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 0- -o^'TTT^ 
 
 
 
TWO 
 
 SERMONS, 
 
 DELIVERED 
 
 AT EPSOM, NEW-HAMPSHIRE, 
 
 ON THE DAY APFOINTED 
 
 TOB THE A^XUAL '^TATE msl\ 
 
 AN£> 
 
 NATIONAL THANKSGIVING 
 
 FOR PEACE, 
 
 April 13, 1815. 
 
 BF JOJfATHJl^" CtJUriS, Ji. M, 
 Pastor of ihe Congregational Church in Epsom, 
 
 }g!n5i!0Sea ^B Hequeist* 
 
 iill^Wllill I III III 
 
 COXCORD : 
 PRINTED BY GEORGE HOUdll, 
 1815, 
 
■ I 1 1 I** 
 
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jforeitoDit ;g)etmDii 
 
 ISAIAH LVIII. 6. 
 
 Ts not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands 
 ofivickedness ? 
 
 HERE is prefented a defcription of fincere, 
 acceptable, and profitable falling. In verfes pre- 
 ceding the text, the prophet deals in ievere re- 
 proof with thofe, who fafted only in an outward, 
 vain, and hypocritical manner. He would teach 
 the people, that merely a formal obfervance of 
 a day of fading would neither pleafe the Lord, 
 nor profit thcmfelves. It is evident from the 
 manner of the prophet's reproof, that thofe, whomi 
 he was particularly addreffing, were fcrupuloufly 
 exa(3: in obferving all the oftenfible forms of 
 fading and penitence, while their hearts remain- 
 ed unaffeded by all their fervices. '' Behold," 
 fays he, " ye faft for flirife and debate, and to 
 fmite with the fift of wickednefs ; ye fhall not 
 faft as ye do this day, to make your voice to be 
 heard on high." That is, Do not vainly imag- 
 ine, that, without fincerity, the mod boifterous 
 found of words will gain the ear of the holy and 
 omnifcient Majeftyof heaven. He cannot be 
 deceived. He is pcrfedly acquainted with every 
 fecret defire of the foul. His attention can never 
 be attracted by an empty found from a thought- 
 lefs tongue, He will hear the prayer only of the 
 
4 
 
 contrite and humble fpirit. *' Is it iucu a lalt that 
 I have chofen ? a day for a man to afrli(3: his 
 foul ?'* Is it a day for a man fupeiflitioully to 
 bring pain upon his body ? or to feel a forrow 
 merely becaufe he is expofed to punlfliment, and 
 not primarily becaufe he is a fmful creature ? " Is 
 it ie bow down "his head as a bulrufh, and to 
 fpread fackcloth and afhes under him ?" Is it a 
 day on which to pay a fandimonious obfervacce 
 to merely outward ceremonies ? " Wilt thou 
 call this a faft, and an acceptable day to the 
 Lord ?" Then follows the text, which partic- 
 ularly defcribcs in its connection the true dcfign 
 of acceptable fading, "Is not this the faft that 
 I have chofen ? to loofe the bands of wickednefs, 
 to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the op- 
 preflTed go free, and that ye break every yoke ? 
 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and 
 that thou bring the poor that are caft out to thy 
 houfe ? when thou feeft the naked, that thou 
 cover him ; and that thou hide not thyfelf from 
 thine own flefh ?" 
 
 The meaning of the phrafc, '^^ To loofe the 
 bands of wickednefs," is very evidently the fame, 
 as confeffing and forfaking fm. This meaning 
 is prefented in the text with fufEcicat clcarnefs 
 without a more particular comment. 
 
 Such then appears to be the connexion of the 
 words feleded, and fuch their meaning. They 
 feem evidently fuited to lead us to a more exten- 
 five confideration of the object of genuine, profit- 
 able fafting. 
 
 In order to derive the greateft profit from the 
 general dodrine of the tfxt by viewing ii in as 
 
s 
 
 clear light as poffible, let it receive our attention 
 under the two following dlviCjons. 
 
 I. Available fasting implies the 
 
 CONFESSION AND REJECTION OF SIN ; 
 AND, 
 
 II. Such is the fasting^ that God 
 
 HAS CHOSEN ; OR SUCH AS WILL BE AC- 
 CEPTABLE TO HIM. 
 
 7. yiFAILABLE FJSTING IMPLIES THE CON- 
 FESSION AND REJECTION OF SIN, 
 
 If we defire to fafl: in a manner, which will 
 be acceptable to God and profitable to ourfelvcs, 
 we (hould be careful to diftinguifh betw^een that 
 falling, which the w'ord properly fignifies, viz., 
 merely an abftinence from food, and thofe pen- 
 itent exercifes of the foul, which fhould always 
 be kept in view as the principal objed. Too 
 much caution can hardly be ufed, left v/e vainly 
 imagine, that, by ceafing from labor and ab- 
 ftaining from food, we do all, which the defign 
 of a day of failing requires. But doing no more 
 than this is doing nothing to any good purpofe. 
 All this we might obferve, and dill be fit fubjeds 
 of the ancient reproof, " Ye fhall not fafl: as ye 
 do this day." 
 
 Inpurfuing the general defign propofed, let 
 gur attention be direded, 
 
 I. To (be importance of the confession of sin. 
 
 In order to obferve that fpiritual fading, which 
 alone can honor God or profit men, fm mnil le 
 penitently confefled before Him, who alone has 
 power 'o grant forgivenefs. 
 
