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6
r?^--r^j^T-:,'^,-^f.^ry:--'-r^-^.:-.--^-r:T^_^;^rr^-n.
ri
. '>
Mr, Prince'j
SERMON
On the taking of
CAPE-BRETON.
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MfaitfWMai-iiM'i'a^iiilli'frir ' ■^•.j.^-^w:- .rtiw.- ftia- -|j^,..^.w-a
yrV".'' '.'"."
Extraordinary Events the Dohgs of God, and
marvellous In pious Eyes,
Illujiraud
In a
SERMON
At the
South Chutcch in Boftotiy N, E.
On the
General Thanksgiving,
Thurfday, 'July i8. 1745.
Occafion'd
By taking the City of Louijbourg on the Ifle of
Cape^BretoHy by iVl?w-E«^/ij7«^ Soldiers, afSfted
by a Britijh Squadron.
The Second Edition in^. E, with fome Additions.
By Thomas Prince, M. A.
And a Paftor of the faid Church.
Pfal. xcviii. !» 2, O Jing unto the ho kd anew Song^ for Ht
hath done marvellous Things : His right Hand, and his holy
Arm hath gotten him the ViSioryi The Lord hath madt
known his Salvation^ his Righteoufnefs hath he openly Jhewei
in the Sight of the Heathen,
1
BOSTON:
1
Printed for D. Henchman in Cornbil 1747.
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To His Excellency
) ^ ■ '
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t:tj
VM
fVilliam Shirley^ Efq;
•- , ' > r • ■, . . ■ I : ■ i < ' • ' (
Captain General and Governour
in Chief, in and over His Ma-
jesty's Province of th^ A^affa-
chufettS'Bay in New-England^
and Vice Admiral of the fame :
OUR Rxcellency
being, under the Di-
vine Conduct, the
principal Former and
Promoter of the prof-
perous Expedition to Cape-Bretony
of
t.j
. jL».M ^;^.,
;;^v*->elj
DEDICATION,
Wfuch vaft miprmncfe'to
^ttkle, WeaJthi and Power of
Great-Britain^ as well as Safety of
Her American Colonies ; and (b
much t0 the Glory wherewith
GOD has crown'd His Majes-
TY^s happy Reigii : The follow-
ing Sermon is, in Gratitude and
Jufticc^ with all Subrtliflipn, De-
dicated— - • ' "
ft
.V
' \
I 1 .-. 1^1
vv. By-
• 'i • r '
. l^//r Excellency's
f«
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1: , ^
-id y \ Moft obliged^ \
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Obedient '^m
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I Humble Servant^ r.
Thomas Prince.
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)wer of
tofety of Y
and fo ^
lerewith -^
Mates- -^
follow- r^ £ R M OK
ude and
P S A L. cxviii. 23.
Thanksgiving
'' l.«0
|iy[?/j /i f/6^LoRD'i Doing ! It is marvellous in our
:*i;
'^^
Eyes !
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". V.^ ■ -r
•■••>• .- c/r, i • ! '
• ^ %-\ «- • ' v»
^<7;!r/,
1 ■ -" t
ince.
^#$ j^$.^ I T H O U T any Reference to the prime
^ and particular View of the Words ; 1 fhall
^ now only obfervc and briefly clear the Ge-
W 1^^ ngrat Truth reprefented in them, and then
^ apply it to the Special Occaftm of the joyous
-«:au-^->iiM.yl Solemnity of the prefent Day.
'§ For, the General Truth exhibited in the Text is tliis— that
lome extraordinary Events, without being properly term'd
iliiraculous, have fuch lively Charade^s of their being the
goings of God, as they are evidently To to unprejudic*d and
finreful Obfervers, and appear marvellous in their pious Eyes.
f By fome extraordinary Events ; I mean, fome remarkable
:i)nes in the natural and moral World, eveii ia the. prefent
l^ges as well as the former, which greatly affe6t humane So-
:i- -iff'^^"^'-" :- ■' '■^" ■■■•.' ■ '" '■ .- ■ -:,. ■''^'■■' cieties
Ik
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8
A Thanksgiving-Sermon
; <,
if
cietiesor particular Perfons, efpecially the People of GOD;
and thtft £v/»<i conncdUd with the various Mtam and CMuJt\
leading to them. ''♦*;;' • ' ''t! ^ <S
' «i '
'^i/i
4*.c,
By Events not properly termed miraculous j I mean, when God
docs not appear to work on his Creatures in a Manner contrary
to the u/ualff^aysofhisWorkingj/ingly in themfelves confider'd.
And by their having fuch lively CharaSfers of their being the
Doings fl/GoD, as they are evidently fo to unprejudiced and care-
ful Obfervers \ I mean, thcfc Chara£lers are diftinguifhingly
bright and legible to fuch qualified Perfons : Or if they are
inadvertent, or under a Prejudice ; they are not like to fee
them to be the Doings of Goi/, much lefs admire them in a
pious Manner, or yield him the Glory of them. See Pfal,
Ixiv. 9, 10. cvii. 42, 43. xcii. 4,-6.
But to clear this Truth, We muft confider thefc three
General Heads y as the Time allows—- r
1. In what Manner may the fovereign GoD be faid to
operate ufually among his Creatures.
2. When have his providential Operations fuch lively Cha-
. ,, ra(5lers of their being Wx Z>^i«^j. :
3. liht pious Admirations ^ they (hould raife up m uSy and
, . which they happily raife if we are duely difpofed.. .' ^
I. In what Manner may the fovereign God be faid to
operate ufually among his Creatures. ■:■'
And here we muft needs obferve ; that as there are three
Sorts of Creatures or created Subf^ances, viz. Corporeal^ Spi-
v^ ritualy and Composed of Both j fo there is a different Sort of
Operation of God upon and among them.
I. In his Operation on meerly corporeal ox material Subflances
—-He not only by his continual Influence, preferves them in
their Being, Nature pr eflTential Properties of Solidity 9 Ex-
tenfiony^c, which he has been pleas'd to give them ; but to
this InBiience he alfo feems to add his further ufual Operation
in thefe /Ar^^ different Manners, v/«, , (0 '"
>M
■»..■
ipleofGdD;
t$f and Cau/et
n, when God
anner contrary
res confider'd.
'hiir being tht
Uc*dand care-
iftinguifhingly
)t if they are
it like to fee
lire them in a
u See Pfal,
M thcfc thrte
D be faid to
:h lively Cha-
p in us, and
ofcd...' .
D be faid to
here are three
7erporeal^ Spi-
■erent Sort of
rial Subflances
;rves them in
Solidity^ Ex-
hem ; but to
'4al Operation
. (I) In
for the taking of Cape-Bfcton. '-^
f») In continiially caufingart material ^bftanitS f^ iH^»V#
towards each other, in regular Proportions to their Quafititiet
and Diftan«ei : Which iacommonty called the Law or Power
of ^Ura£fion or Cravtty : Without which there wou'd be no
Rain nor DeWi nor flowmg of Rivera, nor Preffure of Air in-
to the Lungs of Animals ; and if withheld, every breathing
Creaturef' wou^dt immediately die : On' whi^ Account,' at
well as others, the ylpojile juftly fays of God in ASii xvii. 25,
27. He givith Lift and Breath to all \ and in Him Wi Irvtani
move^ and have our Being '. Fox in the Pi'efllirc ' of Gravity,
this Omniprefent AcrENT rtally preiTes every Bnbath into iis,
(a) When they cortie to a certsliif'Neartief*, he by** d6(h,-
traty Operation moves them, it regular Proportions alfe, tOf
fiy off' Which is commonly called the LaWor Pow^rof Re-
fulfion'. Without which all mater'ial Sobftatices' on KartH
wou'd foon unite in ondfolid Bodlfi
(3) When they are forced witWn a 'certaflh Nearricfi, hij
by a diiFerent Operation makes thislBy«*vk'attdyirWtoge(h6i'
in certain Degrees of Pow^r : Which is commohiy called the
Law or Power- of Cohafton : Without which Kfhtlrfc Would' bd
no fuch Thing as Union or Cohaerance in material Subftances.
) (.
And thcie are called ibo thy^ee^^titfit'ihi g^efal' Laws ' pf
Nature in the mat^jrial Woild ;i whewfey he chiefly afipcki^stci
govern it. But yet it i» moft evident, that he confines hbt Mrn-
(t\i to thefi : For he plainly operkts in direr* other Manners
on the Planets^ Cemett, Rays 0/ Light ; as alfo in the Cafes of
Eliiiricity^ Magnetifm^ Coldy Heat, iffc. Which are h m'iny
various Ways of his Operation, needful for the Schemes of
Providence-, and the^bleffing Iwld-chaftiiBingof iie'Wbrld. 'i^ >
Ahd in iht' diphnt PrdJpoHiotii tVi\[ the Varidiis 'PdVcrs
and Anions abovemeiitioned, there is no Doubt amaziiig ff^if-,
domy which Meavd the Learned, of Leifure, to. cohfiden. -■
To whicbiweni^ lifc^WifeiJfddj that ifdr thV perf<<a Go^
vernnunt of aH Ttiahgi her<^ below, in a due- Accoiiinaodatlon
between tbtnuteiKiai and iSkt Moral Woridv for the I^/rr' bf
which the former h made, pr cferv*d and gOvern'd ;-•»— It i*
Bi doubtlefs
■ ¥
I»6
A Thanksoiving^Sermon
prcifen^ I^oi^^'» Prppriet^r^j, W^ B^ of alj, JJMild i^ffiajv* 4
hlm/(?lf itlfi^juft j*ij^rty>, ci%Jir,|»w^^ bfuuilAniWiak,
Men or Ani^eJs ; or wjv^re ,^b«irf^weifs ^re infufl^ieiH <tOi'an<?
fwer his wife ^efigns) by his imfi^icW/ Influence, (whipfa thp'
uai<?|sn by Men may, ^e fe^ !^y AngeU /) *p jnovc an«l p|:4ec all
^keriajL §ub^ft^5:es,thi(?(yay 9r!th|B..Qth^r;,,wHe fee»bfft>7r>rvJ
^^:,^4^i^/€e,9ig alsffiTf^^^to (vpppfej t%sth€ in%itc Gpi^i wh©
is^b/o|u|e apd,a|Ito;,ifgin4iL#je laAll P^weY, fhoMld conftantly.
