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AN EXHORTATION TO NATIONAL GRATITUDE.

A Sermon

PREACHED

AT ST. JAMES'S CHURCH,

LATCHFORD, WARRINGTON,

Oct. 25th, 1809,

In commemoration of the 49th Anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the
Throne of these Realms, and the commencement of the

Fiftieth Year of his Reign.

BY THE

REV. SOLOMON PIGGOTT, A. M.

PERPETUAL CURATE.

PUBLISHED BY PARTICULAR REQUEST.

WARRINGTON:

Printed by J. HADDOCK, Horse-Market;

And sold by HATCHARD, 190, Piccadilly, London;
and by all the Booksellers in Liverpool, Manchester,
Warrington and Nottingham.

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1 SAM. xii. 24, 25.

Consider how great things He hath done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed both ye and your King.

THIS

day, our venerable and beloved Monarch enters into the fiftieth year of his reign. From his accession to the present anniversary, he has proved himself the father of his people, "the light”* and glory of Britain, and the defender of our religion. How cold and insensible then must that heart be, which does not send up to heaven its most grateful praises on so joyful and animating an event!

Under his benign sway, many of us have passed through infancy and grown up to manhood, and some of us are approaching old age. What is the life of man but a vapour? What is the condition of kingdoms, after a few years? They pass away and are known no more. Where are

* 2 Sam. xxi. 17.

the empires so renowned in ancient story? Scarce a vestige remains of their existence. Where are the principalities and dominions which, a few years since, shared the continent of Europe, and so nicely adjusted the political balance of the whole? All, all are swallowed up in the wild tumult, confusion and distraction, attendant upon the victorious progress of infidelity and despotism. But this kingdom, like a solitary rock amidst the wide waste of an overwhelming deluge, still stands entire. We look back and can scarcely believe, that amid the fall of kings and kingdoms, the revolution of states, and the devastations of lengthened wars, England should still be safe and glorious, yea more safe and glorious than ever, that our King should still live, and that he has kept his seat upon the throne of these kingdoms, notwithstanding all the shocks and convulsions around him, for half a century! Consider with me, my countrymen, what great things God has done for us. Come, magnify the Lord with me, and let us praise his name together." But let us" rejoice with trembling." Such great mercies demand great gratitude and exemplary obedience. Let us not presume-let us remember, that if we still do wickedly, we shall after all "be destroyed both we and our king."

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But it animates our hopes for this land, that Britain is thankful for her mercies. What a

reviving sight to every considerate mind, to

behold a nation this day, humbled on its knees, in devout thanksgivings for the great things God has done for us! O that there were in all the sons of Britain, a heart deeply impressed with a sense of their obligations, and of the great need we all have, individually, to prostrate ourselves before God, in gratitude for his mercies and supplication for the continuance of them:-Then we need not fear combined hosts of enemies ; God would make our worst foes to be at peace with us, to reverence and honour us, and " and "glory should dwell in our land."

In calling upon you to "consider what great things' God has done for you," Lexhort you-to be thankful for the blessings you enjoy in this land under such a paternal king, and so mild and equitable a government, to trace the hand of God in his interpositions in behalf of these kingdoms, and to admire the mercy of God in continuing to us, under such an exemplary monarch and excellent a constitution, the pure religion of Jesus Christ, and the free worship of God.

May the Almighty, by his Spirit, dispose us to attend with seriousness and gratitude to these important considerations.

First. Be thankful for the many blessings you enjoy in this favoured land.

Compare your condition in this privileged country with that of the wandering savage amid

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