British heart bear to view it with patience ?→→→ But, thanks be to God, there seems at prefent no danger of any fuch event. We are the bulwark of the Proteftant intereft in the world, and this is an intereft which, we may hope, God will not forfake. We have been hitherto wonderfully profper'd; and we have fhewn our enemies what they may expect, if they go on to contend with us. This year will always fhine among the brightest in our Annals. never was Britain fo glorious.

Never,

But, let us not be too much elated. The ftruggle is not yet over, and the iffues of war are still uncertain. "Tis poffible that we may lose the advantages we have gain'd, and our joy and triumph be fuddenly chang'd to mifery and despair. Let us then rejoyce with trembling, and fupprefs carefully in ourselves all vain confidence, placing our chief trust in God, and discovering, in all events, that regard to the common welfare of mankind and those equitable, reasonable, and pious difpofitions, which are the best proofs of true magnanimity, and the best means of securing the continuance of the divine protection.

Laftly. The account, which has been given of the happy state of this nation, may lead our thoughts to that time when the whole world fhall enjoy the like happiness. The fcriptures, I think, give us abundant reason to expect fuch a time; a time when Popish dark

nefs

nefs and oppreffion fhall be fucceeded by úniverfal Peace and Liberty, and nation no more lift up á fword against nation; when the everlasting Gospel in its native purity fhall prevail thro' the whole earth, and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ.

The invention of printing follow'd by the reformation and the revival of Literature; the free communication which has been open'd between the different parts of the world, and the late amazing improvements in knowledge of every kind, have remarkably prepared the way for this joyful period. The world is now advanced far beyond its infancy. There are many indications of an approaching general amendment in human affairs. The feafon fixed by prophecy for the deftruction of the man of fin cannot be far diftant, and the glorious light of the latter days feems to be now dawning upon mankind from this happy fland.

Nothing can be more pleafing than to indulge fuch views and hopes; and it fhould be a great encouragement, to those who have efpoufed the principles of liberty,, and who stand up against antichriftian ufurpations and corruptions, to confider, that it is by fuch principles this period is likely to be introduced, and that, in the end, they muft prevail over all oppofition. This should engage them to adhere fteddily to them under all difficulties, and to ftrive, by all the methods confiftent with true wisdom and benevolence, to diffuse and propagate them

thro'

1

thro' the world. There have been many in this nation who have nobly distinguish'd themselves in this work, and may their names be had in everlasting remembrance and honour.

FINIS.

Lately published by the fame Author:

A Review of the principal Questions and difficulties in Morals; particularly thofe relating to the original of our Ideas of Virtue, its nature, foundation, reference to the Deity, obligation, subjectmatter and fanctions.

Printed for A. Millar, in the Strand.

SERMON

Preach'd at

TOPSHAM

On Thursday November the 29th, 1759,

Being the Day appointed for

A General Thanksgiving

For the late

SUCCESSES

O F

HIS MAJESTY'S ARMS by Sea & by Land,

And for the late

Very plentiful Harvest.

By J. FORTESCUE, A. M

EXON: Printed by ANDREW BRICE, and fold by B. THORN and E. SCORE, Bookfellers, in the Fore-street. 1760.

نا