A sermon preach'd in the parish church of Burcester in the county of Oxford, on the second day of December, 1697 being the day appointed for a thanksgiving to Almighty God, for His Majesty's safe return, and for the happy and honourable peace, of which God has made him the glorious instrument.
         Taylor, Thomas, 1669 or 70-1735.
      
       
         
           1697
        
      
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             A sermon preach'd in the parish church of Burcester in the county of Oxford, on the second day of December, 1697 being the day appointed for a thanksgiving to Almighty God, for His Majesty's safe return, and for the happy and honourable peace, of which God has made him the glorious instrument.
             Taylor, Thomas, 1669 or 70-1735.
          
           [2], 24 p.
           
             Printed by Tho. Warren for Thomas Bennet ...,
             London :
             1697.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Bible. -- O.T. -- Proverbs XXI, 30-31 -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           SERMON
           Preach'd
           in
           the
           Parish
           Church
           of
           Burcester
           in
           the
           County
           of
           Oxford
           ,
           ON
           THE
           Second
           Day
           of
           December
           ,
           1697.
           
           Being
           the
           Day
           appointed
           for
           A
           THANKSGIVING
           To
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           For
           His
           Majesty's
           Safe
           Return
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           Happy
           and
           Honourable
           PEACE
           ,
           of
           which
           God
           has
           made
           Him
           the
           
             Glorious
             Instrument
          
           .
           By
           
             THOMAS
             TAYLOR
          
           ,
           M.
           A.
           
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             Tho.
             Warren
          
           for
           
             Thomas
             Bennet
          
           at
           the
           
             Half
             Moon
          
           in
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Church-Yard
           ,
           1697.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           
             Prov.
             XXI
             .
             30
             ,
             31.
             
          
           
             
               There
               is
               no
               wisdom
               ,
               nor
               understanding
               ,
               nor
               counsel
               against
               the
               Lord.
               
            
             
               The
               Horse
               is
               prepared
               against
               the
               day
               of
               Battel
               ,
               but
               safety
               is
               of
               the
               Lord.
               
            
          
        
         
           IN
           these
           words
           the
           Wise
           Man
           gives
           a
           brief
           ,
           but
           true
           ,
           and
           compleat
           account
           ,
           of
           the
           weakness
           and
           insufficiency
           of
           all
           humane
           indeavours
           ,
           when
           imployed
           against
           the
           purposes
           of
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           or
           destitute
           of
           the
           Interest
           ,
           and
           Assistance
           of
           Heaven
           .
           He
           declares
           that
           the
           best
           laid
           Projects
           ,
           and
           Contrivances
           ,
           the
           deepest
           reaches
           of
           the
           Wisest
           Politicians
           ,
           when
           directed
           against
           the
           Tendencies
           of
           the
           Divine
           Will
           ,
           are
           vain
           and
           insignificant
           ;
           that
           they
           come
           to
           nothing
           :
           
             There
             is
             no
          
           such
           thing
           as
           
             Wisdom
             ,
             or
             Vnderstanding
             ,
             or
             Counsel
             against
             the
             Lord.
          
           And
           as
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           Man
           is
           in
           this
           case
           no
           better
           than
           Folly
           ,
           and
           Madness
           ;
           so
           is
           his
           Power
           the
           contemptible
           Effort
           of
           Impotence
           and
           Presumption
           .
           
             The
             Horse
             is
             prepared
             against
             the
             day
             of
             Battel
             ;
             but
             safety
             is
             of
             the
             Lord.
          
           Those
           numerous
           Forces
           and
           hostile
           Preparations
           ,
           which
           Men
           conside
           in
           as
           their
           utmost
           security
           ,
           unless
           bless'd
           and
           reinforced
           with
           Power
           from
           on
           High
           ,
           are
           ineffectual
           to
           Victory
           ,
           or
           Safety
           .
        
         
           
             There
             is
             no
             King
             saved
             by
             the
             Multitude
             of
             an
             Host
          
           ;
           
           
             A
             mighty
             Man
             is
             not
             delivered
             by
             much
             Strength
             ;
             An
             Horse
             is
             a
             vain
             thing
             for
             safety
             ;
             neither
             shall
             he
             deliver
             any
             by
             his
             great
             Strength
          
           ;
           says
           the
           Royal
           Psalmist
           ,
           who
           had
           frequently
           experienced
           Worldly
           strength
           ,
           and
           confidence
           ,
           to
           be
           an
           
           unequal
           match
           for
           the
           God
           of
           Hosts
           ,
           the
           mighty
           God
           of
           Israel
           .
           The
           sum
           and
           meaning
           therefore
           of
           the
           words
           amounts
           to
           this
           ;
           That
           there
           is
           a
           superintendant
           Providence
           ,
           which
           over-rules
           the
           Counsels
           and
           Powers
           of
           Men
           ,
           as
           shall
           be
           most
           suitable
           and
           serviceable
           to
           the
           Divine
           Counsels
           in
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           which
           either
           succours
           and
           incourages
           ,
           or
           suspends
           and
           retards
           ,
           or
           baffles
           and
           disappoints
           natural
           causes
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           determine
           the
           issues
           of
           War
           and
           Peace
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           humane
           Force
           and
           Policy
           ,
           according
           to
           this
           supreme
           Agency
           and
           Direction
           .
           That
           the
           World
           is
           subject
           to
           the
           Presidency
           ,
           and
           conduct
           of
           such
           a
           Providence
           as
           this
           ,
           must
           be
           acknowledged
           by
           all
           ,
           who
           profess
           to
           believe
           the
           existence
           of
           a
           God.
           For
           the
           very
           notion
           of
           a
           Providence
           is
           inseparably
           involved
           in
           the
           Idea
           of
           an
           infinitely
           Wise
           ,
           Powerful
           ,
           and
           Beneficent
           Being
           ;
           nothing
           seeming
           more
           absurd
           ,
           than
           that
           He
           who
           is
           All-wise
           should
           not
           know
           how
           ,
           He
           that
           is
           Almighty
           should
           not
           be
           able
           ,
           and
           He
           that
           is
           transcendantly
           Good
           should
           not
           be
           willing
           to
           take
           care
           of
           his
           own
           Creation
           .
           And
           therefore
           Epicurus
           was
           deservedly
           charged
           with
           Hypocrisy
           and
           Collusion
           ,
           and
           look'd
           upon
           by
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Philosophers
           as
           a
           disguised
           Atheist
           ,
           who
           in
           words
           profess'd
           a
           Deity
           ,
           but
           in
           reality
           and
           effect
           ,
           disown'd
           Him
           ,
           when
           he
           denyed
           he
           had
           any
           interest
           in
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           World.
           A
           Man
           need
           but
           open
           his
           Eyes
           and
           contemplate
           those
           common
           changes
           ,
           and
           vicissitudes
           of
           things
           ,
           which
           daily
           happen
           round
           about
           him
           ,
           to
           be
           fully
           convinc'd
           of
           this
           truth
           ,
           that
           the
           Lord
           is
           King
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           rules
           unto
           the
           ends
           of
           the
           Earth
           .
           That
           I
           may
           not
           therefore
           take
           up
           your
           Time
           and
           Thoughts
           with
           an
           unnecessary
           proof
           of
           a
           Providence
           ,
           which
           all
           Religions
           in
           the
           World
           suppose
           ,
           and
           which
           the
           Christian
           has
           plainly
           implyed
           ,
           or
           demonstrated
           in
           every
           page
           of
           the
           Gospel
           :
           I
           rather
           chuse
           to
           lead
           your
           Minds
           at
           present
           to
           an
           attentive
           Reflexion
           on
           the
           various
           methods
           of
           its
           dispensations
           ,
           which
           is
           no
           less
           useful
           ,
           yet
           a
           more
           uncommon
           and
           
           difficult
           consideration
           .
           For
           though
           the
           directive
           hand
           of
           a
           supernatural
           Providence
           be
           so
           very
           visible
           and
           palpable
           in
           its
           effects
           ,
           it
           seems
           quite
           otherwise
           in
           the
           manner
           of
           its
           Operation
           .
           We
           often
           feel
           ,
           and
           enjoy
           the
           Influence
           of
           the
           Divine
           Government
           ,
           whilest
           we
           are
           insensible
           by
           what
           kind
           of
           Ministration
           it
           is
           conveyed
           to
           us
           .
           The
           Counsels
           of
           God
           are
           for
           the
           most
           part
           Mysterious
           and
           Impenetrable
           :
           
             He
             maketh
             Darkness
             his
             secret
             Place
             ,
          
           
           
             his
             Pavilion
             round
             about
             him
          
           :
           says
           holy
           David
           .
           
             He
             doth
             great
             things
             ,
             and
             unsearchable
             ,
             marvellous
             things
             without
             number
             :
          
           saies
           Job
           ,
           
           speaking
           of
           his
           providential
           administration
           .
           'T
           is
           indeed
           impossible
           to
           trace
           the
           footsteps
           of
           the
           Almighty
           ,
           in
           his
           whole
           management
           of
           humane
           affairs
           ;
           but
           yet
           those
           many
           Characters
           and
           Impresses
           of
           his
           Hand
           ,
           which
           are
           legible
           in
           the
           wonderful
           events
           of
           things
           ,
           are
           sufficient
           to
           justify
           such
           an
           humble
           enquiry
           into
           the
           manner
           of
           his
           procedure
           ,
           as
           may
           serve
           to
           remove
           all
           prophane
           objections
           against
           his
           Providence
           ,
           and
           to
           encourage
           our
           Faith
           ,
           Hope
           ,
           and
           Confidence
           in
           Him.
           Wherefore
           ,
           my
           present
           business
           shall
           be
           to
           consider
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           Some
           of
           those
           ways
           ,
           and
           methods
           which
           God
           makes
           use
           of
           to
           govern
           ,
           or
           over-rule
           the
           Counsels
           and
           indeavours
           of
           Men
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           accomplish
           his
           own
           wise
           purposes
           thereby
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           reason
           and
           intention
           of
           his
           interposing
           his
           Providence
           in
           the
           Government
           of
           Humane
           Affairs
           and
           Actions
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           I
           shall
           apply
           these
           considerations
           to
           that
           particular
           Providence
           and
           Mercy
           of
           God
           which
           is
           the
           occasion
           of
           this
           present
           solemnity
           :
           by
           which
           it
           will
           at
           last
           evidently
           appear
           ;
           that
           
             There
             is
             neither
             Wisdom
             ,
             nor
             Vnderstanding
             ,
             nor
             Counsel
             against
             the
             Lord
             ;
             that
             though
             the
             Horse
             be
             prepared
             against
             the
             day
             of
             Battel
             ,
             yet
             safety
             is
             of
             the
             Lord.
             
