The Imminent Danger and the Only Sure Resource of This Nation # 2

The Imminent Danger and the Only Sure Resource of This Nation # 2

The rivers of human blood, and all the calamities and horrors which overspread a great part of the Continent, the distant report of which is sufficient to make our ear tingle, are all to be ascribed to this cause. God is not acknowledged; yes, in some places, He has been formally disowned and renounced. Therefore, God sometimes leaves men left to themselves - their furious passions are unchained, and they are given up, without restraint, to the lusts of their own evil hearts! A more dreadful judgment than this, cannot be inflicted on this side of hell. "Ephraim is joined to idols leave him alone" (Hosea 4:17).

And, though we are still favored with peace at home, the dreadful storm is at no great distance; it seems to be moving our way, and we have reason to fear that it may burst upon us. But I would be thankful for the appointment of this day; for I should think the prospect dark indeed, if I did not rely on the Lord's gracious attention to the united prayers of those who fear and trust Him, and who know it is equally easy to Him either to save or to destroy, by many or by few. (1 Sam. 14:6). Our fleets and armies may be well appointed and well commanded; but, without His blessing to defend us. He can take wisdom from the wise, and courage from the bold, in the moment when they are most needful. He can disable our forces by sickness or dissension; and, by His mighty wind, He can dash our ships to pieces against the rocks, against each other, or sink them like lead in the mighty waters! "Who is there who speaks and it happens - unless the Lord has ordained it?" (Lam. 3:37).

Our Lord and Saviour, when speaking of the eighteen upon whom the tower of Siloam fell and slew them, said to the Jews, "Those 18 that the tower in Siloam fell on and killed - do you think they were more sinful than all the peoples who live in Jerusalem? No, I tell you! But unless you repent, you will all perish as will!" (Luke 13:4-5). May the application of these words sink deeply into our hearts! It will not befit us to say, either to God or man, that "we have indeed sinned - but there are greater sinners than ourselves." It is true, the French Convention, and many others who are infatuated by the same spirit, have exceeded the ordinary standard of human impiety and cruelty. But I hope there are multitudes in that nation, who, though they are overawed by their oppressors, and dare not speak their sentiments, yet are mourning in secrecy and silence, for the abominations which they cannot prevent. But the French have not sinned against such advantages as we possess. They were long the slaves of despotic power, and the dupes of superstition; and of late they have been the dupes of fools, assuming the name of philosophers.

We, on the contrary, were born and educated in a land distinguished from all the nations of the earth, by the eminent degree in which we enjoy civil and religious liberty, and the light of gospel truth. These privileges exceedingly aggravate our sins; and no comparison, in this respect, can be formed between us and other nations, until we can find a people who have been equally favored, for an equal length of time, by the providence of God - and have likewise equaled us in disobedience and ingratitude!

The most dreadful enormities committed in France, are no more than specimens of what human depravity is capable of - when circumstances admit of its full exertion, and when the usual boundaries and restrictions necessary to the peace and welfare of civil society, are judicially removed. The influence of daring infidelity and profligate example, aided by the peculiar state of their public affairs, have broken, in many instances, the strongest ties of social and relative life, and extinguished the common feelings of humanity!

Yet the unhappy French, though our inveterate enemies, are not the proper objects of our hatred or our scorn - but rather of our pity. They know not what they do! Let us pray for them. Who can tell But God, to whom all things are possible, and whose mercies are higher than the heavens, may grant also them repentance! And let us pray for ourselves, that we may be instructed and warned by their history - for, by nature, we are no better than they!

1. But it is time to attend more immediately to our own concerns. The professed purpose of our meeting today, is to "humble ourselves before Almighty God, and to send up our prayers and supplications to the Divine Majesty, for obtaining pardon of our sins, and for averting those heavy judgments which our manifold sins have most justly deserved; and imploring His blessing and assistance on our military, and for restoring and perpetuating peace, safety, and prosperity to Himself and to His kingdoms." I hope these expressions accord with the language and desire of our hearts.

~John Newton~

(continued with # 3)