536 A REFORMATION SERMON. ri.ls you run. here . are :almost infinitely less than those which attend the wars of nations, where the cause is not half so divine. The fields of battle in Flanders, and almost all over Europe, have drunk up the blood of mil- lions, and have furnished graves for large armies ; but it can hardly be said that you have hitherto resisted unto blood striving against sin ;" Heb. xii. 4. In a war of more than twelve years continuance there has but one man fallen. The providence of God has put helmets of salvation upon your heads. Some of you can relate wonders ofdeliverance and safety, when you have been beset by numbers, and their rage has kindled into reso- lutions of revenge : the Lord has taken away their cou- rage in a moment, the " men of might have not found their hands ; thus he has caused even the wrath of man to praise him, and the remainder of wrath he bath re- strained :" Ps. lxxvi. 5, 10. Read over this psalm, and with divine valour pursue the fight. But if your -life should he lost_ in such a cause as this, it will be esteemed martyrdom in the sight of God, and shall be thus written down in the book of the wars of the Lord. Believe me, .these red lines will look well in the records of heaven, when the judgment shall be set, and the books opened in the face.of men and angels. The FOURTH head of my discourse shall address you with some hints of encouragement, and I shall not much - enlarge upon them, since a review of the excellent ser- mons that have been published on this occasion may .administer to you more spirits and vigour to promote this ,reforming work, this war with national iniquities. Con - sider, First, What abundant success you have already had in these pious labours ; you have seen part of your hopes already accomplished. Wickedness is put out of coun- tenance : Impiety is not so public as once it was, nor religion so much affronted : We may now walk the whole length of the city, and our ears not be afflicted with one oath or blasphemy. There are not so many violations of decency in the streets, nor inroads upon modesty and hónour. Virtue is not so much ashamed ..to appear ás once it was, nor afraid to wear its own co- lours. The .remainder of your work is attended with greater ease.: You, have been successful in the first on- set, proceed then with pleasure, and finish the glorious
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