integrity is not to be shaken by clamour or applause, by the hope of personal aggrandisement, or the apprehension of the possible consequences of his

1

See Bishop Butler's third Sermon upon Human Nature.

fearless uprightness. He is the same man in his closet and in his family; in the society of religious men, and in the world; in the counting-house, the cabinet, and the senate; in his pecuniary and secular transactions, and in the most consecrated retirement of his devotion. Such a man, and such only can be safely confided in. Whether this be or be not the character of our public men, it is not our present business to inquire. But now, and at all times, it is our business, to pray earnestly to Almighty God that it may. Now and at all times, it is our duty to beseech him to pour out his Holy Spirit on all classes of men in these countries; to fill them with the spirit of His most holy fear; to look mercifully upon the Church which He has planted among us; and to protect it from being torn in pieces, and devoured by its enemies, or betrayed by the folly and cowardice, or the no less mischievous intemperance, of its friends. Our safety is, to despair of all safety, except from the Lord. And meantime, to labour, and watch, and pray, that, whatever others may do, we

ourselves may follow him wholly. God grant that such may be our determination this day. Then may we hope even in the worst of times. For though "the waves of the sea are mighty, and rage horribly," "though the waters thereof rage and swell," "yet the Lord who dwelleth on high is mightier." "The Lord sitteth above the water flood. The Lord remaineth a king for ever." No weapon can touch Him. He is "our hope, our refuge, our strength, our very present help in time of trouble 2." "O Lord God of hosts, blessed is the man that putteth his trust in thee."

1

1 Ps. xciii. 5. xlvi. 3. xxix 9.

'Ps. xlvi. 1, 7.