APPENDIX. 4²9

uſe of the divine forbearance. We have hitherto had reafon to fing gf mercy as well as judgment. Let us not, by our abuſe of his goodneſs, provoke him to pour forth upon us the full vials of his penal wrath. With an ingenuous ſorrow and ſelf-abaſement we ſhould acknowlege our aggravated tranſgreſ- ſions, our neglect and abuſe of the privileges and advantages we have ſo long epnjoyed, the contempt that hath been caſt on his glorious goſpel, and the prophaneneſs and diſſoluteneſs of manners, which hath ſo much prevailed. On theſe accounts, let us humble ourſelves deeply before God, and implore his mercy, and contribute, as far as in us lieth, to the carrying on a work of national repentance and reformation. It is un-

doubtedly our duty, in the preſent conjuncture of affairs,

when we ſeem to be entering upon an hazardous and expenſive war, to exert our utmoſt efforts for aſſiſting and ſupporting the government, aad to apply curſelves to the uſe ot all pro- per means which human prudence may ſuggeſt. But ftill we muſt get this fixed upon our minds, that whatever projeéts may be formed for procuring national advantages, and promot- ing the public proſperity, all other expedients to make a people flouriſh without reformation of manners, and without the know- lege and practice of religion, and public virtue, however they may ſeem to have an effect for a while, will, in the iſſuc, prove ineffectual and vain.

The moſt proper way we can take to avert impending judg- ments, to preſerve and maintain our valuable privileges, and promote the public welfare and happineſs, is not to expreſs a clamorous zeal for liberty at the ſame time that we abuſe it to an unreſtrained lcentiouſneſs, than which nothing hath a greater tendency, both through the righteous judgment of God, and in the nature of the thing, to deprive us of our liberties; but it is to endeavour to make a juſt and wiſe improvement ot our advantages, to maintain a ſtrict regard to religion, Probity, and purity of manners, and to guard againſt vice, liber ti Brophaneneſs and dobauchery. This, and this alone, will pre- ſerve us a free, a flouriſhing, and happy people. God grant that this may be the bleſſing of theſe nations to the lateſt poſte- rity; and that we may long enjoy the light of the gloriose Goſpel of Chriſt ſhining among us in its genuine purity, and the ineſtimable advantage of a freedom to profeſs it, and to worſhip God according to the directions of his word, and the dictates of our own conſciences, without being expoſed to per- ſecuting rage and violence! Happy nations that we ſtill are t if we be bur duly ſenſible of our happineſs! and careful to

make