          
        
         
         
           First
           ,
           Then
           to
           consider
           some
           of
           those
           Methods
           ,
           which
           God
           makes
           use
           of
           ,
           to
           govern
           ,
           or
           over-rule
           the
           Counsels
           ,
           and
           endeavours
           of
           Men
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           accomplish
           his
           own
           wise
           purposes
           thereby
           .
        
         
           If
           God
           govern'd
           the
           World
           at
           present
           as
           he
           did
           heretofore
           the
           Nation
           of
           the
           Jews
           ,
           by
           a
           visible
           Authority
           ,
           and
           vouchsafed
           it
           such
           repeated
           Prophecies
           ,
           and
           evident
           Miracles
           ,
           and
           manifestations
           of
           his
           Power
           ,
           in
           his
           Mercies
           ,
           and
           Judgments
           to
           Mankind
           ;
           the
           manner
           of
           his
           Providence
           might
           be
           easier
           accounted
           for
           ,
           in
           those
           great
           turns
           of
           affairs
           ,
           he
           bring●
           about
           in
           the
           Kingdoms
           of
           the
           Earth
           .
           For
           that
           People
           were
           generally
           so
           miraculously
           Bless'd
           ,
           or
           Afflicted
           ,
           that
           they
           could
           no
           more
           doubt
           of
           the
           Manner
           ,
           than
           they
           could
           question
           the
           truth
           of
           the
           Deliverance
           ,
           or
           Punishment
           it self
           which
           they
           actually
           enjoyed
           ,
           or
           suffer'd
           .
           If
           an
           Israelite
           were
           ask'd
           ,
           how
           he
           escaped
           the
           Host
           of
           Pharaoh
           ,
           and
           how
           he
           was
           sustained
           in
           a
           barren
           Wilderness
           forty
           Years
           ,
           it
           were
           ready
           for
           him
           to
           answer
           to
           the
           Former
           ,
           That
           God
           divided
           the
           red
           Sea
           ,
           and
           made
           the
           surrounding
           waves
           Bullworks
           of
           safety
           ,
           against
           the
           Enemy
           ;
           and
           to
           the
           latter
           ,
           That
           the
           same
           God
           opened
           the
           Rock
           of
           Stone
           ,
           and
           made
           the
           Waters
           flow
           ,
           and
           rained
           Manna
           ,
           and
           Quails
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           for
           his
           daily
           provision
           ,
           and
           support
           .
           For
           thus
           God
           found
           it
           necessary
           to
           deal
           with
           an
           incredulous
           ,
           and
           sluggish
           people
           ,
           who
           would
           ever
           have
           been
           revolting
           back
           towards
           Aegypt
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           not
           submitted
           his
           Providence
           ,
           and
           Care
           over
           them
           ,
           to
           the
           Test
           of
           their
           very
           Senses
           ,
           and
           caused
           them
           constantly
           to
           tast
           and
           feel
           how
           gracious
           he
           was
           to
           them
           .
           But
           he
           no
           longer
           transacts
           with
           mankind
           by
           such
           obvious
           ,
           and
           condescending
           instances
           of
           his
           Power
           :
           Though
           he
           has
           an
           equal
           regard
           to
           his
           People
           at
           this
           day
           ,
           yet
           he
           deals
           with
           them
           in
           a
           way
           ,
           more
           suitable
           to
           the
           exercise
           of
           their
           Reason
           ,
           and
           their
           Faith
           ,
           and
           becoming
           his
           own
           Wisdom
           :
           He
           raises
           and
           depresses
           Nations
           by
           such
           easie
           steps
           ,
           and
           cadencies
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           extreamly
           difficult
           to
           discover
           
           any
           break
           or
           interruption
           in
           the
           whole
           series
           of
           second
           causes
           ,
           whereby
           to
           give
           birth
           to
           his
           designs
           in
           the
           Prodigious
           Revolutions
           of
           the
           World.
           The
           great
           Opera
           of
           his
           Providence
           is
           carried
           on
           in
           so
           uninterrupted
           a
           Tenor
           ,
           and
           all
           its
           Machines
           are
           acted
           with
           that
           facility
           ,
           and
           evenness
           ,
           that
           nothing
           but
           uniform
           Nature
           presents
           its
           self
           to
           the
           Vulgar
           Spectators
           eye
           ;
           whilest
           the
           more
           inquisitive
           Christian
           ,
           and
           Philosopher
           carry
           their
           researches
           up
           to
           that
           invisible
           hand
           ,
           which
           directs
           the
           innumerable
           resorts
           ,
           and
           movements
           :
           and
           which
           teaches
           them
           all
           to
           conspire
           in
           the
           finishing
           those
           wonderful
           events
           propos'd
           by
           Divine
           Wisdom
           in
           the
           government
           of
           Mankind
           .
           Now
           amongst
           the
           various
           ways
           ,
           and
           methods
           which
           his
           Counsel
           may
           imploy
           to
           his
           end
           ,
           the
           more
           easily
           accounted
           for
           are
           these
           following
           :
           First
           ,
           He
           influences
           the
           Thoughts
           ,
           Desires
           ,
           and
           Passions
           of
           man's
           Mind
           ,
           in
           such
           a
           Manner
           as
           is
           most
           proper
           to
           facilitate
           ,
           and
           carry
           on
           the
           Work
           he
           intends
           .
        
         
           If
           we
           consider
           God
           as
           an
           Infinite
           and
           Almighty
           Spirit
           ,
           in
           whom
           we
           live
           ,
           and
           move
           and
           exist
           ,
           we
           cannot
           avoid
           concluding
           that
           he
           is
           immediately
           present
           to
           every
           Soul
           which
           he
           has
           created
           ;
           and
           is
           as
           capable
           of
           ruling
           ,
           and
           directing
           them
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           of
           actuating
           and
           moving
           those
           Bodies
           to
           which
           they
           are
           united
           .
           They
           intirely
           depend
           upon
           him
           for
           their
           Being
           ,
           and
           capacities
           :
           So
           that
           't
           is
           inconceivable
           how
           they
           should
           be
           invested
           with
           a
           Power
           of
           Willing
           ,
           unless
           
             God
             gave
             them
             both
             to
             Will
             ,
             and
             do
             :
          
           Or
           whence
           they
           could
           derive
           their
           Understanding
           ,
           did
           not
           the
           
             Father
             of
             Lights
             enlighten
             every
             one
             that
             he
             sent
             into
             the
             World.
          
           And
           if
           these
           two
           principal
           Powers
           of
           the
           Mind
           ,
           are
           so
           absolutely
           dependent
           on
           him
           ;
           't
           is
           no
           wonder
           that
           he
           frequently
           determines
           their
           particular
           operations
           ;
           That
           he
           inspires
           them
           with
           a
           new
           train
           of
           Thoughts
           and
           Intentions
           ;
           That
           here
           presents
           to
           them
           very
           moving
           Ideas
           ;
           That
           he
           Caresses
           their
           Desires
           ,
           with
           grateful
           ,
           and
           inviting
           Objects
           ;
           That
           he
           quickens
           their
           Hopes
           ,
           or
           hightens
           their
           Fears
           ,
           
           or
           excites
           such
           other
           Passions
           ,
           as
           have
           a
           Natural
           tendency
           towards
           promoting
           his
           designs
           for
           the
           wellfare
           and
           happiness
           of
           the
           World.
           Nor
           doth
           the
           Liberty
           he
           has
           indowed
           them
           with
           ,
           in
           the
           least
           exempt
           them
           from
           his
           Jurisdiction
           ,
           any
           more
           than
           the
           privileges
           of
           Subjects
           discharge
           them
           from
           their
           subjection
           to
           the
           Authority
           of
           their
           Soveraign
           .
           Indeed
           the
           consequences
           of
           such
           extraordinary
           suggestions
           are
           not
           of
           alike
           importance
           in
           all
           ,
           but
           vary
           according
           to
           Mens
           Publick
           or
           private
           capacities
           ,
           and
           Relations
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           For
           as
           a
           King
           is
           worth
           ten
           thousands
           of
           the
           people
           (
           as
           the
           Israelites
           told
           David
           )
           so
           are
           the
           purposes
           of
           his
           Heart
           ,
           proportionably
           of
           greater
           moment
           ,
           towards
           the
           well
           or
           ill-being
           of
           Mankind
           .
           A
           King's
           word
           is
           accompanied
           with
           power
           ,
           and
           the
           affairs
           of
           Men
           are
           vastly
           the
           better
           or
           the
           worse
           ,
           according
           as
           this
           power
           is
           imploy'd
           .
           If
           like
           
           Titus's
           ,
           it
           be
           exercised
           only
           for
           the
           Publick
           Good
           ,
           and
           
             that
             the
             day
             be
             reckoned
             lost
             to
             a
             Prince
             ,
          
           
           in
           which
           he
           has
           not
           been
           beneficial
           to
           some
           or
           other
           :
           Both
           himself
           and
           his
           Fortune
           ,
           are
           the
           
             Joy
             and
             delight
             of
             Humane
             Nature
             .
          
           But
           if
           like
           
           Nero's
           the
           same
           Power
           please
           it self
           in
           Ruine
           and
           Devastation
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           publick
           Scourge
           and
           Calamity
           ,
           and
           one
           of
           the
           greatest
           Curses
           that
           God
           can
           send
           into
           the
           World.
           And
           now
           considering
           how
           much
           Humane
           Happiness
           ,
           or
           Misery
           ,
           depend
           upon
           the
           Wisdom
           or
           Folly
           ,
           the
           Righteousness
           or
           Wickedness
           of
           Governours
           ;
           how
           necessary
           is
           it
           ,
           
             that
             the
             Hearts
             of
             Kings
             should
             be
             in
             the
             hand
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             that
             like
             the
             Rivers
             of
             Waters
             he
             should
             turn
             them
             whither
             soever
             he
             will
             :
          
           How
           would
           the
           World
           run
           to
           confusion
           ,
           and
           become
           one
           great
           Den
           of
           wild
           Beasts
           ,
           or
           more
           ravenous
           Men
           ,
           if
           great
           Oppressors
           could
           effect
           their
           unweildy
           projects
           ,
           and
           God
           
             did
             not
             carry
             the
             counsels
             of
             the
             Froward
             headlong
             ?
          
