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Nine

SERMONS

PREACHED IN THE

Parifhof St. James, Westminster,

ON OCCASION OF THE

Late WAR and REBELLION.

By T H O M A S, Lord Biihop of Oxford. Then Rector . .q£ the. faid Pi^ r i s h.

V

MAR 29 1996

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^iOQ\0M S£^

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LONDON:

Printed for John Riving ton, at the Biile and CrowHy in St. PauPs Churcb-Tard.

MDCCLVIII.

THE

CONTENTS.

SERMON I. Page 3.

Preached at St. ^ames\ Church, on the Faft- Day, "Jan. 9, 1739-40 ; and at King-fireet Chapel, on ihe Faft-Day. 'v3. 4, 1 740-1-

1 Ch RON. XV. .

Tibe Lord is with yoUy while ye be with Him : and ifyefeek Him^ He will be found of ymi z but if ye forfake Him, He will forfake you.

SERMON 11. Page 33.

Preached at St. Jameh Church, on the Faft- Day, Nov. 10, 1742 ^ and at King-Jireet Chapel^ on the Faft-Day, Jaji, 9, 1744-j'.

A 2 I Pet.

iv CONTENTS.

I P E T. V. 6.

Humble yourfelves therefore under the mighty Hand of God ^ that he may exalt you in due Time,

SERMON III. Page 59.

Preached at St. "James ^ Church, on the Fall- Day, April 1 1 , 1 744.

Text the fame,

SERMON IV. Page 83.

Preached at St. James % Church, and the Cha- pels belonging to it, 061, 6, 13, 1745.

2 Sam. X. I a.

Be of good Courage^ and let us play the Men for our People^ and for the Cities of our God : Jlnd the Lord do that which feemeth him good.

SERMON V. Page 115.

Preached at St. James\ Church, and the Cha- pels beiunging to it, 051, 20, 27. Nov. 24,,

5 Phil.

CONTENTS. V

Phil, iv. 6, 7.

^e careful for nothing : but in every thing by Prayer and Supplication y with Thajikf- giving^ let your Requefs be made known unto God,

And the Peace of God ^ which paffeth all Under- flandifigy /hall keep your Hearts and Minds through Chrifl Jejus,

SERMON VI. Page 141.

Preached at St. James s Church, and at Kingr- Jireef Ch.2i^t\y May 4, ij^C.

2 C o R. i. ^, 10.

But we had the Sentence of Death in ourfelvesy that wejhould not trujl in ourfelveSy but in God which raifeth the Dead :

Who delivered us from fo great a Deaths and doth deliver -, in whom we trufl that he will yet deliver us.

SERMON VIL Page 167.

Preached at St. James\ Church, on the Thankfgiving-Day, O^. ^, 1746".

John

wi CONTENT §.

John v. 14.

jifterward Jefusjiiideth him in the Temple ^ an4 Jaid unto hini^ Behold^ thou art made whole : Jin no more^ lefi a wojfe thing come unto thee.

SERMON VIII. Page 195,

Preached at St. James's Church, on the Faft- Day, y-an. 7, 1 74(^-7 ; and at King-Jtreet Chapel, on the Faft-Day, Feb. 17, 1747-^8,

P s A L. cxxii. 6.

O pray for the Peace ofjerufalem ; They Jhall pro/per^ that love thee^

SERMON IX, Page 227,

Preached at St. James\ Church, on the Thankfgiving-Day, April 25, I745)»

P s A L, xxix. 10.

m Tide Lord Jljall ^ive his People the- BleJJing of Peace.

The FIrft and Fourth of thefe Sermona were publifhe4 fcon after they were preached^

SERMON

Preached at the

Parifh-Church cf St. James^ Wejlmmfier^

January 9, 1739-40 :

And at

King-Street Chapel, in the faid Parifh, February 4, 1740-1.

Being Days appointed, by His Majesty 's Pro- clamation for General Fasts on Occafion of the War againit Spain,

H

SERMON I.

2 ChRON. XV. 2.

"Xke Lord is with you^ while ye he with Him : and if ye feek Ht??i^ He will be found of you : but if ye forfake Him^ He will forfake you.

THESE Words are the Beginning of a ferious Admonition, given by the Direcfrion of Heaven to the Na- tion of the "Jews^ as they returned from ob- taining, under theCondud: of ylfa their King, one of the greateft Victories recorded m Scrip-» ture. Their Condition, after This, might have appeared to human Policy a very fecurc one : But the Divine Wifdom fav^ the greateft of all Dangers impending over them, that which proceeds from forgetting Cod, and abandoning Virtue. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Azariah the Son of Oded^ and he went out to meet Afa^ and faid unto him^ Hear me^ Afa^ and all yudah and Benjamin : The Lord is with you^ while ye be with Htm ^ and if ye; feek Him, He will be found of you ; B 2 but

4 SERMON I.

but if ye for fake Him, He will forfake yon.. Now thefe great Truths, of which Heaven thought it needful to remind them, at the Conclufion of a profperous War, it muft be very much more needful that we jftiould attend to, who feem to be only at the Beginning of a doubtful one. And accordingly we are met here, by the Command of Authority, to con- fider our Ways, and humble ourfelves before God for our Sins, as the neceffary Means for deriving a Bleffing on our Arms, and reftoring and perpetuating Peace and Profperity to our Country.

It is a melancholy Confideration, that Crea- tures endued with Reafon and Humanity fliould ever come to employ Force againfl: one another, and make the dreadful Addition of the Miferies of War to the many unavoidable Sufferings of Life. But wicked as this is, when Paffion and Refentment, Defire of un- juft Gain, or Fondnefs of infamous Glory promxpts to it; yet when Injuries of perni- cious Confequence are done to a Nation, and perfifted in, and no competent Redrefs can be obtained, it becomes then, both neceifary for particular Societies, and beneficial to human Society in general, that invaded Rights be

vigoroufly

S E R M O N I. 5

vigoroufly aflerted by the only Way left. When the Sword is drawn for Juftice alone, and ever ready to be fheathed as foon as that is granted, then Heaven may be appealed to, with Hopes of a favourable Sentence coming forth from his Prefe?tGey ^hofe Eyes behold the thing that is equal *. But if the Affertors of a righ- teous Caufe be in other relpedls a finful Peo- ple, it is evidently juft for God, who hath the Cognizance of both thefe things, to regard whichfoever of them infinite Wifdom ihall direfl: ; and make even the injurious Party the rod of his anger ^ arid the ftaff in the day of his indignation -f*, to correft, or deftroy, if their Wickednefs deferve it, fuch Nations, as though right in their Difputes with their Enemies, are wrong at the fame time in Matters more important. And how little Terror foever our Enemies might give us at firft ; yet now we muft be fenfible, that we know not in the leaf!:, how foon and how formidably they may increafe: but this we know certainly, that there is no refraijit to the Lord, to punifli, as well as tofa've, by Many, or by Few, \\ Times of War therefore add a peculiar Strength to thofe Admonitions, which Reafon and Scrip-

"* Pfal. xvii. 2. t I^^i- X. 5. X ^ Sam. xlv. 6. B 3 ture

6 S E R M O N L

ture give us at all times, to confider what our State is with regard to Him, who doth accord- ing to his JVill in the Army of Heaven^ and a?72ong the Inhabitants of the Earth *. Let us then all confider now, whether we have Ground of Hope or of Fear from that awful Declaration of the Prophet, which you have heard read.

T^he Lord is with you, while ye be with Him. To be with God, is to preferve in our Minds a reverent Senfe of his Being, Prefence, and Government 5 to keep clofe to his Laws, and ftand on his Side againft the oppofite Power of Darknefs and Sin. Let us then think, if there be need of Thought to anfwer ; How is the Reverence due to the Supreme Being preferved among us ? Have we not Perfons who even ridicule x!n^ Notion of a wife and good Maker of all Things ? Have we not thofe, who, if they do admk a Creator, do not admit a Moral Governor of the World ^ or at leaft reprefent him fo very defedive in his Adminiftration of it, as finally to let bad Perfons be Gainers by their Wickednels, and good Perfons Lofers by their Virtue: rejeding with mirthful Scorn, what hath ever been the Hope and Support of

* Daa> Iv. 35. .

wife

S E R M O N. L 7

wife and good Men, the Belief of that future State, in which the vifible Irregularities of the prefent fhall be rectified ? Have we not alfo too many, who, profeffing perhaps to believe in Natural Religion, yet fpeak of Chriflianity, the great Means by which it is both fupported and perfedled, not only as a Falfhood, but an Impoffibility : Blafphe?ning that worthy Name^ by which we are called *, and difdaining to re- ceive from God himfelf any other Rules, either of Faith or Life, than fuch as their own Reafon, diredled by their own Fancy, fhall prefcribe to them ? And let us fuppofe, if we can, that the Number of fuch, as go thefe Lengths deliberately, is upon the whole but fmall : yet what fhall we fay of the incon- lideratcly guilty ? Are there not Multitudes of all Degrees, who feem never once to have afked themfelves, whether ' they believe in God or not ? or if they do, whether any Re- gard is due to him or none : who flight Reli- gion boldly, without imagining they have ever examined it : who are perfuaded of its Truth perhaps, fo far as they have any Perluaflon about the Matter 5 but have no Notion, that they are to regulate their Condud; by it : v^ho

* Jame$ ii. 7.

B 4 poffibly

8 S E R M O N I.

poffibly do not quite approve of profane Per- fons, but are aftonifhed at pious ones -, and by their Indulgence to the former, and their very great Pronenefs to defpife the latter, plainly iliew, whether they perceive it themfelves or not, which Party they are on the Road to join ?

We have indeed many ftill, who frequent Divine Worfliip : but how many of all Ranks, and of that Rank particularly, which ought to be an Example, and will be one either of Good or Bad ; how many that omit this Duty entirely, or near it ; and though it be an evi- dent Part of the Law of Nature, and an ex- prefs Precept of Chriftianity, can yet talk, not only of their own negleding it, with much Gaiety and Humour, but of other Perfons at- tending upon it as Matter of Confcience, with much Raillery. And fuch an Afcendant hath this contemptuous kind of Impiety got, that there are many Perfons, who fincerely honour their Maker in their Hearts, but dare not for fear of Derifion fhew it in their Behaviour. Let it be thought of a little, what the Ap- pearance and Coiiftrudion of thefe Things is: and let thofe who are qualified for it, judge ; Is not this the one Nation upon Earth, in

which

SERMON,!. 9

which Regard to God is taught in the greateft Purity, and treated with the greateft Con- tempt ?

But a worfe Symptom yet is, that whilft Irreligious Perfons are adive in the Caufe of Infidelity; fome of them with fo felf-deny- ing a Bigotry, as to teach it their Servants, their very Wives and Children : the Genera- lity of fuch, as think themfelves very compe- tently religious Perfons, fcarce appear to have any pradicai Impreffions at all made on them by thofe Truths, which they acknowledge for the Law of their Lives. They forget, it may be feared, almoft totally, the Exercife of private Piety -, and behave in regard to pub- lick Devotion with a Negligence, which they would think highly indecent towards their earthly Superiors : allow themfelves in fuch Levity of Speech on the moft ferious Sub- iefts, as would fcarce be juftifiable in fome of the moft trifling ones ; form their Condu<5t avowedly on Principles, that have no Tincture in them of the Faith, which they profefs ; and in effect declare themfelves to think of nothinix but this World, whilft yet they are really per- fuaded of another to come. To this it muft be added, that very many, who not only be- lieve,

lo SERMON I.

lieve, but are influenced by their Belief In other Refpe(5ls, inflead of conf effing their Lord and Majler before Men, as he hath moft fo- lemnly commanded them *, are lilent and in- different, whiift he is denied, or difregarded ever fo much ; and feem ajfhamed of a Caufe they ought to glory in : by which means they give bad Perfons a Colour for pretending, that few or none are Chriftians in earneft; and take away from fuch, as are well-difpofed, the Encouragement of feeing how great a Num- ber yet remains. For, God be thanked, they are ftill no fmall Number, who continue after all bearing Teflimony to the Gofpel of Chrift. But of how many Sins againft it, not a few even of thefe are guilty at the fame Time, by deviating from the Form of foimd Words -f-, by unwarrantable Divifions, and uncharitable Ani- mofities ; it is a great deal better that they fhould confider, than that others fhould fay : only thus much cannot but be faid, that thefe Things add a peculiar Gloom to the View, which we are taking.

Religion, it muft be owned, hath never been pradtifed any-where, as it ought. But

* Matth. X. 32. MarkTiii. 38. Luke ix. 26. t 2 Tim. i. 13.

have

S E R M O N I. tt

have not both the Pradice and ProfeiTion of it decayed moft remarkably, in this Nation, within the Compafs of but a few Years 1 Is ^ not the Profpedt before us, that of its decline- I ing yet much lov/er in the Generation that is coming on ? And what do we imagine this will end in ? If God is, it muft be a Matter • of ill Defert, either wilfully or thoughtlefly to I " treat Him, as if He were not. If he hath given a Revelation of his Will to Mankind, it cannot be innocent to negled: it, as if he had given none. And if he is the righteous Go- vernor of the World, He will fupport his Go- vernment by punifliing where Guilt appears. If the Guilt be National, it muft be expedied the Punifhment will be fo too. And though it were not, yet amidft the innumerable Con- nexioas of Things, one Part of a Society can- not fufFer, but the Whole muft partake.

What Judgments in particular God will execute at any time on impious Nations, we cannot fay. All Nature is in his Power : and they, who offend, have every thing to fear. But one fure Method of Corredion, (a very merciful Method, as the lower Degrees of it give Warning of the higher, but a dreadful one in- 2 deed.

12 S E R M O N I.

deed, if that Warning be not taken) is by appointing the natural Confequences of every Sin to be Part of its Reward. The Confe- quences of Irreligion then what are they, and what muft they be, on every Community? True Piety cannot induce Men to injure their Country ; and comprehends peculiar Induce- ments to ferve it, of the greatefl Force. But in Times of public Danger efpecially. Belief of Religion gives a Spirit, and Defence of Religion a Modve for exerting it, which Con- lideradons of a lower Nature will never equal. For what is there, that can equal the Exhorta- tion, Be of good Courage, and let us behave our^ felves valiantly for^ our People and for the Cities of our God : and let the Lord do that which is good in his Sight "^. Fear noty neither be dif- mayed : for the Battle is not yours, but God's-f. Whereas, if fome through Infidelity have no Hope in him, and others through Wickednefs have only Fear of him, fo far as thefe Ways of Thinking can influence, all Hands will be feeble^ and every Heart will melt |,

^ 1 Chron. xix. 13. f 2 Chran. xx. 15.

% Ifai. xili. 7.

But,

S E R M O N I. 13

But, indeed, the Belief of ajuft and good Be- ing, who fees and will reward, is at all times the great Support under the Sufferings of Life, the great Incitement to every thing worthy, the great Reflraint from every thing bafe. Human Weaknefs evidently wants thefe things : and there is nothing elfe, that can always furnifh them. The virtuous Didates of their own Minds will have little Influence comparatively on moft Men, when they are coniidered no longer as the Voice of God fpeaking inwardly to them. And the Penal- ties of human Laws, without thofe of the divine Law fuperadded, will often be evaded, and not feldom defperately braved. For if once Men think there is nothing beyond Death, they will foon come to think there is nothing in it, which ought to with-hold them from preferring a fliort Life fpent as they like, to a long one fpent otherwife. Feeling themfelves free from the Terrors of Religion, they will fly out into Profligatenefs, merely to fhew they are free : And it will be Encouragement enough to them, to purfue every Appetite, Pafllon, and Fancy, without Referve; that whatever Inconveniences may happen to arife

from

14. SERMON I.

from it, one Moment can deliver them from »11 at once, whenever they pleafe. How then v;ill they ad in the numberlefs Cafes, to which the Power of the Magiftrate either can- not or is not likely to reach at all, or but im- perfedly at beft ? How, for Inftance, will the Properties and even the Lives of Men be fe- cured, when Perjury is no longer dreaded ? A Confideration of peculiar Weight in this Country : where, with amazing Inconiiftence, we are multiplying Oaths, as if we could de- pend upon them for every thing; and flight- ing the Cai'e of Religion, which alone can give us Caufe to depend on them for any thing. But in general, What or Vv'hom can we polllbly hope Mankind will regard to any conftant good Purpofe, if they will not regard God : And how can we pretend to re- gard him, whilfl we go on as we do ? Nor let it be thought, that the Belief of a future Recompence is neceflary to the lower Part of the World alone : though if it were, they will never preferve it long, when they fee their Superiors have it not. But the higher Mens Station, and the greater their Power is, the more is the Importance^ both to others

and

S E R M O N L 15

and themfelves, that they be ftrongly in- fluenced to do Good and not Evil, by this only Motive that can never be outv^eighed.

It is very true, neither Irreligious Perfons are always fo bad, nor Religious ones alv^ays fo good, as their Notions lead them to be : But ftill every Way of Thinking produces, more or lefs, its natural Effeds. The deeper Root Religion takes, the more Benefit v^ill ipring from it: and the wider Irreligion fpreads, the more Mifchief it will bring forth. At prefent it muft endeavour to appear as harmiefs as it can, to recommend itfelf : and fome degree of the good old Impreffions will remain, and have Influence for a time, even on thofe who have done their befl to wear them out. But when Profanenefs fhall once have attained its Maturity, then it will be felt, if Men are refolved not to fee it before. Which were in the right : the weak and credulous Creatures, who contended for honouring God : or the Perfons of fuperior Knowledge and Freedom of Thought, who fcorned and forfook him.

But we muft remember, our Maker is for- faken, when Virtue, the Law He hath given to

Mankind,

i6 S E R M O N I,

Mankind, is tranfgreffed ^ as well as when his Worfhip is deferted, or his Being denied. Let it then be a Second Article of Inquiry, What our Condition is in this refpeft.

The Confequence appears a very plain one, that when Religion decays. Morals muft* However let us look into Fad:. In ipeaking of Virtues and Vices relating to the Public, no Matters of Controverfy ought fo much as to be hinted at in this Place : a Place to be kept facredly feparate from the Contefls of Parties 5 and only employed, when Occafion requires, to call on every Party alike, as in the Name of God, to confider tTieir Doings. Vi^here Divifions and mutual Accufations run fo dreadfully high, there muft be great Faults on one Side or other ; 'tis well, if not- on alh And all fliould confider very ferioufly, what they are aiming at, and by what Means; what they are rifquing, and to v/hat good End. But That above the reft fliould be confidered, which it may be feared is often thought of leaft, what muft become, whilft each Side is fupporting itfelf by the Methods too common, what muft become of the Virtue and Inte- grity of this People, the moft important Part

of

S E R M O N I. 17

of all they have to be concerned for. Every other fort of Lofs Nations have often recovered, and rifen again from the lov^eft Ebb: but Lofs of Probity and Principle, this affedts the Vitals of ^Society : and whatever accidental Advantages may feem to arife from it in any Cafe for a time ; if the Diftemper grows, and it is the hardeft in the World to ftop^ its Con- clufion muft be fatal. And let it not be ob- jedted, that Countries of very little Virtue and public Spirit have flourifhed notwithftanding. For how have they flourifhed ? In a State of Freedom ? No. Outward Profperity hath beea joined with domeflic Oppreffion : or if Inter- vals of Eafe have been felt 3 they have always been precarious, and generally ihort.

Impartial Reflexions on thefe Matters will, fhew us very clearly the Guilt and the Danger of our Sins with refpecS to the Public. But we fhall fee both in a yet ftronger Light, if we refledl farther. How very little Zeal we exprefs, in the midft of all our Vehemence abou; difputed Points, for the Promotion of Things indifputably right. Propofals for Reformation are treated in the grofs, as mere Chimeras : mighty little Harm apprehended from the mod flagrant Immoralities, but dreadful ill Confe- C quences

18 SERMON I.

quences to Liberty from reftraining them: Laws treated with Contempt by thofe who ihould obey them, and this connived at by

• thofe who fliould execute them ; ftill every one complaining immoderately of others, for what no one v/ill himfelf contribute to amend.

But indeed public Virtue^ though it were genuine, will never be confiftent and univerfal, while private Vices are indulged.. And to what a deplorable Degree thefe abound amongft us, needs not be faid, how much foever it needs to be thought of. The Intemperance, the promifcuous Lewdnefs, the Want of In- duftry and Frugality, the Difregard to Autho- rltya nd Order, the Profligatenefs of all kinds, that hath overfpread in a moft uncommon manner the lower Part of the People, every body fees. And would but fome of higher Condition refled:, how much they have funk themfelves to a Level w^ith their Inferiors, in

*fome of the worft of their Qualities -, and in- deed contributed to make many of them fo bad as they are, and themfelves defpifed by them at the fame time 3 it might be hoped the Con- fideration would be ufeful. But not to fay more of thefe : The Faults of too many,

3 who

SERMON I. i^

who are accounted) and are in comparifon, decent and regular Perfons ; their improvident Expenfivenefs, pernicious many ways 5 their Living to Amufements and Pleafures only, and overlooking the moft ferious Obligations of Life ; forgetting the Infpeftion of their own Condudl, their Families and Affairs; negled:- ing their very Children, at leaft in the import- ant Point of their Religion and Morals : Thefe are fad Inftances of perfonal Guilt, and make a great Addition to the national Danger.

But when to the above-mentioned Epide- mical Sins, every one hath added, after exa- mining himfelf faithfully, the feparate Tranf- greffions of his own Life, and the inward Plague^ which he hath permitted to infedt his own heart * ; unknown perhaps to Men, but 7iaked and open to Hinty with whom we have to do ^ : then we (hall have no Doubt left, whe- ther the total Amount be not abundantly fuffi- cient to juftify Heaven, in whatever Judg- ments it may inflidl on Us and our Country. And if, for Inftance, by our Contempt of true Religion, we ihould open a Way for Popifh

^ I Kings viii, 38. f Heb. iv. 13.

C 2 Superftition

20 S E R M O N L

Superftition to overfpread us, afer a fhort pre- paratory Reign of atheiftical Diffolutenefs -, if our Abufes on all Hands of the Bleffings of a Free Government fhould introduce upon us a Slavery of our ov^n creating > if the iinful ExcelTes, that we have fuffered Wealth and Plenty to lead us into, Ihould bring on us, as they naturally do, Poverty and Diftrefs ; and our domeilic Enmities deliver us up to our common Adversary : who Jl?all have pity upon thee, O Jerufalcm, or whojhall bemoan thee \ or who Jhall go a fide to ajk of thy Peace "* ?

The common Anfwxr to all Reprefentations of this Sort, is, That the World hath alv^ays been bad ; and therefore we have no peculiar Reafon to fear. But if it hath been always a Place of Wickednefs, it hath always been a Place of Mifery too, by means of that Wick- ednefs. Continual Efforts have been ever ne- ceflary to keep both from increaling. And we> whom God hath treated with fuch diftinguifl> ing Mercy, will not ufe thefe Efforts, but abandon ourfelves to Sin ; as he doth thiilk fit to make fome Examples of his Jufticc

* Jcr. XV. 5.

SERMON! 21

from time to time, what fitter Example he can make, is hard to fay.

Perfons however will flatter themfclves, that thefe, at the worft, are Dangers of very diftant Times. And every finglie Sinner in the World flatters himfelf in juft the fame Man- ner. Yet the Confequences of their Sins do Overtake Men, and may overtake Nations too, with furprizing Suddennefs. And the Sen- tence, recorded in Scripture, is perfedly juft : They of the Houfe of Ifrael fa\\ The Vifioji that he feeth is for many Days to come ; and he pro- phefieth of Tim-es that are far off. Therefore Jhall none of my Words be prolonged ajiy more : hilt the Word ivhich I have Jpoken Jhall be done^ faith the Lord God^. Atid theyJJoall know^ that I am the Lord \ and have not faid in vain^ that I would do this Evil unto them -f*.

Other Perfons there are, who acknowledge the Profpedl to be bad, and Evil perhaps im- pending : But the only wife Part in thei • Opi- nion is, to let Matters go as they will, and en- joy themfelves as long as they can : Why fhould they be uneafy before the Time comes ? Now if it were certain, that nothing

^^E^zek, Xii' ~7» ^^- T E^ek. vi. lo.

C 3 coivy

22 S E R M O N 1.

could do good, this might be reafonable in a worldly View of Things : but where every one may contribute, both by amending himfelf and awakening others, to prevent Ruin ; there to be indolent, is as contrary to Humanity, as it is to Religion. And therefore the Word of God hath taken fevere notice of it, as a great Crime. Te have feen the Breaches of the City of David:, that they are many : — ^nd in that Day did the Lord GodofHoJis call to Weepings and to Mournings and to girding with Sack-cloth : and behold Joy and Gladnefs^ eating Fle/h a7id drinks ing Wine : Let us eat a7id drinky for to-morro'w we die. And it was revealed in mine Lars by the Lord of Hojis : Surely this Iniquity fiall not be purged from you, till ye die y faith the Lord GodofHoJis''.

But even they, who are concerned for the Public, may yet exprefs that Concern in* a very faulty Way. Many feem to think they have fully done their Duty, as foon as they have been angry at thofe, whom they apprehend to have any way occafioned what is amifs : angry, perhaps at tlie wrong Perfons, perhaps in

*Ifa, xiui. 9, 12, 13, 14,

a wrong

S E R M O N I. 23

a wrong Manner : fuch as only tends to in- creafe Guilt, and haften Mifchief.

The iirfl: Complaint, generally fpeaking, is of thofe in Authority. And undoubtedly the People have a Right to complain, whenever the common Concern is adminiflred ill. But then it fliould be confidered, that we may, through Ignorance or Prejudice, expedl frora Authority, either what it cannot do, or what is not fit to be done : we may expe<5i: more than is reafonable to expert from Men like ourfelves, though it be fit : and even fuppofing them very much to blame, we may condud: ourfelves upon it fo as to be equally or yet more to blame. Want of Reverence to Laws and Su- periors is one of our great Evils : and all Oppo^ fition to whatever is thought wrong, ihould be accompanied with the flri<2:efl: Care not to augment this Evil. But our Duty requires us peculiarly to beware of raifing Domeflic Un- eafineffes too high, when a foreign Eenm.y may take Advantage of them : and at all Times it requires us, to preferve moft religioufly tlie Loyalty and Honour due to the fupreme Power : efpecially now, when our prefent Eftablilhment is our only human Hope of C 4 having

24 SERMON I.

having all that is valuable to us fecured to our- felves, and tranfmitted to our Pofterity.

Next to the Rulers of a Nation, its Inftruc- tors are ufually the great Objeft of Cenfure : and we acknov^ledge there is Caufe. We have not been fo ferious and religious, fo zealous and diligent, fo difinterefted and humble, fo mild and charitable, as we ought. The Pub- lic muft have fuffered by this : we have fuf- fered by it ourfelve. : and, unlefs we repent, we have ground to expedt a yet fuller Execu- tion, than we have experienced already, of what Heaven inflided on our Predeceffors in the J-ewifi Nation : Therefore have I alfo made you contemptible andbafe before all the People^ ac^ cording a^ ye have not kept my Ways *. Yet we cannot but hope, that a very confiderable Part of the Accufations brought againft us, would appear, upon Enquiry, to be without Founda- tion. But however that be, we muft remind you, that Our Faults will be no Excufe for Your Tranfgreffions : and we earneftly beg, that they who complain we do not the Good we ought, would at leaft not hinder, but give us Opportunity, and aflifl us rather, to do both Others and Themfelves the Good we would. *MaI. ii.p.

But

S E R M O N L 25

But even they, who proceed from Com- plaints to Endeavours of amending Things, will fail unhappily of their End, if they truft to worldly Methods alone, and leave Religion and Virtue, the great Support and Cement of hu- man Society, out of their Schemes. This will be merely palliating for a little while : and do- ing what the Scripture, in perfect Conformity with plain Reafon, hath long ago condemned, as doing nothing. Becaufe they have fediiced my People^ Jayingy Peace ^ and there was no Peace -^ and one built up a JVally and others daubed it with untempered morter : Therefore y thus faith the Lord Gody I will rend it with a for my Wind^ and bring it down to the Ground^ fo that the Foundations thereof fhall be di [covered : and it fhall fally and ye fhall be confumed in the midfl thereof ayid ye Jhall know that I dm the Lord^* Indeed every Page of the prophetical Writings recommends itfelf greatly to thinking Perfons, by the moft forcible and convincing Expret- fions of the utter Inefficacy of every Expe- dient for public Good, that is not accompa- nied with true Virtue and true Piety.

Thefe, therefore, it is our moft important Intereft to reftore and promote : to reprefent

*EzeJi. xiii. 10 — 14.

with

26 S E R M O N T.

with Earneftnefs, and yet with Mildnefs, to fuch as are deficient in either, how wrong iii itfelf, and how hurtful to the World, their Condud is; and to be zealous in doing. our own Duty, whether They will attend to theirs or not : Perfons of Rank and Influence, by fetting an Example worthy of Imitation, and fhevving different Regards to the Good and the Bad ; Perfons intruded with public Power, by behaving in their feveral Stations uprightly ; Parents and Mailers, by the prudent Exercife of their private Authority ; and every one, at leaft, by reforming himfelf. This, if it do nothing farther, will be fecuring his own Hap- ^ pinefs : and the more fingle Reformations there are, tiie nearer will be our Approach to an Univerfal one. We are called indeed perpe- tually to Repentance : but the prefent Na- tional Call, if it be not hearkened to, will much aggravate the Guilt, not only of the profane DelpiferS' of it, but thofe alfo, whofe Compli- ance with it is merely external ; who dare to approach the Searcher of Hearts, and mock him by faying to him, without Sincerity, fuch Things as we havcjoined in faying this Day.

On the Times appointed for Confeffion of Sins, it hatli always been aRuie^ rs the Word of

God

S E R M O N L 27

God plainly fhews, for Perfons to abftain in a confiderable Degree from their ufual Food : not as thinking it a Duty of any Value in itfelf, for that were a fuperftitious Imagination ; and nothing can be more exprefs againft every Su- perftition, than Scripture is : but partly to make an Acknowledgment of more than ordinary Solemnity, by their Actions as well as Words, of their Unworthinefs to partake of the com- mon Bleffings of Heaven 5 and chiefly to fpend thofe Hours in Humility of Spirit, and cool Reflexion for their future Good, which they have fpent too frequently in dangerous Levi- ties, or iinful Indulgences. It is not then the Abftinence, it is not the outward Humiliation, nor even the real Serioufnefs of a Day, which God requires of us 3 but that thefe Things be jnade fubfervient to our laffing Benefit : that preferving on our Minds the Impreflion of what we have faid and heard here, we go home and retire into ourfelves ; think over our feveral Duties, public and private, with relped: to our Maker, our Fellow- creatures, and the Regulation of our own Hearts ; and after renewing our Applications for Pardon and Grace, fet right, without Delay, whatever hath been wrong : that we form Refolutions

to

^8 S E R M O N L

to think often of our own Conduit, to follow fteadily the moft effeftual Methods for pre- ferving it fuch as we ought, and not to fufFer the Opinions and Cujftoms of an inconfiderate World, to wear out of our Minds the Regard ^e owe to the Author and End of our Beings^

But befides thefe Obligations, there is yet another, which particularly defcrves our At- tention at this Time ; that when we afk Mercy of God, we fhew it to Man. And accordingly the Scripture joins clofely together Faffing and giving Alms -, which therefore we (Iiould join too, each according to his Ability : but always remembering, that no one Part of our Duty whatever will be accepted as an Equivalent for tranfgreffing any other ; but we muft break off our Sins by Right eoufnefs^ as well as our Iniqui- ties byJJx'wing Mercy to the Poor *, if ever wc exped: that our Charity fhould avail towards procuring our Pardon.

And now would we but employ the prefent Solemnity, in determining confcientioufly to prad-ife thefe Things : befides the good Fruits, it could not fail to produce in each of us fingly j we might hope, on very juft Grounds, to expe-

* Dan. iv. 27,

rience

S E R M O N L 29

rience nationally the fame happy EfFciSs of it, which we read the ^ews did, from making the fame Determination, upon hearing the Admo- nition of the Text, ney gathered themfehes together^ and they entered into a Covenant to feek the Lord God of their Fathers, And they fware unto him with a loud Voice : And all Judah rejoiced at the Oath. For they had /worn with all their Hearty and fought him with their whole Def re y and he was found of them : And the Lord gave them Reji round about *•

* 2 Chron.xy. 10. 12, 14, 15,

SERMON

Preached at the

Parifli-Church of St. "James^ Wejlminjler^ November lo, 1 742 :

And at

King-Street Chapel, in the faid Parilli, January 9, 1744-5-

Being Days appointed, by His Majesty's Proclamation, for General Fasts, on Occafion of the War.

SERMON 11.

r Pet. v. 6.

Humble yourfelves therefore under the mighty Hand of God^ that he may exalt you in due Ti?ne. .

