A sermon preached before the Honourable House of Commons at St. Margaret's Westminster, on Wednesday the 21th of May, 1690, being the day of the monthly-fast by John Sharpe ...
         Sharp, John, 1645-1714.
      
       
         
           1690
        
      
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             A sermon preached before the Honourable House of Commons at St. Margaret's Westminster, on Wednesday the 21th of May, 1690, being the day of the monthly-fast by John Sharpe ...
             Sharp, John, 1645-1714.
          
           [2], 40 p.
           
             Printed for Walter Kettilby ...,
             London :
             1690.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Bible. -- O.T. -- Deuteronomy V, 29 -- Sermons.
           Fast-day sermons.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           SERMON
           PREACHED
           Before
           the
           Honourable
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           AT
           S
           t
           
             Margaret's
             Westminster
          
           ,
           On
           Wednesday
           the
           21
           th
           of
           May
           ,
           1690.
           
           Being
           the
           day
           of
           the
           MONTHLY-FAST
           .
        
         
           By
           
             IOHN
             SHARP
          
           ,
           D.D.
           Dean
           of
           Canterbury
           ,
           and
           one
           of
           Their
           Majesties
           Chaplains
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Walter
             Kettilby
          
           ,
           at
           the
           
             Bishop
             's
             Head
          
           in
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Church-Yard
           ,
           1690.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           A
           SERMON
           Preached
           before
           the
           Honourable
           House
           of
           Commons
           .
        
         
           
             Deut.
             V.
             xxix
             .
          
           
             O
             that
             there
             were
             such
             an
             heart
             in
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             would
             fear
             me
             ,
             and
             keep
             all
             my
             Commandments
             always
             ,
             that
             it
             might
             be
             well
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             with
             their
             Children
             for
             ever
             .
          
        
         
           THese
           are
           the
           words
           of
           God
           to
           Moses
           concerning
           the
           Children
           of
           Israel
           .
           And
           two
           things
           may
           be
           gathered
           from
           them
           .
        
         
           
             I.
             His
             serious
             desire
             of
             their
             Happiness
          
           
             II.
             The
             means
             whereby
             that
             Happiness
             is
             to
             be
             attained
             .
          
        
         
           The
           first
           of
           these
           is
           imported
           in
           that
           solemn
           
           wish
           into
           which
           the
           Text
           is
           framed
           :
           
             O
             that
             there
             were
             such
             an
             heart
             in
             them
             ,
          
           &c.
           
             that
             it
             might
             be
             well
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             with
             their
             Children
             for
             ever
             .
          
        
         
           The
           second
           is
           imported
           in
           the
           way
           of
           connecting
           the
           former
           part
           of
           the
           wish
           with
           that
           which
           follows
           :
           
             O
             that
             there
             were
             such
             an
             heart
             in
             them
             ,
          
           what
           then
           ?
           
             that
             they
             would
             fear
             me
             ,
             and
             keep
             all
             my
             Commandments
             always
             ,
          
           and
           why
           so
           ?
           It
           follows
           ,
           
             That
             it
             might
             be
             well
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             with
             their
             Children
             for
             ever
             .
          
           Which
           plainly
           implies
           ,
           That
           the
           way
           to
           have
           things
           well
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           with
           their
           Children
           ,
           is
           to
           fear
           God
           ,
           and
           keep
           all
           his
           Commandments
           always
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           but
           one
           thing
           more
           to
           observe
           concerning
           the
           Text
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           this
           :
           That
           the
           wish
           or
           desire
           that
           God
           here
           expresses
           of
           
           Israel's
           Vertue
           and
           Happiness
           ,
           doth
           not
           so
           much
           relate
           to
           the
           Israelites
           ,
           considered
           singly
           ,
           and
           as
           particular
           Persons
           ,
           (
           though
           it
           cannot
           be
           denied
           ,
           but
           it
           doth
           extend
           to
           them
           ,
           even
           under
           that
           notion
           )
           but
           it
           chiefly
           relates
           to
           the
           Children
           of
           Israel
           considered
           collectively
           ,
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           under
           the
           notion
           of
           a
           People
           or
           Nation
           .
           God
           here
           expresses
           his
           care
           of
           the
           whole
           Nation
           ,
           and
           seriously
           wishes
           they
           may
           be
           a
           happy
           
           People
           ,
           they
           and
           their
           Children
           after
           them
           .
        
         
           Two
           points
           then
           we
           have
           from
           this
           Text
           very
           proper
           to
           be
           insisted
           on
           upon
           this
           occasion
           ,
           which
           therefore
           I
           shall
           make
           the
           Heads
           of
           my
           following
           Discourse
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           
             That
             God
             is
             seriously
             concerned
             for
             the
             good
             and
             happiness
             of
             Nations
             and
             Kingdoms
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             that
             of
             particular
             Persons
             ;
             and
             more
             especially
             of
             those
             Nations
             that
             profess
             his
             true
             Religion
             .
          
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Happiness
             and
             Prosperity
             of
             Nations
             is
             to
             be
             attained
             the
             same
             way
             that
             any
             particular
             Man's
             happiness
             is
             ,
          
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           
             by
             fearing
             God
             and
             keeping
             his
             Commandments
             .
          
        
         
           I.
           I
           begin
           with
           the
           first
           ,
           That
           
             God
             is
             seriously
             concerned
             for
             the
             good
             and
             happiness
             of
             Nations
             and
             Kingdoms
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             that
             of
             particular
             Persons
             ;
             and
             more
             especially
             of
             those
             Nations
             that
             profess
             his
             true
             Religion
             .
          
        
         
           I
           do
           not
           think
           this
           is
           much
           doubted
           of
           by
           any
           Christian
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           need
           not
           insist
           on
           a
           laborious
           proof
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           That
           God
           who
           doth
           not
           overlook
           the
           meanest
           and
           the
           most
           inconsiderable
           Creatures
           that
           he
           hath
           made
           ;
           but
           so
           far
           concerns
           himself
           in
           taking
           care
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           providing
           for
           them
           ,
           that
           not
           so
           much
           as
           
             a
             Sparrow
          
           (
           if
           we
           may
           believe
           our
           Saviour
           )
           
             doth
             fall
             to
             the
             ground
             without
             
             his
             will
          
           :
           Can
           it
           be
           imagined
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           not
           more
           concerned
           for
           the
           happiness
           and
           well
           being
           of
           the
           noblest
           part
           of
           the
           visible
           Creation
           ,
           Mankind
           who
           bear
           his
           own
           Image
           ,
           and
           whom
           he
           looks
           upon
           as
           his
           own
           Children
           ?
           Certainly
           he
           is
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           God
           whose
           Care
           and
           Providence
           doth
           so
           particularly
           extend
           to
           every
           individual
           Man
           ,
           that
           (
           as
           the
           same
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           speaks
           )
           
             the
             very
             hairs
             of
             our
             head
             are
             numbered
             by
             him
             .
          
           Can
           it
           be
           imagined
           ,
           that
           he
           doth
           not
           still
           take
           more
           care
           of
           the
           greater
           Bodies
           and
           Combinations
           of
           Men
           ,
           such
           as
           Nations
           and
           Kingdoms
           ,
           which
           are
           so
           many
           ways
           more
           considerable
           than
           single
           Men
           ,
           and
           in
           whose
           Fortunes
           the
           good
           or
           ill
           of
           particular
           Persons
           is
           so
           wholly
           bound
           up
           ?
           Certainly
           he
           doth
           .
        
         
           And
           lastly
           ,
           That
           God
           who
           is
           the
           Author
           ,
           the
           Preserver
           ,
           the
           Protector
           of
           all
           publick
           Societies
           ,
           
             by
             whom
             Kings
             Reign
             ,
             and
             Magistrates
             decree
             Iustice
          
           :
           Can
           it
           be
           imagined
           that
           he
           hath
           not
           still
           a
           more
           particular
           regard
           to
           those
           Nations
           that
           he
           hath
           been
           pleased
           to
           call
           by
           his
           own
           Name
           ,
           and
           hath
           chosen
           for
           his
           own
           People
           (
           such
           as
           were
           the
           Israelites
           in
           my
           Text
           ,
           of
           old
           ;
           and
           such
           are
           all
           those
           Peoples
           and
           Nations
           now
           that
           do
           profess
           his
           true
           Religion
           )
           ?
           Certainly
           he
           hath
           .
        
         
         
           Thus
           natural
           reason
           will
           teach
           us
           to
           argue
           .
           And
           that
           it
           is
           a
           right
           way
           of
           arguing
           ,
           
           is
           confirmed
           to
           us
           by
           our
           Saviour
           and
           St.
           Paul
           ,
           both
           of
           which
           we
           find
           reasoning
           after
           this
           manner
           .
        
         
           To
           quote
           to
           you
           all
           that
           the
           Scripture
           saith
           upon
           this
           Argument
           ,
           would
           be
           endless
           .
           One
           of
           the
           great
           designs
           of
           God's
           word
           ,
           is
           to
           possess
           us
           with
           a
           hearty
           Belief
           ,
           that
           God
           ,
           as
           he
           is
           the
           Creator
           ,
           so
           is
           he
           also
           the
           Governour
           of
           the
           World.
           And
           that
           his
           Providence
           extends
           to
           all
           the
           Things
           and
           Persons
           in
           it
           .
           And
           that
           the
           constant
           rule
           and
           measure
           of
           that
           Providence
           ,
           is
           no
           other
           than
           the
           good
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           good
           of
           every
           person
           in
           it
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           his
           private
           good
           is
           consistent
           with
           the
           publick
           .
           And
           that
           therefore
           as
           God
           designs
           all
           good
           to
           every
           particular
           Man
           ,
           so
           doth
           he
           more
           especially
           design
           the
           good
           of
           Nations
           and
           Kingdoms
           in
           all
           his
           dispensations
           of
           Providence
           to
           them
           .
           Nor
           is
           there
           any
           thing
           happens
           in
           any
           Nation
           or
           Kingdom
           but
           with
           his
           approbation
           .
           Even
           the
           severest
           visitations
           that
           come
           upon
           Mankind
           are
           from
           him
           .
           
           
             There
             is
             no
             evil
             happens
             to
             a
             City
             ,
             but
             the
             Lord
             hath
             done
             it
             .
          
           Though
           yet
           
             Iudgment
             is
             his
             strange
             work
          
           .
           And
           
             Mercy
             and
             loving
             kindness
             is
             the
             thing
             wherein
             he
             delights
             .
             He
             doth
             not
             afflict
             willingly
             ,
             nor
             grieve
             the
             Children
             of
             Men.
          