6 
 
 But how iliall wc properly confefs our fms be- 
 fore the Lord, imlefs we feel our criminality? 
 Without this, it cannot be done. Neither offen- 
 ces againft God nor man will be confefled, while 
 their author feels no confcioufnefs of blame. Sup- 
 pofea man to have injured his neighbor in fome 
 manner, and in a manner yery manifeft to all but 
 himfelf ; and ftill, if he himfelf remain confident, 
 that he has not injured his neighbor in deed, nor 
 even in thought, he feels himfelf but poorly fitted 
 to acknowledge faults, afk forgivencfs, and make 
 fatisfadlion. This he cannot be expedled to do. 
 Neither will any one be led to the confefRon of 
 fins to Him, againft whom all fm is committed, 
 unlefs he have a confcioufnefs of having comm.it- 
 ted fins ;~unlefs he have a fcnfe of guilt. Man- 
 kind are much too little prone to make an ingen« 
 uous confeffion of their faults, when they fee 
 them ; and much lefs difpofed are they to confefs 
 faults, whofe exiftcnce they deny. In approach- 
 ing God then in order to confefs our fins, the 
 firit ftep muft be taken with a realizing fenfe of 
 criminality. There are doubtlefs many, who do 
 not view their own hearts as awfully polluted 
 with fin. Many appear not to feel the force of 
 the facred truth, that " the heart," the unfanct- 
 ified heart, " is defperately vv^lcked." Nor do 
 many realizejthat it " is deceitful above all things," 
 and inclined to conceal its wickednefs from its 
 own view j — inclined to deceive both itfelf and 
 others. And particularly are thefe remarks ap- 
 plicable to many, whofe manner of life, in the 
 view of men, has been unexceptionable. Many, 
 becaufe they have been upright and honorable in 
 theli tranfadions with their fellow- men, and have 
 
7 
 
 maintained the charadcr of good citizens,— are 
 too apt to imagine, that they have, therefore, 
 been juft in their conduct towards the Almighty, 
 and, that he views them as blamelefs charadters. 
 Too often is it the cafe, that mankind fancy the 
 Almighty to be altogether fuch an one as them- 
 felves ; that, like themfelves, he determines the 
 charader from outward appearances. But it fliould 
 ever be remembered, that, while " man looketh 
 on the outward appearance, the Lord looketh oa 
 the heart." He judges from the fecret feelings 
 of the foul; — feelings unknown to all but Om- 
 nifcience himfelf. 
 
 But, if any are defirous of feeing the true ftate 
 of their hearts, no method will be fo cfFedual, as 
 comparing their feelings with the. equitable, the 
 perfect law of God. It is by this law, that fin 
 is made to appear " exceeding finful.'* By com- 
 paring ourfelves by the divine requirements, ad! 
 of which are perfedtly reafonable, we may at 
 once fee how far fhort we have fallen of rendering 
 them their due obedience. The holy law com- 
 mands us to love the Lord with all our heart. 
 This reafonable command, we fhould remember, 
 *' is exceeding broad.'* It requires us continually 
 to regard Jehovah with the pureft and highefl: 
 love ;— to efteem him far above all created good. 
 While confidering the extent of this requirement, 
 it becomes us to inquire of ourfelves, whether 
 we have not, in many inftances, violated fome 
 other of the divine commands befide the firft. 
 For, if any other command has been broken, it 
 is a certain evidence, that the firft has not been 
 obferved according to its true meaning. To love 
 God with alhbe heart requires our higheft regard 
 
for his chatader during thfc whol5 period of ottr 
 cxiftence. If, therefore, any one of the com-' 
 jnaads of God he violated, it (hows at-once, that 
 guilt is likevvife incurred from a breach of the 
 foft and great command. For it is impofTible, 
 that God ihould be regarded with feelings of holy 
 love, and, at the fame time, that any of his com- 
 mands, by the fame perfon, Ihould be violated* 
 The fuppoficion prefents a grofs abfurdity. — By 
 the (Iriifl and holy lavr of God, let our characters 
 be compared. And, on this day, fet apart by 
 public authority agreeably to the highly proper 
 cuftom of our pious anceftors " for public fading, 
 humiliation, and prayer," let us all endeav- 
 or to feel intereftcd in the defign of the day. Let 
 us dihgently and prayerfully examine our pad 
 lives, and efpecially during the laft year ; and be 
 willing to fee without difguife the true, though 
 frightful catalogue of our fms. Let us not fhrink 
 from the inquiry, hov^ever painful ; for now is 
 the time to profit from it. God mod certainly 
 views our hearts as they are, whether we are 
 willing thus to view them or not. Let the life 
 be carefully examined, and compared with that 
 perfe<fl law, which we have been confidering. 
 This is the only true method, by which to de- 
 termine the weight of guilt impending over every 
 ofFender againfi: God. — Let each one inquire thus 
 of himfelf. In the firft place, have I ever loved 
 God with all my heart ? Have I been invariably 
 aduated during my whole life by a regard for his 
 glory ? For, if this has not been the cafe, I have 
 fallen criminally Ihort of my duty. Every one 
 is certainly accountable for the influence, which 
 he bears in focicty. And has all my influence, 
 
9 
 
 whether fmall or great, been devoted to God? 
 Has it been employed in a manner, and in the 
 beft manner poffible for me to ufe it, to increafe 
 the profperity of religion ? Might I have made 
 any more exertions, the probable confequence of 
 ivhich would have been the increafe of the inter- 
 eft of the Redeemer in the world ? Havs I in- 
 variably maintained fuch conduct towards my 
 fellow-men, as, upon rational and chriftian prin- 
 ciples, I ought to expert from them ? In a word, 
 have I invariably obeyed all the divine com- 
 mands ? — Where is the individual, who dares af- 
 firm, all this I have done ? It is prefumed, fuch 
 an one cannot be found. Great then is the weight 
 of guilt hanging on every foul. — But inquiry 
 ihould not ftop here. Mankind are naturally 
 difpofed not merely to negledt thofe things, which 
 they ought to do ; but to do thofe things, which 
 they ought not. And, on this fide, let the in- 
 quiry be extended. Have I never, in any man- 
 ner, cheriflied an evil difpofition towards any of 
 my fellow-creatures ? Further than this, — have 
 I never a^ually injured any one by ilander, by 
 fraud, by theft, or in fome other mann^.; ? Have 
 I never perverted the objed of my exi'dence by 
 intemperance ? Have I never fpoken lightly or 
 contemptuoufly of the facred truths of the Bible, 
 or of the caufe of religion ? Have I never, in any 
 manner, profaned the holy Sabbath of reft ? 
 Have I never ihoughtlefsly and blafphemoufly 
 
 ufed the name of the holy God of heaven ? 
 