HUMILITY of Heart and Behaviour is a Duty, fo deeply founded in the Nature of Man, that though we knew of no Power above us, we ought yet to think modeftly of ourfelves, from a Confcioufnefs of our Infirmities ; and pay a mutual Deference one to another, in proportion to the different Pre-eminences, be they ever fo fmall, by which we are feverally diftinguiihed. But the leaft Apprehenfion of a perfedt Being fuperintend- ing us, muft furely magnify beyond Expreffion the Senfe, how very imperfed; we are : and convince us, that the utmofl Revei-ence, of which we are capable, tovv'ards fuch a one, if fuch a one there be, will fall vadly iiiort of what we owe. Now the Exiflence of a D pow^erful

34 S E R M O N II.

powerful and wife, a juft and good, Ruler of all, is at firft Sight a poffible Thing, And were we fure of no more, the Notion is fo refpeftable in itfelf, fo beneficial to human So- ciety, and fo peculiarly comfortable to every honeft Mind, that paffing it over with a fcorn- ful Negledl, inftead of attending to it ferioufly, would be a Haughtinefs of Spirit, blamewor- thy and fhocking to a great Degree. But the Reality of this Notion is undeniably proved, by the plaineft Obfervations on every Part of the Univerfe, and the flrifteft Inquiries into its general Conftitution : by the natural Pre- pofTeffions of common Men, the acuteft Rea- fonings of fpeculative Men, and the moft uni- verfal Confent, that ever any invifible Truth obtained, of all Men. Yet farther, to leave no Plea for Ignorance of it, or of its Confequences,. the Creator hath made himfelf known to his Creatures by exprefs Revelation : and declared,. what he is, wdiat he expects from them, what he hath decreed concerning them. How mon- itrous a Difpofition of Soul mud it be then, that can pride itfelf in ftanding out againfi: fueh Evidence of fuch a Doftrine : can take upon it to cenfure the Works of the Almighty, with- out under/landing a fingle Fart of them flio-

roughly ;

S E R M O N 11. 35

roughly ; can triumph in the Thought of an ungoverned and fatherlefs World, of Wicked-- nefs unpunifhed, and Virtue unrewarded ; and hold thofe in utter Contempt, who entertain better Hopes !

Our Nation affords,'! fear, more than a few Perfons, guilty even of fuch Pride againfl God, as this. But it affords Multitudes of a Sort, if poflible, yet more unaccountable ; who believe in him, and flight him. Acknowledging a Sovereign Lord of the World, without ftanding in Awe of him, is doubtlefs a moft aftonifhing Inconfiftency : and yet I conceive it will ap- pear, on Inquiry, the main Source of thofe great and many Sins, for which wc are met here to exprefs our Concern. Now if this be our Cafe, a little Reflexion will ihew it to be a very dangerous one : and the Apofl:le hath pointed out the only Cure, that fiqpe, as the preceding Verfe teaches, Godrefijleth the Proud^ and giveth Grace to the Humble, w^e fhould humble otirfehes unfeignedly ufider' his inighty Hand, which hath been, and is, in feverai refpeds, heavy on us 3 that fo, inftead of de- prefling us lowxr ftiil, he may exalt us again ■in due "Time.

D a Thefe

36 S E R M O N II.

There are not many comparatively, but in their cooler Hours at leaft, believe the Author of Nature to be alfo the wife and juft Lawgiver and Ruler of Mankind. Nay, lamentable as the Apoftacy of our Days hath been, the Ge- nerality ftill entertain a Perfuafion, grounded on the firmeft Proofs, that he hath notified the Conditions of eternal Felicity by Jefus Chrift. But, having this Knowledge of Gody do they glorify him as God ^? Do they pay any Ho- mage to him, do they cultivate any Regard for him ? Do they confider him as the Giver of all Good, to whom their Thanks are due for every thing they enjoy ; as the Judge of the v/hole Earth, who fhall reward every one ac- cording to his Works ? Will they, in Obedi- ence to that Reafon, which he hath beflowed on them, refift their vicious Appetites and Paflions : v/ill they on the Authority of that Revelation, which he hath fuperadded, receive any thing, but what they can fee of them- felves to be true ; or do any thing, but what they can fee of themfelves to be requifite r Is it not indeed their flated Pradice to fetdieir own Inclinations and Fancies* above all his Afiertions and Laws ; difdaining to mind v/hat

* Rom. i. 2 1 ►

is

S E R M O N IL 37

is right or wrong, even when it relates to this Life ', and much more, to be fwayed by the Tendencies, which Dodrines or Precepts may have, to fit them for the Happinefs of another ? Nay, fuch as imagine themfelves perhaps very fteady Believers, and fufficiently good Chriflians, do not many of them, though lefs profeffedly, and without difl:ind:ly feeing it, yet almoft as efFe6lually, make their Choice juft as they like, in what Things their Chriflianity fhall confift ; and what they will go on to think or pracSife, however plainly forbidden in any one's Judgment, but their own. Are they at all willing to feek, with ferious Humility, what the Gofpel teaches ? Are they withheld from any Sin which it forbids, merely by the Fear of their Lord and Mafter ? do they per- form any Duty, which it enjoins, merely from Love to their Redeemer ? Try them but in one Point. The facred Writings have repeat- edly directed a regular Attendance on public Worfliip and Liftrudlon. Yet they negled it perpetually, onPretences, for which they would negledl fcarce any one Thing befides : when they condefcend to come, they would ufually be underftood to do it as Matter of Prudiince, Qr Propriety, and Compliance with Cuilonir 3

D 5 buX

38 S E R M O N II.

but by no means of Obedience to God. And in general, they fubftitute the Fafhions and Ulages of what they call the World, that is, of the Perfons with whom they are pleafed, and whom they defire to pleafe, in the Place of the Divine Commands. This wretched Rule they follow againft their Confciences firft : to this by degrees they bend their Con- fciences afterwards : and when once they have accomplished that, they will not refleft, they will not hearken, they will not bear the Men- tion of an Argument or a Hint to the con- trary 3 but exclaim againft it as abfurd, before it can well be brought out 3 let Reafon or Scripture fay what they will : till at laft^ not even yet renouncing their Faith, they have hardly a fnigle good Impreffion from it left : no Gratitude to God, no Hope in him, no Dread of him ; no Thought of themfeives in earneft, as his Creatures j nor any Recollec- tion, how profligate a Treatment this is of our Maker, of our Saviour, of the holy Spirit of Grace. We do not know, I believe, nor fufpedt very often, how inconfiderable God is becorne in our Eyes, and how near Advances we have made to what is in EiFeft mere Atheifm. But w^e have cheated ourfelves with

Difguifes,

S E R M O N. II. 39

Difguifes, and fhifted between Religion and Irreligion, till we have no Perception where- about we are. And it is high Time for us to fix once for all, which we will Hand to. For if the Almighty deferves any Regard, he de- ferves a moft dutiful and univerfal one. Will we therefore pay him. that, or will we avow paying him none ?

But were many of us, v/hofe Appearance is more decent, to be examined, what there is in in us beyond Appearance -, were many, who have fome inward Reftraints and pious Feelings, queftioned how far they extend ; and if there be not mixed with them, a much lefs indeed, but ftill a very criminal Negled: and Contempt of the fupreme Being ; vv^hat do we think the Refult would be ? Were fuch to be afked, how often they pray to him in private, or whether they remember perhaps, when they did fo lail 3 with what Attention they pray at fuch Times, or whether hurrying over a Set of unmeaning Words contents them ; what Care they take in his Houfe, that their Hearts join in the Things they fay> or improve by thofe they hear ; how often they meditate, as in the Prefence of God, on their Duty, and their Condition with regard to D 4, aaotheir

40 S E R M O N II.

another Life ; whether in Truth they almoft ever think of a future State, as their principal Concern, or have not inwardly chofen their Portion here ^ whether they indulge no fecret Immorality, are chargeable with no Injuftice or Unmercifulnefs ; what Expreffion, or what Tincture, there is in their common Converfa- tion and Behaviour of a Chriftian Spirit ; what Zeal they have, what Expences they are at, what Methods they encourage, what Pains they take, for promoting the prefent and eter- nal Welfare of their Fellow Creatures : how muft they anfwer ? Nobody hath a Right, it may be, to put fuch Qiieffions to you : but furely they are very important ones for you to put to yourfelves. And for God's fake do it : and prefs your Souls home to make an honeft Reply. For if Religion be any thing, thefe are mofl: material Things. Do you then find, that you have hitherto been, in relation to them, fuch Perfons as you ought ? And if not, do you experience a proportionable Concern for your Failures ? Are you even now refolved to become fuch ? And will you remember and keep to what you refolve : or run away from your Convictions to the firft Employment or Amufement you can hope to lofe them in, or

however

S E R M O N, IL 41

however fuifer them to v/ear out for want of being renewed 3 fo, after a while, negleft your Maker and his Laws as much as ever j and poffibly defpife yourfelves for having once, in a fort of a Fright, thought to do ctherwife? If you relapfe fo far, your Cafe will be a very dangerous, God gr^nt it be not a deiperat^ one.

Yet amongft all thefe blameablc Sorts of Perfons, there are many perhaps not ill-dif- pofed, were they left to follow their own Judgments quietly, towards becoming fincere- ly and throughout religious. But the World would wonder at them, their Acquaintance would ridicule them : and that they cannot bear. But which is your God then ? The World, or the Maker of it ? And which is it fitter you fhould humble yourfelves under ? The rightful Authority of the greateft and beft of Beings j or the ufurped Tyranny of a few vain Mortals, whofe Friendfhip means you no Good, and whofe Enmity can do you no Harm ? But fo it is : we are cowardly one to another, and brave only againft Him^ wh bath Power to caji into Hell/^,

* Luke xii. jf.

Even

42 SERMON IL

Even the loweft Part of Mankind, they alfo now have learnt from their Superiors to lift themfelves up in Defiance of the Moft High : to plead openly and boldly for Gratifi- cations, exprefly prohibited by his Command- 'ments ; to prefer their Diverfions or their Idle- nefs before his Worfhip; fome of them to Jit iuy and others to furround the Seat of the Scorner"^. For poor Wretches, that know nothing elfe, imagine they know enough how- ever to be above Inftruftion in their Duty, to contemn God's Word, and feoff at his Minifters.

Such is the Condition, and I appeal to the Obfervation of you all, alas! to the Confciences of too many of you, if it be not daily more and more, if it be not, I had almoft faid, uni- verfally, the Condition of the People of this Land, efpecially this City. Help ^ Lord : for the godly Man ceajkh, for the faithful fail from among the Children of Me?2 -f*.

But how great and general foever our Tranfgreffions have been ; it will be alleged, that they cannot have arifen from a Principle fo very fhocking as Pridejdirefted againft the Au-

* Plal.i. T. -t Pfal. xU. T.

thor

S E R M O N II. 43

thor of our Beings, but from inconiiderate In- dulgence of lefs heinous, though ftill blame- worthy Difpofitions. But were there, and O that there were, much more room for this Plea than there is, yet bare Inconfideratenefs and Forgetfulnefs of God is, in no fmail De- gree, Contempt of him. However, fome Offenders have not adventured on fo dired: Im- piety as others. And we ought to judge with all poffible Tendernefs of every one's Cafe, befides our own : but it concerns us beyond Expreffion not to flatter ourfelves in that. And we may difcern with Certainty the true State of it by this one Mark. If Want of Thought hath occafioned our ill Behaviour, we fhall be thankful for Admonition, and readily change our Courfe : if Pride, we fhall be difpleafed with it, and tempted to go on. But whether we have difobeyed God wilfully or inadver- tently, we have great Caufe to humble our-s felves before him with deep Contrition : and bewail our own perfonal Guilt in the firfl Place j then the Sins of thofe, who make up the fame Community with us : for he cannot corred Them, but we mufl fuffer at the fame time.

Now

44 S E R M O N II.

Nowfuppofingwe didnotatali feel ourfelves. particularly under his mighty Hand at prefent, yet furely we ought^ to recoiled: with great Awe, that in reality we are under it always. His Government of the World is without ceafing carried on, howeyer filently, yet fteadily and powerfully, to that one End, which a Being of perfed Holinefs mufl pro- pofe to himfelf ultimately, the Manifeftation of his Glory, in the Punifhment of the Wicked, and Reward of the Good. Were both to be entirely deferred till after Death, as the chief Part of both will, yet how near is that to us all ; and how very near to many of us, who perhaps are the fartheft of any from fufpeftlng it ! Though were it as diftant as it can, yet the Connexion of it with eternal En^ joyments or Sufferings being as certain as that God is holy and true, the praftical Inference would be juft the fame, as if it were over- taking us this very Moment. But indeed, imlcfs we will abfolutely fliut our Eyes, we mufl fee Judgments from above, both natu- rally flowing from our Sins, aud additionally inilided on them, in the mean while.

Ail Wickednefs, by the righteous and wife

Appointincnt of Providcuce, in the ordinary

4 Courfe

SERMON IL 45

Courfe of Things produces Mifery : and the great Reftraint from all Wickednefs is the Fear of God. While Men continue to reve- rence Him, there will always be fome Hold upon them, to keep them back from com- mitting Evil, or bring them back to repent of it. But when once that Band is broken, which it is of late in this Nation, beyond any other in the Chriftian, or perhaps the Heathen World, flighter and weaker Ties will foon give way one after another, till by Degrees every thing is fet loofe. An'd how very faft accordingly our Morals and our Prudence have been forfaking us, ever fince we have begun to forfake Religion, and to find out that our Maker is unworthy of our Notice, a little Re- flexion will ihevv us too plainly, if indeed any be needful. Do we not fee Probity and Inte- grity, Friendlinefs and natural Affedion, vifi- bly decayed ? Perfons of all Ranks living above their Ranks ; and firft dillrcffing themfelves and their Families by vain and vicious Expences, then defcending to every Bafe- nefs, that will enable them to proceed in this wrong Way, and every Folly, that will drive away Remorfe for an Hour, though by furnifh- ing Caufe for its Return with more Bitternefs

thai\

46 S E R M O N IL

than ever : crowding their whole Time with abfurd and dangerous Dlverfions, and infedled with a Rage for Pleafure and Shew, be the Confequences what they will, that hath taken Poffeffion of High and Low, Young and Old, to a Degree unknown before ; and in many fears not, in fome affefts, to difplay itfelf, on the Days fet apart for the Worfhip of God, nay for folemn Penitence and Humiliation ? Do we not fee almofl every body treating the grofleft and mojft pernicious Immoralities, of what they gently ftile the gay kind, as no Faults at all in one Sex, and daily approaching nearer towards affording them open Countenance in the other : making, on any Occafion indeed, very little Diftinftion, though it be of unfpeakable Im- portance to make a great one, between good People and bad ; or, to fay the Truth, rather inverting than laying Claim to the Pfalmift's Charaflrer : hi whofe Eyes a vile Perfon is con^ temned'y but he honmweth thent^ that fear the Lord^^ Do we not fee. them, educating their Children, and managing their Servants, as if it were on purpofe to have them wicked : plainly perceiving them to be miferable in

*PraI. XV. 4,

confequence

SERMON n. 47

confequence of it ; perpetually involved them- felves in grievous Uneafinefles and Difficulties from it, and making frequently heavy Com- plaints of it; yet never once reflefting to pur- pofe, whence it comes, or what would mend it: but ftupidly acquiefcing in what tliey have the neareft Concern to prevent ; and taking it for granted, that fuch of neceffity is to be the Condition of their Families, from one Genera- tion to another ?

And if tbefe Fruits have fprung in private Life from our Difdain of Piety, what rliuft it have produced in public ? Juft what we were to expedt from a Number of fuch Creatures put together ^ and from the fixed Decree of Providence, that they^ who plough Iniquity, and Jow Wickediiefs^JJoall reap the fafjie'^. Rulers and Magiftrates, having permitted the Autho- rity that ordained them, to fink, have, by a Confequence, which they might eafily have forefeen, loft their own : Refpedl to every kind af Superiors is worn out ^ and next to the Laws, of Heaven, thofe of our Country are regarded leaft. The Nature of Tilings, and the Word of God, have made Uprightnefs and Induftry the Supports of Society, and Religion the Sup- port of Tiuem. But v/e have imagined we could * Job Iv. s,

do

48 S E R M O N II.

do better than this : we have been laying other Foundations, and bringing thefe into utter Dif- efteem, as it were by Confent on all Sides ; till they, who defire moft to ad: upon Principle, find, it may be feared, fcarce any Remainder of Principle among us, left to adt upon. We have trujied in the Staff of a broken Reedy ivhereon if a Man lean^ it will go into his Handy and pierce it -f*. TVe have forfaken God, the Fountain of living Waters, and hewed us out broken Ciflerns^ that can hold no Water J. We have indeed been worfe than negligent, we have been jealous of Religion , fearful, that Bigotry, Enthufiafm, Superftition, and all manner of Evils would flow from it : and fo, without taking the leaft Care to guard againft them, or prevent the Increafe of that Com- munion, in w^hich they are moft intimately mixed with it, Piety in general hath been made the Subjeft of Invedive and Derifion, till v/e are at prefent immerfed in Profanenefs and Pfofligatenefs : and, as Extremes beget one another, diredlly in the Road to be over- run after a while by Popery, the Schools of which are multiplying continually in our Streets. We have thought the Morals of our

t If. xxxvi. 6. X Jer. ii. 13,

People

SERMON n. 49

People totally undeferving of Regard, unlefs it were to corrupt them, that we might enjoy Jthe public Benefits of private Vices : and the Confequence hath been, to fay of others no more than hath been faid, that our Poor, the Strength and Riches of a Nation when regu- lated well, are every-where deftroying them- felves and their Pofterity by their Intemperance and promifcuous Lewdnefs ; and becoming, in the mean time, an inlupportable Burthen by their Idlenefs and Extravagance. We have thought that neither God nor Man were to reftrain whatever we pleafe to caii Liberty ; and thus we have plunged into aLicentioufnefs, that hath brought upon us many of the Incon- veniencies, and almoft all the Difcontent, of Slavery.

Nor hath the Almighty omitted to fuperadd, though with a gentle Hand, Corredions in- tirely his own, to the Sufferings, which we have chofen to inflidt on ourfelves by means of the ftated Connexions, which he hath wifely and juftly eftabliflied. Wehad long been pofieffedof the Bleffing of Peace, without making any one good Ufe of it : and he hath permitted a War to come 'uj5bn us, of which we forefee neither the Duration nor the Event, We had

E long

50 SERMON IL

long enjoyed healthy and plentiful Seafons, without acknowledging Him for the Giver of them : and we have fince been vifited with Sicknefs in all our Borders > and fuch Dearth, as few, if any of us, ever knew before. Our Heavens have been made as Brafs, and our Earth as Iron * ; and we would not underftand it to be a Chaftifement : the former and the latter Rain -f* have been reftored to us, and we have not owned it to be a Mercy. Now, if lighter and jfhorter Judgments will not awaken us, heavier and longer muft. For fo the Prophet foretells : Lord, when thy Hand is lifted up^ they will not fee : but they pall fee %, And how much greater Evils God may yet caufe us to fee, lies hid in the Treafures of his own Fore- knowledge. We are at prefent in a Condition, 'that may, in various refpefts, very naturally and very foon become extremely dreadful. And what elfe we can do to better our Profpedl, is neither eafy for any Perfon to difcover, nor indeed the Concern of every Perfon to inquire but there is one Thing, which alone of itfelf will do incredible Good \ and every thing be- fides, very little without it ; which we all have

* Dent, xxviil. 23. i Deut. xi. 14. Jer. v. 24.

X If. xxvi. II.

in

S E R M O N IL 51

in our Power, and all feel to be our Duty. Come J and let us return unto the Lord our God : for He hath torn^ and He will heal m : He hath fmitten^ and He will bind us up ■^.

Both Particulars and Nations, which fall into a bad Way, are ftrangely unwilling, for the moft part, to underftand the Truth of their own Cafe. Such was the Difpolition of God's ancient People, admirably defcribed by the Prophet Hojea : His Strength is devoured^ a?id he knoweth it not : yea, grey Hairs are upon him, and he knoweth it not. And the Pride of Ifrael tejlijieth to his Face : and they do not return to the Lord^ nor feek him^ for all this -p. Nay, when the Difeafe is much too notorious to be denied, Perfons will be afcribing it to other Caufes, and inventing other Cures, than the right one ; putting Confidence in Schemes unconnefted with Reformation, and perhaps mending bad with worfe. But to thefe the Almighty himfelf hath exprefsly denounced : Wo to the rebellious Children, faith the Lord, that take Counfel, but not of me ; that cover with a Covering, but not of my Spirit ; that they may add Sin to Sin : that will not hear the Law of the Lord -y which fay, Caufe the Holy One of Ifrael * Hof. vi. I. f Hof. vil. 9; 10.

E 2 f0

S2 S E R M O N IL

U ceafefrom before us. Wherefore, thus faith the Holy One of Ifrael : Becaufe ye defpfe this Wordy therefore this Iniquity fhall be to you as a Breach ready tofall, fwelling out in a high Wall, 'whofe Breaking cometh juddenly at an In^ Jiant *. Healing Sores in a palliative, unfound manner, or^ly occafions their burfting out again with more threatening Symptoms ► If there- fore we would truly mend our Cafe, we muft go to the Bottom of it. We have been wicked^ and we muft repent. We have defpifed God,, and we muft humble etirfehes under his mighty Hand,

But then what ftiall we reckon is doi^g fo ? is it merely appointing or obferving a Form of Humiliation for Forms fake ? Inftead of ap- peafing God, we fhall not fo much as deceive Men by this : but only veil Irreligion with franfparent Hypocrify. Is it then being af- fefted end v/armed a little, at the Time, by what we fay or hear in this Place ^ and becom- ing," almoft immediately after, juft the fame Perfons that v/e were before ? On the con- trary, thefe tranfient Fits of Piety are men- tioned in Scripture, as a very difcouraging Sign ; O Ephraim.y whatjhall I do unto thee ? O Ju^ * If. XXX, I — 13.

M

S E R M O N II. 53

dahy what Jhalll do unto thee ? For your Goodr nefs is as a Mor?ii?2g Cloudy aiid as the early Dew it goeth away \, While Perfons refled: not at all, one knows not how it may operate, if ever they come to refleft. But when, through the Grace of God, they have aftually been made fenfible of their Guilt and their Danger, and yet relapfe into it ; when their Con virions have been renewed, their good Purpofes repeated, and yet all fuffered, time after time, to fall back into nothing : what can be expedled, but that Heaven will at laft abandon thofe, who in fo (hameful a manner abandon themfelves. Our prefent Bufinefs therefore is, each of us to im- print on our Minds now fuch deep Sentiments, as may influence us ever after, that devoutly conforming our Lives and our Souls to the Will of God, is the very End of our Being : to recoUedl and confefs before him, how griev- oufly and how long both we in particular, and this Nation in general, have neglefted the Obedience we owe him : to acknowledge, that we are altogether in his Hands, as private Per- fons and as a People : to confider whatever hath befallen us, as lefs than our Iniquities have merited \ to prepare ourfelves, with t Hof. vi. 4.

E 3 ^ meek

54 SERMON II.

meek Refignation for v/hatever more he may pleafe to infltdl on us : yet earneftly petition him, that whatever becomes of our temporal Concerns, our Spirits may befavcd in the Day of the Lord Jefus^-, and that if it be con- fident with his Holinefs and Wifdom, he would fpare us even in this World, not for our Righteoiifnejs, but his own great Mercies -f-, in Chrift our Redeemer, for the Honour of his Name, and the Prefervation of his true Re- ligion eftabliflied amongft us ; to form folemn Refolutions againft every Sin, againft every Occafion of Sin, for the future: begging at the fame time that Grace of our Sancftifier, which alone can make them efFeftual: and do all thefe Things not only in Profeffion, as Matter of outward Decency, but from the Bottom of our Souls; not only with a fudden Fervor, ex- cited here in the Congregation, but deliberately at home, before our Father which fceth in Je- er et t.

How eafy, or how hard, it may be for any of us to bring our Hearts really into fuch a Frame as this. He only knows, who knows all Things. Perhaps it is a Sort of Language, and a Way of Thinking, to which fome of us have

* I Cor. V. 5. t ^^^^ ^x- ^3' t ^^^"- ^^^- ^'

never

SERMON IL 55

aever been ufed, and which others have long difufed. If it be, we have fo much the more Need to take it up without Delay. For our Maker and our Judge is intitled to the mofl lowly Submiffions from his guilty Creatures : and there is neither any Meannefs in making, nor any Greatnefs in refufing, them. In all Cafes, the juft and the right is the worthy and the honourable Behaviour. But in this, above all, it is the neceflary one too. Obftinacy cannot fupport us : Diffimulation will not conceal us : it is God we are concerned with, and our only Refource is to throw ourfelves on his Mercy. The very beft of us have Caufe to lament our Failings, to reiterate our Vows, to implore his Forgivenefs and Affiftance, yet more ardently than we have done. In propor- tion to our Tranfgreffions and Deficiencies ; Qur Self-Abafement, our Penitence, our Sup- plications, our Efforts of Amendment, ought to increafe. And that our Performance of thefe Obligations will be followed, bad as our State is, with the happieft Confequences, Rea- fon affords comfortable Hope, the whole Te- nor of Scripture exprefsly declares, and the Text with peculiar Strength implies : Humble

E 4 yourjehes

56 SERMON IL

yourfehes under the mighty Hand of God^ that he ?7iay exalt you in due Time.

But I mufl not now enter on the Illuftra- tion and Proof of this important Connexion* May our prefent Humiliation give an experi- mental Proof of it, by effedlualiy inclining us to be reconcile^ to God^ ^ and inducing Him to direct our public Counfels into the Way of national Profperity> and our private Conduft into that of eternal Bleffednefs.

2 Cor, V. 20.

SERMON

Preached at the

Parlfli-Church of St. JameSy Wejlminjler^ Jpril II, 1744.

Being a Day appointed, by His Majesty's Prockmatioa^ for a General Fast on Occafioii of the War-,

SERMON III.

I Pet. v. 6.

Humble your/elves therefore under the intghty Hand of Gody that he may exalt you in due Time.

AT our laft Meeting on the fame moft neceflary Occafion, which calls us together now, I endeavoured to lay before you, from thefe Words, both the gene- ral Duty of Man's nioalking humbly with his God^, and the particular Reafons, which we of this Nation have, for exercifing a very deep Humility towards him, as we have been parti- cularly guilty, befides various other Sins, of that unfpeakably fhocking one. Pride againll him. Too many amongft us have dared to treat the Faith, if not of his Being, yet of the only Thing which makes it valuable, a juft and good Providence, with utter Con-

* Mic. vl. 8.

tempt :

6o SERMON III.

tempt : abfurd as it is, that the wife and pow- erful Maker of the World fhould not be the Ruler of it, and that the Ruler of the World fiiould not reward every one according to his Works'^, Much greater Numbers, if they do not deny his moral Government, yet almoft intirely difregard it : attend on his public Wor- flVip but feldom, and then vifibly as Matter of mere external Decency : never condefcend to pay him any Homage ia private ; nor through their whole Behaviour confider him, in the leaft, as, what they profefs to acknowledge He is, the Lawgiver, the Inlpe(5lor and Judge, of their Lives and Hearts : but fecurely follow Paffion, Appetite, Cuftom, Fancy, as the Guide of their Conduct ; and openly ridicule thofe that do othervvife : call themfelves Chriffians perhaps y but are totally void of Reverence for every Doftrine of Chriftianity, that is above their Comprehenfion, for every Pre-» cept that contradids their Inclination ^ and ftrangely negligent even of natural Piety and focial Virtue. Larger Multitudes yet imagine, that they are mighty Religious Perfons, if they preferve but a tolerable Regularity in the out- ward Ads of Devotion/ Juilice and Tempe- * Mattli* xvi. 27. •

ranee :

SERMON III. 6r

rence : though not proceeding from any in- ward Principle of Love and Duty to God, not accompanied by any Senfe of their needing his Pardon through the bleffed Jefus, or his Help through the Influences of the Holy Spi- rit j not carried on to an uniform Habit either of Obedience or Refignation, or animated by the Hopes of a better World. Indeed they moft commonly live, and often die, as unconcerned about his future Difpofal of them, as if it were not a Matter of Moment at all, inftead of being the only real one, that belongs to our Condi-' tion.

But, if pofTible, we have flighted him ftill more, conlidered as a People, than feparately* We have enjoyed the greateft national Blel^ fmgs, without the leaft national Thankfulnefs for them. In particular he hath bleiTed us with the cleareft Knowledge of the feveral Obligations incumbent on us : and we have ihewn the moft abfolute Scorn of all Methods for promoting or fecuring the Practice of them, even in thofe Points, on which our public Welfare ^lofl: confefledly depends. Nor have we hitherto received the Warnings, or even the Corred:ions of the Almighty, v/hich have begun to overtake us, with more Reipe<fl,

thaa

62 SERMON in.

than his Mercies. You have juft heard the Cafe of the barren Fig-tree read in the Gofpel for the Day : Beholdy thefe three Tears I come^ feeking Fruity a?idfind none : cut it down, why Climber eth it the Ground ^ ? Brethren, what is Our Cafe ? The prefent is the fifth. Year that- we have profeffed to obferve a folemn Faft, on account of our Sins and our Dangers, without making the leaft Reformation in any fingle Article. Nay, we have continually increafed in Negledl of Religion, in Gaiety and Mad- nefs for Pleafure : till we are come to purfue our Diverfions openly on the moft facred Day of the Week ; and fome (for, in every Inftance, w^hile the Offence is renewed, the Complaint muft) cannot perfuade themfelves to abftain from them, or from inviting large Companies of others to join in them, even on thefe An-^ niverfaries of peculiar Humiliation.

Such Outrages on Piety and common De- cency as thefe, muft, when repeated after No- tice taken of them, and Warning given againft them, which hath been faithfully done by the Minifters of God's Word, be deemed preme- ditated Infults, not Inadvertence and Forget- fulnefs. Yet Forgetfulnefs of the Moft High \ Luke xi-ii. 7.

2 can

SERMON III. 63

can never be a flight Offence : and is greatly aggravated by the ilrong Admonitions to re- member him, which not only his holy Word and our Confciences, v^ould we hearken to them, grve us perpetually, but his Providence alfo hath given us of late. The natural Con- fequences, and fuperadded Punifhments of our Difregard to him, have appeared very plainly for fome time, and are daily becoming more vifible and fenfible, in the Sins, and Fol- lies, andDiftrefles of private Life, in the gene- ral Want of public Order and public Spirit, ii\ Burthens and Uneafinelfes ; in Threatnings and adlual Attempts from abroad to deprive us of the Liberty we have abufed, and the Re- ligion we have fcorned -, and fink us down into the Slavery, and Superftition, and Wretch- cdnefs, that we have deferved to feel. Hi- therto, indeed, the Storm hath not fallen upon us : but it ftill hangs over us more heavily, than moft of us have ever known : our Ef- forts to difpel it have fucceeded very imper- fectly : The Difficulty of renewing thofe Ef- forts muit be augmenting each Year : our Enemies are multiplied in a dreadful manner : and what Affiftance we may expect from our Friends, God only knows. One Thing in- deed.

64 SERMON III.

deed, may afford feme Confolation to us. We have manifefted, on occafion of our Danger> an univerfal Zeal for that Eftablifliment, which is the only human Means of prefer ving us from it. Had we failed in our Loyalty, we had completed our Wickednefs : and fliould any Temptation hereafter intice or provoke us to fail in it, we and our Pofterity are intirely undone. But there can be no fure Depen- dence on Their Dutifulnefs to their King, who are undutiful to their God : or on their Attachment to the common Intereft of the Society, who prefer every prefent Gratifica- tion to their own everlaffing Welfare. Or if there could ; a profane and wicked People v/ill never have equal Spirit in Defence of the Community, for they have not equal Motives to it, with a pious and virtuous one. Or fup- pofing their Courage ever fo great : their Wealth, their Strength, their Union, their Affiduity, their Obfervance of. Rules, their mutual Confidence, will be lefs : and thofe Vices, which have brought us already fo far on our Way towards Ruin, muft at length, if w^e perfift in them, bring us to it, merely by producing their natural Effeds.

Bui

SERMON III. 65

Bat could we have Hopes of efcaping thefe, the Honour of the Divine Government is concerned not to let a national Contempt of it go unpunifhed, even in this World : and all Reliance on human Wifdom and Power, with- out Regard to God, will prove in the End fatal Self-Deceit. When the Lord fiall Jtretch out his Handy both he that helpeth Jl^alljlwiible^ afid he that is holpeii Jhall fall down : they JJmU all fail together *. The Anger of the Lord Jloall not return y till he have performed the Thoughts of his Heart : in the latter Days ye fhall confi- de r it perfeBly -f-.