affc^j-(J ,t9 Af^^li 2if\^ Mt/ftf y«a to tjve moft niinute JnimfilcuJaj
the Power of moving material Subftances even u.-trary to the
aj^^v^egfi^fiti9fld^i)avfr;ot^.4Mff^.'ey?r,y -Momcrtt ; .yeathat\he
feoiijjir^e qo^ifjj^a^ijr iR?Ji^ing Ml^ifim of Ammakmih iufAi^
P^}l;%i^})[fj^i^,^I^4.yft.sm doing ds ^much ai
theyy by hi& yJfn^dUft^P^w^* ;ThuSi for Inftancil, he now
affords me by a finglc Breafh the Pov^'cri of moving Millions of
Atoms upwards againft the Laws of Gravity : And can we
ii||agine^j(b9^ j^k^s gre^^ rand univ^rfal Agekt ha^ co^Hh'd
^it^felf {rqq\ <jl/5Jl^gvj|i^,^^!upQi|(allUccafion^^y his./mOT^<//<!/«
^^^y^f'H I;?^ypnf!9-? C^-cyeti' infinijeJy more than this .-j As
In r^irrng^ turi^ngi allaying .Winds :9nd ^east^ and'H'iimberied
other ^pcra(^ionS| rwhere, otb«r .Poviferii i<»fcHour,to his arstin-
fuiHcient to compafs his Detigns.
w So;^..|r\0^cr^f^tthe-vftft jVarietiiijiO^tjWjnda aod: Seas,.or
0qvii^-ja^ ;>?^p9i|ifS,;SiK)Wi' FittjoHiiJiand Rain^J (Caldii«>d
I|qaty,^clvGth^ ,n5a^rial.i5n>Jlitanfifflr<;Weircprfif(Eiiradi aacwiH
ti^XuaJly dire<$^<!dby hitt»,fi9 f^iRU hisPltftfMjre*! -Sec Jb^xxxiil^t
xxxvii, xxxyiii, Pfal, lxv,.cxjvii,,cklviii, 4sr^) .-•■./'. ^r) id
,, N91; may this be 2iCQo\xt\tfid proptriy /mira£u/aut"'*F<xr. *tw^buld
bj^ ftr^pgjB ind!?fd that tb« bilge Levi^ban ihould by/a Powep
deriyf;^;|r^m;ISim> t^fPV? »P^ ^iSJowdirff Watfcn into^tbivAir.';!
or even the moft minute Jnimalculum, by the Pad of a Fin, in
a Moment raife up Millions- of WAtcry Particle© ♦agaitoft/^he
L.a,w» of Gravity^, withQujt a^H'^ClpiJ 'Andjyet for .thfci^reai:
God tp^^aJiCe ^p^ji^fingl* AtCMttfcy.jhis imfltifdiau.Bovw^^Jho\x\d
be efteemed a MiVacle. And as long as thefe are the u/ual,
thG';tJi5(Jt»Wf^^'^^^lPpef?<l'0rtl^'«f•fiJ<^«>^
rASyiiy^mn^f^^j)^s^ffUni^*^Hmm^t^ ©f iGriVliy bniomterialA
i)yb%£v;.^,f,/(^r flfl ^tjj? {>;i^ftf)lS(UbftP6€!^/*'iJCjeby tfcb hnpr^J
■^
■;^:
''#
and otAhi"
eni •toian-^
vhifth tha'
ir, if, "t'-iv/
9i>i who
conftantiy.
fnima/cuJaj
rary to the
eathat\he
ith fuph^
is 'mjuch ai
e, he now
HiUijons of
id can we
i coilfih'd
iimmediatt
\ this .-? As
a'limberiefl
his are:in-
id; Seas,, of
adi^aaccMi^ '
\.: -'. DC) no
Of 'tw^duld
^a Pawep
■ a Fin, in
igaiiift/the
tti^fihould
the «/«<;/,
iiierrAii-
3:fj drjitiv*
2. In
'^'i!; In bis Oiierati6ii Ott Sabftanc^s purtly JpirtHht^'-Hthoi
only i))/ his continual InAuehce pl'eferves them in their diftin-
guifhing Exiftence, Nature or eflential Propertieis of Life,
an<J Powers of Perceiving^ Thinkings voluntary Motitn, ^c. He
has been pleasM to give tliem ; but to thi^ Infinence He alfp
feems tb idd his further «/«^/ Operations in tbefe three Ways. .
" (i )' By producing and continuing fecret, inward Sents or
Difpojitiops in therti ; as the h6ly Bents of holy Angels, and
holy Souls departed, &c,
(2) By rifiig and continuing A/^^a^f in their Imaginations,
Memories and Underftartdings^ 'as ilfo impreffing them with
various Perceptions of Delight or Trouble : Whereby he chicHy
feems to rule the m5r<j/ World. So he continually gives the
Millions of holy Angels his pire€tions : And they are con-"
ftantly attending tb him; aftd iii every Part of the 'Univerfc
accqmpliihing his Orders. And fo he makes the holy An-
gels happy with Perceptions of pure Delight I ^nd the finful
Angels wretched wlih Peifceptions of'Anxliety. ^ ; '
(2) By awakenings Jharpeningy ftrentghfningy guiding ihclt^
inteTle£fual Powers s to conceive ^iand pertetrittt;' compare,^
diftinj^uifli and jujdge of Thing^ and corttrive ai^(5' fdfiii tjieirj
Scherties j and hy exciting their Pu'rfulb: WHereby hie fecretl^
and wonderfully governs in the midft of numberlefs tontlnr
gencies among the Creatures. _ And then, ^ , .. i
3. With Refpedl to Creatures G?»i/)w*ii/ of SubftancCs both
Porporeal ^nd Spiritutfly as brutal Animals and Mii^ \ his Qpe-
fatiop? on theyn may be of all the various Kinds together, ac-
cording to their feveral Natures and Capacities, we have irt
brief defcribed ; bcGdes uniting them, keeping them ' mitedj,
and fome peculiar Impreflions of Pleafure^ Pain^ &c, fuitable
to tjieir myfterious Vnion,
And itrfeems highly realonable to think, that ^here th?
Powers of inferiour Creatures fuffice not t9.acqQmp]ifli liis
Defigns, he employs the i&ij^/S^^r, or both togkher: And ,where
they are all infufficient, "He puts forth AiV Power above them ;
makes them inftrumental as far as may be, and fhen afts
by his own fuperiour Influence.
B 2 As
"''.•.
12
A Tha>iksgiving-Seki^on
\
As to brutal Animals- - they r^o .doubt riqcQivQ their ,yariou8
ln/iin£1s from him ; And Ji€ may by ^«^^/f often give thein|daeas
and rule them. - .
M}
.<(
And as to!/feflr«-r-He no doybt infpires their various Gentufei\
Asalfo frequently, if not continually, ufes -^wg'^/r, the Evilhy
Permiffion, iht Holy by Command, to fuggeft Idaas to them ;
and then ufes them to fuggeft Idaeas to one another : Which are
inftrumental Caufes under his permiifive, controuling and di-
re(ftive Influence, of numberlefs Paflions, Appetites, Confulta-
tions, Projtds, Refolutions, Aftions and Events. He awa-
kens, (harpens, ftrengthens, guides the intellejStual Powers of
Men : And where the Power* of Angels are infufficient to give
compleat Idaeas to perform his Schemes j He may fecreily by h:s
immediate Operation, utterly unknown toMen, fuggeft innume-
rable Idaas in them ; and therewith infufe his excitinglnflucnce
of Zeal,Adbivity,Courage and kefolution to fulfil hisCouncilf,
Nor may the unknown Suggejlions of good Angels be accoun-
ted proper Infpirations ; any more than the Suggeftions of Saian
when he raifes up in our Minds Idaeas of Scriptures, as he did
in the human Mind of Ch r i s t : Or when one Man by Signs
fuggefts Idaeas to others, a^d excites their Courage. Nor are
th'^ Idicas 2iTi^ Excitations receiv'd from God, either mediately
by Menojp Angels, or immediately ^y }\^\mk\iy propei- itifpira-
tions: Any more than his infufing Millions <)f Spirits every
Moment into new Seeds or Embrios of Animals, making them
alive and a£live ; or infufing into them various Inftindts or
Geniufes j or impreffing them with Pleafures, Pains, b'c.
For, by Infpiration I mean the certain Revelation hfe has been
pleasM to give of Him/el/^ and of his/^//, and of Things paft
and to come, by Christ and his Prophets and Apoftles of
old, put into the Bible and confirmed by Miracles, as a de-
jfinitive Rule of Faith, Worfhip, moral and religious Conduft.
Eyery Kind ofldaa and Excitation or Propenfion in us, whe-
ther arifiij^g meerly from our own Minds, or from evil or good
Men and Miiiifters, or from evil or good Angels, or even im-
mediately from God himfelf, are therefore all to be brought
to this only infpired Rule, and tried thereby ; for which End
it was infpired and confirmed. And the true Origin of our
Idseas
'tSX
m
*■
Nr .various
tliein|<f£eas
[s Geniufet ;
le Evilhy
\s to them ;
[Which are
ig and di-
Confulta-
He awa-
Powers of
ent to give
retly by h:s
;ft innume-
iglnflucnce
isCouncil;,
be accoun-
ns of $a^an
^, as he did
an by Signs
Nor are
er mediately
)er ifffpira-
lirits every
aking them
[nftinfts or
s, ^c,^
\t has been
^hihgs paft
Apoftles of
S9 as a dt'
Condud.
us, whe-
^il or good
; even im-
e brought
irhich End
\in of our
Idxas
for iWuki^ftg pj Capig-Piretpn,
?3
IdaaS'Wicl.'KxcUarion? ia IfCf,t.^^«<?/#^ii^ WftfiftWt any
tnternal Qriurion to j^dg^ jfconj^ whence they ccrnc^ a? the
Prophets hzA of old ) that, by this kmim divine RuU,Vf& migjit
forever try them. In \ylvf:h Tria'j ar?, .carefully tp ufe Qur
inteliedlu^l Powers : And,beingaw^ a4^ in'thenUidil.Qfa
^V^nced theHelp of God, both in uwj^eyijandiqg tljj^
%nd in the Appli^atiqn of it j- toiHim Vffi* ^"^ ^'H^Wl'fifiN
ever repair in Christ and feek for Guidance.
f'f!| <
Mt'
For Illujiration — I might eafily bring a Multitude of Scrip-
tuns; but the Time would fail mc.; lihialJipnly citetoD^w/.
xxxii. iSflm,i\, 2 Sam*.xx\\, i Clhroni,^^. j9b.,H^\i^)»
xxxii— XXXV. BfaL xw^iv* xlvU. ciii. piv, cyii. audc?ciii,, j^/.
xxviii and xliv. Dan, ii and iv. Joel i. and ii. Mat. x. 29,
130. ^<f7xxvii, 24,— 28. ;.,;-■, ,' ::,<;orP;.Mr • ■■■,?4v^
In fhort» all Nature, both vinaq^mitQ and animate, botti
.^ humane ai^d angej^ical, is full of God y full of his perpetual,
w moving, guiding and over-rulinglnfluence ; and as tl^e Apo^le
perfefHy expreffes it, £ph. i. 11. py ho worketh all things ac-
cording to the Council of his own WilL . ,; 7 „
But then I may not omit to obferve, that agreable to Scrip-
ture-Revelation^ the eternal Word or Son of God,
who with tl|e etcrnaH\ATHER & Spirit created all Things j
in a perfeft Union with thofe divine Perfons, He alfo upholds
and rules the World from the Time he made it : But from the
Fall^ He rules it alfo in the fpecial Form of a Mediator :
And upon the Exaltation of his human Nature to Heaven, it
is advanced to a wondrous Participation w^h his. orviNE
Person, in his fupreme Dignity, tranfcendientQlpry and
uoiycrfal Empire. See J«^i. jg>^.,.i,^^i^. i^. j,^^^
And thus have we (hewn in what Manner may the fove-
reign God be (aid to operate ufually zmon^ hjs Creatures. ,^'
■i
;a.
