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solemn acknowledgment of his dependence | ing height that all resistance seemed vain, 439 on the providence and power of Almighty that it can only be ascribed to the mercy and God, and to ascribe to him to whom it most power of God. Then, if ever, was the time, justly belongs, praise and thanksgiving for when the proud and the boasters trembled. the many interpositions he has favoured us And while we were thus exposed and dewith as a people, in this season of danger and fenceless in every quarter, the providence of distress; particularly, for the three signal, God laid an embargo upon the fleets of our critical, and decisive victories which he gave enemies, so that they could not attempt any us in succession, over the French, Spanish, thing against us. and Dutch fleets. We remember with what ed, that the mutiny at the Nore, which was universal joy the King's former appearance the most formidable, as the ships had the full It is further to be observat St. Paul's, after his recovery from his ill-command of the river, so that nothing could ness, was entertained by his loyal subjects; pass or repass to or from London; this threatand though the introduction of French prin-ening disaster, which painted terror and disciples and French politics, since that period, has not been without mischievous effects, we trust that the joy upon this occasion will at least be general.*

Though I cannot suppose that every person in the procession, or among the many thousands spectators, felt the same sentiments of gratitude to God, which induced the King to appoint a day of thanksgiving-yet I consider it as a public and national act; and in this view, contrasted with the atheistical rage and blasphemies of the French Directory and councils, who, insult and defy, not these kingdoms only, but the God whom we worship, I indulge a hope, that, unworthy as we are of his mercy, the Lord will put a hook and a bridle in the mouths of these modern Rabshakehs, and will not give us up as a prey to their merciless rapacity and re

venge.

2. When the French formed the design of invading Ireland, they thought themselves sure of success. They probably would have found encouragement in one part of that kingdom, if they could have reached it; and therefore they spoke like Pharaoh, who said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, and they were disconcerted almost in the same manner. with his wind, and scattered them. Some The Lord blew of their stoutest ships, and many of their nen, sunk as lead in the mighty waters, Exod. xv. 9, 10. And the Lord God did, it himself. We had a strong fleet to watch and oppose them. But they were not permitted to come near, or even to see one of their ships. Nor had our boasted naval force the opportunity of firing a single gun in our defence.

3. The suppression of the mutiny, which like an infectious disorder pervaded all our fleets, was so sudden, so unexpected, and at the time when it was risen to such an alarm

*I was not mistaken in my expectation. The order and regularity with which the procession was conduct e. the peaceful behaviour of the immense multitude of spectators, the serenity and mildness of the weather, so

unusual with us in the depth of winter, the almost to tal exemption from what are commonly called accidents, and the quietness with which the evening closed, I con sider collectively, as warranting a hope that the Lord was pleased to ginite up ou the day, and upon the design.

may in the countenance of almost every person we met in the streets, in the event led to that re-establishment of our marine discivincible navy would have been but like a pline, without which the strength of our inrope of sand. Well may we say, What has God wrought!

scarcity, and feared a famine. Opportunity 4. In the close of the year 1795, we felt a was presented and greedily seized by monopolizers to raise the corn to such an enormous price, that had it not been for great and liberal exertions, the poor in many places, perhaps in every place, must have been absolutely destitute of bread. What must the consequences have been if God had visited us with a scanty or a wet harvest the following year? For our resource from foreign supplies was cut off in many parts, and renBut he is a hearer of prayer. In 1796, the dered very precarious in the rest by the war. earth brought forth by handfuls, Gen. xli. 47. Such an abundant harvest, and such a remarkable fine season for gathering in the precious fruits of the earth, have been seldom known.

tous war; and though our sufferings are not 5. Our sins have involved us in a calamion the continent where the war has raged, it to be compared with those of the countries has brought upon us much real distress. Many widows and orphans are bemoaning the effects. The decline of some manufactures, the increased taxes, the advanced price of most of the necessaries of life, are severely felt by the industrious poor, and by many families in the middling and lower classes of society. It is well known that there is a their abilities and influence, to aggravate the number of persons who unhappily employ sense of these difficulties, to inflame the minds of the sufferers, to work upon their passions, to alienate them from the governsuch liberty and equality as has already rement, and to make them long, if possible, for duced France to the most pitiable state of anarchy and misery. That such attempts have not succeeded, that we are still pre served, not only from foreign invasion, but from internal commotions, I ascribe to the power of the great God over the hearts of

the children of men; and I consider it as a farther ground of hope that he will not give

us up.