But furely then we had much better con- fider it in this our Day j : and, as another Text av/fully exhorts, give Glory to the Lord ouf God, before he caiife Darkitefs 3 aiid while we look for Light, he turn it into the Shadow of Death §. Too many, of all Ranks, will pro- bably flight whatever of this kind is faid, even from Scripture itfelf. But ftill our Commif- fion is : Son of Man, I fend thee to the Children of Ifrael', to a rebellious Nation, that hath re- belled againft me, they and their Fathers, unto this very Day : a?id thou fialt Jiy tinto thejn^

* Ifa. XXXI . 3. f Jer. xxiii 20. i Luke xix. 42. § Jer. siii 6*

F Tka

66 SERMON III.

^hiis faith the Lord , and thou Jhalt fpeak my Words unto them^ ^whether they will hear^ or whether they will forbear *. Men in Power and high Stations more elpecially, and they who afpire to them no lefs, have alv/ays been diipofed to look with great Difdain on the artlefs and unwelcome Directions, which Re- ligion fuggefts for Deliverance from Danger. They have more refined Contrivances, on which they reft ^ and fcorn the plain Methods of Reconciliation to God, and Truft in him, through our bleffed Redeemer, as fitted only for the Populace to hearken to. But the Scripture hath provided an alarming Denun- ciation againft Them in particular. Hear the Word of the Lord^ ye fcornful Men, that rule this People which is in fenfalem, Becaife ye have faid^ We have made a Covenant with Death y and with Hell are we at Agreement ; when the over f owing Scourge JJ:all pafs through^ it f}:all not come imto t^s ; for we have i7jade Lies our Refuge^ and under Falfehood have we hid ourfelves : 'Therefore thus faith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for. a Foundation a $tone, a tried Stone, a precious Corner Stone, a Jure Foundation: he that believetb, Jhall not

* EzQk. ii. 3, 4, 7.

S'E R M O N III. 67

make hajle *. "Judgment alfo will I lay to the Line, a?id RighteouJ'nefs to the Plummet -, and the Hail fiall fweep away the Refuge of Lies, and the Waters fhall overflow the hiding Place, And your Covenant with Death fhall be difan^ nulledy and your Agreement with Hell f:>all not ftand. Now therefore be ye ?20t Mockers, left your Bajids he 7nade ftrong "f-. Another Sort of Perfons, extremely apt to defpife the Thought of Reformation, indeed all ferious Thought whatever, are they who abandon themfelves to Indolence and Voluptuoufnefs, and the Study of luxurious Elegance and Delicacy. Bat for thefe like wife there is in the Treafury of the Prophets a Menace in Store, which contains, alas, much too exaft a Defcription of our own Times. Wo unto them, that are at Eafe in Zion, that put far away the evil Day, that lie upon Beds of Ivory, and ftretch themfelves upon their Couches, that eat the Lambs out of the Flock, and the Calves out of the midft of the Stall, (the Luxury of the Table had then made but a fmali Progrefs) that cha?it to the Sound of the Viol, and invent to themfelves 7/2- jlrimients of Mvfick, that drink Wine in Bowlsy

* Or, beafhamed. See Rom. ix. 33. x. 11. t Ifa. ;}wxviii. 14 — 18,22.

F 2 and

68 SERMON HI.

and perfume themfeheswith the chief Perfume s^y but are not grieved for the Affliciion of fofeph. Therefore ?20w Jhall they go captive with the firjl that go captive^ and their Banquet fall he removed \, Others again are by no means indifferent about the Storm, which they fee gathering ; but have no Belief, that Amend- ment, or any thing, can difperfe it : and there- fore will take no Pains in what they conceive will produce no Good. But at leaft to them- felves Amendment will produce the greateft Good : and Refolutions not to amend will bring, both upon Them and others, more cer- tain and fpeedy, and total Deftrudlion y which clfe, after all, may perhaps be avoided. For hear the Declaration of God in this Cafe. Now therefore fpeak to the Men of Judah^ and to the Inhabitants of ferufalem^ f^j'^^g •' T^hus faith the Lordy Behold, I frame Evil againjl you ; return ye now every one from his evil Way^ and make your Ways and your Doings good. And they faid, Inhere is no Hope : but we will walk after our own Device s, and we will every one do the Imagination of his evil Heart, Tbere^

* In our Tranflation it is, anoint themfelves with the chief Ointments. But this, though literal, gives a difFer- cnt Ide{i now from what it did then, f Amos vi. I, 3 — 7.

fon

S E R M O N III. 69

fore thus faith the Lord, Ajk ye 7iow a?nong the

Heathen, who hath heard fuch things, I will

fcatter them, as with an Eaji Wind, before the

Enemy : I willfJoew them the Back, and not the

Face, in the Day of their Calamity *.

So that, whether it be Confidence, or De- Ipair, that hinders Reformation, the Threat- nings, you fee, are the fame. And the full Execution of thefe Threatnings, together with the Cauie of it, is thus recorded in the Book of Chronicles. The Lord God of their Fathers fent to them by his Meffengers, becaife he had Compafjion on his People, and on his Dwellings- Place, But they mocked the Meffengers of God^ and defpifed his Words, a?id miffed his Prophets^ until the Wrath of God arofe againft his People ^ till there was no Remedy, Therefore he brought upon them the King of the Chaldees, who few their young Men with the Sword in the Houfe of their SanBiiary, and had 710 Compa/Jion upon young or old : he gave them all into his Ha?id -f-.

How near we have approached to them in our Guilt. 13 too vifible : how eafily we may come to refemble them in our PuniOiment, is not lefs fo. The Hand of God is plainly lifted

* Jer. xvili. 11, 12, 13, 17. ;{• 2 Chr. xxxvi. 15, 16, 17.

F 3 H

70 SERMON IIL

up over US : the only Queftion is. Will we. humble ciirfehes under it^ or will we not ? Will we yet acknowledge, that He is the Sovereign of the World, and obeying him the only Way to profper ? Will we yttfeek hiin^ "while he may. be found '^ \ confefs our Sins, change our Con- dud:, and petition for his Mercy ? There have been Circumftances, in which Repentance it- felf would not ftop the Courfe of temporal Punilhments, though it will always prevent eternal ones : in which God hath faid to his Prophets, Fray not for this People for their Good, When they fajiy I will not hear their Cry:, and whe7t they offer an Oblation^ I will not accept the?n : but I will confume them by the Swordy and by the FamtJie, and by the Pejli- knee -f*. Even to this Extremity we may re- duce ourfelves : but that we are already in it, no way appears. The general Rule of his Providence is, At what Inftant I fiall fpeak concerning a Nation^ and concerning a Kingdoniy to pluck up^ and to pull down^ and to deftrcy it : if that Nation^ againjl who7n I have pronounc- ed^ turnfrc:n their Evil, I will repeiit of the Evil that I thought to do unto the?n J. And it

* Ifa. Iv. 6. f Jsr. xlv. i ij u.

X Jer. sviii. j^Z. , ^

©ught

SERMON IIL 7t

ought to be our Perfualion, that we are within the Rule. Our Caufe is unqueftionably good : and though we have been, moft of us, lamen* tably wicked, yet through his Grace many have preferved their Integrity : and either for their fake, or his Mercies fake, we ftill enjoy great Bleffings. He hath been far from for- faking Us, to the Degree that We have for- faken Him : elfe our State were wretched in- deed : and would we but now humble ourfehes throughly under his mighty Hand^ there is no Room to doubt, but he would exalt us in due time.

Whenever he calls upon us to ufe the In- ftrument, he furely deiigns us to attain the End, for which it was formed. Now peni- tent Reformation is the natural, as well as the appointed Inftrument for exalting both parti- cular Perfons and Communities* Religion works indeed by Terror at firft, and lowers the high Spirits of the Guilty : but only to raifethem again on folid Grounds, inftead of the treacherous Props which kept them up before. Without it, there is no Dignity in the Condition of Man : and how fliould there be any expeded in his Deportment ? If Per- fons either believe not in one, who fees and

F 4 rewards.

72 SERMON III.

rewards, or cannot hope that he will reward Good to Them : if all that they promife themfelves be here, and they apprehend, that either Annihilation or Mifery awaits them hereafter ; they will of courfe be many of tliem dangerous and mifchievous, the Gene- rality of them bafe and vile, attend folely to the Indulgence of their Fancies and theij Senfes, eat and drink^for To-mori'ow they die "*. Or if any Sparks of Worth do remain, unex- tinguiihed by fuch a mean Way of Thinking, they will have only an occafional and partial Influence. Or could it, in fome few, be a conftant and uniform one, yet they will be very few : and the Body of a People, if they are without Confcience towards God, will be widiout Honour and Probity towards Men, without Prudence and Magnanimity in the Condud of themfelves,. profligate and defpi- cable in all refpedis. But on the contrary, true Religion, for I fpeak not of fuperftitious Perfuafions and Obfervances, true Religion places Men above fordid Interefts, low Plea- f ares, and worldly Anxieties : teaches them to dread nothing, but offending their Maker; to fet their Hearts on nothing, but pleafing

'■* 1 Cor. XV. 32v

flim^

SERMON III. 73

Hm 5 and to have no Conception of pleafing him by any other Means, than rational Piety and genuine Virtue : it excites them by the nobleft of Motives to whatever is ufeful and eftimable -, and reftrains them by the ftrongeft Terrors from whatever is bad and hurtful: obliges them to right Behaviour in the higheft Profperity, and fupports them in it under the heavieft Adverfities : inipires Men with the moft earneft Concern ibr doing their Duty ; and frees them from all Concern about the Confequences of it in this World, by prefent- ing to their View the endlefs Recompences of a better. Such, in fome degree, is the Influ- ence even of natural Religion : but unfpeak- ably more powerful will that be found, whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious Promifes^ that by thefe we might be Partakers of the Divine Nature *.

Then farther, the Sentiments, which thus dignify every one's Behaviour fingly, mufl: have the fame Influence upon all, confidered as forming a Community. Publick Welfare will never be confulted as it ought, while Men adl merely on feparate felfifli Bottoms : nor ever fail to be confulted, when a well-founded * 2 Pet. i. 4»

Faith

7+ SERMON IIL

Faith in God animates their Zeal for general Good. Slights and Provocations, Difficulties and Rifques, private Advantages^ and party or perfonal Attachments, may very eafily fway and bias all, that ad: from temporal Motives : but are nothing to fuch as a6t from This , the only one that cannot poffibly be at any time overbalanced. So long as the State of Affairs is calm indeed. Government may go on very fmoothly, without much Principle in thofe who are employed by it, or live under it : per- haps the more fmootWy for a while, in fome Cafes, the lefs Principle there is. But when Storms rife, as after fuch Calms they will rife, then is the Time to fee, in what the real Strength of Society coniifts : who will ftrug- gle, who will hazard, who will be faidiful to the laft. They, that fear God, certainly will : and we can have no Certainty (how fhould we ?) of any other. Amongft the truly reli- gious, becaufe they are fuch, there will be fecure and mutual Truft, faithful Oeconomy, and unwearied Application : their Counfels will be fteady, their Undertakings juft, their Execution bold, their Confidence in Heaven ftrong, and their Adherence to a righteous Caufe unmoveable ! Seldom, if ever, will a

State,

SERMON III, 75

State, v/hich proceeds in this manner, fail of Succefs. And were they to fail ever fo greatly, nay, to be overwhelmed ever fo intirely, tiiey would fall with more Reputation and more Happinefs, than others flourifh. But there is always Reafon for better Hopes. A Nation, reverencing the Sovereign of the Univerfe, will be reverenced by ail around them, as a wife ajid underjlanding People^ 'which hatb the Lcrd nigh unto them *. Their Friends will know, they can depend on them: their Enemies will know, they have the ut- moft Efforts to fear from them : both will know, and they themfelves too, that even in their laft Extremity., Providence may be ex- peded to fight for them. Great are the Trou- bles of the Righteous : but the Lord deliveretb him out of thera all. The Lord delivertth the Souls of his Servants: and they y that put their Trii/i in hiin^ Jhall iiot be deftitute -f-.

But then it mufl be obferved, that fuch as have long been Sinners, and are at lail become penitent, (the former is certainly Our Cafe, would to God the latter were !) if Relief doth not appear immediately > ought to wait for it with much Patience, and be well fatisfied if they are

* Deut. iv. 6, -J, t Pfal. xxiv. lo, 22.

exalt-^d

76 SERMON m.

exalted in due Time : in God's Time, not their own. Wickednefs ruins Nations by degrees : Reformation may reftore them by degrees. An imperfecft Reformation will be likely to bring forth but imperfed: Fruits. And the completeft Reformation of a Few may prove infufficient to fave the Whole. Still thefe are Reafons, only why All fhould repent : not why None fliould, unlefs All will, which it is im- poflible to fcrefee. For be the Generality ever fo incorrigible, and their Deftruffion ever fo abfolutely decreed on that account : there is Encouragement enough, notwith- ftanding, for thofe who do humble themfelves, and return to a better Mind. Seek ye the Lordy clhe Meek of the Earthy which have wrought his 'Jiidg7nent. It may be ye JJoall be hid in the Day of the Lord's Anger *. At lead, whatever fuch may fuffer in common with others, far from being a Mark of his Anger towards Them, will contribute largely to improve their Vir- tues, and increafe their future Reward. So that in every Event they may cajl all their Care on God, for he careth for them -f*. Undoubtedly they will feel the Uneafinefs, which human Nature muft from whatever is painful to it :

* Zeph. ii. 3. t I Pet- V. ?•

ami

SERMON III. 77

2.nd in particular, a tender Concern for Multi- tudes, who have none for themfelves. But ftill they v/ill fubmit with Compofednefs and reve- rent Approbation to the fevereft Sentences of Heaven 3 and refled: with Joy, that their chief Intereft is fafe, though inferior Comforts be loft.

Let us therefore acquaint ourfehes with God, and be at Peace ^ : For he will keep thofe in per- feB Peace ^ whofe Mind is flayed on Him \. Whoever they are, that, fenfible of their Of- fences and their Weaknefs, apply for the Par- don obtained by Jefus Chrift, and the Grace communicated by the Holy Spirit : who, in their private Capacity, honour God, ftudy to be harmlefs and ufeful amongft Men, and govern themfelves by the Rules of Virtue ; who alfo, in their public Capacity, earneftly fray j or and impartially feek the Peace ofje- riLJalem J, the Welfare of their Country, civil and religious j not led by Intereft, Refentment, or Vanity, but having at Heart real common Good 3 and who in their whole Condud: en- courage and reftrain themfelves, as the Cafe requires, by the Faith of a future Recom- pence : whatever may befall the Society, of

* Job xxii. 21. \\{. xxvi. 3. % Pfal.cxxii. 6.

which

78 SERMON III.

which they are Part, it fliall be well with Them. Whatever elfe they may undergo, others will have nothing to reproach them %vith> they will have nothing to reproach their own Souls v/ith 5 and iji the Darhiefs Light jhallarife unto tbe?n^\ All fuch Perfons there- fbrc> after doing confcientioufly what is incum- bent on them, not only may, but ought to be without Solicitude : and fliould let the Foun- dation of their Peace be known ^ that all around them may perceive, how vaflly prefer- able the Confolations of Religion are to every other Metliod of making themfelves eafy. The pious Man doth not labour to quiet his Thoughts by obftinately fhutting his Eyes, or plunging into ExcefTes, or taking oS his At- tention by Amufements : but can with Tran- quillity look towards the evil Day, and fee it coming : wait for it, and bear his Share of it, lefs or o-reater : beino^ afiured, that all Things work together for bis Good -f-. A very different State from theirs, who know they have de- ferved the Judgments of God, who know they have contributed to bring them dovv^n on their own and others Heads -, who have nothing to cheer them, when the Clouds gather on every * Pfal. c:idi. 4, | Rom. viii. 2^.

2 Side

SERMON III. 79

Side of them ; nothing to direcfl them, when the blacked Tempeft pours upon them, but the momentary Glimmerings of human Hope, jflruck out by their own Imaginations -, and if they fhould efcape, if they fhould outwardly profper again for the prefent, will only be tempted by it to treafure up to themfelves hotter Wrath agairifl the Day of Wrath ■*, and final Judgment. But hear, I intreat you, how the Word of God exprefles the Cafe of each : and may its enlivening Exhortation to the former, and its terrifying Admonition to the latter, fmk deep into your Breafts. Who is among yoUy fearing the Lord, that walketh in T>arhiefs^ and hath no Light ? Let him trufl in the Name of the Lordj andjlay upon his God, Behold^ all ye that kindle a Fire, and compafs yourfehes about with Sparks ; walk in the Light of your Fire^ and in the Sparks^ which ye have kindled : this fhallye have of mine Hand^yefhalllie down in Sorrow -f-v

* Rom. ii. 5r t I^^- !• lOj II*

A

SERMON

Preached on Occafion of the

REBELLION in SCOTLAND,

At the

Parifli- Church of St. James, Wejlniinjler,

And

The CHAPELS belonging to it,

05lober 6, 13, 1745.

SERMON IV.

2 Sam. X. 12.

Be of good Courage^ and let us play the Men for our People^ and for the Cities of our God: And the Lord do that which feemeth him good.

MA N Y of you, I hope, remember, that I difcourfed to you upon thefe Words, a Year and feven Months ago * : when God, for our Sins, threatened us firft, with what, for the Continuance of them, he hath at length permitted to fall on Part of this Land. The Renewal, and nearer Ap- proach, of the fame Danger, requires a more earneft inculcating of the fame Exhortations. For perhaps we may now lay to Heart the Things we did not then. It is very true, the Pulpit ought never to be prophaned, and I truft never hath or ihall by me, to ferve the Pur- pofes of Party-Intereft 5 or intermeddle with any Points of a Political Nature, about which

f February 26, I743-4'

G % the

8+ SERMON IV.

the Friends of their Country, that think at all, can poffibly be of different Opinions. But the prefent is a common Caufe, affedling every one of us, without Diftinftion, in what is moft important to us : and God forbid, that theMini- fters of the Gofpel fhould be either unwilling or afraid to fpeak, when his Providence calls on them fo loualy, to lift up their Voice. Should the Storm, which is now beating on many of our Fellow-Subjefts, be difperfed by infinite Goodnefs ever fo foon and fo intirely, without reaching Us ^ it may yet be of un- fpeakableUfe, to have made the proper Reflexi- ons and Refolutions, whiift it was approaching towards us. And Hiould the Almighty fuffer us to feel it, as we have well deferved 5 nothing, but thinking and behaving rightly under his "judgments, can give us Hope of his Mercy to moderate and fhorten them.

Now \vhaLever is requifite for thefe End?, is clearly comprehended in the Words of the Text : which bring naturally to our Thoughts the three following Particulars,

I. The Interefls we have at ftake. Our People y and the Cities of cur God.

11. The

S E R M O N IV. 85

II. The Spirit, which we ought to fhe'w in defending them. Be of good Courage, mid let us play the Men.

III. The humble Dependence on Heaven^ which we ought to exercife at the fame time* yi?2d the Lord do that which feemeth him good,

I. The Interefts we have at ftake. Our People and the Cities of cur God : in other Words, our Civil Rights and cur Religion.

The Defence of their Perfons and Poflef- fions againft lawlefs Power, and the fecure Enjoyment of the Means of Happinefs here and hereafter, wxre the great Motives, that induced Men to fubmit originally to Govern- ment. And every particular Government is good or bad, as it anfwers or fails of anfwer- ing thefe Purpofes. Now in our own, as it ftands at prefent, our Liberties are greater than thofe of any other Nation upon Earth : we enjoy them fo fully, that we abufe them be- yond Example : and, I believe, no one Per- fon amongft us, of Knowledge and Confi- deration, doth or can fufped: our Kin^ of hav- ing the lead Defign to infringe any Branch of them. The private Property of the very G 3 Meaneft

86 S E R M O N IV.

Meaneft is as fafe from the Violence and Op- preflion of the Greateft, as good Laws and an impartial Execution of them can be hoped to make it. And for the Public Burthens we labour under, we have laid them on our- feives, by Reprefentatives of our own Choice, for Ufes, which we and our Fathers, very juftly in the main, thought neceffary : In par- ticular for the moft important Ufe, of fecur- ing the Nation, from time to time, againft the Mifchief that now once more hangs over us : w^hich if we at laft get rid of, all we have fpent is well laid out 3 and if we fubmit to, all is thrcw^n away.

Still, there may doubtlefs have been Faults committed, in relation both to thefe and other Matters. But then. Part of the Faults com- monly charged may be imaginary : for we are all as fallible, as thofe whom we blame ; and few of us in fo good a Situation forjudg- ing. Part may be of fmall confequence ; and therefore no Ground for any great Refentment. Part may have arifen from our own Mifcon- dud:, as much, if not more, than from that of our Superiors. Part again may have pro- ceeded from excufable Miflakes or Infirmities of theirs 5 for which, as we laced Allowance

in

SERMON IV, 87

in ourfelves, we fhould make Allowance in others : efpecially in Princes^ for the fame Rea- fon as in Parents ; and to a fit Degree, in thofe alfo that are employed by them. But whence- foever apprehended Grievances may have come^ we have legal, conftitutional, peace* able Means for redreffing them 5 with uncon- trolled Liberty to ufe thofe Means, if we will. And fuppofe they have not operated fo fpeedi- ly, or fo efFeftually, as we may wifh : yet, if Force may be ufed inftead of them, upon every Failure or Delay, eipecially when caufed merely by Difference of Opinions amongfl ourfelves, no Society can ever fubfift. And if we are too corrupt a People, to expeft any Good from mutual Perfuafion -, much lefs can we exped: it from mutual Violence.

Then laflly, as for our Religion ; the leafl valued, I fear, yet infinitely the mofl valuable of all our Blefiings ; and which guards and fences the reft, in a manner that nothing elfc can : our Religion, I fay, is undeniably the moft rational and worthy of God, the moft humane and beneficial to Men, the furtheft from being either tyrannical or burdenfome, the freeft from Superftition, Enthufiafm, and Gloominefs, of any ih the World. It is efta- G 4 blilhsd

88 SERMON IV.

blifhed with fuch Care, that the Support of it is infeparable from that of the Civil Govern- ment : yet happily with fuch Moderation ^^ as to bear hard on none who diffent from it. The Praftice of it indeed, we muft own, hath not been inforced on its Profeffors, fo generally or fo carefully as it ought, either by the Autho- rity or the Example of thofe, whofe Duty it IS. Would to God it had ! God grant it may ! But ftill, they who have not duly excited Men to Piety, have not reftrained them from it : and every one's Difregard to it is principally chargeable on himfelf alone.

This I apprehend to be a true and a modeft Account of our prefent Condition : for I have put the Advantages of it at the loweft, in or- der to fay nothing that can be difputed. And what a:re we to change it for, if the Attempt, now making, fliould fucceed ? Indeed what have we to exped before it can fucceed, (for every one muft be convinced, that it will not be tamely fubmitted to), but a wide and hor- rid View, in proportion as it makes a Progrefs, of Bloodilied in the Field and out of it, and of Ravage at the Pleafure of a rude and uncivil- ized People, to the imminent Hazard of every thing, and every Perfon, dear to us ? Judg-

ments>

SERMON IV. 89

itients, which this Illand hath been long with- out experiencing: but how long, and how heavily it may groan under them now, unlefs a fpeedy Check be given to this Rebellion, God only knows. For a conquering Enemyj had he the Will, which is dreadful to truft to, hath often not the Power of reftraining the Defolations of Fire and Sword, when once they are begun.

^^

«

But fuppofe this Beginning of Sorrows over: what mufl follow ?

With regard to our Civil Concerns : How large Numbers are there, who have no other Security for a confiderable Part, it may be the Moft, or the Whole of their Property, than the Continuance of the Government now in being ; in whofe Hands it actually is ? And fhould that Government fail : as it cannot be hoped, that what hath been lent for its Sup* port, and proved one of its main Supports, will be regarded very favourably by thofe who come to overturn it; how terrible may the Dlftrefles of fuch Perfons be, and how much farther than themfelves muil they' extend ? To all their Domeftics, all their Dependants^ all that have Dealings or Concerns with them- What Multitudes are there again, whofe For- tunes

go S E R M O N IV.

tunes are intlrely, or principally, built on Royal Grants, judicial Determinations, or Ads of the Legiflature, made within the laft lix-and- fifty Years ? which, in cafe of a Change, will all become queftionable, as done by incompe- tent Authority, and lie at the Mercy of we know not whom. The Perfon, who now threatens us, comes attended with a large and an indigent Train of Followers, collected from each of the Three Nations, who will think, and do their utmoft to make him think, that the long Sufferings of many of them, and the prefent dangerous Services of many more, can never be rewarded with fufficient Bounty. And when Revenge, and Poverty, and Ava- rice, are fet on work together, what Forfeit- ures may be claimed, what Mifdemeanors and Treafons charged, in a Nation, which will be looked on as the Whole of it involved in Treafon, for fo many Years paft -, or how un- fairly the plaineft Laws in our Favour may be interpreted to admit of fuch Attempts, or even wrefted to ferve them ; which of us all can fo much as guefs, or who can be affured of his own Safety ?

But befides thefe Hazards to the Properties and the Lives of particular Perfons, in- what

State

S E R M O N IV. 91

State will the Commerce and Poffeffions of the Nation be ? Think, what innumerable Debts the Pretender to His Majefty's Crown muft needs have contrad:ed in fo long a Space, during which he hath had nothing of his own. to fubfift on : think, what immenfe Sums foreign Princes may charge on account of moil expenfive Wars, which they may plead were begun or carried on for his Service : and how dreadfully this Nation may be exhaufted, to fatisfy but a fmall Part of thefe Demands : for which it will make no Amends, to annihi- late the prefent Incumbrances on our public Revenues, by a ruinous Breach of the public Faith. Think alfo, once more, what fatal Conceffions the Powers who fupport the pre- fent Invafion, and who will be wanted for a continual Support,- even were it to fucceed ^ what fatal Conceffions they will affu redly re- quire in return, of Places on which our Trade depends, of Indulgences in Trade to them- felves, of Reftridions upon Us -, which w^iil reduce us to a Condition impotent, precarious, and defpicable.

I fay not this, or any thing, to raife in you a Spirit of unchriftian Bitternefs, either againft

the

92 SERMON IV.

the ignorant Wretches that have been dehided into this Rebellion, or even againft their Lead- ers. Let them be judged of v^ith all the Cha- ritv, let them be treated v/ith all the Mercy? which their Cafe will poffibly allow : only let lis fee the Mifchief, that their Succefs would bring on us, and exert ourfelves accordingly to prevent it.

But were we ever fo fafe in other relpefts i what Security can we have with'refpecfl to our happy, envied, legal Conftitution ; when that Power of fufpending and difpeniing with Laws, and levying Money without Law, which lays every Provilion, that can be made in favour of the Subject, wholly at the Sove* reign*s Feet ; and yet was not only claimed, but exercifcd immediately before the Revolu- tion, fhall come of courfe to be eftablifhed as a juft Prerogative, by what will be called a Reftoration? The Rights, that we have enjoyed as indifputably our own, from that time to this, may then be accounted feditlous and trea- fonable Pretences; and every Expreffion of Fondnefs for any Remain of Liberty, be deemed a Step towards Rebellion : as indeed it will be thought but natural, to fufpedt and 4 ftifle

SERMON IV, 93

ftifle the lead breathing of that Spirit which once delivered us, in order to prevent another Change. Efforts notwithflanding will, in all likelihood, be made towards one : how blopdy and how fatal, who can tell ? The Apprehen- fion of thefe Efforts will be a much flronger Plea, than in the late King jfames^ Time, for keeping up a chargeable and dangerous {land- ing Force, perhaps a foreign one. The Dread of that Force will intimidate fome ; and the Principle of turning to their own Advantage what they cannot help, will intice others, to go every Length of Compliance that they are required. And a Prince, coming in on the Bottom of Right Hereditary and Indefeafible, will think he hath the clearefl Title to Abfo- lute Power. His Partizans, even whilft he is out of Poifeilion, have openly avowed that he hath : and what can be expedled then, if he fhould get into it ? The mere Exercife of fuch a Power very probably will not fatisfy ; but Declarations and Oaths be invented for the Acknowlegement and Support of it -, which, it \v\\\ be impoinbie for us, either to make with Innocence, or to refufe v/ith Safety.

Then for the State of our Religion : No' one Inflance can be given, that Popery ever

fpared

94 S E R M O N IV.

fpared Proteftantifm for any Continuance, after it was able fafely to opprefs it. But leaft of ail will Favour be iliewn here, longer than Neceffity obliges. For, to whatever Tender- nefs many of that Communion may be inclin- ed ; as, no doubt, there are Numbers amongft tliem of mild and worthy Perfons : yet the uncharitable Part will affuredly prevail, as tliey always have done every-where ; and falfeiy imputing to our Religion that pretended DiQoyalty, which proceeded only from their illegal Attempts to overturn the whole Con- ffitution, will not fail to argue, that the fame Caufe mufl: produce again the fame EfFecfl, and therefore mufl not be permitted to fubfift. Think then, all that love the Church of Eng^ iandy all that believe the Doctrines of the Re- formation to be the Truth of Chrift, what a Condition it will be, either to profefs and praftife the Falfhoods and Impieties, of which yoa are fo thoroughly convinced, or to be driven from this, and every other Place of God's public Worfhip into Corners : nay, in a while, to be dragged out thence alfo, and facrificed to tliat Mother of Abominations^ which hath fo long been drunken with the Blood cf the Saints '*.

* Rev. xvil. 5, 6. And

S E R M O N IV. 95

And let even them who are indiflferent, or Doubters, or Unbelievers in Religion, refled: on this at leaft : that, as they are alw^ays in- veighing againft Superftition, fo the Church of Rome is over-run with it to the higheft Degree poffible : and, as they are always exclaiming againft the Wealth and Power of Eccleliaftics 3 fo the Wealth and the Power, the Pride and the Tyranny of Popery, are un- ipeakably the greateft, that ever the World knew. And if they will notwithftanding go at prefent upon their favourite Maxim, that All Religions are the fame, it will be a juft Judgment of God to make them feel the Difference.

But to thefe Things it may be anfwered^ that the moft folemn Obligations have unque- ftionably been entered into, by him who claims the Crown, for our intire Security, both in Church and State. Nor indeed could any thing feem in Speculation more likely : becaufe nothing is more apparently requifite in all common Policy. And yet, furprifing as it is, no one clear and explicit Declaration of this kind was made by the Pretender at the time of the laft Rebellion : nor can I hear of a any

96 SERMON IV.

any made by him at prefent. And I beg you to confider, if he will not promife plainly now, what will he do afterwards ? For as to any good Words, given by another in his Name, what can be eafier for him, than to difavow them, as going beyond the Com- miffion which he granted ? But fuppofe the ftrongeft Affurances given by himfelf : were they not given by the bloody Queen Mary to her Protcllant Subjefts, who had fully merited them by their Zeal for raifing her to the Throne ? And did flie not perfecute them im- mediately, and burn them in little more than a Twelvemonth ? Were they not given by the late King James ? And had he not ftrong Mo- tives of Gratitude, as well as Confcience, to keep them ? And yet did he keep them for the fmalleft Part of four Years ? How can we then flatter ourfelves, that any one, who claims under him, will be at all more favour-^ able to that Religion, and thofe Liberties^ which have been all this time the capital Ene- mies to his Pretenfions ? The mofl forma,l De- clarations, that he can make, have been over and over, and long fince the Revolution, declared by the Authority of the See oiRome '' utterly

'' null

S E R M O N IV. 97

** null and void from the Beginning, when- *^ ever they are prejudicial, in any manner, and ** the leaft degree" (I ufe the very Words of Pope Clement XI. in the very Cafe of Stipula- tions made in favour of Proteftants) " to the *^ Catholic Faith, the Salvation of Souls, or to " any Rights of the Church whatfoever 5 even " though fuch Engagements have been often " ratified, and confirmed by Oath*." Let therefore the Pretender to the Crown make Promifes ever fo full and expreffive, let his natural Difpofitions to keep them be ever fb favourable 5 yet, as he profefles Subjeftion of Conicience to the Pope's Determinations, un- der whofe Eye he hath long refided, in w^hofe Dominions his Son, who hath now invaded us, was born and educated, and by whofe Bounty they have both been all along fupported ; he cannot refufe to break any Ties, which fhall be declared fmful by his infallible Guide j who may purpofely have connived at his engaging in them, in order to his breaking them at a proper Time. But if he were to i:efufe it y can we imagine, that all his Suc- ceffors too will be fo obftinately undutiful, as

* Clem. XI. Pont. Max. Epift, & Brevia. fol. Rom^, 1724. torn. ii. p. 179.

H to

98 SERMON IV.

. to fpare a Religion which they mortally hztc^^ when they believe extirpating it will intitle them to Heaven, and atone for all the Sins of a wicked Life ?