.;q
W^e now come more bmefl)? to .Confidpr, ; . : ,,^.
II. When hzve his providential Operations {acHilwcly Chi'
raaers of their being his Doings, as they arc evidently fo to
unprejudic'd and careful Obfervers,
"' ' '' '' ' • ■ • •■ . ^v-- -■'. ' J'. ■.,-:■• ;.-:,; : :„■■
tvcn
H
A T^kAWk^^ivrnG-ScRko-MX
lUi
.'ii
the. more '^e fearcfi thim, the ifndrc they appear to liiii the
13bings^ of God. But there ii fut^h a Aatursil Atheilhij^
Blinrfqe^, and Prejudice in us^ as 'we sfre averfc t6 fee it^, ahd
pfope to afcTiWe'irtiert* to Nature only,'w any Thing elfe than
his ^vpr 'aaing' Wffti^ncci. A terrible ^tnrntio^ 'TfiAiiferet"ahd
LlghtttiHg; or iHmdi'e 'feirfiil Eartl%ili^ke>, oVffahiitexWabi^*
dinary Danger or other". Teems heedful -to' faring us to fee his
Qperations in ^qture,
•!;^ And To it is;hTcewit<^,in hfs mixfOperattorti 6f Frvuidehee,
W(ien there is' only k Circle Of conihiort Occurrences, ive
are apt to imaginb, there is bnlya C^utfe of Naturfey blended
with 'the common Powers, Art^, Contrivances and A<^iohs
of Men ; and the Doings of God appeiar not in them. We
have therefore need of fome extraordinary Work of God in
Prbvideiicff, to awaketi 'bur Minds and- trifef e evidently' fhow
his ■Do'ihjgB. And this he gtacfou^ condefcerids to give us
I. When in Affairs ofvafi'lmportancey there is a t^^onder-
ful continued Train and timely Coincidence of innumerable Va"
rieties o/M<?s»Jj hothin .ib&Mieria!"^n6' 'moral WdrMj toge-
ther, without our Potirer ^d Beyond Our Prof^ciiStV all' <iOn-
fptring toXt^tttt'^eat: E^iertt^ eJjfceeding ^js^/ht-i^i brcfent^Iit^
fliieri&'^liu^reTeiTd^hcyi-'^ '= '^ '-^^ "^f ;^ ^'^^'^^^ '- *•'
.'»1S V
;it (';!>15 ul
For tho* tti fiicH extrabi-cfiiiary IVorks of Gb'i'^'diere,
the fever dl Parts <i6hTider'd /w^/y , are- his «/«« / Operatibftj
^ndMon'taifF<^iJt'Vith 'Wbhder, offtrfkeour Mindi'wTth fo
clear^it^d^tfi;bniyi;Evid^fl.te of th^^^ hii Dpings : Yc$
to ?^d thehfall fo perteaiy ^idjufted, is ^'mzkeap' One^griHt^
wife^ curious and cmjijlent Schmey to accomplifli an Event of
mli /«[^«r/<7w* ;-— This yields fufficient Evidence of wife
Defign and fu^efibur Management in Him, who has all^he
Powers of Nature, Men, Elements and Angels in his flands,
and over-rules theiil all to fUliil his Gbuncib. ,
-;, t .' ', i'VM -VMM W.Uv. '■V.» \■^.^:..\^^.'^^s^f'l n'-. '>■.">'» "
>//
■J
'"2. This''yet'ippearswithaftronger Evidence, atid even
flill more wonderous ; when among a great Number of fur-
prlzing and important Incidents, there are many fo momentuous
and
e.
'm.
A.
r tohatht
» fee itj and
elfe tffian
s to fee his
>>. V\ ■ .: -.
FrovtdeHee,
rences, ive
re; blendctf
nd A<^iohs
•lem. We
of God in
tently' fljow
td give us
a tK'onder-
merahle Va-
^6M\ toge-
?tr aiicion-
j)i:cfentIrS*
• b sfe^thefe.
Operations
)ings: ^
ce of wife
has al! the
his Jiands,
-i "J' '. <
and even
ber of fur-
momentuous
and
"^^
«
Jor tbe taking xf Cape-Breton. i g
^jfitital, thtit if uiyewhaA m f^Il^h predtelj'^ii'it'i
^cia^Place and Junawev iHefe Vf^U ^aic^ bd^h ^xcecdii^ji
^eat Imbarraihicnt& «ind HindMtfi^^^ : Aiid''it!lahy:'6t¥i^i^ ib
WSn^xWy tbatlf all and every' 'on«r had not c6nib"ln eicafify'^
they did ; the gieat Event' had faiPd^ and kM niamiSch^-ne
with all its vaft and curious Apparatus totally mifcarried.
-11.3. When in e»uedm^McuUi^f'ei^pleM^ii0i^h^i^Cifh
fnnhich look almoft difptrmy ivi^m\itYf)iiA^^iWm\\^\:iA^^
a Manner loji^ there opem at onu a "^fedf ^ Bulkier ahti\ ' b^M
t>ur Power and Thought : And mtichmrtreft^i'H, M^hen^ihfc
JJeliverance opens with Succefi^ and the vttf Miam ^of t\ki
DHibefs and Danger alte'^naderolf^/i^t^d'^.i' fVofpiirriiy
and, greater Safety .r^:*'"' *^-<!i 'N^^v. ^-^V'i\ .p •^•"''-i ."v! <>.
. '»^'mx A \\\a^\u..v i<i^v.V\\' .^v.A^^•I •^>'i'.
4, and laftly. When m this Coniun£):ure, the fovereign
<yoD<is more thaii ufuaUy ackndwWdged ; tookblf' to and
trufted in j ^n extraordinary Spirit ^of Fra^ir'U raiftd Up in
knahy i ' aiid all Ihdh farprising Incidents and Mieslnsf, ' with Hall
poro-vik^nderAitSalvatiQnsj Sucftef^'untf H&fffiind^j ^cdlne 4h-iA
liunaiikai Anfwers to t^m/ervhfmdfikiM Mlt^Ji>i^^ f^ihP.
I nii^t mention o/^irr 'Cafes and illuftrate //^^(/^ V ^ii<^'^^
Hour' would fail me. And to make the larger Rooni fc^ the
Application, wemwftbeJiMbflMart-tJriOMr.i^"^ i'- "i*^ -'" * '^
I III General Head T which is toreprefent iheW^f 'i^^mr<2-
tkn whtcli thefeiexti-aiJrdinaryApp^t^nce^ and^Woirksi^^Gd'D
Ihodld faife up i» uQ dnd^wHIdiithey 'happily ^I^^if6 ff'Vf& irh
dulj^ di/po(ed* uii\\ lis :wj:\i grii!;r;<)' u^ .•3;jN=jhfVo-:*i -. ? ki
-V,,, ,\- 01") ': A <>i '4i'.;''' ■■.:;'-;. ■;,!!/ •;: ^>!.J0o* •: "V .! .'■'('
. t j|^'ib9«£^<i^a6iK(df:thi)fiibliineiC Aaiims lOf ^idi%at«d Spi-
rit. Itiis the rifingiip oflthe^indiirfv a te(j^M ^VieW '6f
Sonie'thing^it ieesi ainthownsi^ be'fuperio&r to^iti And whe^
it rifcs to thcrevferent View of God, it rife^ t& the hi^heft
and moft worthy. Objed, and pays him fome <5f the Horiour
m.thehigheftvMekline eternally- due to his ^tranfcendent Ex-
cellencies.and' Opek<ations.:^>'i^ n-- :,Ui'.vnnh *jol./ l'> \ • ■ : .>
-, ''v>''r\].^ ovv . -) ■><!;■'•. .-'.'■ ' 0' "vr)'.' "W ;""' -.ly'^ !;!' •• '1
And ^s this allwiie CreU-tor has niade us 'Capable of
this noble jUfi^hy and in our very Mfiif infwfcd i Difpoftti'on
to
26
;4 TttANlCiSQIvmG-SBltMOM
";,M
•V
s
'J-
lrfaY9^rhjs,,|up|^i^ipWi<fdam» Power and Governmtht, anil
Jr^if(jjC^r4»f^ apfi fj3Mer^<!(AdmimronsLlogbim. fir f bib ^scf;
In the heavenly World ; from the inexhauftible Source of hw
i^%i fefPrVfting iiifula^spf hi?.,G!Qrie^ to the perpcijualj slnd
^i^^eyr^iryflft ,^pntl<yi.vof the<chapp)fA^nhabiteint5.\ BufcW in
X^^^^wi/r ;/2fl'i^ wfl/jequentJy need tliem, be frequently
,then^; :^ ^fui, if jv?, yvere ,%s^\obfervant as EUphazi^v^t
Job V. 9. /ITi&tf </«^j grm Things aiid^tg%fearcbM$^
marvellous Thingi without Number »
1,1, But when- th^ fQV<;rfign God is^ pleas'd, in «/j/f/«^«^«^
fav^r tQ'US, to vgo 9ut^.f ht$ coranKMi Courfev and fhoW a
tyaft j^n^i^jyf p^eii^i'^nidi ov^*'<^e a JVloltttude iAf all .Kinds of
j(^aH^%<^^ki^ 4hj)m>tO0fpir^fO:ftitpsr^riU« ! oiid [bap^i^&umi\
pr. #<i^i|fif;t^^j)g. <^(yfV«^/!^KM^.for Qu^^^ iaii;~bAdf
vantage ;— -Then he more highly oSliges us, and more loudly
€;a)U:US to. i^oi;\fider bi3 wondrous W^irJks ;: to iire IbM^ il e.
