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bim_eighteenth-century_a-sermon-preached-at-the_gordon-alexander-minis_1750

* # 7 CHE DA * OCTOBER 3. 1749, wy 4 AT THE + Opening of the very Reverend the Provinei _ » SyYNonof ABERDE d DRUM a ORE 5 3 N E N. the Lord ſaid unto the Servant, High-ways and Hedges, and compet | them 1 to come in, That my Houſe may be filled. AT. a. . — 6 SIZES at ABERDEE * # EYE IO ae oy 5 : TOES WEI 3 2 3 ” * We | * — 5 4 a a e ” * N ws L 2 . 4. p £ 8 A UKE xiv. 23. | 4 % - - 3 . f 4 1 we >. - n 5 =: Is < 3 — a — - * T o 7 N * 2 = = * 4 < * 5 1 N = * '$ * E 1 = * * — V4 4 * Rn i $A 2 A * . _= by OY 1 —_ 4 — 7 — EXANDER GOR DON, A. M. Miniſter of the Goſpel at Kintore. CY $, wu _EDINBURC rinted by R. FLEMING, - * 4 g T 0 | The Rienr Hovounabie ALEXANDER FRASER of Fricben, AND Hew DALRYMfIL E of Drumore, Eſqrs. LORDS com of the High Court of Juſticiary, and Senators of the College of J ay in Sotland. 1 Lokps, OUR Human ty and Good. nature occa- ſioned the Publication of this Sermon. ---I wiſh it may bear the Scrutiny of your Tmpartiahty and good Senſe. -I doubt not " however of being juſtified from an Attempt of Vanity, ſeeing I was induced to the Pub- lication from a high ps Sb to the AY yous Lord/hips cond IF, according to my Intention, it may con- duce in the leait to ſweeten the Tempers of thoſe DEDICATION. thoſe who are ſoured with religious Diſputes; if it tends to incite to any becoming Zeal for Chriſtianity, and to enlarge the Hearts of Chriſtians, fettered in the Bonds of Seats and Parties; I am rewarded for my imper- fet Endeavours: And your Loraꝗſbips, ating always conſiſtently with your known Cha- rater, will not diſdain, in ſome Degree, to patronize the AH "Tor 10 am, ZI | WW Reſpedt, Myr LoRps, £ 12 1 62 your Lord ſbips moſt obedient, * and moſt obliged humble Servant, AL. GORDON. 55 5 Ny 41 7 . 2 oe 'S N 7 1 i” 7 Wo - ' R3 2 4 % KC ** * 5 by ＋ * 5 4 25 8p Fr 1 3 N 95 LY. . KA. 8 Luk E xiv. 23. And compel them to come in, that my Houſe may be filled. T hath been generally obſerved, . that Mankind are apt to run from one Ex- treme into another. Once theſe Nations were Slaves to the groſſeſt Superſtition: But no ſooner had ſome Men of Learning, Piety and Reſolution, reſcued them from the Ter- rors of this monſtrous Phantom, then many thought they could not run too far from the ahh and treated Religion as Impo- ure, Devotion as Farce and Hypocriſy. Once were they harraſſed by the Fury of perſecut- ing Bigots, and the beſt and worthieſt of Mankind expoſed to Flames and Tortures, to fatiate the Pride, the Malice and Revenge of ſome worthleſs Men, who, lording it over the Underſtandings and Conſciences of their Fellow-Creatures, impiouſly dared to impoſe their vain and wicked Conceits as Dictates of the Almighty. But hath not the oppo- ſite Extreme now taken Place with many? Under Diſguiſe of free Enquiry, have not ſome grown licentious, and broke thro” the good 1 5 EY good Order of Society? Happy for "mm kind in general, and themſelves in particular, if, inſtead of this, they had wiſely reſtrained the Rage of Perſecution, and nobly aſſerted the Privilege of human Nature, 0 uſe their own Reaſon and Underſtanding in Matters of Religion. Chriſtianity was certainly never intended to ſupport the one or the other of theſe Ex- tremes; either to authoriſe theſe inhumane Perſecutions on the one hand, or to counte- nance wild Licentiouſneſs and Diſorder on the other; and yet it hath been often unhappily made a Todl to both.---The Words of the Text in particular, contrary to the whole Scope and Deſign of the Goſpel, have been uſed as a divine Warrant to burn the Bodies of Men, becauſe they would not make Ship- wreck of their Souls; to force them by Racks and Tortures to belicve what was inconſiſtent with Reaſon, and to give their Aſſent to downright Contradictions, as Doctrines of the Chriſtian Religion. _ T ſhall not enter into a minute Explication of the Parable, of which the Words of the Text are a Part: It will ſuffice to obſerve in general, that the plain Deſign of it, as well as CN —— — SEC as of that in the parallel Place, Mattb. xxii. 2. is to vindicate the Conduct of God's Providence towards the Jewiſh Nation ; | who had ſent his Servants, the Prophets, to prepare them for feaſting on the rich Mercies of the Goſpel, and alſo ſhould give his own Son to be a Sacrifice for Sinners, and ſend - his Apoſtles to invite them to Hare in the Bleſſings of Chriſt's Purchaſe, when, in the Fulnf of Time, all Things ſhould be ready; if even then they con- tinued obſtinate, and wickedly rejected all theſe Calls and 12 ſhut their Ears to the Voice of Reaſon, trampled under Foot the Blood of the Son of God, and accounted it as an unholy Thing, he would then reject ſuch an obſtinate Nation, look upon them no more as his peculiar People, but would fend his Servants, the Apoſtles and Miniſters of the Goſpel, to call in the Gentiles to imitate the Faith and Integrity of Abraham, to be- come a Seed to that faithful Patriarch, and fo to be intitled to the Covenant made with him and his Poſterity, and have Acceſs to the Bleſſings the promiſed Meſſiah ſhould purchaſe. And the Lord ſaid unto the Ser- vant, Go out into the High-ways and H * | ol E ] 3 and compel them to come 15 that Houſe my be filled. | All J propoſe, in further diſcourſing on theſe Words, i is, thro' the Divine Aſſiſtance, to inquire, I. What we are to e by the Houſe, which our Lord deſires ſhould be filled? II. What is the Import of the Command to his Servants, Compel them to come in? Laſth, J ſhall conclude with ſome Reflec- tions on the whole. I. I'm to inquire, what we are to under- land by the Houſe, which our Lord deſires ſhould be filled? And here we may obſerve, 1. In general, that by the Houſe is meant the Church of God, that Family and Society of which God is the ſupreme Houſholder, that ſpiritual Building of which Jeſus Chriſt is the chief Corner-Stone. The Deſign of the Parable plainly points out this to us; and the Word is uſed in the ſame Senſe in "EP other Places * of Scripture, eſpecially by our Saviour + in his Parables. It is indeed like the Phraſe of the Kingdow of God, ſome- times * Tim. ii. 20. Heb. iii. 6, he + Darth, x. 25. Mark xi, 34. Luke Xill. 25, Oc. tx] times uſed in a limited, ſometimes in # more extenſive Senſe. Thus it is taken for the happy State of God's People hereafter: John xiv. 2. In my Father's Hoa are many Manfions. But-in the Words of the Text it extends alfo to the militant State of the Church here, becauſe it is in this Life the Call is to be given; or, as the Text expreſſes it, Men are to be compelled. They who with | Sincerity and Truth accept this Invitation, and behave with Reſolution in their State of Trial here, ſhall alſo attain to a glorious Re- ward in their Father's Houſe in Heaven. But they who only make a Pretence and Show of accepting this Call, the hypocritical Pro- feſſors that want the Vedding-garment, ſhall never attain to this Heavenly Habitation, but be thrown into outer Darkneſs, as in the pa- rallel Place, Matth. xxii. 13. Man indeed cannot ſee into the Heart; but God the Judge of all will, in his own Time, ſeparate the Tares from the Wheat. But, 2. As thoſe who pretend to be the Church of God here upon Earth are divided into ma- ny Societies, differing from one another in Doctrine, Worſhip and Government; the Que ſtion returns, which of theſe is the Houſe in-" to which Mankind are to be compelled? And B indeed, E indeed, were the Zealbts of the ſeveral Sects aſſembled to debate the Point, what Diſſo- nance, what Rage, what Fury would be among them] With us, ſays one, is Antiquity, Tra- dition, yea even Infallibility; here you muſt | come, or Fire and Faggot ſhall compel you. Infallibility, ſays another, is an impious Pre- tence, and we renounce it; nevertheleſs, all our Opinions are certarnly right, our ſacred Cha- racter indelible, our Formalities divine, and all that differ from us, even in our Puncti- lios, are unworthy of Heaven, unworthy of the Privileges of Society, and ought at beſt to be kept as Hewers of Wood and Drawers of Water, till they be brought into the Bo- ſom of this our fallible, yet ſtill unerring Church. I wiſh too, my Brethren, none among ourſelves had fo far departed from Chriſtian Charity, as to maintain the ſame ridiculous, excluſive Privilege; and pretend, there is nothing in our Conſtitution, about which Mankind may innocently differ ; and who, were only the Form of the leaſt Orna- ment in the Houſe of God changed, would inſtantly exclaim, Behold, a Pillar is broke down ! See, the Temple falls ro Ruin! This ſcems indeed to have been a capital Error in moſt religious Societies, that each thought | 15 | them- : 1 \ themſelves ſo peculiarly right, that every one who differed in the leaff from them muſt be be eſſentially wrong. For this however no Church hath ny Warrant from Sabat Becauſe, an 3. No Plan of Church-Government, or Mode of Worſhip 1 is there ſo preciſely de- | fined, as that it may not be variouſly ap- prehended by a well-diſpoſd Mind; nor are all Doctrines alike plainly revealed. This, J apprehend, could not have been the Caſe; if our Lord had intended there never ſnould be the leaſt Difference among his Diſciples, in Opinion, Forms of Worſhip, or Govern- ment.” The Genius of Mankind is different in different Nations; nay oft in the ſame; may not this, then, make ſuch Variety ſub- ſervient to advance the Ends of the Goſpel? Might not this, tho” it hath often been fa- tally abuſed to the contrary, afford a noble Exerciſe for improving our Charity and Chri- ſtian Condeſeenſion? As the Law of Na- ture ſnows Men the Neceſſity of Civil Go- vernment, and points out the general Rules of it to all, yet leaves it to the different Na- tions to chuſe that particular Form which ſuits them beſt, and tends moſt effectually to Promote among them the Ends of Civil Go- Ver. nment:s e te}. vernment: So our Lord and Saviour appoints 2 Worſhip and Government in his Church, points out Ti general Rules of them to all, and Plain! reveals all efential Doctrines, leavs ing it to the ſeveral Nations to chuſe thoſe particular Forms that beſt ſuit their Genius, and tend moſt effectually to advance among them the Ends of the Goſpel; provided they pay due Regard to the general Rules he has laid down, neglect nothing that he plainly teaches and commands, nor adopt any thing inconſiſtent with it. This ſeems to be the Sentiment of our great Reformers, who in their Confeſſion, A. D. 1560, Art. 2 1. ſay, « Not that we think that any Policy, and « an Order in Ceremonies, can be appointed « for all Ages, Times and Places . Hence then it follows, that every Society embracing the eſential, I mean the plain Doctrines and Precepts of Chriſtianity, (for it were impoſſible God ſhould make any thing gſſential that he did not make plain) and who have nothing in their Modes of Worſhip or Government, contrary to the plain Rules of the Goſpel ; however they 1 may difjer as to . Poctrines or far fi. cular vide Calderwind's Hiſtory of the Church of Oy * Ads of Scats Parliament. _ { 33 cular Forms, yet they are all Members of the Family, Houſe and Church of Chriſt, and, as ſuch, ought to have fervent brotherlyLoye towards each other. The Hour cometh, and odo is *, when it ſhall not be eſſential to the true Worſhippers to wor ſbip either in Mount Gerazim or this Temple, but only to worſhip the Father in Spirit and in Truth. Tho they be now ſcattered, yet one Day ſhall they come F from the Eaſt and from the Weſt, from the North and from the South, and fit down in the Kingdom of God. This is the Catht- lick Church, the Spouſe and, Body of Chriſt. I do not mean, a Man may be :ndifferenit what religious Society or Church he ſhould join, or whether he ſhould adhere to any at all,--far from it. Many have fallen into this dangerous Extreme by ſhunning itsO ppoſite; and by decrying, and, in its Turn, ridiculing each particular Form, have done their 3 vour to ruin Religion altogether. Religion is not a general abſtracs Notion; it muſt be 4 brought down to Practice, and reduced to ſome Application, otherways it indeed becomes a mere Chimera. There are various Forms of Civil Government, under which Society may Mbit; but, would i it not be moſt abſurd, a+ from * John wit 7 Late xiii, 29. 