nishment of this great Benefaction, every addition will henceforth have its effect; after the refreshment of this plentiful fhower over all the dry ground, the very drops of rain will water the earth. Wherefore it is our part always on this Anniversary meeting to return thanks to God for this and all other Benefactors, with earnest prayers, that he would daily add to their number.

It is high time, more than time, I should come to a conclufion: which I fhall do, after having added these few words relating to this our folemn meeting. A pleasant thing it is, the more pleasant because rare, to behold bre thren to dwell together in unity. But to behold them to testify their unity by affembling in the houfe of God, is moreover a bleffed thing. We read, that in Solomon's Temple at the feaft of its Dedication, when, the Levites, accompany'd with an hundred and twenty Priefs, lifted up their voice with 2 Chron. trumpets and cymbals, and inftruments of mufick, to praise the Lord; how it came to pafs, as they were one, to make one found to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, that then the house was filled with a cloud. We, a like assembly, Priests and Levites with our brethren, are met together in this Temple of our Jerufalem: and we have

V. 12, 13.

5

lifted

lifted up our united voices, we have been as one, in praifing the Lord. Great is this House, and glorious is this Worship, which hath herein been now made unto him. Is there any thing on this fide Heaven? I know not any thing, to be compared to what our eyes have seen, and our hands have offered up unto the Lord this day? Doubt ye not therefore, but that he favourably accepts us and our offering; and that his bleffing actually rests upon us, tho' wrapt up and covered in a cloud. And after that it fhall be fealed to us by him, who is appointed to lift up his Ecclus. 1. hands over the congregation, to give the blef.20. fing of the Lord, let us depart hence to the house of feasting: there let us perfect this our folemn Feast-day, by adding to thefe offices of piery, temperance; and to temperance, charity. But let us take heed that no pot be feen in this our feast of Charity. And then may we depart unto our tents, as the people did from the feast of Dedication, glad and merry of heart for all the goodness the Lord shall have fhewed unto us this day.

FINIS.

A

SERMON

Preached to the

SOCIETIES

FOR

Reformation of Manners,

ΑΤ

St. Mary-le-Bow,

ΟΝ

Monday January the 4th, 1724.

By the Right Reverend FATHER in GOD EDWARD Lord Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield.

LONDON:

Printed for JAMES KNAPTON, at the Crown in St. Paul's Church-Tard. MDCCXXIV. Price Four-Pence.