men that have understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.'

David, in my text, affords us an incomparable example in this respect. “David,” says an excellent commentator, “had right and reason on his side: and, therefore, did not render railing for railing; but, with a soft answer, turned away his brother's wrath. This conquest of his own passion, was, in some respects, more honourable than that over Goliath. 'He, that hath rule over his own spirit, is better than the mighty.' It was no time for David to quarrel with his brother, when the Philistines were upon them. The more threatening the Church's enemies are, the more forbearing her friends should be with one another."

In a word, our exertions should be conducted with such wisdom and moderation, benevolence and forbearance, comprehension and energy, that UNIÓN upon the broadest scale may be effected. It is a masterstroke in our enemies, abroad and at home, to damp the efforts which they cannot prevent: to separate you by suspicion--to unhinge you with discord-to discountenance you with ridicule. They will affect to despise, what they really fear. They will attempt to benumb by a panic those endeavours, which they know to be irresistible when in union and in action. And need you to be told the success of such stratagems?

What, then, let me ask, is a right disposition respecting our neighbour, in an association like this? or in such of us as wish to concur with it as our common defence? Evidently, to unite for a just end : to pursue that end with a temper, which while it seeks to disarm the disturber, would try if possible to save the man: to abstain from even the appearance of injury: and thus, by a variety in our exertions, to produce an unity in effect. Whether, therefore, we are found in arms or not, on the present occasion, let us be one in heart; for, is THERE NOT A CAUSE ?

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3. To advance with a right disposition, we must l'egard OURSELVES.

To be found in the due improvement of those privileges for which we are contending, is essential to our character as Wise Men, as well as Christians. Are we banded for a party? for a humour? Or, on the contrary, is it not to secure privileges of inestimable value, both civil and religious ? But, while we are anxious to secure them, especially the highest of them,—our religion; should we not be equally anx. ious to improve what we secure? Suppose this House of God, in which we are now assembled, to be assaulted, and the inhabitants, who surround it, to rise in its defence; suppose, after the tumult was over, they paid no regard to the opportunities afforded by it for devotion or instruction; must not the minister say to such, -"For what have ye fought? For the walls, or the worship, of this Sanctuary? Whether is greater, the temple, or He that dwelleth therein ? While ye neglect its services, the temple itself that ye have defended stands a witness against you."

Thus it is with the best and highest of those privileges, for which thousands at this day are ready to contend. Christianity stands as a witness against many of its defenders. How many, in a national struggle, are ready to die for Religion, who yet are spiritually dead to it! How many spurn at a Decade, who yet profane the Sabbath! How many fathers of a Country and bulwarks of a Church have secured every thing in both, but their own Souls ! defended the faith, yet perished in unbelief! opposed Satan one way, yet lived his captives in another! My heart has yearned at marking a great man, wise in his generation, skilfully holding the reins of a vast enterprize, grasping with a mighty mind its various relations, and penetrating with an eagle's-eye, into--what!—every thing but HIMSELF-a fallen spirit, in a disordered world! having a day of Salvation, and that neglected!

VOL. III.

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ness.

How natural was the dying language of such an one, when he cried out, “ The battle is fought—the battle is fought : but the victory is lost for ever!"

Alas! how many celebrated Geniuses, how many deep Philosophers, how many splendid Conquerors, shall awake in eternity from their vain dreams of glory; each wishing he had been an idiot, or even a brute, that he might never have been eternally a wretch-responsible for talents and privileges neglected and abused !

David is our example in a personal use and improvement of the privileges for which he contended. He felt a holy indignation at the Philistine's profane

He fought for the God and worship of Israel : and he also knew how to prize and employ the blessings which he hath won. His heart longed, yea fainted for the living God:' he esteemed a day in his courts better than a thousand :' he entered into the Sanctuary, to escape the errors of the world; and finding his worst foes to be those which assaulted his heart and dishonoured his God, he sought the disposition which he needed :-“Create,' says he, “in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me!" Such a disposition to regard our own souls, in the improvement of our present advantages, distinguishes the wise contender. He is prepared, like David, with a reply to every objection. He is armed to meet

. every terror; even that of the last enemy, who must lay waste the hopes of every other adventurer. He can rest secure of final conquest-not the blaze of a moment, but that Glory, Honour, and Immortality described by the Apostle when he saw them that had gotten the victory, standing with the barps of God, and singing the Song of Moses and of the Lamb.'

In concluding, I address you first, as CITIZENS.

The Cause in which you are engaged has been shown to be, not only lawful, but laudable. There are times, in which neutrality is a disgrace--in which, not to oppose is, seemingly, at least, to abet. The Dispositions also with which you should proceed in such times with respect to God, your neighBOUR, and YOURSELVES, have been pointed out. Firmly proceed, therefore, while the occasion calls for your beneficial exertions. To the arms of the different associations, under God, I must ascribe the present tranquility of this country. The good effect of your associating is already strikingly evident: the spirit of tumult is not dead; but has it not shrunk from sight? Is it not awed to silence ?

Go on, then, and may the LORD OF hosts go with you! may HE give you, who alone can give you, right dispositions in a right cause! Go on, but I most earnestly beseech you, stop noť short in your work. Make not so fatal a mistake, as to think your work done when the present troubles subside.

There are enemies, (need I name them ?) which you conquer not, you must sink, after all your exertions and successes, into everlasting shame and contempt. What are other slaughters, compared with those of the World, the Flesh, and the Devil? The thousands, who perish in time by the sword, are lost among the millions who perish everlastingly by sin. Before you go again to the field, “Go forth, and look

upon casses of the men that have transgressed against God; for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched, and they shall be an abhoring to all fesh.'

I have shown the cause which there is for your exertions; and I feel the cause which there is for mine. The times form a sufficient apology for every effort which a Minister, as well as a Soldier, can make. Look at the strides of insubordination, irreligion, infidelity! But look not only at France; look at Home, where they proceed with an aggravated guilt. What efforts can you or I make to oppose them, which are not warranted by the times? The heartless may con

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temn, and the scornful may provoke; but what have we now done? Is THERE NOT A CAUSE ??

There is: a cause, not only for exertion, but for confidence. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift! He has shown us a remedy for this and every other evil. “He has lifted up an ensign to the nations. I cannot vouch for the vision of Constantine; but whether He saw, or did not see, such an ensign, with its inscription,* as history describes, such an one is ever to be seen by the eye of faith. • There shall be a Root of Jesse, which shall stand for an Ensign of the people: to it shall the Gentiles seek; and His rest shall be glorious. I can vouch that, to fight under this consecrated banner, is to be more than a conqueror. Though foes surround you, against which your arms, your wisdom, your strength, can avail nothing; happy am I in this opportunity of directing your attention to that Ensign, which God hath lifted up; and under which I earnestly pray that we may live and die, fighting as 'good soldiers of Jesus CHRIST.' It is against this, that our enemies abroad and at home have entered into a deep and hellish conspiracy: it is before this, that they are doomed to fall: and it is before this that they must be brought to receive their sentence.

But, with this banner, be ye victorious. Departing from the tents of these wicked men, wisely improve the first of those blessings for which you contend. The Salvation which is in Christ Jesus, is the one, grand, interesting consideration of fallen man. In His strength, ‘Fight the good fight of faith : lay hold of eternal life : for HE, THAT OVERCOMETH, SHALL INHERIT ALL THINGS.'

CHRISTIANS, whether in arms or not, you know the truths which I speak: you know them experimentally; and I trust you do not forget the obligations of Christians in times like the present. Whatever tem