1 x4. 1 from thenee to infer, that all are equally adapted to the Genius of all Nations; and ſtill more ſo, that tho Government in general be ne- ceſſary, yet it is not neceſſary to reduce it to ſome Form, becauſe any one preciſe Form may be diſpenſed with? It is the Duty of every Chriſtian ſeriouſly to conſider what particular religious Profeſſion comes neareſt to the general Rules laid down in the Scrip- ture, and tends moſt effectually to advance thus moſt approve itſelf to him, that he is to practiſe; without however anathematiſ- Y ing any, who, on a like ſincere Inquiry, 4 find it reaſonable to differ from him. ? And now, in great Conſiſtency with the 1 Principles I have laid down, I hope, I may add, in favours of our National Church, that as it is founded on the Word of God, and . agreeable to our Saviour's general Directions, g (the contrary of which none of our Adver- ſaries have ever been able to ſhew) ſo the particular Form and Model of it is extreme- = ly ſuitable to the Genius and "Temper of a = free and generous People ; and accordingly it hath in Fact been highly conducive to pro- mote among us Vi zrtue me Piety, the great Ends the great Ends of the Goſpel: What ſhall 25 th 9 any Ends of the Goſpel. I hope therefore, that every one who views our Conſtitution in this Light, as, bleſſed be God, the greateſt and worthieft Part of the Nation ſtill do, not- withſtanding the crafty Attempts of our E- nemies to corrupt the antient, pious and man- ty Spirit of our Country, both as to Religion and Politicks ; I ſay, every one that enter- tains theſe Sentiments of our National Church muſt look upon themſelves as bound to join this Society, in the Duties of Religi- on, and to ſupport and maintain our Zion as a noble Branch of the Houſe and Family of Chriſt. Peace be within the Walls of our Je- ruſalem, and Proſperity within her Palaces *. I come now to the TI. Ge- A Presbyterian Government, even when conſidered in a po- litical Light, ſeems to have this ſpecial Recommendation to a free State above any Epiſcopal Form; That aſpiring Men have it much leſs in their Power to encroach on the Liberties of the People under the one Conſtitution, than the other. When the Power and Wealth of the Church are in a few Hands; when the other Clergy are Dependents upon theſe, accuſtomed to ſubmit implicitely to their Orders, and each is flattered by his Vanity to think, that the Power his Superiors are aſſuming will one Day be his own; it becomes the more eaſy for a few, thus exalted, boldly to contrive and ſpeedily execute any aſpir- ing Plan. But in a Presbyterian Form, where all are on a Level, * . 5 's a it a>: * * £ 2 n S „ TS — Fan : r — — "EMS. — D —. E = 2 — — pe 21 > EEE — 8 rr. DIE . * 3 — 1 II. General Head propoſed, vis. to inquire, What is the Import of our Lord's Command to his Servant, Compel them to come in? And 1. The Word compel would ſeem, at firſt Appearance, to carry along with it the Idea of outward Force and Violence, and the Ori- ginal (d, ) might ſeem to warrant this Tranſlation, as it not only may, but is ac- tually found in Scripture, to denote being under a Neceſſity ariſing from external Force. However, it is alſo plain, from the Manner in which this Word is uſed in Scripture, that it by no Means neceſſarily implies this; and that it ſometimes muſt ſignify no more, than that it cannot be ſo eaſy to bend the Influence of the whole Church to a bad Deſign. Any Member, by the Conſtitution, may op- poſe it; and, among ſo many, /ome will always be found, whoſe | | Virtue will incline them to do ſo. Yea the Society may, in ſuch a Caſe, avail themſelves even of the irregular Paſſions of 8 the human Nature. Men, on a Level with one another, have commonly Pride and Fealouſy enough to engage them to watch moſt carefully over ſuch of their Number as they ſuſpect to be graſping at illegal Power, leaſt, by any Encroachment on the Society, their Equals ſhould become their Superior. The Lay- Elders alſo have, in this Conſtitution, fo large a Share of the - Government of the Church, that, whenever they exert them- ſelves, they have it in their Power to balance the Clergy. . This Union of Clergy and Laity, in Eccleſiaſtick Aſſemblies, ſupporting each other, in promoting Religion andVirtue, in their feveral * certainly conveys a very beautiful Idea of our * 1 that the Reaſon for our Conduct is ſo very ſtrong, we cannot, conſiſtently with ourſelves, do otherwiſe; that we are under a moral or rational, but no external Conſtraint. In the 18th Verſe of this Chapter, when the Per- | fon who bought a Piece of Ground makes his Excuſe, that he muſt needs go and ſee it; what we render muſt needs, is much the 5 5 Expreſſion in the Original ( £yw αν)M with that uſed in the Text. But I believe no Man will thence infer, he was to be burnt or tortured if he did not go. The Original has alſo the fame Word, (nid ynauey) when our Lord is faid to confirain his Diſciples to go into the Ship, Matth. xiv. 22. where the moſt ſanguine Neeb will hardly pretend there is outward Violence implied. The learn- ed Dr. Samuel Clarke * has collected a great Variety of Paſſages to this Purpoſe, with which, I ſuppoſe, a great Part of my Audi- _ ence is fo well acquainted, that I need ad- duce no more; and the ſame Author, as well as the pious + diſſenting Miniſter Mr. Matthew Clarke, proves, that it not only may, in this Place, be underſtood to imply a moral or rational Conſtraint, and no external * Vio- 1 « Vol. II, . Fol. Sermon on the Text. Þ Three Sermons on the Text, preached at Mr. Earl's. } Violence; but that it would be moſt abſurd, contrary to Reaſon, and to the Scope and aà Man owes to the Civil Governor. Religion [18 Deſign of the Goſpel, to underſtand 1 it other- wiſe. But then, 2. It is faid, That tho this ld; is not to be underſtood as implying outward Force, when directed to the Mini/ters of the Goſpel; becauſe it is not competent for them to wield the temporal Sword; yet, may it not be proper for the Civil Magiſtrate? Is it not his Duty hug to look after the Religion of his People, to extirpate Hereſy by Ricour, and to force his Subjects by Penalties to a right Profeſſion, that is, to his own ? This indeed is the low Shift and Equivocation of Romiſh Prieſts, who have fallen on this De- vice, to employ the Civil Magiſtrate as an Ex- ecutioner. But as it is without Warrant from Scripture *, ſo it is inconſiſtent with Reaſon. Religious Opinions are no Part of the Allegiance is *The moſt plauſible Authority urged from Scripture, for the Civil Magiſtrate's uſing the temporal Sword in Matters purely religious, is the penal Laws againſt Idolatry, which made a Part of the Jewiſh Conſtitution. As to which, vide Bayle's Commentairg. Philoſophique, Part II. Chap. 4. and Dodarige's Sermon againſt Perſecution, on Luke xix. 55, 56. k zs a Duty we owe to God, and to him only muſt we be accountable for it. Therefore, as the Magiſtrate was made for the Society, and not they for him, the Majority have a Right in Nature to oblige him to authoriſe the religious Profeſſion Zhey ſhall chuſe,. and to tolerate the Minority, when ſuch a Tolera- tion is not inconſiſtent with the Security of the State. On this Principle did our happy Re- formation from Popery, and our late glorious Revolution proceed, The Objects of the Ci- vil Magiſtrate's Care are the _ Order, Peace and Security of the Commonweal ; and the Religion of the Saciety is to be his Care, in fo far as it tends to promote theſe valuable temporal Ends, as well as the eternal Felici- ty of the People. But the Magiſtrate can have no Right to reſtrain a religious Profeſ- ſion, merely, becauſe he thinks it inconſiſt- ent with Salvation; otherwiſe our Refor- mation ought not to have taken Place. He ought indeed, as a Chriſtian, to adviſe and in- ſtruct, and employ the moſt learned and wor- thy Men he can find of his Opinion, to con- vince his Subjects; and, if that will not da, he muſt leave each to receive the Fruits of his Religion in the Life to come. When any Part of the Society maintains Principles incon- — 8 8 - Res AK — Fm : - — 2 by — 2 A - * A = - * — Is _ 7 7 r 3 '* g LES ” F ſe 7 * 14 4 © Ww Is 8885 nk — * 2 EE een 9. 2 — * 3 * 1 = — - — - - — —- © — — I. 1 1 FE i * 1 3 . * 1 1 3 . . 20 ] | Ileonfdedt with the Rights and Security of Mankind in general, or of the Community in particular; then, and then only is he to in- terpoſe his Authority, and reſtrain by Penal- ties: And indeed, if Men, in fuch Caſes, think of ſheltering themſelves in pernicious Principles, under a Cry of Perſecution, this would be evidently abſurd, and turn Chri- ſtian Liberty into the Extreme of Licentiouf refs, If, for Inſtance, any whimſical Perſons ſhould again propagate this Principle, That the Eleft alone have a Right to inherit the Earth, this would afford a Pretence to con+ found all Property ; and therefore, tho' dig- nified with the Name of a religious Principle, it is no leſs to be reſtrained-by the Civil Ma- giſtrate, than a Profeſſion that it is lawful to rob and plunder. Again, Atheiſm unhinges all Society, ſeeing there can be no 7% of. Truth, if Men loſe their natural Reverence of Deity, and are perſuaded, they have no Account to make before the Tribunal of the Almighty, Property would then de precari- ous, Government impoſlible, Anarchy and Confuſion muſt prevail: Therefore, howe- ver Atheiſts may glory, as if they alone rea- ſoned freely, no wile Legiſlator will 7olerate them 5 21 J them in aS tate. It is alſo very conſiſtent with religious Liberty to reſtrain Popery, which transfers the Allegiance from the rightful Governor to a fore:gn Prince, by acknow. | ledging the Pope's Infallibility and ' Supres macy; for the terrible Principles of murders ing Hereticks, and keeping no Faith with them, make it impoſſible for thoſe of a dif= ferent Perſuaſion to live in Society with Pas piſts, if Hd be not * BRGET Moe: "_—Y Reſtraints. 7 I ſhall only add one ionen more, ined that is of a Party even of Proteſtants among ourſelves, who are in ſome Degree, at preſeat, under the Reſtraint of Penalties, which ma- ny complain of as Perſecution. I ſhall rea- dily allow, that Epiſcopacy, as profeſſed in England, hath nothing that calls for ſuch Rigour ; and tho' theſe I have in View, who in general may be ſaid to be of that Perſuaſi. on, have gone much greater Lengths than the Church of England in their Approaches to the Romiſh Superſtition, and its narrow and uncharitable Spirit ; yet I ſhall likewiſe grant, that their Religion in itſelf hath no- thing inconſiſtent with the Peace and good Order of Society. Nevertheleſs, it is undoubt- edly F aQ, that they have unhappily S lended 5 4 1 * 5 * — — — pit ar ER 9 3 ® T 2 — * e — — wen a 2 * — * —— — 6 ** x — — I TR WIE 4 UC a. 1 2 wr — — — — 1 — 8 2 — * > — r —— — — — a. * is: W . r 8 « 1 3 — Dio > A. . 