Dr. Chauncys
S E R M O
'Preach'd May 3otiu J 7 7 o
Truft in GOD, the Duty of a.
People in a Day of Trouble.
SERMON
Preached, May 3oth. 1770*
Ac the requeft of a great number of Gen-
tlemen, friends to the LIBERTIES of
North -America, who were defirous, not-
withftanding the removal of the MafTa-
chufetts General-Court (unconstitutionally
as theyjudged)to CAMBRIDGE, that GOD
might be acknowledged in thac houie of
worfhip at BOSTOiM, in which our tribes,
from the days of our fathers, have annu-
ally fought to him for direction, previ-
ous to the choice of his Majefty'sCouncil,
B Y
CHARLES CHAUNCY, D. D.
PASTOR OFTHE FIRST CHURCHIN
BOSTON:
Printed by DANIEL KNEEL AND, for THO>
MAS LE v£ RE XT, ia Corn-Hill, A77°«
ADVERTISEMENT.
THE author of the following
.Sermon .acknowledges the
candor of the many refpec-
table Gentlemen, who fo kindly
over-looked it's imperfections in
the hearing, as to defire it's pub-
lication t and hopes the reader
will be in the exercife of a like
candid temper of mind ; as the
warning to preach did not exceed
forty-eight hours, and what was
preached is printed without tran-
icribing ; their being no leifure
for it.
PSALM 22. 4,
« Our fathers trufied in /te: they.iruted>
and thou didft deliver then?.
OLY David Tpakc tbefe
worcjg jn the name Of thc
Jcwifli nation, looking back
to ..their pious anceftors,
through the feveral fuccefllve
periods, in which they had
exifted as a people ; and what he fays con-
cerning them is, that they " truited in
GOD". He then records the happy effccl:
confequent thereupon* *' Thou didft deli-
ver them": which deliverance GOD fome-
.times wrought out forthem in the moR fignal
manner ; " riding in the heavens for their
help, and in his excellency on the clouds".
THE infpired pfolmift reminds the JcwiHi
people, in his day, of this piay of their pro-
genicors,ahd the good effecl of it,that he^iighc
excite in them a becoming concern to make
GOD the fupreme object of their truft *, en-
couraging them, in this way, to hope for de-
liverance, however preffing the difficulties
be they were under.
MY
6 Xruft in GOT> tbt'dutj of
MV text, though thus primarily directed
to the Jews to engage their truft in GOD,
that they might obtain deliverance from evil,
is yet applicable to other people, under like
circumftances , and may obvioufly be ac-
commodated to the people of GOD in this
land. Perhaps, theic are no people, now
dwelling on the face of the eaith, wno may,
with greater pertinency, adopt the language
of king !*<avid, and fay, " our fathers trult-
cd in thee ; they truited, and thou didft de-
liver them".
I (hall difcourfe to the words in this ac-
comm.oda:edlenie •, taking occafion from them
to (peak of our pious anccltors as thofe who
*6 truRed in GOD"-, and then of the good
effect of their lo doing, inthe " deliverances
GOD wrought out for them'*. The way will
then be clear to point out to us their pofte-
rity our duly in this day of trouble, and the
gooJ effe<5t we may humbly look for from
the faithful performance of it.
IT may with real truih be faid of our
pious progenitors, that they l< truited in
'GOD** ; that is, that they made GOD the
alone ulcimate object of their dependence
in every tmfe of need. And this they did,
not blindly, or grouncilefsly, as having no
folid reafon for their conduct ; but from jutt
conceptions of that wifdom, power, and
goodncis of GoDj which render him a being
eveiy
'* people in a day of Trczlhl 7
every way futablc to be intirely confided in.
In this view of the all-fufficiency of GOD,
they ever repaired to him as their ftrength
and refuge, commiting themfelves, and all
their concerns, into his hands, and relying
on him as their fapreme help. Scnfible of
their own inability to provide for and pro-
tedt themfelves, and of the inability of all
creatures without GOD, much more in op-
pofition to him, they took off their depen-
dence from every thing elfe, and placed
it on him fupremely and ultimately, as
that glorious, and yet gracious, being, who
alone was {ufficient to be their guide, de-
fence, and help, efpecially in their days of
trouble.
THUS our fathers trufted in GOD ; and
fome fpecial properties of this their truft,
are eminently worthy of notice.
IT was a truft accompanied with prayer.
This is obferved, in the verfe immediately
following my text, concerning the truft of
the Jewifh fathers. "They cried unto
thee, and were delivered". They prayed,
as well as trufted. They not only made
GOD their dependance, but commited their
cafe to him in humble, fervent fupplicati-
ems. In like manner, prayer to that glori-
gus being wjio dwell$th on high, was ever
ft
8 Zntjl fa GOD the Duty of
a cqncomitant of that truft which the pious
forefathers of the people of New -England
placed in GOD. They were eminently men
of prayer ; they prayed always ; and their
prayers were more abundant, and more im-
portunate and incefTant, when their circum-
llances marie it proper to make GOD their
fpecial refuge in any times of more than or-
dinary difficulty and danger. They now
befieged the throne of GOD, with their fer-
vent cries, at once hoping in his mercy, and
praying to him for the beftowment of it.
THEIR truft alfo was Accompanied with
humility, a becoming fenfe of their unwor-
thinefs, and the infinite condefcention of
GOD, that he mould be willing to allow fuch
finful undeierving creatures to place their
dependence on him for protection and help.
They entertJined in their minds exalted ap-
prehenfions of this favor of the " high and
lofty one who inhabiteth eternity" ; and as
low ones of themfelves, in confideration of
their own comparative nothingnefs, much
more of their fmfulpefs, whereby they had
expofed themfelves to the righteous refent-
ments of heaven.
