the necessaries of life, we open our hearts and our hands wide to the necessities of our suffering brethren; if, in short, by the purity of our hearts, the sanctity of our lives, the fervour of our devotions, the sincerity of our faith and confidence in Christ, we recommend ourselves to the favour of Heaven, I scruple not to say, that we have nothing to fear. By the mighty hand of God we shall be protected here; by the merits of Him who died for us we shall be saved and rewarded hereafter. And we may, I trust, in this case, humbly apply to ourselves that consolatory declaration of the Almighty to another people, with which I shall finally close these Lectures; and which may God of his infinite mercy confirm to us all in this world, and in the next! I am "How can I give thee up, Ephraim? My soul is turned within me. I will not execute the fierceness of my anger; God, and not man*. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with * Hosea, xi. 8, 9. with everlasting kindness* will I have mercy on thee." * This kindness has in fact (as far as the public welfare is concerned) been in several important instances most graciously and conspicuously extended to this highly-favoured land since these lectures were finished; and it evidently calls for every return, on our part, of affection and obedience to our heavenly Benefactor, that the deepest sense of gratitude can possibly dictate to devout and feeling hearts. March, 1802. + Isaiah, liv. 8. THE END. London: Printed by Luke Hansard & Sons, |