3 — r — — > — 2 3 — nE - 3 — 221 a political Scheme, deſtructive of our preſent Government, with their religious Principles, ſo that the one is made a Too! to the other. The Mind of Man hath a wonderful Fa- cility in ociating Ideas and Principles na- turally diſtinct, when they accuſtom them- ſelves to think of them for ſome Time; and as Epiſcopacy was at firſt introduced in- to this Kingdom, againſt the Genius and In- clination of the Community, by @ Prince, to ſupport his arbitrary and tyrannical Power, and to curb the free and manly Spirit of the People; and as its publick Eſtabliſhment fell with the Expu/jon of the abdicated Fa- mily, its Reſtoration comes naturally to be looked on as connected with theirs. Ac- cordingly it hath now for many Years been made the Shibboleth of a political Party, who thus endeavour to keep their deluded Vota- ' Ties bound with a double Chain. Now Epiſ: copacy is not in this Country, nor 97h ought it to be ſubjected to Penalties, unleſs where it is thus Elended and conjoined with a pernicious political Scheme ; for when the E- piſcopal Party, by proper Teſts, not of a re- Higrous kind, declare themſelves good Subjects, =y are juſtly tolerated by the Laws, in the Profeſſion „ Profeſſion of their Religion. I mention not this to inflame the Minds of any againſt our unhappy Countrymen, who have been lately led aſtray from their Duty and Allegiance. I ſincerely wiſh they may be Objects of Mercy both here and hereafter. But as now, the Enemies of our Peace take every Opportu- nity to reproach our Laws, tho highly rea- ſonable and conducive to the Happineſs of the State ; I thought it my Duty to fay thus much in Vindication of theſe, when my Subject led me ſo naturally to do it. 3. By the Command here given to the Servants of Chriſt, that is, eſpecially to the Miniſters of the Goſpel, to compel Men to come in to- Chriſt's Houſe, we are to under- ſtand, That it is their Duty, by all the Me- thods of Reaſon, fair Argument and Perſua- Jon, by Prayer to God, and the Influence of 2 worthy Chriſtian Life, to engage Men to embrace the Chriſtian Faith, and to live ſuit- ably to its Precepts and Commandments, as far as human Frailty will admit; that they may thus ſhare of the rich Feaſt of Mercy, Love and eternal Felicity which Jeſus Chriſt has purchaſed by his Blood. I would not be underſtood to mean, that human Reaſon is fs ficient for the Converſion of a * this [ 24 ] this is what the almigbty Grace of God and the /andifying Influences of his Holy Spirit can alone effectuate. But then, Reaſon and Perſuaſion are the Means which God hath appointed for compelling moral Agents, as I moſt ſuitable to their Natures, and which he accompanies with the Influences of his Grace for that End. O, how ſtrange is the Degeneracy A Man- kind! Muſt they be conſtrained to. be happy for ever? Muſt they be compelled to ſhun e- ternal Torments? Such is the unhappy Con- dition of Humanity! and, indeed, the Mini- ers of the Goſpel, whom our Lord employs as his Servants, have great Occafion to exert themſelves, their Learning, their Piety, their Zeal, their Prudence, and, above all, their Example in this degenerate Age; when Men of Parts and Learning, incited by a gene- ral Corruption and Depravity of Manners, have, with the /ub7:/e/t Sophiſtry, attempted. to deſtroy Chriſtianity, and to break thro' the ſtrongeſt Barriers of Virtue. It was im- oſſible to reconcile Vice and Iniquity with a ſincere Profeſſion of the pure Religion of the holy Jefus: But the Lufts of many proved too powerful for their Religion. aper to ſnun the Inconfiſtency of pre- td $41 : . 121 1 1 = y <; 5k 1 — bt, - © VE * 1 5 17 11 © EE - TRE 1 Ts = ; | Fi 11 * > * 144 [| 4 : FX 1 ih, 1 7 + U . 1 1 24 & ME FRE 12 ' EF, 4} „ © i 1 8 } 1 . 141 + Ex! IS -! + » ; i * 114 1 $75 : J 14 17 be - p 8 9 1 114 J. 1. TRE ls t A BE | } 4 | "i , £5 we ( 11: N Ly I 7 4 Ky . 8 18 1 1 * 8 ** * Na e — — 3 — —— — — —— —— — canada 4 my — — — p <a — K be db = = eh 2 A007 10” * | [ 2 5 1 pretending to both, they have artfully en deavoured to gain over the modern Im- proyements in Science to their Aid, and exert- cd all their Abilities to over-rule the Checks of Chriſtianity. Their Wr. itings had the Air of Novelty, Learning and Freedom of Inquiry, | and flattered the Vices of Mankind, however. they pretended to the contrary, This made them take with every Witling, whoſe V. anity | exceeded his good Senſe ; and with every vi- cious Man, who wanted to ſpeak Peace to himſelf i in his Iniquity, to be freed for a while, in Imagination, from the Terrors of the Lord againſt Sin. Bleſſed be God, who hath not left his Cauſe without a Witneſs, but hath raiſ- ed, in all Profeſſions, Men of the higheſt Learning and Virtue to ſupport our Religion; which hath gloriouſly ſtood the Teſt of this fiery Trial, and appears, to all ſincere and un- prejudiced Inquirers, liłe Gold ſeven Times tried and purified: Yet the Pride, the Pre- judice or Paſſion of Oppoſers, has not hither- to allowed them to yield; they are daily at- | tempting to rally their broken Forces, and bringing in freſÞ Subtilties to their Aid. Let the Miniſters of the Goſpel then, let all that love Virtue, all that wiſh well to the tempo- ral or eternal Happineſs of Mankind, exert | themfelves i in this noble and rational Struggle D ta [ 26 } to compel Men fo come in; and they ſhall carry off a glorious Victory, for great is the Truth, and it ſhall prevail. But, 4. To compel Men to be Chriſtians in, Pro- feſfion, is far from being all the Work of Chriſt's Servants. Sin and Vice are ſubtle Enemies: When defeated in the open Feld, they betake themſelves to a thouſand Diſguiſe es; and particularly attempt to ruin the Power = of Religion in Mens Hearts and Lives, by inducing them to place the Hope of eternal Happineſs on ſandy Foundations, that will not ſtand the Trial; and to neglect that Iively Faith, Repentance and Amendment of Life, which the Goſpel inculcates as indiſpenſable Qualifications for everlaſting Felicity. It is therefore the Buſineſs of the Miniſters of the Goſpel to detect theſe vain Pretences, to ſtrip Sin of its fatrering Diſguiſes, and to ſtir up Men to be Chriſtians in Hear? and Praclice as well as in Profeſſion, For this End they are diligently to diſcharge the ſe- veral Branches of the miniſterial Duty; par- ticularly, they are to preach the Goſpel faith- fully, without Prejudice or Partiality. They are to repreſent, how well Virtue is calculat- ed to advance our Natures to the higheſt Per- fection, and to ſhow forth its Lovelineſs and Excellency, ſo high in the Eſtimation even of a Heathen . 7 1 2 n Philoſopher, that he exclaimed in Rapture, How wonderful ſhould our Love for Virtue be, could it be repreſented to © our Eyes in a Form anſwerable to its real * Beauty? They are to diſplay the Defor- mity of Vice, that Canker and Diſeaſe of the Mind; ſetting forth the Peace and Felicity of a holy and righteous Conduct, and the efer- nal and glorious Rewards, which Jeſus Chriſt hath purchaſed for his faithful Servants z warning Men likewiſe of the Miſeries which accompany Sin, even as neceſſarily, as the Shadow does the Body; and. of that eternal Wrath and Indignation, which a juſt and righteous God will infli& on the impenitent Workers of Iniquity, Thus the Apoſtles, 2 the Terrors of the Lord, perſuaded They are to ſhow the Vanity and Fe ally of the petiſhing Enjoyments of this. Life ; and the high Importance of prepar- ing for that which never ſhall have an End; heightening all, by the Love, the Tenderneſs, the Grace, the Example, the Sufferings and Glory of the Meſſiah and Saviour of Man- kind; and all theſe other engaging Motrves, which” our holy Religion ſo abundantly 2 affords. | They are to endeavour eſpecially to con- vince the * and 9 of Mankind; but, * — — > 8 23 2 by ” X73 3 I = LIP. — — - — of 1 — — 1 Le — * = ma — — my "WS" > S_=_ Ea 7 - — 2" EA — a oP — 2 — 2 — colt 8 ate * . _ It — 44 — —_ £ a =». * — — SI SIT. — — — - —— ES OE ES — ASCE > _ — . = + — VE=S — . 21 — T- IX 2 — . — p 2 = ' — — - 3 — — — S — — = = So Lt — h 3 ode. ERIE > R — 7 — — —— . rs id — OS 254 5 28 but, at the ſame Time, far from neglecting 5 the Arts of Perſuaſion, to move their Paſſions, theſe great Handles and Spurs to Action, which the Deity hath implanted in our Na- ture. Many worthy and learned Men, from a juſt Indignation at the bad Uſe that hath been made of the Paſſions of Mankind, to inflame them againſt Reaſon, have fallen into the contrary Extreme, and thought it below them to attempt any thing elſe, but to con- vince the Judgment of their Audience; which ſeldom hath the Effect alone to rouſe them to Action, and too generally leaves them a Prey to the next frothy Fool that captivates their Ears, while he darkens their Under- ſtandings. Surely Senſe and Reaſon are as capable of being repreſented in an affecting Way as the contrary; and God did not im- We theſe Affections in our Natures for no Purpoſe. He, therefore, that would Hectu- ally preach the Goſpel, muſt attempt to warm, at the ſame Time that he endeavours to en- lig hten. r, my Brethren, in vain is Oratory, in vain is Reaſoning and Eloquence, if God give not the Bleſſing. Paul may plant, and Abollb water, but the Increaſe is only from God, 1 Cor. iii. 6. Let us therefore apply to him for his Grace © accompany our Mint- ſtrations, tC 20:1] ſtrations, and ſcek Wiſdom, Strength and ” Aſſiſtance from him, in whom is all F ullneſs. "; MP urther +, in order to compel- Men to come in, as we are to encourage the tender and broken-hearted ; ſo with a ſteady Hand ought we to inflit thoſe Cenſures, which our Lord and Maſter hath authoriſed us to pronounce againſt the impenitently wicked, who ſhut their Ears to Counſel, and will not be reclaimed from their ſcandalous E- normities ; and that without reſtricting our Diſcipline to this or the other Vice, which Abuſe hath rather too much obtained ; bur giving no Quarter to Vice and 1 of any Kind; for he that ſaid, Thou ſhalt not commit Adultery, the ſame faid alſo, Thou ſhalt not ſteal, thou ſhalt not murder, thou ſhalt not covet. ' Proceeding thus impartially and prudently, we might have Ground to hope, that our Diſcipline would prove uſeful to the Society, and command a due Regard. I ſhall only add, That if the Miniſters of the Goſpel would effectually compel Men, they muſt not only inſtruft and admo- Þ N. B. As the Judges had many important Cauſes to come before them, it would have been very improper to have encroached on their Time; therefore, what is marked with two Aſterisks was omitted _ che W Was | hy livered. . — — . — — — — 1 1 Hh 9 gt io — — — habbo = — % — — ——— _ — =. 0h ES I — — — >» = * - — — — — = WET — — - — * | nn = — — — 7 LA — 7 ˙—˙ to ret ng K . 1 Were, a =D Dey: * = = — — - — our * 1 n — — n — ICS — . ran gd ra- 3 — —— =o — — — K . ¶ ˙¹¹—⅝n A 0 nag «Av. 4 9 os „ — s, Bios Lo 10 * . . 22 3 : 26.45 — . S AT. 4: "rex ae 4 —— - SS — Ns} Luo 3 niſh, but they muſt alſo practiſe, and be Patterns and Examples of Religion and Holineſs to Mankind. There is no Doubt we all come far ſhort of what good Men would wiſh to attain ; and ſome, perhaps, may have greatly departed from the an- tient Severity of Manners. This is no- thing ſurpriſing in ſo large a Society, con- | ſidering the general Depravity of Mankind; and affords no ſolid Foundation for that Re- proach, with which ſome malicious Perſons have endeavoured to load the whole Body. This however, my Brethren, is well worthy our Attention; we may reap Advantage from what was intended for our Prejudice, Let this humble us before God ; let us look upon it as a Warning in Providence to be upon our Guard, as a Call to endeavour the at- taining of yet greater Heights of Virtue and Integrity ; that our Light may ſo ſhine, as to dale and confound the malignant Eye, even of Calumny itſelf. .