It muft be acknowledged. Popery hath ap- peared milder of late, than in former Ages-s Yet even our Days have known the Execu- tions of Tbor?2, and the Banifhments of Saltz- burgh : and France^ this very Year, hath beeil pcrfecuting and murdering our Proteftant Bre- thren for the Profeflion of their Faith. Nor. hath the Church of Ro772e ever given up any one of the Claims, w^hich it may have forborn to exercife : and, fhould it once regain fo much of its ancient Power, as would neceffarily fol- low from prevailing here, it would foon refume its ancient Fiercenefs in Proportion.

Shall we perfuade ourfelves then, that Fear will reitrain a PopitlTi Prince from, attempting to overturn our Religion and Lav/s ? But what if his greatest Fear ihoiJd be that of Damna- tion for not attempting it ? which wa& the knowQ Cafe of King 'James^ and may be that of others after him. Or what if it fliould be held the fafeit Way, in a political View, to make tliorough Work at once, by the Amil-

anc€

SERMON IV, 99

^nce of Foreigners, now preparing to invade us ?

Still it may be faid, that whoever becomes our King, will at leaft, for his own Intereft, be tareful of the Trade and Power of the Na- tion. But how can he, if he would s when he muft undoubtedly have promifed the contrary to foreign Powers already ? And if he is capa- ble of deceiving Them, how fhall We truft him ? But fuppofmg he hath promifed thern. nothing : yet, if he prevails by their Help, what can he be elfe, than a Deputy and a Viceroy, fubjed: to the Commands of our moft formidable Adverfaries ?

This Conlideration ought in Reafon to alarm even thofe who wifh well to his Caufe, even thofe who profefs his Religion -, and make them utter Enemies to his coming in fuch a Manner, however defirous they may be of his coming otherwife. For can we, or can they, make Terms with the Power of France^ when we have once given it Footing in the Heart of our Country ; or hope, that any Terms, which are made, will ever be ob- ferved ? Will that moft ambitious and perfi- dious Crown lofe fuch an Opportunity of weakening us by our own Strength, making

H 2 us

loo SERMON IV."

US dependent on itfelf for ever, and Tools to en- Have the reft of Europe ? Will it not treat both us, and the King it fets over us, as the Tyrant oiBabyloji did the Prince, whom he gave to the ^ew^ ? He hath made a Cove?ia?it with him^ and taken an Oath of him ; he hath taken alfo the Mighty of the La?2d', that the Kingdom might be bafe^ that it might not lift up itfelf -^ but that by the keeping of his Covenant it might Jland^.

Such then being the Viev/ of our Dangers, let us proceed to confider,

II. The Spirit, with which we ought to de- fend ourfelves againft them, het us be of good Courage^ and play the Men, Thefe Words may jfeem to exprefs the Duty of the Soldiery alone* And, without queftion, they exprefs that pe- culiarly : and, joined with the following ones, clearly fhew, that a ftrong Senfe of Religion, and a virtuous Concern for the common Wel- fare, are the true Principles, that will give military Perfons Bravery and Succefs ; as they did to thofe, whofe Hiftory the Text relates. But ftill the more Literal Tranflation is. Be Jlrong^ and let us fi'engthen one another -f*. In

* Ezek. xvii. 13, 14.

t Sec Gen. xxv. 22. jili. 2. 2 Kings xiv. S, ll.

tliis

SERMON IV. loi

this Senfe they concern us All : this therefore I fhall follow.

And, if ever Caufe required exerting and joining all the Strength, and all the Courage we have. This is that Caufe. For the Attack is made by our Enemies, foreign and domef- tic at once, on every thing dear to us. Civil and Sacred : and Confcience towards God, a^ well as private Intereft and public Good, de- mands our utmoft Zeal in fuch a Conteft.

The Plea, which fome would ufe to check this Ardour, as if the Government we live under ought not to be fupported, becaufe the late King James and his Son were fet afide by the People, is abfolutely groundlefs. For In- deed King James fet himfelf afide j abandoned the Government wilfully, rather than admi- nifter it according to Law : and by fo doing, left the Nation at Liberty, or rather under Ne- cefRty to provide for itfelf in the Manner it did \ efpecially as he carried away the Pcr- fon, whom he called his Son, along with him. And had he not been carried away \ all the World knows, it was generally and ftrongly fufpedted, that he was not the Queen's Child : and the three Eftates of the Kingdom, the only fit Judges of a doubtful Succcffion, fixed

H 3 it

I02 SERMON IV.

it without taking Notice of him. But had^ none of thefe Things been fo -, that unhappy King, feduced by RomiJJo Bigots, had invaded,, with a high Hand, the Religious and Civil Rights of his People : inftead of giving the leaft Hope of Amendment, he was going oa with Rapidity to the utter Deftrudion of both. And Subjefts were not made for Princes, to, be treated as their abfolute Property, and de- fcend from one to another like Cattle, let them be ufed as they v/ill : But Princes were made for their Subjedls ^ to govern them legally, and feek their Good. What is the Duty of the one, is the Right of the other : and where there is a Right, there ought to be a Remedy. Common Remedies are ever to be ufed in com- mon Cafes : and if they are infufficient, Angle Perfons ought to bear every thing ; and Na- tions, every thing that can be born withoutDe- ftrudion ; rather than break the public Peace, and eftablifhed Order of Government. But in extreme, imminent, univerfal Dangers^ Methods of the lad Refort, if neceffary and likely to fucceed, are fully warranted ; by the Nature of the Thing, by our original Confti- tutton, by ancient Practice upon it, and royal Recognitions of it.

3 The

SERMON IV. 103

The Scripture indeed commands, what Reafon itfelf doth, Subjeftion to the fupreme Powers. — But how many other Commands are there, which confeffedly admit of pro- per Exceptions ? And were this to admit of none, yet the Scripture doth not determine, in whofe Hands the fupreme Power is lodged. And where it is divided, as it is with Us, be- tween the King and his great Council, by whofe joint Authority every Statute is expreffed to be made : he, who refufes to ftand to that Divifion, as the late King 'James did openly, both by Word and Deed, renounces the Au- thority that belonged to him under it ^ and other Authority he hath none. Or fuppofe even this doubtful ; the Scripture requires Subjedion : But to whom ? To the Powers that be^ the adlual, vifible, Governments of every Country. Thefe it declares are ordained of God ', and that they who re fifty fiall receive Damnation *. Not the leaft Hint given, of enquiring into the Juftice of an Eftabliihment in its firfl: Rife long ago : a Thing which fev^ Subjedls can do, and perhaps few Govern- nients can bear. Not the flighteft Intimation,

^ Rom. xiii. 1,2.

H 4 cf

10+ S K R M O N IV.

of adhering for ever to the Family of an abdicated Prince, and going on, Age after Age, to afcribe the fovereign Authority over a Nation, to a Perfon that hath no Means of exercifing any one Adt of Authority. The Neceffities of Mankind render it abfurd: the Praftice and the Notions of Mankind have always been contrary to it. Heathens, JewSy Chriftians, Papifts, Proteftants, all the World have agreed In the Point with univerfal Con-^ fent ; excepting a fmall Handful of Men in this one Age and Nation : Perfons greatly to be pitied, and highly to be efteemed, while they lubmit peaceably to Inconveniences for Confcience Sake ; but furely guilty of as inde^ fenfible a Singularity, as ever was.

There may indeed often be a Doubt, and fometimes it may laft a good while, which are the Powers that be : whether a Govern- jnent is yet to be confidered as eftablifhed, or not. But in our own Cafe, if a Duration of fo many Years, and the peaceable Succeffion of fo many Princes, and the repeated Ac- knowledgments of the whole People of thefe Kingdoms, and of all the Sovereigns and Nai- tions pf the Earthy do not make it a clear

Point,

SERMON IV. 105

Point, in whole Hands the fupreme Authority of this Country long hath been, and adtually now is : nothing of fuch a Nature can ever be clear at all. Very few of Us have either known, or lived under any other Govern- ment : we have all of us claimed, and en- joyed the Protedlion of this : we have afted in Purfuance of its Authority ; we have pray- ed continually for its Prefervation ; we have many of us bound our Souls by folemn Oaths, and fome of us by repeated ones, to main- tain it : in fo doing, we maintain at the fame time, every thing that is valuable to us and eur Pofterity : and there cannot be a firmer Tie upon us, than thefe Things together : nor more abandoned Wickednefs, than to break through it.

Strengthened thus then within ourfelves, let us proceed to Jlrengthen one another. God knows, inftead of this, we have taken great Pains to weaken one another, by feparate Interefts and Views, Animofities and Refentments, unkind Sufpicions, and unjufl Imputations. What Party or Sort of Men hath been moft to blame in this refpedl, were it ever fo eafy to fay, would be very unfit : when the plain Concern j^, not to accufe and recriminate, but all to

unite

J06 SERMON IV.

unite in what afFefts all fo nearly. Thejr therefore, who have hitherto thought the Dan- ger of fuch an Attempt fmall, let them now ihew they were far from williing it greater. They, who have been diiTatisfied with parti- cular Meafures of Government, let them now give Proof, that they were not difaffected to the Government itfelf : and if poffibly in ahy thing the'- ■ a . haye .ppofed too far, take this fitteft Opportunity of making amends* This will demonftrate the Uprightnefs of their In- tentions, give Weight to their Sentiments on other Matters, and pull down the falfe Hopes, that our Enemies have founded on our do- meftlc Difputes. But then, at the fame time, if the Zeal of any for the prefent Eftablifli- ment, hath tempted them to judge too hardly concerning the Affedlion of others towards it, they ought now candidly to acknowledge their Error: embrace thofe as true Friends, v/ho approve themfelves to be fuch in the Day of Trial ; and remember for the future, that Strength is attained, not by Divifion, but by Union. Indeed we fiiould all remember, in- flead of aggravating what our Oppofers have done amifs, to reflcd: ferioufly what we and

our

SERMON IV. 107

pur Friends have been faulty in : and perhaps we fhould moft of us find, it hath been a great deal too much.

But it is not mutual good Temper alone^ that our Cafe requires -, but mutual Affiftance and Encouragement, to be given with Spirit by each of us, according to his Ability, and the Nature of his Station, to all around him : by ranking ourfelves openly on the Side wc are of; joining our Ccunfels, contributing our Money, hazarding our Perfons, if need re- quire it 3 by inftrudting, undeceiving, excite- ing, fortifying, as many others as we can. That Part would be indifferent. Part timorous, and All refifl weakly, was the great Thing, that the Adverfaries of the Government promifed themfelves, and its Friends were apprehenfive of. God be thanked, both of them in fome degree have fcen their Miftake. Let us go on to complete the Convidlion, by a daily In- creafe of refblute Activity. Strengthen ye the 'weak Hands ^ and confirm the feeble Knees : fay to them that are of a fearful Hearty Be ftrongy fear not *.

One thing m.ore, to be mentioned under this Head, is, that if the prefent Endeavour to ruin

* Ifaiah xxxv. 3, 4.

US

io8 S E R M O N IV.

US fliould increafe, though It were confiderably, the public Expence neceffary to defend us, we are furely neither to wonder, nor to mur- mur at it ; but bear with Chearfulnefs what may be inconvenient, in order to prevent what muft be ruinous -, and confider well, that were this Defign to take Place, we fliould probably pay much more to Foreigners, as a Reward for enflaving us, than now to our own Govern- ors, as the Means of keeping us free.

But human Means alone, human Prudence and Strength, be it ever fo great, is no fufficient Ground of Confidence. For the Mojl High rukth m the Kingdom of Men, and giveth it to ivhomfoever he will ^. We muft never forget therefore,

III. An humble Dependance on Heaven for the Event of all. And the Lord do that Mohich feemeth him good.

What it will feem good to him to do with Us, when we confider our National Wicked- nefs and Ingratitude to him, it muft be ac- knowledged we have great Caufe to fear. He hath blefied thefe Nations beyond moft, if not any other Part of the World : and we have « Daniel iv. 17,

turned

SERMON IV. 109

turned all his Bleflings into Occafions of Sin. He hath given us Wealth : and we have ap- plied it to the v^icked Purpofes of Diffolute- nefs and Luxury. He hath given us Liberty : and we have abufed it to the bittereft Hatred, and the groffeft Licentioufnefs. He hath given us true Religion : and we have flighted and fcorned it ; caft off the Worihip of God, re- ceived the Mercies of his Providence without Thankfulnefs, and the Threatnings of it with- out Humility -, nay, ridiculed the Obligations eyen of Probity and moral Virtue, till we have fcarce Principle enough left to be con- cerned for any thing, but prefent Pleafure and prefent Intereft. Our Abhorrence of Popery is gone : our Zeal againft Slavery is degene- rated into Faftion : our Zeal for the Govern- ment, into private Selfiflmefs. We daily ac- cufe one another of thefe things : we never think of reforming ourfelves. And what can be, in a rational View, the probable Confe- quence, in a religious one, the juft Punifhment of fuch Behaviour, but that which the Divine Wifdom hath fo clearly foretold ? For that they hated Kiiowledge^ ajid did not chtife the Fear of the Lord'y they would none of my CounjeU an^ defpifed my Reproof: therefore JJjall they

eat

tib SERMON IV.

€at of the Fruit of their own TVay^ and be filled with their own Devices ^'.

It is by flow and filent, but it is by efFec- tiial Methods, that God fhews himfelf the Governor of the World. Princes, that neglecft to fapport His Authority, fhall find their own decay with it. Subordinate Rulers, that truft to other than virtuous Arts of Government^ fhall find they have leaned on a broken Reed^ And Nations, that indulge Profanenefs and Pro- fligatenefs, fhall experience them to bring on Confufion and Ruin. Efcaping it in one Shape for once, is nothing : in that, or fome other, it muft fall upon them, if they continue fuch as they are. And were ever fo great Ruin to fall upon Us now, what would it be more, than SamueH Predidlion verified ? If ye fhall fiill do wickedly^ ye fhall be coiifumed^ both ye and your King '\, And what could we fay, but ac- knowledge before God, with the penitent "Jews in Nehemiah^ Thou art jufi in all that is brought upon us : for thou hafi do7ie rights hut we have done ^wickedly : neither have our Kifjgs, our Princes^ our Priefis^ nor our Fathers (would to

* Prov. i. 29, 30, 31. t I Sam. Mil. 25.

• €dd

SERMON IV. Hi

God there were not the moft Caufe of all to add, nor we ourfelves) kept thy Law -f-.

Confidering our Cafe in this Light then, we have fmall Reafon to be of good Courage, And yet, confidering the divine Mercies, we are far from having any Reafon to defpond, if we have any Heart to repent. The Caufe we are engaged in, is that of Right and Truths and God's own Honour. Defendins: it va- liantly, is performing one Part of our Duty to him : and deferting it, would be filling up at once the Meafure of our Iniquities to the ut- moft. Wicked as we have been, and are, yet if we will but, at leaji in this our Day^ know the Thijigs that belong to our Peace *, there is flill abundant Room to truft in the gracious Proted:ion, that we have fo often experienced : and, provided we can but now bring our Hearts in earneft to fear God, we have no need to fear Man. What hath hitherto happened, is in-^ deed more than enough to awaken us from that Supinenefs, which it is aftonijfhing we fhould have indulged fo long ; but not at all to make us doubtful concerning the Event, were there only any Profped, that we fliould render ourfelves fit Objeds of our Maker's

t Neh. ix. 33, 34. * Luke xLx. 42.

Favour.

112 S E R M O N IV.

Farour. For the fake of a few good, there may be Mercy in ftore for the reft. The more of us become fo, the greater is the Hope. And would but this National Alarm produce, what undoubtedly Heaven hath defigned it for, a National Reformation ; we might boldly lay to our Enemies, in the Words of holy Writ: AJJociate yourfelveSyO ye People^ and y^ jhall be broken in Pieces : take Counfel together ^ and it Jhall come to nought : fpeak the JVord^ and it Jhall not Jiand: for God is with us. Sanc^ iify therefore the Lord of Hojis^ and let him be your Fear, and let him be your Dread^ and he Jhall be for a SanSluary *. For God willfave Sion, and will build the Cities of Judah. T^he Pojlerity alfo of his Saints Jl:>all inherit it , and they that love his Name Jloall dwell therein •f'. T^heir Children Jhall continue^ and their Seed Jhall be ejlahlijhed before him %.

* Ifaiah viii. 9, 10, 1 3, 14. f Pfalm IxiX. 35, 36, , X Pfalm cii. 8.

A

SERMON

P R E A c H E D at the Parifli-Church of St. Jamesy Wejlminjler^

AND

The CHAPELS belonging to it, O^oher 20, 27. November 24, 1745.

»

SERMON V.

Phil, iv, 6, 7.

Be careful for notlmtg : but in every ihi7ig by Prayer and Supplicationy with Thankfgiving, let your Requefis be made known unto God.

And the Peace of God^ which pajfeth all Underf}andi7ig^f}jall keep your Hearts and Minds y through Chrifl Jefus.

DAN G E R S are fo conflant, and Suf- ferings fo frequent, in humanLife, that behaving properly under the Appre- henfions and Experience of them, conftitutes a very confiderable Part of our Bufinefs here. But when Providence permits a pecuhar De- gree of either to be our Lot, it calls us pect- liarly to think, what Methods will beft pre- ferve us from them, or carry us through them. Now thefe are of two Sorts : Worldly Pru- dence, and Religious Wifdom. The Precepts I 2 of

ii6 SERMON V.

of the former it is not the Bufinefs of this Place to delivery but to limit and perfect them by the Didates of the latter : that we may neither endeavour to fecure ourfelves by adling wrong, nor doubt of Support in adling right. We are apt to look on Religion, very injurioufly, as only prefcribing difagreeable Duties ; whereas it fuggefts the kindeft Ad- vice, and fuperadds the moft comfortable Pro- mifes : which cannot be done more com- pletely, in the great Point of moderating Fear and Uneafinefs, than it is in the Text : where we have

I. A friendly Caution : Be careful for no^ thing,

II. A moll: necelTary Direflion: But in every

thing by Prayer and tiUpplication^ with Thankf- giving^ let your Rcquc'is be made known unta

God,

III. An Aiiiirance of the happy Effeft, which this Conducl will produce : A?id the Peace of God, which pafjeth all TJfiderJianding^ fball keep your Hearts and Minds ^ through Chrijt

I. A

S E R M O N V. 117

I. A friendly Caution: Be careful for no^ thing : Words, which neither common Rea- fon allows us to take in their utmoft Extent, nor Scripture itfelf. For it evcry-where de- mands from us the moft earneft Care about the Things of another World : and enjoins^ quite as often as it needed, a moderate Care about the Affairs of This. Being careful there- fore muft mean, in the Paffage which I have read to you, as an Expreffion mighty little varied from it, being full of Care, doth for the moft part, in our daily Speech ; not a difcreet and rational, but a difquieting and tormenting Solicitude : and that principally, not concern* ing our Behaviour, which is the only Thing in our Power ; but the Event, which is often intirely out of it. This the Original Greek Phrafe elfewhere ufually fignifies, though not always. In the Sixtli of St. Matthew it is many times rendered, Take no Thought, But there alfo we muft remember, that only what is im- moderate was intended to be forbidden : which, it had been happy, if our Tranflation had more determinately expreffed.

Thoughtfulnefs concerning our Deportment^ our Welfare, that of others, and the Public,

I 5 fo

ii8 SERMON V.

fofar as it will really be of Ufe, is a t>nty of indifpenfable Obligation. And iirft afting at random, then turning our Eyes from the evil Day, when we fee it coming, inftead of confidering how we may avert it, or make the beft Provifion againft it, will prove the Hirefl Way to bring it on with its blackefl Florrors. But the contrary Extreme, Anxiety, is both a miferable Feeling in itfelf, and the Parent of many farther Mifchiefs, without any Mixture of Good. It reprefents every Objeft of Terror as vaftly greater than it is in Truth : and frequently gives far more Pain beforehand, than the Prefence of all that we fear, is capa- ble of giving. Nay, it makes us tremble at mere Speftres : and fills us with the moft alarming Sufpicions, fometimes of what can- not happen, often of what is highly improba- ble. And yet, were it ever fo likely^ exceffive Dread will do nothing towards preferving us from it. Calm Reflexion will inftrudt and ex- cite us to do every thing for ourfelves, which we arQ able to do : and the utmoft Agonies of Difquiet can never carry us beyond our Abilities. Indeed very commonly vehement Emotions either hinder us from feeins: what is fit, or difqualify us from performing it : nay,

hurry

S E R M O N V. 119

hurry us into what is very unfit, and prejudi- cial to the Point, which we have in View.

But were they to leave us otherwife intirely Mailers of ourfelves, that Ea2:ernefs of looking* farther than we can fee, which they always beget, hath a powerful Tendency to millead us very unhappily. Dangers, which we think we difcern at a Diflance, may have no Reality : or if they have, may never draw near* Dan- gers that are near, may never reach us : and Evils, that have reached us, may vaniih on a fudden. Thefe are no Reafons againft pru- dent Forecaft : but they are flrong Reafons againfl extradling Wretchednefs out of Specu- lations on Futurity, inftead of following qui- etly and chearfully the proper Bulinefs of the prefent Day ; fince we know not what another may bring forth ^, and confequently require u5 to contrive or execute, to grieve or rejoice at* To-morrow, our blelTed Saviour hath told us, Jhall take Thought for the Things of itfelf\ : Time, as it runs on, will diredl us much bet- ter than we can guefs now, what Precautions we are to take, and what Judgments we are to form, about remote Affairs : and fince all,

* ProY. xxviL I, fMatt. vi. 34.

I 4 that

I20 S E R M O N V.

that appears at this Inftant likely to fall out, or wife to do, may pofTibly in the next appear quite otherwife ; we ought ftudioufly to mo- derate both our Actions and our Paffions, by recoileifting the Mutability of the World : which would fcive us a vaft deal of fruitlefs Labour and needlefs Mifery. We every one of us think the Sorrows of Life abundantly enough : why then fliould we multiply them by long Anticipations ; and load curfelves at once with Misfortunes prefent and to come, unmindful of our gracious Lord's im- portant Maxim : Siifficient unto the Day i^ the Evil thereof^} Had our Maker framed the human Mind in fuch manner, that we muft have been always for ecafiiiig grieijoiis Thijigs^y and fuffering every Hour, in Thought, all that through a Courfe of Years we are to fuffer in Reality, and much more j we fhould certainly have looked on it as very hard Ufage. V/hy then will we bring ourfelves into a State, in which if God had placed us^ we fhould have complained of him, as cruel ? He hath mercifully hid future Events from us, left the Forcfight of them fhould make

* Matt, vi, 34» % Wifd. xvii. ir,

US

S E R M O N V. 121:

us unhappy. And we pry into them by Con- jeaure, and dwell upon them by Imagina- tion, that we may be unhappy whether he will or not.

This, you fee, is more than Folly : it is evidently Sin. He intended us to live here in Comfort and Peace : and we are not at Liberty to fruftrate his Defign, by making ourfelves uneafy and wretched. Both Nature and Scripture plainly forbid it. Nor have we the leafl: Ground to hope, that the Fault will be deemed a Puniiliment fevere enough for itfelf. Many others are accompanied with grievous Mifery, to which not^ithftanding more hereafter is de- fervedly threatened. And the Guilt of in- ordinate Solicitude is greater, than we gene- rally apprehend. It implies, not only Dif- obedience to God, but Diftruft in him. It un- fits us for the Offices of Piety and of common Life. By dejeffing the Spirits, and fouring the Temper, it renders us different, in many refpedis, from what we fhould be, to all around us. It leads Perfons into ftrong Temptations, of railing and cheering them- felves under their Troubles by falfe and per- nicious Supports, or of feeking Deliverance 3 from

122 S E R M O N V.

from them by diflioneft Arts and Compli- ances. It infefts others, who fee it, with the fame Apprehenfions : which may produce the fame or worfe EfFefts on their Quiet, nay, their Innocence. And in proportion, as dif- couraging Alarms become epidemical, the Calamity dreaded becomes likely to happen. Sdll, fo much of this wrong Turn, as is really conftitutional and unavoidable Weaknefs, will certainly not be imputed as criminal. And therefore v/e ought not to double our Uneali- nefs, by adding to involuntary Anxieties a rigid Condemnation of curfeives for them : but flrive again il: them to the utmoft of our Power ; and then be fatisfied with the Con- fcioufnefs, that we have done fo : only not deceiving our Hearts v^'ith a Notion, that we have refiiled Fears, Vv^hich in truth we have indulged.

But fome v/ill fay, " How can we refifl " them ? Muft we not of neceffity be terri- *' fied at w^hat we perceive is terrible : be " concerned about what we are feniible is of " great Concern to us ? Where is the Virtue " of pretending to blind ourfelvcs, or even of " doing it actually, if we could ?" None at all certainly. But the Rule prefcribed you is,

not

SERMON V. 123

not to fhut, but open your Eyes, and contem- plate the whole of your Cafe deliberately and impartially. For perhaps it is not lb bad, per- haps not near fo bad, as you conceive, though you were to look on it only in a worldly View. And yet were outward Appearances, and our o,wn Strength, all that w^e had to look at, there would be no Wonder, if fometimes our Hearts fainted within us at the Profped:: for the ftouteft and the proudeft Hearts have fainted, before Us, on like Occafions. But the never- failing Foundation of Comfort is this. A Being infinitely powerful, wife, and benevo- lent, fuperintends the Univerfe continually : thefe Attributes afford us large Ground of Hope 'y and, that our own Unworthinefs may raife no Doubt, his exprefs Declarations give us full AfTurance, that if we fly to him with humble Faith, be will not fiiffer us to he tempted above that we are able^ hit willy with the Temp- tatioHy alfo make a Way to ejcape *. The mo/l ufual Anxiety of Men is about the daily Ne- ceffaries of Life. With re{|)ed: to thefe there- fore he condefcends to argue with us particu- larly y and the Argument will hold as well concerning lefs common Exigencies; that fince

* I Cor. X. 13.

a • he

12+ S E R M O N V.

he fufiains the Vegetable Part of the Creation^ which can do nothing for itfelf, and the Ani- mal, which cannot do near fo much as we t certainly he will take of Us, on doing what we ought, a Care proportionable to the Supe- riority of our Nature. For in this lies the Force of our Saviour's Reafoning. And when he faith, Behold the Foisoh of the Air \ theyfoixj not \ Jieither do they reap^ yet your heavenly Father feedeth the?n : Are not ye much better than they * ^ He doth not mean, that they take no Pains, and therefore we are to take none. They take a great deal, in feeking Food, and contriving Security againft Dangers, for themfelves and for their Young, according to the Extent of their Faculties. And we are to take as much, in proportion to the Extent of ours. But then, as Providence furnifhes to Them, fo far as confifts with its wife Pur* pofe?, whatever they need, and cannot acquire by their own Power: the fame Providence will certainly watch over Us with more pecu- liar Tendernefs, even in the prefent State ; befides that what we fufFer now fliall increafe our Happinefs hereafter. And therefore, fince They are eafy in Their Condition, well may * Matth. vi. 26.

Wc

SERMON V. 125

We in Ours. For it would be flrange indeed, if that Order of earthly Beings, whidi enjoys the greatefl: Favour beyond all Comparifon, fliould be the only one difcontented. Refledl then: where human Care ends, the Divine Care begins. The Duty of To-day is our Buiinefs ; the Event of To-morrow is our heavenly Father's : and furely you do not wifli to remove it out of his Hands into your own ; or furmife, that you can poffibly be unfafe, while under the Proted:ion of Him, with whom the very Hairs of your Head are alUium- hered^. Here then we have a fecure Refuo-e againft Inquietude. But let us remember: If, having it, we ufe it not : if, profeffing Faith in God, we allow ourfelves to be as much dif- concerted and perplexed on every Alarm, as they that have no Hope^ and are without God in the World \ ; we either think unworthily of him, or behave quite unfuitably to what we think 5 and our Guilt is greater, as our Temp- tation to it is lefs. When therefore, on being troubled and caft down, we are inclined to lay the Blame on accidental or natural Lownefs of Spirits, or whatever Excufe occurs, let us take heed, left there be in us an evil Heart of Unbe- * Matth. X. 30. f Eph. ii. 12.

126 S E R M O N V.

lief *5 or Difobedience. If there be, amend- ing That is the Way to uphold him that ivas fallings and Jlrengthcn the feeble Knees '\,

But in vain fliaii we attempt any thing bene- ficial to us, if we truft to ourfelves for Succefs. And therefore, to make his Caution effedual, the Apoflle fubjoins,

II. A mofl neceiTary Direction. In every thing by Prayer and Supplication^ with Thankf giving^ let ycur Requefs he made known unto God,

The ufual Method is, to be carefid about many things J, and pray about nothing : but the right one is, to be careful about nothing, but pray about every thing, which is of Im- portance enough to be laid before the Lord of All. The Movements of our Hearts indeed, though unuttered, are clearly difcerned by him : and he forefaw from Eternity whatever we fhould wifli on every Occaiion. But the Scripture fpcaks in the Language of Men : and calls that making known our Requejls to Gody which is only expreffing before him what he is perfedlly acquainted with already,

♦ Heb. iii. 12. f Job iv. 4.

% Luke X. 42.

S E R M O N V. 127

in order to imprint more efficacioufly, on our- ielves and others, the Sentiments concerning him, which belong to our Condition.

Applying to the Almighty in our Difficulties immediately reminds us, on whom we and all things depend : and brings it ftrongly to our Thoughts, that the moil threatning Dan- gers cannot advance one Step farther, than infi- nite Wifdom fees it proper they fhould, and infinite Goodnefs permits. Placing ourfelves in his Prefence awes and compofes our worldly Fears ; not- by a fervile Dread of him, forci- bly overcoming them, and fubftituting itfelf, a ftill worfe Terror, in their ftead ; but by a filial Reverence, mixed with humble Reliance on his Favour, which calms and revives us in fuch manner, that we perceive our Solicitudes to vanifh, even whilft we are confeffing them ; and quickly fmile at what we ihuddered at before. Then befides, venting our Defires to Him, fhews us in the fulleft Light, which are finful, and to be repreflfed, if we hope for Ac- ceptance with him : and begging his Help, muft powerfully admonifh us, that we are not to think of helping ourfelves by Methods dif- pleafing to him 3 but adhere ftriftly to our Duty, and be aflured it will lead us out of

whatever

128 S E R M O N V.

whatever Perplexities it leads us into. Commit thy Way unto the Lord^ and put thy Truji in him^ and he J}?all bring it to pafs *. Further yet, praying to our Father which is in Heaven, leads us to confider him as our common Father : who is concerned, not only for us, but for all our Friends -, and expefts us to be zealous for the general Good, as well as our own ; and on no account to withdraw from the Service of the Body, of which he hath made us Members. Piety therefore excites the trueft and firmeft public Spirit ; but fmooths and tempers, at the fame time, that Roughnefs and Vehemence, which too frequently renders it ineffedtual and hurtful, by promoting, as it doth beyond all things, an humble Opinion of ourfelves, and Meeknefs towards others.

With fuch Difpofitions, we iliall be duly qualified for the Mercy we intreat : and they who are, will never fail to receive it. For this is the Confidence which we have in him, faith the beloved Difciple, that if we ajk any thing according to his Will^ he heareth us. And if we know that he heareth us, whatfoever we afk, we know that we have the Petitions which we defired of him -f-. We are fure of the very

* Pfalm xxxvii. 5. f i John v. 14, 15.

Favours

S E R M O N V. 129

Favoufs we beg, if they are conducive to his Glory, and the Happinefs of his Creatures : ivhich doubtlcfs the Deliverance of this Na^ tion from its Enemies muft be, fince we pro- fefs and fupport his holy Truth, would we but penitently cdnforni our Condud: to it. And his long Forbearance under our Provocations gives us Room to expedt every Inftance of Mercy, in cafe of our Amendment. What in- deed the humble Applications of a few may do for others, He only knows. But for them- felves they will certainly obtain infinitely greater Benefits, than fliaring in the higheft Degree of earthly Prolperity. Now the fole Reafoh of our praying for any thing is, that we fuppofe it will be good for us. And there- fore we pray for nothing of this World abfo- lutely, but on that Condition. So that if God, who knows beft, withholds it becaufe it will be otherwife, he grants our Requeft in the general, though he refufes it in the parti- cular : and if we are wife, far from being overwhelmed by the fevereft Difpenfations, we fliall not only be contented, but glad, in fuch meafure as human Infirmity and Sym- pathy permit, that His Willjhoiild be doney not

K For

I30 S E R M O N V.

