his holy name may be established and reverenced on earth, that his superintending providence may be recognised, and that a conviction of his goodness, justice, and power, may prevail to influence the heart-this, brethren, should be more and more in our hearts, to influence, and to regulate our actions. In the cultivation and practice of these righteous and holy principles, that they " may have free course and abound," we must never be slack. As they were abiding principles in the heart of the youthful Israelite, and enabled him to go forth and to conquer "in the name of the Lord of hosts;" so are they to be recommended unto, so ought they to be admired and adopted by the bravest spirits of the present day, even by those whose enlisted and bounden duty it is to fight the battles of their country, to be her safeguard and defence against every insulting enemy.

But, alas brethren, on this subject what shall we say? In all truth and sober

ness, and as the real state of the case is known unto God, what, alas! must the answer be? Sad indeed is it to reflect, that whilst there exists none occasion to impeach, or to suspect the personal courage of the British soldier, who is equally expert with the warriors of Israel, to use the weapons of his warfare skilfully;-pity, we say, it is, that David's example in other respects is not followed, that his humbleness of mind and piety of heart are not likewise adopted. David going forth to fight the Philistine knew full well that he was not less under the eye of the all-seeing God, than he was when tending "his father's sheep at Bethlehem."

Such, my brethren, is this incontrovertible truth; it is this restraining and wholesome recollection, which the more and the more it is cherished, so will it render the individual of any profession more and more distinguished, more useful to his country, more happy in him

self. 66

Righteousness exalteth a nation : but sin is a reproach to any people."

David was not ashamed to own that he put his trust in God. He was neither ashamed, nor afraid to refer the success of his undertakings to the all-wise and supreme decision of Heaven. The word of our God does indeed condemn the vainglorious confidence, the carnal self-sufficiency, which would ascribe all to a perishing arm of flesh, and to that imperfect wisdom which, with all its searching, cannot indubitably find out "what shall be on the morrow?"

Nebuchadnezzar, for his arrogance and pride, and taking too much upon himself, was punished, as we know, in a very remarkable manner, and was thereby taught the holy lesson, and brought to make that right confession, which may well become the lips, and influence the plans of the wisest and most fortunate of the sons of men. "I Nebuchadnezzar lifted

7 Prov. xiv. 34.

up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou ?" 8

"Sanctify, then, the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary."9 Let the humility and piety, the patriotic devotion, and the calm courage of David, be yours, my brethren. These are graces and acquirements of an enduring character, and of an imperishable excellence; they shall challenge the respect even of your enemies; they shall procure for you the esteem

8 Dan. iv. 34, 35.

9 Isa. viii. 13, 14.

and friendship of all good men; and what is of much more importance, they shall obtain for you the approbation and

66 God.

favour of
your
Psalmist tell us, "the

For," as the

Lord loveth the

thing which is right he forsaketh not his that be godly, but they are preserved for ever."1 O remember we, that human strength, and bodily courage, and carnal wisdom, however now triumphant, and praised, and exalted, cannot of themselves set their possessors above the thousand accidents to which our flesh is heir, or free the guilty soul from the stings and horrors of an accusing con

science.

There is no station, or rank, or calling in life in which the Christian, if so be he knows anything of the doctrines of this Gospel, can feel himself independent of that all-pervading power and consummate knowledge, which extends even to the numbering of the very hairs of our

1 Ps. xxxvii. 28.