THEIR truft in GOD was Ilkewife *exerci-
fed with profound lubmiffion to his alwife
pleafurc, as to the time, manner,- rneafure*
and
& People in a Day of Trouble; ^
aad all the circumftanccs relative to the good
they confided in him for. They were fa
refigned as to have no w^l of their own,
in oppofition to Gon's. That was the feel-
ing or. their hearts, as well as the language
of their lips, in all times of danger and dif-
trefs, whether perfonal or public, "let the
Lord do to us as feemeth good to him".
" Father, not* as we will, but as tho 14 wilt".
Again, THEIR truft inGon was fteadily
and firmly fixed. Nothing was able ta
fhake their confidence in the divine per-
fections, and promifes, no difficulties in the
courfe of providence, no difcou.ragements^
no dangers, no tryajs however heavy and
fevere -, but in the midft of flj, and
withftanding all, they had re^inthe
r-efolutely cleaving to GOD as their ultimate
hope, and refuge. With holy Job they couk$
fay, " tho' he flay me, yet wil] } |ruft iq
him" •, Yea, they could triumph in, the Jan-2
guage of the 46th Pfalm, "Goq is ou^
refuge and ftrength, a very prefent helpjp,
trouble. Therefore will we not fear, th$*
the earth be removed, and the mountains bs
carried into the depth of the feas ; tho' ths
waters thereof roar and are troubled ; tho' tha
mountains (hake with ,the fwelling thereof".
Yet again, THEIR truft in GOD was ae-
B compainc4
i© Vrujt in GOD the Duty of
companied with their own endeavours, in
the uie of proper means, in order to the ob-
tainment of needed falvation and deliver-
ance : Otherwife, inftead of placing a well
grounded confidence in the divine all-fuffici-
cncy, they would have been chargeable with
the weaknefs and folly of prefuming up-
on the help of heaven. For it ought always
to be remembered, tho' it is GOD ultimately
who protects, helps, and faves ; yet, he or-
dinarily dots this by the intervention of
fecond caufes, adapted in their nature, to the
purpofe. Our fathers, therefore, that they
might not fubftitute prefumption, in the
room of a well-placed truft, joined with their
dependance on GOD, tho* in abfolute fub-
ordination to it, a due ufe of luch means as
he has been wont to accompany, or fol-
low, with his bleffing. Had they, in a tirr.e
of danger, needlefsly expoied themielves,
or had they not taken fuch methods as were
wife, fit and reafonablc, in order to their own
preiervation andjafety, they would in vain
have trullcd in GOD ; as in this way only
they might rcafonably have expe&ed his
bleifing.
MOREOVER, their truft in GOD was an
obediential one. They at once obeyed GOD
and depended on him. They made it their
care 10 -walk in the way of his command-
ments
& Peop!t*in * Day of Trouble, 1 1]
ments ; and now they confided in his power,'
wifdcm, and goodnets to defend, protect,
guide, and do them good. For, as the
fcripture fays, to which they always paid a
facred regard, "the Lord is a fun and fhield ;
the Lord will withhold no good thing" ; — -
from whom ? It follows, "from them that
walk uprightly'*.
IN fine, their truft in GOD was exercifed
thro' Jcfus Chrift. This fon of GOD'S love
they eiteemed the divinely appointed medi-
um of communication^ between GOD and
man, and the only one that was Ib. Thro*
him they believed GOD was reconcilable ta
Tinners, and might be a friend to fupply their
wants,to help them under^difficulties,to guard
them againft dangers, and to be their lalva-
tion in a day of trouble. They accordingly
repaired to GOD thro5 Jefus Chrift, the one
mediator between GOD and men, making
him their refuge, the fupreme abject of their
dependancc in regard both of foul and body,
this world and another. The worthinefs of
CHRIST, and not their owrr, was the reafon
or ground of all they expected in confe-
quence of their trufting in him. They knew
GOD was ever well pleafed with his Son
Jefus Chrift, in vertue of his obedience to
che death j and that, thro' him, they might
with humble confidence rely on him to piry,
and
ruft in GGT> the Duty
and help them •, to appear their favicr, and
•work cut dtl'verance for them. Him there-
'fore they made the great object of their trull,
their fup'eme refuse, and ail-fbfikient ds-
redor and protector.
tfcty found their account in thus
• trufting in GOD. Fc r wf at is laid in the
la.trer part of my texr, is jullly spplicable tp
them, "Thou dm ft deliver them*'.
THE word, c< deliverarce", carries in k
the idea of difficulty and danger, cither felt
or feared. Our fathers were often ex.po.fttd
to dangers, and ;fometimes called, in the
couile of providence, to fufftir the tryal of
•prefling difficulties. GOD was their refuge
in the'e times of Trouble, in him they trull-
led ; and theeffeft was, their ddiverance out
of all tb^ir troubles.
