no man can know its doom, if there be any hope, it is only in the way of repentance, reformation, and earnest prayer.

This appears the only way of hope on two accounts:

1. National sin has a direct tendency, in its own nature, to weaken and destroy a nation. It is the deadly disease of a body politic which will destroy it, without the hand of an executioner. It spreads corruption, injustice, treachery, discord, confusion, cowardice, through a nation; and it destroys public spirit, the love of our country, unanimity, courage, and all the social and heroic virtues which naturally tend to strengthen, defend, and advance a people. Now, repentance, reformation, and prayer, is the proper cure for this disease; it purges out these internal principles of death, and implants and cherishes the opposite principles of virtue and life. But this is not all; for,

2. Repentance, reformation, and prayer, is the only method to turn away the displeasure of God, and obtain his favour and protection. Sin brings on a people the curse of a provoked God; and under this they fade and wither away, like a blasted flower, or a tree struck by lightning from heaven. But if it be possible to remove it, and obtain the divine favour, it is only by deep humiliation before him, by a thorough reformation from those sins that provoke him, and by earnest cries for mercy. The light of nature taught the men of Nineveh that this was the only way of hope; and revelation assures us of the very same thing. It is only to the penitent that the promises of deliverance are made; and without repentance, we have no possible claim to them. Deliverances are generally answers to prayer; and therefore without earnest prayer we cannot expect them. National judgments are inflicted for national sins, and therefore reformation from national sins. is the only hopeful way to escape them.

Therefore, my brethren, let us betake ourselves to this only method of hope. Let us deeply humble ourselves before God; "let us cry mightily to him-and let us turn every one from our evil ways;" and then, "who can tell but God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce. anger, that we perish not?"

But in all my exhortations of this kind, I remember that repentance and reformation is the duty of fallen creatures; of creatures so depraved and feeble, that they are not able, of themselves, so much as to apply the remedy. If you attempt this work with the pride of imaginary self-sufficiency, you may be sure disappointment will be the consequence. Therefore remember, that it is the Holy Spirit of God alone that is the author of a thorough repentance and effectual reformation. It is he alone that can effectually convince the world of sin. If he be absent, legislators may make laws against vice, philosophers may reason, ministers may preach, nay, conscience may remonstrate, the divine law may prescribe and threaten, the gospel may invite and allure; but all will be in vain; all will not produce one true penitent. The strongest arguments, the most melting entreaties, the most alarming denunciations, from God and man, enforced by the highest authority, or by the most compassionate tears, all will have no effect; all will not effectually reclaim one sinner, nor gain one sincere proselyte to righteousness; Paul, Apollos, and Cephas, with all their apostolical abilities, can do nothing to the purpose without the Spirit. Paul may plant, and Apollos water; but God alone can give the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, nor he that watereth; they are both nothing together; but God who giveth the increase (1 Cor. iii. 7) is all in all. Till the Spirit be poured forth from on high, says Isaiah, briers and thorns shall come up upon the land of my people; i. e.,

that their country shall be laid waste, and be made a mere wilderness of briers and thorns, by the ravages of war; or the people themselves shall be like briers and thorns, fruitless, noxious, and troublesome. In this language the prophet Micah describes the same people; the best of them is as a brier; the most upright is sharper than at thorn-hedge. (Micah vii. 4.) Such shall they continue, until the Holy Spirit be poured forth upon them from on high. But when the happy time comes, "then the wilderness shall be a fruitful field; then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness shall remain in the fruitful field." This effusion of the Spirit shall put an end to the desolation of war, and establish them in the possession of lasting and extensive peace; for, as it is there added, the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the native effect of righteousness shall be quietness and assurance for ever; and my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet restingplaces. (Isaiah xxxii. 13, 18.) You see, my brethren, of how much importance and necessity the Spirit is to produce a reformation, and that blessed peace and security, both personal and national, both within and without, which is the effect of it!

And how are we to expect his sacred influences? Or in what way may we hope to attain them? The answer is, Pray for them: pray frequently, pray fervently. "Lord, thy Spirit! Oh give thy Spirit! that is the blessing I want; the blessing which families, and nations, and the whole human race want." Pray in your retirements; pray in your families; pray in societies appointed for that purpose; pray in warm ejaculations; pray without ceasing, for this grand fundamental blessing. Hear what encouragement Christ has given to prayer in this particular, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find ;

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knock, and it shall be opened unto you. If ye being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give his Holy Spirit to them that ask him!" Luke xi. 9-13. Endeavour to repent in this humble, self-diffident manner, and you may hope it will at least avail to your eternal salvation; and who knows but it may avail also to turn away the fierce anger of God from your country and nation?

SERMON LXIII.

THE CURSE OF COWARDICE.

JER. XLVIII. 10.-Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully; and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.

NOTHING can be more agreeable to the God of Peace, than to see universal harmony and benevolence prevail among his creatures, and he has laid them under the strongest obligations to cultivate a pacific temper towards one another, both as individuals and as nations. Follow peace with all men, is one of the principal precepts of our holy religion. And the great Prince of Peace has solemnly pronounced, Blessed are the peacemakers.

But when, in this corrupt, disordered state of things, where the lusts of men are perpetually embroiling the world with wars and fightings, throwing all into confusion; when ambition and avarice would rob us of our

* Preached to the militia of Hanover county, in Virginia, at a general muster, May 8, 1758, with a view to raise a company for Captain Samuel Meredith.

At the close of this discourse the quota for the company was immediately filled up, and the Captain was obliged to refuse the names of many more persons who offered to enlist. From the muster ground Mr. Davies went to the tavern to get his horse, when the whole regiment, following, pressed around him to catch every word he uttered. Seeing their desire, he stood on the tavern porch and again addressed them until he was exhausted.

[EDITOR OF THE BOARD OF PUBLICATION.]