           But
           
           sometimes
           it
           is
           necessary
           that
           Nations
           should
           be
           scourged
           ;
           yet
           even
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           for
           the
           greater
           good
           of
           Mankind
           .
           
           That
           thus
           
             when
             God's
             Iudgments
             are
             in
             the
             earth
             ,
             the
             Inhabitants
             of
             the
             World
             may
             learn
             righteousness
             .
          
        
         
           But
           then
           as
           for
           his
           own
           People
           ,
           those
           upon
           whom
           his
           name
           is
           called
           ,
           those
           that
           are
           in
           Covenant
           with
           him
           ,
           and
           profess
           his
           true
           Religion
           ;
           for
           them
           upon
           all
           occasions
           he
           declares
           so
           great
           a
           tenderness
           and
           concernment
           ;
           that
           there
           is
           hardly
           any
           figure
           of
           speech
           that
           the
           most
           sensible
           Man
           can
           make
           use
           of
           ,
           for
           the
           expressing
           his
           most
           passionate
           love
           to
           his
           dearest
           Friend
           or
           Relation
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           his
           Wife
           or
           his
           Children
           ,
           but
           the
           very
           same
           figures
           are
           made
           use
           of
           by
           the
           holy
           inspired
           Writers
           to
           set
           out
           to
           us
           the
           kindness
           and
           concernment
           that
           God
           hath
           for
           his
           own
           People
           .
           He
           is
           their
           God
           ,
           their
           King
           ,
           their
           Shepherd
           ,
           their
           Father
           ,
           their
           Husband
           .
           They
           are
           his
           
             chosen
             ones
          
           .
           His
           delight
           ,
           his
           
             peculiar
             Treasure
             .
             He
             rejoiceth
             over
             them
             to
             do
             them
             good
             .
             His
             bowels
             earn
             ,
             his
             heart
             is
             turned
             within
             him
             ,
             his
             repentings
             are
             kindled
             together
             ,
          
           when
           through
           their
           miscarriages
           he
           is
           forced
           to
           pass
           any
           severe
           Sentence
           upon
           them
           .
           All
           this
           is
           the
           language
           of
           God
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           when
           he
           speaks
           of
           his
           People
           ,
           and
           therefore
           we
           cannot
           doubt
           
           of
           his
           sincere
           affection
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           particular
           care
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           All
           the
           doubt
           is
           ,
           whether
           these
           expressions
           ought
           to
           be
           applied
           to
           any
           other
           people
           than
           the
           Jews
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           whom
           the
           Scripture
           useth
           them
           .
           But
           we
           that
           believe
           the
           Gospel
           need
           not
           make
           much
           doubt
           of
           it
           .
           For
           it
           is
           certain
           ,
           the
           reason
           of
           all
           these
           expressions
           of
           kindness
           to
           the
           Jews
           more
           than
           to
           other
           Nations
           ,
           was
           founded
           in
           this
           ;
           that
           they
           were
           the
           People
           whom
           God
           had
           chosen
           to
           plant
           his
           Church
           among
           .
           They
           were
           the
           People
           where
           his
           Religion
           was
           owned
           .
           But
           now
           it
           is
           evident
           to
           all
           Christians
           ,
           that
           after
           our
           Saviour
           came
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           Preached
           his
           Gospel
           to
           all
           Nations
           ,
           the
           Jews
           ,
           as
           a
           Nation
           ,
           ceased
           to
           be
           God's
           Church
           ,
           or
           peculiar
           People
           ;
           and
           from
           that
           time
           all
           those
           Nations
           that
           embraced
           Christ's
           Religion
           ,
           came
           into
           their
           place
           ,
           and
           were
           from
           thence
           forward
           to
           be
           as
           dear
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           as
           much
           his
           Care
           and
           his
           Treasure
           ,
           as
           ever
           the
           Jews
           were
           .
           And
           upon
           that
           account
           ,
           we
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           may
           with
           as
           much
           reason
           ,
           apply
           the
           expressions
           of
           Scripture
           to
           our selves
           ,
           which
           declare
           God's
           kindness
           and
           concernment
           for
           his
           People
           ,
           as
           ever
           the
           Jews
           did
           .
        
         
           Especially
           ,
           considering
           that
           God
           has
           owned
           
           us
           of
           this
           Nation
           for
           his
           People
           ,
           in
           as
           remarkable
           a
           manner
           as
           any
           Nation
           in
           Christendom
           .
           As
           appears
           not
           only
           from
           that
           glorious
           light
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           which
           he
           has
           for
           many
           years
           blessed
           us
           with
           ,
           above
           any
           other
           people
           perhaps
           in
           the
           Christian
           World
           :
           But
           also
           from
           the
           wonderful
           Providences
           ,
           by
           which
           he
           has
           from
           time
           to
           time
           preserved
           our
           Church
           ,
           and
           with
           it
           the
           true
           Religion
           among
           us
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           various
           attempts
           of
           our
           Enemies
           to
           subvert
           it
           .
           O
           may
           these
           Mercies
           of
           God
           to
           our
           Nation
           never
           be
           forgotten
           ,
           and
           may
           we
           always
           remember
           them
           with
           that
           due
           thankfullness
           they
           call
           for
           at
           our
           hands
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           much
           of
           our
           first
           head
           .
           I
           beg
           leave
           to
           draw
           a
           practical
           Inference
           or
           two
           from
           what
           hath
           been
           said
           ,
           before
           I
           proceed
           to
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           Since
           it
           appears
           ,
           that
           God
           sits
           at
           the
           Helm
           ,
           and
           steers
           and
           manages
           all
           the
           affairs
           of
           Mankind
           ;
           and
           that
           publick
           Societies
           are
           more
           especially
           the
           objects
           of
           his
           Care
           and
           Providence
           :
           Methinks
           this
           consideration
           should
           be
           a
           good
           Antidote
           against
           all
           those
           troublesome
           Fears
           and
           Sollicitude
           ,
           we
           are
           apt
           to
           disturb
           our selves
           with
           ,
           about
           the
           success
           of
           publick
           matters
           .
        
         
         
           If
           indeed
           all
           things
           went
           in
           the
           World
           by
           Chance
           or
           Fate
           ,
           and
           there
           was
           no
           God
           that
           did
           superintend
           human
           affairs
           ;
           I
           should
           think
           it
           very
           natural
           for
           Men
           to
           be
           extreamly
           concerned
           at
           every
           piece
           of
           ill
           news
           they
           heard
           .
           It
           might
           be
           allowed
           them
           to
           break
           their
           sleep
           in
           the
           night
           ,
           and
           to
           complain
           dismally
           in
           the
           day
           of
           the
           sad
           times
           that
           were
           coming
           upon
           us
           .
           But
           since
           we
           are
           certain
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           we
           are
           certain
           that
           there
           is
           a
           God
           ,
           and
           as
           much
           as
           we
           are
           certain
           that
           the
           Scripture
           is
           true
           ;
           that
           all
           our
           affairs
           ,
           our
           publick
           as
           well
           as
           our
           private
           affairs
           ;
           the
           affairs
           both
           in
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           are
           entirely
           in
           God
           Almighty's
           disposal
           ,
           and
           that
           He
           doth
           really
           manage
           and
           order
           all
           things
           among
           us
           ;
           and
           likewise
           so
           manageth
           them
           ,
           that
           all
           shall
           at
           last
           turn
           to
           the
           good
           of
           his
           People
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           good
           of
           every
           honest
           Man
           :
           I
           say
           ,
           since
           we
           are
           ,
           or
           may
           be
           satisfied
           ,
           that
           our
           Business
           is
           in
           so
           good
           hands
           ,
           I
           must
           confess
           I
           do
           not
           see
           what
           reason
           people
           have
           ,
           to
           give
           themselves
           so
           much
           trouble
           and
           uneasiness
           ,
           about
           things
           that
           may
           ,
           or
           may
           not
           come
           .
        
         
           Thus
           far
           indeed
           ,
           it
           is
           fit
           that
           every
           one
           should
           be
           concerned
           ;
           nay
           it
           is
           fit
           that
           every
           one
           should
           charge
           his
           Conscience
           with
           it
           :
           
           Namely
           to
           do
           his
           duty
           to
           the
           publick
           in
           his
           place
           and
           station
           ;
           to
           contribute
           all
           that
           is
           in
           his
           power
           towards
           the
           procuring
           and
           promoting
           the
           common
           Happiness
           ;
           and
           to
           endeavour
           all
           that
           in
           him
           lies
           ,
           towards
           the
           averting
           those
           Judgments
           we
           have
           reason
           to
           fear
           .
           But
           when
           a
           Man
           hath
           done
           this
           ,
           to
           what
           purpose
           is
           it
           for
           him
           to
           trouble
           himself
           any
           further
           ?
           I
           should
           think
           he
           had
           better
           follow
           our
           Saviour's
           advice
           ,
           which
           when
           all
           things
           are
           considered
           ,
           will
           be
           found
           Eternally
           Prudent
           and
           Reasonable
           :
           
           
             Take
             no
             thought
             for
             to
             morrow
             :
             let
             the
             morrow
             take
             care
             for
             the
             things
             of
             it self
             :
             sufficient
             unto
             the
             day
             is
             the
             evil
             thereof
             .
          
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           This
           Doctrine
           ought
           to
           teach
           us
           this
           farther
           Lesson
           ;
           to
           depend
           altogether
           upon
           God
           Almighty
           ,
           and
           upon
           him
           only
           ,
           for
           the
           good
           success
           of
           our
           Affairs
           ,
           either
           in
           Church
           or
           State
           ,
           whenever
           they
           are
           in
           a
           doubtful
           or
           dangerous
           condition
           .
           
           For
           
             though
             many
             are
             the
             devices
             in
             the
             hearts
             of
             men
             ;
             nevertheless
             the
             counsel
             of
             the
             Lord
             that
             shall
             stand
             .
          
           It
           is
           in
           vain
           to
           trust
           to
           human
           means
           :
           For
           be
           our
           strength
           never
           so
           great
           ;
           or
           be
           those
           that
           manage
           for
           us
           never
           so
           industrious
           ;
           or
           be
           our
           hearts
           never
           so
           much
           united
           :
           Yet
           it
           is
           an
           easy
           matter
           for
           God
           to
           blast
           all
           our
           designs
           ,
           and
           to
           
           disappoint
           all
           our
           Counsels
           in
           a
           moment
           .
        
         
           He
           hath
           often
           done
           so
           ,
           where
           Men
           have
           been
           confident
           in
           their
           own
           strength
           .
           