It was a cla'y "of grievous tryal to them3
.•when they were opprtfled in JEnglard, by
having pu.t on their ntcks the eccltfiaitical
^yi ke of bondage, which was forely galling,
They were not pet muted to worfhip their
XJOD atcording to the didates of con'cience^
guided by his word. And unlefs they fub-
tnifttdto. iht inventions of man, added to
the ordinances of Gc D, they became liable
lu ints, corifilcations, imprilonments, and
bamihment
« People in a Day 'sfTrm^. ig
tanifliment. It could fcarce be believed
what they were called to, unlefs they would
ihipwreck faith and a good confcience, was
a rehearfal to be here given of what they
fuffered.-^-But, as they trufted in GOD, he
made way for their deliverance from this
tyranny, by bringing them over to this then
defolate land, with CHARTER-RIGHTS, not
only fetting them free from tne oppreflion of
church power, but intitling them to difHn-
guiihing liberties .and privileges, both civil
and rehgiou*. And very fignal was the ap-
pearance of heaven on their behalf in bring-
ing about this deliverance. The alwife good
GOD not only gave, them favor with the greac
men at home, io as to encourage their enter-
prize to this new and "unknown part of the
world •, but made a path for them in the
great waters, and bro't them over the at-
lantic to thcfe then dangerous, becaufc, iii
that day, untried; (hoars •, landing them in
fafety. The deliverance of our forefa-
thers from tyranny andoppreffior, by bring-
ing them over to this diltant region, ts
not unlike his carrying his Ifrael of old thro*
the red fea to the promifed land of reft :
And that might have been their fong of
praifc upon this account, "The Lord is our
ftrength and fong ; and he is become our
falvation. IbJe is our GOD, and we will pre-
pare him an habitation. Who is like unto
thee.
1 4 Tray? /» GOD the Duty of
thee, O Lord,among the Gods ? Who is like
thee, glorious in holinefe, fearful in praifes,
doing wonders. Thou in mercy haft led
forth the people whom rhou haft redeemed ;
thou haft girded them in thy ftrength. — -
Thou haft bro't them in, and planted them
in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the
place, O Lord, which thou haft made for
thee to dwell in, in the fancluary, O Lord,
which thy hands have cftablithed. The
Lord fhall reign forever and ever".
I
'OUR fathers, after their coming into this
land, were at firft, and for many years, in
(traits and difficulties, and at times much
put t-- it even for the neceif^ries of life.
But as they trufted in*GoD, he appeared for
their help, and made provifion for their fup-
port, in ways as extraordinary, as unexpected,
OUR fathers, after their fcttlemeni in this
land, were fometimes in great diftrefs from
the iavages that invaded them, and threat-
ned their dcftruclion. And had it not been
for marvellous prote&ions afforded to them
by GOD almighty, they muft have perifhed
by the hands of thefe enemies. They might
with great propriety have adopted thofe
'words of the Pfalmift,4 "If it had not been
the Lord who was on our fide, when men
rofe up agamft us, then they had iwailowc d
us
a People in tbe Day of trouble. \$
us up quick, when their wrath was kindled
againft us, — Bldled be the Lord, who hath
not given us a prey to their teeth. — Our
help is in the name of the Lord, who made
heaven. and earth".
OUR fathers, even after they had, in a
good meafure, iubdued this wildernels-coun-
try, enlarging their borders, increafing in
numbers, and in a plenty of the comforts of
life, and, at the lame time, adding flrength
and glory to the Britim crown, were hardly
dealt with by thofe who had the govern-
ment in their hands. * Their charter rights
t>
were
* The following fummary of the tyrannical op-
prefiion of thofe days will nac be efteemed a
mitrcprefentation, as it is taken from the hiftory
of the Mafiachufetts-Bay, wrote by his honor,
our prefent commander in chief. " Nero (pag.
355.) concealed i.is tyrannical difpofubn more
years than Sir Edmund, and his creatures,
did months. It was not long before the cafe
of fomc, who apprehended themfeives opprefTed,
came under confiacrati ,n ; one of the Council
told them, that they miift not think, the privile-
ges of Englifhmen would follow them to the
end of the world. This gave an alarm thro*
the government. — One of the firft a6ts ef pow-
er was the rettra'nt of the prefs. Randolph
[ that tool of power ] was the licenfer — A re-
itramt upon marriages was more grievous. None
were allowed to marry, except they entered into
bonds,
[ii> frufl in God the Duty of
were trampled upon, and arbitrary methods
taken to diipofe of their lands, and make
them flaves to thofe who had ic in view to
tyramze over thera. But, as they trufted in
GOD, he made bare his arm for their deli-
ycrancc. This he did by effecting a glori-
ous
bonds, with fureties to the Governor, to be for-
feited in caf* there fhould afterwards appear to
have been any lawful impediment. — Sir Edr
rnund centered the congregational minifters
as nicer laymen. Randolph wrote to the Bi-
fiiip of" Lendon, " I prefs for able and fober
minifters, and we will contribute largely to
their maintainance ; but ore thing will mainly
kelp, when no marriages (hall hereafter be al-
lowed lawful, but fuch as are made by the miru-
fters of the church ©f England. -—The people
( 356» 537-) were menaced, that their meeting-
houfes fliou'd be taken from them, and that
public woifhip in the c«ngregati®nal way (hpuld
net be tolerated. r— Several churches had agreed
to fet apart days ot thankfgiving for hij IVIajefty's
declaration for liberty of confcience. The Go-
vernor forbad them. — He told them, they fhould
meet at their peril, and that he fhould fe/id fol-
tiiers to guard their meeting-houfes. — Swearing
by the book (pag. 358. ) which had never been
praclifed, was now introduced ; and fuch as
fcrupled it were fined and imprifoned. — The
fees to all officers were exorbitant. Fifty Shil-
lings [ money of that day ]was the cemmon fee
forprobateof a will. The Governor was fupreme
ordinary, and a&ed by himfdf. — It was a great
a People In a T)ay of 1 rouble. ij
tius revolution in England ; glorious in this,
among other refp'e6ts, that it changed the
C line
«.* -
burden upon widbws and children, who lived
remote, to be obliged to come to'. Bofton for
every part of bu fine fs relative to ''the fettlement
ofeftates. The fees of all other officers were
complained of as oppreilive. THE HARPIES
THEMSELVES QUARRELLED ABOUT THEIR.
