the worst. But the very events, which feem to bode evil, may, in the unfeen connexion of things, tend to good. If, in their firft operation, they fhould feem difaftrous, they may, in a series of motions, exhibit occafions of joy.

In fome powerful nations we fee great avarice, ambition and pride. Thefe paffions virtue will condemn, and against them prudence will guard. But the things, which unrighteous men intend for evil, may, in the wonderful workings of providence, be turned to good.

arms.

Many inftances of fuch an overruling providence are recorded in fcripture, and fome we ourfelves have seen. The claims, which the British government made upon us, filled us with concern; their attempts to enforce their claims roufed us to The refult has been the establishment of our national independence, and a season of unparalleled profperity. Our independence was one movement in the grand scheme of providence. This movement has touched other wheels, and has brought forward other movements; and thefe, whatever their prefent appearance may be, will fooner or later refult in happy and glorious events. Ezekiel's wheels, in their various turnings, rolled back the Jews from the land of their captivity to their own country. The fame wheels are ftill roll ing under the direction of the fame eyes, which guided them in the prophet's vision, and will by and by prefent to the world grand and important events, in which all wife and good men will rejoice.

We often complain of the measures of human governments, as unwife or unrighteous. Such they may be, for earthly rulers are but men ; and even we ourselves, wife as we feem, may mifjudge, for we alfo are men. But there is one great

er than all. He rules univerfally. Juftice and judgment furround his throne. To his laws let us fubmit; in his government let us rejoice.

2. Our fubject urges us to approve ourselves to God by a wife and virtuous conduct, that we may be fafe under his government.

Though we cannot very accurately judge what will be the confequence of the political measures purfued by our own, or other governments, yet we can judge infallibly concerning the tendency and effect of general virtue, and of prevailing wickedness, under the divine government; for " righteousness exalteth a nation; but fin is a reproach to any people."

We all with the happiness of our country.However incompetent we may be to prescribe the political means of national felicity, we are all competent to judge of the moral means, for these are made manifeft in the courfe of God's providence, and in the inftructions of his word.

Let each one, then, fearch his own heart, review his paft life, renounce his iniquities, do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God."

Let every one receive and revere the holy fcriptures, as the oracles of God, and place them before him for the direction of his life, and hide them in his heart, that by their influence he may be reftrained from fin, and quickened to every good work.

Let all, in their refpective places, encourage and promote virtue and righteousness among others, and confider one another to provoke unto love and good works.

Let all cheerfully contribute to the fupport of divine inftitutions in the fociety of which they are members, and to the diffufion of Chriftian knowledge among them who fit in darkness.

Let the fabbath be honoured by a pious recefs from the labours of the world, and by a devout attendance on the worship of God, which is to be statedly folemnized on that day.

Let children be early formed to sentiments of piety and to the practice of virtue, that they may be useful members of fociety on earth, and become meet for the inheritance of the faints in light.

Cordially uniting in fuch measures as thefe, we fhall enjoy the fure protection of an almighty providence, and have little to fear from hoftile nations. "When our ways please the Lord, he will make our enemies to be at peace with us."

3. Our fubject warns us against a thoughtless confidence of continued profperity.

The prophet compares the work of providence to a moving wheel, to fignify, that the world is in continual change-that no condition of persons or nations is ftable and permanent.

While Europe has been in agitations and convulfions, we have, for more than twenty years, enjoyed great profperity and uninterrupted peace. There have been fome moleftations from the favages, and fome fpoliations on our commerce; but no invafion; no fuch hoftile attack, as has required a national exertion for defence. While fome of the governments of Europe have been fubverted, and others convulfed, ours has remained, and ftill remains unaflailed. While many parts of the ancient continent have felt the dire fcourge of fcarcity, and even famine, the confequence of wafting war and inclement seasons, we have enjoyed fuch a redundance of the fruits of the earth, as to be able, on advantageous terms, to fupply the wants of our fuffering fellow mortals.

But shall we promise ourselves the long, uninterrupted continuance of fuch profperity? No:

The wheel is rolling; and foon it may be our turn to feel its defcending motion. The changes in other nations are warnings to us. There are circumftances attending our present fituation, which carry a threatening afpect. It is a period, in which, according to the general interpretations of prophecy, great events are to be expected. Our profperity has continued much longer, than we, or almoft any nation have experienced at one period. Our moral ftate does not appear to be mended; but iniquities of fome kinds have obfervably increased. If an accumulated weight of national guilt fhall fall on the defcending part of the wheel of providence, this will awfully accelerate its downward motion. Let us not be highminded but fear. God feems to be coming forth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquities. The earth difclofes her blood, and scarcely covers her flain. Let us enter into our chambers, and shut our doors about us; there let us hide ourselves until the indignation be overpast.

The chambers to which we must resort, for fecurity from impending ftorms, are the promises and providence of God. "The name of the Lord is a trong tower; the righteous run into it, and are fafe." Into this we must enter by repentance and prayer, and here we must continue by humble obedience.

The fcripture foretels a time, when the religion of the gospel fhall generally prevail, and by its benign influence spread peace and happiness among the human race. But previous to this glorious period, there will be terrible judgments, violent convulfions, and mighty revolutions. These will be the dire effects of men's inveterate corruptions, which will have funk fo deep, that they can be

purged away only by the spirit of judgment and the fpirit of burning. To fecure ourselves from a fhare in these calamities all human power and policy are utterly infufficient. Our fecurity will depend on the governing influence of religious principles, and the general practice of virtue and righteoufnefs. If we would efcape the plagues, which are coming on other nations, we must fo far feparate ourselves from them, as not to partake of their fins.

The judgments foretold in prophecy, as nearly preceding the grand reformation in religion, feem chiefly to be pointed against the nations embracing the papal fuperftition. But if we, who profels a purer religion, imitate thofe nations in vice and immorality, on what ground fhall we expect an exemption from their calamities? National fafety depends on virtuous manners, not on nominal profeffions. Chrift fays to the church in Sardis, "I know thy works, that thou haft a name that thou liveft, and art dead. Be watchful therefore and ftrengthen the things that remain, which are ready to die; for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember how thou haft received and heard, and hold faft and repent. If thou shalt not watch, I will come upon thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know, what hour I will come upon thee. He that overcometh shall be cloathed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life; but I will confefs his name before my Father, and before his angels."

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit faith unto the churches.