* Laſtly, As the Miniſters of the Goſpel are to exert themſelves to compel Men to come in, Judges and Magiſtrates alſo, who may, in ſome Senſe, be called the Vicegerents of God upon Earth, may eminently conduce to the fame End, by impartially adminiſtrating | Jultice, and ſtri#ly putting in Execution our excel- — —— „ [ 3: excellent Laws am Immorality, Vice 3 Profaneneſs. Mercy and Compaſſion are Feelings fo eſſential to virtuous Minds, ſuch bright Traces of the Soul's Frome Original, * we ſhould indeed be far, on any Occa- ſion, from counteracting or weakning ſuch noble Affections; our Concern ſhould be, not to allow the 4% worthy Objects entirely to engroſs them, and exclude or prevail over thoſe of a higher and more deſerving Kind. The Judge cannot help being moved, in ſome Degree, with the ſad Fate of the wnhap- fy Criminal, But, is he to reſt there? Is „he not to direct his Affections alſo to the Publick, as a nobler Object of Sympathy, which, when in Competition, ought always to have the Pre- eminence over any particu- lar Concern? Is he not to ſhow Mercy to thoſe Numbers, whoſe Property may be ra- vaged, whoſe innocent Blood may be ſhed by the Encouragement wicked Perſons may re- ceive from Crimes eſcaping with Impunity ? Is he not to ſympathiſe with the Tears of Pa- rents, with the Woes of Children, perhaps, - yet unborn, to whom the Influence of theſe. wicked Practices may reach, and whom they may plunge in an Abyſs of Miſery? Les, as the State of the Judge is exalted above the Vulgar, to ſo much the 2 Object ought he al * 9 1. 1 {1 13 N. . 4 19 3 a 0 14 1 M Wi ET 8 £ 1 1 , "> | - vj * # .! FREY ( I „ . 9 * 1 1 r 1 De i? 1 1 * 7 1. | 1 8 * 7 . jt 7 | FEY - © T8 2 „ 1 fi » . r 0 4. 58 4! fl Th 4 "Ed 1 1 ht, Lal : 1 r 1 * 5 . 1 * kW t hs — 5 — — — _ — — * — 8 3 ior wee 2 2 Sj — = = = - WA wo > 15: 2 oem the — 1 — — — 2 — — - TED = > = n . re je" 5 AI: 5 1 * > 1 — _ —— — — —— 1 S 1 44 50 ä — = — — * — — 7 » 4 — — Dr OO On —6Bůni¹ ˙ M row = 1. * 1 Te he to extend his Affoctions. He feels for the Miſery of the Guilty, but he raiſes his Sympathy beyond their Tears. He is ;uft, and ſhows Mercy to an injured Country; he is upright, and ſhows Compaſſions to the Cries of Thouſands. I hus he not only pro- motes the Peace and good Order of the Com- monwealth, but he likewiſe advances true Religion, by checking Injuſtice _ Vice the great Adverſaries of it. ** come now to the Laſt Thing propoſed, to conclude with ſome Reflections on what has been ſaid. And, fr/t, from this Idea of the Houſe and Church of God, we may learn, that our Love. to the Houſhold of Faith ought to be more "widely extended, than the Notion of _ Chriſtianity, confined to the preciſe Limits of a Sect or a Party, can well admit of ; thatit ought to reach even to all, Yho are + built on the Foundation of the Apoſtles and Prophets, Jeſus Chrijt himſelf being the chicf Corner- fone. This preſent, imperfe& State, where the Tempers and Capacitics of Mankind are ſo various, ſeems not to be calculated for an exact Conformity in Religion. For any Man therefore to pretend to reduce all to one Standard, (except ſo far as God * Reaſon or + ob. ll. 20, - . * . 8 E . [ad = * ( 3 92 > 2 ; N * 4 OF & *. 9 * N » Ks 3-H N * ; - 7 . * 15 . d o s ES Oh Y . e * * . &,* 1 A. 2 1 5 E 2 £ MA i N 4 | 5 8 . A w = = A * * bk 45 | . * 4 * — - * U [1 | 3 3 | . or nn has made Things pla all) ſeems to be as abſurd as the bs pain M the antient Tyrant, who would reduce all his Subjects to one Stature. Many have unhap⸗ pily been more diligent and ſucceſsful in making Converts to their Party, than ii making good Chriſtians, and converting Sin- ners from their evil Ways, which has occa- ſioned much Peeviſbneſs, Reſentment and Nar- rowneſs of Mind, very unbecoming Diſpoſitions for any that pretend to Chriſtianity. Let us then, my Brethren, exett ourſelves, in dur ſeveral Spheres, to fectify this fad Diſorder, and to open and enlarge the Minds of Chri- ſtians. Let us ſhow a more. charitable, be- nign and conde -ſcending Diſpoſition, and ex. tend our Affection in an eſpecial Manner to all that love the Lord Jeſus Chrift in Truth and in Sincerity, however diverſified by Names, or diſtinguiſhed into Parties. For, tho a Variety of Sentiments may be at oieſent un- avoidable; there may however be a Harmony of Heart, among all that worſhip the Jame God in Spirit and in Truth, thro'.the fame 3 * JU 62 N 7 From + Mr. Boyle beautif, v py compares the Concord among different religious Sects ariſing from mutual Toleration, to the Harmony produced by different Inſtruments of Mulick | ſound- 2 . — — — — — — 1 — — _— — — — - — —— = Fm ISS 4 I LAI” PET —_— — — "+. — n — 6 * * 3 2 = e — — —6 — — 2 — EEE ET — — — * py > 34 24% Fr rom "WA hath Wt 644, it t appears „ ee and Violence are not the Means which Chriſt hath appointed, in order to compel Men-i into his Houſe ; and indeed; in the Nature of the Thing, they can never anſwer that End. Such Means can never make Men Ancere Believers; but they may tempt them to be formal Hypocrites: And tho" the latter may appear to be in his Houſe Here; "hp the former only ſhall inhabit it hereafter, ut it is leſs neceſſary to inſiſt upon this, ſince, bleſſed be God ! our National Crock is an Enemy to Perſecution, and hath ſel- domer been lc educed this Way, than almoſt any other in. the World. This is our great Honour, and mightily recemmends our Con- ſtitution, which reconciles a beautiful Church Polity, with the Privileges of Men, and Li- berties of Chriſtians. Indeed, about a Cen- tury ago, when they had nobly reſcued themſelves from the Severities of Perſe- cution ; they were, for a ſhort Time, ra- ther too far hurried away by Reſentment, 3 and founding in Concert. Com. phileſophique, Part 2. as VI. Et, par conſequent, la tolerance eſt la choſe du monde la « plus propre a ramener la ſiecle d' or, et a faire un Concert, et une Harmonie de pluſieurs voix et inſtrumens de differ- « ens tons et notes, auſſi agreables pour le moins que] uni- ' formite q une Luke voix. and the Outrage and Confuſion of the Times. Yet, how wide was the Difference betwixt their Proceedings ſo loudly exclaimed againſt, and the diſmal bloody Tragedies, which Men, | pretendi ng to be Chriſti ans and Proteſtants, re- turned upon them in the lucceeding Period? 3dly, To compel Men to come in, accord- ing to our Saviour's Meaning, appears, from what has been ſaid, to be @ noble and uſeful Employment, and conſequently they, who devote their Lives to it, deferve the Regard and Support of the Society. What can be dearer to Men than their immortal Souls? Who more worthily employed than they, who, under God, ſpend their Lives at once to promote the temporal and eternal Welfare of a People? Hence then it follows, on the one hand, That nothing can be more diſgraceful and pernicious, than an ignorant and vicious Clergy, Such are the Peſt of any Society, ear the noble Ends Christ's Servants have in View, and wound Religion in. the moſt ſenſible Manner. Such, as our Saviour ſays of Salt that has loſt its Savour, Matth. v. 13. are thenceforth good for nothing, but to be caſt out, and trodden under Foot of Men. On the other hand, what can have more Dignity than a learned, virtuous and faithful Miniſtry, the Buſineſs | of 8 . is tow Men 2006 4 Grde | | | of. Love and the. Bonds of a Man, to the Ways k Peace and Felicity; to compel them, by Fe | C nobleſt Motives and worthieſt Example, to be | | happy for ever? ſuch muſt ſurely be the Or- nament of a State, a Blei ing to any People. x Finally, How great ſhall be the Happi- | neſs of thoſe, who, in their ſeveral Spheres, exert themſelves to compel Men to come in, that Chriſt's. Houſe may be filled, particularly of Magiſtrates and Miniſters whoſe Buſineſs this eminently is? When this vain and pe⸗ riſhing World. is paſſed away, and they come to give an Account of their Stewardſhips, then ſhall they receive that joyful Approba- tion, Tell. done good and fai thful Servants, enter into tbe Joy of your Lord; then ſhall they be aſſigned a glorious and en Re- ward in their Father s Houſe, where there are many Manſions ; then, they that be wiſe ſoall ſhine. as the Brightneſs of the Firmament, and they that turn many to Righteouſneſs, as the Stars for ever and ever. To God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be all Glory, Hos? nour and Praiſe, now and evermore. Amen, = * * * — 5 * * = "xs = * - : N > > 2 = A J 8 n „ 4 NICE 4 . - * * * * * SY 3 9 2 ůͤ—— — K "IM * * So” ** * * * 1 "F t $ p 15 LA % 25 2 rows LEA; ; Fees A a 0 By ne 5 AMES „ PP It 8 3 8 . s y * wt l 8 RG . 6 * „ £ J * * 8 * : A % A 4 "=; . 5 1 mY N N . o 9 2 os * ? $ : 5 - " — * 9 PR ” f j 8 : A - g ö % _ . Te = Y 3 * a 7 : 8 5 * 25 4 ” 5 * g F 5 » 5 * 1 _ * # * 4 a 7 : a b al 1 g - 4 = 3 S. — — a J Mp , 7 BA. „ 665044. & a CE . a ENS * * Wn 925 — 27 , + * # „ * 5 5 . N PS rr 9 an oc # 8 L py, t * * 2 4 F $8" = * 1 % 46X.. N 8

bim_eighteenth-century_the-cruel-father-or-dec_1750

The cruel Father, Or, Deceived Maid. Squire's Auge; near Aclecloy, She tell in love with a prencice boy, ut when her fatter he came to hear, Ile ſeparared her from her dear. To act his part with a gillant tar, On boar: the Terrible man of war. He had not been three months at ſen, Before he fell into a bloody fray, It was this poor lad's lot to fall, And he loſt his lite by a cannon ball. That very night thi: man was flain, OI The ghoſt uta he: father came, Wich d:eadiul moans b the bad he ſtoes, Hi, neck aud breaſt were ſmeai'd with blood A fortnight after this lady fair She fell in fits for her only dear, That very night on ber bid awoke, And hung herfelr by her own bed rope, He took a knife and he cut her down, And in her botom a note was found. It was wrete in bloed by a woman's hand, Theſe few lines as you ſhall} unde;Rand, A cruel father you was of men, Tis you have brought me ta my ſad end, Yu ſear my jewel where the ftormy winds - Now, alas ! it has prov'd my overthrow. O ance my dear, my love is flain, - And bury'd in the watery main, 5 May this a warning be, ſor your crue'ty, 1 will diea majd for my Jewel's ſake. Lig me a grave bath wide and deep, 7 | And a ma ble ſtone for to gover i., And in the m ddle x turtle dove, : T's ſhew you g virgins I dy'd for love. e 6 % o * * * pe p AE RO AE RRISLISMDPIET I Pang Rn , 8 * 2 - kh DS o 1 "I = 1 * * Te els Od LS VEN: OS n r = 8 . $ 00 Cn Bm SS 83838 fy 3 „ F * 1 1 . 7 "> Sow? rr W 4 "_ . VVV * = SO UL ITS Bn TV ES „ = Sn ne ONS I 2... 8

bim_eighteenth-century_the-scriptural-account-o_chandler-samuel_1750

