It may be supposed, that few well-informed persons will deny, that the present times wear a most extraordinary appearance. They have in fact called forth the energies and activity of men, to a degree almost unparalleled in history: and after every abatement for the feelings of the persons more immediately concerned, we can scarcely doubt, but that distant countries and remote posterity must deem them peculiarly disastrous and dreadful.

The christianity, most prevalent through the greatest part of Europe for ages past, has unquestionably been very corrupt, both in principle and practice; and it has been rendered subservient to the base designs of wicked men: nor can it be denied that arbitrary power, ecclesiastical and civil, has oppressed vast multitudes, and introduced grievances which loudly called for redress. But the speculations of men, arrogating to themselves the title of philosophers, concerning both religion and government, under pretence of remedying these evils, have led by direct consequence to infidelity and anarchy: and these speculations having been, for a considerable time, secretly propagated, with profound sagacity, ardent zeal, and unwearied perseverance, at length produced such convulsions, as scarcely ever shook the world in former ages.

The impetuosity with which the revolution in France was effected; the atrocities attending it; the vast projects of the leaders; the immense resources of that powerful country; the peculiar concurrence of events, which rendered national bankruptcy a source of almost inexhaustible wealth, Ly giving occasion to the

seizure of the whole property of vast multitudes at home and abroad; the astonishing success of schemes at first deemed rash and chimerical; the revolutions that have followed in other countries; the accumulating force of the impetuous torrent; and the threatening aspect of these stupendous events on the constitution, laws, and liberties of other nations, and on the property and lives of the inhabitants, have caused and must cause many and just alarms.

But the interests of religion should most engage our attention: and here we may assert without exaggeration, that the subversion of christianity, as well as of popery and superstition, has been the express and settled purpose of of many agents in these convulsions, and the genuine tendency of the measures adopted by others, who perhaps had no such intention.

It is undeniable, that many late events have the appearance of accomplishing the prophecies concerning the destruction of Antichrist: and here it seems to be our duty to be still, and to wait till it be manifest what God is about to do. We cannot rejoice to see infidelity and atheism supplant even corrupted christianity, considering this event as detached from its future consequences: but can we consistently regret the removal in any degree of that permanent mountainous obstruction to the spread of the pure religion of Jesus, except as it involves many other lamentable transactions?We should however, pray to God, that he would speedily terminate the dominion of the destroyers, and send forth those who may plant genuine christianity in the regions which they have ravaged: and we ought to sympathize with the sufferers of every description;

and afford them our help, as far as we can, without sanctioning their pernicious tenets, or partaking of their evil deeds.

But while we contemplate the distant storm, or make observations on the earthquakes which convulse other regions; we must also feel for ourselves; for the peace and security of Britain, and for the interests of christianity among us. Whatever may be said of our insular situation, our resources, our national spirit, our constitution, or the measures adopted by our rulers; or whatever may appear probable according to the general course of human affairs: we must still remember, that "Vain is the help of man," and that, "Except "the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but " in vain."

But further, however favourably we may think concerning the religion of our country, as it is delineated in the authorized books of the established church, or in the creeds and confessions of a large body among the dissenters; or concerning the prevalence of the gospel in the land: yet he who impartially compares facts with the Bible, and contrasts our national advantages with our national character, will by no means on this ground be sanguine in his expectations, as to the event of our present dangers. Nay, rather he will almost be ready to think he hears the alarming enquiry, "Shall "not I visit for these things? saith the LORD; and "shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as "this?"

The more therefore serious persons value our civil and religious privileges, the greater in this view will be their apprehensions, on attentively considering the

signs of the times: and the deeper their conviction, that the Lord might justly give us up into the hands of our enraged enemies. On whatever side we turn our eyes, we must witness such atrocious crimes, as tend to dismay our hearts, more than all the menaces of our haughty assailants: and we can find nothing suited to relieve our terrors, except we advert to the remnant of real Christians scattered through the land. In subordination to the Lord's infinite mercies, our hope of preservation rests on this company, and on their supplications and exertions: and this consideration leads us anxiously to enquire, 'What can be done to stir up this whole remnant, to attend as with one soul, regardless of party-distinctions, to the alarming signs and important duties of the times? and what individual or collective efforts may be made, to increase the number of those who are indeed the chariots and horsemen of the nation?'

Some ministers in the metropolis, having frequently conferred together on this subject, at length deliberately entered into a consultation on the best methods of accomplishing these desirable ends, in their several situations, and by their combined endeavours. It was very obvious, that prayer for the church and nation was peculiarly seasonable and obligatory; and we unanimously determined, that, by the help of God, we would ourselves attend to it, in the closet, in the family, and on every proper occasion; and that we would earnestly recommend the same to our several congregations; exhorting them to join their supplications for the land, and to those of their brethren, on every day,

but especially to make this topick a prominent part of their devotions on the Lord's-day-evening, both in their families and in private.

These considerations, however, did not rest here; but produced a general conviction, that the present emergency called us and our people to other duties likewise, and that it would be very useful for us particularly to examine the subject. This appeared the more seasonable, when we reflected, that numbers, aware of the evil of political discussions from the pulpit, and of rendering religious ordinances subservient to the gratification of men's passions and prejudices; are ready to conclude that we have nothing to do with the state of publick affairs, or, in other words, that, in this respect we have actually no duties at all! while others seem to take it for granted, that no one, who differs from them in political sentiment, can possibly be influenced by religious principles.

It was therefore agreed among a few friends, that a sermon should be preached weekly, on the usual lecture-day and hour, in our several churches and chapels by rotation, on the signs and duties of the times, by some other of the company than the stated pastor; and that other ministers of the established church should be invited to join us, by giving their pulpits, and employing their labours, in the same cause.

This was begun about a year ago, and is still continued with considerable encouragement; and as we greatly desire to unite our brethren, throughout the land, in similar measures; we have at length determined to publish an account of our designs; both in