 Will not fairhful confcience conftrain many to 
 acknowledge, that fome, or all ihefe ftns are 
 theirs ? But, on this point, why need I dwell \ 
 
iO 
 
 Can the perlbn be found, who, after faithfulljT 
 icarching his own heart and comparing it with 
 the Word of unerring truth, would not acknowl- 
 edge himfelf a great finner ? RefleQion, it would 
 feem, could hardly fail to lead every one to feel 
 the grievous v^eight of guilt hanging upon his 
 own foul, and for which he muft anfwer before 
 the Judge of all the earth. Where can the perfon 
 be found, who is not guilty to a great degree of 
 the fin of ingratitude ? Who can enumerate the 
 favors of ^n indulgent Providence, of which he 
 is made the conibnt partaker ? How criminally 
 fhort of duty do the moft pious fall in often for- 
 getting the kind hand, which leads and fuftains 
 them ! The bleffings of Heaven flow on every 
 fide. Often we receive them in an unexpected 
 and furprifing manner. But O, how feldom do 
 they caufe due gratitude to the Giver ! Who 
 can fay, that he has not been very criminal-^ 
 ly ungrateful for the many| good things, 
 which God has kindly beftowed ? Whofe grat- 
 itude has arifen equal to the favors, which God 
 has granted individuals, communities, our coun- 
 try, and the world ? Who is not guilty of long 
 abufmg the mercy of God ? even the mercy pre- 
 fented by the condefcending overtures of the Gof- 
 pel ? And are there not many, who even now, 
 after fo long a time, are rcfufing to hear the voice 
 of mercy, and are continuing to harden their 
 hearts ? — But perhaps enough has been faid upon 
 the numerous ways, in which fm may be incur- 
 red. Could we fee our hearts as they are, how 
 contaminated with fm muft they appear I 
 
 But it is by no means fufficient, that the un- 
 deiftanding be convinced of the fmfulnefs of the 
 
II 
 
 heart. A perfon may be conftralned to acknowl- 
 edge himfelf a great Tinner without being at-all 
 affeded with his fituation ; — without feeling the 
 ieaft degree of penitence. This leads me to ob- 
 ferve, that, in order for a perfon rightly to con- 
 fefs his fms before an offended God, he muft feel 
 forrowful, humble, penitent in view of them. 
 And the folc ground of his forrow (hould be, 
 not becaufe he has cxpofed himfelf to mifery ; 
 but becaufe he has difobeyed and offended a holy 
 God ; — becaufe he has done evil. A foul with 
 thefe views of fin is then prepared to approach 
 the mercy-feat with a confeflion of fmcerity, and 
 thankfully to receive forgivenefs. Only the foul, 
 that fees the odious nature of fin, exercifes an 
 abhorrence towards it, and feels its burden, is 
 prepared to make fuch a confeiTion before the 
 Lord, as he will be pleafed in mercy to hear. 
 
 That it is our duty humbly and penitently to 
 confefs our fins before the Lord, we are frequent- 
 ly taught in the Scriptures. This is inculcated 
 by Jofhua's diredion to Achan. *• Jofhua faid 
 unto Achan, My fon, give, I pray thee, glory 
 to the Lord God of Ifrael, and make confefTion 
 unto him." The Ifraelites are thus exhorted, 
 " Now, therefore, make confefTion unto the Lord 
 God of your fathers." In another place, the 
 declaration of the Almighty is, " I will go and 
 return to my place till they acknowledge their of- 
 fence and feek my face." We are prcfented in 
 the Scriptures with many examples of the con- 
 feffion of both private and public fins. *' How 
 many," faith Job, " arc mine iniquities and fins? 
 Make me to know my tranfgrefTion and my Tin." 
 Ac:ain, '* Behold, I am vile; what fliall I an- 
 
12 
 
 fwer thee? I vvlli lay mine hand upon my mouth." 
 The Pfalnuil of Ifracl lays, '' I viiW declare mine 
 iniquity, I will be forry for my fin." Again, 
 " I acknowledged my fin unto thee, and mine 
 iniquity have I not hid. I faidj I will confefs 
 my tranfgreffions unto the Lord j and thou for- 
 gaveft the iniquity of my lin, I acknowledge 
 mv tranfgreflions ; and my fin is ever before me." 
 — Many are alfo the examples of the confeflion 
 of public fin8. The pious Ezra, in prayer, con- 
 fefles the fin of his people. " O my God, I am 
 afhamed and blulh to lift up my face to thee, my 
 God : for our iniquities are incrcafed over our 
 head, and our trefpafs is grown up unto the heav- 
 ens." Of the propriety and importance of con- 
 feffing public fins in fading, Nehemiah has given 
 us an impreflive example. Hear his own ac- 
 count of his conduct, after he was informed of 
 the afflidlion and reproach of his people and the 
 ruin of the beautiful city of Jerufalem. " And it 
 came to pais, when I heard thefe words, that I 
 fat down and wept, and mourned certain days, 
 and fafted, and prayed before the God of heaven, 
 and faid, 1 befeech thee, O Lord God of heaven, 
 the great and terrible God, that kecpeth covenant 
 and mercy for them that love him, and obferve 
 his commandments; let thine ear now be atten- 
 tive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayefl: hear 
 the prayer of thy fervant, which I pray before 
 thee nuv;', day and night, for the children of 
 Ifrael thy fervants, and confefs the fins of the 
 children of Ifrael, which we have finned againil 
 thee : both I and my father's houfe have finned. 
 We have dealt very corruptly againd thee, and 
 have not kept the commandments, nor the ftat- 
 
»3 
 utes, nor the judgments, which thou comriiandeft 
 thy fervant Mofes." 
 
