such tokens for good,' in times like these.

The re

cord 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 Prophet, 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, 'Show 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 cccasioned its government to call in the aid of medi5

VOL. III.

cal science, and bid it stand on the watch for our national security. 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, 'OLord, 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 Jereiniah, 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 darknessBut 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

6

passest through the waters I will be with thee!'_ Brethren, such an 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

OF Нім, WITHOUT WHOM EVEN A THE GROUND; AND TO POINT OUT THAT STATE OF

AND

ENFORCE

THE

UNIVERSAL DOMINION

SPARROW

FALLS

NOT

TO

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.'

And now 'I bow my knees to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that my feeble labours this

6

day for your welfare may not be in vain. We shall certainly meet together once more; but probably not till THAT day, when these truths will admit of no doubt. In the mean time, the grave will mingle the dust of Ministers and Soldiers; and that both may enter it, having first obtained a complete victory over it, may God of his infinite mercy grant, for Jesus Christ's sake! Amen.

Church Missionary Society.

A

SERMON

PREACHED AT

THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. ANDREW BY THE WARD

ROBE AND ST. ANNE BLACKFRIARS,

On Tuesday, in Whitsun Week, May 31, 1303.

BEFORE THE

SOCIETY FOR MISSIONS TO AFRICA AND THE EAST,

INSTITUTED BY

ERS OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH,

BEING THEIR

THIRD ANNIVERSARY.

VOL. uri,