           And
           unless
           he
           likewise
           restrain'd
           the
           madness
           of
           the
           multitude
           and
           struck
           them
           with
           an
           Awe
           and
           Reverence
           of
           Majesty
           ,
           though
           in
           a
           Person
           in
           many
           
           respects
           not
           unlike
           themselves
           .
           How
           could
           good
           Princes
           establish
           their
           Government
           in
           Righteousness
           ,
           and
           prove
           such
           Universal
           Blessings
           as
           we
           find
           them
           ?
           Indeed
           he
           frequently
           serves
           himself
           of
           the
           insatiable
           ambition
           of
           unmerciful
           Tyrants
           ,
           no
           less
           than
           of
           the
           generous
           and
           beneficent
           designs
           of
           the
           best
           ,
           and
           kindest
           Governours
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           way
           of
           judgment
           on
           a
           wicked
           Generation
           ;
           when
           that
           end
           is
           obtain'd
           ,
           he
           degrades
           their
           aspiring
           thoughts
           ,
           as
           he
           once
           did
           
           Nebuchadnezzar's
           ,
           from
           believing
           themselves
           the
           Gods
           ,
           to
           the
           acknowledging
           themselves
           the
           Beasts
           of
           the
           Earth
           .
        
         
           The
           Scripture
           presents
           us
           with
           variety
           of
           instances
           ,
           wherein
           the
           supreme
           Lord
           of
           the
           World
           has
           made
           the
           actings
           of
           an
           Humane
           Mind
           ,
           instrumental
           to
           the
           effecting
           the
           Work
           of
           his
           Providence
           .
           How
           did
           
           Pharaoh's
           incredulity
           ,
           and
           obstinacy
           to
           pursue
           the
           Israelites
           into
           the
           Red-Sea
           administer
           an
           occasion
           to
           God
           to
           exalt
           his
           Power
           ,
           in
           the
           destin'd
           destruction
           of
           him
           and
           his
           whole
           Host
           ?
           How
           did
           he
           raise
           the
           Siege
           of
           Samaria
           ,
           when
           reduced
           to
           the
           utmost
           extremity
           by
           Famine
           ,
           by
           causing
           suddain
           fears
           and
           fancies
           to
           put
           to
           flight
           the
           Syrian
           Army
           ?
           How
           did
           he
           preserve
           David
           and
           his
           handful
           of
           Men
           from
           the
           destructive
           issues
           of
           
           Achitophel's
           Counsel
           ,
           by
           determining
           the
           People
           to
           prefer
           that
           of
           Hushai
           before
           it
           ?
           For
           by
           this
           choice
           it
           must
           be
           ,
           that
           
             the
             Lord
          
           (
           as
           the
           text
           tells
           us
           )
           
             had
             appointed
             to
             defeat
             the
             good
             Counsel
             of
             Achitophel
             .
          
           
           I
           will
           mention
           but
           one
           example
           more
           ,
           and
           that
           's
           of
           Cyrus
           ,
           who
           ascending
           his
           Throne
           with
           as
           great
           Ambition
           and
           Glory
           ,
           and
           as
           little
           affection
           to
           the
           Jewish
           Nation
           as
           any
           of
           his
           Predecessors
           ,
           could
           not
           resist
           the
           Impressions
           God
           made
           upon
           his
           Mind
           ,
           to
           restore
           the
           Captive
           People
           ,
           and
           to
           rebuild
           the
           Temple
           :
           
             The
             Lord
             stirr'd
             up
             the
             Spirit
             of
          
           Cyrus
           
             King
             of
          
           Persia
           ,
           Saies
           the
           sacred
           Historian
           ,
           Ezra
           1.
           1.
           
           'T
           were
           needless
           to
           spend
           time
           in
           proving
           That
           God
           influences
           the
           Mind
           of
           Man
           ,
           in
           bringing
           to
           pass
           the
           result
           of
           his
           own
           Counsel
           ,
           were
           not
           they
           apt
           to
           over-look
           the
           
           Divine
           Efficacy
           ,
           and
           to
           ascribe
           the
           success
           or
           disappointment
           of
           the
           most
           important
           actions
           ,
           to
           Time
           or
           Chance
           ,
           to
           Fate
           or
           Fortune
           ,
           or
           any
           thing
           rather
           than
           to
           the
           Finger
           of
           God
           :
           Whereas
           did
           they
           impartially
           observe
           how
           inconsiderable
           Moments
           turned
           the
           Scale
           in
           the
           weightiest
           Concerns
           ;
           how
           some
           unexpected
           accident
           ,
           surprize
           ,
           or
           inadvertency
           frequently
           determin'd
           the
           Fate
           of
           a
           Battel
           ,
           and
           gave
           rise
           to
           the
           most
           Glorious
           and
           Heroical
           Actions
           ,
           beyond
           the
           intrinsick
           Vertue
           ,
           and
           Efficacy
           of
           their
           causes
           :
           How
           the
           Peace
           and
           Prosperity
           of
           a
           Nation
           ,
           depended
           on
           the
           nice
           and
           critical
           Conjuncture
           of
           some
           lucky
           hits
           of
           Counsel
           and
           Action
           ;
           they
           would
           quickly
           perceive
           that
           the
           train
           of
           consequences
           was
           laid
           by
           a
           Divine
           Artist
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           was
           God
           ,
           who
           ,
           by
           some
           secret
           Energy
           ,
           touch'd
           the
           Hearts
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           thereby
           put
           all
           the
           Wheels
           of
           his
           Providence
           in
           Motion
           .
           And
           here
           I
           cannot
           but
           Anticipate
           my
           Method
           ,
           in
           mentioning
           that
           Memorable
           act
           of
           Providence
           ,
           manifested
           but
           the
           other
           day
           ,
           in
           the
           Person
           of
           our
           Royal
           Soveraign
           :
           For
           what
           less
           than
           a
           Divine
           Impulse
           could
           have
           forc'd
           him
           upon
           that
           seeming
           impracticable
           Attempt
           ,
           of
           rescuing
           the
           Metropolis
           of
           a
           Country
           from
           immediate
           Ruine
           and
           Desolation
           ,
           which
           obliged
           him
           to
           break
           through
           the
           impending
           dangers
           of
           twice
           as
           numerous
           an
           Enemy
           ,
           the
           difficulties
           of
           a
           precipitate
           March
           ,
           and
           the
           discouragements
           of
           his
           Army
           ?
           An
           attempt
           more
           glorious
           than
           the
           compleatest
           Victory
           ,
           as
           was
           plain
           by
           the
           Success
           ,
           which
           was
           speedily
           followed
           with
           an
           Happy
           Conclusion
           of
           a
           General
           Peace
           ,
           and
           the
           Security
           of
           Europe
           .
           But
           this
           Method
           of
           God's
           influencing
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           in
           his
           Government
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           will
           be
           more
           conspicuous
           when
           illustrated
           with
           a
           second
           Consideration
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           He
           imploys
           the
           General
           Efficacy
           and
           Power
           of
           Natural
           Causes
           ,
           and
           makes
           them
           subservient
           to
           the
           ends
           and
           purposes
           of
           his
           Providence
           .
        
         
           The
           fixt
           and
           standing
           Laws
           of
           Nature
           ,
           are
           nothing
           else
           
           but
           the
           General
           Will
           of
           an
           All-wise
           and
           Universal
           Being
           ,
           who
           holds
           the
           Reins
           of
           the
           Universe
           in
           his
           Hands
           ,
           and
           turns
           them
           which
           way
           he
           pleases
           .
           There
           is
           nothing
           in
           this
           World
           except
           Man
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           made
           the
           Arbiter
           of
           its
           own
           actions
           .
           All
           other
           things
           do
           not
           so
           properly
           act
           ,
           as
           suffer
           his
           Agency
           upon
           them
           .
           Bodies
           are
           continually
           moved
           by
           those
           impressions
           which
           he
           has
           given
           them
           .
           
             As
             he
             spake
             the
             word
             ,
             and
             they
             were
             made
             ,
             he
             commanded
             and
             they
             were
             created
             ,
          
           so
           the
           same
           Power
           which
           created
           them
           ,
           still
           governs
           ,
           and
           determines
           them
           .
           
             Fire
             and
             Hail
             ,
             Snow
             and
             Vapour
             ,
             Wind
             and
             Storm
             fullfil
             his
             word
             .
          
           He
           makes
           the
           Winds
           his
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           Flames
           of
           Fire
           his
           Messengers
           .
           Life
           and
           Death
           ,
           Health
           and
           Sickness
           ,
           Riches
           and
           Poverty
           ,
           Plenty
           and
           Famine
           ,
           and
           the
           whole
           Retinue
           of
           Nature
           ,
           are
           all
           the
           Attendants
           of
           his
           Pleasure
           ,
           and
           the
           Instruments
           of
           his
           Power
           :
           And
           if
           so
           ,
           what
           an
           infinite
           scope
           is
           here
           ,
           for
           the
           compassing
           his
           designs
           in
           the
           free
           Government
           of
           a
           rational
           World
           ,
           by
           the
           Ministry
           of
           natural
           and
           necessary
           Causes
           ?
           For
           what
           is
           there
           in
           the
           whole
           Circle
           of
           humane
           actions
           ,
           and
           sublunary
           Occurrences
           ,
           but
           falls
           under
           the
           influence
           of
           some
           of
           these
           ?
           So
           that
           it
           seems
           had
           it
           so
           pleas'd
           God
           ,
           he
           might
           have
           brought
           about
           the
           whole
           course
           of
           his
           greater
           Providential
           Dispensations
           ,
           from
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           World
           to
           the
           end
           of
           it
           ,
           without
           making
           one
           irregular
           or
           unequal
           step
           ,
           or
           departing
           out
           of
           the
           common
           road
           of
           Nature
           .
           If
           the
           Sins
           of
           a
           degenerate
           Race
           of
           Men
           ,
           are
           ripen'd
           into
           an
           Harvest
           for
           Divine
           Vengeance
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           need
           that
           the
           Almighty
           should
           create
           Thunder
           bolts
           to
           execute
           his
           wrath
           ;
           He
           can
           quickly
           draw
           an
           Artillery
           out
           of
           the
           Stores
           of
           Nature
           ,
           sufficient
           to
           overthrow
           a
           Lustful
           City
           ,
           or
           a
           Lewd
           and
           Vicious
           World.
           For
           even
           that
           Exemplary
           Judgment
           on
           Mankind
           ,
           in
           an
           Universal
           Deluge
           ,
           which
           seems
           to
           abound
           with
           Miracle
           ,
           and
           which
           Moses
           describes
           by
           the
           rupture
           of
           the
           Abyss
           ,
           and
           the
           descending
           Cataracts
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           is
           lookt
           upon
           by
           most
           thinking
           Persons
           ,
           to
           