III. Why would he not give up degenerate Israel, when strict justice demanded their destruction? Two reasons are assigned in my text for his forbearance, which are well suited to encourage the prayers and hopes of those amongst ourselves who love and fear him.

1. I am God, and not man.-If we had offended men, or angels, as we have offended our Creator and Redeemer, and they had permission and power to punish us, our case would be utterly desperate. Only he who made us, is able to bear with us. All the attributes (as we speak) of the infinite God, must of course be equally infinite. As is his majesty, so is his mercy, Ecclesiasticus ii. 18. What is the puny power of man, compared with that almighty power which formed and upholds the immense universe? The disproportion is greater than that between a single drop of water and the boundless ocean. Thus his thoughts are higher than ours, as the heavens are higher than the earth. Who can set bounds to the exercise of patience When sentence was denounced against Nineveh, they humbled themselves before him, and he suspended the execution. There is at least a peradventure in our favour, "Who can tell if God will turn away from his fierce anger that we perish not?" He has said, "At what time I shall speak concerning a nation, or a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, or to destroy; if that nation turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them," Jer. xviii. 7, 8. We do not suppose that all the inhabitants of Nineveh were savingly converted; but they humbled themselves with one consent, they cried for mercy, and they were spared. We do not expect a national conversion, and I fear we have little prospect of a national humiliation. But,

2. I am the Holy One in the midst of thee, -Next to the consideration of his infinite mercy, this is our strongest ground for consolation. The Holy One is still in the midst of us? Degenerate and wicked as we are, God has a people, a remnant amongst us. I have spoken of these already. Their number is small if compared with the bulk of the nation; but if they could be collected together, they would form a considerable body (I trust it is an increasing body,) who, though distinguished by different names, and dispersed far and wide into different parts of the land, are united, by a faith of divine operation, to one head, and in one common interest and design. They belong to that kingdom which is not of this world, and which (unlike all other kingdoms) cannot be shaken. But their principles 'ead them to seek the welfare of the cor nunities in

which they live. These are, under God, decus et tutamen, the glory and the defence of Great Britain. They are lights shining in a dark place. They are believers, and their faith worketh by love. But as they follow the example of their Lord and Master, the world knows not them, because it knows not him. Here and there, individuals, by an unblameable consistent conduct, in a course of years, if they cannot change the hearts of gainsayers, are enabled to stop their mouths, and put their ignorance to silence by welldoing, 1 Pet. ii. 15. But many persons despise them in the gross, and affect to deem them (perhaps in defiance to the checks of their own consciences,) either hypocrites or visionaries, credulous fools, or designing knaves. But their record is on high. They have access to God, and communion with him, by the Son of his love. They have the spirit of prayer, and their prayers are heard. The ship in which Paul sailed to Italy, was preserved from sinking, though apparently in the utmost danger, because the apostle was on board her. Not only was this servant of God as safe in a storm at sea as if he had been on shore, but for his sake the Lord preserved the lives of all who were in the vessel. The state ship of this nation is now in jeopardy, she is brought into deep waters, tossed with tempests, and her rowers (Ezek. xxvii. 26,) are almost at their wits end; but there is a precious depositum on board. A people dear to the Lord are embarked in the same bottom with the rest, and we hope their prayers will prevail for the safety of the whole. The French, who know little of christianity but as they have seen it through the corrupt medium of po pery, having triumphed over and melted down the golden and silver images of their tutelary saints, promise themselves an easy victory over us. They know not that the Holy One of Israel is in the midst of us, and that there are a people here who are under his special protection. They know not that like Sennacherib, their success is wholly owing to their being instruments of his will, like saws or hammers in the hand of the workman; and that when they have accomplished his purpose, he can and he will say to them, Hitherto thou shalt come, and no farther. They have succeeded beyond their own expectations, far and wide upon the continent: but all their attempts and designs against our favoured land have hitherto been rendered abortive. We hope they will prove so.