For this Caufe the Apoflle, when he might have laid, what moll People would have thought very fufficient, that we Ihould make our Reqiiejls known unto God with Relignation, chofe to fay more, that we Ihould do it with ^hankjgivi?2g. And indeed we ought to be hear- tily thankful, not only for the many and great Bleffings, temporal and fpiritual, national and perfonal, which God continues to us in the midft of his Corrections, (O that we would all think ferioully, how many and great they are) but even for his Correftions themfelves : and much more for the Alarms and Warnings, the Liftings up of his Rod, which are de- iigned to prevent the Neceffity of heavier Judgments. What he doth with this View, though it produce terrifying Apprehenfions, is the moll real Kindnefs ; the only Kindnefs, that we permit him at prefent to fhew. M?iny, we may Hope, will be influenced by fuch awful Notices, to amend their Ways. But at leall we need not fail of being influ- enced ourfelves to what is right. And then, whatever the Event be to thofe around us, to Us it lliall be happy : if in no other refped:, yet in That, which, beyond all Com-

pariforr.

SERMON V. 131

p^rlfon, is of the greateft Confequence : Our light afflictions which are hut for a Moment^ Jhall work out for us afar more exceeding and eternal Weight of Glory *.

Knowing thefe Things, well might the Apoftle add in the Text

III. An Aflurance of the bleffed Effed:, which raifing our Thoughts from Earth to Heaven will produce. And the Peace oj Gody which paffeth all Vnderjianding^ foall keep your Hearts and Mijids^ through Chrijl fefus.

Bad PerfonSj as they have never any well- grounded, have feldom any long-continued Peace of Mind, even in Profperity : and much lefs can they hope for it in Troubles and Dan- gers. If they have not been jufl and merci- ful, they are confcious of ili-deferving Beha- viour to their Fellow-creatures. If they have not been uniformly virtuous and religious, they know they have aded undutifuUy and ungrate- fully to their Creator. If they have not by due Application for Pardon reconciled themfelves to Him, the Guilt of their Sins remains upon them : and the whole Creation is a Weapon in

* 2 Cor. iv. 17.

K 2 hl9

132 S E R M O N V.

his Hands agalnft them. They may be ftupldly unmoved by tliefe Conliderations : they may afFed: to hide their Conviftions, or ftrive to run away from them into whatever prefents itfelf. But ufually the livelieft and ftrongeft natural Spirits will fmk undier them, in a Time of fevere Trial. Or fuppofing they do not ; the more obftinately fuch Perfons hold out, and the more gaily they go on, the heavier in all likelihood will be their prefent Ruin, but the dreadfuUer certainly their final Sentence. For fooner or later, and with full Recompence for ever fo long Delay, the folemn and re- peated Denunciation muft be verified, Whatfo^ ever a Manfoweth^ that Jhallbe alfo reap'f.

But the obedient and devout Soul, which looks beyond worldly Appearances, and refts- itfelf on the divine Providence, is intitled, whatever outward Commotions happen, to the trueft, the fleadieft, the moft delightful inward Compofednefs : to that Peace of God^ that Senfe of being in Friendfhip with Him^. that Feeling of Comfort and Joy flowing fi-om him, which pajjeth all Underjlanding ; exceeds the Conceptions of thofe who have not expe- rienced it, and fl:iall exceed hereafter the pre-

i Gtil. vi. 7,

fcnt

S E R M O N V. 133

fent Conceptions of thofe who have. Yet the fincerely Good may not conftantly enjoy a very high Degree of This. The Imperfec- tion of their Goodnefs, the Lownefs of their Spirits, Errors of Judgment, fudden Alarms, Afflidlions uncommonly grievous, may leflen, may interrupt it : or God may, for fecret Reafons of infinite Wifdom, hide his F^xefrom them * for a Time. But, ordinarily fpeaking, their Tranquillity andConfolation will be found proportionable to their Improvements in real Religion. And, though undoubtedly Seafons of Difficulty and Hazard will give fome Un- eafinefs to the beft Minds 3 yet no more, than is moderate and very tolerable : no more, than leaves them, on the whole, in a peaceful State ; and able to cajl^ if not all^ as they jfhould, yet the moil of their Care on Him^ who carethfor them "f*.

Let us therefore try ourfelves by this Rule, whether we have indeed practical Faith and Confidence in the Almighty. And if not, let us inftantly labour tp obtain it, by a total For- faking of our Iniquities^ 'which have feparated between Us and Him j, and humble Addrefles

* Pfal xiii. I. t I Pet. v. 7.

% Ifa. lix. 2.

Kj for.

134 SERMON V.

for Grace to help in Time of Need "*. The com-^ monRefource is to the Help of Man alone : there be many that fay ^ who will f jew us any Good? but the Language of a well-inftrudled Heart Is, Lordy lift thou up the Light of thy Countenance upon us -f*. Some put their Trujl in Chariots^ and fome in Horfes : but let us remember the Name of the Lord our GodX : provide for our Security with the utmoft Prudence, and defend our Caufe with the boldefl: Zeal : but ftill rely on Him alone, whogiveth Victory unto Kings §. Every other Aid may fail : but God cannot. He is able tofave by many or by few (*) : to break the jlrm of the Wicked ("f), afid dif appoint the Devices of the Crafty (:{:). Heftilleth the Raging of the Sea, the Noife of its Waves ^ and the Mad^ nefs of the People (§). Under his Condud, the Things y that feem the moH againf us [*], may prove the very Means of our Deliverance : and the fierceft Storms drive the Ship with more Speed into a fafe Harbour. Therefore fay ta themy that are of a fearful Hearty Be flrong^ fear not : behold your God will come with a Re-

* Heb. iv. 1 6. t Pfal.iv.6, 7.I

X Pfal. XX. 7. 5 Pfal. cxliv. 10,

(*) I Sam.xiv.6. (f) Pfal. x. 15.

(X) Job V. 12. (§) Pfal. Ixv. 7.

[*] Gen. xlii. 2^,

compence >

S E R M O N V. 135

vompence \ he will come and fave you ^\ All,

who are penetrated with thefe Truths, tho'

timorous naturally, and while the Danger is

diftant, fliall, when it draws near, out of

Weaknefs be made Jirong^ and wax valia?it in

Fighf-f'. not with a tumultuous and tranfitory

animal Courage, but a calm and ftedfaft Re-

folution, keepings as the Apoftle expreffes it,

their Hearts and Minds ^ quieting their Paflions,

fixing their Judgments, and by confequence

determining their Behaviour. The Reafon-

ings of fuch Perfons will be thofe of the

Pfalmift : God is our Hope and Strength^ a

very prefent Help in Tf^ouble, Therefore will

we not fear^ though the 'Earth be movedy and

though the Hills be carried into the midji of the

Sea : though the Waters rage and fwelly and

though the Mountains fiake at the Te?npeji of the

fame. The Rivers of the Flood thereof Jhall

make glad the City of God ^ the holy Place of the

Tabernacle of the Mojl High, God is in the

midJl of her y therefore fiall (he not be removed :

Godfiall help her^ and that right early. The

Nations make much ado^ and the Ki?tgdoms are

moved : but God Jheweth his Voice ^ and the

Earth fiall melt away. The LordoJ Hofts is with

* Ifa. XXXV. 4, t Heb.si. 34-

K 4 ^i^if

136 S E R M O N V.

us^ the God of Jacob is our Refuge *. Thefe are the Grounds, and there cannot be ftronger^^ on which a good Perfon, unlefs he is wanting to himfelf, will not be afraid of any evil Tide^ ings : for his Heart Jlandeth jajl^ and believeth in the Lord "f. Nay, were it not the Pleafure of God to deliver his People from their Ene- mies, even in that Cafe, they would be en- abled to fuffer according to his Willy and com- mit the keeping of their Souls to him i^ well--, doiitgy as unto a faithful Creator J.

But then we muft ever obferve, by whofe Means alone ^this unconquerable Firmnefsj^ this inconceiveable Serenity, is to be acquired. T'he Peace of God Jhall keep your Hearts and Minds^ through Chriji Jefus, For as, without Faith in Religion, Perfons very often have no Refuge at all in the Storms and Troubles that overtake them; fo, without Faith in the Chriftian Religion, they a^e liable ftill to moft uneafy and difheartening Fiuftuations ; from Doubts, how far Providence extends ; Doubts of their own Title to Forgivenefs and Favour, Doubts of the Exiftence and Duration of a future Reward : to all which the Gofpel

* Pfal. xlvL 1—7. t Pfal. cxii. 7.

% I Pet. iv. 19.

hath

SERMON V. 137

hath put the happlefl: End s informing Mankin4 with Certainty of every thing that could induce them to ad; right with chearful Perfeverance ; and confirming the high eft Expedations, which they caa poflibly entertain, by that equally con- vincing and affeding Argument : He that [pared not his own Son^ but delivered him up for us ally bow Jhall he not with him alfo freely give us all Things'^ ? Thus then w have Hope, as anAtichor of the Soul ^ fur e and ftedfajl^ and which enter etb into that within the Veil-, lays hold on the pro- mifed State of invifible Glory, whither the Fore-- runner is entered for us, totakePofleffion already in our Name, even Jefus -f- : whofe gracious Words to his Difciples we ought to have con-r ftantly prefent to our Thoughts, when Clouds arife and darken our Profpedt, hang over our Heads, and feepi ready to burft* upon us. nefe Things haveljpoken unto you ^ that in me ye might have Peace. In the World ye fiall have Tribulation : but be of good cheer : I have over- come the World §. Peace I leave with you : my Peace I give unto you : let ?20t your Heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid J,

* Rom.viii. 32. t Heb. vi. 19, 20,

§ John xvi. 33. J John xiv. z'].

A

SERMON

Preached at the Parifh- Church of St. "James ^ Wejlminjler^

And at

King-Street Chapel, in the faid Parifh,

May 4, 1746.

On Occafion of the

VICTORY at CULLODEN.

SERMON VI.

2 Cor. i. 9, lo.

But we had the Sentence of Death in ourf elves ^ that we Jhould not truji in ourf elves ^ but in God which raifeth the Dead z

Who delivered us from fo great a Deathy and doth delivery in whom we trujlj that he will yet deliver us.

OUR gracious Sovereign having ap- pointed, of his ow^n mere Motion and Perfonal Piety, a folemn Ac- knowledgment to Heaven, for our late Vic- tory over the Rebels, to be inferted in the Prayers of this Day, permit me, as far as I am able, to be a Helper of your Joy * on that happy Occafion. And may God effeftually dilpofe us all to rejoice before Him -f in io wife and religious a Manner, as may lay a fyre Foundation for his rejoicing over Us to

* Verfe 24; f Deut. xii. 12.

142 S E R M O N VI.

do us Good* ; for his going on to comfort ui 0tgdin^ after the Time that he hath afflicled Us^ the Tears wherein we have fuffered Adver-- fty^.

I hope it may promote this Blefled End, If ^e confider our Condition in the fame Views in which the Text places before us that of the Apoftle St. Paul^ comprehending an Account,

I. Of his Danger : A great Deaths of which he had the Senterice within himfelf

II. Of his Defender from it : God^ who had ■ delivered^ and did fill deliver him,

III. Of the Reafons, for which he was firft permitted to fall into this Danger, then brought out of it : that he might not truH in Himfelf but might truft in God^ which raifeth the Dead: as accordingly he declares he doth, for Deliverances yet future.

I. His Danger : A great Deaths of which he had the Sentence within himfelf Death, be- ing the Extremity of temporal Sufferings, in the Hebrew Idiom, which expreffes every thing ftrongly, fignifies any very dreadful Evil or Hazard. Thus Pharaoh^ on the Plague of Locufts, begs oi Mofes: Entreat the Lord your

* Jer. xxxii. 41. f Pfalm xc. 15.

God^

SERMON VI. 143

God, that he may take away froin me this Death only *. But more efpecially Hazard of Life goes under that Name. Whence David fpeaks of himfelf, as counted with them that go down into the Pit ; free among the Dead, like the Slain that lie in the Grave -f*. Now St. Pauly to ufe his own Phrafe towards the latter End of this Epiftle, had been in Deaths often J. And therefore the Term, fo great a Death, muft denote, that on the Occafion, to which he refers, his Peril was imminent, peculiarly- terrible, and, humanly fpeaking, unavoidable. His own Words are, we were prefjed out of meafure, above Strength, infomuch that we de^ [paired even of Life §. Farther Particulars cannot now be difcovered, excepting one, which he adds, of fmall Confequence to \3s, that this Trouble came to him in Jfla, But by his Manner of notifying it, and the Warmth of his Defcription, it muft have been recent, fince he wrote the former Epiftle.

How lately we have been in like Diftrefs, you all know. How great, a Death we muft have fuffered, had our Enemies prevailed; how total a Deftrudion of every thing valu-

* Exodus X. 17. t Pfalm Ixxxviii. 4, 5.

% Cap. xi. ver. 23, § Ver. 8.

able

*44 S E k M O N VI.

able to us on JEarth, that can be deftroyed by Man ; I endeavoured to fhew you at the very Beginning of their Attempt : and the v^hole Body of the Nation^ God be thanked, have expreffed the ftrongeft Deteftation of it. May neither the Horror of the impending Ruin^ nor the frightful Probability there v^as of its overwhelming us, ever be forgot. Recolleft^ I entreat you, w^hat your fucceffive Apprchen- fions have been for many Months paft : on the early and intire, and eafy Defeat of our Forces by the Rebels j on the defencelefs Condition in which the Ifland then was *, on their pai& ing afterwards, unhurt, by two Armies pofted to intercept them, and approachingto wards this Capital ; on the Profpedl of powerful Affift^ ance to them from abroad ; on the credible^ though happily falfe. Intelligence of our being aftually invaded -, on the fafe Retreat of our domeftic Enemies into the North, to join, as it was affirmed and believed, with foreign Succours there; on our fecond DifappointmenC in Battle, a fatal one it might have proved ; on the continual Dangers, to which that heroic Prince was expofed, whofe Prefence and Con- duft, and Courage and Aftivity, were fo effen- tially neceflary for aninaating our difpirited 4 Troops 5

SERMON VI. J45

Troops ) on the reaffembling and Succefles of our Foes, after a feeming Dcfpondency and Difperfion ; on the Largenefs of their Num- bers, the Advantages of their Situation 3 and laftly, on the flrong Report of what was but too pofiible, a complete Victory obtained by them, when indeed one had been obtained over them, of which we were ignorant. Had we not often, during this Period, the Sentence of Death within ourfehes? Were we not troii^ bled on evefj Side 5 without were Fightings y within were Fears * -, Mens Hearts failing, them for Fear, and for looking after thofe Things whi-th were coming on the Earth •f- ? And had we been alked, at fome Jun<5lures efpecially, as the Prophet, was, in Language akin to that of the Text, Can thefe dry Bones live? Can this exhaufted Nation rife up again, and ihako off the Preffures, from evejy Quarter, under which, it labours ? What other Reply, at beft, could we have made, than this ? O Lord God, thou knowejl %. Forfurely the v/ifeft of Men did not know ; nor could the bravefl: anfwer for the Event, ^fter it had been fo frequently

* 2 Gor. vll. 5. f Luke xxi. %6*

X Ezek. xxxvii. 3.

L contrary

146 SERMON VI.

contrary to what we thought the moft rational Expedations. Of this only there was Cer- tainty, that we had the loudeft Call to adopt the Pfajmift's Prayer : O God, thou hajl cajl us off, a?id fcattered us ; thou haji alfo been dif- pleafed: O turn thee unto us again, Thou hajl moved the Land, and divided it: heal the Breaches thereof, for it Jhaketh *. And praifed be his Name, that we can now add the Words which follow thofe : Thou hajl given a Token for fiich as fear thee, that they may triumph be- caufe of thy Truth \,

And we have accordingly triumphed in this comfortable Earneft of Profperity, returning to us after fo long an Abfence, with a Joy as cordial and univerfal, as perhaps this Nation ever expreffed. May both our Friends and our Enemies know it, and draw the natural Conclufions from it, to the Encouragement of the former, the Difmay of the latter. But then, if we triumph only for the Safety of our Perfons and Properties, and not becaufe of God i Truth, and pure Religion ^ if we rejoice, and overlook the Audior of our Joy, the Giver of all Vitlory -, we fliall fall inexcufably fhort of

* Pfalmlx. 1,2. 1 Verfc4-

S E R M O N VI. 147

our Duty, and the Example fet us by the Apd- ftle : who fubjoins immediately to his Account of the Danger, which he had efcaped>

II. A thankful mention of his Defender from it 2 Gody who had delivered, and did Jlill deliver him.

It is evidently both as ealy for the Supreme Being, and as worthy of him, to govern the Vniverfe, as to create it. Indeed the only Purpofe, for which Divine Wifdom could create it, muft be to condudl every Part of it to a right End : and the fmalleft Parts are no more beneath his Attention, than the greateft ; for He is infinitely above all. What Reafon thus teaches, holy Scripture confirms with important Additions : informing us, that a fu-^ ture Day is appointed for the full and final Difplay of his Juftice and Goodnefs towards the Children of Men ; but that in the mean time his Providence is adlive, fo far as the Conftitution of Things eftablifhed by him permits, and not the leaft Occurrence comes to pafs, without the fuperintending Care of our Father^ which is in Heaven *. We are often indeed ignorant, by what Means he ads ;

* Matth. X' 2p.

L 2 fct

148 S E R M O N VL

for he is able to influence, unperceived, not only the Courfe of inanimate Nature, but the Minds of rational Agents, and to produce the greateft Events from the flighted Occafions. We are often equally ignorant of his Views in afting: for "We know but in Part * ; whereas all things are naked and open to the Eyes of Hinty with whom we have to do -f*. The Imperfedlion of our Difcernment therefore mufl; be no Hindrance to our Faith : but our plain Duty is to reverence implicitly thofe Proceedings of His, the Manner and Grounds of which are hid from us ; as well as to pay him more parti- cular Acknovv'ledgments on account of futh as we undcrfl:and.

For in many Cafes the Hand of God is clearly vllible : but no- where more than in the Corredion, and yet Prefervation of States profejjhig his holy and eternal Truth X - ^s in- deed there cannot be on Earth fitter Objedts of his righteous Providence. Thus in all Ages he hath watched over his Church. Thus more efpecially he hath treated this Church and Land, ever fince the Reformation : vi/it- ing our Offences with the Rod^ and our Sin with

* I Cor. xlii. 9, 12. f Heb. Iv. 13.

\ Office for November 5.

Scourges-,,

S E R M O N VI. 149

Scourges ; neverthelefs his lovhig Kindfiefs hath be not utterly taken from us, nor fuffered his Truth to fail *. Ma?iy a time have they fought againjl me from my Touth up, may Ifrael now fay, yea, many a time have they afflicted me. from my Touth up, hut they have not prevailed againjl me. The Pkiighers have ploughed upon 77iy Back, and made h?tg Furrows : but the righ- teous Lord hath hewn the Snares of the Ungodly in pieces -f*. And furely in the Troubles, which we have undergone of late, a pious and thoughtful Mind may trace evident Foot- fteps of Divine Interpofition. Why elfe, on the one hand, did our Enemies increafe, pre- vail, and efcape, fo furprifingly, for fo long together ? Why, on the other, did they fo un- accountably mifs the faireft and moft palpable Opportunities of undoing us efFedually -, nei- ther purfuing at home the Advantages they had gained, nor procuring the Succours, which their Friends abroad in ajl Prudence ought to have fent them ? And why, laftly, have they allowed us to obtain fo decifive a Viftory, in a few Moments, at the Expence of fo little Blood loft on our Side, (would God their own j

* Pff^lm Ijyixix. 32, 33. t Pfalm cxkIx. 1—4^

L J poor

I50 S E R M O N VI.

poor deluded Wretches, could have been ipared) when both from the Encouragement of their preceding Succefles, and the Neceffity of exerting themfelves to the utmoft in this Crifis of their Fate, a very obftinate Engage- ment was to have been expedted ? Whence have thefc Things happened thus, but that God ruleth in the Kingdom of Men ^ ? 9%^ Jjord jnaketh the Devices of the People to be of none Effedt^ and cajleth cut the Counfeh of Princes, But the Comtfel of the Lord Jhall efi- dure for ever, aiid the. Thoughts of his Heart from Generation to Generation. BleJJed are the People, whofe God is the Lord Jehovah -, and blefed are the Folk, that he hath chofen to be his Inheritance \.

Let us learn therefore, and acknowledge, for it is a very bad Sign if we are unwilling, that both our Dangers and our Deliverances are from above. This will in no degree leflen the Guilt of our Enemies : for they were prompted by their own Wickednefs unjuftly to attempt, what Heaven for Our Wiqkednefe might juftly have permitted. Nor can it ever be a Plea for yielding tamely to their Enter- prizes, that God makes ufe of them to ferve

* Daniel V. 21. f Pfalm xxxiii. 10, 11, 12.

h4s

SERMON VL 151

his Purpofes. We know not the Extent of thofe Purpofes j which he will certainly exe- cute, as far as they extend : and are therefore to do our evident Duty. If he fuffers our Adverfaries to attack our moft valuable Rights, he both impowers and commands Us to de- fend them : and they, who confider themfelves as his Inftruments for this End, will ad: with unfpeakably more Faithfulnefs and Zeal, than fuch as are induced by worldly Motives alone; which frequently other worldly Motives, and fometimes very trifling ones, may outweigh : whereas there is no Counter-balance to a Prin- ciple of Confcience. Nor doth it in the leaft detraft from the Merit of our Soldiers and Commanders, that the Salvution of the Righ^ teons co7neth of the Lord^ who alfo is their Strength in the Time of Trouble *. Every Pre- eminence is more eftimable for being his Gift ; every great Adion, for being done by his Guidance : and the higheft of thofe, who have wrought this Deliverance for us, are furely the moft deeply fenfible, that the nobleft of their Diftindions is, being employed by their Maker, and Fellow- Workers vyith him, for the Sup- port of genuine Religion^ virtuous Liberty,

* Pfalm xxxvii. 40,

L 4 and

153 SERMON VL

and public Happinefs. This Way of Think- ing will infpire the moft compofed Modera^ tion, along with the moil undaunted Bravery : and whoever makes it the Bafis of his Con^- dud:, will be intitled to all Demonftrations of Refped from Men ; and yet abundantly con- tented with the Honour y that cometh from God mily *.

Every thing that befalls us therefore, adverfe or profperous, let us look on it as proceeding from the juft and good Pleafure of our hea- venly Father: humble ourfelves before him in all our Afflidions ; and, which is our pre^ fent Concern, be thankful to him in all our Rejoicings. If the Lord hitnfelf had not been on our Side J let Ifrael now fay ^ if the Lord him- felf had not been on our Side^ when Men rofe up 'againfl us : they had fvallowed us up quick^ when they were fo wrathfully difpleafed at us : yea^ the

Waters had drowned us^ the deep Waters of

the Proud had gone over our ScuL But praifed be the Lord^ who hath not given us over for a Prey unto their TCeeth -f . This is the Lan- guage, that expreffes the Truth of our Cafe; and it is of infinite Importance, that we own it unanimoufly. For the Sovereign Difpofer of * John V. 44, f Pfalm^xxiv. i 5.

the

S E R M O N VI. 153

the Univerfe will neither be denied nor forgot, without vindicating the Glory of bis Name : and he hath long ago pronounced the Sen- tence : T['hey regard not in their Mind the Works of the Lord^ nor the Operation of his Hands ; therefore JJjall he break them down^ and not build them up -f-. But the Duty and the Neceffity of fuch Regard will more diftinftly appear, by confidering,

III. The Reafons, for which the Apoftle was firft brought into Danger, then brought out of it : that he might learn by the former not to trujl in himfelf -y and by the latter, tQ trujlin Gody which raifeth the Dead.

Now if there was Need of improving St. Paul in this Leffon, much more is there of teaching it others. And never perhaps was any Nation, at leafl which made Profef- fion of Faith in Chrift, fo deplorably inat- tentive to it, as ours. Our Wealth, our Fleets, our Valour, have been, for many Years paft, till very lately, our continual Boaft. And in vain had the Scripture forewarned us : Curfed is He^ that tnifleth in Man^ and maketh

i Pfal xxvui. 6,

Flejh.

154 S E R M O N VI.

Flep:> his Arm^ and uohfe Heart depart eth Jrom the Lord *. How then fhould God convince us of fo pernicious an Error j and fliew us, that we were not fufficient to ourfelves ? By the very Method, which he hath taken. He bid his Face^ and we were troubled -f* : Storms rofe around us ; and the moft dangerous, where we thought there was nothing to produce any: our Navy proved no Protec- tion ; our Valour funk into panic Terrors ; our Riches were on the Point of making them- felves Wings andjiying away § ; a general Bank- ruptcy threatened us 5 and what the Kings of the Earthy and all the Inhabitants of the World would not have believed^ the Adverfary and the Enemy were near entering into the Gates ofje- rufalemt. Who could poffibly have appre- hended, that the landing of fix or kwtn Men fliould have put this great Nation into fuch Confufion ? Who could ever have conceived, that the Difturbers of our Peace fhould have multiplied and conquered as they did ; fhould have advanced and retreated, and ranged at Will through our Land, with fo perfedt Secu- rity, for fo long a Time ? And what is all

* Jer. xvii. 5. f Pfal. civ. 29.

§ Prov. xxiii. 5, j Lam.iv. 12.

this.

SERMON VI. 155

this, but a Call from God to know ourfelves, and abafe our Pride before him : a pra(flical Declaration, that no FleftJ Jlall glory in hisPre^ fence '*.

But necefTary as this Inftruftion is, yet fingly it is not enough. When irreligious Perfons have found by Experience, that they cannot rely on their ovv^n Strength, they have no other left to rely on : and fo are tempted to defpair in their Minds, to fail in their Duty^ to feek Refuge in cowardly and treacherous Artifices for tlieir own Prefervation. But very different are the Sentiments of the pious Man s Heart. Let ever fo unexpefted Calamities happen, let ever fo alarming Dangers ap- proach, with ever fo little Appearance of fur- mounting them : ftill he knows, that nothing can be fo dangerous, as to defert the Poll, in which God hath placed him ; and that He^ who is faithful unto Death, flMll receive a Grown of Life -f. At the fame Inftant there- fore, that he faith. There be many that fight againfl me, O thou Mofi Highefi, he is enabled to fay alfo, neverthelefs, though I am fometime afraid, yet put I my Trufl in Thee J. And this

* I Cor.i. 29. f Rev, ii. 10.

} Pfd. Jvi. 2, 3,

156 S E R M O N VI.

IS the Spirit, which God intends to excite, by fending, after extreme Perils, remarkable and fudden Deliverances. From thefe it is natu- ral to learn Faith in Him, that raifes the Deady ihat reftores from the moft helplefs Condi- tion ; and fincc he hath delivered y to form re- viving Hopes, that be will yet deliver ; which we may and ought to do now. He hath given tis a Vidlory fpeedier, cheaper, completer, than we could even have flattered ourfelves with. He hath given it by the Means of a young Prince, whofe confeffed Abilities, vigi- lant Attention, unwearied Diligence, and in- trepid FIrmnefs, on all Occafions, as well as his wonderful Succefs on the prefent, afford us the jufteft Ground of Perfuafion, that he is chofen by Providence for the Service and Sup- port of his Father, his Family, his Country, And the fame God, who hath begim toJJjewhis mighty Hand *, can, with the fame Eafe, ac- complifh his good Work, and bring it to Per- fedlion.

But then, alas ! what avails it that he can, unlefs we have Caufe to truft that he will ? And whence llaall we have this ?

^^ DcLit. iii. 24.

Thankfulnefs

S E R M O N VL 157

Thankfulnefs for paft Mercies undoubtedly is the Way to fecure future. And juft now we feem in earneft thankful. But if our Grati- tude prove to be fuperficial and ihort-lived, like that of the "Jews^ They fang Praife unto him : but within a while they for gat his JVorks, they would not abide his Counfel -, what can we expecft clfe, than Judgments like theirs ? TIjen he lift up his Hand againfi them, to overthrow them *f*. Our State, though vaflly altered for the better, is ftill a very undelirable, indeed a very melancholy one. Our Burthens are unavoidably augmenting, and our Strength wafting. Foreign Force may foon renew our inteftine Commotions : or even, without their Intervention, fubjed: us all diredlly to itfelf. The Failures of our Friends give us, Year after Year, new Reafon to fay with the Pfalmift : O be Thou our Help in Trouble : for vain is the Help of Man *. Put not your Truji in Pri?2ceSy 7ior in any Child of Man : for there is no Help in them. Blejfed is He, that hath the God of Jacob for his Help^ and whofe Hope is in the Lord his God §. But we cannot hope for the Continuance of his Proteftion, unlefs we

fPfuL cvi. 12, 13, 26, *Pfal.k. II.

§ PfaL cxlvi. 2, 4.

4 anfwer

158 S E R M O N VL

anfwer the Intention of it : which the Natura of the Thing, as well as Holy Writ, affures us is, that being delivered out of the Hands of cur Ene?nie5y we may ferve him without Fear •f'* It is not then, that we may fin againft him without Fear : that we may return fecurely to the Follies and Vices, the Impiety and Pro* fanenefs, from which we abftained, while his Hand lay heavy upon us. Then we pro- fefled to obferve Days of Fafting and Prayer* And what was the Language of them ? " Spare " us, good Lord, that we may fafely go on to " be as bad as we have been, and worfe ?" Surely not. Some indeed expreflfed, even in the midft of Danger, an open Scorn of them : others were evidently kept from it hy mere out- ward Decency. Many however were awaken- ed, Ipoke and thought ferioufly, refblved well, prayed heartily. But are they not moft of them already, or fhall we not find them fbon, relapfed again into their old Negledt ? For fuch hath always been the Courfe of hu- man Nature, unlefs' carefully refl:rained by confcientious Vigilance. When hejlew them^ they fought him^ and turned them early ^ and i?iquired

t Luke i. y^. 3 ^fi^f'

S E R M O N VI. 159

efter God: and they remembered, that God was their Strength^ and the high God their Re- deemer, Neverthelefs^ they did but flatter him with their Mouthy and dijfembled with him in their Tongue, For their Heart was not whole with him : neither continued they ft edf aft in his Covenant *. After this Feint of Reformation, they grew, as Men always do, wickeder thaa before. And I beg you attend to the final Confequence. When God faw this^ he was wroth y and tookft)re Difpleaft^re at Ifrael : He delivered their Power into Captivity 5 and their Beauty into the Enemy s Hand -f*.

If therefore it be afked, what we {hall do to fhew our Thankfuinefs acceptably, the Anfwer is plain : Walk in all the Command- mends and Ordinances of the Lord blamelefs § j but praftife thofe with more elpecial Zeal, which either our Circumftances particularly require, or our Hearts tell us we have parti- cularly tranigrefled.

Common Prudence is one Part of our Duty, which we have unaccountably flighted. We have increafed Amufements and Gayeties to a Degree unexampled, juft when Provi-

* Pfal. Ixxvlii. 34-— 37, fVer. 60,62. J Luke i. 6.

dence

i6o S E R M O N .VI.

dence hath called us moft loudly to thought- ful Confideration. We have increafed Expen- livenefs to an equal Degree, when perhaps our own Fortunes, but certainly thofe of Multitudes, whom our Example tempts and often almoil forces to Imitation, are incapable of bearing it. And both thefe Indifcretions have produced perfonai Miferies and national Inconveniences without Number. We have difregarded, and affedted to difregard, the Care of cUr Families, and the proper Bufinefs of our fev^eral Employments, though fometimes perhaps important ones, not only to indulge our Appetites, but to gratify our Caprices : Behaviour, in every Rank and Station, fruitful of Mifchief ; but in the higher, of moft dread- ful and extenfive Mifchief. In Matters of natio-nal Concern, we have followed our pri- vate f riterefts, Refentments, Friendships, in- ftea:d' of Truth, and Right, and general Good. We have framed and fupported ufelcfs and hurtful Diftindions and Diviiions ; and been anjuftly vehement in mutual JReproaches ; till our Enemies were encouraged to fancy, that one half of us was ready to join them. We have vilified our Governors, till we had almoft difowned the Bleflings of Government :

and

g JE R M O N VI. 16i

and it was very near being too late, that our AfFeftion to an Eftablifliment, on which our whole Happinefs depends, revived, after an IndifFerence, that foreboded immediate Ruin. Let us never forget more what we have been fo feafonably convinced of now : but always efteem as highly our Lav/s and Liberties, and the auguft Houfe that fecures them, as we did in that Hour, v/hen the Hazard of lofing them was moft imminent. But let us amend in every other Point alfo : and while there is yet Space to repent *,. become a fober-minded^ frugal, induftrious, honeft, and united People. For we cannot elfe continue a free one : neither the Juflice of God, nor the Connexions of human Affairs will permit it.

Thefe then are fundamental Rules of pri- vate Prudence. With thofe of public Wifdom we have no Concern here, beyond two Parti- culars, The Firfl is, our Obligation to pray, that God would incline thofe, v/ho are in Au- thority over uSi to confiderferioufly what have been the Caufes of our Troubles, and diredt them to proper Remedies: would enable them to preferve, both in Punifliments and Precau- tions, the true Medium between too great

* Rev. il. 21.