           have
           been
           effected
           by
           a
           Providential
           use
           of
           second
           Causes
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           will
           very
           well
           bear
           a
           Natural
           Explication
           .
           And
           it
           is
           not
           improbable
           ,
           but
           that
           other
           destruction
           which
           the
           Earth
           still
           waits
           by
           Fire
           ,
           will
           be
           wrought
           by
           the
           concurrence
           of
           Natural
           Principles
           ,
           and
           Powers
           in
           subservience
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           ,
           when
           he
           shall
           think
           sit
           to
           permit
           that
           raging
           Element
           ,
           to
           accomplish
           the
           great
           and
           fatal
           Revolution
           .
           Nor
           doth
           this
           at
           all
           derogate
           from
           the
           Divine
           Wisdom
           ,
           but
           exalt
           and
           vindicate
           it
           ,
           in
           that
           it
           is
           not
           like
           a
           Mortal
           Understanding
           ,
           at
           a
           pause
           ,
           what
           extraordinary
           course
           to
           take
           in
           the
           exigencies
           of
           affairs
           ,
           but
           still
           makes
           its
           Providence
           keep
           pace
           with
           Nature
           ,
           and
           leisurely
           produce
           those
           signal
           Changes
           and
           Alterations
           which
           are
           subjects
           for
           Wonder
           and
           Admiration
           to
           all
           Ages
           :
           But
           to
           place
           this
           Pourtraicture
           of
           Divine
           Providence
           in
           a
           clearer
           light
           ,
           let
           us
           only
           consider
           ,
           that
           these
           two
           Instruments
           of
           it
           ,
           Life
           and
           Death
           ,
           are
           in
           the
           hand
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           observe
           how
           the
           interests
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           ,
           turn
           upon
           these
           two
           Hinges
           .
           For
           Example
           ,
           how
           does
           a
           Nation
           thrive
           ,
           and
           prosper
           under
           the
           gentle
           Life
           ,
           and
           Government
           of
           a
           Wise
           ,
           a
           Pious
           ,
           and
           a
           Valiant
           Prince
           .
           He
           is
           the
           Soul
           that
           animates
           the
           Body
           Politick
           ,
           that
           gives
           it
           Health
           and
           Vigour
           ,
           and
           succors
           every
           Member
           with
           a
           generous
           warmth
           ,
           and
           activity
           :
           Under
           such
           a
           Reign
           how
           thankfully
           will
           the
           People
           enjoy
           the
           Blessings
           of
           Peace
           ,
           or
           strenuously
           Prosecute
           a
           lawful
           War
           for
           their
           mutual
           Defence
           and
           Vindication
           ?
           Their
           Reputation
           will
           improve
           their
           Commerce
           ,
           and
           their
           Industry
           make
           Plenty
           flow
           in
           their
           Streets
           .
           Their
           Church
           and
           Religion
           will
           erect
           its
           Head
           ,
           and
           by
           returning
           the
           joyful
           Offerings
           of
           Praise
           and
           Gratitude
           for
           all
           the
           Mercies
           it
           receives
           ,
           engage
           the
           Favour
           of
           Heaven
           still
           on
           in
           its
           support
           and
           preservation
           .
           And
           now
           if
           it
           please
           God
           to
           continue
           these
           Blessings
           to
           them
           ,
           he
           need
           but
           lengthen
           the
           days
           of
           such
           a
           Governour
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           
           Hezekiah's
           ,
           and
           then
           the
           designs
           of
           Providence
           ,
           will
           be
           answer'd
           by
           the
           very
           intention
           
           of
           Nature
           ,
           without
           recurrence
           to
           Miracles
           ,
           or
           bringing
           Prodigies
           on
           the
           Stage
           .
           But
           oh
           !
           then
           the
           Death
           of
           this
           great
           and
           good
           Man
           is
           as
           tragically
           lamented
           ,
           as
           his
           Life
           was
           admired
           ,
           and
           doated
           on
           :
           and
           unless
           the
           same
           kind
           Providence
           has
           otherwise
           design'd
           it
           ,
           strange
           changes
           ,
           and
           decays
           must
           likely
           happen
           both
           in
           Church
           ,
           and
           State.
           Just
           the
           reverse
           of
           this
           ,
           both
           as
           to
           Mercy
           and
           Judgment
           ,
           God
           intends
           the
           World
           ,
           in
           the
           Life
           and
           Death
           of
           a
           Wicked
           ,
           a
           Foolish
           ,
           a
           Tyrannical
           ,
           and
           degenerous
           Prince
           .
           For
           as
           he
           cannot
           deserve
           the
           love
           of
           his
           own
           People
           ,
           he
           consequently
           will
           not
           be
           able
           to
           procure
           the
           fear
           of
           his
           Neighbours
           .
           Either
           he
           will
           suffer
           himself
           ,
           and
           his
           Subjects
           to
           dissolve
           in
           Sloth
           ,
           and
           Luxury
           ;
           or
           he
           will
           dispirit
           them
           with
           Violence
           and
           Oppression
           ,
           or
           betray
           them
           by
           his
           Cowardice
           and
           Folly.
           A
           People
           will
           droop
           ,
           as
           if
           under
           the
           Reign
           and
           Guidance
           of
           some
           Malignant
           Planet
           ,
           having
           neither
           Courage
           to
           oppose
           their
           Enemies
           ,
           nor
           Spirit
           to
           Enrich
           and
           Advance
           themselves
           .
           'T
           is
           only
           the
           Exit
           to
           such
           an
           Inglorious
           Life
           and
           Reign
           ,
           can
           reinstate
           them
           in
           the
           possession
           of
           their
           Hopes
           ,
           and
           capacitate
           them
           for
           the
           Enjoyment
           of
           those
           Mercies
           ,
           which
           Heaven
           may
           design
           them
           .
           I
           might
           produce
           innumerable
           instances
           of
           this
           sort
           ,
           to
           confirm
           what
           I
           am
           proving
           :
           viz.
           That
           God
           serves
           his
           Providence
           of
           the
           Efficacy
           and
           Powers
           of
           Natural
           Causes
           ,
           in
           his
           Presidency
           over
           the
           World.
           But
           I
           hasten
           to
           another
           consideration
           :
           viz.
           
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           That
           he
           suspends
           or
           alters
           the
           settled
           course
           of
           Natural
           Laws
           ,
           when
           they
           happen
           to
           obstruct
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           do
           not
           forward
           the
           purposes
           and
           ends
           of
           his
           Government
           .
        
         
           Though
           nothing
           can
           be
           wiser
           or
           better
           order'd
           ,
           than
           the
           settled
           course
           of
           second
           Causes
           ,
           in
           the
           constant
           and
           regular
           Production
           of
           their
           Effects
           ;
           yet
           the
           laws
           of
           them
           ,
           like
           the
           laws
           of
           Nations
           ,
           being
           of
           great
           simplicity
           ,
           and
           constituted
           for
           the
           general
           good
           of
           the
           Universe
           ,
           can
           not
           always
           bend
           and
           comply
           to
           those
           particular
           Moral
           Exigencies
           ,
           which
           
           Men
           may
           create
           by
           the
           perverse
           use
           of
           their
           Liberty
           ;
           and
           therefore
           God
           has
           reserved
           to
           himself
           a
           transcendant
           Right
           (
           as
           it
           were
           a
           Court
           of
           Equity
           )
           of
           suspending
           ,
           or
           post-poning
           their
           Execution
           ,
           to
           mitigate
           that
           rigorous
           procedure
           ,
           and
           redress
           those
           unequal
           Judgments
           ,
           which
           might
           otherwise
           reflect
           upon
           his
           Wisdom
           or
           his
           Justice
           .
           For
           why
           should
           it
           be
           suppos'd
           that
           God
           who
           is
           the
           freest
           Agent
           ,
           should
           prescribe
           himself
           such
           Fatal
           and
           unalterable
           Laws
           ,
           as
           might
           any
           ways
           controul
           the
           exercise
           of
           his
           Power
           ,
           or
           tie
           the
           hands
           of
           his
           Providence
           ,
           in
           his
           merciful
           and
           bounteous
           designs
           to
           his
           Creatures
           ?
           He
           that
           made
           those
           Laws
           for
           the
           good
           order
           of
           the
           Natural
           World
           ,
           may
           well
           be
           allowed
           to
           suspend
           ,
           revoke
           ,
           or
           alter
           them
           to
           serve
           an
           higher
           end
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           for
           the
           dispensations
           of
           his
           Grace
           ,
           and
           the
           benefit
           of
           his
           Church
           and
           People
           .
           All
           the
           miracles
           which
           have
           ever
           been
           wrought
           ,
           are
           so
           many
           demonstrations
           of
           this
           Soveraign
           and
           free
           Power
           ,
           which
           he
           has
           imploy'd
           for
           the
           manifestation
           of
           himself
           ,
           and
           the
           service
           of
           his
           Worshippers
           :
           
           
             As
             when
             the
             Fire
             had
             power
             in
             the
             Water
             ,
             forgetting
             its
             own
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             the
             Water
             forgat
             its
             own
             quenching
             Nature
             ,
             and
             when
             the
             Flames
             wasted
             not
             the
             Flesh
             of
             corruptible
             living
             things
          
           ;
           in
           all
           which
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           instances
           ,
           
             God
             magnified
             his
             People
             and
             glorifyed
             them
             ,
             and
             assisted
             them
             in
             every
             Time
             and
             Place
             .
          