hjs fqpefl^ur Hand and Excellencies in them >.-ati(l. pay oiir
due and diftinguifhingoAdmiriLtiooJ^lojhinjfciT- pvv. ^loiji^Dj^.^ij^A
i.^^'lJ'^fcn yi^^(i|iWf^>»«foll3»tIayfiaftd» e^hvf'J>hj«di6d :!IAnd
QM^rc<^^S^^>^^fi^:^^''^ '^f'f^P^Bi^'")^ ^^^^ £jght' and
£vid«i)Ci^ 0fithe j^>peration 'andfiiarei)af QoqI m. afl^thd Parts
of the Providence, and forming them all into an/ admirable
Syftem. We (hould enlarge our Views to fee the vaji Im-
jp all vit "^ ^rf^Snffhos :£ And at tdi tiviel^ n^in^ the: vafious ^Springs
tfW(/v/i^^4M/^ilii'ti)e Rail ^f. the! WboW,imd hew they all fur-
pfipiingly jconfjHf© to a pro^rous Iffue* «:Nor yet--'- content
with the-bafe vjcv^ing of thefe ; hut Oiir grateful Minds
fh<iuld fee the ff^fJomj, J'ewft, ytt^ice, Jielittefiy Truth and
Goodnefs of God illuftrious in thent:; and thejn. conCklsr Jidw
He (hould thus be working for C7>, while we were unworthy
of thd leaft of his Mercies. Laftly in- our admiring Views of
the whole W^ork of Gqb, t>ur Souls fhould rife into the high-
. eft
ii<;ht, anil
»u:rce of his
HllSe ^er-
>etjiiial:.>^d
frequently
on oE'Gto^
hnu „^
yiingmjhtn^
ad flioW a
li Kinds of
nore loudly
HiM^ il e.
tidvpay odr
b higkt' and
afl Jthd Patts
t>t admirable
be z;^ Im'
nious '^Springs
thsya^ fur-
et' -^content
teful Minds
y Trtkh and
lonfidsriibw
re unworthy
ig Vkwsof
kto the high*
. eft
jftr the taking gj^. Cape-Brct6n. ty
eft reverent Admiration of Him ; and then break out in moft
thankful Praife, as the pious PAilmift*-'/</V the LoRo'^ Do-
ing ! It is marvelious in our Eyes ! .-, ■•
And as all this is clearly moit due to GoDon fuch Appear-
ances, it is the lively Bent and Pra£fici of unfeigned Pfe^»
But we muft haften on to apply thefe Things, in Pur-irji;"
fuance of our firft Deftgn,.to tie great and extraordifiary OtctiAi .
Jifin of this bfipfy^Solemr)i,ty« . ; j ; . i , . . : w. " '
For, the fovercign God, wharuleth by his Power for
ever, and does what he plfafes among the Sons of Men, has
by a furprizing^Courfe of Providertte led us into a moft ad-
venturous Enterprize ag^inft ihe'^j^fieh Settlements at Capt't
Breton, and their exceeding, ft rOng *City of Louijbourg, iQt
warlike Power the Pride and Terror of thefe nohhern Seas ;
and by a wondrous Series and happy Coincidence of various
Means, delivered them into our Hands. And this, in a moft
fignal Manner, is The Lora'^ Doing in the prefmt Day 5 and
is truly marvellous in every pious^ yea, I may fay, in every
unprejudiced &nd conjtderate Eye*
■ ■■ ■ ■■ ' ' ,t
And here, I ihall endeavour thefe two Things, as the Sea-
fon allows
1. In brief lay open to View the vaji Importance of the^
Place; that we may more clearly fee the Greatnefsof'
the ilf^rfy in giving it to us : And then ,.., .
2. Look into the wondrou^ Scenes oi Providence, ztidi fee
■^ fome of thp various. an4 furpri^ing Steps that led to the
J hdpi^y 4c^ui^tion».:^^,.r..^ v : 10. r'l .1 : --n. i
I. In brief lay open to View the vaji Importance of the
Place i that we may the more clearly fee the Greatnefi of the
ifc^ro' in giving it to. liau -. ^ a. >: ^
I The ^JJW belonged originally to the Britifi Empire : Was
^ at fii^ft comprizM in the general Name and grand Patent of':
'i NeiV'England'm 1620 j but in the following Year (et off and
I " ^ " ' C included
,i
A THANKSGIVING-SfeRMoN
I
included in Nova- Scotia by a feparote Patent ; and fincc, in
Nova- Scotia comprehended in the royal Charter of the Mbiffa-
chufetts Province \n itgi, ♦ ■* '
It abounds in thfe bcft of' ^it-Coal known in America : And
fo near the Surface of the Earth and Coaft of the Sea, as to be
very cafily dug and put intoVeflels. Yea, from r 703, Lahontan
had told us of the French Ships loading with and carrying the
fame to Gaudalupe and Martmeco^ for the refilling of Sugars, to
their great Advantage. And it's commodious HaHours j with
it's happy Situation in the Centre of ourFifhery, at thi Entrance
of the Bay and River of Canada, and in the Wake of all the
Trade from Europe to the Britijh Cofonies on the Main Land of
America, and both from them und our ff^e^- India //lands to Eu-
rope ; rendred the Place of fuch vafrlmportance— that I re-
member while in England, when We came to know the Tory
Miniftry had by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1 7 1 3, refign' J ' it to
the French"; all true-hearted Britons who knew the Circum-
ftance oitheljland, mod grievoufly lamented theRefignation, as
full of teeming Mifqhief to the Britijh Trade, Wealth and
Power,and asoncof thcmoft fataFAfls of that unhappyMiniftry,
And the mifchievous Confequence has fince every Year been a
growing Confirmation of their judicious Profpedls, For the
French well knowing the vaft Advantage of their Acqulfition,
have built a walled City on the moft convenient Port both for
Trade and Fortification j—'-for thefe Thirty Tears been ad-
ding to it's natural and artificial Strength ; and by immenfe
Sums and the utmoft Art and Diligence, made it one' of the
ftrongeft Fortrejfes in America if not in Europe : Such as was
not like to be taken without a very powerful, flcilful and re-
folute Army both by Sea and' Land, or being ftaryed to a
Surrender. In ftiort, it was the Dunkifk^f North^yimerica,
and in fome Refpe6ls of greater Importance. • / r ^
For, bj^vMeans of this TjJandsaid Portificati/jm J &e French
have every Year enlarged their Fijher^{ and thereby their
Trade, Wealth and Shipping : Supplying their WeJl-lndia-JJlfindcy
enabling them to taxkt Sugars cW^aper, and beatihg; us^ out of
that gainful Trade at foreign Markets : Yea, by "Eiflung chi^a-
per than we, they have more and toore commanded the Trade
k
\^
ince, in
Mnjfa-
ca : And
as to be
Lahontan
the
^ars, to
rying
with
Entrance
of all the
n Land of
ids to Ew
that I rc-
the Tory
»n*d it to
Circunj-
pation, as
ealth and
yMiniftry.
?ar been a
For the
cquifition,
t both for
been ad-
' imnienfe
3he of the
h as was
ul an4 re-
ryed to a
^-"America,
I J i.\ ...
r
lie French
eby their
ftaJ/^pdff
us- out of
iTngchi^a-
he Trade •
for the takf^oj Cape-Breton. i^
k of Spain^ Portugal and Italy j drawn away thdr Gold and Sil-
^ Ver; and greatly dimir' I'd our Trade and Fifliery, a prind-
fal Source t)oth of the htitijb Wealth and naval Power.
So pernicious a Settlement was this— that for above thefe
Twenty Tears^ \t has feem'd to me, 'twere worth the while to
engage in a War with France^ if for nothihg elfe but to recover
this moft important IJland ioihfiBritiJhEmpire. Tho' a War
was dreadful, the Neceffity and Hazard ftem'd every Year to
cncreafe ; The longer 'twas deferr'd, the more powerful and
dangerous they grew,and the lefs our Hope of their being ever
reduced.
%
.f /> »■
'■'■Vt
Hi,.
\\\
;li'
Yea, from the Confideration of fuch a Jlrong Defence^ the
Advantage of fVoid^Sea Goal^ Ftjhery znA Free- gift Land in this
and the neighbouring Iflands, the Settlement of 7houfands of
People on them already, and the innumerable Poor in the Sea-
Coaft To^hs of France^ ever fwarming and coming over to
them ;— it fcems highly probable, that if the P^^f^ continued
much longer, thej-e would be in a few Years Time fuch a Mul-
titude of French Inhabitants y2k^ with thegrowingNumbers in the
bordering Continent of NUi/a-Scotia and Canada, with the Ad-
dition of the Indian Nations, would exceedingly vex and wafte,
yea, endanger the Conqueft of our i^wg'/^C^/ijww.
.'' '■' *
At Length, without our feeking, and in the moft critical
Time, the Lord was pleas'd to leave them to pracipitate a
Har upon us. An unexpected Seafon opens to make the dan-'
gerous Trial, if the Almighty would plcafe to profpcr us.
And no^ all the northern Colonies, and Our^s efpecialfy began to
feel their deftru£live Power and Influence : In n/ew Months
'tymt, infefting our Copfts, takfng our Shipping, ruining our
Fifliery and Trade, deftroying Canfo, invading Jnnapolis, re-
<lucine us tq^Straits, and carrying our People Captive into a
Placje^^almoftjmpregnable. , , ? , ' '
And as it' Wafc a Source ot Privateers and Men of War diftref-
fltng toC/jf J {6 \ wa$ alfo a f^ftRefort, both 6f their /^g/? & Ea(i
india j%^/j, to tneir great Advantage in returning Homeward.
Of fuch ii0jl Importance was thisj^r^w^ Fort of our Enemies ;
and this poflefs'd by one of the moft enterprizing, powerful
and aiaivc of Nations.
C % But
1
■■-, J,'
S#'.
