Jews would inflict on them, under the idea of rendering God fervice. It does not fall to the lot of Chriftians in general to fuffer much in the cause of their religion; but whenever such case does occur, ought we to murmur? ought we not rather to reflect on the fufferings of our blessed Lord, and his apostles in the propagation of the gospel, and be thankful to God that he has thought us worthy to fuffer for his caufe. "The Atheist, who affects to deny the existence of a God, is not more abfurd, than he who acknowledges, yet refuses to fulfil his orders: murmuring against his ordinances, is blafphemy against his justice, and defying the wrath of Omnipotence." The afflictions we frequently labor under are, generally, fent either to wean us from a world which even the best of us are apt to become too fond of, or as a trial of our fincerity. To fubmit with refignation to the dispensations of Providence, whilst we are in a state of profperity, requires no great exertion; the trial is, when adver

fity falls heavy on us: then is the true and faithful servant of God distinguished from the time-ferver. "There is (fays a modern author) nothing so pleasing and fatisfactory to the human mind, as felfapprobation, and confcious rectitude: the foul, fupported by these fweeteners of exiftence, is rarely depreffed by common misfortunes; or, if for a fhort time it is over-clouded by disappointment, the shades of forrow quickly disperse, and hope, like the bright fun bursting through a cloud of darkness, fhines with double luftre."

When any great calamity overtakes us, whether national or individual, prudence directs us to feek the best and safest way of extricating ourselves. Thus, for example: in time of war, every precaution is used to prevent an invafion from our enemies, and the moft vigorous methods taken to defeat their defigns. told by St. James (chap. iv. ver. 1.), that fin is the original caufe of wars and tumults, those scourges of the human race: "From whence come wars and fightings

We are

among you? come they not hence, 66 even of your lufts, that war in your "members?" If fo, let us confider what is the most likely method to avert such calamities; or, when they have actually befallen us, to bring them to a speedy termination. Ought not every individual, on fuch an occafion, let the war have been ever so just, (even though entered into in defence of liberty and life) to reflect how that life has been spent, and what use he has hitherto made of the bleffing of liberty. If the result of fuch inquiry is favorable, then may he with an upright heart join his prayers to the general voice, that God in his mercy would restore peace and tranquillity to his poor, bleeding country: and we are affured that fuch prayers fhall not be ineffectual: "The effectual fer"vent prayer of a righteous man availeth "much."-(St. James.)

If, therefore, these means may be suppofed to contribute in any degree to the restoration of peace and tranquillity, are not those who help to bring about a gene

ral

ral depravity, thereby provoking the Almighty to afflict us with such scourges, as great enemies to their own lives, their liberties, their king, their country, and their religion, as thofe very foes who are in arms against them? Although I have already been led further into this fubject than I at firft intended, I fhall beg to be indulged with a few more observations before I quit it entirely.

When, by the chance of war, our enemies fall into our hands, may every Chriftian take pattern by the benevolent spirit of Elifha, and, as far as is confiftent with his own and his country's fafety, give them every indulgence that persons in their fituation can reasonably expect; for though Elifha's example cannot be always followed, in giving the prisoners immediate freedom, (as, we are informed, in the fixth chapter of the second book of Kings, he did,) yet it is in the victor's power to make their misfortune more or less fevere, by his treatment of them: and shall the Jew excel the Chriftian in mercy? Shall

the

the Jewish institution, which was only preparatory to the Chriftian, produce more benevolence, even in one single instance, than that religion which was intended to exalt, refine, and ennoble mankind? Cruelty and Christianity can never be reconciled. How can he expect favor from a God of mercy, who refuses it to his fellow-creature? and, if we make God our enemy, what will all our worldly pomp avail us! When therefore he, in mercy, fends us any fevere fcourge to bring us to repentance, let us ftrictly examine our conduct, and repent us of the crimes which have drawn down his dif pleasure upon us, not doubting but it will then be withdrawn; but where would be the mercy in removing the calamity, till the cure was either performed or in a fair train of being accomplished? "When God's judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants will learn righteousness." The great city of Nineveh was preserved from impending destruction, by the penitence of its inhabitants; who, on the preaching

of