The Scripture Account of the Cauſe and Inten- tion of Earthquakes, IN A SERMON OLD-JFURY, MARCH II, 1749-50, Oo N Occaſion of the two Shocks of an Earthquake, the firſt on February 8, the other on March 8. — 9 By SAMUEL CHANDLER. _—_— — Etenim hac Deorum immortalium vox, hæc pend oratio judicanda eft, cum ipſe mundus, cum aer, atque terre, motu quodam novo contremiſcunt, et inuſitato aliguid ſong incredibiligue pre dicunt. CIcER. de Haruſp. Reſp. fine. unn. — 4 | LONDON: Printed for Joan Noon, at the bit. Aurt in the Poultry MADUed, 5 Who removeth the Mountains, and they know not: Who overturneth them in bis Anger, who ſhaketh the Earth out of her Place, and the Pillars thereof tremble. O ſuch who believe the univerſal Provi- dence of God, and that nothing happens without his Knowledge, or contrary to his Permiſſion, the Improvement of extraordinary and ſurprifing Events to religious and moral Purpoſes, will not be unacceptable z nor will they cenſure it as irrational and ſuperſtitious, to introduce the di- vine Agency and Power, as concerned in the Pro- duction of ſuch Events, though they may ſome- times fall out according to the eſtabliſhed Laws of Nature; becauſe they conſider theſe Laws as ori- ginally fixed by God, and the Effects ariſing from them as taking place, when, and where he pleaſed, by virtue of his original Appointment. We think we act a truly rational Part, when we pray to God for our daily Bread, and praiſe him for the con- ſtant Supplies of Life, which we receive from him, not by any immediate and extraordinary Interpo- ſition of his Providence, but by the regular and ordinary Courſe of Nature. And tho' the various Seaſons of the Year, Seed-time and Harveſt, Sum- mer and Winter, all ſucceed each other by the ſtated Revolutions of our Earth round the Sun ; yet who, that believes a God, and his Providence, doth rot conſider theſe common Events as owing to an original divine Diſpoſition, and the conſtant Influ- ence of bis Almighty Power on the material * : B who- [2] who is wonderful in Counſel, and excellent in Work- ing; or can help breaking out into that devout Ac- knowledgment: * Thou, even thou, art Lord alone, | - thou haſt made Heaven, the Heaven of Heavens, with all their Hoſt; ihe Earth, and all Things that are therein, and thou preſerveſt them ail. It can- not theretore be contrary to the Dictates of Rea- ſon, as I am ſure it is perfectly conſiſtent with the Spirit of genuine Piety, ſeriouſly to take notice of thoſe more uncommon Effects that happen in the Courſe of Providence, which are in their Nature aſtoniſhing, that create an inward Terror, which have been frequently attended with the moſt dread- ful Calamities, and owned by all civilized Nations, as ſignal Marks of the Diſpleaſure of God, and the awful Puniſhments of his Juſtice for the Impieties and Vices of Mankind. You will eaſily perceive I have been led into theſe Reflections, by thoſe two Concuſſions of the Earth, by which we have been alarmed in and about this great City principally, in the Space of one Month; that of the laſt Week happening on the ſame Day, juſt four Weeks after the former, and which, according to all Accounts I have received, was much more violent than the firſt. And why ſhould Accidents of this kind be intirely over-look- ed? This repeated Shock is very unuſual amongſt us. It is atleaſt worth conſidering, whether or no, or for what, it may be a Warning to us from the God of Nature. Were we not ſurprized and great- ly terrified, when we felt this ſtrange Commotion of the Earth, and when our Beds, our Doors, and every Thing round about us, ſcemed in a convul- ſive Agitation and Trembling? When we heard that Roar, that Bellowing of Nature, like the Sound of Thunder rolling at a diſtance, or the Noiſe of mighty Waters! ? For this was the Noiſe, that ſounded Nehem. ix. 6. 4] ſounded dreadful in my Ears. But why ſhould we be afraid, if when the Earth trembles it ſuggelts no Cauſe of Terror? The Panick is abſurd and unmanly, that hath nothing but Imagination to ſupport it. But if there be ſomewhat truly aw- ful- in ſuch Events, if the ſhaking the Pillars of Heaven be indeed enough to ſhake: theſe poor crazy Fabricks of Clay in which we dwell, and we cannot help ſhuddering throughout our whole Frame, when the Globe itſelf is tottering under us; let us conſider what juſt Reflections ſuch Events will ſuggeſt, and how we may beſt improve them to our own Comfort and Safety, If Feb be not miſ- taken, God is worthy to be acknowledged in them; for it is he removeth the Mountains, and they know not, i. e. inſtantly and in a Moment, like Men caught on a ſudden in ſome dieadful and deſtruc- tive Calamity, before almoſt they perceive their Ruin, or are capable of thinking from whence it comes. He overturns them in his Anger, be ſhakes the Earth out of ber Place, and the Pillars thereof - tremble, Which Words will lead us to,enquire, I. How far the Hand, or Providence of God 1s concerned in theſe convulſive Motions of the Earth. | | II. What we may learn of their Intention and Deſign: And, | III. The religious and moral Uſes to which they may and ſhould be improved. I. We are to conſider how far the Hand, or Providence of God is concerned in theſe convul- ſive Motions of the Earth. It is God, ſays Fob, : who removeth the Mountains, and makes the Pillars of the Earth to tremble; I know I ſhould be told by ſome Philoſophers, both ancient and mo- dern, that it is going too far to impute theſe Ef- 8 3 | Be + N fects * b 4] fects to any thing of a divine Agency, * the proper and immediate Cauſe is nearer, and to be found in the original and unalterable Conſtitution of Things themſelves; that they are all natural, and produced wholly by natural Cauſes, and that to account for' them by any other Suppoſitions 1s abſurd and enthufiaſtical *. I alſo well know, that to introduce Almighty God, as concerned in any Events, whether common or extraordinary, 1s in the ſame Scheme of Philoſophy, all Superſtition and Folly; which worthy Scheme ſeems to be formed with this Deſign only, to baniſh God and his Providence, all Senſe of Dependence on him, all Fear to offend him, and all Regard to his Fa- vour and Acceptance, wholly out of the Conſci- ences of Men, and the World itſelf ; and to in- troduce in the room of theſe Things, a certain fatal or caſual Conſtitution of Affairs, abſolutely independent on and excluſive of Deity, and with- out any originally intended Purpoſe to ſubſerve the Intereſts of Religion and Morality. But, Thanks be to God, we have not ſo learnt to reaſon as Men, nor thus been taught the T ruth as il is in Jeſus. We did not indeed want to be informed, that theſe Phenomena have their natural Cauſes, and a- riſe out of the Conſtitution of the World; tho? poſſibly Philoſophy and Reaſon, with all their Sa- gacity, may frequently be at a loſs to aſſign the real and immediate ones of them; the Cauſes of theſe Succuſſions not being always, and every where alike, and the greateſt Philoſophers having differ- ed amongſt themſelves, as to the Method of ac- comvgng tor them, Amongſt the Ancients , ſome C mud quoque proderit præſumere animo, nihil horum Deos facere, nec ira numinum, aut cœlum concuti, aut terram. Suas ita cauſas habent, nec ex imperio 3 ſed ex ane vitiis. Senec. Nat. Quæf. J. 6. c. | | + Arifigt, de Meteor. J. 2. K. 7, 8, & Senee, Nat. te 6. 5. &c. 5! 3 ſome aſcribed them to large Quantities of Water, which violently moving thro* ſubterraneous Paſ- ſages, from one , Cavern to another, and being more than thoſe Paſſages and Caverns can readily admit, cauſed, by their Force and Preſſure, theſe Tremors of the Earth, Others imagined, that they were occaſioned by ſubterraneous Air, which be- ing pent up in hollow Places of the Earth, moves it by its natural Conatus to aſcend, Others ac- counted for them by ſuppoſing, ſtrong ſubterra- neous Vapours and Exhalations, excited by the Sun, or the internal Fire and Heat of the Earth; which riſing upwards, and endeavouring to free themſelves trom their Confinement, ſhake the Earth in their ſtruggle to diſengage themſelves from the Caverns that encloſed them. Pliny delivers it as a Certainty, that they are occaſioned by ſub- terraneous Winds, becauſe, as he obſerves, they generally happen when the Sea is calm, and the Air ſerene, and the Winds laid, and hid in the Veins and Caverns of the Earth; and that there is one and the ſame Cauſe of the Earth's Tremor, and the Thunder in the Clouds, and that the Open- ing of the Earth is occaſioned by the ſame means as the Eruption of the Lightning; viz. by the included Air or Wind, ſtriving to extricate itſelf from its Confinement, and obtain its full Liberty. It is alſo the Opinion of ſome of our modern Na- turaliſts +, that the material Cauſe of Thunder, Lightning, and Earthquakes, is one and the ſame, VIZ, * Ventos in cauſa eſſe non dubium reor; neque unquam e- nim intremiſcunt terræ, niſi ſopito mari, cceloque adeo tran- quillo, ut volatus avium non pendeant, ſubtracto omni ſpiritu, qui vehit; nec unquam, niſi poſt ventos conditos, ſcilicet in venas & cavernas ejus occulto afflatu; neque aliud eſt in ter- ra tremor, quam in nube tonitruum ; nec hiatus aliud, quam cum fulmen erupit, incluſo ſpiritu luftante, et ad libertatem exire nitente. Nat. Hift. /. 2. c. 79. + Dr. Mart. Lifter. Philoſoph, Tran, ab. V. II, p .420, 423, 61 viz, the inflammable Breath of the Pyrites, which is Sulphur ex tota Subſtantia, and naturally takes Fire of itſelf ; with this Difference, that the one is fired and operates in the Air, for the Production of the former; and the other under Ground, for the effecting of the latter. The Earth unqueſtion- ably abounds with Hollows of various Degrees, and that theſe ſubterraneous Caverns are ſometimes full of inflammable Vapours, is ſufficiently proved by the Damps in our Mines, which, when fired, do every thing as in an Earthquake, ſave in a leſſer de- gree. So that frequently the primary, and princi- pal natural Agent in theſe Convulſions 1s Fire, which by its Heat raiſes the Vapours, accelerates their Motion, kindles them into a Flame, and makes their Expanſion larger, till the Cavities that contain them become too narrow to confine them; and being preſſed on all Sides, the Earth, that covers them, is ſhaken, and being forced open, yields them a Paſſage, when they ap- pear in Vulcanos, or form themſelves into burn- ing Mountains. It were eaſy to enlarge on ſuch a Subject. But it is not my Intention to take up the Time by philoſophical Diſquiſitions of this nature; and therefore 1 ſhall only obſerve, that theſe Accounts. may be partly all * true, accord- ing to the different Nature of the Places where theſe Succuſſions happens; which probably are oc- caſioned, ſometimes by theſe Cauſes united, by the Joint Action of Air and Fi ire, Fire and Water, or the Air, Fire, and Water all conſpiring to the ſame Effect. | But I cannot conceive, how the Operation of theſe natural Cauſes is inconſiſtent with a religious Acknowledgment of God in ſuch Events; or how they x Cauſam, qua terra concutitur, alii in aqua eſſe, alii in igni- bus, alii in ipſa terra, alii in ſpiriiu putavere, alli in pluribus, alli in omnibus his. Senec. Nat. ut. J. 6. c. 5. | - 15711 they exclude him from being even the principal Agent in them. For is not the whole Frame and Compoſition of the Earth the Effect of his Wiſ- dom and Power? Are not thoſe ſubterraneous Ca- verns in it hollowed out by his Hand? Are not all the various Strata of it of his laying? Her Viſcera, the Waters, the. Fires, the Minerals, the Exhalations, Winds and Vapours, every Thing ſhe contains, even to her inmoſt Centre, as to the Matter, the Poſition, the Quantity of them, the manner of their Operations, and the particular Times and Seaſons in which they produce their Effects, all provided, and ordered by him, even from the very Original of the World? If they are, God is really the 22 Agent in theſe and other like natural Effects, and the Operations of the Laws of Nature, are in truth nothing but the O rations of God by thoſe Laws, which he from the firſt Origin of Nature fixed, which he by his continued Influence conſtantly maintains in their Activity and Vigour, 'and which were originally ſo ordained and regulated by him, as that they ſhould exert themſelves, and produce their Effects, in the natural Courſe of Things, exactly at ſuch Periods, which he had determined, and which he forſaw would be beſt conducive to anſwer the great Purpoſes of his moral Providence and Govern- ment. And therefore, when Nations, or Cities are wholly deſtroyed and ſwallowed up by the Opening of the Earth, or conſumed by the burſt- ing Flames that ariſe from it, or ſwept away by an Inundation of Waters that guſhes out of it; if Nature was from the Beginning ſo formed of God, as that theſe Calamities ſhould happen, in the ordinary Connection of Things, juſt at ſuch a Period, and exactly at ſuch a Place, and through- out ſuch an Extent, as