           In
           one
           nights
           time
           he
           made
           that
           prodigious
           Army
           of
           the
           Assyrians
           ,
           that
           came
           up
           against
           Ierusalem
           ,
           and
           thought
           themselves
           sure
           of
           taking
           it
           ;
           to
           decamp
           and
           fly
           back
           into
           their
           own
           Country
           ,
           leaving
           a
           hundred
           and
           fourscore
           thousand
           of
           their
           number
           ,
           dead
           upon
           the
           place
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           in
           truth
           no
           trusting
           to
           an
           
             arm
             of
             Flesh.
          
           For
           the
           successes
           of
           War
           depend
           upon
           a
           thousand
           Contingencies
           ,
           which
           it
           is
           not
           in
           the
           power
           of
           mortal
           Men
           ,
           either
           to
           foresee
           ,
           or
           remedy
           .
           
           So
           that
           
             the
             race
             is
             not
             always
             to
             the
             swift
             ,
             nor
             the
             Battel
             to
             the
             strong
             ;
             nor
             can
             a
             King
             be
             sav'd
             by
             the
             multitude
             of
             an
             Host
             ,
             nor
             any
             mighty
             Man
             be
             delivered
             by
             his
             much
             strength
             .
          
           But
           the
           
             God
             of
             Heaven
             that
             ruleth
             in
             the
             Kingdoms
             of
             Men
          
           ;
           it
           is
           He
           that
           preserves
           or
           destroys
           ;
           that
           gives
           Victory
           ,
           or
           sends
           a
           Defeat
           ,
           as
           it
           pleaseth
           him
           .
           And
           therefore
           he
           is
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           eminence
           ,
           stiled
           ,
           
             The
             Lord
             of
             Hosts
          
           ,
           the
           God
           of
           Battels
           .
        
         
           On
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           If
           our
           affairs
           at
           any
           time
           be
           in
           so
           very
           bad
           a
           posture
           ,
           that
           we
           cannot
           avoid
           the
           having
           a
           melancholy
           dismal
           prospect
           of
           things
           ;
           yet
           let
           us
           not
           be
           discouraged
           ,
           let
           us
           still
           trust
           in
           God
           ;
           let
           us
           do
           what
           belongs
           
           to
           us
           to
           do
           for
           the
           obtaining
           his
           Mercy
           and
           Favour
           ,
           and
           then
           refer
           the
           Event
           to
           him
           .
           God
           hath
           certainly
           a
           kindness
           for
           his
           People
           ,
           and
           if
           we
           do
           our
           parts
           towards
           the
           preserving
           his
           Affection
           to
           us
           ,
           we
           may
           still
           hope
           he
           will
           continue
           to
           be
           our
           Saviour
           and
           Deliverer
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           as
           easy
           to
           God
           
             to
             save
             by
             few
             as
             by
             many
             .
          
           The
           Walls
           of
           Iericho
           ,
           
           at
           his
           Command
           ,
           fell
           down
           flat
           ,
           only
           at
           the
           sound
           of
           Rams-Horns
           .
           And
           when
           the
           City
           of
           Samaria
           was
           Besieged
           ,
           
           and
           brought
           into
           the
           greatest
           extremity
           that
           was
           possible
           ,
           so
           that
           Women
           even
           ate
           their
           own
           Children
           :
           yet
           in
           one
           night
           ,
           God
           by
           an
           unaccountable
           terrour
           ,
           which
           he
           struck
           into
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           Enemies
           ,
           raised
           the
           Siege
           .
           And
           such
           plenty
           was
           left
           in
           their
           Camp
           ,
           that
           every
           one
           of
           the
           Besieged
           had
           wherewith
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           satisfy
           his
           hunger
           ,
           but
           to
           enrich
           himself
           .
           Only
           that
           Nobleman
           that
           would
           not
           believe
           this
           when
           it
           was
           foretold
           by
           the
           Prophet
           ,
           did
           not
           live
           to
           tast
           of
           the
           Fruits
           of
           God
           Almighty's
           Victory
           ,
           being
           trodden
           to
           death
           in
           the
           Crowd
           .
        
         
           II.
           But
           it
           is
           time
           to
           come
           to
           the
           second
           general
           point
           I
           observed
           from
           this
           Text
           ;
           
             viz.
             That
             the
             Happiness
             and
             Prosperity
             of
             Nations
             ,
             is
             to
             be
             attained
             the
             same
             way
             that
             any
             particular
             Man's
             
             happiness
             is
          
           ;
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           
             by
             being
             sincerely
             virtuous
             and
             religious
          
           ;
           or
           ,
           as
           my
           Text
           expresses
           it
           ,
           
             by
             fearing
             God
             ,
             and
             keeping
             all
             his
             Commandments
             always
             .
          
        
         
           This
           is
           a
           true
           Proposition
           ,
           both
           with
           respect
           to
           particular
           Persons
           and
           to
           Nations
           too
           ;
           but
           with
           this
           difference
           ,
           That
           if
           we
           take
           Happiness
           and
           Prosperity
           for
           that
           which
           the
           World
           accounts
           so
           ,
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           the
           possession
           of
           a
           great
           many
           outward
           Blessings
           ,
           and
           the
           freedom
           from
           temporal
           evils
           and
           inconveniences
           ;
           the
           Proposition
           is
           not
           so
           universally
           true
           with
           reference
           to
           
             particular
             Persons
          
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           with
           reference
           to
           Nations
           and
           Kingdoms
           .
           For
           every
           Man
           that
           fears
           God
           is
           not
           always
           blessed
           with
           happy
           outward
           Circumstances
           .
           On
           the
           contrary
           ,
           some
           good
           Men
           are
           exposed
           to
           many
           and
           great
           Afflictions
           ,
           and
           Misfortunes
           ,
           and
           Sicknesses
           ,
           and
           Crosses
           ,
           all
           their
           lives
           long
           .
           But
           it
           is
           certainly
           true
           of
           all
           Nations
           and
           Peoples
           whatsoever
           .
           Every
           Nation
           or
           Society
           shall
           fare
           better
           or
           worse
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           exactly
           ,
           according
           as
           they
           fear
           God
           ,
           or
           despise
           and
           affront
           him
           ;
           exactly
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           degree
           they
           keep
           God's
           Commandments
           ,
           or
           break
           them
           .
           Though
           it
           is
           not
           certain
           ,
           that
           every
           particular
           Man
           shall
           always
           do
           so
           .
           And
           
           there
           is
           great
           reason
           that
           it
           should
           be
           thus
           .
           For
        
         
           First
           ,
           We
           know
           that
           all
           God's
           ways
           are
           just
           and
           equal
           .
           Now
           as
           to
           
             particular
             Persons
          
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           great
           room
           left
           for
           the
           dispensing
           this
           Justice
           and
           Equity
           to
           them
           .
           For
           they
           being
           in
           their
           natures
           made
           to
           live
           for
           ever
           ,
           it
           is
           enough
           for
           the
           vindicating
           God's
           Justice
           ,
           that
           they
           be
           at
           any
           time
           hereafter
           ,
           either
           rewarded
           for
           their
           Piety
           and
           Virtue
           ,
           or
           punished
           for
           their
           Wickedness
           and
           abuse
           of
           God's
           Mercies
           .
           So
           that
           wicked
           Men
           may
           be
           happy
           and
           prosperous
           here
           ,
           and
           good
           Men
           may
           suffer
           many
           afflictions
           and
           tribulations
           ,
           without
           any
           the
           least
           reflection
           on
           the
           Justice
           or
           Goodness
           of
           the
           great
           Governour
           of
           the
           World
           :
           Because
           there
           is
           a
           farther
           day
           reserved
           for
           the
           adjusting
           all
           Mens
           Rewards
           according
           to
           their
           Works
           .
        
         
           But
           now
           the
           consideration
           of
           publick
           Societies
           and
           Nations
           ,
           is
           quite
           different
           .
           Nations
           are
           not
           made
           to
           be
           Immortal
           ,
           but
           end
           with
           this
           World.
           No
           Society
           ,
           as
           a
           Society
           ,
           shall
           be
           called
           to
           a
           future
           account
           .
           But
           all
           the
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           ,
           they
           are
           capable
           of
           as
           Societies
           ,
           must
           be
           adjudged
           and
           distributed
           to
           them
           in
           this
           present
           Life
           .
           And
           therefore
           if
           we
           suppose
           God
           to
           be
           the
           Judge
           and
           
           Governour
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           the
           Nations
           in
           it
           ;
           as
           well
           as
           he
           is
           the
           Judge
           and
           Governour
           of
           particular
           Persons
           :
           We
           must
           likewise
           suppose
           ,
           that
           he
           administers
           all
           affairs
           so
           ,
           that
           Righteous
           and
           Religious
           Nations
           have
           in
           this
           World
           the
           reward
           of
           their
           Virtue
           in
           the
           blessings
           of
           Peace
           and
           Plenty
           ,
           and
           all
           manner
           of
           temporal
           Prosperity
           :
           And
           on
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           impious
           and
           incorrigible
           Nations
           are
           likewise
           punished
           in
           this
           World
           for
           their
           wickedness
           ,
           either
           by
           severe
           Judgments
           ,
           or
           by
           a
           total
           destruction
           ;
           as
           God
           in
           his
           infinite
           Wisdom
           sees
           cause
           .
        
         
           This
           now
           that
           I
           have
           offered
           is
           I
           think
           so
           reasonable
           ,
           that
           if
           there
           was
           no
           more
           to
           be
           said
           ,
           it
           ought
           to
           go
           a
           great
           way
           towards
           the
           making
           of
           the
           point
           I
           have
           in
           hand
           highly
           credible
           .
           But
           in
           the
           second
           place
           there
           is
           a
           great
           deal
           more
           to
           be
           said
           .
           The
           word
           of
           God
           doth
           all
           along
           bear
           testimony
           to
           the
           truth
           of
           this
           .
           A
           multitude
           of
           Texts
           of
           Scripture
           there
           are
           ,
           that
           do
           most
           plainly
           give
           this
           account
           of
           God's
           dealing
           with
           Nations
           and
           Peoples
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           now
           mentioned
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           no
           Judgment
           threatned
           to
           any
           Nation
           in
           the
           holy
           Scripture
           (
           and
           abundance
           of
           Nations
           are
           there
           threatned
           )
           but
           it
           is
           upon
           
           account
           of
           the
           sins
           and
           wickedness
           they
           were
           guilty
           of
           .
           Which
           sins
           ,
           if
           they
           repented
           of
           ,
           so
           repented
           as
           to
           forsake
           them
           ,
           they
           might
           find
           mercy
           .
        
