Nine sermons preached in the parish of St. James, Westminister : on occasion of the late war and rebellion

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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

A

^B.

^iOQ\0M S£^

^t

\

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.

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