SHARE OF THE PREY. — But the greatcft profit
( pag. 359) arofe from patents for lands. The,
Charter being vacated, the people were told'
that their titles to their eftates were of no va-
lue.— It was made public, that all who would*
acknowledge the infufficiency of their title, de-
rived from the1 former government, by petition-
Ing for new patents, {Kould be quieted upon'
reafonable terms. —In the complaint to King
James, it is alt edged, that the fees of fome
amounted to Fifty Pounds. — Men's titles were
not queftioned all at once.» Had this been this
cafe, according to the computation then made,
all the perfonal eftate in the colony would riot
have paid the charge of the patents.— -The Go-
vernor (pag. 361) with four or five of his Coun-
cil laid what taxss they thought proper. This
the people complained of" as their greateft griev-
ance. They thought themfelves TNTITLED TO
THE LIBERTIES AtfD IMMUNITIES OF FREE
AND NATURAL BORN ENGLISH SUBJECTS,
and confequently that No MONIES OUGHT TO
BE RAISED FROM THEM BUT BY THEIR RE-
Thcfe,
»8- Trufi in God the Duty of
line of the Regal fucceflion, fettling it on
lier Ele&oral Highnefs,thePrincefs SOPHIA f
Dutchcfs
Thefe,and fuch like in gcneraI5were the fufFer-
ings of our fathers, under the adminiftration of
Sir Edmund, " who knew too well the difpofr-
lion of hismafter to give him any concern about
the complaints preferred againft him" : But they
were the occafion of a revolution hereabout
the fame time, the revolution took place in
England 3 a general account only of which would
take up more room than can be riere fpared.
I ihail only fubjoin that obfervable remark of
our honourable commander in chief, in a note a£
the bottom of page 3191. " Of all that were con-
cerned in the late government [ Sir Edmund's]-
Mr. DUDLEY felt moft of the people's refent-
jnent, Opprcflion is lefs grievous from a ft ran-
ger than one of our own country". He further
fays, in the words of Danforth to I. Mather,
'* Mr. Dudley is, in a peculiar manner, the
objecl: of the people's diipleafure —They deeply
refent his corrcfpondence with that WICKED
RANDOLPH for overturning the government.
•f SOPHIA was daughter of ELISABETH, daugh-
ter of King James the fir ft. She married
GOVNT PALATINE of the Rhine, ; and in her
day the whole Palatinate (who were PROTES-
TANTS) fufFered greatly, in confequcncc of the
cxercife of catholic tyranny. It was reafona-
bly expected her own father would have afford-
ed her needed help $ but ike had no afliftance
£ People iff & Tjay of Trouble. 15
IDutchcfs of Hanover, the only remaining
PROTESTANT branch of the old royal fami-
ly, and the heirs of her body, being PRO-
TESTANTS ; which fettlement of the crown^1
firfl made in the reign of King William and
Queen Mary, and afterwards confirmed by
related
from him. The famous Dr. Prcfton, rnafter
of Emanuel-College in Cambridge, and chap-
lain in ordinary to his then Maje£y King
James, in a Sermon, preached in his hearing^
has thefe obfervable words ( pag. 51), directed
to thofe who had great power, and opportuni-
ty ©f doing good, " Let them confider that ex-
cellent fpeech of Mordacai to Efther, (chap. 4.
v. 24.^) Ifthou bold thy tongue at this time-) delive-
rance Jball appear to the Jews from anctber place $
but tbou and tbyboufe Jb&ilperi/b. The meaning
is this ; then there was an opportunity of doing
good to the church. Therefore, faith he, if thou
do not do it,thou and thy houfe {hall perifh. For
if any be an impediment, nay, if any do not do
their beft, I pronounce this^ in tbe name of the
-ibt msft true GOD, that Jh a II make it good Jooner
or later ) thsy and their hsufis Jball perijh^ and be as
•tbejlraw that we Jpake <?/, that oppreffetb tbe coal
of fire'\ Some, perhaps, may look upon this as
a prophetic fpeech, and remarkably fulfilled,
when they are-told, that Charles the Firft, King
James's Son* was awfully beheade.d; and that
James the Second, his Grandfon, abdicated the
throne, upon which, after the death of Queeu
-Ann, George the Fird was feated, in whole fe-
the fucceilion has run on (o-this da,,
so ,f?ujl in God the .'Duty of^
repeated acts of Parliament, upon the death
i>f Queen Ann, who left no iilue, placed his
Jvlajefty King George the Firft on the Bri-
tifh throne, then his royal Son our late King
.George the Second, and now his Grandfon,
pur prefent moil gracious King George the
Thir<i ; in whofe family, our prayer 10 the
GOD of Heaven is, that the fucceffiou
gbide for ever !
THE religious and civil liberties and pri-
vileges, both of the mother-country and
the American colonies, were nearly and
clofcly connected with this fignal interpofi-
tion of that GOD, who is King of Kings, and
Lord of Lords, whofe kingdom' is an ever-
Jafting kingdom^ and whofe dominion ruleth
over all. Had it not been for this marvel-
rlous appearance of '"divide providence,
in favor of the: people in Old, as well as in
New-England, they would have been go-
verned, >not by law, but by fovejeign will,
abfolute pleaiure ; that is, in plain words,
-they would, inftead 6f being free-men, have
been 'made abject flaves. That was the
language of our pious fathers, both at home
and in this country, upon this great and
-never to be forgotten deliverance, *' The
Lord is our ftrength and refuge, our Ihield
and defence. The Lord hath done great
;«hiri£S foruSj whereof we are glad. Afcribe
r -y. • • ye
/*
a People in a Day. of trouble . 21
S3 grcatnefs to our GOD. Fie is the rock.'