M .Severity

i62 SERMON VI.

Severity and too great Indulgence : woulc! inftrudt them, how to reconcile all that wifh well to the Community ; and how to pre- vent others from renewing any more our Sufferings, or their own. The Second is^ our confequent Obligation to diftruft our own Judgment, rather than theirs, in Matters of fuch Difficulty; and to ufe our faithful En- deavours, that what they determine may be- come effeduaL

But how rightly foever-weare difpofed in thefe refpe^ts, if we continue to entertain the fame Contempt of Religion, which we have manifefted for a long Time part, it is in vain to triijly that God "will continue to deliver us* How much, or how little Forbearance he may exercife, cannot be faid : but fooner or later, except we repent^ we mnjl pei'iJJo *. For, let us think of it or not, He is the Ruler of the World : and he will approve himfelf t0 be fuch, by inflidting ox^ thofe, who flight him, the Vengeance they dcferve. Indeed, could he leave them to theralelves ; as the Fear .of the Lord is the Beginning of Wifdom -f-, • io calling it off is the Inlet of Folly. Reli-

* Luke ^viu 3. t Pral. cxi. lo. Prov^ ix. 10.

3 --gTous

SERMON VI. 163

gious Motives are the only ones, that can, in all Cafes, either prompt to what is right, of reftrain from what is wrong, with fufficient Force : and when this Tie is broken, no other will hold. Reafon plainly fliews it : Scrip- ture hath repeatedly foretold it : the Expe- rience of all Ages confirms it : and there is no Room left for us to carry the Trial fur- ther, without utter Deftrudlion. We have been linking for a great while, in proportion as we grew vicious and profane, till at laft we were plunged in the very Depth of Diftrefs. Once more however, after feem- ing quite rejeded, we have received a kind Encouragement. But if we let Judgments and Mercies both be loft upon us ; what can there remain, but final Ruin .?

Think then with yourfelves, why fhould we not now return to God ? Gratitude is a generous Principle of Adtion : and he hath furnifhed us with an Opportunity for it. Hope is a nobler one than Fear alone. And who can tell, what Hope there may be yet for this Nation, would we but apply to our offended Father with virtuous Penitence ? He can raife us Friends where we leaft expedted it, and change the Hearts of our bitterefl Adverfaries.

Ma For

i64 S E R M O N VI.

For be refraineth the Spirit of Princes ^ and is wonderful among the Kings of the Earth *. When the Ways of a Man pleafe the Lordy he maketh even his Ene?nies to be at Peace with him -f. But if their Enmity continues, he ean check, he can break their Power, at its very Height : 2Xidi Jlrengthen the Hands §, di- red: the Counfels, profper the Undertakings of his People 5 fo that no Man Jhallhe able to fiand before them %, For His is the Greatnefsy and the Glory ^ and the Victory ^ and the Ma^ jejly 4- '- Bor the Kingdom is the Lord's and He is the Governor among/l the Natiofis c^. Let it be thy Pleafure^ O Lord^ to deliver us : make Ha/ley O Gody to help us. Let all thofe that feek theCy be joyful and glad in thee : andfuch as love thy Salvation fay ahvay^ The Lord be praifed -^-r,

* Pfal. Ixxvr. 12. t Prov. xvi. 7.

% Neh. vi. 9. X Jofh. i. 5.

\ I Chr. xxix. i r. ^ Pfal, xxii. z5.

-H- Pfal. xl. 16, 19.

SERMON

Preached at the

Parifh-Church of St. James^ Weflminjlery OSlober 9, 1746.

Being theDayappointedforaGENERAL Thanksgiving

to Almighty GOD for the SuppreiTion of

the late unnatural Rebellion.

Ms

SERMON VII.

John v. 14.

Afterward Jefus jindeth him in the Temple^ and faid U7tto him^ Behold^ thou art made whole : Sin no morcy leji a worfe thing come unto thee.

AFTER feven yearly Fafts, we have now through God's Mercy, before we have deferved it, one Day of general Thankfgiving : and furely our Con- cern is to employ it fo, that we may hope for more. Now there can be no wifer or kinder Direction for this Purpofe, than that of our Lord in the Text. He had juft healed the Perfon to whom he fpeaks, and therefore cer- tainly did not mean to ufe him harflily in thefe Words : but indeed to fliew him ftill greater Goodnefs, than he had done already^ as much greater, as Spiritual and Eternal Welfare is than Temporal. His Cure had been the hea- vieft of Misfortunes to him, had he behaved improperly upon it. But "Jefus found hitn in the Temple, whither probably he went with a

M 4 devout

i68 S E R M O N VII.

devout Heart, to give God Praife. This pro-^ mifed well concerning him : yet by no means rendered a ftrong Warning to him fuperfluous, Permit me therefore, finding You, and God be thanked that I find fo many of you, in the Temple on a like Occafion, to treat you in a like Manner. And think it not ftrange, I be- feech you, if at prefent you hear not folely the Voice of Joy, though never was a jufter Occa- fion for it, but are exhorted, even now, to ferve the Lord in Fear^ and rejoice unto him with Reverence *. I hope many Teachers of his Word will dwell this Day on the fame Subjedl : for the Advice, here given by our gracious Mafter, comprehends every thing that our Condition requires.

I. A thankful Senfe of the Bleffing, which we; have received. Behold^ thou art made whole.

II. A firm Refolution of virtuous Obedience in Return for it. Sin no more,

III. A prudent Confideration of the Danger of behaving otherwife. Leji a worfe thing come unto tkce,

I. A thankful Senfe of the Blefllng, which we

have received. Behold^ thou art 7nade wholc^ ■* Pfalmii. ii.

At

SERMON Vri. 169

At this Time laft Year, and for many Months after, we had a very affliding Senfe of the Judgments, that threatened us : the whole Nation had it, and with the utmoft Caufe. Our Religion, our Liberties, our Lives, our public Independence, our private Properties, were all at Stake. Our Forces were few, unfuccefsful, and diflieartened : the Rebels were numerous, flufliedwithVidlory, and increafing. Then,be- fides what appeared, we knew not how much more Evil we had to apprehend, from abroad or at hom^e, from the Fury of our Enemies, from the Coldnefs of our Friends. The Dan- ger too was no lefs imminent than great : and muft foon crulh us, if not foon averted. We faw, and felt, and trembled at it 3 we exerted ourfelves againft it with a Spirit, never known amongft us before : and God forbid we fhould have forgotten, God forbid we fliould ever for- get, the Impreffions that we had fo lately, firft of the Terrors impending over us, then of the Felicity of their fudden Diiperfion.

It is true, we are not yet perfedly whole. Far from it. Heaven knows. But what would we have given once for fo happy an Approach towards it;, as we now poflefs ? Our domeftic

Foes^

170 SERMON VII.

Foes are fallen in Battle, or cut off by JufKcc, or driven into other Lands, or abfconding in Cor- ners of their own, impoverifhed and difarm- cd, and taught by Experience neither to rely on themfelves, nor their faithlefs Allies. Our Soldiery have recovered their ancient Courage and Charafter. The Nation in general hath united in aftive Loyalty : we are known and trufted one by another ; known and dreaded by our Adveriaries, who had ftrangely mif- taken our inteftine Divifions, bad as they were, for fomething much worfe. Our Diftemper is at leaft expelled from our Vitals^ and driven to the extreme Parts. We liave Notice, we have Time, to provide againft a Return of it : and poffibly at prefent Fra72ce may be feeling from us, in her own Dominions, a fmall Share of the Sufferings, which She projedted for Ours, while We are enjoying in Peace all that we feai-ed to lofe. Whatever we may want there- fore tomake our Happinefs complete, we ought to be moft deeply fenfible, that our Portion of it is remarkably large : fo large, that there is not furely a Nation upon Earth, with which any one of us, in the midft of all that we have to complain of and lament, would be willing

on the whole to change Conditions.

But

SERMON VII. 171

But then, as often as we confider to how comfortable a Degree we are whole, we fhould always recoiled:, by what Means we were made whole. Our Saviour was not afraid the poor Man, whom he cured, fhould forget that he had regained the Ufe of his Limbs, but hov^ he had regained it. And if He, who had been miraculoufly healed, yet had need of being reminded to whom he owed his Health : much more (hould we, who have been faved by the ordinary Methods of Providence, be careful to fix it in our Hearts, whence the ineftimable Benefit was derived. And here let us allow their full Proportion of Praife, even to the human Means : to the Juftice and Mildnefs of his Majefty's Government, and the Profpedl of continued Security and Tran- quillity under his Defcendants ; Bleffings, which the Rifque of lofing excited the moil vigorous Efforts for preferving; to the Valour, the Pru- dence, the Vigilance, the Adtivity of his illu- ftrious Son ; to the Bravery and Indignation, thus infpired into his Officers and Troops ; to the unexampled Unanimity, Zeal, and Libe- rality of his faithful Subjeds, the Nobility, the Gentry, the Clergy, the Commonalty of the Realm Let us ever acknowledge our Obliga- tions

172 SERMON VIL

tions to the Merits of all thefe. But ftill let us remember, that Men are only Inftruments in the Hand of the Almighty. We have owned this all along by our Prayers : let us own it fincerely in our Thankfgivings alfo ; and not receive, without fuitable Gratitude, what we begged with fuch uncommon Ear- neftnefs. It is juft as true at this Hour, as it was then, that except the Lord keep the City\ the Watchman waketh but in vain *. From his Difpleafure came our Danger: from his compaflionate Goodnefs, our Deliverance. ^Therefore defpife 7iot either the Chajienings or the Mercies of the Almighty, For he makethfore and bindeth up : he woundethy and his Hands viake whole -f*. It cannot be lefs criminal to- wards God than Men, it is unfpeakably more, to afk Affiflance, and when we have had it, not acknowledge it. Fie doth not in- deed want our Acknowledgments : but he hath ftill an equal Right to them ^ and that he requires them not for his own fake, but for ours, is furely no Re^fon, why we fhould with- hold them.

But you will fay, " We do acknowledge ^'* God's Mercy in delivering us, and will ne-

^ Ffalm cxxvii. 2. f Job v. 17, i8.

" ver

SERMON VII. 173

<« ver deny it," But if after a while you never think of it more, you might almoft as well deny it. Or if you think of it, and are not moved by it, that is worfe than forgetting it. Or fuppofe you have ever fo warm a Feeling of his Favours, yet if you refufe to make a proper Return for them, this is worft of all. And what Return doth he demand ? Some hard and unnatural, or expenfive and ruinous Service ? No : the moft reafonable thing in itfelf, and the moft beneficial t© Us and our Fellow-Creatures, that poflibly can be : what the Text exprefles,

II. A firm Refolution of virtuous Obedi- ence. Behold, thou art made whole : Jin no more, God hath been gracious to you : be you dutiful to him. Sin is at all times equally abfurd and ill-deferving. It is fetting up our own perverfe Will againft the Authority of our Maker and Sovereign Lord 5 our own Paf- fions and Caprices, againft the Wifdom of our heavenly Father : thinking, that we can pro- fper in Oppofition to the Almighty ^ or if not, preferring Rebellion and Mifery to Fidelity and Happinefs. But to fin on, direftly in the pace of diftinguifhing Mercies, juft vouch-

fafed.

174 SERMON VIL

fafed, this is the moft (liocking Aggravation of the vvorft thing in the World : a Crime fo heinous^ that perhaps you may refent being thought bad enough to need a Caution againft it. But the impotent Man, whom our Sa- viour healed, was not, that we know, a Sinner beyond others. And therefore, could we of thefe Nations truly fay, that we are not fuch neither ; ftill the Caution, given Him, would be a feafonable one to Us. We have at leaft finned enough to deferve what we have fuf- fered, which is more than a little. And had We deferved nothing farther, yet, as Elihu re- marks in the Cafe of Job, Surely it is meet to he Jaid unto Gody I have born Chajiifement ^ I will not offend any more ^.

But, to fee how far fuch Advice is neceffary for us, it will be requifite, not to keep in Gene- rals, but defcend to Particulars. And they muft be fuch, as relate to each of us in our pri- vate Capacities : for I am not fpeaking now to Bodies of Men, or to fingle Perfons in high Stations. May God beftow plentifully on all fuch, Grace to confider, what the Warn- ing,/)/ no ?nore, direds Them to, while we confider, what it direds Us to. And I appre-

* Job xxxiv. 3 1 .

hend

SERMON VII. 175

hend the prefent Occalion calls upon us to avoid, for time to come, four Kinds of Sin efpecially : to difregard Religion no more -, to mifbehave towards our Rulers no more 5 to encourage Party-Difputes and Contentions no more; to indulge extravagant Pleafures and Amufements no more.

I. To difregard Religion no more. Per- haps this is the Nation upon Earth, where it is regarded the leaft, (our Negledt of God's Wor- fhip in our Churches, our Families, our Clo- fets ; the impious Talk, the infidel Books, that abound every-where, afford lamentable Evi- dences of it) though we have confefledly the greateft Eleflings to incline us to be religious, and the moit rational Inftrucftion how to be fo. Notwithftanding this, who is there amongft us, of any Age, that doth not perceive, how much commoner and opener both Indifference and Profanenefs are grown within his own Time, within a fmall Part of it ? Who was there amongft us lately, of any Thought, that did not ftrongly fear we were become fo intirely un- concerned about the Matter, that even Popery would have had no Terrors for us ? God be thanked, it hath proved otherwife. And per- mit me to add, let Them be thanked alfo, by

whofe

176 SERMON VII.

whofe long defpifed and. reproached Labours^ a Spirit of Piety had ftill in fome meafure been kept alive : and by whofe earneft and feafon- abie Exhortations an unexpedled Degree of Proteftant Zeal v^as principally raifed. Do us the Juftice then to bear it in Mind, that you wanted our Help, and you had it. The Ene- mies of the Government avowedly hate us for what we have done : if its Friends will not love us for it, our Cafe is hard indeed. But, however you think of Us, learn at leaft to think of the Religion we profefs, as the trueft Support, indeed as an eflential Part, of our happy Eftablifhment. Not that preferving it for political Purpofes alone will be at all fuffi- cient : they, who aim at no more, will come fhort even of that. God will difappoint them. Men will fee through them: and Infeftion will fpread from Hypocrify, as well as Profligatc- nefs, though not quite fo faft, yet till at length the whole Frame is corrupted and deftroyed.

You may plead, that however profane the Nation may be, we are anlv^^erable each for hitnfelf only. But indeed, fo far as our Beha- viour can properly influence, w^e are anfwer- able beyond ourfelves. Do we then endea- vour to difcountenance Irreligion, and encou-

4 ^^S^

S E R M O iSI VII. 177

tage Serioufnefs in thofe who belong to us, in thofe with whom we converfe ? Do w^e, as our Saviour hath enjoined us, confefs Him be- fore Men ^ ? Or do w^e not on many Occa- fions outwardly appear ajhamed of him^ while inwardly our Hearts condemn us for it ?

But were we to anfwer for ourfelves alonej what Anfwer could we give ? We are as good as others, perhaps. And what if others be very bad ? Will that excufe Us from being what the Word of God, and our own Confciences, tell us we ought to be ? If not, are we indeed fuch? Is Concern for our future Happinefs, is Reverence and Love of God, the great Prin* ciple within our Breafls ? Do we really love him the better for thefe very Mercies, for which we are now met to praife him ? We hope fo, perhaps. But what Proof have we given of it, by ferving hirri better fince ? And if none, while the Motive w^as fi*e{l:i upon our Minds, what is to be expedted afterwards, un- lefs the prefent Call awaken us, as Heaven grant it may ?

^ 2. The next Point of Inflrudion is, to mif- behavc towards our Rulers no more. The Connexion is infeparablc. Fear God : ho/ioiir

* Matth. X. 32. Luke xii. 8.

N the

178 SERMON VII.

the King *. For by Him Kings reign ^ and Princes rule ; Nobles, and all the "Judges of the Earth ^. For which Reafon we are to re- fpecfl, not only the Perfon of our Sovereign, but, to ufe the Apoftle's Words, All that are in Authof^ify J. For without a Number of fuch. Government cannot be adminiftered. And Profeffions of Duty to Him, with unjuft Bitternefs againft thofe whom he intrufts, and caufelefs Oppofition to the Meafures they ad- vife, betray either grofs Infincerity, or pitiable Weaknefs, or an Impetuofity of Temper, that fliould be better governed. This however doth not reflrain thofe, to whofe Rank or Of- fice it belongs, from ufing the faithful, though poflibly fometimes unpleafing. Freedom of giving fuch Counfel, or propofing fuch Laws, as public- fpirited Prudence appears to direcS. Nor doth it reftrain any one from expreffing, in a proper manner, his Opinion of whatever public Meafures may confiderably affedt Him, or the Whole, provided he hath Ground to think himfelf a Judge of them. But it ought to reftrain all Perfons from being vehement, ^nd judging harfhly, where perhaps they are

* I Pet. 11. 17. f ProY. viiL 15, 16,

X I Tim. ii. i»

unqua-

SERMON Vli. 179

tinqlialified to judge at all : from indulging fuch Behaviour, fuch Language, or even fuch Notions, as are injurious to Governors, or hurt-^ ful to the Ends of Government ; as may ex- cite or cherifh Difloyalty, or unreafonable Dif- fatisfad:ion, or barely promote Unconcerned- hefs about thofe, v^hom Providence hath fet over Us.

How far v^e have been guilty of thefe things, it is much fitter that each one fhould think ferioufly for himfelf, (for it is a very feri- ous Matter) than that any one ihould take upon him to tell others, eipecially from this Place. I fhall only fay therefore, that every Sort of Perlbns may have been guilty : fome by wrong Compliances, and Abufe of Power and Favour ^ fome by ill-founded Complaints and Refentments ; all by difguifing felfifli Views under plaufible Pretences. But who- ever the Criminals are, the Crime is very greats Not only thofe in Authority fuffer by it, when they ought not, which alone is grievous Inju-* fticcj but the Community in general fuffers deeply with them. The wrong Things of this Kind, which are faid and done, give the Ill-dcfigning dreadful Advantages againft their Superiors 5 and hurry the Inconfiderate, even N 2 who

i8o SERMON VIL

who mean well, into Wildnefles almofl Incre- dible. Nay, the Wife and Good are infenfi- bly cooled and alienated by them. And then is the Juncture for attempting to overturn a Conftitution. We have felt this : and there- fore we fhall be inexcufable, unlefs we re- member it ; remember to abjiain fr07n all Appearance * of Undutifulnefs ; to keep our Mouths with a Bridle^ while the Wicked or the Weak are before /^j •f- ; on no Occafion to ex- ped: more from our Rulers, than we juftly may from human Creatures, like ourfelves ; to bear it patiently, if our moll equitable Ex- pedlations are not always anfwered ; and accept and acknowledge every worthy Deed they doy and furely they have done many, with all 7hankfulnefs J, Afting thus, very probably, might have prevented the late Rebellion, and may prevent another.

3. A further Caution, clofely conneded with the preceding, is, to encourage Party Con- tentions no more. For they always break in, and ufually to a high Degree, be it ever fo undefigned at firfl, on the Refpeft owing to our Governors. Or could that be avoided,

* I Thef. V. 22. t Pfakn xxxix. i.

X AiSls xxiy. 2, 3.

4 one

SERMON VII. i8i

one Side will be tempted to patronife, for the fake of Popularity, what they know, or eafily might know, is wrong; to oppofe what is ufeful, or even neceffary ; to conftrue the worthieft and wifeft Condiid: unfairly; to prefer the Support of their Caufe before the Service of the Public; to imagine or pretend, that the Prevalence of it will produce every defirable Effed: ; when both Reafon and Ex- perience demonftrate, that little, if any. Good is like to follow from it, and poflibly much Harm. The other Side, in return, are tempted to rejedl what they ought to forward ; to infift on what they ought to give up ; to opprefs their Adverfaries by fuperior Power ; to ac- cufe them of being what they are not, till perhaps they provoke them into being what they would not be. And on both Sides thefe Difputes engage Men's principal Atten- tion to the Negleft, of their common Wel- fare ; drive them into doing bad Actions, and countenancing bad Perfons; make foreign Friends afraid to rely upon us ; and both foreign and domeftic Enemies bold to enter- prife againft us. Their late Enterprife was chiefly founded on our Divifions : which nei- ther They, nor indeed We, could have ima- N J gined

i82 SERMON VII.

gined would' have fuffered us to unite againft them fo foon, and fo heartily, as we did. God be praifed, who inclined our Hearts to it : but Jet us faiy no more. Each Party fees, that the other have finned : each might fee, that they have finned themfelves : both muft fee that the Event was nearly pernicious : let us take Warning for the future.

But it will be of fmall Advantage not to cppofe one another, if we all agree in behave- ing amifs : and therefore,

4. The laft Caution is, to indulge extravagant Pleafures and Amufements no more. It is but too vifible, how much, living intirely to Trifles and Follies hath increafed in the upper Part of the World : and Madnefs for Diverfions and Entertainments, even in the middle and lower: together with moft profligate Intemperance and Debauchery in the lowefl: of all. Now vicious Indulgencies are deflirucSive to our temporal, as well as our Spiritual Interefts 5 to the Health and Strength, that fliould labour for and de- fend the Public ; to rhe Honefl:y and Regula- rity, that fhould fecure private Peace and Com- fort. Merely imprudent Gratiflcations, by de-^ vouring Time and Money, as they do beyond Imagination, deftroy Liduftry, and propagate

Poverty ^

SERMON VIL 183

Poverty; which, we muft be fenfible, is making yearly frightful Advances upon us. And v/hea Wickednefs is inftigated by Neceffity, the worft of Confequences may juftly be appre- hended. Thofe of mean Rank are then fully ripe for any Mifchief: and what Mifchief might we not have dreaded from them ten Months ago, had Providence permitted the Rebels to reach pur Capital ? Perfons of bet- ter Condition, when diftreffed, will too often facrifice every other Conlideration to the ur- gent one of fupplying their Wants, real or fancied ; prefer their own prefent Profit, fome- times a trifling Profit, before the common Safety 3 heighten groundlefs Difcontents, to take Advantage of them ; nay, join in Rebel- lion itfelf againft their Confciences ; of which we have lately had a mofl remarkable Exam- ple, and ingenuous Confeffion *• May it prove an ufeful Preventive !

A further great Evil is, that immoderate Lovers of Pleafure will of courfe favour the vilefl Wretches, who contribute to their Enter- tainment j and too frequently depretiate the worthieft Charader, if it be a grave one :

* See FoJler\ Account of the Behaviour of the late Earl of KilmarriQck, after his Sentence, p. 6, 7,10, 1 1, 41 •

N 4 whence

i84 SERMON VII.

whence proceed Inconveniencies without Number. But were this defpicable Inclination hurtful no otherwife ; it would be extremely ib, by taking off the Mind from Application to Things of Moment. Even in Perfons the leaft confiderable, Indolence, and Inattention to their proper BufmefSj may have extenfive bad EfFecfts : and when it grows general among fuch, it fenfibly impoverifhes and weakens, and tends to ruin a Nation. But they, who are intruiled with Matters of Importance, may, not only by a Series of Negledl, but by the ilUtimed Indulgence of an idle Humour for a Day or an Hour, caufe irretrievable Mifchief to a Society, that hath purchafed and depends en their beft Vigilance and Induftry : which therefore are due to it, not only in Point of Honour, but of indifpenfable moral Obligation in the Sight of God.

Thefe, I apprehend, are the chief Particu- lars, in which we fhould learn, from being made whole, to fm no more. And every one (hould apply them to examine and dired: himfelf, not to inveigh againft others : and remember, that the utmoft Pun6tuality and Zeal in fom® Parts of his Duty, will not be accepted, as An Atonement for tranfgreffing or overlooking any of the reft. III.

SERMON VII. 185

III. The lafl general Head, comprehended In the Advice of the Text, is, A prudent Con- iideration of what may follow, if we difre- gard it : Sin no more^ lejl a worfe Thing come unto thee. Perhaps we may think, that nothing worfe can come. And fo perhaps thought the poor Man, to whom this was faid firft : for his lUnefs had been a very deplorable one. Yet our Saviour gave Him the Warning : and let Us take it alfo. Whoever goes on to ofFend> after receiving fignal Mercies, is plainly a greater Sinner : and let him not doubt, but God can fend him a heavier Punifhment, even in this World, and make his loft State *worJe than the fir fl *. Indeed, fhould only what we have already felt return upon us : the Tender- nefs of a wounded Part will augment both the Fear and the Pain. And how little Probability of it foever we difcern, as one dreadful Danger hath grown up out of no- thing, fo may a dreadfuller of the fame Na- ture. Our Sins, if we amend not, will en- feeble and divide us yet more : our inteftine Foes may take new Courage : our foreign Qnes may fupport them better: God may

* Matt. xii. 45.

refufq

t86 sermon vir.

refufe intirely to go forth with our Hojls ^j- ; and any thing may have any EfFed:, that he pleafes. Hitherto we have only been w^aihed by the Waves : the next time we may fink under them : that furely would be worfe. And they, who have now fuffered fo much from us, would with Reafon become vaftly more formidable to us, were they to fucceed hereafter, than if they had fucceeded lately.

But where is the Impoffibility, that with- out the Help of Enemies at home, the power- ful and inveterate one, which we have abroad^ inay enflave us ere long immediately to itfelf : and That without granting even the fhort Re- prieve to our Religion, Liberties, and Proper- ties, which perhaps from the former we might hope ? Our only Defence againlt both is in God's good Providence : and our only Ground of Truft in That is. If wey&2 no more. For frefh Provocations, it mull be expefted, will bring on feverer Judgments. Let us often recoUeft then, that He, who hath delivered us out of the Hand of ouf Enemies, can full as eafily deliver us into it : and if he doth not, ftill hath us continually in. his own. Every thing

\ Pfal. cvili. IX.

3 terrible

SERMON VII. 187

terrible. Fire, Famine, Peftilence, waits on his Orders. At this inftant we are fuffering hea- vily by the laft, though hitherto confined to our Cattle. But how much longer and more general a Ravage it may make amongft Them, or to what other Species of Creatures it may extend at length, and whether not to our own, which of us can fay ?

But indeed, without any other Scourge at all, Sin alone, by the natural Confequences, which Heaven hath originally annexed to it, is able to ruin us very completely. Con- tempt of God and our Duty may overturn, on a fudden, but muft undermine gradually, in proportion as it prevails, every Bieffing that we enjoy : fill every Family with Dif- orders and Diilreires, abolifh mutual Faith and Confidence, open a wide Door to Fraud and Force, defeat the Execution of Juftice, make our envied Conftitution ineffectual to its great Ends, and turn all the Good of it into Evil : //// we are able to bear^ as was the ancient Complaint in like Circumftances, nekher our Difeafes^ nor their Remedies '*. The more Immorality fpreads, the deeper Root

* Liv. Hiil. Prs;f.

it

i88 SERMON VII.

it ftrikes : the Difficulties of checking it increafe ; the Numbers and Vigour of thofe who endeavour to check it, leffen. Some Diftempers, by the Fermentation, which they excite, work their own Cure. But Wicked- nefs is a Gangrene, which deftroys the Part it feizes : and, if it approaches towards being univerfal, muft end in Death. External Force, like an acute Difeafe, though for a time it bears down all before it, may ftill, by the Vigour of Nature, be thrown off unexpeftedly : but an internal Principle of Diffolution, that hath corrupted the w^hole Mafs of Humours, ad- mits no Relief.

Or fuppofe a finful Nation, either by flop- ping fhort of the Extremity of Sin, or by an uncommon Delay of Divine Juflice, neither of which can reafonably be expedled, were to efcape temporal Ruin ever fo long : yet there will be a worje^ an infinitely worfe Thi?2gj come without fail, and that very foon, to every Sinner in it ; the final Vengeance of God in the next Life : which will be, as it ought, peculiarly fevere on thofe, who defpife the Riches sf lois Forbearance and hong-fiiffering \ and

mil

SERMON VII. 189

%oiU not know^ that his Goodnefs leads them to Hepentance -f-.

I am very fenfible, that this may appear a comfortlefs, an intimidating Manner offpeak- ing to you : and exceedingly unfuitable to fo joyful a Solemnity, as the prefent. But why then will not all who hear me, why will not this whole Land refolve on that Amendment, without which no true Comfort can be admi- niftered to them ? Relieve us then from the Neceffity, for we muft deal faithfully with you, of faying on Thankfgivings juft the fame terrifying Things, that we do on Fails. It would afford us the higheft Delight to omit them, on both : to fet before you only plealing Views, and defcribe your Condition in the Language of the Pfalmifl : Happy are the People^ who are i7t fuch a Caje : yea^ bleffedare the People ^ who have the Lord Jor their God'^K It is intirely your own Fault, that Motives of Fear are ever men- tioned to you. Our gracious Maker hath fur- nifhed us plentifully with a much better Ground of Obedience, by the numerous Mer- cies, which we liave long enjoyed, and illll continue to enjoy. Think but a little of the

t Rom. zi. 4. * Pfal. cxJiv. i^.

natural

igo SERMON VH.

natural Advantages of this Ifland ; of the Civl!^ the Spiritual Privileges, that have diftinguifhed it for Ages ; and what Requitals they deferve : think but, how complicated a Bleffing this- laft Deliverance is : and labour to be induced, as much as you can, by the Bounties of God to ferve him. But let us be confcious alfo, that our Imperfedion, our Depravity, needs Awe, as well as Love, to move us ; and ufe the joint Efforts of both, to produce in our Souls that filial Sorrow, and penitent Return to Duty, which will prove the Inlet, and is the only one, to all manner of Confolation.

T^hey^ that thus fow in Tears^ are intitled to reap in Joy ^ : their Mouth may be filled with Laughter y and their tongue with Singing -f- ." they may with Propriety, not only give, as they are bound, the more ferious Demonftra* tions of pious Gratitude, but indulge every lighter Exprefiion of a chearful Heart, that Innocence and Prudence allows. Outward Rejoicing for Mercies, without inward Con- cern for Unworthinefs, and fixed Refolution of virtuous Improvement, is an abfurd and infolent, and will be a rtiort-lived Triumph.

* Pfal. cxxvi. 6. f Ver. 2.

Praife

SERMON VII. 191

Traife is not feemly in the Mouth of a dinner: for if was not fent him of the Lord^. But when humble and hearty Devotion hath preceded, Gladnefs and Exultation, kept clear of Excefs and Riot, may and fliould follow, on Occa- iions like this. The Grief of our Offences ihould be loft, for the time, in a thankful Senfe of God's Goodnefs : a chearing Hope be entertained, that Hf, who hath delivered^ will deliver § ; and our Behaviour fhew to all around us, what our Hearts feel. This was the Dire<3:ion, immediately given to the ^ews^ when once they had been made fcniible of their Tranfgreffions, in their public Affembly for a Thankfgiving,- on their Return from the Captiyity : and I conclude with reciting it» ^he Levites read in the Book^ in the Law of God, mid gave the Se?2fe, andcaufed them to un-- derjland the Reading. And all the People wepfy when they heard the Words of the Law, Then Nehemiah the Governor y and Ezra the Priejiy 4ind the Levites, that taught the People, faid unto them, This Day is holy unto the Lord your God : mourn not, nor weep. Go your way, eat the Fat, und drink the Sweety and fend Portions unto

* Ecclus. XV. 9. § 2 Cor. i. ro.

them^

192 SERMON VII.

themy for whoni nothing is prepared \ for this Day is holy unto our Lord : neither be ye forry^ for the Joy of the Lord is your Strength. And all the People wait their way^ to eat and to drink j and to fe?td Portions^ and to make great Mirth ; becaufe they had uriderftood the Words ^ that 'Were declared loito ihem"^.

* Neh. vHi. 7, §, 9, 10, 12.

A

SERMON

Preached at the

Parifh-Church of St. Jamesy Wejlminjlery

January 7, 1746-7.

AND

At King-Street CHAPEL,

February 17, 1747-8.

peing Days appointed, by His Majesty's Proclamation, for General Fasts, on Occafion of the War.

o

SERMON VIII.

Psalm cxxH. 6,

0 pray for the Peace of Jerufakm : They pall prof per ^ that kve thee.

