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are pushed to anti-scriptural extremes. In short, in a course of years, if we have accurately observed the affairs of the church, we have witnessed and lamented many astonishing changes, suited to excite our gratitude to the Lord, who hath hitherto helped us," and guided us at a distance from those rocks, quick-sands, and whirlpools, which have proved fatal to numbers.

Our own experience likewise may help us to form a proper judgment of the divine goodness, in thus far protecting and upholding us. If we have for any length of time," fought the good fight of faith," we must have a consciousness, that in many instances we were "cast down but not destroyed." Our enemy hath been sometimes ready to rejoice over us as actually vanquished. Outward circumstances gave force to our innate depravity, and our customary or easily besetting sins; the tempter was permitted "to sift us as wheat;" we had the sentence of death in ourselves, but in God that raiseth the dead. Perhaps temptation prevailed against us; and a guilty conscience united with an unbelieving despondency to bring us into deep waters. The insults of enemies, or the censures of friends, perhaps concurred with divine rebukes and corrections, to dismay our hearts. Yet amidst all, we determined, even from the belly of hell, to look unto the Lord, and to cry unto him, " O Lord, I beseech thee deliver my soul!" "We waited on the Lord, and he heard our prayer; he brought us out of the horrible pit, out of the miry clay; he set our feet upon a rock, and established our goings; and he hath put a new song into our mouth, even thanksgiving to our God." Psalm xl. 1-3. cxvi. 1-8. cxxx. Thus "he delivered us from so great a death, and in him we trust that he will yet deliver us." 2 Cor. i. 9, 10. Even if our conflicts have not been so severe, if we have not been thus baffled and shamed, we know to whom we owe our preservation; and we have had so many humiliating proofs of our own perverseness, weakness, negligences, and relapses into idolatrous attachments and various evils, that we cannot but look upon our escapes as marvellous, and sometimes stand amazed, that we have not been left to renounce or disgrace the gospel. Every year, month, week, or even day, during which we have been preserved, and every declension from which we have been recovered, is an addition to obligations already great beyond all computation. Indeed a general view of our situation in this evil world must increase our conviction, that the Lord alone hath kept us, or can keep us from evil. The countless dangers of our path; the course of the world, with its maxims, fashions, examples and allurements; the influence of fear, hope, affection, and even gratitude to men, upon our religious conduct; our natural strong desire of honour, friendship, ease, wealth or indulgence; our aversion to censure, reproach, contempt, and poverty; and the various ways, in which these propensities may be addressed to turn us aside from the direct path, suggest many interesting reflections to the serious mind. The infectious examples even of some zealous preachers and professors of evangelical truth, and the worldly spirit sanctioned by them; with the snares, which are laid in all our employments, connections, and comforts; in solitude and company, and even in religious duties; the number, power, subtlety, and unwearied malice of our enemies, the powers of darkness; the fallibility of our judgment, the scantiness of our knowledge, the weakness of our purposes, and the deceitfulness and desperate wickedness of our hearts; all remind us, how greatly we are indebted to the Lord, who hath hitherto helped us. It is indeed a marvellous mercy, if we can say, "Having obtained help of God, we continue to this day;" and have neither made a shipwreck of our faith, nor brought a scandal upon the gospel; but still desire with purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord.

Much more might profitably be added did time permit, concerning the continued kindness we have received; in the friends raised up for us; and the way in which our heavenly Father hath made up our losses, extricated us out of difficulties, moderated our temptations, renewed our comforts, re

vived our hopes and earnestness, prolonged our days, and afforded us means of grace and opportunities of usefulness. These, and many more subjects may be thought of, in our private meditations, while we endeavour to enter on another year, with thankfully acknowledging that "Hitherto the Lord hath helped us.'

II. Then we inquire what is meant by "Setting up an Eben-ezer," according to the common, and not improper use of the expression.

The nature of the case, and the example before us concur in proving, that it implies a disposition to give the Lord the glory of all the blessings we have received. We do not ascribe the favourable difference between our situations, prospects, or character, and those of other men, to our own wisdom, management, or exertions; but to that God," from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed." We pretend not to have merited the divine protection, guidance, and blessings; but feel that all was given us as creatures, without our deserving any thing: and that every good thing bestowed on us as sinners, is contrary to our deserts. We ascribe none of our deliverances or successes to chance, necessity, or second causes; but trace them all to the great First Cause; to him "who doeth all things after the counsel of his own will." Samuel gave not the honour of Israel's preservation to any of the servants of God, who had been raised up from the days of Moses, nor did he take it to himself; but ascribed it to the Lord alone. "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then, neither is he that planted any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." 1 Cor. iii. 5-7. To set up an Eben-ezer therefore implies a disposition to say, in praise as well as in prayer, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give the glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake." Psalm cxv. 1. And to ascribe all our blessings, to the everlasting love of the Father, the atonement and mediation of the Son, and to the sanctification of the Holy Spirit.