         
           And
           accordingly
           we
           find
           in
           fact
           ,
           that
           God
           always
           dealt
           with
           Peoples
           and
           Nations
           according
           to
           these
           measures
           .
           God
           had
           solemnly
           denounced
           destruction
           to
           the
           City
           of
           Ninive
           ,
           by
           his
           Prophet
           ,
           and
           that
           within
           forty
           days
           .
           But
           upon
           the
           Repentance
           of
           the
           Ninevites
           ,
           and
           turning
           to
           God
           with
           all
           their
           hearts
           ,
           he
           reversed
           his
           Sentence
           (
           though
           to
           the
           great
           discontent
           of
           the
           Prophet
           )
           and
           gave
           them
           a
           further
           time
           .
        
         
           On
           the
           other
           side
           he
           waited
           long
           for
           the
           Repentance
           of
           the
           Canaanites
           ,
           but
           would
           not
           destroy
           them
           ;
           because
           their
           sins
           ,
           though
           very
           hainous
           ,
           admitted
           a
           place
           for
           Repentance
           .
           But
           when
           their
           iniquities
           were
           filled
           up
           to
           the
           measures
           ,
           according
           to
           which
           God
           proceeds
           in
           his
           destruction
           of
           Nations
           ;
           He
           then
           sent
           the
           Israelites
           to
           root
           them
           out
           ,
           and
           to
           take
           possession
           of
           their
           Land.
           
        
         
           And
           thus
           was
           Nebuchadnezzar
           raised
           up
           by
           God
           to
           be
           a
           scourge
           to
           all
           the
           Nations
           about
           him
           ,
           for
           the
           punishment
           of
           their
           sins
           .
           Nebuchadnezzar
           had
           indeed
           other
           things
           in
           his
           head
           .
           
           That
           which
           he
           designed
           was
           ,
           the
           gratifying
           his
           own
           Ambition
           ,
           and
           enlarging
           his
           Dominions
           .
           But
           these
           were
           not
           the
           ends
           which
           God
           had
           to
           serve
           by
           him
           .
           God
           made
           use
           of
           him
           as
           his
           Instrument
           ,
           as
           his
           Servant
           (
           and
           so
           he
           calls
           him
           )
           for
           the
           rendring
           to
           the
           Nations
           that
           just
           recompence
           of
           vengeance
           which
           their
           sins
           called
           for
           .
        
         
           I
           mention
           these
           things
           the
           rather
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           instances
           of
           God's
           dealing
           with
           Heathen
           Nations
           ,
           who
           were
           under
           no
           particular
           Covenant
           with
           God.
           
        
         
           And
           I
           might
           have
           recourse
           likewise
           to
           the
           Histories
           of
           all
           Nations
           ,
           to
           shew
           the
           truth
           of
           this
           .
           Name
           any
           Nation
           that
           was
           ever
           remarkable
           for
           Justice
           ;
           for
           Temperance
           ,
           and
           severity
           of
           Manners
           ;
           for
           Piety
           and
           Religion
           (
           though
           it
           was
           in
           a
           wrong
           way
           )
           ;
           that
           did
           not
           always
           thrive
           and
           grow
           great
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           and
           that
           did
           not
           always
           enjoy
           a
           plentiful
           portion
           of
           all
           those
           things
           which
           are
           accounted
           to
           make
           a
           Nation
           Happy
           and
           Flourishing
           .
           And
           on
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           when
           that
           Nation
           has
           declined
           from
           its
           former
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           grown
           impious
           or
           dissolute
           in
           manners
           ,
           we
           appeal
           to
           Experience
           ,
           whether
           it
           has
           not
           likewise
           always
           proportionably
           sunk
           in
           its
           Success
           and
           good
           Fortunes
           .
           I
           
           am
           sure
           any
           one
           that
           will
           be
           at
           the
           pains
           to
           read
           either
           the
           Greek
           ,
           or
           the
           Roman
           ,
           or
           even
           the
           Turkish
           History
           ,
           will
           meet
           with
           matter
           enough
           there
           ,
           to
           satisfy
           him
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           this
           observation
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           confine
           my self
           to
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           the
           History
           of
           the
           Iews
           is
           the
           most
           remarkable
           ,
           for
           indeed
           it
           makes
           up
           a
           great
           part
           of
           the
           Old
           Testament
           .
           Now
           in
           that
           History
           it
           is
           worth
           our
           taking
           notice
           of
           ;
           That
           every
           degree
           of
           publick
           Vice
           ,
           and
           departure
           from
           God's
           Laws
           ,
           was
           always
           punished
           with
           publick
           Judgments
           .
           And
           on
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           every
           degree
           of
           publick
           Repentance
           and
           Reformation
           ,
           was
           always
           rewarded
           with
           publick
           Happiness
           and
           Prosperity
           .
           So
           that
           any
           one
           that
           could
           make
           a
           right
           estimate
           of
           the
           Morals
           of
           that
           Nation
           ,
           and
           how
           it
           stood
           as
           to
           Virtue
           and
           Vice
           ;
           might
           constantly
           make
           a
           judgment
           likewise
           how
           it
           would
           fare
           with
           them
           ,
           as
           to
           their
           outward
           temporal
           affairs
           .
        
         
           I
           must
           confess
           that
           generally
           speaking
           ,
           there
           is
           little
           force
           in
           those
           Arguments
           that
           are
           drawn
           from
           Examples
           ;
           But
           in
           the
           case
           I
           am
           now
           upon
           ,
           I
           think
           there
           is
           a
           great
           weight
           in
           them
           .
           For
           though
           we
           cannot
           argue
           from
           God's
           dealing
           with
           one
           Person
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           just
           
           deal
           in
           the
           same
           manner
           with
           another
           :
           Yet
           as
           to
           Nations
           and
           Kingdoms
           ,
           the
           case
           is
           otherwise
           ,
           as
           I
           before
           said
           .
           For
           God's
           dispensations
           and
           Providences
           to
           them
           ,
           seem
           all
           to
           proceed
           upon
           one
           immutable
           Foundation
           (
           which
           will
           be
           the
           same
           in
           all
           Ages
           and
           Countreys
           )
           namely
           the
           expression
           and
           vindication
           of
           his
           Justice
           and
           Goodness
           in
           this
           World.
           
        
         
           And
           for
           my
           part
           ,
           I
           have
           always
           been
           of
           this
           mind
           ,
           That
           there
           is
           no
           other
           difference
           between
           the
           History
           of
           God's
           dealings
           with
           his
           own
           People
           the
           Jews
           ,
           and
           that
           of
           other
           Nations
           ,
           but
           this
           :
           That
           in
           other
           Nations
           the
           publick
           Events
           that
           happen'd
           ,
           whether
           good
           or
           bad
           ,
           though
           they
           were
           taken
           notice
           of
           ,
           yet
           they
           passed
           without
           any
           reflection
           on
           the
           true
           causes
           from
           whence
           they
           proceeded
           .
           The
           Historians
           did
           indeed
           often
           lay
           their
           Fingers
           rightly
           upon
           the
           immediate
           ,
           visible
           ,
           outward
           occasions
           ,
           or
           means
           ,
           or
           instruments
           ,
           from
           whence
           their
           good
           or
           bad
           Fortune
           was
           derived
           to
           them
           .
           But
           they
           searched
           no
           further
           .
           They
           considered
           only
           second
           Causes
           ,
           and
           took
           no
           great
           notice
           of
           the
           first
           and
           principal
           Cause
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           God
           Almighty
           ,
           and
           his
           influencing
           humane
           affairs
           .
           They
           left
           God
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           out
           of
           their
           Hypothesis
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           
           their
           History
           .
           But
           now
           that
           the
           World
           might
           be
           awaken'd
           to
           a
           more
           hearty
           belief
           and
           sense
           of
           his
           Providence
           ,
           God
           took
           care
           to
           single
           out
           the
           Nation
           of
           the
           Jews
           ;
           and
           in
           them
           to
           give
           us
           a
           true
           Pattern
           or
           Platform
           of
           his
           dealings
           with
           all
           the
           Nations
           of
           the
           World.
           And
           for
           that
           purpose
           he
           ordered
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           great
           strokes
           ,
           both
           of
           their
           departure
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           their
           return
           to
           him
           ;
           And
           likewise
           both
           of
           the
           good
           or
           bad
           Fortune
           ,
           that
           did
           at
           any
           time
           befal
           that
           Nation
           ,
           should
           be
           faithfully
           Registred
           ,
           and
           the
           true
           Causes
           of
           them
           faithfully
           assigned
           ;
           That
           all
           Mankind
           might
           from
           thence
           receive
           Instruction
           how
           they
           ought
           to
           behave
           themselves
           towards
           God
           ;
           and
           what
           according
           to
           their
           different
           behaviours
           they
           were
           to
           expect
           .
        
         
           To
           conclude
           this
           point
           :
           By
           all
           that
           hath
           been
           said
           it
           appears
           ,
           That
           the
           State
           ,
           and
           Condition
           ,
           and
           Fortune
           of
           all
           Kingdoms
           and
           Nations
           ,
           is
           the
           very
           same
           with
           that
           of
           the
           Jews
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           represented
           by
           Achior
           the
           Ammonite
           ,
           in
           the
           advice
           he
           gave
           to
           Holofernes
           ,
           when
           he
           came
           up
           with
           an
           Army
           against
           that
           People
           .
           You
           have
           the
           passage
           in
           Iudith
           5.17
           .
           Whilst
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             these
             People
             sinned
             not
             before
             their
             God
             ,
             they
             prospered
             ;
             because
             the
             God
             that
             hateth
             iniquity
             ,
             was
             
             with
             them
             .
             But
             when
             they
             departed
             from
             the
             way
             that
             he
             appointed
             them
             ,
             they
             were
             destroyed
             in
             many
             Battels
             ,
             after
             a
             wonderful
             sort
             ,
             and
             were
             led
             Captives
             into
             a
             land
             that
             was
             not
             theirs
             .
             But
             now
             they
             are
             turned
             to
             their
             God
             ,
             and
             are
             come
             up
             from
             their
             Captivity
             ,
             and
             have
             again
             possessed
          
           Jerusalem
           .
           
             Now
             therefore
             my
             Lord
             and
             Governour
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             any
             fault
             in
             this
             People
             ,
             so
             that
             they
             have
             sinned
             against
             their
             God
             ;
             let
             us
             consider
             that
             this
             shall
             be
             their
             ruin
             ,
             and
             let
             us
             go
             up
             that
             we
             may
             overcome
             them
             .
             But
             if
             there
             be
             no
             iniquity
             in
             this
             People
             ,
             let
             my
             Lord
             pass
             by
             ,
             lest
             their
             Lord
             defend
             them
             ,
             and
             their
             God
             be
             for
             them
             ;
             and
             we
             become
             a
             reproach
             before
             all
             the
             World.
             