His work is perfect. A GOD of truth, and
w:chpac iniquity j ju/l andji^ht is he",
IN a word, our fathers, as they tr tided in
^ GOD, were favored with many deliverances
from great dangers, and heavily prcfiing
difficulties •, and1 in a manner, jj me times,
'peculiarly linking and furprizi'ng. Perhaps
it cannot be fa id of any deliverances, wroughc
out for any people, thole excepted whichGpD
'wrought: ; out' tor Jus Ifrael of old, that they
vere more Qgnally great arVd .glorious than
thofe, in which he made h'S arm bare for
the falvation of our fathers in. this land.
t" He made them to go'forth like fheep, and
guided them in the wildernefs like a Hock 5
and he led them on fafely, and brough: them
to the place his right-hand had purchafed
for them. He cait out the heathen before
(hem, 'and divided them an inheritance as
it were by line : Yea, he drove ouc t he, hea-
then with hts hand, and planted them 5 he
afflicted the people and cad them our. For
they got not this land in poffcffion with their
own fword, neither did their own arm lave
them, but the right-hand and arm of GOD,
and the light of his countenance, becaufe he
,had a favor for them'
, . .. .
THUS
22 Vruft in God fie Dnty-of
THUS we have feen, that our forefathers
*c trufted in GODJ?, and that GOD, in confe-
quence of this their piety towards him^
wrought out deliverance for them.
THE way is now prepared, according to the
method at firft laid out, . to point OIK to us
their pofterhy our duty in this day of trou-
ble, and the good effed we may humbly
look for from the faichful performance of it,
IT is our lot, my hearers, to -live in a time
?wh en the face of providence is angry and
threatning. Our mother-country is in a ftate
of great perplexity, difficulty, and confufion.
If we may give credit to the accounts we
liave from hon>e, complaints run high, un-
eafmefs and -diicontent are grown general,,
infomuch that, if GOD does not mercifully
interpofe, no one knows what may be the
confequence. And it is with us, in thefe
American lands, a day of darknefs, a day
wherein we are called to put on iackcloth.
We are out of favor with our fovereign, and
moft of thofe who (land round his throne;
tho' it is an alleviation of our unhappmefe,
that their difpleafure is owing to injurious
rcprefenrations, repeatedly and wickedly
made to our disadvantage. — 1 he reRraints
we are under as to the exercife of fome cf
0 People in a Day of Trouble. z$
our rights and privileges are grievous ; and
the more fo, as they were the purchafe of
our fathers at the nfque of every thing near
and dear to them, their lives not excepted. —
In return for the part we chearfully bore in
the late glorioufly fuccefsful war, which em p.-
tied our purfes, brought upon us an heavy
debf,and occafioned a much greater lofs of our
young men , the flower and glory of the
country, than was ever known before \ I fay,
m return for this expence of blood and trea-
fure, from which we ex peeled to reap greac
benefit, new duties have been impofed on
us, and without any to reprefentour perfons
in parliament, or to act in our behalf \ new
officers have been appointed, and a nume-
rous train of them too, with enormous fttv-
pends for this part of the world, and to be
paid out of our pockets ; in confequence of
which our trade was never before loincum-
bered with difficulties, never fo loaded with
charges, and never fo obftructed in its ope-
ration.— And we have, in a meafure, been
treated as tho* we were rebels ; otherwifc,
what occafion could there be for this metro-
polis to be, as it were, garrifon'd with the
King's troops, to the infinite hurt of the
morals of its inhabitants, and to their being
in a variety of ways infulted, injured, and a-
bufed ? But it would be necdlcfs to enlarge
in a detail of hardlhips we 7arc all know-
ing
24 Trujl in COD the Duty cf
ing to, from what we have already felr5 cf
are n-jw groaning under : Nor mail I incd£
the charge of going out of rny line, by en-
tering upon a political confideration of what
rnay be thought the true fource of ihofe diff-
iculties which make the prefent, a day of
trouble. Tis certainly the truth of fact,
however the right of taxation be determi-
ned, that we are in a perplext (icuation.
AND our duty is, afterthe example of our
fathers, in like circumflances, to " truil in
GOD". He only is the ultimate object of
dependance. On him alone can wefecure-
ly rely for the falvation our cafe calls for
In vain will it be to look to the hiils and to
the mountains, to fccond caufcs of whatever
kind or nature •, for they are nothing, and
can affcd: nothing, without him, to the neg-
lecl: of him, much lefs in oppofition to him.
The fcripturtsare accordingly filled with calls
to trufl an GOD, efpecially in a day of trou-
ble. And we are there told, that " it is bet-
ter to truft in the. JLord than to put confi-
dence in man" ; that " it is better to truft in
the Lord than to put confidence in Princes*'.
Yea, we are there warned againft placing
our confidence in any being below the one
true and living GOD, " the Lord Jehovah,
in whom is tvcrlaftingftrength". Yea, fur-
ther, we have fuch a folenm denunciation as
thatj
# People in a Day tfTfontfa 25
ihat, <c curfed is the man who frufteth in
man, who maketh fleftv his arm", that is, in
oppofition to GOD, without a becoming fub-
Jerviency to the will and pleafure of the
almighty Ruler of the world,
IT is therefore our duty, nor can we dor'
any thing better, under our prefent circum-
ftances, than to put our truft in GOD. And
if we do this with humble reverence -9 with
all due fubmiffion tp th§ fovercign a.lwife^
dominion of providence & and ijr the ufe of
fuch means as are reafonabje and juft» and
will be fo accounted by "tfoe rightepuf LOE$
wholovech rightcoufncfs"a we ni^ (lope tg
delivered out of all our trembly.
the good erFedt confequent upor^
truibng in GOD. * TTh«y tmfted
*' delivered them". And h$ is, th§ farp§
Almighty good GOD now, that he was in
day. " Hi* arm is not fhortncd lhar \t
not fave".