At all events, it shall be well with the righteous, Isa. iii. 12. Rejoice, believers, in the Lord. You may be assured upon the warrant of his faithful promise, either that he will preserve you from the evils which our sins give us such cause to apprehend; or if he should appoint you to share in a

your hearts be unhumbled, and your sins unpardoned? We preach to you a gracious, powerful Saviour, who invites you to seek him, and has said, "Him that cometh to me, I will in nowise cast out." Seek him then to-day-whilst it is called to-day. Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. To-morrow is not your own.

common calamity, he will make your strength | with confidence apply for help in time of equal to your day, and will prepare your trouble. Death, at least, is inevitable; and shoes of iron and brass, (Deut. xxxiii. 26,) will you dare to die (yet die you must) if when any part of the road, on which you travel through this wilderness towards your heavenly home, shall prove very difficult and rugged. Pray for grace to sit loose to the world, and you will have nothing to fear. The first christians rejoiced in the spoiling of their goods; and so shall you, if the Lord calls you to the trial. You have the same Saviour to support you; and you likewise have treasures, (Heb. x. 34,) far better and more enduring, out of the reach of violence. The Lord teaches us to consider even the loss of life as comparatively of small importance, when he says, Fear not them that can kill the body, but can do no more. They cannot do that without his permission. The very hairs of your head are numbered, Luke xii. 4; Matt. x. 39. And most of those who have suffered death for him who died upon the cross for them, have thought the honour of dying in his cause more to be valued than a thousand lives.

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But let believers rejoice and be glad. The Lord reigns-your Lord reigns, Ps. xcvii. 1. He who loved you, and gave himself for you, possesses and exercises all power in heaven and earth, Matt. xxviii. 18. Though clouds and darkness are about his throne, and his paths are untraceable by us, we are sure that he is carrying on his great designs, for the glory of his great name, and for the extension and establishment of his church in a way worthy of himself-worthy of infinite wisdom and goodness. Make his name your strong tower (Prov. xviii. 10,) of refuge. Hold out faith and patience. Yet a little while, and we hope to meet, "where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary are at rest," Job iii. 17. And to hear those welcome words, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world," Matt. xxv. 34.

TRACTS.

APOLOGIA;

OR,

FOUR LETTERS TO A MINISTER OF AN INDEPENDENT CHURCH,

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Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
For in Jesus Christ, neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by
love.
ROM. xiv. 19. GAL. v. 6.

LETTER I.

I

be a little misunderstood by some persons whose good opinion I prize, rather than trou

There was a time when the Non-conform

MY DEAR FRIEND AND BROTHER,-Youble the public with what more immediately have more than once gently called upon me relates to myself. But something upon this for the reasons which induced me to exercise subject seems expedient in the present day; my ministry as a Clergyman of the Church not so much by way of apology for one or a of England, rather than among the Dissent- few individuals, as with a view of obviating ers, where my first religious connections prejudices, and preventing, or at least abatwere formed, and with many of whom I stilling, the unhappy effects of a party-spirit. maintain a cordial friendship. Hitherto I have usually waved the subject, and content-ists groaned under the iron rod of oppression, ed myself with assuring you in general terms, and were exposed to fines, penalties, and imthat as the preference I gave to the establish- prisonment, as well as to cruel mockings, ment was the result of serious, and, I trust, and the lawless rage of a rabble, for wor impartial inquiry; so I had never seen rea- shipping God according to the light of their son to repent of it, no not for a minute, since consciences. Yet I apprehend their non-conthe day of my ordination. I now purpose to formity was rather the occasional and ostensigive you a more particular answer. And as ble, than the real cause of the hard treatment you are not the only person who has express- they met with. The greater part of the Noned a friendly surprise at my choice, I shall conformist ministers of that day were the communicate my reasons from the press, that light and glory of the land.-They were all my friends who have been at a loss to ac-men full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, penecount for my conduct, may have such satis-trated with a deep sense of the Redeemer's faction as it is in my power to give them. I glory and love, and of the worth of souls. shall, however, keep you particularly in my Their ministrations were accompanied with eye while I write, that a just sense of the can-unction and power, and they were instrudour and affection with which you have always treated me, may regulate my pen, and preserve me (if possible) from that harsh and angry spirit, into which writers upon Controversial points are too often betrayed.