20
A THANltSGlTpbt-SERMON
u,l
ii
/
But in the Wifdom of God, the ftronger it grew, the
better in the Iflue for Vi : The Frtnch having built a regular
City, and laid out immenfely more to render it both ftrong
and commodious, than We (hould, if the Place had been in
tur Power. Yea, it feems moil likely, that if thty had not
poifefsM it, there would neither have been a Battery, nor even
a Houfe in the Port to this Day \ no more than in many fine
Harbours of Nova-Beotia j which tho* (o near the Fiftiery,
have been negledled by us for fo many Years, from the Peace
of Utrecht. But now in a/<f«; ff'eeks Time, the fovereign
God has pleafed to give us the Fruits of thefe . 77?/V/>' Tears
prodigious Art, Labour and Expence of our Enemies : And
this by Means of fo fmall a Number, as about Four Tboufand
Land-Men, unus'd to War, undjfciDlIn'd, jmd fi^at had never
feen a Siege in their Lives. It is tot Lord'j Doing f It is
marvellous in our Eyes f r, ,,,j j-rr,' ..! -It ' •
II. Let us therefore look into the wondrous Scenes ofPfovi-
deuce f and fee fome of the various an^ furprizing .6*/^^; which
k^ to the happy ^(f^«/^//V«. . ,. ...ij.n-.. .
And thefewe may review under thefe Tw;^. Heads—
1, The remarkable Steps which led to the dangerous; Enter-*
prize : And .^ ,.i, , .
2. The fxrprizing Steps fucceeding us therein.
i] The remarkable Steps of Providence which led us to Jj;ie
zdvi'Xiiutous EtJterprize. ,Vs')f?'-r: .> - ■ i •t^'^%V
, . I have already hinted at thefe Tzy^ Particuls^fs*-.-^,, f, ^.^j^
I, Our £^«^/»r« being left, of Go^Dj »n Gppoutioij to.^fl
the Rules of Policy, but in too, early Confidence of their
fufficient Growth of Power, while engaged with the J^een of
Hungary, to hurry into a JVar with aj, in the Beginning of
1744; while their trading Ships were moftly^abroad ,-,,//&«>
JVflvy not fo well prepared, ani ours by the .previous \Var
with Spain, equipt and ready to employ it'sj Power for our
Defence and their Annoyance : It feems in as happy a Juri6ture
as we could wifli for : Without which we (hould not have
had theAdvantage orOpportunity which they haveopened to us.'
2. The
:; .y
;rew, the
a regular
>thftrong
d been in
had not
nor even
many fine
Fifliery,
the Peace
fovereign
hirty Tears
lies : And
Tboufand
had never
ng / // is
sof Pfovi-
Ups .which
cads—
ous Enter"
' ;m3.1 :,-
/ us to ^he
■ »-f •
lb I'vrli If J*
ltlOI| tOr^H
e of their
J ^een of
ginning of
road,- ,/Wr
/ioua ^Var
r for our
a Jun6);ure
1 not have
enedtou$.
2. The
y^f //&^ taking of Capc-Bfcton. 2 1
ft* The People of G7^/-Br//M early and fuddenly laft Tejar^
feizingC!0ff/^, invading Amapolis^ and M. Z}# fVviVr going to
* pr/7«r« for additional Forces by Sea and Land, toVenewthe
Aflault in the Spring of this Tear j — were improv'd by God
as a Means of roufing us up with a Senfe of Danger, and of
exciting our (?w/rw«r to implore the King for feme we?w/
Help : Without which it fccms that CommodOf^tf ff^afr^
with his TUfree Ships of War»had n6tt>een ordered ffciti btj'r
91/iJi' India I flands to New- England \ Tho* then, 1 fuppoftj
without any fpecial View to this important Enterprize. - '
.■ ■ ,' .' ■-'..■..., ^ 'n vh^'-'xA br-r
3. By the Cape-Bretoners taking and carrying fo many of
our People into tHeir Harhour and City^ they were obliged to
return theni to iis : Whereby we came to be more acquainted
with their Scituakion and the proper Places of landing and at-
tacking : And at the fame Time it is in the IfTue happf, they
were not fully aware of the prodigious Strength of the Fortiji-
cations, or of the great Number of Men within and near them ;
or we never had prefum'd on fuch an Enterprize : Yea, 'tis
happy that fomb few, who better knowing the Place, gave
ii the more exa£t: Accounts and (pake discouraging} 'yet we
were fo fet on fending, they were not regarded. ■>
■ ' ' u .♦If
4. God was pleafcd to give laji Summer a great Plenty of
jProvifion to our northern Colonies i whereby we were this
\ 'Spring prepared to fupply fo great an Armament': And at the
fame Time cut fliort the Crops in Canada and the French Weft
., Jndialjlands ; whereby 'twas apprehended thatThofe at Cape-
treton were ^onfiderablyiy?ra{/i»^^, and that both the Canada--
rench an^ Indians werfe hindered the laft Year from troubling -^
IT inland Bcrdiirst
-iii* -i
fl- m;,1
rarf'ri
5. By our Accounts of the Uneafinefs pf the S withers
^There, for want of Pay and Provifion ; and the Call and
I Wants of their Eaft znd Weft- India Fleet in the Fall of the
J^ear, and their Supplies with Men and Visuals, if notAm-
Jmunition ; 'twas reprefented, the remaining French were
\iyixi)[\Kt weakened \ and we were the more encouraged. And
''twas further remarkable, that theh: Store-Ships from France
fin the Fall came fo late on their Coaft, and the Winter
J^There fet in (b early and fierce, as to keep them out of their
^igHacbour, and drive them off to Mdrtingco* 6, From
.i.i>
11
A THANKSGIVIKG-ScRHOIf
I'M
W 1
I*
''I
6. From the fanguine Rcprefcntations made hy oar return*
e4 CaptivM, of th« Eafinci.s of our taking the Place by an early
Smprizil before arty^^^'oc j;^* fome, cither from C<iW</,
tranct or the We/}-In$^ . OD was {rUAf^d to lead our G$'
vernoury vigilant .. 1 adtive r our Safety jrwj Welfare, into
the Proje^ : And early formiiHg the Scheme ; m the moft
timely Seafon '*'^ the midft of Winter, when our Imercourfe
a))road was k.«a.^ «r jp, to move and prefs it on the Gemral Af-
ftmhly ; and aftef 'n convenient Time, on our Neighhcuring
Govtrnments \ and viaii wondrous Refolution, Ci^^cumfpeflion
and AHiduity to purfue the* fame.
7. Tho* when the Affair was iirft proposed to the Gemral
Court, the Difficulties feem'd fo great and the Expence fo
finking to this poor People, that they faw no Light to venture
without a powerful, previous Help from England -, yet upon
further Reprefentations, that the Seafon would likely be loft for
ever, isfc, the Affair was unexpedtedly reconfider'd : And the
fovereign God fo over-rul'd the Abfence of divers worthy Rc-
prefentatives,who judged it too vaft anUndertakingfor us; t;hat
'tis faid %\ie final Refolution for it on Jan. 25, was juft carried
but by one Majority : And even that and other Votes had been
loft, if the fuperiour Greatnefs of the Expence had been then
imagined ; it foon abundantly exceeding their Expediations.
. * j> " ■! . --J ■..:: • .- r / •■ < ■'•■.•;•: •:• • ■)) ' :.•>:';
8. Wheli the General Court had <7^r//^ oh -tliis grpat Entet-
prize, it is furprizing to think, with; howprofiound . a Secrefy,
fo niany Members in the Centre, of (b'po{iok)tts, obferving
and inquifitive a Town as this, fbbib mmy Days, kept their.
Confultations ; 'till the various PJirlis.Qf.the Plan were fettled^.
Committees chofon, and all Things ripe for enlifting Soldiers^
hiring VefTels, bi:} ng Materials and Provifions : And as fur-
prizing to fee with what a ^Gntx2\ Silence alf thefe Things
were done in this City^and Land ; and ^ Army and Fleet
equipt and ready to fail, tjVjtiile the reft of the World had foarce
any Intelligence ofouif Brbpnatibns. / ^ i. ,
9. As foon as ev<^* the Defign vn^in^atu anikmg! us,: it Was
a marvellous Thing,, t ^t when thO^P^noMct had: lately loft fo
many Hundred Men rh, *?; , iniithe^fadf£xibedition to Cartha-
genaynoiOne in Ten b<.;h^ 'ivo m^nkktiy thcirWives left Wi^
1... I.. •:,■. c:'^;:' J ':-■.; '^ 1 ••■ --.dows-
fl
'4
i;
has 1
HarM
War
and
turn«
early
Go-
into
moft
:ourfe
ouri»l
e£tion
entral
ice fo
enture
t upon
oft for
nd the
ly Rc-
tjhat
carried
id been
!n then
itions.
Entet-
Secrefy^
>(erving
kt their.
fettled^
oldiere^
as fur-
Things
d Fleet
d foarce
1.; , ;ni; i
:it iras
1 loft fo
Cartha-
eft Wi-
^dows
for the taking ^Cape-Breton,
23
■ (ft
dows arid their Children Orphans ;-"yct to fee fo many likely
Altn^ and I conclude the moft of theni Owners of Lands and
Houfes, or Reirs of the fame, aiid many Religious, in all our
Towns, readily lifting even as privatcSoldicrs ; with the fmall
Wages of Twenty-Jivt Shillings^ NcwTenOr, a A/ ifh^ to leave
their gainful Farms and Trades, as wejl as Parents, Wives and
Children ; all anfret Volmtiers^ to ferve their Go D, their King
and Country^ in this hazardous Enterprise : Yea, more to lift
than thcC^ourt defircd : And that fo many Men of difting iKh'd
Figure fhould cfhcarfully ofFer themfelves«--evcn Four ofi his
Majesty's Council (o^ &'\s Province, anio^g them the Hon^
IVilliam Pepperrelly^y ., vhc firft of the CouiKil j as alfo the
the Hun. Deputy Go vcinnur Holcott of Conneiiicut Colony j
and divers Others oi y.hlick Ujitm ud Cbarniitr,
,, • ■'«. •• •: '' ••... :'\ ir'i 1
io. tk vv u wonderful alfo to fee, that during thofe 'two
ufuaily ftormy Montlis oi February and ^arch, the only Seafon
foi our Preparation, Go D was pleafed to give us fuch a conjlant
Series of moderate and fair Weather, as in that Time of the
Year has fcarce ever been known among us : So that there was
hardly any Impediment to our Officers going about and enlift-
ing, or our Soldiers jn marching, or our Veifels in fitting, or
our Coafters in bringing us Provifion, or our Committee of
War in their various Preparations, 'till all were ready to fail.