GO D hath planted in the Hearts of Men, and it is a ftrong Proof of his Goodnefs to us, a Principle of ten- der mutual Benevolence ; which Reafon en- joins us to exert on all Occalions : and Reve- lation both threatens our Tranfgreffion of this Rule vs^ith the fcvereft Punifhments, and en- courages our Obfervance of it by Promifes of the moft effeAual Affiftance and nobleft Re- wards. But as all Mankind is an Objed: too large, for the Generality of Perfons to em- brace in their Affe<Sions, and for the reft to, think of aftually benefiting ; the Scripture hath very juftly appropriated our Love^ to our Neighbour : to every one, who is any way brought near enough to us, to be capable of receiving any Service or Mark of Kindnefs from U8 ; according to our Saviour's moft ra- O 2 tional

195 SERMON VIIL

tional Explication of that Term *. And eack Nation of the World being only a more ex- tenfive Neighbourhood, of Perfons combined together, under one Head, for common Ad- vantage : the Views of the feveral Members of it -may well reach thus far ; but ordinarily fcarce farther. And therefore Love to our Country hath been ever confidered, not merely as an important and excellent Virtue, which it always is, when genuine and judi- cious ; but as filling the whole Compafs of reciprocal Duty, which it ufually doth, pro- vided we proportion it rightly to the various Relations, which we bear to each Perfon in the Society. Now this is the Affedtion, which the Pfalmift fo warmly recommends in the Text : Peace being well known to fignify, in holy Writ, all Sorts of Profperity -, and yeru- falem being the Centre of Unity of the Jewijh People, both in religious Affairs and CiviL For thither the bribes went up, to give Thafiks imto the Name of the Lord: and there was the Sent of Judgment y even the Seat of the Hotife ^' David -f-.

During the latter Part indeed of the Time, that their Government fubfifled, they had

* Luke X. 29, 6c, f Pfalm exxii. 4, 5.

moft

S E R M O N VIII. 197

moft of them a Zeal for their Country, which excluded Charity towards the reft of Man- kind. But this was a Corruption, not a Pre- cept, of their Religion. For no Law of any other Nation ever enjoined fo ftriftly both Juftice and Mercy to Strangers, as theirs : though it did provide againft needlefs Inter- courfe with them, to prevent Imitation of their evil Cuftoms. It is true, they were com- manded to extirpate the Inhabitants of Ca- naan. But thefe were grown to fuch a Height of monftrous Idolatry, unnatural Lufts, and fliocking Barbarities, as the Wifdom of God faw to be incurable. And he chofe the Jfraelites for his Minijlers^ Revengers to execute. Wrath upon them "*, that they might learn to abhor what they had been employed to pu- nifli. This done, their Commiffion expired : for it reached to no other Nation. And in fad, they were as quiet Neighbours to the Heathen round them, and as dutiful SubjecSs to their Chaldean, Perfan and Grecian Mailers, as any other People. Nor did the Text more plainly require them to pray for the Peace of Jerufalem, than the Prophet Jeremiah doth, to feek the Peace of the City^ whither they were

* Rom. xili. 4.

O 3 carried

198 SERMON VIII.

carried Captives, and pray unto the Lord for it''.

We need iiot therefore fcruple to imbibe Love of our Country from the Sacred Writ- ings of the Jews : and much lefs have we Caufe to imagine, as fome vfould perfuade us^ that this is a Virtue not prcfcribed to Chri- ftians. It is true, that as the Romans had long been ravaging the World, and the "^ew^ in our Saviour's Days were evidently ruining themfelves \ both of them prompted to what they did by a narrovz-minded and unjuft Ve- hemence for their national Intereft and Ho- nour : he earneftly recommended, as it was ncceffary, not the particular Pailion, of which they had already too much ; but the general Difpofition, which they v/anted, of good Will to all Men. For that is the only fure Founda- tion of fecial Behaviour: and while it re- flrains Perfons effeftually from doing any thing wrong in favour of their Country, will incite them powerfully to do every thing right. In teaching this Dodtrine therefore, and in- deed throughout his whole Conduft, he fhew- ed tlie kindeft and wifeft Regard to his un-^ deferving Fellow-Citizens ; for whom^ ill as

h^

SERMON VIII. 199

he was treated by them, he fully appears ta have had the moft affedionate Concern. Wit- nefs his Tears and pathetic Expoftulatlons : O Jerufalem, Jerufalem, thou that killejl the Pro^ phets, andjioneji them that are fent unto thee: how ofte?i would I have gathered thy Childreji together^ even as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings ^ and ye would not *. If thou hadji known ^ or as it rather fhould be tranflated, O that thou hadJi kjiown^ even thou^ at leajl in this thy Day^ the ThingSy which belojig unto thy Peace -f-o Witnefs again his peremptory Command, evea after he had been crucified there, that Repe?it- ance and RemiJJion of Sin fiould be preached in his Name to all Nations^ beginning at Jerufa- lem X' The fame heroic Sympathy his great Apoftle St. Paul exprcffes, after the fevereft Ufage, in the ftrongeft Manner, for his Bre- threny his Kinfmen, according to the Flejhy de- claring folemnly before Chrifi and the Holy Ghojly that he had great and continual Sorrow and Heavinefs in his Heart on their Account §. He hath not indeed exhorted the Chriftians, whom he favoured with his Epiftles, to the Love of their feveral Countries : for they were

* Matth. xxili. 37. f Luke xix. 41, 42.

X Luke xsiv. 47, § Rom, ix. i, 2, 3'

O4 all

200 SERMON VIIL

all under one Dominion, and defigned by Pro- vidence to remain fo. He hath not exhorted Magiflrates to ftudy the Welfare of thofe, over whom they prefided : for there were no believing Magiflrates ; and it might have been deemed prefumptuous, and ill intended, if he had laid down Directions for others y or fore- told explicitly fo foon, that the Gofpel would come to have Authority on its Side. But he hath fufficiently, though obliquely, intimated to Rulers, what their Office requires of them: and urged private Subjefts moft convincingly and awfully to fuch Behaviour, as will render Communities quiet and flourifliing.

Love of our Country therefore is an un- doubted Chriftian Duty. And we fhall both be diredted and encouraged in the Perform- ance of it, if we confider, as the Text leads

-US,

I. Wherein the Public Welfare confifls.

II. How we are to exprefs our Regard to It.

III. What Advantages will flow from ex- preffing it as we ought.

I. Wherein it confifts. Now plainly the

Happinefs of any Society is that, which the

Pcilbns, who compofe it, do or may enjoy in

4 i^*

SERMON VIII. 2oi

It* And therefore wide Extent of Dorqinion contributes nothing to the Happinefs of a State : for fuch unwieldy Bodies are feldom or never kept long in good Health. Much lefs is military Glory the Point to be had in View, any farther than is needful to fecure a peaceable Poffeflion of all important national Rights. For fuch a Purpofe, War is lawful : and they, who hazard their Lives in it, worthy of high Honour. But in all Cafes it is accom- panied with dreadful Evijs : of which we are apt to coniider the heavy Expence, as if it were the only one ; and forget the Sufferings, and miferable Deaths, of fuch Multitudes of human Creatures, though every one of them is a Murder, committed by the Authors of this Calamity ; befides the innumerable Di- /IreiTes of Relations and Friends, the Devaf- tations. Inhumanities, and WickednelTes of every Kind, which never fail to be its Attend- ants. Then if the Event of all fhould turn, as God grant it always may, to the Difadvan- tage of the AggrefTors, here is much Mifchief brought on their Neighbours, only to bring more on themfelves. Or fuppofe their Suc- cefs be ever fo great, the Injury done by them will be great in proportion : they will receive

little

202 SERMON VIII.

little real Good from it, and have paid very dear for that, even in this World : and in another, God will take eiTecSual Care, that no one fhall have Caufe to rejoice in having broken his Lav/s, and ufed his Creatures ill.

The next Pre-eminence, commonly ima- gined to conftitute the Profperity of a State, is that of Wealth ; and its ufual Source, Com- merce. Now undoubtedly Riches are a valu- able Inflrument, both of common Defence, and feparate Enjoym.ent. But then they arc alfo a dangerous Incentive to Luxury and De- bauchery : by which Perfons grievoufly diftrefs themfelves, their Families, their Acquaintance, the Public, in many Ways, alas ! but too well known. And many, whom Affluence doth not immediately feduce into grofs Vices, it leads however to Indolence and Ignorance, to the Admiration of Trifles and Follies, and thence to the Negledl, and afterwards the Contempt and Ridicule, of virtuous and prudent Con- dudl. This w^rong Tafte being once formed, high Honours and pompous Appearances are thought necefiary by fome ; the idleft Grati- fications and V^anities, by others : the Means to procure and fupport them mufl be found : and when their Incomes fail, as the largeft,

with

SERMON VIII. 203

with foch Management, will fail ; they mufl fupply the Defedl by any Bafenefs or Iniqui- ty, that they can -, at leaft any fuch, as gene- ral Praftice, in a Timte of general Corruption, makes a fhift to keep in tolerable Counte- nance. This Example in the upper Part of the World is followed of courfe by the lower : their Induftry leflens, their Expences increafe^ their Principles are depraved, they and their Families ruined > they feek for Relief in Fraud, Violence, or Intemperance, and plunge themfelves by each deeper in Mifery. Even of the Regular and Diligent, the home Labour is much of it imployed on Things ufelefs ojt hurtful 'y the foreign Trade, in importing Su- perfluities. This Procedure muft as neceffa- rily empoverifh the Public, as it muil any fingle Perfon, or Number of Perfons : for the whole Number of them is the Public. And in fuch Circumftances, v/hatever prefent Shew ©f Strength and Plenty there may be, is falla- cious : like the over-full and florid Look of a difeafed Body, caufed by a too indulgent Regi- men ', and under the fuperficial Appearance of redundant Health, betraying to the Skilful evident Symptoms of the moft fatal Difl:em- perv, already begun^ if not fi^r advanced.

Another

204 SERMON Vllt

Another Thing, conflantly and juftly men- tioned, as a main Ingredient in political Happi- nefs, is Liberty : an invaluable Privilege ; but often mifunderftood, and ftill oftener abufed. Abfolute Liberty, to do what we will, is abfo- lute Power. If one alone, or a few, have this> the reft are in Slavery : if all have it, the whole muft be in Confulion, Liberty therefor^,' in erder to preferve it, muft be reftrained by LaWj in whatever Cafes the Exercife of it may afFedl others. And Regulations by Authority are ne- ceflary, not only to prevent mutual Encroach- ments, but to afcertain each Perfon's Claims and Expedlations 5 and to inftrudt every one, what he is to do, and what to avoid, for the common Benefit. Now legal Provifions for thefe Ends ought to be juft and equitable^ fuited to the State of Things, known and fixed. And thofe, which a Nation makes for itfelf by ' its chofen Reprefentatives, are fo very much the moft likely to have thefe Properties 5 that living, as We do, under a Conftitution pur- pofely contrived fof making, on every Occa- fion, fuch as we want, is the greateft of Civil Blefltings, provided we turn it not, by our own Fault, into a Curfe,

But

SERMON VIIL 205

But to prevent this, befides Care and Impar- tiality in framing Laws, there muft be a general Obfervation of them : elfe they were ena(^ed in vain. Even fuch, as are in their Nature the moft variable, muft be obferved while they laft. For not only the total Negled: of them will fruftrate their beneficial Intent, and open a Door to yet worfe Irregularities ; but the partial, befides having this unhappy Effed: in Its Degree, \yill introduce a very dangerous Kind of Inequality: good Subjects muft be Lofers by their Obedience, and bad ones Gainers by their Tranfgreflion.

Still more eflfentially doth the common Wel- fare confift in the Pradlice of fuch Rules of Condud:, as are in themfelves, and therefore always, obligatory : in abftaining from Vio- lence, Fraud, promifcuous Lewdnefs, Intem- perance, Extravagance; in performing care- fully the proper Bufinefs of our feveral Stations j in providing diligently what is needful for ourfelves, and thofe who belong to us ', in relieving the Poor with prudent Bounty ; in behaving with Refpedt to Superi- ors, with Condefcenfion to Inferiors, with Friendlinefs to Equals, with peculiar Aftec- tion to thofe^ whom either Nature or volun- tary

2o6 SERMON VIIL

tary Ties have united to us more clofely, Thefe are the main Things, on which fociai Happinefs depends, A Nation may be fmall and weak and poor: and yet the Perfons, who compofe it, may enjoy their Beings very comfortably* But however great and power- ful and rich it is. Folly and Wickednels will bring Mifcry on each Particular ; which, put together, is general Mifery : and will befides gradually weaken and diffolve the whole. For the principal Supports of a State con- feffedly are, the Numbers, and Health, and Strengdi, and Induflry, and Probity, and Concord, of the feveral Members of it : all which, good Morals promote, and bad under- mine.

But as human Laws, in Multitudes of In- ftances, cannot punifh, and much lefs prevent, the Breach of moral Obligations : the chief Security of Regard to them, in any Society, muft proceed from Reverence of the Divine Laws. And as the Precepts of Chriftianity are vaftly more determinate, accompanied with Communications of far greater moral Powers, and enforced by Sandlions of un- ipeakably ftronger Terror to Sinners, and fweeter Confolation to pious Minds, than the

Didates

SERMON VIII- 207

Diftates of Nature, unaffifted by Revelation : eftablifhing a pradtical Belief of the Gofpel is fecuring and completing the Provifion for National Felicity. This will, in all Cafes, reftrain Men from what is wrong, animate them in what is right, make them eafy and happy under every Suffering. Befides, Profef- fion of the fame Faith and Hope, and Partici- pation of the fame Worfhip and Sacraments, muft give fo peculiar a Sacrednefs and Endear- ment to the Bonds of civil Union, that Zeal in the common Caufe of our Country and our Religion, at once, will be intrepidly adlive, and indcfatigably perfevering *. For 7?iy Bre- thren and Co?npanions fakes^ I "will wtjfj thee Profperity : yea, becanfe of the Houfe of the Lord our God^ I will feek to do thee Good-f. Then to all the Advantages, flowing naturally from Piety, we cannot doubt but God will fuperadd his Bleffing, and withhold it from the Profane : for his own Words arc. Them that honour me^ I will honour : and theyy that defpife me, fiall be lightly eJleemedX. Nor muft a further Confideration ever be omitted.

* Dion. Halic. Ant. Rom. 1. ii. c. 23.

t Pfal. cxxii, Zy ^, X I Sam. ii. 30,

for

2o8 SERMON VIII.

for It Is a very important one : that unlefs true Religion be cheriflied and pradtifed, falfe Re- ligion will infinuate itfelf and prevail. For the Mind of Man muft have fome : as the Experience of all Ages proves, and our own particularly ; amongft whom the Increafe of Infidelity is accompanied with that of Popery : an Evil, which ought to be highly formidable to us ; as it muft of courfe, if ever it gain Power enough, not only overturn our pre- fent happy Eftablifliment, but introduce the crueleft Tyranny over the Souls and Bodies ^nd Eftates of Men.

Having now feen, wherein the public Wel- fare confifts, we fhould all with great Seriouf- nefs confider,

II. How we are to exprefs our Regard to it. The Manner, prefcribed in the Text, accord- ing to our Tranflation, is, Praying for the Veace o/' Jerufaiem : according to others, Alk- ing or inquiring concerning its Peace. Both imply, having it much at Heart. And what- ever we have defervedly at Heart, ought jointly to engage our watchful Solicitude, and our earneft Petitions. I fliall begin with the

firft.

Pretences

SERMON Vlir. 209

Pretences to public Spirit, if they are not fincere, ufually cover hurtful Defigns. There- fore we fhould examine ourfelves clofely, for Self-deceit is wonderfully frequent, of what Spirit we indeed ^;r * : whether private Paf- fions or Interefts, concealed under fpeclous Appearances, do not influence our Difcourfe and Behaviour, perhaps our very Thoughts. And, fo far as we have need to know, we fhould make the fame Inquiry concerning others alfo : forming our Opinions of them with Charity, yet with Caution. But, fup- pofmg the common Good be ever fo really Our Objedt and Theirs : unlefs we underftand well the Tendencies of Things, we may do it irre- parable Harm, inftead of furthering it : and therefore fhould always be, according to St. James s admirable Diredion, Swift fo hear^ jlow tofpeakyjlow to Wrath -f- : impartially di- ligent to learn the Truth, where it is our Bu- finefs to judge and aft ; backward to meddle where it is not ; reafonable and moderate in all Matters. But let us confider our Duty more diftindly, in relation to the feveral Arti- cles, that were fpecified under the preceding Head.

* Luke ix. 5^, f James i. 19.

%^ P As

2IO SERMON VIII.

As Defence againft Enemies is an eflential Ingredient in publick Happinefs : Rulers are bound to provide for it with Vigilance, and Subjeds to contribute to it with Chearfulnefs j far from repining at neceffary Burthens, though heavy ones. But we ought to oppofe with double Vigour, from Principle as well as Intereft, the deliberate, and habitual, and per- fidious, and infolent Difturbers of Mankind : yet always remembring, that the only lawful Aim, even in the juftefl: War, is an equitable Concluiion of it. The Lord give Strength unto his People^ the Lord give his People the Blejjhig of Peace * /

Again : as national Wealth, and private Plenty of the Conveniencies of Life, are de- lirable in Communities, but Luxury and Ex- travagance deflruftive to them : all Perfons, in their Stations, ought fo to promote the former, as to dlicourage the latter at the fame time : which they will do moft fuccefsfully, by fetting Examples to others of decent Frugality, and Attention to their own Affairs 3 by honouring worthy Characters, though in mean Circum- xlances ; and expreffing, in every proper Way, Dillike and Contempt of Bafenefs, Debauchery,

* Pfak xxix. 10. ' *

Frofufipn,

SERMON VIII. 211

Profufion, Admiration of undeferving Things^ Negledl of important ones ; be they, who are guilty of fuch Faults, ever fo diftinguifhed by their Rank or Accomplifhments.

Further : as Liberty is a Blelling of inefti-^ mable Value in Society, it ought to be alTerted with the utmoft Refolution and Watchfulnefs, not only againft open Aflaults, but every Prac- tice, that may fecretly and filently impair it : yet with religious Care, neither to ufe it, nor unwarily affifl: others to ufe it, for a Cloke of Malicioufiiefs *; nor hazard the Deftruftion of it, by Attempts of improving it to a vifion- ary Perfe(flion. Therefore Power, in a requi- iite Degree, muft both be allowed and dili* gently fupported : They, in whofe Hands it is placed, muft both be obeyed and humbly refpedled, not only for Wrath^ but alfo for Con^ fcience Sake -f 3 even the Subordinate, much more the Supreme: their whole Gondudl muft be viewed with Modefty and Candour j their good Adions and Intentions acknow- ledged with dueThankfulnefs^ their Miftakes and Failings, imagined or real, born with that Mildnefs, of which we have All Need, to ex- cufe our own. And the fame equitable Tem-

* I Pet. ii. 16, t Rom. xiii. 5.

P 2 per

212 SERMON VIII.

per {hould always be preferved between private Perfons, one towards another 5 were their Dif- ferences about public Affairs of ever fuch Mo- ment, whereas they are frequently nominal or trifling ; and were they ever fo fure of being in the right, whereas poffibly both of them have Reafon to diftruft it. This is the Me- thod, and it is the only one, by which we can ever hope to fee Jeriifalem built as a Cityy that is at Viiity in itfelf^.

Further yet : as good Laws, and the Obfer- vation of them, are neceffary to the public Welfare ; all, who have a Share in Legifla- ture, ought to contrive or affent to fuch, and oppofe others, without fuftering any Confidera- tion to bias them: all Magiftrates ought to execute them with Uprightnefs and Courage, yet with Humanity -, and all Subjefts, to obey them dilintereftedly, and procure Obedience to them zealoufly.

But the Laws of Morality require peculiar

Attention, for our Country's Good, as well as

our own. Every Perfon, who tranfgreffes

thefe, teaches his Neighbour, teaches his Family,

an evil LcJJon agaiiiji himfelf -f-, in Points of

the greatefl Confequence. And every Govern-

* pralm cxiiii. 3 . t Ecclus. ix7 i .

'■'■ ^ ment.

SERMON VIII. 213

ment, which connives at fuch Tranfgreffions, when it can fafely punifli them, connives at the Ruin of the People intrufted to its Care. But efpecially every free Government, guilty of fo culpable Remlffnefs, be it to court Popu- larity, be it to ferve what prefent Turn it will, undermines the only Ground it hath to Hand upon. For without Virtue, Liberty cannot" fubfift.

Nor indeed without Piety can Virtue fubfift. For our good Affedlions are fo weak, our bad Inclinations fo vehement, and the Tempta- tions of the V/orld fo numerous and inticing, that we need every poffible Prefervative. And evidently the Fear of God is the moft awful Reftraint from doing ill : and the Love of God the moft delightful Inducement to do well. True Religion therefore muft be eftablifhed by the Authority of the Leglllature, but with the tendereft Regard to fcrupulous Confci- ences : and upheld in Reputation by the Coun- tenance and Example of the Gi-eat. Its Mi- nifters muft be induftrious, and their Superiors muft fee that they are, in teaching and defend- ing it, and adorning their Doftrine by refpec- table and amiable Behaviour. Its ProfelTors muft be affiduous Attendants on its Exercifes

P 3 in

214 S E "R M O N VIII.

in the Congregation, and ferious Pradlifers of its Injunftions at home.

But particularly, in both Places, they muft be earnefl with God for their Country's Pro- fperity, and fervently pray for the Peace of Jerufalem, Many can do little elfe : but all can do fo much for it. In fome-of our Endea- vours to ferve the Public we may err : in this we are fure to be right. Often we know not, what is beft for it : Our heavenly Father al- ways doth. Poffibly in Times of Difficulty and Danger we may be tempted to defpair of the Commonwealth : Praying for it will re- mind us, that its Fate is not in the Hands of Men, but of the Almighty. In all times, Refentments, Interefts, Prejudices, frequently blind and miflead us : devout Applications to Heaven will compofe our Paffions, purify our Intentions, obtain us Light to guide our Steps, and enlarge our Views. Perhaps we have been diligent enough, or more than enough, in the Ufe of other Means, conducive, as we ima- gined, to public Good : but have never, hum- bly and heartily, ufed this. And yet, if we believe a righteous Judge of the World, we muft' furely believe, that he takes Notice of the Addreffes, which his poor Creatures, v/ith

pious

SERMON VIII. 215

pious AfFedions, offer up to him. Or could we doubt it otherwife, we are fully affured of it in his Sacred Word. Not that naming our Wants informs him, or Ad:s of fervile Sub- miffion delight him, or unfit Importunities prevail on him : but that praying in Spirit and in "Truth *, while it feems intended to in- fluence Him only, hath a powerful Influence on Us : and by ftrengthening the Senfe it ex- preffes, how dependent we are on his Mercy, and what Qualifications are needful to obtain it, fits us at the fame time to receive it, and grow better by it : whereas beftowing his Favours on thofe, who are too negligent of him to aflc for them, might neither be fuitable to the Holinefs of his Nature, and the Honour of his Government, nor indeed contribute to their final Advantage. Why then fhould not we addrefs ourfelves to the Lord of all, not in outward Form only, but inv/ard Reality ; not merely at diftant Seafons appointed for it, like this, but every Day of our Lives; that he would gracioufly proted the Community, of which we are Members, and infl:ru6t and ex- cite us to perform properly our Duty towards it ? His own Declaration, even after he had

*.John iv. ^1p

^ P 4 pro-

2i6 S E R M O N VIII.

promifed a Bleffing, is; I will yet for this be inquired of by the Houfe of Ifrael, to do it for them ^. And the Dire6lion of his Prophet is, Tcy, that make mention of the Lord, keep not Silence, and 'give him no Refi, till he eftabliJJ?, and till be make Jerufalem a Praife in the Earth f .

Affectionate Vigilance therefore to do each his Part for the Service of the Whole, and conftant Prayer, that God would profper the united Work of our Hands J, are the genuine Demonftrations of that Regard, which we owe to the pubiick Welfare. Let. us now confider,

III. What Advantages will flow from ex- preffmg it in this due Manner. They fiall pre [per that love thee. Worldly Profperity is deligned to partake of the Uncertainty of all worldly Things : but, fo far as any thing on our Part can fccure it, a virtuous and pious public Spirit muft. Princes, Magiflrates, Teachers of Religion, military Men, private Perfons of all Ranks and Profeiiions, who thus exprefs the Love of their Country, will be loved bv it, and love one another. Such Union

Ezck. ^x\\\. 37. I liai.. Ixii. 6, 7.

Phll.XC. IT'.

will

SERMON VIII. 217

will give them both the higheft Pleafure, and

the greateft poffible Strength : nothing will be

done to betray or thwart the general Intereft,

but every thing imaginable to promote it: they

will be bold in Dangers, perfevere through

Difficulties, furnifli mutual Affiflance at any

Hazard : Allies will know they can truft them;

Enemies will refped; and dread them. Indeed

they will have no Enemies, but fuch as oppofe

Truth and Right : and therefore, when they

are driven to War, they will conlider them-

felves as fighting the Battles of God. But

ufually they will enjoy Peace, at home as well

as abroad, and tafle the Comforts of it without

Allay : each delighting in the other's Good ;

each feeling the Tranquillity, the Wealth, the

Honour of the Community, as his own s and

rejoicing with humble Thankfulnefs, that His

Share in the Produdion of it hath not been

wanting. If fuch Happinefs be* feldom feen,

the Reafon is, that fuch Difpofitions towards it

are feldom general. But let them be ever fo

uncommon, and Affairs for want of them

ever fo unprofperous ; whoever facredly pre-

ferves them in.himfelf, and faithfully exerts

them when he can, his Soul Jhall profper^ as

St.

2i8 SERMON Vlir

St. "John expreffes it * : be filled with the Confolation, that he hath meant and endea- voured well, though furrounded with Exam- ples and Temptations to the contrary; and that none of the Calamities, that have hap- pened or may happen, can be laid to his Charge. Were he to be intirely deferted by other Men, he would fupport himfelf by our Saviour's Reflexion : Beholdy the Hour cometh^ yea is now come^ that ye JJoall be fcatteredy every Man ta his own^ and Jhall leave me alone : and yet I am not alone ^ becaufe the Father is with me -f-. Some, however, in the worft of Times, will probably bear witnefs to him on Earth : but God will certainly look down upon him with Approbation from Heaven; and blefs him with a pleafing Confcioufnefs of his Fa- vour, the Foretafte of future Reward.

Let us now, on the other hand, contemplate the Effects, I do not fay of downright Ill-will to the Public, which few perhaps can be wicked enough to harbour knowingly, but of ^ Indifference, and preferring other Confidera* tions to its Advantage. If Perfons in Stations of Truft, fupreme or fubordinate, regard Em- pire, abfolute Power, Profit, Pleafure, Indo- * 3 John, ver. %. f John xvL 32.

lence.

SERMON VIII. 219

lence, as their Felicity : Inferiors will in pro- portion be facrificed, oppreffed, exhaufted, neglefted. If thefe Inferiors are principally intent on their own private Gratifications of any Kind : even where they have no Share in the Government, they will hurt it by ferving it remiffly or unfaithfully, and be miferable by unwilling Subjeftion. But where the Govern- ment is mixed, and divided between the Sove- reign, the Nobles, and the Reprefentatives of the Commonalty ; as it cannot be carried on at all in that Form, without Profeffions, on every Side, of a patriot Spirit : fo in the De- gree, in which thefe Profeffions are falfe, there will be a wide Door open for fupine Mifina- nagement, felfifh Projed:s, Corruption, Trea- chery : the vileft of Men will fhelter them- felves under plaufible Appearances and fa- vourite Names ^ and be fupported by Parties, which they have artfully raifed or careffed. At the fame time, they, who think they have the tendered Love for their Country, perhaps will hnd on Reflexion, that in truth they love only the Fadion, in which they have lifted: or though it be their Country ; if they have not had Tendernefs enough for it, to examine coolly what Conduit its Interefts require, they

J may

220 SERMON VIII.

may accelerate its Ruin, by increafing the Fiercenefs of Contention, and lending the Reputation of their good Meaning to colour over the bad Defigns of others. Free Nations therefore, as they are the happieft beyond Comparifon, if the general Advantage be the general Objed: : fo they are peculiarly uncom- fortable, and expofed to Danger from within and without, if Diviiions inflame Men one againft another, or the Attention of each be confined to himfelf.

Still the Wijein their Generation ^ may ima- gine, that however impoffible it be for the Whole to profper without the mutual Affec- tion of the Parts, They fliali profper the bet- ter for thi*owing off a Principle, that will be always interfering with their Interefts or Xncli- jaations. But tliey cannot attempt to throw it off, or even contradifl: it in a fmgle Inflance, without feverely condemning themfelves in their Hours of Recolledtion. Or if they could, they will be detected, in fpight of all Difguife, and abhorred by others, and moft by the Worthieft : which gives the hardefl Hearts much greater Unealinefs, than they are willing to own> Befides, through the Mercy of Pro-

* Luke xvi. 8.

2 vidence

SERMON VIII. 22r

vidence their wicked Schemes often fail of anfwering their Ends : and firft to do wrong, and then be difappointed of their Aim in it, is double Ignominy. Puniihment alfo not uncommonly overtakes even the fecureft Cri- minal. But fuppofing the felfiil:i Wretch to fucceed : that Succefs will tempt or provoke many more to imitate him in hurtful Defigns and unfair Methods. If they aft in Oppofi- tion to him, he may fuffer, as he deferves^ by the Example he hath fet : if they adl in Con- junction with him, ere long fomewhat wili difunite them. Or however, bad Precedents naturally produce worfe, and fo they mul- tiply continually i till at laft the Authors and Encouragers of Mifchief are in tlieir Turn involved in it. But were they to efcape for Life, yet their Pofterity, whofe Advance- ment perhaps is the main Point, which they have in View, muft partake, it may be largely, in whatever the Commonwealth is broueht to fuffer : befides the hereditary Difgrace of fpringing from fuch Anceftors. And, if ill People of every Rank would confider, what Figures their Predeceflbrs in Wickednefs make DOW in daily Talk ; and are likely to make

bere-

ft

222 SERMON VIIL

hereafter in Hiftory, if they be of Confe- quence enough ; and in how veiy different a Light Men of Probity are feen, when the tran- lient Mifls, that Artifice, Prepoffeflion and Re- fentment have raifed, are difperfed : furely it muft have a beneficial Influence' on their Condud:.

Or if none of thefe Confiderations can affedt them, there is yet another of infinite Moment* This Life, at beft, is fhort : and moft of the bufy Ad:ors on the Stage of the World have probably but a fmall Part of it to come, before a ftridl Account of their Be- haviour in it is demanded. And will it be well for us then, think we, that, for the fake of Purpofes not to be owned, we have brought nnjuft Reproach, Uneafinefs, Diftrefs on our Brethren > and difquieted, weakened, impo* veriflied, undone our common Parent, whom Nature and Reafon and Revelation jointly re- quire us to love and to ferve ? Or muft it not be inexpreffible Happinefs, for thofe in low Stations to have difcharged the Duties of them with faithful Affeftion, both to their Rulers and their Fellow-Subjeds : and for thofe in the higheft to be able to fay, with the excellent

SERMON Vm. 223

yewtjb Governor, Think upon me^ O my Gody for Good^ according to all that I have done for this People * ?

If there be folid Motives, let us all be moved by them : firft, to ufe the utmoft Cau- tion, that we do no Harm to our Country ; next to try, what Service we can do it : but eipecially to endeavour, for that we every one of us can, by virtuous Lives, united Hearts, and fervent Prayers, to call down the Divine Benedidtion on our national Counfels and Un- dertakings. If indeed we coniider worldly Appearances only, we have great Caufe to fear : if we refledl on our many heinous Ini- quities, we have ftill much greater Caufe* But when we call to mind, what Deliverances God hath often and lately beftowed on us, what Warnings and what Time he hath given us to repent, how flow and unwilling he appears to let our Enemies proceed to our total De- ftrudlion, it cannot but kindle in our Breafts a moft reviving Perfuafion, indeed a full Afure^ ance of Hope "f-, that would we but yet be unanimous and religious, we might yet by his Bleffing be fafe and profperous. And may

* Neh, V. 19, f Heb. vi. 11.

the

224 SERMON VIII.

the Lord fo blefs us^ that we may fee Jerufalem 771 Profperity all our Life long * ; but let Them be confounded and turjied backward^ as many as have evil Will at Sion -f-.

* Kal. cxxvjii. 6, f Pfal. cxxix. 5.

SERMON

Preached at the

Parifh-Church of St. James, Weflminjler^ April 25, 1749.

Being the Day of Thanksgiving toALMiQHTY GOD for the Peace.

Q

SERMON IX.

Ps A L, xxix. lO,

**— 7?^ hord pall give his People the Blejftng of Peace.

WE are met this Day to thank God for a Mercy, that hath long been the Objeft of our earnefl Wifhes, and folemn Prayers ; that we have often had bat fmall Hope of obtaining, and yet now have poffeiTed many Months, with an increaling Profpccl of its Continuance : on which Account our Joy is ftill more reafon- able, though it mull, from the Conftitution of our Nature, be lefs warmly felt, than it was at firft. Accordingly we have juft been ex- preffing it in the Divine Prefence. And In- ftruftion from this Place was not previoully neceffary, to excite our Gratitude for a Bene- fit, fo vifible and fo important. But it may contribute, not a little, to fix in our Breafts a

QL^ more

228 S E R M O N IX.

more durable Scnfe of what we have acknow- ledged : and, which is the End of all, dired| us to fuch Behaviour, as will fecure and im- prove the Happinefs, we enjoy. I ihall therefore at prefent,

I. Set before you the BleJJing of Peace.

II. Shew you, that it is the Gift ofOod.

III. Prefs you to remember, that only hh People are intitled to it : and confequently to confider, whether We are fuch ; and to labour that we may, in the higheft Degree.

