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4. Notwithstanding the general prevalence of scep ticism and infidelity; yet the number of those who preach the "faith once delivered to the saints," is sup. posed by many competent judges to be upon the increase: now if this be indeed the case, and if they of whom good hopes are formed do not disappoint them, either through the fascinations of the world, the fear of man, or the spirit of error; we may even look for such a revival of pure religion, and reformation of manners, as will not only lengthen our tranquillity, but avert the judgments that we fear.

5. There is no doubt a very considerable number of true christians, dispersed throughout the land: these "are the salt of the earth, and the light of the world;" they are habitually "sighing and mourning for the "abominations that prevail;" and are now called forth, as an embodied militia, to unite in prayers, with humiliation and fasting, in behalf of our guilty land. Whatever hypocrisy or formality may, therefore, be found in the service of multitudes, on this occasion, or however still greater numbers may totally neglect it; (one of which must always be the case, where large bodies of men are concerned;) yet very blessed things may be expected in answer to the prayers, and in consequence of the services, of this day.

Moreover these persons are employed, in their several places, to counteract the progress of infidelity, impiety, and vice, and to spread the gospel of Christ. They are indeed "our chariots and horsemen,” in whom our chief strength censists: and if ten righteous

persons would have preserved Sodom and the neighbouring cities, had so many been found in them; and if Paul prevailed for all who sailed with him: we may yet hope, that the Lord will spare the land, in which so many thousands of true believers may doubtless be found, who are now uniting their earnest requests in its behalf. In the close of the deplorable American war; when our resources seemed almost exhausted, and four formidable powers combined against us; the. Lord answered the prayers of his people, and we were both delivered, and restored to prosperity.-When, some years since, our justly beloved Monarch was afflicted in a very distressing manner, and every serious mind was ready to forbode some fatal consequences, from the divided state of the land; the LORD again heard prayer, graciously restored him, and dispelled our fears: and of late, when our ingratitude again provoked his indignation; there seemed to be just ground of apprehension, that the people, instigated by ignorant or crafty insinuations, would have madly thrown away their invaluable advantages, and plunged us into the most dreadful confusion; but the LORD hath again answered our supplications, and we are hitherto preserved. "Oh that men would, therefore, praise the "LORD for his goodness, and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!"

But we cannot tell how long the case may be thus with us: sin is the only enemy we need fear; the impious principles of our adversaries are in reality more formidable than either their arms or their politicks; and if, to the many evil lessons we have learned from

them, we should copy their example of avowed and general irreligion and infidelity, after having so long enjoyed the full advantage of divine revelation: then our measure of iniquity will be full; the few remaining believers and witnesses for CHRIST will be either removed to heaven, or exposed to persecution; the flood-gates of divine judgments will be opened, and we shall be made a warning to other nations, not to abuse such privileges, or thus to weary out the patience of the LORD of Hosts: which leads me to enquire,

VI. Lastly, What those duties are, to which we are called in the present circumstances, according to our different situations in the church, and the community?

It is requisite in this way to bring the subject home to each of us: otherwise the enumeration of crimes committed by others, and even by some of our superiors, might prove a gratification to a censorious temper, and foster our pride, instead of leading us to humiliation: but if we duly apply it to our own case, it will produce very different effects. For when we recollect that all who concur in, or neglect the proper means of preventing, atrocious crimes, in some degree participate the guilt; we shall be convinced that we all are criminal, as to some or many of those things which have this day been considered; and that we owe a duty to our native land, to which we have not hitherto sufficiently attended.

1. It is incumbent on each of us, to examine every part of our conduct, in order to personal humiliation, repentance, and amendment. In this review, we should particularly reflect upon the whole of our past lives, and all our conduct towards GoD and our neighbours, according to the various relations that we have sustained, and the transactions in which we have been engaged. All our thoughts, words, and actions, as far as we can recollect them; all our negligences and omissions of duty; our not improving our time and talents; the bad effects of our example and converse; and our most secret sins (as well as the more open and gross,) should be adverted to; and especially we ought to look carefully into every part of our behaviour, and the state of our souls, at the present time. Such a thorough scrutiny, attended by earnest prayer to the heart-searching GoD, to shew us what our character is in his sight; and conducted according to the perfect rule of his holy word, will convince us that no small share of the national guilt hath been contracted by us; that the whole charge of infidelity, irreligion, and iniquity, does not belong to others only, but in a measure to us also; that we have helped to ripen the nation for divine judgments; and that we have more cause than the beloved prophet had, to confess our own sins, as well as the sins of our people.*

This examination, and these discoveries, should be connected with deep self-abasement in the sight of GOD; ingenuous confession of all our sins, and the ma

* Dan. ix. 20.

nifold aggravations of them; and acknowledgments that "we are unworthy of the least of his mercies," and deserving of his indignation: we should solemnly renew our acceptance of his salvation, and surrender of ourselves to his service, (if we have previously been acquainted with that important transaction, between a believing penitent and his merciful GoD and SAVIOUR:) we should earnestly seek to him for grace, to enable us to amend our lives, and to attend to every part of our duty: and we should deprecate his wrath, and beseech him that our native land may not be exposed to his judgments, through our transgres

sions.

Such seasons of deep humiliation, personal or publick, have, in every age of the church, been accompanied with fasting; an abstinence from animal indulgence, or even from all food, when that will consist with health, and the performance of other duties: and our LORD hath given directions about fasting, as occasionally incumbent on his disciples. We thus emphatically confess, that we have forfeited all right to the gifts of Providence; whilst "we chasten ourselves "with fasting," we express our humble submission to the justice of GOD, in our condemnation, and our cheerful acceptance of his correction; we mortify our animal nature, and teach our appetites to brook denial even in things lawful, whenever inexpedient; and this favours abstraction from worldly concerns, and marks the season to be appropriated to such superior engagements, that attention to animal recreation should be suspended as much as possible. The acceptance which nations, cities, and individuals, have ever met with, in