It implies also an open acknowledgment of our obligations to the Lord, a confession of our own unworthiness; and an endeavour by all proper means, to perpetuate the memory of the Lord's great goodness towards us, in our families, and among all with whom we are connected. An open profession of the truth, with a consistent example and conversation; attendance on the ordinances of God, diligence in the instruction of children and domestics, and the improvement of our several talents to promote true religion, constitute such an avowal of our obligations to the Lord. These things tend to diffuse the knowledge of his abundant kindness, and to preserve the remembrance of it, for the encouragement of our brethren, and inducement to sinners to seek the participation of our privileges.

We must not, however, be satisfied with thankful acknowledgments of the past; but when we set up an Eben-ezer, and say, "hitherto hath the Lord helped us ;" we should renew our dedication of ourselves to him in respect of the future. "Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken to his voice. And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, that thou shouldst keep all his commandments; and to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God, as he hath spoken." Deut. xxvi. Having thus far experienced the Lord's faithfulness and mercy, the pleasantness of his ways, and the misery of departing from them; we thank him for the past, and express our purpose and desire of walking with him all the residue of our lives. Our review of the way which we have come invigorates these determinations, increases our simplicity of dependence on his continued grace, and teaches us the necessity of greater vigilance and cir

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cumspection; that "whether we eat, or whether we drink, or whatever we do, we may do all to the glory of God."

In these respects the Lord's Supper is a stated method of setting up an Eben-ezer. When, with serious recollection and self-examination; with renewed exercises of repentance, faith and love; with humble confessions, fervent prayers, and thankful praises, we commemorate the sufferings and death of our Redeemer: we then join ourselves to the Lord and his chosen people, we avouch him to be our God; we thank him for the past, and commit ourselves to his keeping for the future; and we declare our determined purpose, by his grace, to walk in his holy ways during the remainder of our lives. It seems therefore peculiarly proper to begin a new year, with this solemn act of adoring praise, this renewed dedication of ourselves to the service of our God and Saviour.

This review should likewise excite us to be "followers of God, as dear children, and to walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us." Our conduct towards others ought to be a constant imitation of the long-suffering compassion, readiness to forgive and relieve, and persevering goodness of the Lord towards us; that we may never be weary of well-doing," or "be overcome of evil;" but that we may overcome evil with good."

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Finally, the recollection and thankful acknowledgment that "hitherto hath the Lord helped us," should encourage our hearts to run with patience the remainder of "the race set before us." The Lord, that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, will deliver me out of the hand of the Philistine." 1 Sam. xvii. 37. He that hath preserved and assisted us in so many dangers and difficulties already, will" never leave us nor forsake us." "He fainteth not, neither is weary." His understanding is infinite, his resources inexhaustible, his faithfulness unfailing, and his mercy everlasting. We should therefore comfort one another with these considerations, learn" to cast all our care on Him who careth for us," and pour out our hearts before him; we should remember that "our Father knoweth what things we have need of," and that "no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." "Clouds and darkness are about him," and gloomy prospects may meet our view; but the perfections and covenant engagements of the Lord are unchangeable; and "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." "He will never suffer us to be tempted above what we are able; but will with the temptation make a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it ;" yea "The Lord shall deliver us from every evil work, and will preserve us to his heavenly kingdom. To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Cor. x. 13. 2 Tim. iv. 18.

These are some of the encouragements and instructions which real Christians may receive from the subject before us. But how stand matters with our souls? Hitherto the Lord hath prolonged all our lives, and we now enter on another year; while many of our acquaintance or relatives are gone to their long home. We yet remain in the land of faith, of hope, of mercy and of prayer; while numbers have been removed to the regions of darkness and despair, and some to the realms of endless day.-But the time is short.-The end of all things is at hand.-A little moment, as it were, will terminate our season of probation and preparation for eternity; the continuance of our earthly comforts or trials, and our opportunities of doing good to men, and glorifying God in this world of sin and misery.

Have none of you then entered on this new year, destitute of vital godliness, strangers to repentance and works meet for repentance, and unacquainted with a life of faith in the Son of God, and communion with the Father through him? Are none of you still loitering and procrastinating, loath to part with worldly idols, and averse to diligent piety? Or are you not trying to persuade yourselves, that so much strictness is unnecessary, that by attention to decent forms and moral duties, or an assent to certain doctrines, you may reconcile religion with your worldly spirit and pursuits, and thus

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serve God and mammon? You have indeed been spared to enter on anot
year, and have great cause, though little heart for thankfulness: but wi
assurance have you that you shall live to the close of it? Several who join
with us last year in the service of the day, are now entered on an eternal state;
and probably many of us shall join them before this year shall terminate.
And how terrible will this be to those, who by a perverse abuse of the Lord's
abundant mercies, have increased their own condemnation ? Still the Holy
Ghost says, "To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.".
"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is
near." And we entreat you, join your prayer for yourselves to our suppli-
cations in your behalf, that in the present year you may be "turned from
darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God."

