OVERTON’S SERMON—-BULMER’S SERMONs 
calling upon you, as wise men, to judge of 
what we say. I am no friend to the unsea- 
sonable intrusion of even useful and mo- 
mentous truths: Iam no advocate for dog- 
matism and presumption. But Lam equally 
hostile to that temporizing spirit which, un- 
der the specious names of prudence, catholic- 
ism, and moderation, would leave the world 
in ignorance concerning the object of wor- 
ship, the rank of Christ, the terms of salva- 
tion, and the final destiny of man. Detest- 
a be the attempt to seek or preserve a sliort- 
lived popularity, to gain the suffrages of ig- 
norance or the applauses of prejudice, by 
the use of words which are thought to ex- 
press, but which in reality do not express, 
nay which are known by us not to express 
aur views of evangelic doctrine !_ These arti- 
175 
fices are utterly inconsistent with christian 
simplicity and godly sincerity ; and, verily, 
they who practise them have their reward— 
a base ignoble reward, far unlike the solid 
recompense which awaits the men who are 
the fearless patrons of dishonored truth. It 
is in vain to allege that all Christians agree 
in the belief of points essential to salvation, 
and that there are wise and virtuous men of 
every persuasion. This, I grant, is a forci- 
ble plea for candid behaviour towards those 
whose creed ditlers from our own; but it 
cannot be admitted as valid in defence of 
that indolence which refuses to inquire, of 
that timidity which fears to state the issue 
of its inquiry, or of that disingenuousness 
which handles deceitfully the word of God.” 
Arar. XLITL. The Duty of Britons, at the present awful Crisis of their Country, a Sermon 
preached August 7, 1803.. By Joan Overton, 4. M. Rector of St. Margaret and St. 
Crux, York. 
FROM 1 Chron. xix. 13. the preacher 
recommends to his countrymen, in the 
midst of the dangers by which they 
are threatened, “ humble’ confidence, 
vigorous exertion, and pious resigna- 
tion.”? Inorder that they “‘ may cherish 
a humble confidence that all will yet be 
ultimately well with them, he exhorts 
them to reflect on the goodness of our 
cause, on the goodness of our God; 
on the degree of true religion yet re- 
maining in the nation; and, on what 
God has already done for us, and by 
our means.” Of the exertions which 
are requisite he says, ‘© We must be va- 
liant against sin, valiant in prayer; 
chearfally contribute our pecuniary and 
personal aid ; and, in general, must each 
Svo. pp. 32. 
of us, according to our various talents 
and opportunities, do our utmost for the 
public advantage. The wicked must 
reform, the rightcous must intercede, 
the rich must contribute, the wise must 
deliberate, and the strong must fight. 
Our purses, our persons, our hearts, 
heads and hands, all our faculties, and 
all our energies, must be exerted in the 
cause.” 
Although this discourse claims not 
the praise which is due to eloquence, 
it breathes a loyal, a patriotic, and a 
pious spirit, and is well adapted to serve 
the important purpose for which it was 
originally preached, and is now given 
to the public. 
Art. XLIV. The National Defence, a Sermon, preached in the Parish Churches of 
Wainfleet, All Saints, and Thorpe, in the County of Lincoln, on Sunday, August 7, 1803. 
By the Rev. Peter Burmer, A. B. Vicar of Thorpe, Sc. Svo. pp. 16. 
«“ THE object of this discourse,” we 
are told, “ was to impress the minds of 
the hearers, especially those of the lower 
class, with a just sense of the present 
critical state of the country ; and by 
pointing out the wisdom and necessity of 
the measures which have been sanction- 
ed by the legislature, for the general de- 
fence and security of the realm, to ani- 
mate them to prompt and vigorous exer- 
tions in assisting to carry such measures 
mo 
if 
oy 
§ 
5 
into execution.”’ This object is highly 
laudable, and the means adopted to se- 
cure it are deserving of much commen- 
dation. The text. which the preacher 
has selected, is Nehemiah iv. 14. “ Be 
not afraid of them; remember the Lord 
who is great and terrible, and fight 
for your brethren, your sons and your 
daughters, your wives and your houses.” 
Animated by a truly British spirit, zea- 
lous for the honour of his country, and 
the interests of mankind, he describes 
in strong and glowing language, the 
atrocious character of our insolent foe ; 
he points out the duties which are incum- 
bent on his countrymen ; he directs them 
whence to gain strength in their present 
difficulties, and animates them to meet 
and to repel the dangers with which 
they are menaced. We are not sur- 
prized that “ its effect, at the time of its 
delivery, was such as to induce a wish 
that its usefulness might be farther ex- 
tended by means of the press.” 