the very Event itſelf de- monſtrates to be the Caſe; the Conſequence is un- 3 | deniable, 1 deniable, that theſe Calamities were of a divine Appointment, and appointed for the Deſtruction of ſuch particular Perſons and Places; and that they are, and ought to be conſidered, and owned, as real and certain Effects of God's Agency, as tho? he had deſtroyed them by an immediate Stroke of his own Hand, or a viſible direct Interpoſi- tion of his almighty and irreſiſtible Power. And in this Senſe it is unqueſtionably true, that God creates Evil, and that there is no Evil in a City, but what is done by God. And in thoſe Places, where theſe Concuſſions of the Earth are leſs vio- lent and fatal, as blefſed be God they have- been with us, where Men's Habitations have been only ſhaken, but not ſubverted, and their Terrors ex- cited, without any Deſolation of their Cities, or Deſtruction of their Perſons z in theſe Inſtances, were not the original Cauſes ſo moderated and pro- portioned by the all-wiſe Creator, as that their Ef- fects ſhould proceed thus far, and no farther ? So that even upon the largeſt Suppoſition, that theſe Concuſſions happened by the original Laws of Nature, without any immediate Influence from the Author of Nature, yet God was moſt certainly in theſe Earthquakes, as they were appointed by _ juſt for that particular Seaſon, when we felt them. 5 | True Philoſophy, as well as Religion, aſſures us of the Truth of that noble and ſublime De- ſcription of the Wiſdom, Prudence, and Know- ledge of God in the Formation of the World, that we have in the inſpired Prophet. He r hath meaſured the Waters in the Hollow of bis Hand, and meeted out the Heavens with a Span, and com- prebended the Duſt of the Earth in a Meaſure, and weighed the Mountains in Scales, and the Hills in a Balance, It is but a poor, jejune, abſurd, un- * Ifa,xl. 7. Amos i. 6 4 Iſa. xl. 12. Aal meaning Philoſophy, that imputes the Conſtitution of the Earth to Chance or Fatality, i. e. properly ſpeaking to no Cauſe at all; or that imagines a Creator of it, blending together at Random a Maſs Things, without due Proportion and Meaſure, without regard to Situation, or Place, without Fore-ſight or Direction of their Operations and Effects, without any original Diſtribution of thoſe Effects to their proper Seaſons, or Intention to anſwer by them any valuable Ends, eſpecially when productive of any peculiar Advantages, or attend- ed with any remarkable Calamities to Mankind, How much more Dignity is there in the Suppo- - ſition, that the eternal and all- wiſe Creata#f plan- ned out the whole Syſtem of Things with the moſt unerring Skill, adjuſted the whole Quantity of Matter, even to a ſingle Atom, of which our Globe conſiſts, as in a Balance, with the moſt per- fect Exactneſs, and conſtituted the Viſcera, the Bowels of the Earth, of ſuch Materials, and in ſuch Meaſures, liable to ſuch Changes, and ſubject to ſuch Action and Re. action upon each other, as that they ſhould, by the Laws he impreſſed on them, produce ſuch and ſuch Effects, at ſuch and ſuch particular Times and Seaſons, and ſuch par- ticular Places of the Globe, as he knew would beſt anſwer his own Ends in creating it, through- out the whole Period of its Duration; and thus make the whole Frame of Nature ſubſervient to moral Purpoſes, and all the Powers of it execute his Pleaſure amongſt the Children of Men! This is the truly ſublime Doctrine of divine Re- velation, which ſuppoſes the Connection of natu- ral Cauſes and Effects, but with a becoming Pro- priety aſcribes them to God as their original Au- thor. * Whatever the Lord pleaſed, that did be in Heaven, and in Earth, in the Seas, and all deep F Places, , th. | 1 - EE Places. It is he, who cauſes the Vapours to aſ- cend from the Ends of the Earth, who makes Light- ning for the Rain, and brings the Winds out of bis Treaſures, * He covers the Heaven with Clouds, he prepareth Rain for the Earth, he makes © the Graſs to. grow upon the Mountains, giveth Snow like Mool, ſcatters the Hoar-Proft like Aſhes, caſteth forth the Ice like Morſels, ſends out his Word and melteth them, and 'cauſeth his Winds to blow, and the Waters flow. i. e. He hath eſtabliſhed all thoſe Laws of Nature by which theſe various Effects are in the general Courſe of Things produced. But yet this very Eſtabliſhment is deſcribed by Re- velation, as directed to providential Purpoſes, and as contributing to carry on the Deſigns of his moral Government over Men. For Þ he makes the Winds his Meſſengers, and the flaming Fire, the, Lightnings of Heaven, his Miniſters. + He ibun- ders with his Voice, ſaith to the Snow, be thou on the Earth, likewiſe to the ſmall Rain, and the great Rain of his Strength. Out of the South comes the Whirlwind, and Cold out of the North. By the Breath of God is the Froſt given, he ſcatters his bright Cloud, He turneth Mad their circulating Courſes by bis Counſels, according to the Works of Men, that they may do whatſaever he commandeth them upon the Face of the Earth, whether for Cor- rection, even to his own Land, or for Mercy. || Fire, Hail, Snow and Vapours, Storms and Winds, all fulſil bis Word, Not that Revelation ſuppoſes, that God ab- ſolutely confines himſelf to the natural Courfe of Things, can never vary from them, or doth not, upon, extraordinary Occaſions, by an immediate In- fluence on them, excite them to produce ſuch Effects, as they would not have done, unleſs he * Pſa. cxlvii. & 16, 17. Þ Pla. civ. 4. 1 Job xxavii. 5, 13. Pſa. xlviii. 8. " 1 111 had given them a new Direction, and had they been permitted to go on in that Train in which they were originally fixed. The Plagues of Egypt, will not, I imagine, be accounted for by merely natural Cauſes. They are repreſented as the im- mediate Effects of his Power, * who doth accords ing th his Will in the Army of Heaven, and amongſt the Inbabitants of the Earib, ana none can ſiay his Hand, er ſay to him, What doeſt thau? Every Thing 1s declared in the ſacred Writings to be . under the Controul of the Almighty, and the Hea- vers, and Earth, and all the Powers of Nature repreſented, . as abſolutely obedient to his Wall, ſubject to his Direction, and liable to ſuch Changes, as he thinks proper to introduce into them, when any Purpoſes of Wiſdom, Juſtice, Goodneſs, and Mercy require it. This Scheme One hath a Dignity in it worthy the Majeſty and Perfection of the eternal God; and that he can act without natural Cauſes, is as certain, as that he can act by them; that he can over-rule them, as evident, as that he could eſtabliſh them; that he can give the Powers cf Nature a new Direction, as unqueſtion- able, as his giving them their firſt. That the or- dinary Laws of Nature are ſufficient to anſwer all the Views of God's moral Government, is what no Man can prove, and- what it would be Pre- ſumption in any to affirm, That he ſhould tie up his own Hands, and leave himſclf no Power of varying from theſe Laws, is a Contradiction in Terms, becauſe it is ſuppoſing he could limit his -- own Power, i. e. that he could do what is ſtrict- ly impoſſible to be done. That he ſhould reſolve never to vary from theſe Laws, or ſuperſede them, when the Ends of Wiſdom and Goodneſs ſhould require it, is contrary to Wiſdom and Goodneſs and it is truly "—_— ſuppoſe, that as God will whey 429 2 never h 1 * Dan. iv. 35 · : [ 12 ] never vary from the Laws of Nature, when the Ends of his Providence can be anſwered withour it, ſo he will never confine himſelf to thoſe Laws, when the acting without them, or controuling them, will anſwer nobler Purpoſes, than his ſuffering them to proceed in their regular Courſe. In what Inſtances God acts by immediate Interpoſitions, is difficult to determine. Nor is their any need of it for the Purpoſes of Religion. It is ſufficient to all theſe, to be aſſured, chat he acts by every natural Cauſe, that his immediate Interpoſition is conſtant, whenever it is neceſſary, that his Pro- vidence over- rules all the Events of Good and Evil, that he is to be acknowledged in them all, and his Deſign in them to be ſeriouſly conſidered and carefully complied with. And this leads us more particularly to enquire. . IT. Into the great Intention of theſe extraordi- nary Events, and what we may learn from Rea- ſon and Revelation, as to the Deſign of theſe Com- motions and Agitations of the Earth, which it pleaſes God, in the Courſe of his Providence, to permit. Tho? the double Shock, which we have telt, ſhould have had their Cauſes from the firſt Formation of the World, and were intended, by the Operation-of thoſe Cauſes, to happen in cur Days ; ek ſurely it was not only to ſet us about enquir- g into the natural Reaſons of them, or to excite in us vain and uninfluencing Terrors; but for Purpoſes more worthy his Character, who ordain- ed and permits them, and ſuitable to our Natures and Circumſtances, who are more immediately con- cerned in, and affected by them. Every one will allow, 1. That theſe Events are very awful and ter- rifying in their Nature, and apt to ſtrike our Minds with Horror. What is there that we can - think | [13] think of more ſtable than the Foundations of the Earth, which as the Pſalmiſt tells us, are“ /o laid, as that they ſhall not be removed for ever. And by human Power they can never be ſhaken. * Bur they are not ſo ſtrongly eſtabliſhed, as to be ca- able of reſiſting the Power of the Almighty. + He — on the Earth, and it trembles; be touches the Hills, and they ſmoke. And how dreadful doth this Convulſion of Nature appear to us! How ſtrong the Conſternation into which it throws us! Can we help being aſtoniſhed, when we find the Ground we tread on, and from which ve ſcarce ſuſpe& any fatal Evil, all in Agitation, our Dwel- lings tottering around us, and threatening in an Inſtant to bury us in their Ruins; for who can tell where the Shock will end, or if the firſt ſpares us, whether a ſecond, or a third, may not inſtantly follow it, and overwhelm us with a ſudden! De- ſtruction! A dreadful Vault may be juſt under our Habitations, and Nature by long and gra- dual Preparations may now have ripened all her Materials to force it open, and receive us into the dark and deep Abyſs. This is the Ima- gination, that theſe Tremors of the Earth natu- rally ſuggeſt. Even the leſſer Strokes that we have lately felt, produced, I believe, in the gene- rality of Men, that were ſenſible of them, an im- mediate Conſternation, and hath had ſuch an Effect on many, as to drive them from their Dwellings, to ſeek their Safety in Places more remote from this City. But how much ſtronger muſt the Con- ſternation be, where repeated Shocks ſucceed each other, and every ſucceeding one grows more vio- lent than the other; when Men fee their Houſes reeling, opening, and tumbling in a Moment, Mountains rending and falling into Ruins, the Earth itſelf either widely gaping before them, or 85 | ſo * Pla, ov. . „ + Thi 32. ke - [14] fo violently agitated as td ſupplant their Feet, and prevent their Flight from the impend- ing Horrors that furrounded them. This might have been our Caſe, as it hath been of others, according to the moſt authentick Accounts both of ancient and modern Hiſtory. 