to be told, that a course of sin and error is the history of fallen man?-that, when national sins arise to a certain height (especially under great privileges) national judgments will follow?-and that our errors are part of the punishment of our sins? The state of Israel proved it then, and the state of Europe proves it now; for sin is a reproach to any people. But we are bound, as Citizens and as Christians, wisely to meet existing circumstances, as well as to deplore their causes. We are bound to regard the danger and the duties of the times in which we live and we have a bright example* before us, in the conduct of David, who while he knew the cause, aimed to repel the effects. If, therefore, citizens now stand forth in arms against a spirit of universal depredation; if ministers now stand up, and are valiant for the truth against a dissolution of all principles, civil and sacred-What have we now done? Is there not a cause?

Still some will object.-More easy, indeed, is it to invent invidious objections with Eliab, than to feel a holy indignation with David. It is more easy to stand still, and say, Why camest thou hither? I know thy pride, &c. than to take a sling and a stone, and make what efforts we

* If any objection arise to this example from what was peculiar in the case of David, let it be considered that the example is adduced only from what is common to him and to every good citizen; namely, his just indignation against an impious oppressor, and his active zeal for the peace and religion of his country.

against an impending danger. It is still more easy to dart out a scornful and exasperating insinuation, than to meet it, like David, with recollection, and reply in words of truth and soberness.

It has been objected, that war is inconsistent with the spirit of Christianity; and arms still more inconsistent, when found in the hands of private citizens. Wars of ambition or aggrandisement, of caprice or revenge, are certainly opposed to the spirit of Christianity, and he that THUS takes the sword may expect to perish by the sword. If no other evil attend his undertaking, the very principle on which he proceeds is evil. I am ready to declare with a late ingenious writer* that "If Christian Nations were nations of Christians, all war would be impossible and unknown amongst them."

But this question seems scarcely to come before us on the present occasion. I am now, not even contemplating, much less defending, what I must deplore both as the sin and the scourge of nations. Citizens! you meditate no violence: you join hands to avert it. You foment no such wars: you recoil at them. War brings nothing before you but danger, and labour, and loss. Why then are you found in arms? I can confidently answer for you, It is merely and entirely to keep Peace. It is to defend your King and

* Soame Jenyns.

Country; to preserve Order; to maintain your Liberty, your Property, your Lives, and your Religion. It is, that your families may enjoy quiet at home; that I may, in quiet, meet this attentive congregation on the Sabbath; that we may have a building remain, in which God may be worshipped, and man may be taught the way of salvation. In a word, while outrage is only waiting for an occasion, you are found watching to suppress it.

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Who then dwells on War! I see nothing before me but officers of the Peace:-Volunteers for Order: Citizens banded together for mutual Defence; as men who can depend on one another, and as having property and principles to defend. Who speaks of hostility? I hear you saying, "We will oppose it under every pretence. We are sworn enemies to disturbance: and are resolved to bear the toil and cost of making a stand against invasion, against insurrection, against plunder, against murder, against sacrilege." I hear you saying, "We have seen what has been transacted and is still transacting on the continent; what has reached and has already laid waste part of our Sister Kingdom; what is attempted even in our own-and shall we sit still while mischief is on the wing? Is it anything but mischief that we aim to resist? Are we not now legally commissioned to resist it? Do not EXTRAOR DINARY OCCASIONS WARRANT EXTRAORDINARY

EXERTIONS? What then have we done, that we ought not to have done, on the present occasion? IS THERE NOT A CAUSE?"

There certainly is. Were I, indeed, to observe the principle upon which you now proceed lost in a spirit of contention; or debased by habits of intemperance, profanation of the Sabbath, or by any other modes of dishonouring that religion which you unite to defend; no one, I trust, would be found more ready to reprobate the conduct or lament the evil: but on the contrary, while your object is rightly pursued, as a Minister of the Gospel of Peace I must be glad of such an union of effort to preserve it. I am glad to see the nation at length roused to a sense of its danger: I hail it as awake; as wise to foresee the evil, and active to prevent its approach.

Nor is such precaution and girding of ourselves inconsistent with the purest and most absolute dependance on divine preservation, or any precept of revelation when rightly understood. It is the enthusiast alone, who expects the end, while he neglects the means. ABRAHAM believed God: but, on a proper occasion, he armed his trained servants born iu his own house, three hundred and eighteen; and, after recovering his brother, was met on his return and blessed by Melchizedec. JACOB wrestled with God for deliverance from a cruel avenger: but still planned, with as much policy as if he had never prayed. DAVID was

wise in not trusting to his bow: but did he throw it away? He resolved not to trust in chariots or in horses: but did he destroy them?

But you are men engaged in business-not more so than NEHEMIAH. He was a man of business, and tells us how he conducted it in the midst of enemies. They conspired all of them together, says he, to come and fight against Jerusalem. Nevertheless, we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night. I even set the people, after their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be ye not afraid of them: remember the Lord which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. He also tells us, that every one, with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with thẻ other hand held a weapon. For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he, that sounded the trumpet, was by me. In this way he could appeal to God, and plead, Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.

I therefore repeat it, it is not the believer, but the enthusiast, who expects the end while he neg lects the means. The Apostle, when shipwrecked, was assured that no life should be lost; yet when he saw those men deserting the ship who were