           If
           it
           be
           said
           ,
           that
           the
           age
           of
           Miracles
           is
           past
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Lord
           no
           longer
           deals
           by
           such
           extraordinary
           Methods
           with
           Mankind
           ;
           we
           own
           that
           the
           sign
           and
           the
           wonder
           ,
           the
           ostentatious
           part
           of
           Miracles
           is
           ceas'd
           .
           The
           Sun
           does
           not
           stand
           still
           in
           Gibeon
           ,
           nor
           the
           Moon
           in
           the
           Valley
           of
           Ajalon
           .
           God
           does
           not
           work
           Prodigies
           ,
           to
           amaze
           and
           confound
           his
           Enemies
           ,
           or
           to
           convince
           his
           own
           People
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           his
           Revelations
           ,
           which
           have
           already
           been
           so
           abundantly
           attested
           by
           those
           powerful
           Credentials
           .
           But
           whoever
           from
           hence
           will
           conclude
           ,
           that
           he
           never
           supersedes
           the
           ordinary
           course
           of
           things
           ,
           that
           he
           does
           not
           sometimes
           withhold
           ,
           
           or
           promote
           ,
           or
           stop
           ,
           and
           revolt
           the
           Wheels
           of
           Nature
           in
           their
           Roats
           ,
           for
           the
           relief
           of
           the
           Good
           and
           Righteous
           ,
           or
           the
           punishment
           of
           Atheistical
           and
           Wicked
           Men
           ;
           must
           be
           driven
           to
           this
           Conclusion
           ,
           that
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           is
           less
           dear
           to
           him
           than
           that
           of
           Moses
           ,
           and
           that
           a
           Christian
           has
           not
           equal
           pretensions
           to
           the
           care
           of
           Providence
           ,
           with
           a
           Jew
           :
           But
           if
           this
           were
           so
           ,
           what
           imaginable
           encouragement
           could
           be
           left
           to
           our
           Prayers
           ,
           in
           our
           Difficulties
           or
           Distresses
           ,
           which
           yet
           God
           has
           commanded
           us
           to
           make
           ,
           and
           has
           promised
           to
           hear
           and
           grant
           ?
           When
           our
           Blood
           boils
           within
           us
           ,
           and
           a
           Raging
           Fever
           drinks
           up
           our
           Spirits
           ,
           to
           what
           purpose
           shall
           we
           have
           recourse
           to
           God
           for
           help
           ,
           if
           the
           Disease
           must
           equally
           spend
           its
           force
           ,
           and
           the
           Remedies
           be
           as
           ineffectual
           ,
           as
           if
           instead
           of
           Praying
           we
           had
           Blasphemed
           ?
           They
           
             that
             go
             down
             to
             the
             Sea
             in
             Ships
          
           (
           says
           the
           Psalmist
           )
           
             and
             do
             business
             in
             great
             Waters
             ,
          
           
           
             These
             see
             the
             Works
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             his
             wonders
             in
             the
             deep
             .
             For
             he
             commandeth
             ,
             and
             raiseth
             the
             stormy
             Wind
             which
             lifteth
             up
             the
             Waves
             thereof
             .
             They
             mount
             up
             to
             the
             Heaven
             ,
             they
             go
             down
             to
             the
             depths
             :
             Their
             Soul
             is
             melted
             because
             of
             trouble
             .
             They
             reel
             to
             and
             fro
             ,
             and
             stagger
             like
             a
             Drunken
             Man
             ,
             and
             are
             at
             their
             wits
             end
             :
          
           as
           he
           Elegantly
           describes
           their
           condition
           in
           a
           Tempest
           .
           
             Then
             they
             cry
             unto
             the
             Lord
             in
             their
             trouble
             ,
             and
             he
             brings
             them
             out
             of
             their
             distresses
             .
          
           But
           to
           little
           purpose
           it
           would
           be
           for
           the
           Mariners
           to
           cry
           unto
           the
           Lord
           in
           hopes
           of
           Deliverance
           ,
           if
           he
           suffer'd
           the
           Winds
           and
           Waves
           to
           take
           their
           full
           swinge
           in
           wrecking
           their
           fury
           upon
           the
           defenceless
           Vessel
           ,
           and
           he
           vouchsafed
           not
           
             to
             rebuke
             the
             Winds
             ,
             and
             to
             say
             unto
             the
             Sea
             ,
             Peace
             ,
             be
             still
             .
          
           Such
           Miracles
           as
           these
           we
           make
           no
           doubt
           but
           God
           works
           every
           day
           for
           the
           benefit
           of
           those
           ,
           who
           in
           their
           troubles
           heartily
           and
           devoutly
           call
           upon
           him
           .
           Yet
           if
           any
           shall
           still
           contend
           ,
           as
           some
           have
           done
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           below
           the
           dignity
           and
           nature
           of
           an
           Universal
           ,
           and
           Immutable
           Being
           ,
           to
           deviate
           from
           his
           general
           Will
           ,
           in
           these
           particular
           exceptions
           ,
           and
           contradictions
           to
           it
           ;
           these
           
           may
           be
           also
           satisfied
           ,
           without
           receeding
           from
           what
           has
           been
           said
           ,
           by
           considering
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           That
           God
           interesses
           his
           Angels
           in
           affairs
           here
           below
           ,
           and
           makes
           them
           Minister
           to
           the
           necessities
           and
           advantage
           of
           Mankind
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           Infancy
           ,
           and
           uninlightned
           ages
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           if
           God
           had
           any
           special
           Message
           to
           reveal
           ,
           or
           Business
           to
           transact
           with
           the
           Sons
           of
           Men
           ,
           his
           Angels
           were
           his
           Ambassadors
           ,
           Commission'd
           to
           perform
           it
           in
           his
           Name
           ;
           and
           as
           they
           themselves
           appear'd
           with
           a
           visible
           Pomp
           ,
           and
           Authority
           ,
           so
           they
           discharged
           their
           Office
           in
           the
           Face
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           thereby
           asserted
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Revelation
           ,
           and
           the
           Soveraign
           Power
           of
           the
           Revealer
           .
           But
           since
           those
           Ministers
           have
           withdrawn
           themselves
           from
           that
           manifest
           commerce
           ,
           we
           are
           more
           in
           the
           dark
           concerning
           the
           extent
           of
           their
           Province
           ,
           and
           the
           actual
           exercise
           of
           their
           Power
           :
           Nevertheless
           since
           in
           Scripture
           we
           read
           of
           Kingdoms
           committed
           to
           the
           care
           of
           Angels
           ,
           and
           hear
           of
           
             the
             Princes
             of
          
           Persia
           ,
           
             and
             of
          
           Greece
           ,
           
           
             and
             of
          
           Michael
           
             the
             Prince
             that
             Protected
             Israel
          
           .
           Since
           we
           are
           assured
           that
           
             they
             are
             all
             Ministring
             Spirits
          
           ,
           
           
             sent
             forth
             to
             Minister
             for
             them
             ,
             who
             shall
             be
             Heirs
             of
             Salvation
             :
          
           We
           cannot
           doubt
           but
           they
           still
           mingle
           themselves
           with
           humane
           Interests
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           appointment
           of
           their
           Almighty
           Lord
           ,
           ingage
           their
           Power
           in
           influencing
           both
           the
           publick
           Policies
           ,
           and
           private
           Transactions
           of
           the
           World
           :
           We
           are
           apt
           enough
           to
           believe
           there
           are
           evil
           and
           lying
           Spirits
           ,
           which
           diligently
           wait
           to
           betray
           us
           into
           Sin
           and
           Misery
           ;
           and
           why
           should
           we
           so
           reproach
           the
           Mercy
           and
           Goodness
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           to
           think
           he
           has
           not
           counterpoiz'd
           those
           evil
           designs
           with
           the
           auspicious
           Protection
           of
           more
           Charitable
           ,
           and
           Benevolent
           Natures
           ;
           which
           being
           so
           ,
           we
           need
           not
           nicely
           dispute
           how
           far
           God
           himself
           may
           Personally
           operate
           in
           the
           suspension
           or
           application
           of
           his
           general
           Laws
           ,
           to
           our
           particular
           necessities
           ,
           there
           being
           
           the
           same
           Mercy
           of
           Providence
           on
           God's
           part
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           obligation
           to
           gratitude
           ,
           and
           adoration
           on
           ours
           ,
           whether
           he
           in
           Person
           takes
           this
           immediate
           care
           of
           us
           ,
           or
           in
           subservience
           to
           his
           Will
           has
           appointed
           Deputies
           to
           this
           purpose
           ,
           and
           given
           his
           Angels
           charge
           over
           us
           ,
           to
           keep
           us
           in
           all
           our
           ways
           .
           
           I
           shall
           add
           but
           one
           consideration
           more
           ,
           of
           the
           manner
           of
           God's
           Providential
           Proceeding
           ,
           and
           that
           is
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           That
           he
           mannages
           the
           whole
           result
           of
           all
           sorts
           of
           Powers
           ,
           and
           Motions
           ,
           both
           in
           the
           Natural
           ,
           and
           Moral
           World
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           make
           all
           things
           however
           repugnant
           to
           his
           Will
           ,
           or
           inconsistent
           with
           one
           another
           ,
           harmoniously
           conspire
           in
           the
           producing
           those
           effects
           ,
           which
           his
           Wisdom
           has
           pre-determin'd
           ;
           which
           consideration
           I
           do
           not
           mention
           as
           distinct
           from
           the
           rest
           ,
           but
           as
           the
           summ
           and
           comprehension
           of
           them
           all
           .
           This
           is
           the
           great
           Mastery
           and
           perfection
           of
           the
           Divine
           Policy
           ,
           to
           act
           upon
           such
           thorough
           views
           as
           infallibly
           to
           attain
           its
           ends
           ,
           though
           by
           ways
           that
           seem
           never
           so
           contrary
           to
           ,
           or
           incompetible
           with
           them
           .
           Thus
           St.
           Paul
           contemplating
           the
           mysterious
           depths
           of
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           in
           the
           reciprocal
           Dispensations
           of
           Mercy
           ,
           to
           the
           Jews
           and
           Gentiles
           ;
           in
           that
           the
           unbelief
           of
           the
           Jews
           should
           administer
           to
           the
           Faith
           of
           the
           Gentiles
           ;
           and
           the
           bringing
           in
           the
           Fullness
           of
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           at
           length
           turn
           to
           the
           Salvation
           of
           the
           Jews
           ;
           breaks
           out
           into
           an
           ecstasie
           of
           Admiration
           .
           