2. No wonder therefore, that they are repre- ſented in Scripture, as Events that proclaim the Power and Majeſty of God. Clouds and Dark- eſs are round about him. His Lightnings enlightned the World. The Earth ſaw and trembled. The Hills melted like Wax at the Preſence of the Lord, at the Preſence of the Lord of the whale Earth: The Heavens declare his Righteouſneſs, and all the People ſee his Glory. And in that truly elegant Ode, -compoſed by the inſpired Writer, on the De- liverance of Jrael from the Egyptian Bondage, When Iſrael went out of Egypt——4be Sea ſaw it and fled, Jordan was driven back, the Mountains ſripped like Rams, and the little Hills like Lambs, What ailed thee, O Sea, that thou fledeſt * Thou Jordan, that thou waſt driven back ? Ye Mountains, that ye fkipped like Rams, and the little Hills like Lambs? In which Words, he particularly reſem- bles the repeated Convulſions and Throws, the Vibrations and Heavings of the Earth, quick ſuc- ceeding one another, by which, ＋ probably, as our Cauſe, the Waves of the. Red-Sea, and the Waters of Ferden were divided, that his favourite People might ſafely paſs through them, to the If Friſking of Rams, and the Boundings and Skip- ings of Lambs; and then adds : Tremble thou rth at the Preſence of the Lord, and at the Preſence of the God of Jacob. And in Truth, as all natural Effects are the Conſtitution of the eter- nal Creator, nothing gives us a more affecting Idea of his Glory and Grandeur, nothing tends to ſtrike us ® Pla. xcvil. adds - + Exod. xv. 1% « [15 ] us with more lively Awes of his ſovereign Power and Authority, than the murmuring hollow Sound of the convulſed Earth, its ſudden Tremors, ſhud- dering, as it were, for fear of the inſupportable Majefty of God, and appearing conſcious of the Preſence of its great Former and Lord, and ſhak- ing from its Centre, in a kind of Ackhowledg- ment of the profound Homage' and Adoration it owes to him; and when he commands it, lift- ing up the Mountains and Hills from their old Foundations, and ſpreading univerſal Confuſion, Horror, and dreadful Deſolation. a 3. Who can doubt, that conſider theſe Things, to pronounce them evident awakening Marks of the divine Diſpleaſure, and whether it be the Duty of all to regard them as Indications of his An- „for the abounding and aggravated Sins of Men ? Thus they are repreſented by the ſacred Writings. Thus Fob in my Text: He oper. turneth the Mountains in his Anger, and ſhakes the Earth out of her Place. And again: The Pillars of Heaven tremble, and are aftonifſhed at his Re- And the Prophet Jeremiah : + At his rath the Earth ſhall tremble, and the Nations Hall not be able to abide his Indignation. And furely theſe Things look like the Rebykes and Vi- ſitations of God for Sin. t Thou ſhall be viſited of the Lord of Hoſt with Thunder, and Earthquakes, and great Noiſe; with Storm and Tempeſt, and the Flame of devouring Fire, faith Iſaiah to Ferufalem. And Nabum in his Viſion concerning Muiveb, tells that proud and oppreſſive City : || The Lord will not at all acquit the Wicked. His Way is in the Whirlwind, and in the Storm, and the Clouds are the Duſt of bis Feet. The Mountains quaks at him, the Hills melt, and the Earth is burnt at. * Job. xxvi. 11. f Jer. x. 10; 1 Aff. Kix. 6. | Nah, L 16. | : [16] Bis Preſence, yea the World, and all that are therein. Who can Band before his Indignation, who can abide in the Fierceneſs of his Anger? His Fury is poured out like Fire, and the Rocks are thrown down by him. Every Thing is in Terror When God is angry. Even the inſenſible Creation diſcovers its Dread of his Diſpleaſure. The firmeſt Parts of Nature are of no longer Stability when his Indignation is poured out, and the Rocks them- ſelves move out of their Places, and the ever- laſting Mountains are torn in ſunder, when he comes to take Vengeance on hardene ed and incor- rigible Sinners. What can, in the Nature, of Things, be a ſurer Proof of God's being offended with the Crimes of Men, than a Shake that threa- tens the intire Subverſion of a City ina Moment, that appals every one who feels it, and makes them in the Aſtoniſhment of their Souls to cry out: Lord ſave us, or we periſh! Even thoſe Suc- cuſſions that are moſt favourable, and attended with no immediate and - ſudden Deſolations, no Man looks on as deſirable Things, conſiders them as Indicatians of a propitious Deity, or even reflects on them with Pleaſure, on any other account, but his having eſcaped the inſtantaneous Ruin,. with which they threatned him. And if they are con- ſidered as effected, mediately, or immediately, by che Hand of God, it is impoſſible to regard them in any other light, than as the Shakings of his Rod, the friendly Warnings of his e heh and ſes rious Calls to Repentance, and Reformation, to prevent worſe Things from befalling them. But 1 much more dreadful Proofs of the Indigna- tion of the Almighty God, are thoſe; Agitations of the Earth, that are repeated and violent, and, ſpread univerſal 5 amongſt the Dwel- Ungs and Inhabitants of the Earth? When they level wealthy and ſtately Cities, from” their Foun- * © dations, [27] dations, and ſwallow up thouſands; of the miſerable Inhabitants, without a Moment's Leiſure to eſcape the Danger, or allowing them time for one ſerious Reflection, or breathing, out a ſingle Prayer to God for Mercy? And this leads me, to a further Ob- fervation, v12Z..... | SAN 46d n 4. That the Effects of theſe. Succuſſions of the 5 Earth are ſometimes ſo terrible, as that they can be conſidered in no other poſſible View, than as immediate Inſtances of the divine Vengeance, for the Impieties and Iniquities of Mankind. And here we have Inflances enough from ſacred, and profane Hiſtory. This, I doubt not, was one Cauſe of the Univerſal Deluge, that ſwept away the An- tediluvian World, when the Fountains. of the great Deep were broken up, as well as the Windows of Heaven opened; the Earth rending by violent Shocks, and ſpouting forth, in mighty Torrents, all the hidden Treaſures of the Abyſs, to over- Whelm the guilty Univerſe, with its Waves. The Deſtruction of Sodom. and , Gomorrah was by a Storm of Fire and Brimſtone from Heaven, whereby * they were ſet forth. for an Example, f- fering | the Vengeance: of eternal Fire. But the turn- ing that once fertile Plain, on, which thoſe Cities ſtood, into a-Sea, or Lake of briny Water, can, I apprehend, be accounted for no ather way, but the Concuſſion and Sinking of the Ground, and the Burſting forth of a Deluge of Water, filli up that borrid \ Chaſm into which theſe. unnatur Monſters deſcended, as the ſignal Puniſhment of their. horrid Provocations; the Waters being im- pregnated by the ſulphureous Storm which fell from Heaven, or thoſe bituminous Principles, which the Cavern, from whence they aroſe, naturally a- bounded with. A Monument of God's Vengeance this, which remains to this Day, to verify this Part i Ne 1 7 . N D TA 2 of ' | . 1 2 Jude, Ver. 7. 19 *\ « © . « » ö 1 : —_— > o of the ſacred Hiſtory, and to ſhew the divine Ab- horrence of thoſe execrable Crimes, for which that dreadful Puniſhment was inflicted! In the Time of Moſes, * Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, with all their Aſſociates in the Rebellion, were made to un- derſtand that they provoked the Lord, by the Eartbh's opening her Mouth, and ſwal'owing them up with all that appertained to them, their Tents, and their Goods, fo that they went down alive into the Pit, the Earth cloſed on them, and they periſhed from amongſt the Congregation. In the Days of Uzziah, King of Judab, an Earthquake happened in + Ju- dea, which was ſo violent, as made the Inhabi- tants flee from their Cities. And tho? the Effects of it are not particularly deſcribed, yet it muſt have been a very dreadful one, if what + Joſephus relates concerning it be true, that one of the Hills, that lie before Jeruſalem, was ſplit in ſunder, and the weſtern Part of it moved, and driven forwards towards the Eaſt, to the Diſtance of about four Furlongs, ſo as wholly to overwhelm the publick Roads, and the Royal Gardens. Let me add, that this ſeems to me to be the Puniſhment that is reſerved in Store for the per- ſecuting, bloody, idolatrous | Rome. For when the fixed Period of her Deſtruction ſhall come, Their fhall be Voices, Thunders, and Lightnings, and a great Earthquake, ſuch' as never was before, fince Men were on the Face of the Earth; ſo mighty an Earthquake, and- ſo great. And the great City ſpall be divided into three Parts, i. e. through the Fury of the Concuffion rent in Pieces, or puniſh- ed by a threefold Vengeance from God 8; pro- bably by a preceding Peſtilence, ' Famine, and Storm of Hail and Fire from Heaven, and at length wholly devoured by the Earthquake. And Ro | great Num xvi. 32, 33. 1 Zech. xiv. 5. Amos i 1. f Antiq. 4. 9. c. 10. f. 10. || Rev. xvi. 18, 19. F ib. xviii. 8. xvi, 21. — - — — —_— ____— [ 19 ] great Babylon ſball come in Remembrance before God, o give unto. ber the Cup of the Wine. of the Fierceneſs of his Wrath. And this is farther ex- emplified by other Deſcriptions. of her Puniſh-: ment, as that it ſhould be ſudden and unavoidable. Her Plagues ſball come in one Day, Deatb, Mourning, and Famine. In one Hour her Judgment ſhall come, and ſbe ſball be utterly burnt with Fire, and with ſuch- a Fire, as that he Kings of ibe Earth ſhall ſee the Smoak of her Burning, ſtanding afar off for Fear of her Torment, and in their Aſtoniſhment, crying out: What City is like to this: great City, formerly in Wealth and Glory, now in Deſolation and Ruin! In one Hour: ſhe is made deſolate, and caſt down with Violence, /o: as that: it Gall be found no more at all! Expreſſions theſe, that plainly point out an inſtantaneous, irreſiſtible. Deſtruction, by her ſinking at once into that horri- ble Gulph, which by an Earthquake ſhall open for her Reception, out of which, probably ſhall iſſue a _ Stream, forming a Vulcano, that ſhall be the awful Monument of God's Vengeance; and of her: eternal and irreverſible Deſtruction. In Confirma-+ tion of this, it may be added, that the Soil on which Rome ſtands, is by Nature and Providence fitted to bring on it ſuch a Cataſtrophe; the ſub- terraneaus Caverns, and Strata abounding with Sulphur and Bitumen, as appears by its Neigh- hood to Campania, and Mount Veſuuius, the Mines of Allum and Sulphur, and warm Baths that a- bound in it, the F ſeveral Earthquakes that have happened there, and the breaking out of ſubter- raneous Fires, even in Rome itſelt 4 one of which, under the Reign of Titus t, and whilſt he was abſent from the City, to viſu the Ruins occaſion- NN 134403803 eee bros 293 is wired » Rev. xviii. 8, 9, 10, 17, 18, 21, 1 Cicer. de Divin. J. 1. c. 35. Dion: Ul. A K. 7 8555 *. N Tacit An, J. 12. $- 43- I Suet. Tit. c. 8. $.9. Apud Dion. C. p. 756. Crimes of Men, and ingoduce that net Heaven, ( 20 ] ed by the Eruptions of Mount Veſuvins, laſted three Days and three Nights, and conſumed, be- ſides numerous other Buildings, ſeveral of the prin- cipal * Temples, Edifices, and Palaces. And at- terwards in the Reign of Commodus the Temple af Peace was ſuddenly conſumed by Fire; ei r by Lightning in the Night, or which is more pro- bable, by the Eruption of Fire from an Earth- quake, which Herodian obſerves was felt the ſame Night the Temple was burat down, with all the immenſe Treaſures that were repoſited there, and many others ot the moſt —_—_ and beautiful Fares ol he City, n . Let me conclude this Head. with obſerving bar. ther, that theſe Eruptions, by Earthquakes, may contribute their Share to bu final Deſolation of the World itſelf, according to the Predictions of the ſacred Writers, and the Intimations of profane Hiſtorians. Some Account for this great Event, by the too near Approach of 4 Comet to this Globe. Others, by the Earth's continual Approxi- mation to the Sun, whereby at laſt he Heavens ſhall paſs away with a great Noiſe, and the Ele- ments ſhall melt with fervent Heat; the Earth alſo and the Warks that are therein ſhall be burnt up. Probably, many Cauſes may conſpire to the Ac - compliſhment of theſe Prophecies 3, ard if, when this Earth is fired from without by a Comet, or the Sun's Heat, all the inflammable Vapours, Mi- nerals, and combuſtible Materials within its own Bowels, ſhould, in numerous Places, burſt thro? the Surface in Flames, and rend, and tear, con- vulſe, and overturn it, theſe united Cauſes will be abundantly ſufficient to produce this entire and uni- verſal Conflagration, and thus to purge away the cus * Huctis, L 1. & 14. 