.1 1 . The extraordinary Tho*t,ContrivaBce,Or4cr,Manage-
ment and quick Dilpatcb, notonly pf His £KC£tLEMCY,but
alfo of our Council of ffar, feems wonderful — that Gentlcnwn
unus'd to fuch Affairs^ (hould in Two Months Time, think of
and get ready every Thing fuitable for fo great and various an
Armament by Sea and Land : So that nothing proper Teems
to have been omitted. Arid I hav(f heard fome exprefs them^
f-lvcs with Wonder to fee how Things would happen :— JuflT
' N they vi . jd fome Kinds of Materifits or . Froviftom, an un-
cxpeiied Vejfel wou*d come in and bring them.
12. It was alfo wonderful — that thp' the Small-Pexy which
has been fo fatal and dreadful to u§, came into this Town and
Harbour i as our Troops were coming in both by Land and
Water, and continued all tie T.me they were quartering and
anchoring hercj very few 0! the Officers or Soldiers having
had
24. A TnANK5t5IVING-SERMQN
had it, and we were full of anxious Apprehenfions ; yet it
n;tlier hiiidred them, nor did the dangerous Infe«3:ioft fpread
among; tbem; whidrin that critical Juncture would, after all,
have wholly overthrown the Enterprise.
• And nbw cfur Arrtiy of 3250 Majfaehufetti Sbldicts, befides
Commiifiqn Officers, with all Kinds of Stores being ready to
fail from Bojion about the 20th of March, in abciut loo Vef-
fels; befides 516 CtmneSiicut Soldiers more including the^r Of-
ficers ready at Niiv-Lweht, and 304 New- Hampjhife Sbldieits
including Officers ready at Port/mouth j — we had almoft eVery
gloomy Profpe6l to nnake us tremble.
For our inland Borders were now left bare of a. great Part
of their Strength, by t^ lifting of fo many of th^ir able
Men Voluntiers in the Expedition. And if the Enterprize fuc-
teeded, the heavy DebtVfOM\di almoft fink us. But if, for our
Offences, God were carrying forth a great Part of the Flower
dour Country to be deftroyed ; a moft difmal Scene of Ruin
feem'd to follow ! They were to fail above Five Hundred
Miles to the Enemies Ifland, in a raw zndjlormy Time of the
Year. And if the fearM IrtfeSfidn had tak?n Place and fliould
breajc 9ut among them ,"efpecially after ih'eir Landing j what a
general Terrcrt- would feizc them from the Hand of GoD
which tiffere was no refitting, and in what a mifbrabie Cafe
would they be ! A naval Power with Stores and difciplin'd
Troops were alfo early expe£led There ft^ni J^r^wr^,, to con-
quer Nova-Scotia : And after all the Labours of our unWeitied"
Govtrnour, tp obtain fome Mai of War from our neighhtiiiring
Colonies and fVefl'India IJlandsy to come and proteft and ' help
us ; our hopeful ProfpeSfsJ'eem^dto dwindle aiuay- -and We could
fee no other but that, if Two Sixty Gun Ships of our Enemies,
which were early expedted| fhould arrive- before we took the
Place, -they would foon make oiir Fleet 2ind Ariny Captives :
---And tlien what would become of ^his Country !
So thi:y niuft run tie mott c'efperate Hazards. The Hearts
of many of the wifeft a^ore now feem'd to fail. Some re-
lientod'they had vbted for it, and others that they had ever
promoted, it. Some judged it beft after all for every Man
•0 j^oHoaie ; and the Tho'tful among us were in great Per-
• -plcxity.
4
I
.it,
i
■ft
1
'^
' t
^0
» yet it
n fpread
after all.
\y l)efides %
ready to J
00 Vef- k
? Sdldieijs %
oft every |
reat Part
th^ir able
prize fuc-
f, for our
the Flower
e of Ruin
f Hundred
me of the
jnd Ihould
I J what a
of God
rable Cafe
difciplin'd
v,,to con-
unWeitled'
ieighbo'iiring
\ and ' help
d We could
Enemies,
i^e took the
Captives :
The Hearts
Some re-
y had ever
every Man
great Per-
plexity.
■0
L r-.
for the taking t} Cape-Breton. 25
plexity.— But yet a Wonder it was to fee, that thofc who
were venturing into the Danger,feem'd to be fullett of Trult in
God and Courage. Many fill'd their Veflelswith Prayers;
and alking Ours, they threw themfelves into the divine Pro-
te<aion, in the Name o/God theyfet up their Banners^ and away
they failed. Pray foi us, and we'll Fight for you— was the
valiant and endearing Language [wherewith they left us.
Thus have we traced fome of the remarkable Steps which
led to this dangerous Enterprize. We now come
2] To view fome of the more furprizing Steps of Provi-
dence/wfc^^^/w^ therein to the happy Accomplijhment.
And as thefe are more in Number than can be reckoned,
I may here but mention a few—
I. As it was very encouraging to think how many pious
znd prayerful Ferrous were embarqu'd in the Caufe, which
we accounted the Caufe of God and his People ; it gave fur-
ther Ground of Hope, to fee fuch a Spirit of Supplication given
to many in this Town and Land on this Occafion. For be-
fides the folemn Days oipublick and general Prayer appointed by
thefe three Governments ; there vf^xa particular Days obfeived
in feveral Congregations. There were alfo in divers Towns
religious Societies, fome of Women as well as others of Men,
who met every If eek^more privately to pray for the Prefervaticn
and Succefs of their dear Country men : And I have been
well informed of their extraordinary Fervency, Faith and
Wreftlings, as fo many Jacobs, in this important Seafon.
Pfal, cviW. ro— 13. was ufually among our Petitions: As
alfo, ' That God would preferve, d'lrcS: and fpirit our
» Friends j furprize and terrify our Enemies ; and make them
« yield without much Blood-fhed, and in fuch a Manner v.i
' the ^ork and Glory might appear to be his alone. '
2. God then began in a remarkable Manner to hear our
Prayers : In that when fo many Fejels fail'd from Hence on
March 24, and about the fame Time from New- Hampjhire
and Conn£dlicut, in fuch a turbulent Seafon of the Year, thro'
2ii2ouik o( Five Hundred Adiles on the Ocean; they every
D cnc
26
A Thanksgiving-Sermon
one arriv'd at Canfo^ the Place of Concourfe, about^A-Zy MtUs
on i\\\s^\6t Cape-Breton \—' New- Hampjhire Troops on the
la/i of Marchy Ours on the i^ih of Aprils and ConneSiicut on the
i$th ;— without the Lofs of more than One Soldier and Three
Searmn^ and but Fifteen fick 5 andTiW enough to meet together
and refrefh themfelves, and get into order for their Defcent at
Louijbourg.
3. It was very remarkable ; that when the 500 ConneSlicut
Men were near embarking in 7 Tranfports at New-London^
'fwas fear*d their Colony Guard- Sloop of lOO Men was not a
fufficient Convoy : That their Goverrour Law fcnt to Go-
%vernour Green of Rhode JJland for their Colony Guard- Sloop of
90 Men to come and join them : That this being done ; when
they came off Cape-Sable Shoar, efpying aShip making towards
■ them, the Rhode- IJland Shop went to difcover, and found her
the Renomee a. very nimble French Ship of War, of 34 Guns,
300 Sea-Men, and 50 Marines : That theSloop being a prime
Sailer and hailing clofe to the Wind, wifely led her ofFfrom
the Fleet, drew her in Chace all Day, and got clear at Night,
the others failing to Canfo : Or, Both the Guard-Sloops cou'd
not have withftood her j and had the Conne^icut Forces only
their own Guard-Sloop, they wou*d have been probably ruined.
4. It was remarkable alfo, that God was plea^*d to keep
our Enemies Shoar and Harbour Inviron'd with /r^ longer than
ufual : So that none of their Veffels could enter nor go forth
for Intelligence, *till our Tiventy Gun Cruizers (which our Go-
veruour fent above 2i Fortnight heiotetheRGii of theFleet) came
thither : And that fome of their Vejfeh coming early to them,
both before and after the Harbour was open, were happily in-
tercepted and taken by Ours ; whereby our Enemies within failed
of their Supplies, and JVe were recruited by thofe without*
5. That by a moft gracious, feafonable and wonderful Di-
reftionof God, thro* our Gw^rwttr*s SoUicitatiqns the Fall
before^ the brave and adive Commodore ff^arren, a great
Friend to thefe Plantations, is ordered by the Government in
England, to come immediately with 7hree Men of War from
Antego to Bofton : That on his Voyage hither near Cape-Sahles^
lie, on April 12th, met with a Ftjherman^ who informM him
of
%
I
ail
''5^
Miles
n the
on the
Threg
gether
cent at
uSiicut
not a
» Go-
loop of
when
owards
md her
Guns,
a prime
fFfrom
Night,
s cou'd
ces only
ruined.
to keep
ger than
,0 forth
our Go-
:t) came
0 them,
>pily in-
bin faird
mt,
rful Di-
the Fail
a great
ment in
^r from
'■-Sahlis,
n*d him
of
if-
for the taking j/" Cape-Breton. 27
of our Army's being gone to Canfo the ff^eek before : That
on board the Fifiierman there was One of the belt of Pilots,
who had got out of the Way of our Committee of War, to a-
void being prcfs'd for the Service : That tho* the Commodore
wanted frefh Provifions and Cloaths for his Men in fo cold a
Climate and Seafon ; he wifely confider'd the neceflitous Cafe
of our Army, took the Pilot, generoufly tack'd about, went
after them, overtook them at Csnfo, to their great Joy ; and
inftead of flopping, pafs'd on to watch the Harbour of Louif-
bourg, that no Supply from Canada, Martineco or France might
flip into it : Without all which a 64 Gun Ship with near 600
Aien and full of Stores, had enter'd, and this great Affair had
been foon defeated.
6. That the Commodore, by the Fijhermen, fent his Orders
for the King*s Ships that fhould be found in thefe Parts, forth-
with to follow him : That the Fifherman timely arriving, our
Governor' immediately fent theOrder to the Eltham a 40 Gun
Ship at f-ili'taqua ready to convoy the MaftFleet for England:
And tho' liie was got to Sea, yet by a Boat the Order reach*d
her ; and fending her Fleet into Harbour, fhe bore after the
Commodore, arriv'd at Canfo ^pril 22, and the Commodore the
Day after. So that our Army before they fail'd from Canfo,
had the Comfort of 4 Men of fl''ar, andQt God to prote<St and
help them. . .