             Oh!
             the
             depth
             of
             the
             Riches
             ,
             both
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Knowledge
             of
             God
             ;
             how
             unsearchable
             are
             his
             Judgments
             ,
             and
             his
             ways
             past
             finding
             out
             ?
          
           
           Doubtless
           this
           is
           an
           Abyss
           ,
           that
           no
           created
           understanding
           can
           fathom
           .
           'T
           is
           that
           infinite
           mind
           alone
           ,
           which
           at
           one
           steady
           ,
           and
           unchangeable
           view
           ,
           takes
           in
           the
           whole
           Eternal
           round
           of
           Causes
           and
           Effects
           ,
           which
           can
           either
           sufficiently
           admire
           ,
           or
           comprehend
           the
           reaches
           of
           its
           own
           Wisdom
           .
           But
           notwithstanding
           our
           inability
           to
           see
           far
           into
           the
           Divine
           Councels
           ;
           we
           are
           confident
           that
           nothing
           falls
           out
           but
           by
           the
           Appointment
           of
           an
           Heavenly
           Father
           ,
           who
           is
           so
           intimately
           
           conscious
           to
           our
           minutest
           concerns
           :
           that
           ,
           to
           express
           it
           ,
           
             the
             very
             Hairs
             of
             our
             head
          
           are
           said
           to
           
             be
             numbred
             by
             him
          
           .
           
           And
           't
           is
           the
           foundation
           of
           the
           greatest
           hope
           ,
           and
           security
           to
           us
           Christians
           ,
           to
           
             know
             that
             all
             things
             shall
             work
             together
             for
             Good
             to
             them
             that
             love
             God.
          
           
           Even
           the
           Sin
           and
           Evil
           ,
           and
           Folly
           and
           Rashness
           of
           Men
           ,
           things
           most
           repugnant
           to
           his
           Nature
           ,
           and
           Will
           ,
           shall
           one
           way
           or
           other
           tend
           to
           illustrate
           the
           wonderful
           extent
           of
           his
           Wisdom
           ,
           who
           from
           the
           Darkness
           and
           Confusion
           of
           a
           Chaos
           ,
           could
           raise
           the
           August
           Fabrick
           of
           a
           World
           ;
           and
           from
           the
           more
           horrid
           distractions
           of
           Sin
           and
           Madness
           ,
           can
           strike
           out
           the
           most
           beautiful
           ,
           and
           uniform
           designs
           for
           the
           Happiness
           and
           Encouragement
           of
           his
           Servants
           :
           How
           otherwise
           could
           Joseph
           have
           risen
           to
           little
           less
           than
           Royal
           Dignity
           ,
           by
           means
           that
           ,
           humanely
           speaking
           ,
           tended
           only
           to
           Misery
           and
           Perdition
           ?
           Could
           the
           purposes
           of
           Revenge
           ,
           and
           Hatred
           in
           his
           Brethren
           to
           destroy
           him
           ;
           of
           Covetousness
           in
           Merchants
           to
           sell
           ,
           and
           inslave
           him
           ;
           of
           disappointed
           Lust
           in
           an
           inraged
           Woman
           ,
           to
           Imprison
           him
           ;
           have
           ever
           been
           conceived
           to
           be
           gradual
           steps
           to
           his
           saving
           both
           Israel
           and
           Aegypt
           ?
           Yet
           these
           and
           a
           number
           of
           other
           as
           unlikely
           presages
           to
           Advancement
           ,
           were
           ordain'd
           by
           God
           the
           necessary
           preparations
           for
           it
           .
           But
           't
           is
           more
           amazing
           to
           follow
           the
           Clue
           of
           God's
           wonderful
           Oeconomy
           in
           all
           those
           perplex'd
           Labyrinths
           through
           which
           he
           deduced
           his
           great
           purpose
           ,
           of
           raising
           the
           Posterity
           of
           fallen
           Man
           by
           the
           Seed
           of
           the
           Woman
           ,
           the
           Messiah
           of
           the
           World.
           
             The
             Kings
             of
             the
             Earth
             stood
             up
             ,
             and
             the
             Rulers
             took
             Counsel
             together
             against
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             against
             his
             Anointed
             .
          
           All
           Earthly
           Powers
           conspired
           to
           destroy
           him
           in
           the
           Root
           ,
           in
           his
           Progenitors
           ,
           or
           to
           cut
           off
           the
           Righteous
           branch
           of
           Jesse
           :
           But
           how
           vain
           were
           their
           imaginations
           ,
           and
           rash
           and
           foolish
           their
           endeavours
           when
           God
           had
           determin'd
           to
           
             set
             his
             King
             upon
             his
             Holy
             Hill
             of
             Sion
             ?
             Ps.
          
           2.
           
           Our
           short-sighted
           knowledge
           can
           comprehend
           but
           a
           few
           ,
           and
           those
           the
           most
           obvious
           Links
           in
           
           this
           wonderful
           Chain
           of
           Providence
           ,
           but
           yet
           enow
           to
           humble
           us
           in
           our
           own
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           to
           teach
           us
           
             that
             there
             is
             no
             Wisdom
             ,
             nor
             Vnderstanding
             ,
             nor
             Counsel
             against
             the
             Lord.
          
           Which
           point
           being
           sufficiently
           clear'd
           ,
           I
           come
           to
           the
           second
           general
           ,
           to
           discover
           briefly
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           Intention
           ,
           or
           Ends
           ,
           and
           Reasons
           of
           God's
           thus
           interposing
           his
           Providence
           in
           the
           Government
           of
           humane
           affairs
           and
           actions
           ;
           and
           these
           in
           general
           are
           two
           .
           First
           ,
           The
           Temporal
           Prosperity
           and
           Security
           of
           his
           Church
           and
           People
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           exercising
           those
           Vertues
           and
           Graces
           in
           them
           ,
           which
           are
           necessary
           to
           their
           Eternal
           Happiness
           .
           First
           ,
           The
           Temporal
           Prosperity
           and
           Security
           of
           his
           Church
           and
           People
           .
           There
           are
           two
           great
           Evils
           which
           in
           this
           present
           disorder'd
           state
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           violently
           break
           in
           upon
           the
           Wellfare
           and
           Happiness
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           are
           very
           great
           Reasons
           to
           induce
           an
           Omnipotent
           God
           to
           inspect
           and
           govern
           humane
           affairs
           :
           these
           are
           the
           destructive
           use
           of
           the
           Liberty
           of
           their
           own
           Minds
           :
           and
           the
           irresistible
           violence
           of
           external
           Bodies
           :
           one
           great
           share
           of
           Mens
           infelicity
           happening
           to
           them
           by
           the
           design'd
           wickedness
           of
           their
           Neighbours
           ;
           and
           another
           portion
           of
           misery
           accruing
           ,
           by
           the
           unpremeditate
           injuries
           of
           outward
           accidents
           ,
           which
           no
           foresight
           could
           prevent
           or
           remedy
           .
           So
           that
           these
           necessities
           seem
           to
           have
           superinduced
           a
           peculiar
           Order
           of
           Providence
           ,
           which
           an
           unsinning
           state
           did
           not
           stand
           in
           need
           of
           :
           For
           as
           it
           was
           a
           state
           of
           Innocence
           ,
           there
           was
           no
           moral
           evils
           to
           disturb
           the
           quiet
           and
           felicity
           of
           Man
           ;
           and
           being
           a
           state
           of
           Happiness
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           certain
           too
           ,
           natural
           evils
           grew
           out
           of
           exteriour
           Bodies
           to
           afflict
           and
           grieve
           a
           Righteous
           Soul.
           The
           course
           of
           Nature
           was
           then
           subservient
           to
           the
           order
           of
           Grace
           ,
           till
           Sin
           and
           Evil
           entring
           ,
           broke
           and
           confounded
           the
           happy
           Connexion
           ,
           and
           obliged
           
             God
             to
             lay
             to
             his
             hand
             when
             Man
             had
             destroyed
             his
             Law.
          
           We
           know
           then
           that
           the
           present
           state
           of
           the
           World
           is
           such
           as
           justly
           calls
           for
           an
           over-ruling
           Providence
           ,
           both
           to
           still
           the
           Raging
           of
           the
           
           Sea
           ,
           and
           to
           controul
           the
           other
           Elements
           ,
           and
           also
           to
           restrain
           the
           Madness
           and
           Wickedness
           of
           the
           People
           :
           that
           so
           neither
           the
           design'd
           Malice
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           nor
           the
           blind
           and
           insensate
           Fury
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           may
           pass
           the
           bounds
           which
           the
           Almighty
           sets
           them
           .
           Were
           it
           not
           for
           such
           an
           unconfin'd
           Soveraignty
           of
           God
           ,
           his
           Worshippers
           would
           be
           the
           most
           wretched
           and
           forsaken
           People
           living
           .
           They
           would
           lie
           at
           the
           Mercy
           of
           a
           wicked
           and
           desperate
           Race
           ,
           and
           be
           subject
           to
           the
           Outrage
           and
           Violence
           of
           every
           other
           Creature
           ;
           and
           that
           without
           Refuge
           ,
           and
           without
           Hopes
           .
           Nay
           how
           can
           we
           conceive
           but
           that
           the
           Face
           of
           a
           Visible
           Church
           ,
           had
           long
           since
           disappear'd
           ,
           had
           it
           not
           been
           for
           the
           assurance
           of
           a
           Divine
           Presence
           ,
           and
           assistance
           to
           the
           End
           of
           the
           World
           ?
           The
           Impious
           Rage
           ,
           and
           Enmity
           of
           Earthy
           Powers
           ,
           had
           e're
           this
           effac'd
           the
           memory
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           excluded
           the
           belief
           of
           a
           Deity
           ,
           no
           less
           than
           of
           a
           Providence
           ;
           from
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           ;
           especially
           ,
           if
           that
           Brood
           of
           Evils
           ,
           which
           Nature
           teems
           with
           ,
           were
           permitted
           to
           take
           part
           with
           the
           Wickedness
           of
           Man
           ,
           in
           disheartning
           Religion
           and
           Piety
           towards
           God
           :
           What
           destructions
           might
           Deluges
           ,
           Earthquakes
           ,
           and
           Conflagrations
           e'er
           this
           ,
           have
           brought
           upon
           the
           Earth
           ,
           had
           they
           constantly
           been
           suffer'd
           to
           exert
           their
           natural
           ,
           and
           unbroken
           strength
           ?
           and
           if
           Thunder
           ,
           and
           Lightning
           ,
           Storm
           and
           Tempest
           ,
           Heat
           and
           Cold
           ,
           Poisons
           and
           Pestilences
           ,
           were
           discharged
           from
           the
           Regions
           of
           the
           air
           we
           breath
           in
           ,
           in
           their
           genuine
           and
           native
           Force
           ,
           and
           Providence
           interpos'd
           not
           to
           prevent
           their
           effects
           ,
           or
           over-rule
           them
           to
           an
           excellent
           end
           ;
           the
           best
           of
           Men
           would
           labour
           under
           a
           worse
           fate
           than
           Cain
           ;
           and
           imagine
           not
           only
           that
           every
           Man
           ,
           but
           that
           every
           part
           of
           Nature
           was
           arm'd
           against
           them
           to
           destroy
           them
           .
           But
           all
           these
           fears
           and
           despondencies
           are
           removed
           ,
           by
           the
           assurance
           God
           has
           given
           of
           his
           constant
           Care
           and
           Vigilance
           over
           his
           Church
           and
           People
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           second
           end
           and
           reason
           of
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           in
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           is
           the
           exercising
           