 But not only docs true falling imply the cow 
 fession of fm ; bur, 
 
 2. The REJECTION or FORSAKING of it. 
 
 It is impoffible, that a perfon fhould penitently 
 confcfs his fms before God, that is, with a tem- 
 per abhorrent from fin, and, that fin, at the 
 fame time, lliould be his delight. The forfaking 
 of fin is therefore neceffarily connected with a 
 penitent, a cordial confeffion of it. Renouncing 
 fm merely bccaufe it is wrong, or out of true love 
 and obedience to God, is one of the fureft evi- 
 dences, that the heart has been prepared fincerely 
 and penitently to confefs it. That forfaking fin 
 fhould ever be connected with the main defign of 
 fading is evident as well from reafoUjas from Rev- 
 elation. Reafon plainly teaches us, that wick- 
 ednefs fliould be forfaken in order to exped: for- 
 givenefs for the commifTion of it. For how is it 
 poffible, that the heart ihould be difpleafed and 
 difgufted with any objed ; and, at the fame time, 
 cherifh and purfue that objed ? It cannot be pof- 
 fible. The fuppofition is contrary to the nature 
 of man. That only the kind of fafting, which 
 implies forfaking fin, will be acceptable to God 
 or profitable to men, is evident from the obvious 
 meaning of the text. " Is not this the faft that 
 I have chofen? to loofe the bands of wicked nefs?" 
 From the text and its connection, it is evident, 
 that forfaking fin generally, and particularly the 
 finofopprelfion, is the moft prominent feature in 
 the requirement. Often, in the Scriptures, is 
 the rejedion or forfaking of fin inculcated. *' He 
 that covererh his fin^- fha!! not profper ; but whoio 
 
14 
 
 confefieth and forfaketh them fliall hate mercy.'* 
 " Forfake the foolifh." " Let the wicked forfake 
 his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts : 
 and let him return unto the Lord." 
 We are now prepared to fhow, 
 IL That sugh is the fasting, that 
 God has chosen; or such, as will be 
 acceptable to him. 
 
 This is a plain dodlrine from the text. And 
 elfewhere God has made many and gracious 
 promifes to a penitent confeffion of fin. " If ye 
 do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, 
 and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and ferve 
 him only, he will deliver you. If thou return 
 to the Almighty, thou flialt be built up. Re- 
 turn, thou backfliding Ifrael, faith the Lord, and 
 I will not caufe mine anger to fall upon you. 
 Thus faith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with 
 all your heart, and with fafting, and with weep- 
 ing, and with mourning, and rend your hearts 
 and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord 
 your God ; for he is gracious and merciful, flow 
 to anger, and of great kindnefs, and repenteth 
 him of the evil. If we confefs our fms, he is faith- 
 ful and juft to forgive our fins, and to cleanfe us 
 from all unrightcoufnefs. Whofo confefieth and 
 forfaketh them [his fins] fhall have mercy.'' 
 Speaking of rebellious Ifrael, the Lord has made 
 the following merciful and encouraging promife. 
 *' If they fliall confefs their iniquity, and the ini- 
 quity of their fathers, with their trefpafs which 
 they trefpaffed againft me, and that alfo they 
 have walked contrary unto me ; — if then their 
 vmcircumcifed hearts be humbled, and they then 
 accept of the punilhment of their iniquity : then 
 
15 
 
 will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and 
 alfo my covenant with Ifaac, and alfo my cove- 
 nant with Abraham will I remember ; and I will 
 remember the land." To fuch fpiritual fafting, 
 or true penitence as we have already dcfcribcd, 
 God furcly would never have made fuch prom- 
 ifes of favor as he has made, were it not accept- 
 able to him. — Thus does it appear, that available 
 fafting implies the confeffion and rejc<ftion of fm ; 
 and, that fuch fafting is acceptable to God. And, 
 as no other kind of fafting is any where author- 
 ifed, we may juftly conclude, that this is the 
 only kind of fafting, which he will accept. 
 
 In clofmg this fubjcd, let me, my hearers, 
 moft earneftly entreat you not to confider all in- 
 terefted in this fubjedt but yourfelves. Make in- 
 dividually the moft candid examination of your 
 own hearts. Strive to view them, as they are 
 viewed by an omnifcient God. See if you find 
 not entwined around them the bands of wicked 
 thoughts. Nay, fee if they are not bound in fins, 
 that meet the public eye. It well becomes chrif- 
 tians, while they remember, that " there is no 
 man that liveth and finneth not," ftill to aim at 
 entire freedom from the bands of wickednefs. 
 Well may they mourn, if ever they are bound 
 for a moment to any forbidden objed:. — But arc 
 there not many, who have never yet been freed 
 from complete confinement under the bonds of 
 iniquity ? Do any feel, that they have never 
 known the enjoyment of the glorious liberty of the 
 fons of God ? Do any feel their guilt to be a heavy 
 burden ? Then, where it is realized that fin has 
 thus abounded, let true repentance, faith, and 
 
i6 
 
 lovcj the iuiell marks of purifying grace, equally 
 abound, lake with you tvords ; and let your 
 conftant and fervent fupplication be, '*OLord> 
 hear ; O Lord, forgive." 
 
:^fterttODtt Sermon. 
 
