has it reached our shores, and is spreading widely both in Britain and Ireland0, and carrying oft' multitudes with fearful rapidity into the eternal world.]
But in the midst of all we have continued impeni- tent—
[We can see nothing of national reformation. Fasts in- deed have been appointed from time to time during the late war, and even on the present occasion : but it will be well if these be not numbered amongst our greatest sins; seeing that they have been little else than an empty form, a hypocritical service, a solemn mockery. As for national repentance, what evidence can be adduced to warrant the hope that it has ever taken place ? What national sin has been put awTay ? Have we less pride and arrogance, when speaking of our fleets and armies ? Have we ceased from traffic in human blood ? Does not the land groan as much as ever under the load of sabbaths wasted, oaths violated, and sacraments profaned ; or, if any slight altera- tion in relation to oaths and sacraments have taken place, has it not been through a political concession to popular clamour, rather than from any regard for the honour and authority of God?
Nor can we boast much more of personal improvement. Are not the young as gay and dissipated, as if they had no occasion for mourning and weeping ? Are not the worldly as intent upon their gains as if this world were their all ? Do not the formal still continue as regardless of the life and power of godliness, as if the service of the heart were not required ? Is there any considerable change even in the people of God ? Is there much of a spirit of prayer and intercession found among them ? Are they pleading, like Abraham for Sodom, or like Moses for the worshippers of the golden calf? In truth, there are few, if any, who lay to heart the iniquities of the nation, or inquire, "What have / done" to increase the sum of our national guilt ?]
Surely then, since we must plead guilty to the charge, we may fitly also apply to ourselves,
II. The admonition founded upon it —
God threatened the utter extinction of the Jewish nation d: and he bids us also to "prepare to meet him,"
1. In increased calamities —
e July, 1832.
d ver. 2, 3. It is in reference to this that God says in the text, " Thus will I do."
p2