My brethren, I dare not think that there is; for to say nothing of that acknowledged profligacy which is rife in all our large towns, when I only consider what falls within the limits of my own observation, within the bounds of this single parish; when I reflect upon the many offences daily committed against God, the swearing that we hear on every side, the drinking that is indulged in,-the sabbath-breaking to which it often leads, and the profanation of which it increases and aggravates,the bad words spoken, the bad deeds allowed,the backbiting and quarrels so frequent in occurrence, -when I think of the neglect of parents in not training up their families in the way wherein they ought to go, and of the consequences of such neglect, in the disobedience of children,-in the growing up of sons and daughters to be the shame and sorrow of their parents;-when I think of the frequent falls of our young women from the path of virtue, of the shameless and scandalous lives of some of our men;-when (I say) the thought of these things crosses my mind; and when I consider that what is going on here, is going on in every village throughout England; when at the same time I recollect what God says of Himself in Holy Scripture that He is so holy that he charges His angels with folly that the very "heavens are not clean in his sight;" that He cannot bear to look upon iniquity ;

I come to the conclusion, that so far from being in a position to claim any exemption (on account of superior merit) from the chastisement that has overtaken our brethren in Ireland, we have need to confess, that we are most justly deserving of it; that if the Almighty were to be "extreme to mark what we have done amiss," we could not abide it; that it is only owing to His infinite compassion and mercy that " we are not altogether consumed." "Suppose ye," are our Lord's words, " that those Galileans, were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you nay: but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish.” Yes; this is the alternative, the merciful alternative, that is still offered to us; may we have grace to lay hold upon it, and to exercise ourselves therein; as the surest method to obtain, and secure, God's forfeited protection; may we have grace to repent both as individuals and as members of a great nation.

As a nation, as forming a part of a large whole, we are engaged in the work (the wholesome and necessary work) of repentance to-day. The priests,

-the ministers of the Lord,-are at this hour standing in every church throughout England, to offer up the collected prayers of their several congregations. The general confession of the country's sin; the general resolution of the people to forsake it,

has gone up before God, an offering-we may not doubt it-acceptable in His sight. So far we have done well but let us not rest satisfied with this single act of duty; let us not suppose that our humiliation is complete, our repentance finished, because we have for one day stopped in the middle of our six days worldly toil, and stood still to commune with the Lord our God. No: national repentance is an object most truly to be desired; but national repentance to be of any effect,―to be serviceable for remedying the national distress,— must be followed by national amendment. "When God's judgments are in all the earth, then shall the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

Such amendment, such learning of righteousness must begin with, and be carried on separately in each individual heart. Therefore let me in conclusion, urge this upon you, as the sum and substance of this day's solemnity, the necessity of walking more humbly and more closely with God, and more charitably with our neighbours; for which cause let us search out our ways, and turn unto the Lord; let us, one and all, seek to know each the plague of his own heart; let us look well and narrowly into ourselves; let us see what are our besetting sins-what are our peculiar failings-what are the evil habits to which we are most addictedwhat in short it is that separates between us and

God Is it pride? Is it sensuality? Is it anger? Is it readiness to take offence? Is it evil speaking? Is it an envious and jealous temper? Is it uncharitableness? Is it covetousness? Is it indifference to religious duties? Is it the neglect, the allowed neglect of any ordinance of God, any means of grace? Is it one, or more, or many of these things? Let conscience decide: and let us act upon her decision; in what point she convicts us of having sinned; there let humiliation,-there let repentance be applied; let us put away from us the evil thing;- long as we may have indulged in it-strong as its hold may be upon us-let us put it away-— let us loose its yolk from off our necks; for it is an accursed thing and destructive to our real peace. We cannot keep our sins, and yet keep ourselves in the love of Christ.

Let us then " purge out the old leaven, the leaven of malice and wickedness," and turn unto the Lord with our whole hearts. It is not an easy work that we have to do this work of self-reformation; but it is one for the performance of which we have God's promise of the strongest help—the help of His Holy Spirit; and moreover it is a work best suited, as a discipline for our souls, and as a remedy for the present necessity.

God, who as the scriptures show us, once at the fervent entreaty of a single righteous man, stayed

His avenging arm, and turned a season of three years drought into one of fertility and plenty, will not, we may trust, be less graciously disposed towards us, if we come before Him" with the preparation of a clean heart and a right mind;" He will surely hear our cry, and fulfil our desire; He will, as in the days of old, again bid the earth bring forth her fruit; He will open His hand in love and fill all things living with plenteousness. He will because he has promised it in these words: "If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways; then will I hear from Heaven and forgive their sin, and will heal this land."

Little Hadham, March 24th, 1847.