 ISAIAH XLV. f, 
 
 / make peace, 
 
 WERK chrlftian nations, after receiving an^^ 
 remarkable favor, to difregard the hand of God 5 
 pious heathen, for we hope there are fuch, would 
 tife in judgment againft them. The great body 
 of the pagan world have never been perfuaded, 
 that the wifefl: and beft human exertions could 
 not alone enfure profperity. They have ever 
 felt their dependance upon fomething ; but, upon 
 what, they often found a difficulty in explaining. 
 The moft learned and rational of the heathen 
 world, however, have generally fuppofed their 
 dependance to be upon fome being or beings of 
 wifdom and power fuperiorto man. The ancient 
 Greeks and Romans, probably the moft learned 
 heathen nations, that ever exifted, believed in 
 the exiftence of a family of deities ; and a family 
 much more extenfive too, than is maintained in 
 the creed of any modern divines. They fup- 
 pofed, that different parts of the world and the 
 various employments of men had each its fuper- 
 intending deity. They likev/ife fuppofed, thai: 
 all thefe were dependent deities, and all fiibjeiit to 
 one, who was fapreme, and whom the Romans 
 denominated Juplterr But we have reafon to 
 
i8 
 
 foppofe It their general belief, that even Jupiter 
 himfelf was not peifedly independent ; but fre- 
 quently under the contr©! of what they termed 
 the fates ; probably underflanding about the fatne 
 by their terra , as v;e do by the more familiar 
 v;ord chance. A defcription of all the charaders, 
 offices, and relationfhip of their deities, and the 
 abfurdities thence arifing, would furnifh the con- 
 tents for many volumes. But notwithftanding 
 all the abfurdities and delufions of pagan nations ; 
 ftill accounts of their grateful fenfe of favors and 
 apparent piety- — often call reproach on condu(ft 
 ■of nations, who glory in religion of a more con- 
 fiftent form and purer tendency. Seldom would 
 they undertake any important enterprife without 
 imploring the aid of fome deity. And feldom 
 did they experience any remarkable interpofition 
 in their favor — -without acknowledging their obli- 
 gations and manifefting their gratitude to fome 
 iuperior power. Many inftances occur, which 
 prove their belief of fome kind of a divine control 
 over the affairs of men, and evince their grateful 
 fenfe of favors. Let one among many be given, 
 ' — At a time, when the learned Cicero was confu! 
 in the Roman republic, we are informed, that 
 an extenfive con {piracy was planned, the objedt 
 of which was firfi: to take the life of Cicero and of 
 other diftinguifiied charaders ; to fire the city of 
 Rome ; and then feize on the government. On- 
 ly on the evening before the time appointed for 
 its execution, the whole confpiracy was difclofed 
 to Cicero through the information of a private 
 individual, who happened to gain knowledge of 
 it. Upon receiving intelligence of the contem- 
 
19 
 
 plated defign, Cicero Immediately adnpfed inch 
 efficient meafures to guard himfelf and the city^ 
 that the confpirators feared to commence theii 
 bloody work. The whole deilgn proved abor- 
 tive, and the city was faved. Now obferve the 
 condud of this Cicero, who had nothing but the 
 light of nature from v/hich to learn his religion^ 
 Though he had himfelf difplayed great wifdom 
 in his precautionary and defeniive arrangements j 
 and though love of applaufe was perhaps his 
 greatefl: failing ;— yet he appears convinced, ihac 
 the prefervation of the city depended on fome- 
 thing deeply concealed from human forefight. 
 He immediately affembles the ofEcers of govern- 
 ment, and, after defcribing in a moving and el- 
 oquent ftyle the imminent danger, to which 
 themfelves, their friends, and the city, had been 
 expofed, and alfo the means employed for the 
 public fafety ;— he very earneftly recommends a 
 public decree of thankfgiving to Jupiter for the 
 remarkable prefervation. Such a decree was ac- 
 cordingly pafled, a careful obfervance of which 
 he enjoins on the people univerfally. — And, if a 
 fignal prefervation of the Almighty among pagans 
 could excite their thankfulnefs to their imaginary 
 benefador, — to a fenfelefs image ; — fhall we, 
 after receiving by the intcrpofuion of that fame 
 Almighty Being fo great a favor as peace with 
 our enemies, and when, by light from Heaven, 
 %ve may read our obligations to this Being j-^ 
 fhall w^e neglect to raife to him the warme(» 
 gratitude of our hearts ? Should we negled to do 
 this, pagan nations not only ; but the brutal 
 world, and even inanimate creation would cry 
 
20 
 
 out againfl: us in the bittereft reproaches. For 
 even the ox knows his owner, and, if not treated 
 with the cruelty of fome inaftcrs, will dumbly 
 mean his gratitude lor kindnefs. And can man, 
 who calls his own rank among other beings ex- 
 alted, forget thankfully to acknowledge the daily 
 bleffipgs, and efpecially the iignal bleffings, which 
 he receives from his Beneiador, his Preferver, 
 his Creator ?- — Were goodnefs ncceflarily connect- 
 ed with high rank and exalted abilities, this coul4 
 not be the cafe. "Were man dif}3ofed to a6l a part 
 becoming the eminence, on which he ftands, he 
 could not refrain from manifefting his gratitude, 
 his reverence and love to the great Fountain of 
 every good. 
 
 in the higheft degree proper then is it, when 
 the welcome found of peace is again heard in our 
 land, that we fliould unitedly, publicly, and fin- 
 cerely exprefs our higheft gratitude to that God, 
 who has dlredcd the event. For God has ex- 
 prefsly informed us in the text, that he does make 
 peace. 
 
 The words, fele£led for the ^iredlon of our 
 thoughts, feem adapted to lead us to inquire, 
 
 I. In what manner God causes peace 
 
 BETWEEN NATIONS J WHICH WILL NATUR- 
 ALLY LEAD US, 
 
 II. To AN ENUMERATION OF THE GJlEAT- 
 T^ST ADVANTAGES OF THE RETURN OP 
 PEACE ; AND 
 
 III. To CONSIDER THEM AN ABUNDANT 
 CAUSE OF THANKSGIVING TO GoP. 
 
21 
 
 i. In what manner dols God cause 
 
 PEACE BETWEEN NATIONS ? 
 