Perhaps some are blessing God, that this has been their happy case, during the preceding year; and are now saying within themselves, Had I died before the year 1795, I should have perished in my sins, without Christ and without hope. But the Lord who spared me when others were cut off, and rescued me from numberless dangers, seen and unseen, when I habitually trampled on his commandments, and neglected his salvation, hath at length in boundless mercy, "granted me repentance," enabled me to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and taught me by his grace to walk in newness of life.' "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities, and healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercy."-How memorable with you, my brethren, even to eternal ages, will be this "acceptable year of the Lord," which to many hath doubtless been "the day of vengeance of our God." O endeavour to "shew forth his praises, not only with your lips, but in your lives, by giving up yourselves to his service, and by walking before him in holiness and righteousness all your days." Then many will glorify God on your behalf, and you will be in some degree instrumental in bringing others to seek the same blessings. Abide in Christ; keep close to the means of grace; watch against temptation; be not high-minded, but fear, for your enemies are many, and your hearts "For greater is He are deceitful; yet "be sober and hope unto the end." that is in you, than he that is in the world." Wait on the Lord continually, that he may renew your strength: and take heed, lest an increase of knowledge and maturity of judgment should be attended by an abatement in the fervour of your affections. Be not contented with the low attainments of professors in this lukewarm age; but follow those who have most closely followed Christ. And now approach with us to his table, to avow your acceptance of his salvation, and surrender of yourselves to his service; that as "bought with a price, you may glorify God with your bodies and spirits which are his."

Some perhaps to this very day, may stand in doubt to what class or company they belong. May the Lord enable such persons to begin this new giving all diligence to make their calling and election sure!" year with " Inquire, my friends, with impartial strictness, into the reasons of your uncertainty and darkness: cast away every idol, break off every entangling pursuit or engagement; return from your backslidings, and seek the Lord with all your hearts: that should this year terminate your lives, your setting sun may break forth with cheering beams, and gild the dark valley through which you must pass: or should you be spared-that your walk may be henceforth more close with God, more honourable and comfortable, and more edifying and encouraging to those around you.

My Christian brethren! let us enter on this new year, by seriously reviewing the one that we have finished; that we may be humbled for the sins into which we have been betrayed, and rendered more simply dependent and watchful: and that we may be more thankful for the special mercies, personal, social, and public, with which we have been favoured. Let us earnestly beg a blessing from God on every attempt we have made to sow the

seed of truth, to speak a word in season, and to recommend the gospel; beseeching him also to prevent the bad effect of our mistakes and inconsistencies. We should likewise remember that time is short: that we may learn patience in tribulation, joyfulness in hope, indifference about things present, and diligence in our proper work. "Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might: for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest." Eccles. ix. 10. “Let your loins then be girded, and your lamps burning;" and be habitually expecting the coming of the Lord. Endeavour to recollect what designs of usefulness you had formed, and intended to have executed during the last year, or in any former period; and set about them without delay: persevere in every good work and Christian course on which you have entered; and aim to press forward, to grow in grace, and abound more and more in all the fruits of righteousness. Then should this be your last year, as it possibly may, and as some have probable reason to expect, death will be your gain: and while the survivors among us may meet together at the return of this season to set up another Eben-ezer to our merciful God; others will have joined the company before the throne, and be triumphantly rejoicing and blessing the Lord, that he hath helped them quite through, made them more than conquerors, and placed them for ever out of the reach of dangers and enemies.-May we all, as in succession called out of this world, thus join the heavenly worshippers; till at length,

When all the chosen race

Shall meet before the throne,

To bless the conduct of his grace,

And make his wonders known;

We may be found of that happy number, and meet once more to set up an Eben-ezer in the world above, and to join in eternal adorations of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the one God of our salvation, to whom be praise and glory for evermore. Amen.

SERMON XVII.

ON THE PROPER IMPROVEMENT OF NATIONAL
AFFLICTIONS.

ISAIAH, IX. 13.

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For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them neither do they seek the Lord of Hosts.*

"THE Lord sent a word unto Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel :" Jehovah had denounced judgments on the nation descended from the patriarchs; which had begun to be accomplished on the kingdom of Israel, by the kings of Syria and Assyria: yet the people disregarded these tokens of the divine displeasure. "And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, that say, in the pride and stoutness of heart; The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones; the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together. The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind, and they shall devour Israel with

* Preached on the ninth of March., 1796, being a day of fasting and humiliation.

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