          
        
         
           Thus
           it
           is
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           always
           with
           all
           States
           and
           Nations
           ,
           if
           they
           notoriously
           sin
           against
           their
           God
           ,
           this
           will
           be
           their
           ruin
           .
           But
           if
           there
           be
           not
           found
           iniquity
           in
           them
           ,
           it
           is
           in
           vain
           for
           any
           Enemy
           to
           set
           upon
           them
           ;
           for
           God
           will
           be
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           their
           Lord
           will
           defend
           them
           .
        
         
           If
           this
           which
           I
           have
           said
           be
           not
           sufficient
           to
           satisfy
           any
           one
           about
           the
           truth
           of
           this
           point
           ;
           I
           might
           bring
           other
           Proofs
           for
           it
           .
           I
           might
           for
           instance
           in
           the
           third
           place
           insist
           upon
           this
           ,
           That
           Virtue
           and
           Piety
           do
           in
           their
           own
           nature
           tend
           to
           promote
           the
           wellfare
           and
           happiness
           of
           Peoples
           and
           Nations
           .
           As
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           
           all
           Vice
           and
           Irreligion
           ,
           is
           destructive
           of
           humane
           Society
           .
           And
           this
           without
           respect
           to
           any
           appointment
           or
           Decree
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           things
           should
           be
           managed
           in
           this
           way
           ;
           but
           purely
           in
           the
           very
           nature
           of
           the
           thing
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           obvious
           ,
           That
           Virtue
           and
           Religion
           lay
           the
           surest
           Foundation
           for
           all
           those
           Blessings
           wherein
           the
           happiness
           of
           a
           Nation
           doth
           consist
           ,
           that
           is
           possible
           ;
           both
           by
           making
           Magistrates
           to
           govern
           well
           ,
           and
           by
           rendring
           the
           People
           easy
           to
           be
           governed
           .
           And
           likewise
           by
           furnishing
           both
           the
           Governours
           and
           the
           governed
           ,
           with
           such
           kind
           of
           Principles
           and
           Habits
           as
           cannot
           fail
           with
           the
           Blessing
           of
           God
           to
           produce
           both
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Plenty
           ,
           and
           Victory
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           sorts
           of
           Prosperity
           in
           a
           Nation
           .
        
         
           As
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           all
           Vice
           ,
           and
           Wickedness
           ,
           and
           Profaneness
           ,
           and
           Impiety
           ,
           do
           sow
           the
           worst
           Seeds
           in
           the
           World
           for
           the
           dissolving
           and
           breaking
           in
           pieces
           all
           Societies
           ;
           or
           at
           least
           ,
           for
           the
           so
           enfeebling
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           shall
           either
           be
           in
           a
           very
           low
           wretched
           condition
           among
           themselves
           ,
           if
           they
           have
           no
           Enemies
           ;
           or
           if
           they
           have
           any
           ,
           become
           an
           easy
           prey
           to
           the
           next
           Invader
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           will
           not
           enter
           upon
           this
           Argument
           ,
           because
           I
           think
           the
           matter
           needs
           no
           further
           
           proof
           .
           And
           I
           would
           spend
           the
           rest
           of
           my
           time
           ,
           in
           making
           some
           Application
           of
           what
           hath
           been
           said
           upon
           this
           point
           ,
           to
           the
           business
           of
           our
           present
           meeting
           on
           this
           day
           .
        
         
           WE
           are
           here
           met
           together
           for
           the
           solemn
           Humiliation
           of
           our selves
           with
           Fasting
           and
           Prayer
           ,
           before
           Almighty
           God
           :
           In
           order
           to
           the
           Supplicating
           his
           Divine
           Majesty
           for
           the
           Pardon
           of
           our
           Sins
           ,
           and
           the
           Sins
           of
           our
           Nation
           ;
           And
           the
           imploring
           his
           Blessing
           and
           Protection
           to
           the
           King
           and
           Kingdom
           ,
           by
           continuing
           those
           Mercies
           to
           us
           we
           do
           enjoy
           ;
           by
           averting
           those
           Judgments
           from
           us
           we
           have
           reason
           to
           fear
           ;
           and
           more
           particularly
           by
           giving
           a
           Happy
           Issue
           to
           that
           dangerous
           War
           in
           which
           his
           Majesty
           ,
           with
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           is
           now
           engaged
           .
        
         
           And
           very
           great
           reason
           there
           is
           ,
           that
           you
           the
           Representatives
           of
           the
           People
           of
           England
           ,
           should
           most
           seriously
           ,
           and
           solemnly
           ,
           join
           in
           this
           Religious
           Office
           ;
           since
           the
           Fortunes
           of
           the
           Nation
           you
           represent
           ,
           did
           never
           more
           lie
           at
           stake
           than
           at
           this
           present
           .
        
         
           You
           have
           hitherto
           been
           acting
           and
           endeavouring
           for
           the
           Happiness
           and
           Security
           of
           your
           Nation
           by
           Humane
           Methods
           ,
           and
           we
           all
           put
           
           up
           our
           daily
           Prayers
           ,
           that
           what
           you
           have
           done
           ,
           and
           what
           you
           shall
           do
           ,
           may
           be
           
             for
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             of
             his
             Church
             ;
             and
             the
             Safety
             ,
             Honour
             and
             Wellfare
             of
             their
             Majesties
             ,
             and
             their
             Kingdoms
             .
          
           And
           we
           hope
           all
           will
           so
           come
           to
           pass
           .
        
         
           But
           now
           on
           this
           day
           ,
           both
           You
           and
           We
           ,
           are
           to
           think
           of
           other
           Methods
           ,
           for
           the
           procuring
           Success
           to
           our
           Affairs
           .
           Namely
           ,
           by
           having
           recourse
           to
           God
           Almighty
           ;
           who
           when
           we
           have
           done
           all
           that
           we
           can
           ,
           is
           the
           Governour
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           will
           do
           what
           he
           pleaseth
           .
           But
           yet
           will
           always
           do
           that
           which
           is
           best
           for
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           that
           too
           which
           is
           best
           for
           our
           Nation
           ,
           if
           we
           be
           capable
           objects
           of
           his
           Favour
           .
           And
           to
           make
           our selves
           such
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           possible
           ,
           is
           our
           Business
           on
           this
           Day
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           indeed
           a
           seasonable
           Business
           at
           all
           times
           ;
           but
           at
           this
           time
           it
           seems
           absolutely
           necessary
           .
           Since
           we
           have
           reason
           to
           apprehend
           the
           Crisis
           of
           our
           Nation
           ,
           as
           to
           Happiness
           or
           Ruin
           ,
           to
           be
           upon
           the
           point
           of
           approaching
           .
        
         
           The
           Judgments
           of
           God
           are
           now
           abroad
           in
           the
           World.
           We
           have
           not
           only
           Rumours
           of
           Wars
           sounding
           in
           our
           Ears
           ,
           but
           all
           Europe
           is
           now
           in
           an
           actual
           War
           ,
           and
           a
           terrible
           one
           .
           And
           what
           the
           Consequences
           will
           be
           we
           know
           not
           .
        
         
         
           Some
           very
           great
           thing
           God
           certainly
           designs
           to
           bring
           to
           pass
           in
           these
           parts
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           that
           very
           suddenly
           .
           A
           Cup
           he
           has
           mingled
           for
           all
           the
           Nations
           to
           drink
           of
           .
           Which
           to
           some
           undoubtedly
           will
           prove
           a
           bitter
           Potion
           ,
           a
           Cup
           of
           God's
           Wrath
           and
           Fury
           ;
           to
           others
           probably
           a
           
             Cup
             of
             Salvation
          
           .
           But
           how
           it
           will
           prove
           to
           us
           ,
           is
           yet
           entirely
           in
           the
           Will
           of
           God.
           However
           this
           is
           certain
           ,
           that
           we
           of
           this
           Nation
           shall
           have
           as
           much
           our
           share
           in
           it
           ,
           be
           it
           good
           or
           bad
           ,
           as
           any
           other
           in
           Christendome
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           after
           the
           mention
           of
           this
           ,
           Can
           there
           be
           any
           need
           to
           call
           upon
           any
           one
           to
           weeping
           and
           fasting
           ,
           and
           mourning
           ,
           and
           
             crying
             mightily
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             have
             mercy
             upon
             us
             ,
             and
             spare
             us
             ,
          
           and
           our
           Nation
           ,
           and
           
             not
             give
             his
             Heritage
             over
             to
             Confusion
             .
          
           Why
           methinks
           the
           Circumstances
           we
           are
           in
           ,
           should
           put
           us
           upon
           so
           doing
           ,
           without
           any
           other
           Monitors
           .
           Indeed
           we
           have
           no
           Humanity
           ,
           no
           Compassion
           for
           our selves
           or
           our
           Country
           ,
           if
           we
           do
           not
           .
        
         
           We
           should
           all
           be
           of
           this
           mind
           if
           we
           did
           seriously
           consider
           how
           things
           stand
           with
           us
           .
        
         
           We
           are
           not
           that
           Innocent
           ,
           Virtuous
           ,
           Pious
           People
           ,
           that
           may
           certainly
           reckon
           upon
           God's
           
           Favour
           ,
           and
           think
           our selves
           in
           all
           Cases
           sure
           of
           his
           Protection
           .
           For
           if
           the
           Doctrine
           I
           have
           now
           been
           insisting
           on
           to
           you
           ,
           be
           true
           Doctrine
           ;
           then
           we
           of
           this
           Nation
           can
           but
           entertain
           very
           small
           hopes
           of
           being
           Happy
           and
           Prosperous
           .
           Nay
           ,
           we
           cannot
           but
           apprehend
           Misery
           and
           Ruin
           ,
           and
           Desolation
           to
           our selves
           ;
           unless
           God
           be
           abundantly
           more
           merciful
           to
           us
           than
           we
           deserve
           .
           And
           there
           can
           be
           no
           way
           to
           prevail
           with
           him
           to
           be
           so
           ,
           but
           an
           universal
           Humiliation
           and
           Repentance
           .
           And
           this
           is
           the
           Application
           I
           desire
           to
           make
           of
           the
           Point
           I
           have
           been
           now
           treating
           of
           .
        