 He caufes peace by giving a pacific dHpofition 
 to thoie, who dired: the public affairs of the na- 
 tions contending. That God does dire<5l the 
 hearts of men is one of the plaineft doctrines of 
 the Bible. " The king's heart is in the hand of 
 the Lord ; as the rivers of water, he turneth it 
 v/hitherfoever he will." To the fame effcdt it is 
 fftid, " The preparations of the heart in man, and 
 the anfwer of the tongue is from the Lord." 
 Thefe preparations of the heart to fuit his wife 
 defigns he caufes through the inftru mentality of 
 motives. The truth of this affertion is too evident 
 both from reafon and Revelation to need at this 
 time a particular proof. When two nations have 
 commenced hoftilities, if God fhould view them 
 ripe for defl:ru<5lion, he might with the grcateft 
 eafe fo balance their ftrength, their fuccefTes, and 
 their intereft, and, in this manner, fo continue 
 their hoftiledifpofition, that they would not kave 
 the conteft, till both were deftroyed. But, when 
 be fees fome greater good in view by fparing them 
 Hill longer, he fo orders events in his providence, 
 that the contending nations find their intereft in 
 being reconciled to each other. We can eaiily 
 conceive, that a fingle victory on one fide, and 
 ihe ccnfequent defeat on the other — might fo 
 operate on both fides as to be a fufficient motive 
 for the ceflation of hoftilities, and an amicable 
 fettlement of every fubjed: of contention. And, 
 in methods innumerable, and often nnfsen by 
 (iiortals, by prefenLing fufficient motives in the 
 arrangement of his providence, God often com- 
 pofes enrrv£<^d and contending nations to peace^ 
 
22 
 
 Thus IS he always the real, piimary caule, when- 
 ever peace is eflablifhed. 
 We are now led, 
 
 III. To AN ENUMERATION OF THE 
 GREATEST ADVANTAGES OF THE RETURN 
 
 OF PEACE. And, 
 
 I, Peace announces the cessation of a great loss 
 and expense of property^ ivJjich are always^ to a 
 greater or less degree ^ the consequence of a state of 
 war. 
 
 So long as our country continues its extenfive 
 commercial purfuits, whenever it is engaged in a 
 war, which endangers the immenfc property 
 fpread in times of peace over every feaand ocean, 
 fevere loflcs both public and private muft inevit- 
 ably follow. Much muft alfo be loft through 
 the want of employment for the mariner ; much 
 in the price of articles for exportation ; and much 
 in the decay of the vefTels defigned to convey 
 them. In other ways too numerous to be men^- 
 tioned,muft lofles be experienced in time of war. 
 
 No war can be maintained for any confiderable 
 length of time, unlefs by remarkably prudent 
 economy, v^rithhout Incurring an enormous ex- 
 pen fe. Armies and navies muft be fupported, 
 and numerous raeafures of defence adopted. But 
 peace brings with it the agreeable intelligence, that 
 luch fevere loffes may no longer be expected ; 
 that fuch extraordinary expe*.^fes are no longei 
 neceilary. 
 
 2. Peace amiounces the cessation of the extra- 
 ordinary work of death ^ which is the ijivariable 
 consequence of a state of war. 
 
During a ftate of hoftilities, great is the ex- 
 pofure of the heahh and the life. Sicknefs in the 
 camp and the fword on the field vie with each 
 other in the work of death. How deftru£live the 
 foldier's diet and habits arc to the heahh of thofe, 
 unaccuftomed to a military life, experience has 
 but too fadly proved. By indolence at one time^ 
 and exceflive fatigue at another ; by the want 
 of proper clothing and (belter from a northern 
 atmofphere ; by increafed vice at home, and 
 crowded, noifome prifons abroad ; by other 
 means arifmg from a ftate of war, too numerous 
 indeed to be diftindly mentioned, are thoufands 
 fuddcnly called from life. Many lives, and often 
 lives valuable to fociety, and perhaps none with- 
 out a mourner, muft be untimely ended. The 
 brave and valuable are often the moft expofed, 
 and many loffesof this kind, in a time of hoftil- 
 ities, a country muft expedl to fuftain. Hun- 
 dreds, in one fatal hour, are often hurried 
 thoughtlefs and unprepared into the eternal 
 world. A folemn reflection to a pious mind ? 
 But peace gives us the joyful information, that 
 fuch fcenes of untimely death are ended. — And 
 this leads me to obferve again, 
 
 3. T^hai the arrival of peace removes from many 
 a breast much painful anxiety. 
 
 In many parts ofoui country, during the late war, 
 and efpecially in fea-portSj painful indeed muft 
 have been the anxiety of thoufands for the fafety 
 of their property and their perfons. Frequent 
 and diftreffing was the alarm excited in many 
 places. Many were long compelled to confider 
 
^4 
 
 thci queiUon a doubifui one, whether anoiher rii'-^ 
 ing fun would difcover their property in ruins, 
 and theinfelves in the hands of an enemy. Sucli 
 a rtate nrjR be one of very painful anxiety. 
 
