which we ought to have observed in deed and in truth. But " God is not deceived ; nor will he be mocked :" if we thus pour contempt on him and his ordinances, he will require it at our hands at the last day. Let us then, on every renewed occasion, endeavour so to approve ourselves to God, that " he who seeth in secret may reward us openly."]
In the review of this subject, we may learn,
1. Whence it is that religion is at such a low ebb amongst us —
[Many are convinced of their lost estate, and live miserably under a sense of guilt, without ever obtaining either pardon of their sins, or victory over them. The reason is precisely that which is stated by our Lord himself: " they seek to enter in at the strait gate, but are not able, because they do not strive." They do not rise to the occasion : if a few wishes would be effectual, they would soon become new creatures : but if days of fasting and humiliation be found requisite, they will not sub- mit to such a task : they will rather lose heaven, than be at so much cost to obtain it. They find by experience, that what our Lord said respecting some evil spirits whom his disciples could not cast out, is true respecting some of their deep-rooted lusts and habits: " That kind goeth not forth, but by prayer and fasting :" but, as they will not use the means of deliverance, God leaves them still in bondage ; and *' they are led captive by the devil at his will."
The want of proficiency in many religious people must be traced to the same source : they do not aspire after high degrees of piety; they are satisfied with low attainments, and with scanty measures of peace and joy. What might they not attain, if they would even learn of a heathen centurion to abound in fasting and prayer™! How much happier too, as well as holier, would married persons be, if they were occa- sionally to practise those habits which obtained frequently in the primitive Church^! Let it be remembered by us, that they who will build high, must dig deep ; and, that the more we are abased in humiliation and contrition, the more shall we be exalted in peace and joy.]
2. Whence it is that our nation is still under the afflicting hand of God" —
[To those who would shew true patriotism, we would
"' Acts X. 30. n 1 Cor. vii. 5.
° This was preached in 1810, when war had continued almost twenty years, and we had disregarded as many calls to public humi- liation ; or rather had made them so many occasions of increasing and aa'gravatinff our jruilt.