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ances of strictness, humiliation, or grief will constitute such a fast as the LORD hath chosen. "Wherefore "have we fasted, and thou seest not? Wherefore have "we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? "Behold in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, " and exact all your labours. Behold ye fast for strife "and debate, and to smite with the fist of wicked"ness."'*

The substantial and permanent effects of repentance, and faith in God's mercy, must be manifested in our future lives; if we would be thought sincerely to have turned to the LORD and sought him in our distresses. Nor can any nation be considered as having duly regarded the rod and the word of GOD; unless a general reformation and revival of religion take place: or at least till numbers, in the different orders of the community, use the most decided endeavours to restrain and discountenance vice and impiety, to reform inveterate abuses, which have been connived at and sanctioned by a corrupt policy; and to encourage and promote genuine piety and purity of manners.

III. This leads me to observe, that as the people of Israel did not, neither do the inhabitants of GreatBritain, turn unto the LORD that smiteth: an observation which I make with reluctance and unfeigned

sorrow.

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sion, and cruelty, especially in foreign parts; unprecedented luxury and dissipation among the higher orders in society; and licentiousness among their inferiors, even beyond the ordinary measures found in pagan or papal countries, together with many other crying iniquities, had provoked the LORD to contend with us. This representation was accompanied with earnest calls to repentance, and exhortations to every one to use his influence in attempting reformation, and .promoting the cause of truth, piety, justice, and mercy, in his own sphere, and according to the duties of his station. Yet those warnings and admonitions, repeated from year to year, produced no sensible effects: the same evils continued and increased; and the services of the fast day seemed generally and willingly forgot ten, as soon as they were finished. We were, however, at length brought into a very alarming situation: yet the LORD, in answer to the prayers of the pious remnant in the land, remembered us in mercy: the storm was rebuked, and a flattering calm succeeded.

But alas, instead of making suitable returns for such mercies; every one of those evils which had been scripturally proved to be the causes of the LORD's controversy, still contaminated the land: and all the protests and warnings of ministers and Christians were ridiculed as visionary, enthusiastical, and superstitious. The event, as men supposed, contradicted their forebodings, and increasing prosperity succeeded to the alarm. Yet, while the nation was thus saying "Peace and safety," a dark cloud began again to threaten a most tremendous storm. The violent and extraordinary changes which

took place on the continent, and the spirit manifested by numbers at home, combined to excite most serious apprehensions. After a time this deplorable and eventful war broke out: and though our distresses have not hitherto been worthy to be compared with those calamities which many dreaded; yet they have certainly been very great, and none can say in what manner they will terminate.

Immediately, the same means of averting the divine indignation was resorted to: days of fasting and prayer have repeatedly been observed; and similar warnings and exhortations have been urged from the pulpit and the press. This is now the fourth time we have com. plied with the royal proclamation: and many zealous efforts have been made to awaken men to a sense both of our situation and our duty. But what effects have been witnessed? Who almost can be found, that mani. fests a more humble, spiritual, zealous, and conscientious disposition, in consequence of these ordinances? The few instances of this kind, which doubtless have occurred, are scarcely visible in the great mass of those, who outwardly observe the day and then think no more about it. Many who are supposed to concur in its appointment, openly refuse to attend on any of its duties; and this gives others an occasion of representing the observance as a political device, and of turning the whole into profane ridicule!

Some fast, or pretend to "fast, for strife and debate, "and to smite with the fist of wickedness:" and while they revile, others pay court to, their superiors; and thus they make a day of fasting and prayer an oppor

tunity of seeking favour, either from the populace or from the magistrate! In short, the very observance of so important and solemn an occasion, as it is too generally conducted, may be considered as an accession to our national sins: and the spirit discovered by num bers, even of those who in other respects seem to be religious, creates an alarm, lest the proper remedy for our maladies should hasten the death of the enfeebled patient.

In the mean time the most daring and blasphemous infidelity, scarcely distinguishable from atheism, is zealously propagated, and greedily imbibed by a deluded populace and the rising generation: while almost every effort to counteract its progress is marked with feebleness; nay, too often with treachery, the defenders of the outworks betraying the citadel into the hands of the besiegers!-Impiety, profanation of the sabbath, perjury, venality, dissipation, and licentiousness, are rapidly increasing. An unruly spirit disdaining subordination threatens to level all distinctions in society; while alas! few of those, who are thus distinguished, take proper and decided methods of counteracting its inroads, or softening the odium, envy, and contempt, from which it springs! The various species of vice and profaneness, heretofore protested against, are permitted to exist and gather strength; while little is so much as attempted in removing occasions and encouragements to them. Yea that horrid monster, the slave-trade, is still sanctioned by the British legislature, and conducted by merchants professing to be the disciples of Him, who said.

Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you,

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