 Think how many thoufands are required to 
 compofe an army, or the armies of two contend- 
 ing nations, and are fubjecfted to the expofurc of 
 the dangers of war. And then think how many- 
 more thoufands, though not expofed to imme- 
 diate danger themfelves, are at home full of pain- 
 ful anxiety for the fafely of their abfent friends. 
 The found of every diftant cannon pierces fomc 
 tender mother's heart ; and perhaps a meffenger 
 muft foon inform her, that the father too was ill 
 the battle,-— fought bravely,— but — was not made 
 prifoner. How many anxioufly watch every 
 palling mail, every travelling ftranger, to learn, 
 whether a father, a brother, afon, a hurpand— 
 are prifoners in a diftant land, among the flain, 
 or ftill alive wath friends. During a period of 
 ^var, how many, wakeful at the filcnt, midnight 
 hour, view by imagination fome abfent relative 
 performing the fentinel's duty with only an in- 
 clement fky for his covering ; and perhaps too, 
 cautioufly picking his way among the dead around 
 him I Scenes like thefe are only the common 
 fcencs of war. And, when any have abfent 
 friends thus expofed, fo long as humanity re- 
 mains the fame, they cannot refrain from anxiety. 
 Painful is the anxiety endured for the return of 
 friends, who have long been expofed to ihe dan- 
 gers of war. How anxious to fee, whether they 
 return with all their limb?, or have left a part ia 
 a diftan: land ! How anxious to know, whether 
 
25 
 
 fevcre wounds have impaired their rcafon ! Bill 
 many mufl; wait the return of friends in vain. 
 Many can never enjoy even the painful fatisfac- 
 tion of viewing the earth, that covers their Hfe~ 
 lefs clay. But the return of peace removes all 
 that painful anxiety, which a ftatc of war un- 
 avoidably excites. 
 
 4. The return of peace presents our country with 
 an opportunity of resuming numerous employments^ 
 vuhich produce individual and national wealth and 
 happiness. 
 
 Numerous mechanical arts, peace will again 
 bring into exercife. The ihip-builder may again 
 prepare his tools ; the failor fwing his pack and 
 make for the water ; the merchant brufh his 
 Ihelves, and expe£l fome gain with every eaftern 
 breeze. Many produdions of our fertile foil, 
 Ivhich hax^e long remained inadive in the ftore- 
 houfe, will now folicit many hands to diftribute 
 them to the nations of the world. Soon fiiall 
 the trade winds again be wafting onward fome 
 American merchaadife ; and foon fhall every 
 tranfient breeze fill fome American fail. Again 
 may the millions of China be greatly afTifted in 
 the fupport of life by our receiving their pro- 
 dudions ; and again may the American farmer 
 feed the hungry European mechanicjand perhaps 
 be well paid for his kindnefs. Other ufeful and 
 profitable employments too numerous to be dif- 
 tindly mentioned will again prefent themfelves 
 to the hands of the laborer. 
 
 4 
 
26 
 
 5". Pddcc will have a tendency to diminish the 
 prevalence of vice and iminoraliiy. 
 
 The camp is always proverbial for wickednefs 
 of almoft every deicription. And the greater the 
 number there taught the principles of vice,andthe 
 longer they there remain, the more extenfive 
 and pernicious will be their example. In an 
 army, where few reftraints are impofed ; where 
 tnuch leifure is afforded ; and where are collcd:- 
 ed many charaders of the vileft ftamp ; fchemes 
 of wickednefs are matured, and carried to fuch 
 an alarming degree, as to bear away all the 
 bounds ofmoralltv, and even of common decen- 
 cy. If man is naturally inclined to evil, as the 
 Scriptures teach, and experience and obfervation 
 prove ; what fituation could be more deftrudive 
 to the morals and the happinefs of all, and ef- 
 pecially of volatile youth, than a familiar ac- 
 quaintance with fuch examples ? But the cef- 
 fation of hoftilities removes many a giddy youth 
 from fuch dcftrudive fcenes, and rcftores him to 
 the falutary influence of more virtuous fociety. 
 Thoufands will the return of peace doubtlefs ref- 
 cue from the fnares of fatan and the gulf of 
 ruin. 
 
 6. Peace presents the prospect of the advance- 
 ment of morality and religion. 
 
 It gives thoufands, who had long been de- 
 prived of the privilege, an opportunity of read- 
 ing the Scriptures, where they can do it without 
 difgrace and infult ; of regularly attending the 
 public worfliip of God, and the ordinances of re- 
 ligion. It recalls them from the fchool of vice. 
 
37 
 
 froiti the daily and deftriii^ilve inilaence of bad 
 examples to the fociety of thofe, by whom mo- 
 rality of conduct is more generally confidcrcd an 
 excellence. — Many, who have been much em- 
 barraiTcdin their pecuniary circumftances, will 
 now feel an ability more extenfively to fupport 
 the inftitiitions, and aid the caufe of religion. 
 Much more abundant generally will be the means 
 for promoting religion in our own, and in other 
 countries. Many obftrud:ions in the way of 
 fending the Gofpel to the deftitute abroad, by 
 the return of peace, will be removed. In ways 
 too numerous to be diftindly mentioned, will the 
 caufe of Chriftianity receive additional ftrength, 
 —And, as another happy confequence of the re- 
 turn of peace, may we not with much fatisfadiou 
 likcwifc mention, ^ 
 
 '7. The probable moderation of that moknt party-^ 
 spirit^ which has so unhappily distracted our 
 land ? 
 
 Now peace is reftored to Europe* and to this 
 country, except the war againft the piratical Al- 
 gerines, in which we all agree, what can remain, 
 and what fhall be allowed, to interrupt our po- 
 litical harmony ? In the general principles of 
 
 ■^ Since the above was written, Bonaparte has again ar- 
 rived in France, and warlike measures are in operation in 
 many parts of E*drope. Should a distressing war ensue, 
 we have much reason to believe, that the time of its con- 
 tinuance v/ill be short, and that Europe will soon again be 
 blessed with a universal peace. But, whether a war be suf- 
 fered long to distract the nations of Europe, or peace be 
 soon established, why need we be poisoned with their poli- 
 tics t Why need we cross the Atlantic to destroy our- 
 selves ? 
 