7. That tho* our Majfachufetts and New- Hampfinre Fleet
znd Jrmy (laid above three Weeks at Canfo, within 2oLeagues
of Louifbourg, and within Sight of their Ijland ; yet the People
I'here knew nothing of it, *till early in the Morning April 30,
when they were fo furpriz'd to fee us, that they had no Time
to get in the frefh Provifion and Force of the neighbouring
Country to help them. It feems very wonderful, that n^ne of
the French or Indians near to Canfo, fhould happen to fee us,
and give our Enemies Intelligence of us : And when our Fleet
and Army were compleat and ready, the Ice went off at once ;
our Fleet fet fail the igth, and the Winds and Weather con-
fpir'd to favour our Defcent on the I/land,on ths following Day.
8. It is alfo remarkable, that the French had made no For-
ilfication at the Place of our Landing, tho' 'tib faid they defign'd
D 2 It
A Thanksgiving-Sermon
it, and were preparing for it : And tho' they had 600 regular
Troops, and above 1400 other Men in the Cir'/y, that yet they
fhouldfcnd no more than 150 to oppofe our Landing: That
God fo encourag'd and hclp'd the few, but 100 of Ours who
landed at firll and engrag'd them, as to beat them away with
the Lofs of Six or Eight of their Men Jlaitiy fsveral wounded^
;ind Ten taken captive^ without the Lofs of 0ns of Ours : That
ihertby he ftruck a Terror into our Enemies: And tho' our
People were fo eager of Landing, they were even ready to
quarrel to get into the Boats, and the Surf ran high ; yet all
our Army landed fafely, viz. 2C00 the fame Dav, and the
Re/i the next, i. e. May i , without overfetting a Boat or lofing
a Man.
9. That he mov'd them to improve theTime and forthwith
to march up /ive Miles, thro* a thickety, rocky, hilly, and
boggy Country, and enclofe the City. That in the Night
after May 2, he led fome of our Soldiers, thro' ftrange Places
to th& Storehoufes near the Grand- Battery, which was ftrongly
fortified with Walls and Ditches, and at each End a very thick
Bomb-proof Tower : That the Storehoufes full of combuiiible
Matter, being fet on Fire, burnt and flafli'd in a horrible Man-
ner, and in the Night encreas'd the Enemies Terror : That
the Wind2\{o bearing a prodigious black Smoak upon thcni, in
which expeding our Army to enter, they were every Soul
frighted out of it into the City : And that in the Mortiing
Jlffly 3, but 13 of our Men obferving there was neither
Flag flying, nor Chimney fmoaking, nor Perfon appearing,
but the Gates open, l3\. ventur'd in and took FofTeffion.
10. That yet the Enemy aware of their fatal Error, foon
after came with Forces in many Shallowaes to recover it : But
H of the 13 going out of the Battery and meeting with about
8 more of our Friends, run to the Water-Side ; and on the
open Beach expos'd to the Cannon from the Town and Muf-
quetsfrom the Boats, yet fp plied the Boats with Small- Arms,
asidamp'dand hinder'd them, *till feeinj; more of our Forces
coming, the Boats turned back to the Town again: And if
they had come but one Hour fooner, they had regain'u the
Battery before we had found it deferted. And thus this ftrong
ForUcfsof 3c greut Car.r.on^ 28 c^f ihem f..2 Pounders and 7.
18 Pounders
i^Poi
all our
theLo
tded it
JBlood,
hour, i
with a
. Bombs
II.
feSiion
the M
Year ;
their C
the Ca
once,
Phyfici
raculoi
recove
■I ^^*
4 Eager}
ILabou
^. Valley
■ in Mil
,Shot s
gainft
to war
with \
Enem
Houfe
13-
with I
came
.Wine
Ion M
'■Ships
.iirike
;#Cf th
i
for the taking of C^Lipc-^Bveton^ 29
1 8* Pounders, which might alone have maintained itfelf againft
all our Army, the Lord delivered into our Hands, without
the Lofs of a Man, or Shot of a Gun, and before we deman-
ded it : Whereby he at once fav*d us both Time, Toil and
Blood, and farprizingly gave us a great Power over ihc Har-
bour, as well as fo many of the largeft of the Enemies Cannon,
with a great Number of their own Balls and 380 of their
• Bombs to improve againft them.
II. That our Army was preferv'd from the dangerous /«-
fe^ion : And tho' being open to the Air,Fogs andDews,upon
the Melting of the Icf, in a raw Climate and Seafon of the
Year ; having thro* their extraordinary Fatigues worn out
their Choaths and Shoes, being barefoot and almoft naked j-—
the Camp Dyfentery ftiized many, there being 1500 down at
once, which then look'd very threatning ; —yet fome of our
Phyficians in their Letters fignified, that it look'd almoft mi-
raculous, they fhould fo foon and generally, without Means,
recover.
ii2. That they fhould be infplr'd with wondrous Courage^
Eagernefsy A^ivity and unfainting Strength: Be fupported
;^ under their extraordinary and conftant Toils, Fatigues and
^Labours, in carrying Stores, drawing Cannon over Hills and
i' Valleys, among Rocks and thro' Moraflcs, up to the Knees
in Mire ; and in digging Trenches, raifing Batteries, firing
,Shot and Bombs almoft incelTantly both Day and Night a-
gainft the City : And that God fo fpcedily taught their Hands
to war, and their Fingers to fight, as prefently to throw them
with great Exadlnefs, and do continual Execution among our
'i Enemies ; difmounting their Cannon, beating down their
^Houfes, Gates, Walls, Flankers, and greatly diftreffing them.
1 3. That when the Vigilant, a new 64 GunShip from France
with near 600 Men, and great Quantities of Arms and Stores,
came fo near the Mouth of their Harbour and before a fair
"Wind, that iivo Hours more would have given her Entrance
on May 19 ; fhe was happily difcover'd by fome of our fmaller
;Ships, who led her along to the larger and foon made her
iirike : Tho' after near ijvo Hours clofe Engagement in fight
,k>ci" the Camp i wherein 'tv/as wonderful, ihe loft above 30
■I ^^"*
■«
30
A Thanksgiving-Sermon
Men, and they but 5. An J tho' by the Fog in the Ni^ht
they loft her, yet in the Morning they happily recovered herj
to the growing Difcouragement of the Befeiged, and our en-
crcafing Strength and Benefit.
14. That tho' to ftiew our Dependance on God continually,
he was pleas*d to fufFer the barbarous Indians, twice to fur-
prize and murther fome of our ftragling People ; —about 28
at one Time and 9 at another ; yet in feveral Land- Ensounters
both with the French and the Indians, in divers Parts of the
Ifland, He was pleas'd to give us the Viftory ; Our Scouts
and Cruizcrs taking about 300 Prifoners,
15. That by Means of the extraordinary quick Difpatch
of a Mejfen^r, our Govemour in February fent to the Ki'ng
for navalHelp j Gor was pleased to fend fo mznyMen of War
fucceffively, as by the i ith of June, with the 64 Gun Prize,
and thofe who were there before, to amount to Eleven ; to
the finking Fear of the Enemy, and the rifing Joy of our Fleet
and Army ; as alfo to preferve a happy Harmony between our
various Officers*
16. That tho* God was pleas'd to humble us in defeating
our AtlGck in the Night after May 26, on their ftrong Ijland-
Fort, when we had about 60 Men killed and drowned ; yet
He happily ^wV^i and with furprizing Strength, Agility and
Quicknefs helped us to hoift up ibme of theheavicft Cannon and
our larg-eft Mortar on the Light-Houfe Clifi-' of Rocks, which
overlook'd thatFort in which they trufted to hinder our enter-
ing into their Harbour ; it being built on a Rock, having
thirty 28 Pounders, 7 Swivels, 2 Brafs 10 Inch Mortars, and
180 Men : And then on June 15, ajjijied in cafting our
Bombs fo exadly, as after the two firft, to tlirow in every One
of the reft, and with our Cannon do fuch Execution, as quickly
beat them out of this ftrong Hold they tho't impregnable,
and frighten the City to a quiet Surrender,
17. That GoDfhou'd move 'em to it on June 16, in that
critical Moment, when the Navy and Army had juft agreed on a
general^ defperate and fierce AJfault both by land and Water ;
which was like to be exceeding bloody and of doubtful Con-
fcquence :
> '-fW
w
patch
C*NG
ffVar
■^:
for the faking of Cape-Breton. 31
fequehce : For upon the Capitulation, when our Forces en-
tered the City June 17, and came to view the inward State of
its Fortifications ; they were amazed to fee their extraordina-
ry Strength and Device, and how we had like to have loft the
Limbs and Lives of ail/M///W/,if not have been all deftroy'd.
And that the City furrendred, when there was a great Bodv
of Fnnch and Indians got on the Jjland, and within a Day's
March, to moleft us.
18. That in all our clofe and conftant Aflaults and Skir-
mifhes, fome of our Batteries being within Pijiol Shot of the
City, and receiving fuch a vaft Number of Balls and Bombs
almoft continually by Day and by Night, we Should have lefs
than 20 Jlain at all our 5 Batteries, and not above 10 1 in all ;
in fo raw a Climate and Seafon, and under fuch Fatigues, not
loofe above 30 more by Sickngfs ; and of fo many Veffels tranf-
porting and cruizing, in fu many Storms in March and jipril^
loofe but One ; tho' this a Cruizer of 100 Men, fuppofed to
overfet, is a grievous Lofs.
19. That in the Time ofthc/S/V^^, there were many other
furprizing Events in our Favour-— fuch as timely Supplies to
our Army, either by Tranfports or Prizes, as we were near
to want them— That the very Balls from our Enemies Can*
non were of no fmall Service, being as faft almoft as they fell,
catch'd up and put into Ours, and return'd with Advantage
—-That our largeft Mortar oi 13 Inches burfting il^ay 25,
which greatly damp'd them ; on the fame Day another unfent
for, of the fame Dimenfions and the only one at our Cajile in
Bojicn- Harbour y was, by a Tho*t of our Governour, put on
board ; and went fo quickly as to furprize with Joy, and play
in the Place of the other on the 8/^ Day after ; and was the
fame which afterwards diftrefs'd the IJland- Battery and bro*t
on the timely Surrender — That digging a Trench to proteft
our Men, and meeting a Rock in the Way we could not re-
move ; juft as we had left it, a Bomb from the Enemy came
down in the moft fuitable Spot, and without hurting any, re-
mov'd it for us, ^c.