           those
           our
           Vertues
           and
           Graces
           ,
           which
           support
           it
           and
           depend
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           are
           necessary
           qualifications
           for
           Eternal
           Happiness
           .
           What
           would
           become
           of
           our
           Christian
           Faith
           and
           Hope
           ,
           of
           our
           Confidence
           and
           Patience
           ,
           of
           our
           Peace
           and
           Joy
           in
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ,
           if
           we
           were
           not
           assured
           there
           was
           a
           good
           God
           who
           prevented
           our
           Sufferings
           and
           Afflictions
           ,
           or
           supported
           us
           under
           them
           ,
           or
           rewarded
           us
           for
           them
           .
           If
           he
           were
           unconcern'd
           at
           the
           Successes
           ,
           or
           Misfortunes
           of
           our
           present
           Life
           ,
           of
           what
           use
           would
           be
           a
           great
           part
           of
           our
           Services
           and
           Devotions
           ?
           Why
           should
           we
           pray
           unto
           him
           for
           temporal
           Mercies
           ,
           or
           return
           thanks
           for
           Benefits
           received
           ?
           To
           what
           purpose
           were
           our
           present
           Solemnity
           of
           pouring
           out
           our
           hearts
           in
           Praise
           and
           Thanksgiving
           to
           God
           ,
           for
           restoring
           Peace
           to
           our
           Nation
           ,
           and
           Blessing
           his
           Majesty's
           Councels
           ,
           and
           indeavours
           in
           promoting
           it
           ;
           if
           there
           were
           nothing
           in
           the
           whole
           event
           ,
           but
           what
           was
           owing
           to
           humane
           Strength
           and
           Policy
           ,
           and
           the
           natural
           course
           of
           things
           ?
           And
           therefore
           as
           the
           sense
           of
           Providence
           begets
           in
           the
           Wise
           ,
           and
           Good
           ,
           Pious
           and
           devout
           Affections
           ;
           invigorates
           their
           Vertues
           and
           Graces
           ,
           and
           the
           ends
           of
           Religion
           are
           served
           by
           the
           belief
           of
           it
           :
           So
           God
           will
           magnify
           himself
           in
           the
           disappointments
           of
           the
           wicked
           :
           and
           by
           overthrowing
           their
           infidel
           purposes
           ,
           and
           resisting
           their
           indeavours
           make
           them
           at
           last
           confess
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           he
           alone
           that
           Rules
           in
           the
           Kingdoms
           of
           Men.
           Lest
           the
           humble
           and
           meek
           should
           despair
           and
           faint
           ,
           and
           the
           proud
           boysterous
           Sinners
           triumph
           in
           their
           power
           ;
           he
           makes
           the
           success
           of
           things
           unequal
           to
           their
           Causes
           ,
           
             so
             that
             the
             race
             is
             not
             to
             the
             swift
             ,
             nor
             the
             Battel
             to
             the
             strong
             .
          
           For
           which
           reason
           our
           Church
           devoutly
           acknowledging
           the
           Poverty
           and
           Weakness
           of
           humane
           Forces
           ,
           unless
           in
           dependance
           on
           the
           Favour
           and
           Providence
           of
           Almighty
           God
           ;
           ever
           accompanies
           the
           efforts
           of
           our
           Fleets
           ,
           and
           Armies
           ,
           with
           her
           Prayers
           ;
           and
           returns
           the
           Praise
           and
           Honour
           of
           all
           Success
           to
           God
           ,
           in
           those
           dutiful
           Resentments
           and
           Thanksgivings
           which
           she
           offers
           .
           Which
           leads
           me
           to
           the
           third
           thing
           propos'd
           .
        
         
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           To
           apply
           these
           Considerations
           to
           that
           particular
           Providence
           ,
           and
           Mercy
           of
           God
           which
           we
           now
           commemorate
           :
           A
           Mercy
           so
           extraordinary
           and
           surprizing
           ,
           that
           our
           Joys
           will
           hardly
           give
           leave
           to
           our
           Thoughts
           to
           represent
           it
           ;
           A
           Mercy
           which
           this
           Nation
           has
           long
           hoped
           for
           ,
           and
           long
           prayed
           for
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           pursuit
           of
           it
           has
           expended
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           Blood
           and
           Treasure
           ;
           but
           has
           at
           length
           obtain'd
           ,
           under
           the
           Glorious
           Conduct
           of
           our
           Great
           Soveraign
           ,
           concurring
           with
           Almighty
           Providence
           ,
           in
           the
           birth
           of
           a
           Happy
           and
           Honourable
           Peace
           ,
           of
           which
           he
           has
           so
           long
           travail'd
           :
           How
           great
           a
           Blessing
           Peace
           is
           after
           the
           long
           toils
           and
           expences
           of
           War
           every
           People
           is
           sufficiently
           sensible
           ;
           but
           setting
           aside
           the
           common
           advantages
           ,
           that
           which
           renders
           it
           inestimable
           to
           these
           Kingdoms
           ,
           is
           that
           hereby
           they
           are
           establish'd
           upon
           a
           firm
           and
           unshaken
           foundation
           ;
           a
           work
           which
           being
           hitherto
           retarded
           ,
           and
           undermin'd
           ,
           was
           reserv'd
           for
           the
           Reign
           of
           Him
           ,
           who
           seems
           destin'd
           by
           Providence
           ,
           for
           the
           redress
           of
           oppress'd
           Nations
           ,
           and
           the
           safety
           and
           deliverance
           of
           Europe
           I
           shall
           not
           be
           thought
           to
           detract
           from
           his
           Courage
           ,
           or
           his
           Wisdom
           ,
           when
           I
           say
           he
           has
           been
           made
           the
           great
           instrument
           of
           Providence
           ,
           in
           healing
           the
           Wounds
           of
           divided
           Christendom
           ;
           and
           unravelling
           those
           great
           events
           ,
           which
           have
           lain
           for
           Ages
           wrapt
           up
           in
           the
           dark
           folds
           of
           Time.
           He
           must
           be
           obstinately
           blind
           who
           will
           not
           at
           least
           perceive
           a
           Divine
           Hand
           in
           the
           whole
           Scene
           of
           his
           Actions
           ,
           and
           confess
           that
           so
           large
           a
           Field
           of
           Glory
           ,
           was
           appointed
           for
           his
           Heroick
           Vertues
           to
           expatiate
           in
           .
           Indeed
           his
           Life
           in
           the
           many
           great
           turns
           of
           it
           ,
           seems
           to
           be
           wholly
           Miraculous
           ;
           and
           all
           those
           vast
           difficulties
           which
           constantly
           encountred
           his
           aspiring
           Honour
           ,
           design'd
           by
           Heaven
           to
           Illustrate
           the
           Greatness
           of
           his
           Merit
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           his
           Vertues
           unparallel'd
           ,
           and
           Triumphant
           .
           If
           we
           view
           him
           more
           particularly
           ,
           and
           nearer
           home
           ,
           in
           the
           late
           wonderful
           Revolutions
           ,
           what
           less
           then
           a
           Divine
           Power
           could
           have
           so
           happily
           establish'd
           him
           on
           his
           Throne
           ;
           What
           else
           
           could
           have
           turn'd
           the
           Hearts
           of
           a
           great
           People
           ,
           as
           of
           one
           Man
           :
           and
           have
           broken
           all
           those
           measures
           ,
           which
           were
           laid
           for
           the
           ruine
           of
           our
           Liberties
           and
           Religion
           ?
           what
           else
           could
           have
           encouraged
           him
           to
           undertake
           the
           Cause
           of
           distress'd
           Europe
           ,
           against
           the
           over-grown
           Power
           of
           an
           ambitious
           Nation
           ;
           or
           have
           enabled
           him
           to
           humble
           her
           in
           the
           heighth
           of
           her
           Victories
           and
           Successes
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           make
           her
           stoop
           to
           the
           modest
           requests
           of
           Peace
           ,
           and
           narrower
           Limits
           of
           Dominion
           ?
           who
           but
           such
           a
           Prince
           ,
           and
           under
           a
           Divine
           Direction
           ,
           could
           have
           retrieved
           the
           Ancient
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           Valour
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           high
           Reputation
           of
           these
           Realms
           ;
           and
           thereby
           extinguisht
           a
           flaming
           War
           ,
           that
           depopulated
           and
           laid
           wast
           the
           best
           cultivated
           part
           of
           the
           Earth
           ?
           He
           that
           will
           ascribe
           such
           Effects
           as
           these
           to
           meer
           Naval
           Preparations
           ,
           and
           Field
           Forces
           ,
           under
           the
           sole
           guidance
           of
           a
           Cabinet
           Council
           ;
           must
           be
           obliged
           to
           own
           his
           disbelief
           of
           a
           God
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           that
           he
           has
           any
           interest
           in
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           World.
           For
           if
           Humane
           Wisdom
           could
           have
           prevail'd
           ,
           where
           were
           there
           more
           refined
           Policies
           than
           in
           a
           Neighbouring
           Court
           ?
           If
           Humane
           Force
           ,
           where
           were
           there
           such
           mighty
           Preparations
           against
           the
           day
           of
           Battel
           ?
           Insomuch
           ,
           that
           I
           know
           not
           in
           what
           instance
           the
           adorable
           Wisdom
           of
           Providence
           is
           more
           conspicuous
           ,
           than
           in
           causing
           a
           Nation
           ,
           which
           hardly
           any
           Foreign
           Force
           could
           shake
           ,
           to
           sink
           under
           the
           weight
           of
           her
           own
           grandeur
           ,
           and
           grow
           less
           by
           her
           Conquests
           :
           Those
           toils
           which
           she
           spread
           to
           a
           vast
           extent
           for
           the
           Captivating
           other
           Kingdoms
           ,
           have
           providentially
           exhausted
           her
           own
           Bowels
           ,
           and
           left
           the
           decaying
           Bulk
           of
           Power
           to
           be
           recruited
           by
           the
           gentler
           Methods
           of
           Peace
           and
           Tranquility
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           disappointment
           of
           all
           her
           lofty
           Projects
           ,
           and
           gigantick
           Undertakings
           ,
           we
           have
           an
           undoubted
           Testimony
           afforded
           to
           this
           truth
           ,
           
             That
             there
             is
             no
             Wisdom
             ,
             nor
             Vnderstanding
             ,
             nor
             Counsel
             against
             the
             Lord
             ;
             that
             the
             Horse
             is
             prepared
             against
             the
             day
             of
             Battel
             ,
             but
             safety
             is
             of
             the
             Lord.
          
