3. There is yet, my brethren, in such hours, a greater consideration. If there be something inexpressibly animating in seeing our country as the instrument of Heaven in the restoration of happiness to mankind; if to us be given the sublime charge, of at once defending our own land, and guiding the destinies of human nature, there is something also equally solemn in the remembrance of the duties which so high a commission involves. And there is an instinct which must teach us all, that of our conduct in these trying hours we are finally to render an account. It is this exalted prospect which ought ever to be present to us, in the seasons of difficulty and alarm. It is now, in the midst of wars, and the desolation of nations, that we ought to fortify our hearts at the shrine of religion. It is now that we are to weigh the duties which are demanded of us by Heaven and earth; and to consider whether, in that last day, we are to appear as cowards to our country and our faith, and as purchasing an inglorious safety, by the sacrifice of every duty, and every honour of man, or as the friends of order, of liberty, and of religion, and allied to those glorious spirits who have been the servants of God, and the benefactors of mankind. Over the conflict which is to ensue, let it never be forgotten, that greater eyes than those of man will be present; and let every man who draws the sword of defence remember, that he is not only defending the liberties of his country, but the laws of his God. Let, then, the young and the brave of our people go forth, with hearts inaccessible to fear, and undoubting of their cause. Let them look back into time, and see the shades of their ancestors rising before them, and exhorting them to L the combat. Let them look around them, and see a subjugated world the witnesses of their contest, and the partners in their success. Let them look forward into futurity, and see posterity prostrated before them, and all the honours and happiness of man dependent upon the firmness of their hearts, and the vigour of their arms. Yes! let them go forth, and pour around our isle a living barrier to injustice and ambition; and, when that tide of anarchy which has overflowed the world rolls its last waves to our shores, let them show to the foe as impenetrable a front, as the rocks of our land to the storms of the ocean. And Thou, O God of Nations, and Lord of every host," without whom no"thing is strong, and nothing is holy," if it be with such views that thy people of this land now assemble before Thee;-if they are, indeed, armed in defence of Thy eternal laws, and in the cause of the everlasting Gospel ;-if Thou hast called them to be the instruments of thy Providence for the future welfare of mankind, let thy Spirit go forth with them, which of old went forth with the brave and the virtuous of thine own people. Awaken in their hearts that love of Thee, and of thy laws, and pour into their souls that contempt of danger and of death, which befit those whom thy Omniscient will has summoned to scenes of difficulty and alarm; and, while thy Providence has so long watched over this favoured land, and while it now remains as the beacon to lead mankind again to happiness and truth,-grant that thy people may feel the extent of their duties! and know, that, while they are defending the independence of their own country, they are defending the sacred cause of order, of virtue, and of religion, throughout the world. SERMON VIII. ON THE RELIGIOUS AND MORAL ENDS OF KNOWLEDGE. * 66 PROVERBS, iii. 13, &c. Length of days Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, IN these beautiful words, Solomon describes the effects of wisdom upon the * Preached at the commencement of the Academical Session in Edinburgh. |