THE ground upon which we may
for deliverance, if we truft in GOD, are
as render all fear of being cither afhamec
or difappointed, necdlcfs and unreafonable.
GOD has abundantly declared, in the re-
velation he has made of his purpofes, tha;
JiC will be the deliverer of thofe that futably
&S Trujf in G&D the Duty ef
repair to him as their fupreme refuge, and
all-fufficient help. The texts to this pur^
pofe are fcattcred all over the bible. Hence
the prayer of David, recorded in Pfal. 1 7,
7. — " O thou that faveft, by thy right hand^
them that put their truft in thce, — hide me
winder the fhadow of thy wings from the
wicked that opprefs me, from my deadly
enemies whe compafs me about : they are in-
clofed in their own fat ; with their mouths
they fpeak proudly. — Arife, O Lord, deli-
ver my fouf from the wicked". Hence al-
fo thofe words in the 33. Pfal. v. 2©. " Be-
hold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that
hope in his mercy, to deliver their foul fromr
death, Our foul waiteth for the Lord : He
is our help and fhi«ld. Our heart fhall re-
joice in him, becauis we have rrufted in his
holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be
upon us according as we hope in thee. lr»
like manner, it is fcid Pfal. 37. "The fal-
vation of the righteous is of theLoixK: he
is their ftrength in the time of trouble. And
the Lord fhall help them and deliver them ;
he (half deliver them from the wicked, and
fave them, bccaufe they fruit in him".
AND this Go© that has engaged delive-
rance to thofe who futably depend on him
for it, is abundantly able to fulfill his word
aid promirfe. For he is infinite in t-hc per*
fedtions.
* Petple fa » -Day ef fwulle. 27
Ifccllons of his nature; in wifciom, know-
Jedge, power, faithfulncis, and good-
-nefs, Noobftacles arc rhe lead hindrance
to him. All nature is at his command, all
fecond caufes, whether phyfical, or moral »
<and he can make jufl what ufe of them he
jpleafes in accompliflnng his own purpofes.
Me can bring to nought the mod deep laid
counfels ; overruling them to his own glofy^
.and the good of thole agairft whprn they are
defigned. The hearts of men, the greateft
as well as the leaft, are known to h m*
and abfolutely under his controul ; and hs
can, whenever he pleafes, "xurn them even
as the rivers of waters are turned". No
.devices of men, whether high or low, can
take efftd in contradi&ion tohis alwife.plca-
fure. There are a thoufand ways in which
be can defeat them ; yea, he can employ
^chc word and moft powerful evil devifers,
as inltruments to confound their own de-
figns, and bring the Contrary to what they
intended into eftecl:. In fhort, ail the wifdom
.and power of heaven and earth, of all angels
and all men, are under the government of
GOD •, and he can make ufe of it all, mould
'.he think fit to employ their inftru mentality,,
in working out falvation for his people that
truly truft in him : Yea, he could invert the
lourfe of nature, flop the fun in its courfe,
ibe ft^rs to fight, and iruerpofe
it .frujt in GOD tbt Duty of
by ftupcndous figns in heaven, and won-
ders on earth, for their defence, protection
and deliverance. Thus he has done, and he
may do the fame again. There is no with-
Handing GOD. He can with infinite eafe,
in oppofition to earth and hell, defend and
faye thofe that make him their ftrength and
_ refuge.
LET us then, my brethren, caft all out
.care and fear on the Lord. Let us make
GOD the ultimate object of pur^ependance •
Jooking above all fecond caufes ; dot" cruft>
ing in man, whofe breath is in his noftrils'%
and can do nothing but in lubierviency to
the governing wiidom of that providence
which extends over all human affairs.
. .ONLY, let me, remind yo.n of one thing9
rwhich ought never to be forgotten, and that
Js; that our truft in GOD mud be accompa-
nied with repentance, evidencing its genuine
reality by an amendment of o«r doings
which have not been right, and obedience
.to the voice of the Lord. We fhall only pre-
,lnmc, if we pretend to trufi in GOD, while
.we go on in our fins, and refufe to be reclai-
Jned. A pious truft in GOD, and impeni-
, tencc in fin, are utterly inconfiftent with each
t>ther. We cannot in a truly religious way,
Enakc Gab our refuge, while w« retain a
Jove
0 ttoph in a Day of Trouble. 2$
love to our fins, and will not be prevailed oa
to part with them.
I AND here you will permit me-to fay, our
j fins are the worft enemies we have. They
are, properly fpeaking, the true moral caufe
s of all that we now fuffer, or have reafon to
fear. We may afcribe the ill (late of our
affairs to this or the .other fecond caufe. We
may afcribe it to rpifreprefentations fcnt to
,£he mother-country by thofe, in this, who
feek their own, not the welfare of the pub*
lie ; We may afcribe it to the pride, the re-
Tenement, the hatred of men at home, clo-
thed with dignity and honor; we may afcribe
it to a malignant fpirit in fotne, who cannot
be eafie without having the purfes of the
colonies fubjeded to their arbitrary pleafure.
•But if any mould fuppofe our difficulties
may, in any meafure, be owing to thefe, of
fuch like caufes, it muft be faid, they are
only fecondary ones, fuperintended and go-
verned by the great Ruler of the world.
