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Diligent and impartial self-examination, not only as to the ground of our hope in God, but especially in respect to every part of our present conduct, is a concurrent duty of great importance. This, however, will not answer the desired end, unless it be accompanied with prayer to the great Searcher of hearts to prove and try us; that we may indeed grow more acquainted with our own hearts, and thus be taught to rectify whatever prevents our usefulness; and instructed in attending to duties hitherto neglected or improperly performed; and enabled to bear a decided and honourable testimony to the great truths of Christianity, and to that holiness by which they are adorned and recommended.

This is peculiarly needful in these days of prevailing infidelity, heresy, and impiety, as well as of most deplorable immorality. At such a time all that "love the Lord Jesus in sincerity" should unite in a bold and zealous attachment to the grand doctrines of his glorious gospel, a constant and reverent attendance on his sacred ordinances, a strict but cheerful observance of his holy day, a diligent and unreserved obedience to all his commandments, and a close imitation of his bright example. The revival of pure Christianity should be our object: but in this every one ought to begin at home. As far as this is done a revival will take place: but we are not warranted to expect it in any other way.

In this view the importance of family religion, and a careful performance of the duties incumbent upon parents, and masters, and other superior relations, must be manifest to every reflecting person. The notice which the Lord took of Abra

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ham's conduct, in this respect, has been mentioned: but we may here remind the reader of its subserviency to the accomplishment of the promises to his posterity. "I know him, that he will command "his children and his household after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice "and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon "Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." In like manner Joshua, when zealously endeavouring to promote true religion among his people, declared without hesitation, "As for me and my "house, we will serve the Lord." On the other hand, the indolent, timid, and indulgent conduct of Eli, respecting his sons, brought ruin on his family, and dreadful calamities on Israel: and the misconduct even of Jehoshaphat, in forming an affinity with the family of Ahab, did not fail to produce even still more fatal effects.

It is seriously apprehended, that remissness in family religion, relaxation of domestic authority and regularity, and the adoption of worldly maxims in the education and disposal of children, constitute a considerable part of the sins of the church in the present day, as distinguished from the sins of the irreligious part of the nation. These evils seem to have made way for the apostacy of great numbers from evangelical principles to heretical systems, nay to scepticism, infidelity, or open impiety; even from among those who were educated in religious families. And we may be confident that nothing short of a very strict and zealous attention to these most important duties, with an. ardent desire of perpetuating vital religion in our families and to posterity, will be permanently and

decidedly successful, against the bold, strenuous, and indefatigable attempts of the enemies of our holy religion.

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If we prevail by prayer with the Lord to spare us, and to "pour out his Spirit from on high upon us," this will certainly be one effect of that merciful dispensation: men, professing evangelical godliness, will spare no pains, but will forego every flattering and advantageous prospect, in order to

bring up their children in the nurture and ad"monition of the Lord." They will become far more desirous that their children should be pious Christians, than accomplished, learned, wealthy, or honoured in the world; and will be especially concerned that they may possess the dispositions and qualifications requisite for serving their generation, for supporting the interests of religion, and for transmitting this invaluable blessing to posterity. Finally, every man has his talents. Statesmen, senators, magistrates, ministers of religion; the rich, the learned, the ingenious; should avail themselves of their peculiar advantages and influence, to" serve their generation according to the "will of God," while they continue instant in prayer for the church and nation. They ought to distinguish themselves, by a valiant, decided, and zealous conduct, in countenancing and supporting the cause and the friends of truth and righteousness and in this course they may hope, like Moses, to be honoured of God to "stand in the "breach, and to turn away his indignation" from .our guilty land.

1 Psal. lxxviii. 5-7.

Even they who are placed in a more obscure station, and are known only in a narrow circle, have some little influence; and they should be careful not to bury their "one talent" in the earth for a pious conversation, an attention to relative duties, and a readiness to every work and labour of love, may accomplish more than they suppose, in promoting the grand object of all our supplications.

These things, as connected with an habitual and manifest endeavour to shew ourselves peaceable and peace-makers, in the church and in the community; steady friends to social order, and to the constitution and government under which a kind Providence has placed us; (yet avoiding all the violence and bitterness of party-disputes;) dutiful and loyal subjects to our king; harmless, blameless, and kind among our neighbours; contented in our station; staying our minds on God, in cheerful and humble confidence, amidst dangers and alarms; and following after meekness, temperance, truth, and righteousness in our whole conduct; seem to constitute our present duties. And, as far as the Lord shall be pleased to bless our endeavours to increase the number of those who thus pray, and who thus aim to act consistently with their prayers, in reliance on the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; our hopes may reasonably be encouraged that "He will work for "his own name's sake," and not suffer any enemy to prevail against us.

A FORM OF PRAYER,

ADAPTED TO THE STATE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

Most merciful God, who "doest what thou wilt "in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabi"tants of the earth;" and orderest all things in perfect wisdom, righteousness, truth, and love; we desire to look to thee for help and protection in this season of peculiar danger and alarm. We acknowledge, O Lord, that thou mightest most justly leave us in the hands of our enemies, and by them execute deserved vengeance on us. Thou hast, in a most distinguishing manner, favoured us as a nation with invaluable advantages, both temporal and spiritual, during a long term of years; so that no people on earth has been more highly favoured in thy providence. But alas! we have been most shamefully ungrateful; we have grossly abused our peculiar privileges; we have multiplied our provocations; our own sins and the sins of our land bear witness against us; we blush and are ashamed to look up unto thee, and we fear that we are ripe for thy heaviest judgments. Yet, we humbly pray thee," in wrath re"member mercy:" and, while thou correctest us for our multiplied iniquities, do not give up a people that is called by thy name, to be a reproach to the heathen, lest they should say, "Where is "now their God?"

"We do not present our supplications before "thec, for our righteousness, but for thy great

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