I. I fhall fet before you t;he BleJJing of Peace,

Man appears, from the harmlefs Make of his Body, the converfable Difpofition of his Mind, the Tendernefs of his AiFedlions, the Sovereignty of his reflefting Principle, the Ne- ceffity of Affiftance in his numerous Wants, and the Rules of Life prefcribed him by ex- prefs Revelation, to be formed for a focial in- ofFenfive Creature. Now the natural State of each Being is the happy one. And the Hap- pinefs of Peace is like that of Health : it

ipreads

SERMON IX. 229

Ipreads through the whole of the Civil, as that doth of the Animal Conftitution -, and fur- niflies Vigour and Pleafure to every Part, with- out being diftindlly perceived in one more than another : for which Reafon v^e are apt to overlook the Felicity of both, till the Lofs of them for a time renews our Senfe of their Value ; and even fuch Experience ufually doth not long preferve it in our Memory. There- fore to difcern fufficiently the Advantages of Peace, we muft recoliedt the Miferies of War.

To thefe we feldom attend farther, than we immediately feel them. And the Generality feel only the Expence : which indeed is a fore Evil, and hath been for many Years paft, and muft be for many to come, a Jieavy Burthen to us. Perfons of low Degree are fadly ftrait- ned by it in their Enjoyment of the common Comforts and Neceflaries of Life. Their Su- periors, it is true, need only undergo a Re- trenchment of their Superfluities : which they might bear, if they would, without much Un- eafinefs, or any Harm. But as too many of them are pleafed to reckon their Grandeur and Luxury, tlieir Follies and their Vices, the moft 0^3 infeparable

230 SERMON IX.

infeparable Privileges of their Rank; they muft, by retaining thefe, be diftrelTed equally with others, when the Demands of the State are larger than ordinary. And as their ufual Refource is the very bad one, of fupplying a Fund for Extravagance and Immorality, by refufing A(Ss of Piety, Charity, and Juftice > they force Multitudes round them to fuifer with them and for them. Frequently indeed the Load of Taxes may not be the Caufe of this difhonourable Behaviour : but even then it is a plaufible Pretence and Excufe for it* Nor doth the Mifchief ftop at particular Per- fons : but the Public, exhaufled by Payments, and funk under Debts, becomes incapable of exerting kfelf, even for its own Prefervation, when future Occafions require.

Yet, melancholy as thefe Things are, an Article much more fhocking, and which ought to be the iirft in our Thoughts, is that of the various and continual Toils and HardfhipSy that muft be endured by fuch Numbers of poor Creatures, expofmg themfelves in Defence of others, through fo long a Courfe of Time: the Lofs of fo many Thoufands of Lives by Sicknefs and in Battle ^ the Grief of fo many S.elationS and Friends3 the Miferies of fo many

deftitutc

S E R Ki O N IX. 231

iiefiitute Families : Part of thefe, our Fellow- fubjefts J not a few of them poffibly very dear to one or other of us 5 a fecond Part, our Allies ; the reft, called indeed Enemies : but it may be fcarce any of them in Fault for that Enmity, how much foever their Rulers are ; and all of them, in Truth, our Brethren 3 of the fame Blood, and, in Eflentials, the fame Faith, though taught them with a Mixture of dangerous Errors.

Further ftill : War not only weakens and afflifts a Community in thefe Refpefts, but in- terrupts the Freedom of Commerce, retards the Propagation of Knowlege, prevents ufeful Improvements, takes off the public Attention from domeftic Concerns, furnifhes Occafion for Abufes, obftrufts the Remedy of Inconve- hiencieSi till they grow inveterate and hard to cure J in fliort, diforders and unhinges the whole Syftem of Civil Affairs. Then befidesi which is a vaftly more alarming Confideration yet, all the Time that Hoftilities laft, who can. tell how they may end ? And had ours ended, as they eafily might, in our being abfolutely overcome, and obliged to accept the Vidtors Terms, what would they have been !

Q 4 But

222 S E R M O N IX.

But War is alfo a State of no lefs Wicked- nefs, than Calamity and Terror. Whenever it breaks out ; one Side, at leaft, muft have adted grievoufly contrary to Humanity and Juftice; contrary too, in all Likelihood, to folemn Treaties: and that from no better Motives, than little Rcfentments, groundlefs or diftant Fears, Eagernefs of gaining unnecef- fary Advantages, reftlefs Ambition, falfe Glory, or Wantonnefs of Power. To fuch deteftable Idols are w^hole Armies and Nations delibe- rately facrificed : though every Suffering, thus caufed, is a heinous Crime ; and every Death, a Murder. Nor will the Side, which at firft is more innocent, fail in the Progrefs to be guilty of many (hocking Tranfgreffions, in common with the other. The whole Body of a People are apt to grow uncharitable, un- pitying, implacable : and the Soldiery will plunge of courfe into Cruelty, Rapine, Pro- fanenefs, Lewdnefs, Intemperance : not to add, that when the poor Wretches have once changed the ordinary Employments of Life for this, they will be in great Danger of never fettling honeftly ^nd foberly to them again. Some of thefe Things, to worldly

or

SERMON IX. 233

or inconfiderate Minds, may appear fmall Matters. But every benevolent, or merely prudent Perfon, will efteem them very great ones : and every pious Heart will moft feri- oufly mourn, that the worthy Name^ by which we are called^ is blafphemed among the Gentiles *, through the Sins, and peculiarly the Enmities, of thofe who profefs the Gofpel ; inftead of its producing that Glory to Gody Peace on Earthy and Good-will amongfl Men^ which An- gels proclaimed at our Saviour*s Birth -f-.

Still this dreadful Evil, big with fo many more, becomes, by the obftinate Iniquity of Men, fometimes unavoidable. It muft be the Will of the common Father of All, that So- cieties, as well as fingle Perfons, be reftrained from committing material Injuries : elfe de- ftrudtive ones would be committed perpetually. Now certainly amicable Methods are to be tried in the firft Place : but often the only effedual Method of Reftraint is by Arms : and then, the Minijier of God, the fupreme Power, rnuji not bear the Sword in vain^. Often again, Treaties made to fupport Allies,

* Jamfs ii. 7. Ron?*, iL 24. | Luke ii. 14,

§ Rgm, ;uii. 4.

if

634 S E R M O N IX.

if unjuftly attacked, are probable Means of preferving Peace : and when that proves otherwife, the Afliflanccs promifed muft be given, in order to reflore it. But above alU when a Nation is diredlly attacked itfelf, De- fence is undeniably neceffary. And our Cafe, in the late War, was compounded of all thefe^ We have therefore the Comfort, that our un- dertaking it was juftifiable : and our Manner t)f carrying It on, I truft, no way peculiarly blameablci. But it could never be lawful t6 refufe any equitable, any tolerable Conditions of Agreement^ for putting an End to fo much Guilt and Miferyi Whether thofe, which wc have accepted, are defirable, is not a Queftioil to be difcuffed here. You have decided it for yourfelvcs in the Affirmative, by joining in this Morning s Service : and the People in ge- neral have {hewn their joyful Concurrence in the fame Opinion. If fome well-meaning and able Perfons have thought otherwife, Diverfi- ties of Judgments are always to be expeded ill fuch Matters : arid if the Ill-wifhers to our happy Eftablifhment are forry and angry, we: have the more Reafon to be glad. Let us therefore proceed to obferve.

S E R M O N IX 23s

11. That the Blejing of Pern is God's Gift.

This v/iil need only a fhort Proof: but requires a much more ferious and praftical Confideration, than we commonly allow it» Every Enjoyment is from His Bounty : every Suffering, His Infliftion. The whole Series of Caufes and Effefts, all the Connexions of fill Things, were originally appointed, and are continually fuperintended by Him. He brings forth, in each Generation, fuch Perfons, to a(S, according to their own free Choice^ their various Parts on the Theatre of Life, as he forefees will anfwer, fometimes by their great Abilities and good Difpofitions, fometimes by the contrary, his holy Purpoles of Judgment or of Mercy. And the Influ- ence of this one Arrangement on the Refto-' ration of our prefent Tranquillity, may have been, and probably hath been, unlpeakably great. But be the Tempers, Qualifications, and Deiigns of Men what they will : he can, tinperceived by themfelves, put Thoughts into their Minds, to incite, withhold, divert them" to another Objeft, jufl a« he pleafes. Then

befides,

236 S E R M O N IX.

befides, the intire Frame of inanimate Nature^ as it was produced, is alfo actuated by Him : and he could by its original Formation, or can now by the flighteft Change in the fmalleft Part of it, occafion, obfirudt, alter to any De- gree, the moft important Events. And laftly, the fame wife and gracious Motives, which induced him to make the World, muft cet-^ tainly induce him to be attentive to it. And the Attention of an infinite Mind muft com- prehend the Regulation of every thing, even the fmalleft : but Affairs of fuch momentous Confequence, as Peace and War, cannot fail to occupy a diftingulflied Place in the Scheme" of Providence.

Thefe Dedudions of Reafon our Condition of late Years hath obliged me more than once to lay before you : but ilill they need to be in- culcated. Paflages of Scripture too, confirm- ing them, I have produced to you in great Numbers : but it is very eafy, and would God it were not necefiary, to add yet more. Ijorm the Lights and create Darknefs : I make Peace ^ and create Evil : I the Lord do all thefe things *. The Heart of Kings is in the Ha?id of the Lord^

* Ifiiiah xlv. 7.

as

SERMON IX. 237

as the Rivulets of Water : he turneth it whither^ foever he will "*. The Lord is thy Keeper^ the Lord is thy Defence upon thy right Hand §. And on the contrary, Shall there be Evil in the City^ and the Lord hath not done it -f- ?

Frequently indeed we perceive no Marks of the Interpofition of God in what paffes. But we are both inadvertent and fhort-fighted : ignorant, not only of the fecret Springs and material Circumftances of many human Ac- tions, but yet more, beyond Comparifon, of principal Purpofes in the Divine Adminiftra- tion. Yet this however we know, that he is inceflantly conduding the Affairs of the pre- fent World, towards a full Difplay of his Wif- dom, Juftice and Goodnefs, in the next : though often by Steps invifible to our Eyes, and improbable to our Imaginations. For his Judgments are unfearchable ^ and his Ways pafl finding outX, Therefore in all Things we fhould believe a Providence ; but in many we may fee it : and very plainly in our own Cafe ; to whom true Religion and Liberty have been fo wonderfully preferved, in the midft of fuch Jmminent Dangers ; and Quiet and Safety fo

* Prov. xxi. I, § Pfal. cxxi. 5.

t Amos iii. 6, % Rom. xi. 33.

un^x-

238 S E R M O N IX.

unexpededly reftored, when the Help of Man was confeffedly iiain *. Nor did God only beftow the Bleffing, but it is He who conti- nues it : and every Day*s Peace, as well as every Day's Bread, is a new Gift from hrm.

Surely then we have Caufe, not for Joy alone, but Thankfulnefs too, froni the Botton> of our Hearts. And if we ungratefully dif- own, or negligently forget, the Author of our Happinefs, what is it likelier, what is it fitter he ihould do, than deprive us of it again ? We may think perhaps, that we have fully difcharged our Confciences towards him by our Attendance on the prefent Solemnity, And God grant we may hear, it hath beei> every-where univerfally attended. But fup- pofing that : outward Acknovyledgments fingly are downright Pageantry and Mockery. Nay, inward Senfe of Obligation along with them, if it bring not forth fuitable and lafting Obedi- ence, is imperfeft, inefficacious, delufive Ho- mage, which our Maker cannot accept. Here^ in is my Father glorijiedy faith our bleifed Sa- viour, that ye bear much Fruit -f*. And thus we are to underfland that awful Denunciation :

* Pfal. cviii. 12. t John xv.. 8.

S E R M O N IX. 239

If ye 'Will not hear^ and if ye will not lay it to Hearty to give Glory unto my Name^ faith the LordofHoJls^ I will fetid a Curfe upon you, and J will even curfe your BleJJings ^, Accordingly the Text very clearly intimates,

III. That to intitle ourfelves to the Blefing of Peace y we muft be his People : own his Authority by obferving his Laws.

The Pradlice of Religion and Virtue makes Nations induftrious, frugal, rich, healthy, po-^^ pulous, unanimous, public-fpirited, fearlefs ; yet at the fame time, juft, prudent, friendly: which are the very Qualities, that conftitute them formidable Enemies, defirable Confede- rates, inoifenfwe Neighbours ; and, fo far as any thing can, will fecure them Peace. But Wickednefs impoveriihes, enfeebles, dilpirits, depopulates, difunites -, extinguifhes Concern for common Good, inflames leifiih Appetites afid Paflionsj, renders Men rafh and pro- voking, yet indolent and defpicable. It feems hardly needful for Providence to inter- pofe, otherwife than it hath done in the Ori- ginal Appointment of Things, to exalt a People

* Mai. ii. 2.

of

240 SERMON IX.

of the former Charafter, or deprefs one of the latter. But when it is, we may expedt it to be done. For God will reward what he loves, punifli what he hates. And though his Re- compences are neither perfed: nor proportion- able, they are real and confiderable, even here. Experience hath found it : Scripture hath fore- told it. The Jewijld Nation indeed profpered or fufFered, according to their Doings, more conftantly and equally, than others. But fHlI, not only theje Things happened to them for our EnfamplcSyUnd are written for our Admonition * ; but in the fame Ages, God viiited the Heathen alfo for their Iniquities ; and lengthened their Tranquillity^ when they broke of their Sim by Righteoufnefs -f-. Chriftian States, we confefs, as they were not in Being, are not mentioned, in the Gofpels or Epiftles : but Godlinefs hath the Promife there of the Life that now is, as well as that which is to come X \ ^nd the Revelation of St. John, a prophetical Work, defcribea whole Kingdoms, and yet larger Portions of the Earth, as undergoing the levereil: of tem^ poral Judgments for the Abominations, which they had committed. We ought to be deeply affeded therefore by every Declaration of

* I Cor. X. II. t Dan. iv. 27,

1 1 Tim. iv. 8.

4 God':3

S E R M O N IX. 241

God's Purpofes in this refped: throughout his Word. And the Sum of them is : If ye be nsoilling ajid obedient ^ ye fl)all eat the Good of the Land. But if ye refufe and rebels ye Jhall be devoured with the Sword : for the Mouth of the Lord hath fpoken it '*.

Which then is Our Cafe ? Are We God's People ? Are we even fenfible what that Phrafe implies ? That we believe, not a pre- fumptuous Scheme of falfely-called rational;' Religion, framed by our Fancies, but the Myftery of the Gofpel "f : that we praftife, not an arbitrary Syftem of polite Morals, in- dulgently relaxed to fit ^afy upon our Inclina- tions, but all thofe Duties, in their genuine Stridinefs, which the Grace ofGod^ that bring- eth Salvation^ came to teach : denying Ungod/i" ?2efs and worldly Lufis^ living foberly^ right eoufly and godly in this prefent Worlds and looking for that blefjed Hope^ and the glorious Appearance of the great God and our Saviour Jefus Chriji ; who gave himfelf for iis^ that he might redeem us from all Iniquity^ and purify unto hi?nfelfa pecu- liar People y zealous of good Works X* Do we know ourfelves by this Pifture ? Or is not the

* Ifaiah 1. 19, 20. -f- Eph» vi. 19.

% Tit. ii. II— 14

R very

242 S E R M O N IX.

very different one, which I have fo often been obliged to fet before you, flill our true Refem- blance ? Arc we not regardlefs in general, both of a prefent Providence and of future Rewards ? Have not many of us caft off with Scorn, and mofl of us contributed to loofen, thofe Ties of Faith and Worfhip, which in every Coun- try elfe, and in this till of late, have always been held necelfary, even to civil Welfare ? They, who have not rejefted Religion, do they not however, Numbers of them, flight the Exercifes of it, wholly in private, and to a great Degree in public ? Nay, fuch as appear pretty regular in them, and feem to have a real Senfe of Piety, have they any Zeal for it, any Sorrow for the Decay of it ? Do they not feci and ex- prefs more Dillike and Contempt of thofe whom they think, and perhaps but think, righteous overmuch^, than of the moft thought- lefs about their fpiritual State, not to fay, the mofl abandoned? x^re we not in common Life diUblute, expenfive, negligent of our Affairs, our Families, our very Children, at leail in the moft important Point, their Prin- ciples ', overrun by an epidemical Rage for hourly Pleafures and Amufements^ with an * Eccl. Viu i6.

2 Utter

S E R M O N IX. 243

mtcr Contempt of Confequences ; which, after infedting almoft univerfally the upper, and next to them the middle Part of the World, is yearly fpreading wider among thofe, whole Parfimony and ufeful Induftry is the Wealth of the Nation ? Are we not alfo in our political Capacities, how irreconcileably foever we differ lamentably alike : void of Reverence to Au- thority, fubordinate or fupremc} attentive chiefly, if not only, to felfifh or party Confix derations, varnifhed over with tranfparent Pretences of Public Good 5 vehement about difputable Matters, unconcerned about con- feffedly neceflary ones 5 each Denomination, each Order and Rank, bitterly accufing the other, and none ever thinking in earnefl to amend themfelves : extremely afraid of hurt- ing Liberty by reftraining Wickednefs, but not at all of being undone by indulging it ; w^onderfully jealous of the Power of our own Church, which hath and defires lefs, than ever any other in any Age ; but perfedly eafy about the daily Growth of Popery, die mofl t}Tanni- cal Empire over Soul and Body that can be, and the moft peculiarly formidable to this Country ? M^ People is foolip^ they Iwce not R % known

244 S E R M O N IX.

known me : they are wife to do Evil^ but to do Good they have no Vnderjlanding *.

Can fuch a Nation hope for the Favour of Providence ? Could it flouriih, even were there no Providence ? Evidently it is impofiible. Sentiments of Religion and Virtue are the Seeds of all Happinefs, the Security in all Dan- ger, the Support in all Aifflidiion. Thefe are decaying apace, and wearing quite out. Ha- bits of Prudence, for>med by a careful Educa- tion, might in fome poor meafure fupply thdr Place. But we have them not. In Trifles indeed we are bred up to a ftri^l Obfervance of Rules and Forms and Fafliions: but in Points of Confequence every one is left, from his early Youth, to do as he pleafes ; and They rnoft, whofe Example will be moil followed. General Diflike and Shame however might reftrain Perfons, when they come out into the World, from feveral Vices, againft which they had no Pf efervative before. But with us, there are few Vices or none, of which any body needs be afhamed : the moil notoriouily guilty of the woril are afi well received in all Places^ if not better, than other Perfons, Yet, even

* Jer, iv. 22.

SERMON IX. 245

in fuch a State, ftridl Laws, vigoroufly exe- cuted, might deter, at leaft from the more immediately mifchievous Crimes. But we are deftitute of this Guard alfo. A great Part of our Laws, from the univerfal Remiffrtefs of the Times, are fcarce executed at all : and> from the Nature of our Conftitution, cannot be executed fo effedlually, as where Power is lefs bounded. Still this Conftitution, with its many Defedts, efpecially under a Prince, who, God be thanked, moft cordially wiflies the Continuance and Improvement of that and every Advantage to his Subjed:s, amply com- penfates for many Inconveniencies -, and pre- ferves many valuable Privileges, not enjoyed elfewhere. But then fuch inward Diforders muft by Degrees impair and undermine it, till at length it will fall : poffibly the fooner, the more fafely we think we can follow our own Devices. Peace may be no Blefiing to fuch, as will abufe it : and the Scripture hath tol4 us long ago, that the Prcfperity of Fools Jhall de-' Jlroy them *. After all, it would be fomething, if when we had reduced ourfelves to the fame Condition with the reft of the World, in point of Freedom at home, by our Unworthinefs

* Prov. i. 32.

R X and

246 S E R M O N IX.

and Incapacity of it, we had a Profpedl remain- ing of Security frorii abroad. Other Nations, neither free nor virtuous, though internally miferable on both Accounts, continue for a Time, perhaps a confiderable one, to anfwer Purpoies of God's Wifdom, externally potent, courted and dreaded. But what Confolation can We draw from hence : exhaufted and bur- thened as we are -, with fo little to hope, as " Experience hath fhewn us, even from the friendlier Part of our Neighbours; and fo much to apprehend from the neareft and moft poweiful, who hath repeatedly attempted our Deftrudtion, whofe Strength in the only weak Article will be recruited with Zeal and Indig- nation, to whofe D^figns we have always been the chief Obftacle, and whofe Succefs in them mufl be fatal both to our religious and civil Interefts ?

Think not, that I am become your Enemy\ becaufe I tell you the Truth *, Would Gk)d it would permit me to fay every thing, that was pleafing to you. Think not, that I delight, or even mean, to foretell Evil : I mean only to caution you againfl it. And who fhall or will, if the Minifters of God's Word do not?

* Cftl. iv. I ^.

And

S E R M O N IX. 247

And what muft follow ? I have feeny faith He himfelf, in the Prophets of J-erufalem^ an hor^ rible th'uig : — they Jirengthen the Hands of evil Doers y that none doth return fro?n his Wicked- nefs, — They fay unto them^ that defpife me^ the Lord hath faidy Tefiall have Peace ; unto every one, that walketh in the Imagifiation of his own

Heart, no Evil Jhall come upon you, Behold a

Whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in Fury : it Jhall fall grievoufly on the Head of the Wick- ed, — But if they had food in my Counfel, and caufed my People to hear my Words, then they fhould have turiied thetn from their evil Way *. Think not, that, however, fuch Language might be fpared on this Day of Rejoicing. It might fo indeed, had we either been hitherto innocent, or were now duly penitent. But, being fuch, as God knows we are, Admoni- tion of our Faults is indifpenfably neceffary, to excite our Thankfulnefs, that we are not pu- niflied in proportion to them : and Warning of our Dangers, to remind us of proving our Gratitude by that Obedience, which alone will obtain us Proteftion. Would we but make this Ufe of the prefent Solemnity, then it would be a Day of Gladnefs indeed : a Day, much to

* Jcr, xxiii. 14, I7» 19, 22.

R 4 k

24-8 S E R M O N IX.

be obferved unto the Lord through all our Gene- rations *. for laying the only Ground-work of public ^-lappinefs. And therefore I muft re- peat to you on the Conclufion of this War, what I earneftly recommended to your Confi- deration at the Beginning of it, that when Afa^ King of Judah^ was returning home, both with Peace and Victory, the Prophet Azariah went out to meet him^ and faid : Hear ye jne, Afa, and all Judah and Benjamin. I'he Lord is with you, while ye be with Him -, and if ye feek him, he will be found of you : but if ye forfake him, He will forfake you -f*.

Other Methods to fupport a tottering or raife a linking State, without Reformation, fre- quently overturn it : and at beft are only Pal- liatives, temporary Expedients, to delay a little its final Ru in . Thus faith the Lord of Hojls^ — They have healed the Hurt of the Daughter of my People flight lyy faying^ Peace, Peace, when there is 710 Peace J. There is no Peace, faith my God f to the Wicked §. And not only the facred Writings have faid this 5 but Heathens have faid it who knew them not , Infidels have faid^k, who regard them not : innumerable Fa& have proclamed it in every Age. But

* Exod.xii. 42. t 2 Chron. xv. i, 2.

.{ Jer. vi. 9, 14. § Ifiii. ivii. 21.

iibove

SERMON IX. 249

above all it holds in limited Governments, like ours. There muft be public Virtue, or they cannot ftand. There muft be private Virtue, or there cannot be public. There muft be Religion, or there can be neither. There muft be true Religion, or there will be falfe. There muft be Attendance on God's Worihip, or there v^ill be no Religion at all. Not four Years ago it v^^as univerfally doubted, whether we had Principle enough, of any kind, left, to make an Effort for the Prefervation of every thing valuable to us. Moft happily m.ore ap- peared, than was expedled. Yet God knows how it had proved, if the Trial had gone but a little further. And for God's fake let us provide, as much as ever we can, againft the next. How foon it may happen, is beyond human Forefight. But in the mean while, we have fome Leifure, not only for perfonal Amendment, which is equally poffible in all Seafons, but for concerting Schemes, and exe- cuting, as v/ell as framing, Laws for public Reformation. In War, many things, confeffed to be right and neceifary, are put oft*, becaufe the Attention muft be confined to the imme- diate Danger. And if they, are put off" in Peace too, becaufe there is no immediate Dan- ger,

250 SERMON IX.

ger, when are they to be minded ; and what will be the Confequence, if they never are ?

I would by no means excite a rafh and ig- norant Zeal, to be meddling where we fee not to the Bottom of things : much lefs a fadlious one, to cramp and embarrafs, difquiet and in- flame. Thefe Practices mufi: be hurtful : they may be pernicious : and the firfl Article in true Patriotifm is confcientioufly abftaining from them. Taking unwarrantable Steps, in Oppofition to fuch as we may think, whether too haftily or not, bad Men and bad Meafures, is only introducing additional Wickednefs of our own, and giving others a Pretence for con- tinuing, and even increafing, theirs. Or fhould we fucceed againft them : yet fuch, as aft ill to get Power to aft well, feldom or never ufe it to that Purpofe, when they have it, what- ever they may intend beforehand.

The Rule then is, that each perform his own Duty fteadily and calmly; rejoice, and acknowledge it with Thankfulnefs, when others perform theirs 3 and be very moderate, when he apprehends they overlook or tranf- grefs it : endeavour to reftify w^hat is wrong, fo far as it belongs to his Station ; but 7iever exercife himjelf in Matters^ ivhich a?'e too high

for

SERMON IX. 251

for him *, nor watch more folicitoufly over the Conducft of the State, than over his own Heart and Life. He, that negledts the latter, will feldom be throughly in earned, and feldomer yet impartial, about the former : or though he were, will have much lefs Weight, than a better Man. The one is incumbent on us all ; tlae other on very few : in the one we need never miftake or fail ; in the other we muft frequently. Therefore let us earneftly pray for the Peace of Jerufalem -f- : but remember that the fureft Way oi feeeking to do it further Good J, is iirft to be at Peace ourfelves with God and with Men.

Preffing you to general Reformation, as the Means of general Happinefs, may feem a very hopelefs Expedient. But it is the only one, which Heaven hath pointed out,. or will bleis. Whether you will make ufe of it, depends on yourfelves. We are charged^ bejore God, and the Lord Jejiis Chriji, who Jhall judge the^ick a?id the Dead at his Appearing and his Kingdom^ to preach the Word-, be infant , in Seafon, out of Seafon-, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all Long'fuffering and Do^ri?2e §. We do ac-

* Pfal. cxxxi. 2. '+ Pfal. cxxii. 6.

X Ver. 9, § 2Tim. iv. i, 2.

cordingly.

252 S E R M O N IX.

coi-dingly, as Ambaffadors for Chriji^ as though God did befeech you by us^ pray you in Chrijl's fiead^ Be ye reconciled to God * : and 'when we have done fo, we have delivered our Souls -f- : but we beg you, think of your own. The fewer will amend, the more Need there is, that we (hould add to the Number. Our doing it may be of fome Benefit to others, we know not how great : but at leaft will be infinitely beneficial to ourfelves. We fhall be happy, whatever They be: happy, even at prefent; though lefs, than if all were fo. Probably^ indeed, when Times of Trouble come, we fhall fuifer with them: but poflibly not, or however not fo much as we apprehend : For the Lord knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of "Temptation J. Or if he determine otherwife, he will enable us to bear it § : and fuffering now according to his Will ||, is a Title to more Enjoyment in a better Life. This World is not our main Concern. They, who take it for their Portion, will be every one anxioufly providing for his own feparate Advantage in it 5 and confequently every one injurious to his

* 2 Cor. V. 20. \; ^, f Ezek. xxxili. p. X 2 Pet. ii. 9. § I Cor. x. 13.

II I Pet. iv. 19.

3 Neigh-

S E R M O N IX. 253

Neighbours, and uneafy in Himfelf : but let Felicity hereafter be the Point in View, and Tranquillity here will be the Refult. The Peace of God^ 'which paj]eth all Under ft ajiding^ fiall keep our Hearts and Minds through J ejus Chrift *. Even if we fufFer, not only in com- mon with others, but more than others ^ if we are defpifed, hated, ill-treated, for what ought to procure us Honour and Friendfhip, our Piety, Integrity, Regularity: ftill the Spirit within us will fupport us , we Jhall receive an hundredfold now in this Time^ with Perfecu- tions 'y and in the World to come^ eternal Life -f*. Say ye to the Righteous^ that it Jl:all be well with Him : for they Jhall eat the Fruit of their Doings, Woe unto the Wicked^ it jhall be ill with Hi?n : for the Reward of his Hands Jhall be given him J.

Doubtlefs good Perfons will be fbrry, as they have Caufe, for what the Public muft undergo, unlefs Reformation prevent it. But at the fame time they will acquiefce, as they have Caufe, with intire Complacency, in the Juftice of Providence : and the more, as the , fevereft Difpenfations of it are bringing for-

* Phil. iv. 7. f Mark x. 30,

X Ifai. iii. 10, 11.

ward

254 S E R M O N IX.

ward continually, though by unfeen Ways, that bleffed State of Things, even on this Earth, of which, however elfe improbable in itfelf, the Attributes of God afford us Hope ; and his Prophets, Affurance. Nay, thofe Na- tions themfelves, whom by his Puniihments he makes miferable for being bad, may by that very Mifery be made good, and then happy. I will leave in the midjl of fhee^ faith God to Jerufalem^ an affliBed and poor People^ end They JJ:all trujl in the Name of the Lord, The Remnant of Ifraeljhall not do Iniquity^ ?tor [peak Lies, It follows, They fiall feed and lie doimiy and none Jhall make them afraid ""*.

Such a Cure, though effed:ed by fuch Dif- cipline, would be an unfpeakable Bleffing. But furely we are not refolved, that no other fhall do. God is trying at prefent milder Methods : and the Language of his Proceedings i^^How Jhall I give thee up:, Ephraim ? How Jhall I deli- *D€r thee, Ifrael? — Mine Heart is turned within me, my Repenti?2gs are kindled together *f*. But ftill in the midfl of his Mercies, hisThreatnings remain in full Force : and we have a folemn Warning, that if when we hear the Words oj^ his Curfey we blefs ourfelves, and fay, we /l:all have * Zeph. iii. 12, 13. t Kof. xi. 8.

Pcacf^

S E R M O N IX. 255

Peace^ though we walk in the Imagination of

our Hearts ; the Lord will not fpare us, but

his Anger and his yealoujy Jhall fmoke againjl us ; and all the Curfes, that are written in his Book, Jhall lie upon us *. For a long time we feemed to think, that we might fecurely truft in our own Wealth and Strength, our own Policy and Bravery, let us behave to our Maker as we would. He hath given us, through a Courfe of Years, ample Convidlion of our Miftake, if any thing will convince us : and he hath given us now Time to acft upon that Conviftion. Let us therefore at length intitle ourfelves to truil: in Him : turn our Minds to fear God, honour the King, love the Brother^ hood'f, that is the Public : ceafe from our pro- fane Difcourfe, our unbelieving Prefumption, our uncharitable Contentions, our felfifh Pro- jects, our diffolute Pleafures, our idle Amufe- ments, our fafhionable AfFedations, our de- ftrudtive Expences : beg Pardon of our Guilt, through Jefus Chrift ; and Affiftance of our Weaknefs, through the Spirit of Grace : go- vern our Lives by the Rules of the Golpel 5 . and both awe and cheer ourfelves by continual Thoughts of that Day, when God will judge * Deut. xxix. 19, 20. f I Pet. ji. 17.

the

256 S E R M O N IX.

the World m Rigkeotif?iefs^ by that Many whom be hath ordained *. All this Is the indifpen- fable Duty of every one, were he to be fmgle in performing it: there are fome, God be thanked, who pradife it now : the Addition of a few, that would be exemplary, might win many more : and were but the Imitation gene- ral, hear the Promife made to it. * T^htu faiib the Lord thy Redeemer^ the Holy One of Ifrael ; / am the Lord thy God, which teacheth thee to profit 'y which leadeth thee by the Way ^ that thou Jhouldejl go. O that thou wouldejl hearken to my Commandments : then Jlmdd thy Peace be as the River-, a?id thy Right eoujhefs as the Waves of the Sea -f*.

^ A'fls xvll. 3 It.

f Ifai. xlviii. 17, iS.

F I N IS.

B704 Tt 2891

B-2e-9G 32180 MS ll

nc ton Theological Seminary-Speer Lib

1 1012 01152 3158

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