Men can do nothing without GOD. And
whatever difficulties, hardfhips, and fuffer-
ings they may be the occafion of, they are
, only inftruments in the hands of providence.
GOD ultimately is the irflicter of thefe evils ;
and he would neither infiidt, or permit the
infiidion of them, but on account of the
.Tins of thofe who fuffcr by them. Our fins
therefore
I® fruft in G*d tke Duty ef
therefore, in the lad refult, are the alone
caufe of whatever troubles we groan under.
Inftead therefore of refiedting blame on GOD,
we fhould blame ourfelves ; and in truth,
we have much more reafon to blame our-
felves for our fins, than to blame even the
Secondary caufcs of our fuffenng.
IF then we would truft in GOD, fo as to
fecurc his favor, and obtain the delivera-nce
we need, we mud ipake him our refuge in
the way of repentance and reformation ;
humbling ourfelves in a fenfe of our multi-
plied offences committed againft the majefty
of heaven, and refolving, in the ftrength of
divine grace, that wherein we have done ini-
quity we will do fo no more. If we would
hope, upon juft grounds,co be a happy peo-
ple, and to have continued to us thoie inva-
luable rights and liberties that have been
trar/mit.cd to us from our fathers, we muft
be imitators of their virtue, truft in GOD in
a way of repentance, and a dae care to live
in the world pioufly, righteoufly, and fobcr-
ly, as the grace of GOD, in the gofpel, has
4taught us to do, and is ready to enable us
to do. If we are but once effectually wrought
upon to renounce our fins, and walk in new-
•nefs of 1 fe, ordering our converfation, not
by flefhly wifdom, but by the grace of GOD,
may humbly hope, that GOD will be for
* People in tke Day of Trouble. jr*
us •, and if GOD be for us, we need not fe^r
who are againft us. No power whatever,
in this cafe, (hall do us any real harm. The
things that, to human appearance, are againft
us (hall in the end turn ©ut to our advan-
tage. GOD can make the moft adverfe (late
of affairs wcrk out our bed good ; and be
will certainly do it, if we love him with all
our hearts, and ferve him wich all our might,
conforming ourfelvcs to the directions of his
word. While we trull in the pcrfe&ions of
almighty GOD, in the way of doing our dury
to him, we need not fear, however dark and
melancholly the face of providence may ap-
pear for the prefent. For GOD will be our
help. And " happy are they who have ths
GOD of Jacob for their help, whofe hope is
in the Lord their Goo". While we thus ftit
our hope in him, we may triumph and (ing,
*' the Lord is my light and my falvation,
whom fhall I fear ? The Lord is the ftrengtb
of my life, of whom (hall 1 be afraid ? When
the wicked, even mine enemies, came upon
me to eat up my flefh, they (lumbled and
fell. Though an hoft mould encampagainft
me. my heart (hall not fear ; though they
fhould rile againft rqe, in this will 1 be conn-
dent..
I may now, with pertinency, put you upon
, that this is the day, on the
yearly
'g 2" Vruft in G&d the Duty of
yearly return of which we were wont to take
to ourfelves words, and fay, " we were glad
when they faid unto us, let us go into the
houfe of the Lord. Our feet (hall (land
within thy gates, O BOSTON. BOSTON is
as a city compact together, whither the
tribes, throughout the province, by their re-
prefentatives, the tribes of the Lord, aflem-
blc to give thanks to the name of theLord'%
preparatory to the exercife of one of our im-
portant CHARTER-RIGHTS, the ELECTION
of his MAJESTY'S COUNCIL.
The removal of the GENERAL CouRT9
from this its ancient and conftitutional feat,
to tranfact the bufineis of this day, unhap-
pily excites in our breads thofe fenfations of
grief which .obftrudl the motions of that joy,
which, upon this occafion, ufed to be pure
and unalloyed. And our grief is heightned
from the confideration, that this change of
place rook rile from thofe,beyond tne ailan-
tic, who, as we have reafon to think, wifh
not well to our Sion. But though we la-
ment this obitacle which has been thrown
in the way of our joy, we bow the knee in
humble gratetu) acknowledgments to the
fujTcme Ruler of the world, that we are
not deprived of our RIGHT, in virtue of
the ROYAL GRANT, to chufe councellcrs
from among ourfelvts, whatever rcprefen-
tttions
6 People inn "Lay of trouble'. 33-
tations have been made to thofe in power,1
at Home, tending to wreft from us this inva-
luable right. And it is, 1 doubt not,
the fincere, ardent prayer of this whole
aflemblyj in union with our brethren ac
Cambridge, that his majcfty's council may
this day. be filled with men of wifdom
and underftandingy men of integrity and
pprightnefs ; men of ability, and well
knowing in the time's \ men that fear GOD,
honour the King, and are ssealoufly difpofed
to feek the welfare of this people. We have,
•without controverfie, a' fumYiency of fuch,
men in the province. And the fault will 'lii'"
with thole who are entruftcdVithch^ckftion*
of this day, or with him who has a"' negative*
on their choice, if we have not the beft menr
in the country for our counccllers, men well
acquainted with the conftitytion, laws, pri~
veleges, and interefts of this people \ men of
fidelity to theif King and country ; nicn of
a public fpirit, who are above acling und^r
the influence of narrow and felfifh principles |
men of inflexible jufticdf and undaunted re*
folution, who will dare not to give theis* con-»
fcnt to Unrighteous acts, or miftaken nomi-
nations •, men who will difdam in their hearts
to accommodate their conduct, in a fervile
manner, either to their electors, or him who
can prevent their political exiftcnce \ in fine,
£ men
gf Trujt in God tie 'Duty ef
men who will fteadily, and in a uniform
courfe, act up to their character, fupport the-
honor of their (lations, and approve them-
felves invariably faithful in their endeavours
to advance the common weal.