28 
 
 our form of government all agree. Why then 
 ihould animofities arife about particular favorite 
 men ? — We furely have great reafon to believe, 
 and it becomes us to indulge the belief with much 
 fatisfadion and thankfulncfs, that the prefent fit- 
 nation of our own country and of Europe will 
 be inftrumental of removing in a great meafure 
 thofe nominal political diftiniHiions, which have 
 heretofore created fo much unhappinefs. What is 
 there in our future profpedls, in which we may 
 not be agreed ? Why fliould the v^ell difpofed be 
 led aftray by the fidions of demagogues, and by 
 a mere found of words ? Let not the knov>^ledge 
 of a man's political name be conlidered the only 
 prerequifite in order to determine, whether he is 
 qualified to hold a public office. For it is certain, 
 that the general nominal diftindions ufed to de- 
 signate the parties, that have exifted, do not in- 
 variably mark the political creed of thofe, to 
 whom they have been applied. On many fub- 
 jeds, there is a material difference, which fads 
 have proved, in the fentiments of thofe confider- 
 ed of the fame party. But always let the firfl 
 inquiry refpeding a candidate for public office be 
 this ; Does Ms life prove ^ that he is actuated by tbs 
 true principles of Christianity f And then, Does 
 he possess other qualifications requisite for the ojice f 
 If piety and ability can be found united, and we 
 hope they can, no reafon can be given, why 
 thefe fliould not direift our public intereds; bul 
 many can be given, why they should. If our 
 happy Republic be deftined to deltrudion, \ti \l 
 be deflroyed by good men. But, under the di- 
 i'eclion of good men, It will cndiuc the fhock of 
 
29 
 
 ages without alarm or injury. For their fake it 
 would long be fpared. 
 
 But, if, upon certain fubjeds, there fhould 
 ftill remain a difference in opinion, can any rea- 
 fon be given, why this difference fliould inter- 
 rupt the fricndfhip and happinefs of fociety ? 
 Certainly none. It becomes us ever to remem- 
 ber, that others have the fame right to their opin- 
 ions, that we have to ours. AH have a civil right 
 to believe what they pieafe ; but, when furnifhcd 
 with all ncceffary evidence, no moral right to 
 believe any thing but truth. But, for the abufe 
 of the latter, we are not to account to civil author^ 
 ity ; but to God, who judgeth the heart. When- 
 ever politics is the fubjecfll: of converfation, it is 
 the duty of all ever to obferve the fame candor 
 and moderation, which are neceffary when con« 
 verfing upon any of the other concerns of life. 
 And to thofe, who defire to promote the peace 
 and happinefs of fociety, the obfervance of two, 
 fliort, and iimple rules, may not be altogether un- 
 profitable, Firft, Be sure never to advance any 
 thing fir truths which is not well known and es- 
 tablished as such; and fecondly. Make a law 
 iviih yourselves never to suffer passion to rise in the 
 least degree.— But the mention of every advan- 
 tage refulting from the return of peace need not; 
 be expe£led at the prefent time. What have 
 been mentionedj if the mod prominent and dif- 
 tinguifhed, it is hoped, will lead the mind to the 
 reft. 
 
 It becomes the object of this day as well, as 
 regard for the recommendation of the Prefident^ 
 v;hile we make the bl'^iling of peace the burden 
 
30 
 
 of our fong of pralfe, not to forget the former 
 goodnefs of God towards our native land.— He 
 guided and fupported our fathers while feeking a 
 retreat from oppreffion. He taught the foreft 
 and the moft ftubborn favage to bow before them. 
 He enabled the country in the days of its youth 
 to maintain the rights of men. He gave us a 
 Wafhington, the defender of freedom, the phi- 
 lanthropift, the chriftian, the boaft of his coun- 
 try. It was from the great Fountain, that wif- 
 d©m was received for the formation of a conftitu- 
 tion of government, which, though doubtlefs im- 
 perfe^:, has long excited the envy and the admi- 
 ration of the world. — -In the late war, in which 
 we have been engaged, he has remarkably pre- 
 fervcd the lives of our citizens, and blefled their 
 exertions in defending our territory, the precious 
 inheritance from our fathers. 
 
 All thefe favors may well lead us to our 
 
 III. Subject of consideration, viz. 
 
 THAT THEY ARE AN ABUNDANT CAUSE OF 
 THANKSGIVING TO GoD. 
 
 We have feen, that he is the Author of peace 
 with all its attendant bleffings. We have feen 
 how great are the advantages attending the wel- 
 come return of peace. Many of thefe have been 
 mentioned. And even for which one of them, 
 could we refrain to manifed to God our thank— 
 fulnefs ? Who would not confidcr it a benefit tO) 
 have the great expenfes ceafe, which arife fromi 
 aftate of war? Surely every one muft confider this 
 alone as fufiicient caufe for unfeigned gratitude. 
 
# 32 
 
 It certainly becomes all to rejoice at any evenr, 
 which has a tendency to moderate that excellive 
 political zeal, which has produced fo much evil 
 in our country. — Great indeed will the favor be 
 efteemed by our citizens univerfally, and cfpe- 
 cially by many deftitute fuiFerers, that they are 
 again permitted to refume their accuftomed oc- 
 cupations. — That our nation is again free from 
 the painful anxiety of war ; that itg difmal found 
 is no longer heard ; that we are relieved from 
 diftrefling fear for the fafety of our perfons, out 
 property, our friends, and our country, is wor- 
 thy of our grateful remembrance,— -Moft willing 
 indeed (hould be our thank-offering, that God 
 has been pleafed, by the return of peace, to length- 
 en out the lives of many of our countrymen. And 
 a greater, far greater caufe of thankfgiving is it 
 ftill, if, by this event, the prevalence of vice is 
 diminiflied, and morality and religion increaf- 
 cd. — If each of the favors mentioned is worthy to 
 excite our fmceie gratitude to him, who is the 
 primary Author of peace ; how great fhould be 
 our tribute of thankfgiving to him for all thefe 
 favors united ? For all thefe unmerited bleffings 
 let us enter his gates with thankfgiving, and his 
 courts with praife. O praife the Lord, for he is 
 good, and his mercy endurcth forever. Biefs 
 the Lord, O our fouls. 
 
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