         
           If
           the
           measure
           of
           God's
           dealing
           with
           Nations
           be
           always
           according
           to
           the
           Moral
           State
           of
           them
           .
           If
           their
           
             good
             Fortunes
          
           be
           dealt
           out
           to
           them
           according
           to
           their
           Virtues
           ;
           and
           Iudgments
           be
           inflicted
           upon
           them
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           provoking
           God
           by
           their
           Sins
           ;
           as
           we
           have
           said
           :
           Good
           Lord
           !
           What
           a
           lamentable
           Prospect
           have
           we
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           of
           what
           may
           come
           upon
           us
           ?
           And
           what
           infinite
           reason
           have
           we
           thereupon
           ,
           immediately
           to
           try
           all
           the
           ways
           that
           are
           possible
           of
           making
           our
           Peace
           with
           God
           ,
           that
           so
           
             Iniquity
             may
             not
             be
             our
             ruin
             .
          
        
         
           I
           beg
           leave
           to
           dwell
           a
           little
           upon
           this
           Point
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           the
           proper
           Argument
           of
           the
           day
           .
        
         
         
           I
           do
           not
           say
           ,
           nor
           do
           I
           think
           ,
           that
           we
           of
           this
           Nation
           are
           worse
           than
           our
           Neighbours
           .
           But
           this
           I
           say
           ,
           considering
           how
           long
           God
           hath
           spared
           us
           ,
           and
           how
           long
           we
           have
           enjoyed
           the
           Blessings
           of
           Peace
           and
           Plenty
           ,
           and
           all
           sorts
           of
           Prosperity
           (
           though
           perhaps
           with
           many
           Fears
           and
           just
           Apprehensions
           of
           danger
           )
           ;
           whilst
           most
           of
           our
           Neighbours
           have
           been
           harassed
           with
           Wars
           ,
           and
           exposed
           to
           all
           the
           Cruelties
           and
           Miseries
           of
           Persecutions
           and
           Devastations
           :
           And
           considering
           the
           great
           Priviledges
           and
           Advantages
           we
           have
           for
           many
           years
           enjoyed
           ,
           of
           all
           the
           outward
           means
           of
           Grace
           ,
           that
           could
           be
           desired
           for
           the
           Eternal
           Salvation
           of
           our
           Souls
           ,
           and
           that
           above
           any
           other
           Nation
           under
           Heaven
           ;
           And
           withal
           ,
           how
           unprofitable
           we
           have
           been
           under
           these
           means
           ,
           how
           unthankful
           to
           God
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           what
           little
           effect
           they
           have
           had
           upon
           us
           for
           the
           bettering
           our
           Manners
           .
           And
           lastly
           ,
           Considering
           how
           very
           wicked
           we
           generally
           are
           ,
           what
           a
           World
           of
           open
           gross
           Sins
           and
           Impieties
           do
           reign
           among
           us
           ,
           and
           what
           a
           lewd
           ,
           Profane
           ,
           Hypocritical
           ,
           Atheistical
           Spirit
           seems
           to
           have
           gone
           out
           into
           the
           Nation
           ,
           and
           to
           prevail
           upon
           it
           .
           I
           say
           ,
           these
           things
           considered
           ,
           we
           cannot
           make
           any
           very
           comfortable
           Reflections
           on
           our
           own
           Condition
           .
           
           So
           far
           from
           that
           ,
           that
           if
           (
           as
           I
           said
           )
           the
           measure
           of
           God's
           dealings
           with
           Nations
           be
           taken
           from
           their
           Behaviours
           and
           moral
           Qualities
           ,
           and
           be
           suited
           to
           their
           merits
           and
           deserts
           ,
           we
           have
           as
           little
           to
           hope
           for
           as
           most
           Nations
           under
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           I
           take
           no
           delight
           in
           saying
           these
           things
           ;
           on
           the
           contrary
           it
           is
           very
           grievous
           :
           But
           if
           ever
           one
           may
           be
           allowed
           to
           run
           out
           into
           a
           Declamation
           against
           the
           Vices
           of
           the
           Times
           ,
           it
           is
           upon
           such
           an
           occasion
           as
           this
           ,
           and
           before
           such
           an
           Audience
           as
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           liberty
           may
           be
           challenged
           .
        
         
           For
           God's
           sake
           let
           us
           not
           deceive
           our selves
           ;
           nor
           think
           that
           we
           are
           the
           Favourites
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           meerly
           because
           we
           profess
           the
           
             Best
             Religion
          
           ,
           and
           are
           Members
           of
           the
           
             Best
             Church
          
           in
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           For
           as
           good
           as
           our
           Church
           and
           Religion
           is
           ,
           and
           as
           zealous
           as
           we
           seem
           to
           be
           for
           them
           ;
           yet
           never
           did
           Vice
           and
           Iniquity
           of
           all
           sorts
           ,
           and
           indeed
           every
           thing
           that
           is
           contrary
           to
           our
           holy
           Religion
           ,
           more
           abound
           in
           this
           Nation
           than
           at
           this
           day
           .
        
         
           Give
           me
           leave
           to
           speak
           out
           upon
           this
           occasion
           ,
           and
           to
           tell
           you
           of
           some
           of
           the
           
             Crying
             Sins
          
           that
           reign
           among
           us
           ,
           and
           that
           deserve
           
             Your
             Care
          
           
           to
           put
           a
           stop
           to
           ;
           and
           which
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           continued
           in
           ,
           will
           certainly
           bring
           down
           the
           Vengeance
           of
           God
           upon
           us
           .
        
         
           Where
           was
           there
           ever
           more
           Atheism
           and
           Infidelity
           to
           be
           seen
           in
           a
           Country
           that
           professed
           the
           Religion
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           than
           is
           among
           us
           at
           this
           day
           ?
        
         
           We
           do
           not
           perhaps
           meet
           with
           very
           many
           that
           do
           openly
           affirm
           ,
           
             There
             is
             no
             God
          
           :
           For
           as
           bad
           as
           we
           are
           ,
           God
           be
           thanked
           we
           are
           not
           yet
           arrived
           to
           such
           Impudence
           .
           That
           is
           such
           an
           affront
           to
           the
           Laws
           and
           to
           all
           
             good
             Manners
          
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           to
           be
           born
           with
           .
           But
           we
           may
           meet
           with
           several
           ,
           every
           day
           ,
           that
           do
           affirm
           the
           same
           thing
           by
           consequence
           ;
           asserting
           such
           Principles
           from
           whence
           it
           may
           be
           necessarily
           concluded
           .
        
         
           For
           my
           part
           ,
           I
           account
           it
           much
           the
           same
           thing
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           ill
           effects
           of
           the
           Opinion
           ,
           to
           deny
           the
           Being
           of
           God
           ;
           as
           to
           deny
           the
           Being
           of
           Angels
           ,
           and
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           
             Immaterial
             Souls
          
           ;
           to
           deny
           the
           Being
           of
           
             particular
             Providence
          
           ;
           to
           deny
           the
           natural
           difference
           between
           good
           and
           evil
           ;
           to
           deny
           another
           Life
           after
           this
           ,
           wherein
           good
           Men
           shall
           be
           rewarded
           ,
           and
           wicked
           Men
           punished
           ;
           to
           deny
           the
           liberty
           of
           
             Humane
             Actions
          
           ,
           and
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           all
           things
           which
           we
           do
           ,
           we
           
           do
           by
           a
           fatal
           necessity
           ,
           and
           we
           cannot
           do
           otherwise
           :
           And
           yet
           we
           may
           every
           day
           meet
           with
           Men
           of
           these
           Principles
           ,
           nay
           ,
           and
           that
           laugh
           at
           all
           those
           that
           maintain
           the
           contrary
           .
        
         
           But
           then
           ,
           as
           for
           the
           business
           of
           
             Iesus
             Christ
          
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           we
           call
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           what
           a
           very
           little
           do
           a
           great
           many
           among
           us
           make
           of
           that
           ?
           To
           talk
           of
           Christ's
           being
           sent
           for
           the
           Saviour
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           died
           to
           procure
           the
           Pardon
           of
           our
           Sins
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           must
           believe
           all
           the
           Scripture-Doctrines
           concerning
           him
           ,
           and
           worship
           him
           as
           a
           God
           ;
           why
           what
           stuff
           is
           this
           to
           a
           great
           many
           of
           the
           refined
           Spirits
           of
           our
           Age
           ?
           It
           is
           very
           well
           if
           they
           can
           so
           far
           prevail
           with
           themselves
           ,
           as
           to
           own
           the
           Being
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           acknowledge
           their
           obligation
           to
           the
           Duties
           of
           moral
           Honesty
           and
           Justice
           ,
           which
           natural
           Re●igion
           teacheth
           :
           But
           as
           for
           
             Iesus
             Christ
          
           and
           the
           Trinity
           ,
           and
           the
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           all
           revealed
           Religion
           ;
           they
           beg
           your
           Pardon
           for
           these
           things
           ,
           they
           are
           too
           nice
           and
           subtil
           for
           them
           to
           meddle
           with
           .
           Not
           but
           that
           they
           are
           good
           Christians
           all
           the
           while
           .
           For
           they
           can
           come
           to
           our
           Churches
           ,
           and
           to
           our
           Sacraments
           too
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           occasion
           .
           Because
           indeed
           they
           will
           always
           be
           of
           the
           Religion
           
           of
           the
           Country
           where
           they
           live
           .
           But
           at
           the
           same
           time
           they
           do
           this
           ;
           they
           do
           no
           more
           really
           believe
           ,
           or
           expect
           any
           Spiritual
           Benefit
           in
           our
           Religion
           ,
           nor
           look
           for
           any
           more
           Salvation
           from
           
             Christ
             Iesus
          
           ,
           than
           they
           would
           expect
           from
           Mahomet
           ,
           if
           they
           should
           live
           in
           Turky
           .
        
         
           But
           this
           is
           not
           all
           .
           Even
           among
           those
           that
           do
           believe
           in
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           own
           his
           Religion
           ;
           yet
           what
           little
           regard
           have
           they
           ,
           generally
           speaking
           ,
           to
           his
           Worship
           and
           Service
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           very
           well
           if
           they
           now
           and
           then
           afford
           their
           presence
           on
           Sundays
           at
           the
           publick
           Religious
           Assemblies
           .
           I
           will
           not
           examine
           with
           what
           designs
           ,
           and
           for
           what
           ends
           they
           come
           thither
           ,
           nor
           how
           devoutly
           and
           religiously
           their
           hearts
           are
           affected
           during
           the
           time
           they
           are
           there
           .
           I
           say
           it
           is
           very
           well
           that
           they
           are
           there
           at
           all
           .
        