THESE are the men that may be called
to fit at the council-board ; and we hope in
that alwife almighty being, who prefides
over the affairs of the children of men,
fo to govern the views, and direct the
thoughts, of the electors this day, as thac
they may be led into the choice of fuch coun-
cellers as he mail own, and fucceed to pro-
mote the bed intereft of this people, efpeci-
ally under their prefent difficulties and dif-
.trcfles.
AND when the feveral branches of the
Icgtflature fhall proceed upon the affairs of
the public, we pray GOD they may be uni-
tedly difpofed and enabled to act as thofe,
vho have upon thjir minds a juft fenfe of
the vaft importance of the truft that is re-
pofcd in them.
AND let it not be thought unfeafonableV
no one prefent will think it fo, if I mould
fay, that it may reafonably be expected of
our executive courts, that they act with vi-
gor, and impartiality, in the.diftribution of
juftkc
People in a 7) ay -cf *lr4>ubU. 35
jj.uftice. If there mould have been, in
meafure, a failure in this relpecl, fines
the King's troops were itauoncd in this
town, from whatever c<wfe, it is now hoped
that " jnfticc and judgment will run down
our ftreets as a itream" : And 1 the rather
mention this, becaufe the opened earth m
one of our ftreets, in the month of march
laft, received the dreaming blood of ma-
ny flaughtercd, and wounded innocents.
So (hocking a tragady was never before ac-
ted in this part of the world ; and GOD
forbid it fhould ever be again ! Who the
ihcders of this blood wtre may p>fiibly
appear, upon the tryal of thofe who are
under confinement, as being fuppofcd to
be th; gujlty perfons. We wiQi them as
fair and equal a tryal as they themfclves
can defire. And fhouid they ail, or any of
thcmjbe found guilty, though their (i i bf as
*4 fcarlet, and red like cnmibn", we heartily
wifh their repentance, that, of the mercy
of GOD in Jefus Ghrili, they may
cfcape the fecond death ; though our eye
is rcftrained from pitying them fo as to
•wifn their deliverance from the firft death.
For the fupreme legiflatcr has faid, " whofo
fheddeth man*s blood, by man (hall hisblocH
^i?e flied"~--c'iife fliall o for life'1—" No
3 6 f ruff -in God tit Dutycf
fiitisfa&ion (hall be taken for the life of a
murderer—He (hall furely be put to death*
SOME have whifpercd a fufpicion, as
though a reprieve from death would be
granted, mould the guilt of blood be faftned
'upon f>me who arc fuppofed to have been
actors in this horrid wickednefs — But it is an
.high indignity offered to him, who has the
power of giving a reprieve, To much as to
iufpect he would do it in the cafe of BLOOD
GUILTINESS, clearly proved upon any, in
confequence of .a fair and impartial tryal.
Surely, he would not counter-act the opera-
tion 'of the law both of GOD and man.
Surely, he would noc fufftr the Town and
Land, to lie unr'er the defilement of blood !
.Surely, he would npt make himfelf a partaker
in the guilt of murder, by putting a flop to
the1 fhedding of their bI<Jod, who have mur-
deroufly fpilt the blood of others !' All fuch
fufpicions (hould ;be fuppreficd. They are
virtually a fcandalous . reproach reflected on
.him, of whole integrity, and regard to pub-
Jic juftice, we ihould entertain ^a more ho-
opinion.
I HAVE no need, my hearers, to be ur-
gent with you to approve yourfelves loyal to
rightful and lawful KING GEORGE the
Third,
'a People in A Day of VroulU %f
Third, now fetting on the Britim throne;
For it is undoubtedly the truth of fad, that
his Majeity has .no fubjects, in any part of
his extended dominions, that would more
readily venture their lives and fortunes ia
defence of his' perfon, the fucceffipn in his
royal houfe, and his government within the
bound* of the cnglifh conftitution, than we
in the MASSACHITSETS-PROVINCE, ;not-«
withftanding the ;bafc and falfe .rcprefen-
Rations which have occafioned his Majefty,
and many of his miniftcrs, to look up-
on us with a jealous and angry eye.
GOD forgive thofe lovers of themfelves in
oppofition to their King and country, who^
from felfifh views, have reprefentcd this
people as difpofed to treafon and rebellion.
Let us, my brethren, notwithftandmg the
malice of our enemies, and their unwearied'
attempts to imprefs the mind of our So-
vereign, by communications to his mini-
fters, with an ill opinion of us •, let us, I fay,
go on, as we have hitherto conftantly done,
to " make (applications, prayers, intercefli-
ons, with giving of thanks", for the King
as fupreme, and for all in authority und$r
him", that by means of their wife, gen-
tle, and juft adminift rations in government,
we may lead quiet and peceable lives in
godlincfs and honefty".
3? frujt in God tie ^Duly tf
AND may we all fo conduft in the va-
rious ftations and relations we fuftain in
Kfc, as thar we may honour GOD, krve
cur generation according to his will, and
finally be accounted worthy of an ad-
miffi-oa into that kingdom that is above,
where we fhall dwell in love and peace,
without fin or forrow, through the never-
ending ages of a bleffed eternity.
Now to the tc blefil-d and only poten-
tate, the King of Kings, and Lord of
Lords, of whom, and through whom,
and to whom, are all things, be honor
power everlading". AMEN.
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