20. That from the Army's leavingG7»/^, April 29, to their
landing April 30,^nd duripg all the Siege^ there ihould be fuch
32
A Thanksgiving-Sermon
a continual Series of/^/V JVeathe^^ as was never known in the
Place before at that Time of the Year, 'rill their entering into
the C/'/y, ^une 17 ; and then the Clouds to gather Blacknefs
and pour down Rains for Ten Days together : Which would
have fpoil'd our Batteries, fiiPd our Trenches, and greatly hin-
der'd anddifabled us !--It fiem'd to clofe theScenes of Wonder !
—As if the fovereign God would fufpend the hurtful Opera-
tions of Nature, *till he had quite accomplifh'd \\\^ great De-
fign^ deliver 'd the Fortrefs into our Hands, and led us into a
Place of Shelter.
21. In the mean while ^ it is alfo remarkable, that the North'
Jlmerican{2ozSts have been unmolefted by both iht French diti^Spa'
niJhJVeJI'IndiaPrivateers^ *till this greatAfFair was ended. And
that by Means of Du Vivier*s Project of taking Annapolis in the
Spring or Summer^ both our French and Indian Enemies have
been all this Time diverted from our expofed inland Borders ;
they being drawn to Menis^ and to make a tranfient Show at
Annapolis : So he was guided into his mifchievous but fruitlefs
Projed, and to go even to France, to promote our Safety, and
give us an unmolefted Seafon for the taking of Louijbourg,
Laltly, That tho' our Goverkour, our General
(vOURT, the Cvmcil of Wm\ the General^ the Commrdcre, the
Officers and Soldiers, both by Land and Sea, have difplay'd a
wondrous Wifdom, Zeal, Courage, Refolution, Diligence,
and unwearied Application ; yet they have the eminent Ho»
nour in receiving thefefrom God, and in his employing them
to atchieve and bring about fuch a glorious and happy Addition
to the Britijh Crown and Empire : Nor without his number-
lefs other DireSiions wou'd all their Skill, Care, Toil and Dili-
gence, have availed any Thing : And to Him be therefore
all the Glory. For the infinitely inferiour Brightnefs fpark-
ling in them, is wholly deriv'd fromHiM, both by his original
and continual Influence ; like the Glitters of Diamonds from
the Morning Sun ; when he wholly hides his Light, they va-
nifti ; but when He fhines, they difplay their Luftre.
And thus have we feen this Pajpige of Scripture, in a re-
mark iblc iVIanner exemplified in the prefent Day.
And
for
J or the taking ^Cape-Breton. 33
re-
And
And now who can in common Rcafon deny a particular
Providence in this great Affair ? Who can in Reafon imagine
that fuch a Multitude o( various and contrary running IVheehy
both of material Caufes and fpontaneous Jgents, (hou'd all be
made to work together, and in the midft of Thoufands of
Difficulties and Contingencies, in the happieft Seafons coin-
cide, to accomplilh this great Event j without a su-
PRE AM Contriver^ Mover ^nd DireSf or ? We may a thou-
fand Times more confiftently apprehend the mo/f curious En-
gine In the World to be made without Dcfign, and to work
without a moving Power.
Yea, Thofe who own not The/e to be the Operations of
God, as a wife, fovereign, free and a£tual Ruler among
Men and Elements ; muft not only deny the Scriptures^ but
even the very Foundations of all Religion, or Adoration of this
fupream Governour. For they muft deny there is any Need,
or Duty, or Wifdom, of fearing Him, or praying to Him, or
hoping on Him in any Emergencies ; or of acknowledging,
admiring, praifing, loving, or thanking Him, for the greateji
and moji marvellous Salvations.
But as for Us — In the Name ofGoD, ourGOD in Christ,
yea in the Name of the Son of God, as fupream Lord and
Ruler of Heaven and Earth, of Men, Angels and Elements,
we lifted up our Banners : To Him we looked and prayed :
In Him we put our Truft and fought : And now. He has
heard and profper'd, to Him we will afcribe the Praife.
Whatever Injlruments ox Means He us'd, we will blefs Him
for them ; we fee them form*d, endow'd, excited by Him ;
we fee them in his mighty and all-adtive Hands, deriving
Strength and Guidance from Him, and employed continually
to fulfill his Pleafure. We will own, the Work is his in the
higheft Senfe : It was all comprehended in hisfovereign View,
Dcfign and Providence ; begun, carried on, accomplifh'd by
his all-governing Wifdom, Power and Efficacy; and the
Whole together is marvellous in every ferious Eye.
When the Tydings came on our Comnuncement-Mormng
July 3, of furrendring the City, « we were like t-hem that
' dream : Our Mouth was fill'd with Laughter, and our
' Tongue with Singing : Even the Heathen faid, JheLoRD
*■ hesth dons, great Things for them ; and We—The LoRi> hatk
' dwe great Things for us, whereof we are glad. Not unto us,
E « O
34
A Thanksgiving-Sermon
t-ii't't
r^.
* O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name give Glory :
* Our God hath (lone whatfoever he pleafed : The Lord
* hath been mindful of us: And we will blefs the Lord,
' from this Time forth and for ever. Thine O Lord is the
« Greatnefs, and tlw Power, and the Glory, and the Vidlory,
< and the Majefty: Forai) that is in the Heaven and in the
< Earth is thine ; thine Is the Kingdom O [,ord, and thou
* art exalted as Head above all : Both Riches and Honour
« come of Thee, and thou rcigneft over all, and iu thincHand
* is Power and Might ; and in thineHand it is to makcGrcat,
* aud to give Strength to all : Now therefore our CJod, we
< thank Thee and praife thy glorious Name. G:ve Thanks
* to the Lord, call on his Name, make known his i3eeds a-
< mong the People : Sing unto Him, (ing Pfalms unto Him,
* talk ye of all his wondrous Works : Declare hisGlory among
* the Heathen, his marvellous Works among all Nations.*
O that when we hzwtfang his Praife^ w-e may not ungrate-
fully/ar^^/ his' IVorks^ or return to Sin j which is to rob Him
of his deferved Glory and fly in the Face of our great Preft r-
ver and B.ncfadlur : It is the vileft Degree of Ingratitude and
provoking Bafenefs : It is to fight a<gainft Him, who has been
marvelloufiy lighting for «j, and given us a wondrous Series of
greatSalvations. Yea, this will be the dangerous Way to move
Him io turn -our Enemy ; to change the Courfe of his flighted
DifpenfatiOns, and give the Place into our Adverfaries Hands a-
gain, with a more dreadful and mifchievous Increafe of Power
than ever, to punifli us. And the Sins of Dnwienne/s, Profa-
nation of the Name and Day of QoTyJ.Jndeannefs^Inju/}ice^ Op-
prejfwi^Contempt of Christ, and Oppojition to thePurity^Power
and Pra£fice oihis holy Religion ; are fome of the higheft and moft
dangerous Provocations and Preparatives to ruinous Judgment.
Yea, di/iingtiijhing yippearances of God to fave and profper
us, are dijiinguijhing Obligations, not only to dijlinguijhing De^
grees of Joy and Praife, but al fo to dijiinguijhing Degrees of
Piety: i. e. of a£tive Gratitude and Love to God, of per-
petual Contrivances and Labours to promote his Glory and
holv Kingdom in Ourfclves and Others, and a conftant Life
of StTvice to His Caufe and People. And as the Failure of
this, will not be a rendring to Him according to hi§ fignal
benefits, but a moft ungrateful Treatment of Him -, His Eyes
are always on us, to obferve us woif, and to judge and Re-
compcnce us litre ui liaeafier. But
cl
al
I
for the taking of Cape-Breton. 3 5
Bat let us rejoice, not only in our «w«5<7/i/<7//fl«,theSalvation
oi all our Colonies, and fome of the molt important Branches
of the Britijh Trade ;---But let our Joy rife higher, that here-
by a great Support of Antichrijlian Power is taken away, and
the viftble Kingdom oi Christ enlarged. Mcthinks, when
the fouthern Gates oi Lout (hour g were opened, and our Army
with their Banners marching in ; the Gates iverc lifted up- --the
Gates were lifted up- '-and the King of Glory went in with
them. Even the Son of God, the Lord of Hofts, the
Lord ftrong and mighty in Battle--- having gain'd the Con-
qucrt, he rode in in Triumph and took PofTf ffion. He fet up
his Standard, proclaim'd his Gofpel of Peace, the Glad Ty-
dings of Salvation, open'd the Prifons, redeem'd his Captives,
and began to receive his grateful Incenfe of pure Adorations.
O that There, in Purity of Worfhip, Do£trine and Converfa-
♦•ion, in the Power of his Grace and in the Glory of his Holi-
r>f fs. He may reign and fhine to all the Iflands round about,
as long as the Sun and Moon endure.
And as 'twas one of the chief Difgraces of Queen Anne's
Reign, to refign this Tfland to the French j it is happily one of
the Glories of King George the Second's, to. recover It to
the Britijh Empire. O that it may remain united thereto for
ever, and fo perpetuate the Glory. O that under the Influ-
ence oi Britijh Liberties, in a happy Conjiitution oi Civil Govern-
ment, and the DIVINE Care and Blefling, even Louifbourg itfelf
with Cape-Breton, and sMNova- Scotia, may revive and flourifli.
May they have religious, wife and generous Gevernours^ that
may be as nurfmg Fathers to them ; encourage them in Piety,
Virtue and good Order, promote their Trade, and protect
them in their Properties and Liberties.
Ladly ,may this happyConquefl be the daivningEarneJi of our
divineRedeemer's carrying on hisTriumphs thro* xheNor"
thernRegions ; 'till He extends hisEmpire homihtEaJiern to the
WcJiernSea,z,nd from theRiver of Canada to theEnds of America.
Then from the uttermoflParts of theEarth (hall be hcurdSengSy
cvenGi.0RY to the righteous God : They (hall lift up their
Voice, they (hall fing.for the Majeftyofthe Lord, they (hall
cry aloud from theSea ; they (hall glorify theLoRDin theWoods
and Valleys, on the Lakes and Rivers, in the Mountains, in the
IHands : And the-'HenVenJi and.thcE?rfeh'ffej>U.bc ^Ue«! with his
Glory, and ecchQ>5t{i'.l3'?.^'-aifei*: : '^Ul -fi} N: *
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