         
           But
           even
           of
           those
           that
           do
           come
           thither
           ,
           and
           do
           once
           a
           Week
           seem
           to
           have
           a
           sense
           of
           publick
           Religion
           ,
           I
           say
           how
           few
           are
           there
           of
           them
           that
           take
           any
           care
           of
           worshipping
           God
           ,
           either
           in
           their
           Families
           ,
           or
           in
           their
           Closets
           ?
        
         
           Why
           ,
           if
           a
           Man
           was
           truly
           Religious
           ,
           he
           could
           not
           pass
           a
           day
           without
           solemn
           Addresses
           
           to
           his
           Maker
           ,
           and
           to
           his
           Redeemer
           .
           He
           would
           pray
           in
           his
           Closet
           constantly
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           had
           a
           Family
           ,
           he
           would
           pray
           with
           them
           constantly
           .
           And
           if
           he
           had
           no
           Family
           ,
           he
           would
           constantly
           resort
           to
           those
           places
           where
           he
           might
           pay
           his
           Tribute
           of
           publick
           Prayer
           and
           Praises
           to
           God
           ,
           unless
           he
           had
           urgent
           business
           to
           hinder
           him
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           is
           there
           any
           thing
           of
           this
           to
           be
           seen
           among
           us
           ,
           except
           in
           some
           few
           persons
           here
           and
           there
           ?
           Are
           there
           not
           twenty
           Families
           for
           one
           that
           live
           without
           so
           much
           as
           the
           shew
           of
           any
           Devotion
           ?
           Without
           any
           sort
           of
           Prayer
           or
           Worship
           of
           God
           in
           their
           Houses
           ?
           Nay
           ,
           and
           I
           am
           afraid
           ,
           I
           may
           say
           ,
           there
           are
           twenty
           for
           one
           ,
           even
           of
           private
           Persons
           ,
           that
           live
           without
           Devotion
           in
           their
           Closets
           ;
           that
           never
           call
           upon
           God
           ,
           never
           renew
           their
           vows
           to
           their
           Saviour
           ,
           never
           pay
           him
           any
           Homage
           ,
           except
           perhaps
           once
           a
           Week
           in
           a
           formal
           way
           ,
           when
           the
           Custom
           of
           the
           Country
           obliges
           them
           to
           resort
           to
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           The
           truth
           is
           ,
           so
           little
           sense
           have
           most
           of
           us
           of
           Religion
           and
           Devotion
           ;
           so
           little
           regard
           of
           our
           Duty
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           our
           dependance
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           expressing
           that
           dependance
           ,
           either
           in
           private
           ,
           or
           in
           our
           Families
           :
           That
           were
           it
           
           not
           for
           that
           Happy
           Institution
           of
           the
           
             Lord's
             day
          
           ,
           on
           the
           which
           we
           are
           obliged
           ,
           by
           the
           Laws
           of
           God
           and
           Man
           ,
           to
           meet
           together
           for
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           ;
           we
           should
           hardly
           see
           any
           Face
           of
           Religion
           among
           us
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           little
           time
           should
           scarce
           be
           distinguished
           from
           Heathens
           .
        
         
           But
           yet
           this
           is
           not
           the
           worst
           of
           our
           Case
           .
           Our
           gross
           Immoralities
           ;
           that
           Horrid
           Lewdness
           and
           Debauchery
           that
           is
           every
           where
           to
           be
           observed
           in
           our
           days
           ,
           doth
           still
           increase
           our
           Guilt
           ,
           and
           cry
           to
           Heaven
           for
           Judgment
           upon
           our
           Nation
           .
        
         
           It
           would
           make
           a
           Man's
           heart
           ake
           ,
           that
           has
           any
           sense
           of
           God
           or
           Religion
           ,
           to
           think
           of
           the
           Riots
           ,
           the
           Drunkenness
           ,
           the
           continued
           course
           of
           spending
           our
           time
           ,
           and
           our
           Parts
           ,
           and
           our
           substance
           ,
           in
           Revelling
           and
           Gaming
           ,
           and
           all
           manner
           of
           such
           excesses
           that
           is
           daily
           practised
           among
           us
           .
           And
           yet
           at
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           the
           Men
           that
           thus
           live
           ,
           think
           themselves
           very
           honest
           Men
           all
           the
           while
           .
        
         
           It
           would
           really
           amaze
           a
           Man
           ,
           and
           put
           him
           upon
           admiring
           God's
           Patience
           ,
           that
           he
           doth
           not
           presently
           confound
           the
           World
           ,
           if
           he
           did
           seriously
           reflect
           on
           the
           many
           
             filthy
             ,
             lewd
          
           Speeches
           and
           Actions
           ;
           the
           numerous
           wicked
           intrigues
           of
           Lust
           ,
           the
           Infamous
           Whoredoms
           and
           Adulteries
           that
           are
           ,
           without
           any
           sense
           of
           shame
           ,
           daily
           
           carried
           on
           and
           acted
           among
           us
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           Person
           too
           that
           have
           the
           Face
           to
           shew
           themselves
           at
           our
           Holy
           Assemblies
           .
        
         
           Especially
           ,
           if
           to
           these
           be
           added
           ,
           the
           infinite
           Lies
           ,
           and
           Cheats
           ,
           and
           Perjuries
           ,
           which
           our
           Land
           groans
           under
           .
           The
           Blasphemous
           Oaths
           and
           Imprecations
           ,
           the
           
             Damn
             me
             's
          
           and
           
             Sink
             me's
          
           ;
           the
           Horrid
           Prosanations
           of
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           all
           things
           Sacred
           ,
           that
           are
           in
           every
           place
           ,
           in
           every
           street
           where
           we
           pass
           ,
           belched
           out
           ,
           in
           contempt
           of
           the
           Almighty
           and
           his
           Laws
           ;
           by
           all
           sorts
           of
           Persons
           ,
           of
           all
           sorts
           of
           Qualities
           ;
           from
           the
           Beggar
           in
           the
           street
           to
           the
           Man
           of
           Honour
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           no
           other
           reason
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           but
           because
           it
           is
           their
           Humour
           or
           their
           Custom
           .
        
         
           And
           lastly
           ,
           to
           fill
           up
           the
           measure
           of
           our
           iniquities
           ;
           to
           our
           other
           reigning
           Vices
           ,
           we
           have
           added
           that
           of
           Hypocrisy
           too
           ;
           which
           one
           would
           think
           should
           not
           often
           be
           found
           among
           so
           much
           Profaneness
           .
        
         
           How
           many
           of
           us
           make
           a
           mighty
           noise
           with
           Religion
           ,
           and
           are
           Zealous
           even
           to
           Bigottry
           ,
           in
           the
           defence
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           yet
           have
           not
           one
           grane
           of
           inward
           sense
           of
           what
           it
           obligeth
           them
           to
           ▪
           Nay
           so
           far
           from
           that
           that
           if
           Religion
           be
           but
           in
           their
           ●ouths
           :
           If
           they
           do
           but
           appear
           Zealous
           enough
           for
           the
           
             Protestant
             Cause
          
           ;
           If
           they
           can
           but
           
           cry
           loud
           enough
           ,
           
             The
             Temple
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             The
             Temple
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           as
           the
           Jews
           did
           in
           the
           Prophet
           ;
           They
           matter
           not
           ,
           how
           contradictory
           their
           Actions
           are
           to
           the
           Precepts
           of
           that
           Religion
           they
           do
           profess
           .
           Their
           Zeal
           for
           so
           good
           a
           Cause
           ,
           will
           sanctify
           all
           their
           other
           Actions
           ,
           be
           they
           never
           so
           wicked
           and
           unjust
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           this
           be
           not
           Hypocrisy
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           such
           thing
           in
           the
           World.
           Sure
           I
           am
           ,
           it
           was
           this
           sort
           of
           Carriage
           ,
           that
           God
           so
           often
           reproves
           the
           Jews
           for
           ,
           by
           his
           Prophets
           ;
           and
           upon
           account
           of
           which
           they
           are
           so
           often
           reproached
           as
           a
           Generation
           of
           Hypocrites
           ,
           and
           for
           which
           he
           threatens
           them
           with
           utter
           destruction
           .
        
         
           O
           my
           Brethren
           ,
           what
           have
           we
           to
           say
           to
           these
           things
           ?
           If
           the
           Case
           be
           thus
           with
           us
           ,
           as
           I
           am
           afraid
           it
           is
           ;
           What
           Plea
           have
           we
           to
           put
           in
           for
           our selves
           ?
           If
           God
           should
           let
           loose
           our
           Enemies
           upon
           us
           ,
           the
           Enemies
           of
           our
           Nation
           ,
           and
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           and
           should
           give
           us
           over
           as
           a
           Prey
           unto
           them
           ,
           what
           have
           we
           to
           reply
           ?
           Truly
           nothing
           that
           I
           know
           of
           ,
           except
           that
           of
           the
           Psalmist
           ,
           
             Righteous
             art
             thou
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             and
             Iust
             are
             thy
             Iudgments
             .
          
        
         
           But
           we
           trust
           God's
           Lenity
           ,
           and
           Forbearance
           ,
           and
           Mercy
           ,
           is
           as
           great
           to
           
             Publick
             Societies
          
           and
           Kingdoms
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           to
           
             Private
             Persons
          
           ;
           And
           ,
           
           that
           we
           may
           apply
           those
           expressions
           to
           our
           Nation
           which
           David
           uttered
           ,
           with
           reference
           to
           himself
           :
           
             O
             Lord
             ,
             if
             thou
             shouldst
             be
             extream
             to
             mark
             what
             is
             done
             amiss
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             who
             may
             abide
             it
             ?
             But
             there
             is
             Mercy
             with
             thee
             ,
             that
             thou
             mayest
             be
             feared
             .
          
        
         
           When
           the
           Iniquities
           of
           a
           People
           are
           at
           the
           full
           ,
           God
           will
           not
           fail
           to
           punish
           them
           .
           But
           whether
           ours
           be
           so
           or
           no
           ,
           He
           only
           knows
           .
           We
           hope
           ,
           though
           they
           be
           very
           grievous
           and
           crying
           ,
           they
           have
           not
           yet
           exceeded
           the
           measure
           of
           God's
           Patience
           ;
           and
           that
           there
           is
           yet
           left
           a
           place
           for
           Repentance
           .
           This
           is
           indeed
           the
           only
           Plank
           we
           have
           to
           trust
           to
           ,
           that
           can
           save
           us
           from
           Shipwrack
           ;
           and
           therefore
           we
           ought
           to
           lay
           hold
           upon
           it
           .
        