           
           To
           the
           Lord
           therefore
           we
           ascribe
           our
           Peace
           and
           Safety
           :
           The
           Safety
           of
           our
           Persons
           ,
           and
           our
           Properties
           ,
           but
           especially
           the
           Safety
           of
           our
           Church
           :
           and
           here
           I
           beg
           leave
           to
           remind
           you
           of
           your
           Duties
           to
           Thankfullness
           and
           Gratitude
           upon
           this
           occasion
           ;
           in
           that
           there
           is
           not
           any
           Church
           on
           Earth
           ,
           that
           has
           had
           more
           Signal
           Providences
           ,
           to
           approve
           it
           the
           immediate
           Care
           and
           Concern
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           than
           this
           we
           are
           Members
           of
           .
           How
           often
           has
           it
           been
           ready
           to
           be
           swallowed
           up
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           to
           magnify
           the
           goodness
           of
           God
           in
           its
           Preservation
           !
           What
           Method
           of
           a
           Miraculous
           Providence
           ,
           has
           been
           wanting
           to
           Confirm
           its
           Establishment
           ?
           Open
           Violence
           and
           Secret
           Conspiracies
           to
           destroy
           and
           undermine
           it
           ,
           have
           still
           been
           over-rul'd
           by
           that
           Almighty
           Arm
           which
           protects
           it
           to
           its
           greater
           Glory
           and
           Security
           :
           Witness
           an
           
             Invincible
             Armado
          
           ,
           threatning
           our
           Kingdom
           with
           perpetual
           Slavery
           of
           Soul
           and
           Body
           ,
           dispers'd
           and
           ruin'd
           by
           the
           irresistable
           Power
           of
           God
           ,
           
             who
             makes
             the
             Creature
             his
             Weapon
             for
             the
             Revenge
             of
             his
             Enemies
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             causes
             a
             mighty
             Wind
             to
             stand
             up
             against
             them
             ,
             and
             blow
             them
             away
             .
          
           Witness
           the
           dark
           designs
           of
           Hell
           ,
           to
           destroy
           our
           Laws
           and
           Law-makers
           ,
           our
           Church
           and
           State
           at
           one
           blow
           ,
           betrayed
           and
           confounded
           by
           a
           kind
           of
           supernatural
           ,
           and
           prophetical
           impression
           on
           the
           Spirit
           of
           our
           Prince
           :
           Nay
           that
           which
           is
           more
           amazing
           ,
           the
           Blood
           of
           our
           Royal
           Martyr
           ,
           wherewith
           the
           Life
           and
           Soul
           of
           our
           Religion
           seem'd
           to
           expire
           ;
           how
           has
           it
           by
           the
           wonderful
           appointment
           of
           Heaven
           proved
           the
           seed
           of
           the
           Church
           ?
           The
           
             Wrath
             of
             Man
          
           in
           that
           desperate
           and
           unheard
           of
           Wickedness
           
             has
             turn'd
             to
             the
             praise
             of
             God
          
           ;
           in
           that
           the
           blessings
           which
           this
           Church
           and
           Nation
           at
           this
           day
           enjoy
           ,
           under
           the
           happy
           Protection
           of
           our
           present
           Soveraign
           ,
           have
           a
           visible
           dependance
           and
           connexion
           with
           the
           fatal
           Event
           .
           Who
           can
           chuse
           but
           admire
           and
           adore
           the
           goodness
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           has
           not
           suffer'd
           our
           Wickedness
           to
           make
           us
           miserable
           as
           we
           have
           deserved
           ;
           but
           whenever
           
           his
           threatnings
           or
           his
           judgments
           have
           wrought
           in
           us
           a
           deep
           sense
           of
           our
           Sins
           ,
           and
           Sorrow
           for
           them
           ,
           has
           still
           manifested
           his
           mercy
           in
           our
           Deliverance
           !
           If
           he
           has
           formerly
           suffer'd
           the
           Lustre
           of
           our
           Church
           to
           be
           eclyps'd
           ,
           't
           is
           probably
           that
           it
           might
           at
           least
           shine
           with
           a
           brighter
           vigour
           ,
           under
           his
           gracious
           Patronage
           ,
           whom
           he
           has
           made
           the
           Author
           of
           our
           Peace
           ,
           and
           the
           Defender
           of
           our
           Faith.
           For
           who
           can
           conceive
           but
           to
           this
           end
           God
           has
           raised
           him
           up
           ,
           and
           Cover'd
           his
           head
           so
           often
           in
           the
           day
           of
           Battel
           ;
           that
           to
           this
           end
           his
           Angels
           have
           taken
           care
           ,
           that
           whilst
           Thousands
           fell
           on
           his
           right
           hand
           ,
           and
           on
           his
           left
           ,
           the
           Arrows
           of
           Death
           have
           not
           come
           nigh
           him
           ?
           May
           the
           same
           good
           Providence
           persevere
           to
           Protect
           and
           Defend
           Him
           ,
           who
           has
           ,
           at
           the
           Hazard
           of
           his
           Life
           ,
           so
           often
           Defended
           us
           :
           and
           may
           our
           Thankfulness
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           grateful
           Obedience
           to
           his
           Vicegerent
           ,
           deserve
           that
           he
           may
           long
           Reign
           over
           us
           ,
           and
           late
           exchange
           a
           Temporal
           for
           an
           Eternal
           Crown
           .
        
         
           All
           the
           Application
           I
           shall
           make
           shall
           be
           taken
           from
           the
           words
           of
           the
           Psalmist
           upon
           the
           like
           occasion
           .
           
             I
             will
             hear
             what
             God
             the
             Lord
             will
             speak
             :
          
           
           
             for
             he
             will
             speak
             Peace
             unto
             his
             People
             ,
             and
             to
             his
             Saints
             ,
             but
             let
             them
             not
             turn
             again
             to
             folly
             .
          
           'T
           is
           the
           provoking
           Folly
           of
           our
           Sins
           that
           has
           induced
           God
           to
           Unsheath
           the
           Sword
           upon
           us
           ,
           as
           the
           severest
           of
           National
           Punishments
           .
           But
           our
           Repentance
           or
           Chastisements
           have
           at
           last
           atton'd
           his
           Anger
           ,
           in
           causing
           him
           to
           put
           an
           end
           to
           War
           ,
           and
           
             speak
             Peace
             again
             unto
             his
             People
             :
          
           and
           't
           is
           now
           at
           our
           own
           extream
           Peril
           ,
           if
           we
           return
           to
           those
           Sins
           and
           Follies
           for
           which
           we
           have
           already
           suffer'd
           .
           God
           has
           given
           us
           Peace
           ,
           and
           with
           it
           ,
           has
           put
           into
           our
           hands
           all
           those
           Blessings
           which
           are
           the
           Materials
           of
           our
           Temporal
           Happiness
           ;
           so
           that
           nothing
           seems
           to
           be
           required
           on
           our
           parts
           ,
           but
           to
           prepare
           and
           qualify
           our
           hearts
           for
           the
           Enjoyment
           .
           If
           we
           shall
           inlarge
           our
           Souls
           with
           Joy
           and
           Gratitude
           ,
           in
           proportion
           to
           these
           Mercies
           ,
           we
           may
           reasonably
           expect
           ,
           
           the
           Continuance
           and
           Succession
           of
           them
           :
           But
           if
           we
           prove
           such
           insensible
           Wretches
           ,
           as
           no
           bounds
           can
           satisfy
           :
           If
           we
           are
           Impatient
           and
           Querulous
           ,
           and
           deal
           with
           God
           and
           our
           Prince
           ,
           as
           did
           the
           murmuring
           Israelites
           in
           the
           Desart
           ,
           we
           may
           justly
           apprehend
           that
           these
           our
           Follies
           ,
           will
           recal
           those
           Judgments
           ,
           which
           are
           now
           so
           happily
           past
           over
           us
           ;
           and
           expose
           our
           Church
           and
           Nation
           to
           a
           more
           irrevocable
           Sentence
           .
        
         
           Now
           we
           are
           made
           whole
           ,
           let
           us
           go
           and
           Sin
           no
           more
           ,
           left
           a
           worse
           thing
           come
           unto
           us
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A64242-e150
           
             Psal.
             33.
             16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             18.
             11.
             
          
           
             Job
             5.
             9.
             
          
           
             
               Amici
               ,
               di●m
               perdidi
            
             .
             Sueton.
             in
             vit
             .
             Tit.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             21.
             1.
             
          
           
             2
             Kings
             17.
             14.
             
          
           
             Wisd.
             19.
             20
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             107.
             23
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Dan.
             10.
             20.
             12.
             1.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             1.
             14.
             
          
           
             Ps.
             91.
             11.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             11.
             33
             
          
           
             Mat.
             10.
             30.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.
             28.
             
          
           
             Wisd.
             5.
             17
             ,
             22.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             85.
             8.