I confess, that as in this business my conscience is clear in the sight of him to whom alone I am properly accountable; I could wish still to continue silent, and submit to

mental in turning many sinners from the evil of their ways. It is no wonder that the world hated such men; that snares were spread for their feet, their liberty abridged, and that many said, Away with them, they are not worthy to live! It is probable that if these servants of the Most High could have enjoyed that freedom for their persons and assemblies, which, in answer to their 412

prayers, is now possessed by those who bear | kingdom. At present, when I consider the the same name, they would have been well various names, views, and sentiments, which satisfied that the Established Church should obtain among those who form this aggregate, have remained in peaceful possession of its styled the Dissenting Interest, I am at a loss own order and ritual. And several among what sense to put upon the term. May I them, not the lowest in repute for wisdom not say without offence, that it is, at least, a and piety, continued long to worship occa- very heterogeneous body? May I not hope, sionally in the Parish Churches, after they without presumption, that though you and I had been ejected from them as preachers. are not agreed on the subject of Church GoBut things were studiously carried against vernment, yet I am related to you by a much them with a high hand. The exaction of nearer and stronger tie than that which binds re-ordination, and the little time allowed for you to the Dissenting Interest? I confess subscribing the book of Common Prayer, that so far as it is the interest of those who which many of the ministers had not been depreciate the person and blood of the Saable to procure when the law called for their viour, and deny the agency and influence of assent to it, were two circumstances which the Holy Spirit, or the total depravity of fallgreatly contributed to swell the Bartholo- en man, so far I cannot (in a religious view) mew-list. It was well known to some of the be a friend to it. On the other hand, so far leaders in that unhappy business, that there as it regards those who love, avow, and were among the Non-conformists wise and preach the doctrines, experience, and pracmoderate men, who were not disposed to tice, which both you and I include in our quit their parochial cures, unless they were idea of the Gospel, so far I can truly say, constrained by the harshest and most violent though not a Dissenter myself, the Dissentmeasures; such therefore were the measures ing Interest is dear to my heart, and has a they adopted. share in my daily prayers. And in this I am persuaded I speak the sentiments of many both ministers and laymen in the Establishment. We are sorry, therefore (at least I am sorry,) though not angry, when books are written, or declarations* (perhaps in the most solemn occasions of worship) unseasonably made, which seem not so much designed to confirm Dissenters in their own principles, as to place those who cannot accede to them in an unfavourable light; the ministers especially, who, according to some representations, must be supposed to be almost destitute of common sense, or else of common honesty.

It is our mercy to live in more quiet times. We are on all sides freed from restraints in religious concerns; and every person is at liberty to profess, preach, worship, or print as he thinks proper. But it is still to be lamented that they who are united upon the same foundations, and agree in the same important leading principles, should lay so much stress upon their circumstantial differences in sentiment, as to prevent the exercise of mutual love and forbearance, and that, instead of labouring in concert within their respective departments to promote the common cause, they should be at leisure to vex and worry each other with needless disputation and uncharitable censure. I hope, amongst us, the High-Church principles which formerly produced unjustifiable and oppressive effects, are now generally exploded. But may we not lay a claim in our turn, to that moderation, candour, and tenderness, from our dissenting brethren, which we cheerfully exercise towards them? But as we (I think) are no longer the aggressors, so they seem no longer content to stand upon the defensive. We wish to join them with heart and hand in supporting and spreading the great truths of the gospel; and such as you, my friend, approve our aims, and rejoice with us, if God is pleased to give us success. But there are those among you, whose persons and general conduct we respect, from whom we do not find equal returns of good-will, because we cannot join with them in the support of a palladium which bears the name of the Dissenting Interest. I know not whether this phrase was in use a hundred years ago; but were I to meet with it as referring to that period, I should understand by it little more or less than the interest of the Redeemer's

When I write a letter, especially to a friend, I think myself released from that attention to method which I might observe if I were composing a treatise. As my heart dictates, my pen moves. I therefore hope you will bear with me if I do not come directly to what I proposed; which was, to give you some account of the motives of my own conduct. It may not be improper to premise a few preliminary observations. I shall not weary you by attempting to justify every thing that obtains in our way, nor call your attention to all the minutia which might furnish subject for debate to those who know not how to employ their time better. It would be mere trifling to dispute for or against a surplice or a band, a gown or a cloak, or to inquire whether it be the size, or the shape, which renders some of these habiliments more or less suitable for a minister, than the others. But perhaps a few strictures upon establishments and liturgies may not be wholly impertinent to my design.

That national religious establishments under the New Testament dispensation are

*Some of these letters were written in the year 1777..

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