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God, manifesting his Wonderful
Works to Seamen.

THE SECOND

SERMON,

TO THE

Sailors employed in the Whale Fisheries:

PREACHED AT

Bethel Chapel, Hull,

17th of February, 1811.

BY THOMAS BOSHER.

PUBLISHED AT THE REQUEST OF THE HEARERS.

Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord, God, Almighty.

BIBLE.

Cakefield :

Printed at the Office of E. Waller, in Wood-Street.

(RECAP)

am. Let

A SERMON.

Psalm cvii. ver. 23, 24.

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters, these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.

PRAYER to God, is an essential branch of

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true religion; without which, it can have no real existence in the soul of man. This sacred duty, is strictly enjoined upon every one by the indispen sable precepts of the Lord Jesus, and which derive an additional authority from his own divine example. He who commands "That men should always pray,' Toften prayed himself, "With strong cries and tears!" And in order to engage us in the sincere and constant exercise, of this truly christian duty, he has graciously furnished his glorious Gospel, with numerous motives of the most powerful and animating kind. Immortal honours, durable riches, and the purest pleasures, are its great reward!

And who that knows the worth of prayer,
But wishes oft'n to be there.

However, when we address the Most High in prayer for ourselves, the utmost care should be

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taken not to forget the souls of others; none, should be excluded a place in our petitions, these árms of love,

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Should all mankind embrace.

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To neglect which, is a breach of christian charity, and an unjust disregard of their eternal welfare, for whom the great Redeemer died. For "God our Saviour," "Gave himself a ransom for all," and Who, will have all men to be saved." Therefore, he has given command, "That supplications, prayers, and intercessions, be made for all men. But doubtless, SEAMEN, are entitled to a SPECIAL interest in the prayers of the faithful. What men have more need of them? Or who can put in a stronger claim than they? For in consequence of the occupation, in which the Alwise Disposer of men and things has seen fit to place them, they are almost totally deprived of those invaluable ordinances of the Gospel, where, the humble worshipper, is instructed in righteousness, watered by the copious streams of divine consolation, and revived with the times of refreshing, which come from the gracious presence of Christ; who, dwells in the midst of his church. Moreover, the nature of their employment is such, as to oblige them often to quit their native shore, and to take long farewells of those connexions, whom they esteem more dear than life itself. Alas! How painful to the indulgent husband, the tender father, and the affectionate child, thus to part; but especially, when we recollect, that the dangers of the sea, diminish from the probability of their meeting again. Say then, is not the sailor's an urgent case, and should we not follow and support them by prayer? Again, consider the great perils

which do hourly threaten them, and the severe. hardships and distresses, they so often undergo when at sea. Of which, see an affecting description given in the verses which stand in connexion with the text. Behold a ship in distress! At God's command, the stormy winds rush from their secret repositories, and with dreadful violence drives the yielding flood into hideous mountains, which roll with fearful tumult. The dismasted vessel, trembling upon the alarming steep, appears buried in the clouds; then plunged headlong into the yawning gulf below, she seems lost in the profound abyss; whilst, the terrified crew are reduced "To their wits end;" they reel like drunkards upon her deluged deck, and wring their hands overwhelmed with terror and fatigue; and now hopeless of life,-submit to their approaching fate. Thus brought upon the very margin of a watery grave," They cry to the Lord," who in tender compassion regards their piercing supplications, and sends them instant relief. He speaks; and Lo! The storm is made a calm; the outrageous wind and seas, hearken to their Sovereign's voice, and retire to rest. Now the ship that laboured, (steadied by a gentle breeze) glides easily over the unruffled main, and gladness is seen again in that countenance, which so lately bore the evident marks of terror and despair. At length, they make the welcome shore, and after a most perilous passage, and preservations equally astonishing, they arrive safe in the desired port! Here SEAMEN, behold as in a mirror, your deep distresses, your wonderful deliverances, and the kind arm by which they are effected: See! What peculiar obligations are upon you, to reverence the power of your Almighty Saviour, to bless his sacred

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