         
           Let
           us
           therefore
           this
           day
           ,
           every
           one
           of
           us
           ;
           If
           we
           have
           any
           kindness
           for
           our
           Native
           Country
           :
           If
           we
           have
           any
           respect
           to
           that
           dear
           Place
           ,
           where
           we
           and
           our
           Ancestors
           ,
           and
           all
           our
           Relations
           and
           Kindred
           for
           many
           Generations
           have
           lived
           so
           happily
           :
        
         
           If
           we
           have
           any
           Zeal
           for
           ,
           or
           regard
           to
           that
           excellent
           Church
           ,
           and
           that
           Holy
           Religion
           ,
           that
           God
           did
           in
           so
           extraordinary
           a
           manner
           plant
           among
           us
           ;
           and
           for
           the
           preserving
           of
           which
           in
           our
           Land
           ,
           His
           Care
           and
           Providence
           hath
           so
           often
           and
           so
           wonderfully
           appear'd
           :
        
         
         
           If
           we
           have
           any
           Concernment
           for
           many
           thousands
           of
           innocent
           Souls
           ,
           who
           without
           their
           own
           fault
           may
           deeply
           suffer
           for
           the
           Nations
           Sins
           :
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           If
           we
           have
           any
           Bowels
           of
           Compassion
           to
           those
           dear
           Children
           of
           ours
           ,
           that
           God
           hath
           given
           us
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           transmit
           to
           them
           and
           their
           Children
           after
           them
           ,
           that
           Birth-right
           ,
           and
           those
           Priviledges
           ,
           and
           that
           excellent
           Religion
           we
           received
           from
           our
           Fathers
           :
        
         
           I
           say
           ,
           if
           we
           have
           any
           sense
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           let
           every
           one
           of
           us
           this
           day
           ,
           most
           sincerely
           apply
           our selves
           to
           the
           Service
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           all
           the
           ways
           of
           a
           serious
           Virtue
           and
           Piety
           .
           Or
           if
           we
           have
           been
           careless
           of
           this
           matter
           heretofore
           ;
           or
           which
           is
           worse
           ,
           have
           been
           lewd
           or
           wicked
           in
           our
           lives
           ;
           yet
           let
           us
           now
           at
           last
           heartily
           repent
           of
           it
           .
           And
           with
           Prayers
           and
           Tears
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           solemn
           Resolutions
           of
           Amendment
           ,
           prostrate
           our selves
           before
           the
           Throne
           of
           Grace
           ;
           imploring
           and
           beseeching
           God's
           Pardon
           and
           Forgiveness
           ,
           and
           ▪
           if
           it
           be
           possible
           ,
           
             a
             lengthening
             of
             our
             Tranquillity
          
           .
        
         
           O
           let
           us
           not
           refuse
           this
           Opportunity
           of
           doing
           the
           greatest
           Kindness
           ,
           and
           the
           best
           service
           to
           our
           Country
           that
           we
           possibly
           can
           .
           And
           therefore
           let
           us
           not
           only
           heartily
           bewail
           our
           own
           
           Sins
           ,
           but
           the
           reigning
           Impieties
           and
           Wickedness
           ,
           that
           our
           Nation
           stands
           accountable
           for
           .
        
         
           Now
           is
           the
           time
           ,
           if
           ever
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           all
           concerned
           to
           be
           importunate
           with
           God
           for
           our selves
           and
           our
           Country
           .
        
         
           And
           a
           fitter
           Prayer
           for
           this
           purpose
           cannot
           be
           composed
           for
           us
           ,
           than
           that
           which
           Daniel
           put
           up
           to
           God
           for
           his
           Nation
           ,
           and
           that
           at
           such
           a
           solemn
           time
           as
           this
           ,
           when
           ,
           as
           he
           tells
           us
           ,
           he
           had
           
             set
             himself
             to
             seek
             God
             ,
             for
             his
             People
             ,
             by
             Prayer
             and
             Supplication
             ,
             with
             Fasting
             ,
             and
             Sackcloth
             and
             Ashes
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Prayer
           is
           in
           the
           9
           th
           Chapter
           of
           his
           Prophecy
           ;
           and
           I
           shall
           conclude
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           I
           earnestly
           beg
           of
           you
           all
           ,
           to
           join
           with
           me
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           
             
               O
               Lord
               the
               great
               and
               dreadful
               God
               ,
               that
               keepest
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               and
               shewest
               mercy
               to
               them
               that
               love
               thee
               ,
               and
               to
               them
               that
               keep
               thy
               Commandments
               .
            
          
           
             
               We
               have
               sinned
               and
               done
               wickedly
               ,
               and
               have
               committed
               Iniquity
               ,
               and
               have
               rebelled
               ;
               even
               by
               departing
               from
               thy
               Precepts
               ,
               and
               from
               thy
               Iudgments
               .
            
          
           
             
               O
               Lord
               ,
               Righteousness
               belongeth
               unto
               thee
               ;
               but
               unto
               us
               confusion
               of
               face
               as
               at
               this
               day
               ;
               to
               the
               Men
               of
            
             Judah
             ,
             
               and
               to
               the
               Inhabitants
               of
            
             Jerusalem
             ,
             
               because
               we
               have
               sinned
               against
               thee
               .
            
          
           
           
             
               But
               unto
               the
               Lord
               our
               God
               belongeth
               Mercy
               and
               Forgiveness
               ,
               though
               we
               have
               rebelled
               against
               him
               ;
               neither
               have
               we
               obeyed
               the
               voice
               of
               the
               Lord
               our
               God
               ,
               to
               walk
               in
               his
               Laws
               which
               he
               set
               before
               us
               .
            
          
           
             
               O
               Lord
               ,
               according
               to
               all
               thy
               Righteousness
               ,
               we
               beseech
               thee
               ,
               let
               thy
               anger
               and
               thy
               fury
               be
               turned
               away
               from
               thy
               City
            
             Jerusalem
             ,
             
               thy
               holy
               Mountain
               .
               Because
               for
               our
               sins
               ,
               and
               the
               iniquities
               of
               our
               Fathers
               ,
            
             Jerusalem
             
               and
               thy
               People
               are
               become
               a
               reproach
               to
               all
               that
               are
               about
               us
               .
            
          
           
             
               Now
               therefore
               ,
               O
               God
               ,
               hear
               the
               Prayer
               of
               thy
               Servants
               ,
               and
               cause
               thy
               Face
               to
               shine
               upon
               thy
               Sanctuary
               .
            
          
           
             
               O
               God
               incline
               thine
               ear
               and
               hear
               :
               Open
               thine
               Eyes
               ,
               and
               behold
               the
               City
               which
               is
               called
               by
               thy
               Name
               .
            
          
           
             
               O
               Lord
               hear
               .
               O
               Lord
               forgive
               .
               O
               Lord
               hearken
               and
               do
               .
               Defer
               not
               for
               thy
               own
               sake
               ,
               O
               our
               God.
               For
               thy
               City
               ,
               and
               thy
               People
               ,
               are
               called
               by
               thy
               Name
               .
            
          
        
         
           And
           whilst
           Daniel
           was
           thus
           praying
           ,
           and
           confessing
           his
           sins
           ,
           and
           the
           sins
           of
           his
           People
           unto
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           supplicating
           for
           his
           City
           Ierusalem
           :
           Behold
           the
           Angel
           Gabriel
           was
           sent
           unto
           him
           from
           the
           Lord
           ,
           with
           the
           glad
           tidings
           that
           God
           had
           heard
           his
           Prayer
           for
           Ierusalem
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           should
           be
           built
           ,
           and
           the
           Lord
           would
           dwell
           in
           it
           .
        
         
         
           O
           may
           we
           all
           thus
           fast
           and
           pray
           ,
           as
           Daniel
           did
           ,
           and
           may
           God
           Almighty
           give
           us
           such
           a
           return
           of
           our
           Prayers
           ,
           
             Amen
             ,
             O
             God
             for
             Iesus
             Christ
             his
             sake
             ,
             to
             whom
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           Books
           Written
           by
           the
           same
           Authour
           ,
           and
           Printed
           for
           Walter
           Kettilby
           ,
           
             at
             the
             Bishop's-Head
             in
          
           St.
           Paul's
           Church-Yard
           .
        
         
           A
           Discourse
           concerning
           Conscience
           ;
           the
           first
           Part
           :
           wherein
           an
           account
           is
           given
           of
           the
           Nature
           ,
           and
           Rule
           ,
           and
           Obligation
           of
           it
           .
           And
           the
           case
           of
           those
           who
           separate
           from
           the
           Communion
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           as
           by
           Law
           established
           ,
           upon
           this
           pretence
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           against
           their
           Conscience
           to
           join
           i●
           it
           ,
           is
           stated
           and
           discussed
           .
        
         
           A
           discourse
           of
           Conscience
           :
           The
           second
           Part
           concerning
           a
           doubting
           Conscience
           .
        
         
           A
           Fast-Sermon
           before
           the
           House
           of
           Commons
           April
           11.
           1679.
           on
           Revel
           .
           ii
           .
           5
           .
        
         
           The
           Duty
           and
           Happiness
           of
           doing
           good
           ,
           in
           two
           Sermons
           ,
           the
           former
           Preached
           at
           the
           Yorkshire
           Feast
           Feb.
           17.
           1679
           ,
           on
           Eccl.
           iii.
           10
           .
           the
           other
           before
           the
           Lord
           Mayor
           at
           the
           
             Spittle
             ,
             Apr.
          
           14.
           1680.
           on
           1
           Tim
           vi
           .
           17
           ,
           18
           ,
           19.
           
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           at
           the
           Election
           of
           the
           Lord
           Mayor
           Sept.
           29.
           1680.
           on
           Psal.
           cxli.
           4
           .
        
         
           A
           Lent-Sermon
           at
           
             Whitehal
             ,
             March
          
           20.
           1684.
           
           〈◊〉
           Luke
           xvi
           .
           31
           .
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           before
           the
           Queen
           at
           
             Whitehall
             ,
             Apr.
          
           1●
           1690.
           on
           Gal.
           v.
           13
           .
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A59562-e170
           
             Mat.
             6.26.30
             .
             1
             Cor.
             9.9
             .
          
           
             Amos
             3.6
             .
             Is.
             28.21
             .
             Mic.
             7.18
             .
             Lam.
             3.33
             .
          
           
             Is.
             26.9
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             6.34
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             19.21
             .
          
           
             2
             Kings
             19.34
             .
          
           
             Eccles.
             9.11
             .
             Ps.
             33.16
             .
          
           
             Josh.
             6.20
             .
          
           
             2
             Kings
             7.
             ch
             .