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internal convulsions, massacres, and cruel oppressions, which waste the nation that hath declared war against us. We may intreat the LORD to preserve to us the blessings of that free constitution, which has been formed by the wisdom and experience of successive ages, availing themselves of manifold providential interpositions; and which we may reasonably despair of seeing equalled by the combined genius and sagacity of any single generation. Like all other things here on earth, it is doubtless liable to imperfection and abuse; which temperate counsels in peaceful times may remedy and obviate: but it affords more real liberty of every kind to the whole multitude of the people, than was ever yet enjoyed by all the inhabitants of any city or country in the world: and he who undervalues those things which are highly advantageous, because they are not absolutely perfect, is not qualified to live among men on earth.We may beg of God to shower down his blessings on our Sovereign, and all his ministers and counsellors; and to direct them and the parliament to such wise and salutary measures, as he may see good to prosper for the preservation of our domestic tranquillity, protection from foreign invasions, and the restoration of peace to all the contending nations: that he would dispose the hearts of all parties to hearken to moderate and equitable conditions; that further effusion of human blood may be prevented; that he would preserve our favoured land from becoming the seat of horrid war, the desolations of which who can sufficiently deplore? That he would defend us from famine and pestilence; and (whatever he shall appoint, in res

pect of our excessive and abused wealth and prosperity,) that he would not suffer our commerce and manufactures to be so ruined, as to deprive the poor of em. ployment or provision. Above all, we should "pray "without ceasing," that the light and liberty of our holy religion may be continued to us; that its avowed enemies may not be permitted to destroy, or alienate, the places appropriated to the worship of GoD; to drive away the ministers and professors of the gospel, by rigorous exactions, oppressions or persecutions; or in any way to deprive us of our invaluable religious privileges.

To these more general supplications, we may sub. join many of a more particular nature: beseeching the LORD, "for his name's sake," to bless the labours of all faithful pastors and teachers, and to bestow on them an increase of wisdom and grace; to send "forth "more labourers into his harvest," to illuminate 'with true knowledge and understanding of his word,' all who sustain that sacred character; and to reform such as are wicked, ignorant, or heretical. We may beg of him to purify the places of public education, that they may indeed be seminaries of sound learn'ing and true religion;' to prosper every method taken for the religious instruction of the poor, and of their children; and all endeavours of his servants, publick or private, to repress vice, to exterminate national enormities, to promote true religion, to diffuse the light of the gospel, or in any way to relieve misery, and do good to mankind: and we should most earnestly pray, that many active zealous instruments may be raised

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up, by whom such effectual remedies shall be applied to the moral and religious distempers of the land, as may prevent the ruin which our iniquities seem ready to bring down upon us. If we add to these supplications for ourselves, our unfeigned and fervent intercession, not only for our friends and allies, but also for our enemies; for every part of the visible church, and for the nations "that sit in darkness, and in the "shadow of death;" we may confidently expect that "the LORD, for his name's sake,” will accept us: and either spare our land in answer to them; or, if in his righteous sovereignty he hath determined otherwise, our prayer will return into our own bosoms, and we shall be mercifully regarded in the day of calamity.

IV. To state the duties which are especially required of us on this occasion, as a means of obtaining those blessings, which are the objects of our prayers and desires.

It is obvious to every one, that self-examination, in respect of our state, character, and every part of our conduct; with personal humiliation, repentance, renewed acceptance of the salvation of the gospel, and seri. ous purposes of devoting ourselves to GOD, "

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bought with a price, to glorify him in body and 'spirit which are his;" forgiveness of injuries, restitution to the injured, charity to our poor brethren, and amendment of life, should accompany such prayers, as we have been this day presenting before the throne of Grace. Various regulations, duties, and endeavours, in our families and in relative life, might

with great propriety be inculcated: one especially. should not be omitted. It is too well known, that

many who call themselves Christians, and even appear to be religious in the house of GOD, neglect his worship in their own houses, and in this respect, resemble the heathen: Would it not then be peculiarly suitable to this occasion, should any master of a family, who is consciously criminal in this matter, call together his domesticks, own before them his conviction that his former neglect had been very sinful, and declare that he had now adopted Joshua's resolution, "As for me "and my house, we will serve the LORD;" and should he, having made this declaration, begin to read the scriptures to them, and join with them in worshipping God from that time, in a regular and constant manner? Thus instructing and "commanding his chil"dren and household after him, to walk in the ways "of the LORD," in imitation of Abraham's example; he might reasonably hope that God would regard his prayers for the guilty, as he did those of the Patriarch for Sodom; and that future generations also might in some measure derive benefit from his pious endeavours.+

It becomes us, on this occasion especially, to enequire seriously, what talents the LORD hath committed to our stewardship? and whether we have duly improved them? This will conduce to our humiliation, and instruction in our own duty; for no real advantage

Jer. x. 25. t Josh. xxiv. 15.

Gen. xviii. 17-33.

can arise from an acquaintance with other men's faults and duties, or intermeddling "as busy-bodies in other "men's matters," whilst our own business is neg. lected. Such a conduct in domesticks throws a family into confusion, and it can produce no better effects in the community: but when every man studies to know and practise the duty of his station, the whole goes on regularly and is well managed. Numbers, indeed, will continue ignorant or negligent of their proper work; and will be ambitious of attracting the attention of their fellow-citizens, by a clamorous officiousness in matters "too high for them:" but Christians should "be ambitious (das) to be quiet, "and to mind their own business."*

The minister of state and the minister of religion, the senator and the magistrate, the gentleman and the merchant, the rich and the poor, the master and the domestick, have their several stations, talents, and employments assigned them by their common LORD, "who is no respecter of persons." Every man should, therefore, conscientiously rectify what hath been amiss, perform what hath been neglected, and improve every advantage of his situation in "doing good to all men, "and especially to the household of faith;" not knowing how soon it may be said unto him. "Give an ac"count of thy stewardship, for thou mayest no longer "be steward." Nor can any Christian consistently spend his precious time in animadverting on the faults of others; except his office require him "to reprove, re"buke, exhort with all authority and doctrine;" or un

Thes. iv. 11.

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