4.3. 8 2 * i and new Earth, wherein Jeet Swe perpetual Righ- teouſneſs. © It would be r to produce numerous Inſtinees from profane Hiſtory, ancient and modern, of che dreadtul Effects of theſe convulſive Motions of the Earth, in order to demonſtrate, that the the evident Tokens of God's Diſpleaſure, oy Ack the ſignal nn his Vengeance for the Sins ot Men abo, Tacitus, Pliny, and other Hiſtorians, take Notice of a very terrible Earth- quake at Midnight in the Reign of Tiberius, that utterly ſubverted twelve of the principal and moſt famous Cities of Afia, amongſt which were Epbe- ſus, Sardis, and Philadelphia, three of which St. John mentions in his Revelations, the Deſtruction of which was the more terrible, us it was inſtan- taneous, and without any previous Warning ; ſo ſudden, as that the Inhabitants had no time to eſcape out of their Houſes, but were ſwallowed up quick by the Opening of the Ground. High Mountains ſunk down all at once, Plains roſe into high Mountains, and Flames burſt out of the midſt of the Ruins, During the Empire of Titus, and not after the DeſtruQion of Feruſalem by him, happened the firſt great Eruption of Mount Veſuvius in Campania, the ' moſt fertile Country of Hahly, deſcribed by + Pliny in his % Tacitus the Hiſtorian. Pliny was witneſs to that dreadful Event, his Uncle "Peres in it, and he himſelf with the greateſt Difficulty eſcaped De- ſtruction, During the Eruption, de Each * "mo Ren, and the extreme —.— * as ut Juodecim 1 Abs urbes conlaplee noc- | turno motu terre, quo improviſior graviorque peſtis ſuit. Ne- que ſolitum in tali caſu ſubveniebat in a pro- rumpendi, quia diductis terris hauriebantur. Sediſſe immen- bend pur Vila in arduo quæ plana fuerint, effulfifſe inter rui- nis memorant. Tacit. anal. l. 2. c. 47. — 15 1 4 6. Ep. 16. 20. | [ 22 lence; of it ruined many Cities, and intirely ſwal- lowed up two, * Herculanum and Pompeii, wlulſt the, People in the latter were aſſimbled in the Ilra- tre, and intent, upon ibe public dᷣbetos and Plays; and the Terror occaſioned by it was ſo great, as that many thought the World was going to be reduced to a Chaos or to be deſttoyed by Fire. Whilſt Trajan the Emperor was at f Antioch, an Earthquake ſhook that City into Ruins, and an infinite Multitude periſhed in it, the Emperor himſelf, hardly eſcapiag. Several Mountains were EE levelled, large Quantities of: Water roſe up. where they had never been before, and diſ- appeared where they had formerly been; in ſo much, that the Hiſtorian, doth! not ſeruple to at- tribute this Calamity to God. To come nearer our own Times, in Sicily, January 1693, after a very ſerene, warm Seaſon, unuſual there in that Part of the ear, a dreadful Earthquake ſpread Devaſtation, throughout almoſt the whole Iſland, near ſixty thouſand of the Inhabitants , periſhed hy it, many of the principal Cities were intirely laid waſte, and ſcarce a Town or Village. in the Iſland, but what ſhared more or leſs in the Effects of it. At Jamaica, Anno Dom. 1692, the Houſes croghour the Iſland were thrown down by a like Acci ent, Nine-tenths of Port- Royal were demo- liſhed, or ſwallowed up in ua Minutes time, two thouſand of the People were loſt, and the City ingulphed by a ſudden Deluge of Water. But a fe. Tears agg, in the Memory of all of us, Lima in Peru was Wholly ſhaken to Pieces, the Port of Callao totally ſunk and diſappeared, and many thouſands of People periſhed in the like Calami- ty. It is impoſſible to read the Accounts of theſe dreadful Accidents without ſhuddering, and ac- nes: or Wires _ © © knowledging,, Dion. Caf. 7. 66. 5. 756. + Dion. Caf. J. 68. 5. 781, 782: — ———ͤ ——— SS 1230 knowledging: The Lord is knoten by the Judgments which he executes; Holy and reverend is bi, Nune | But further, wenden sn LRU n 3. | muſt' remind you, that theſe Concuſſions of the Earth are repreſented in the ſacred Writ- ings, as Fore- runnets of other Judgments to ſuc- ceed them, or the Beginnings of. God's Vengeance on a ſinful and impenitent People; ſo that the ſlighteſt Shocks are not to be diſregarded, but ſhould be conſidered with an holy Fear, as car- rying in them the Threatnings of God of worſe Evils to befall Men, if they will not take the friend- ly Warnings that are given them. Thus the Pro- phet Feremiah repreſents the Tremblings of the Earth, as introductory to heavier Judgments from the divine Diſpleaſure. * 7 bebeld the Earth, and lo it was without Form and Void, and the Heavens, and they had no Light. I beheld the Mountains, and lo they trembled, and all the Hills moved lighthy. I beheld, and lo there was no Man, and alt the Birds of Heaven were fled. 'T beheld, and lo the fraitful Place was a Wilderneſs, and all the Cities thereof were broken down at the Preſence ' of the Lord, and by his fierce Anger. For thus ſaith the Lord, the whole Land ſhall be deſolate. What Words can paint out the Calamities of a People in a ſtronger and more affecting manner than theſe, when the Heavens withheld their Light, and threw an univerſal Blank over the Face of Nature, when the Fowls of the Air forſook the devoted Land, when the Mountains trembled, and:the Hills, as it were, fled from their Places, when God ap- peared to take Vengeance on his degenerate Peo- ple. In like manner, Habattat r repreſents the Mountains as ſhaking for Fear, and retiring, be- fore God, when they ſaw him march in ſolemn Pomp to execute Judgment on the Enemies of 10 his er. iv. 23—27. 1 Fab. iii. 5, 6— 10. [24] his People. Before bim went the Peſlilente, and burning Diſeaſes went forth at his Feet. The ever- laſting Mountains were ſcattered, and "the perpetual Hills, did bow, The Mountains ſaw thee, and they trembled. And though the Paſſages I have men- tioned, and others that I might have added, are poſſibly intended, after the Eaſtern manner, prin- cipally to repreſent, by theſe pompous lofty Ex- eſſions, the Certainty and Greatneſs of God's Vengeance, and are not to be rigidly underſtood always according to the Letter, yet I ſee no Rea- ſon always to exclude the literal Meaning. This, however, they certainly point out to us, that we have great Reaſon to fear, when theſe Concufligns really happen, leaſt they ſhould be but the Begin- nings of Evil, and Preludes of ſome heavier Ven- geance in Store for us. For if the figurative and poetick Trembling of the Earth is intended by God to repreſent approaching Judgments, what muſt be the Intention of his Providence, when he permits it actually to tremble under us? Is it not to tell us, that our Proſperity is inſecure, - That his Almighty Protection is withdrawing from us, that the Foundation on which our National Welfare ſtands is. diſſolving and ſinking under us, and that if we will not take Warning by theſe plain Indications of his Diſpleaſure, he will far- * ther turn his Hand upon us, bring us to ourſelves, if poſſible, by more dreadful Animadverſions on our Follies and Vices, or elſe proceed to the Severity of a total Exciſian. ie 503 24 , Qur bleſſed Saviour expreſly declared to his Apoſtles, that previous to the Deſtruction of Je- riſalem, amongſt other Signs of its final Deſola- tion, there ſhould be Earthquakes. in diverſe. Places. This Prediction was literally fulfilled. That in Ma under Tiberius, I have already taken W 81 * 5 £ : EY 1 9 * - 0 [25] ef. ; Under Claudius frequent Convulſions --&f the Earth were felt at Rome, by which many Houſes were ſhaken into Ruins. Under + Nero a whole Town in Campania, was thrown down by this terrible Accident. A like happened in the Reign of Galba g, and what I would particularly take Notice of, as I have not ſeen it obſerved by any Writers in Verification of this Prediction, is, that when Veſpaſian was in Fudea, employed in reducing the revolted Cities, Fortreſſes, and Caſtles into Obedience, juſt before his actually inveſting Jeruſalem itſelf, and the very Night the || [dumeans were admitted into that City, there aroſe a moſt; violent 83 Wiew: _ 1 . 8 with Perpetual Lightnings, Thunders, and pr — Roarings of an Earthquake; Ne Foſephus obſerves, the very Frame of the World. ſeemed to be diſturbed for the Deſtruction: of the. Jeruut, and that it portended no ſmall Calamity to them. And this is the more remarkable, becauſe this Admiſſion of the [4umeans into Jeruſalem determined the Fate of it. For, as the ſame Author obſerves F, - the Murther of Ananus the High Prieft by the Idu- means, immediately upon their Entrance, was the Begioning of the Deſtruction of the City, and from that Day of his Death, the Walls might be ſaid to be ſubverted. and the Jewiſh Republick to be intirely diſſolyed : becauſe, being a Man of Mo- deration and Prudence, he would certainly have perſuaded the Nation to have come to a Compo- ſition with the Romans. But, ſays Foſephus, God having devoted that polluted City to Deſtruction, and determined to - purge the ſacred Place with- Fire, he cut of thoſe who were its beſt Defences, and had the higheſt Affection for the People's | -— #/Tacit. Anal. I. 2. c. 47. + Idem. ibid. J. 15. c. 28. t: Set. Galb. c. 18. l Joſeph. de Bel, Jud. l. 4. 6. 4. 5 5- 5. Ibid. 6. $* $. 8.29 $291: . 9 = * Gas [26] Proſperity: I could farther: eafily turn you to other Inſtances, when theſe Concuſſions of the Earth, have been followed with Wars, by malig! nant peſtilential Diſtempers, and great Moxtality amongſt Men. But though I would gladly awaken in you the moſt ſerious Refleftibpns, on Account of theſe two Shocks, that have lately been felt in and about theſe great Cities; yet I would not diſ. treſs you, by raifing in your Minds painfuf Lina: ginations of what never may, and J hope in God will not happen. I ſhall, however, conclude this Head with an Obſervation: of - Pliny on this Sub. ject, which I will not pretend intirely to vind- eate, or to cenſure, and ridicule as abſolutely ſu- perſtitious : viz. That * ibis Evil is ſeldom Angle, er it is not only by the Shakes itſelf that wwe are en- dangered. For there never was one of theſe Tre- mors at Rome, but it was an equal or greater Prog- noſtick of ſome future Event that was approaching. Once more, 5 | 6. I would obſerve, that theſe Concuſſſons of the Earth are repreſented in Scripture, as - times introductory of ſome great and remarkable Alteration in the State of the World for the bet- ter, of ſome new Diſpenſation of Things, by the good Providence and Favour of God, ſome ſig- nal Deliverance and Benefit to his People in the Deſtruction of their Enemies, the Eſtabliſhment of their Peace and Proſperity, and their Recovery to a better State of Piety and Virtue, by purg- ing out the Wicked from amongſt them, and ſuch as are the great Corrupters of Religion and Mo- rality amongſt Mankind ; when theſe 1 9 8 ous. of Kang Nec vero fimplex malum, aut in ipſo tantum motu peri- culum eſt; ſed par, aut majus oſtentum. Nunquam urbs Re- ma tremuit, ut non ſuturi eventus alicujus id prenuncium eſ- ſet. Nat. Hiſt. J. 2. c. 84. Terre ſæpe ſremitus, ſæpe mu- gitus, ſæpe motus multa noſtræ Reipublicæ, multa cateris ci vitatibus, gra via et vera prædixerint. Cicer. de Divin. J. 1. c. 18. men 27 have a double Aſpect; of J udgment and 1 geance to the incorrigibly Bad, and of 8 vantage and Conſolation to the truly Good. inſpired Author to the Hebrews * 1 u at the giving of the Law, by which the //raelites were ſeparated from the Idolatries and Impieties of the World, Ged's Voice ſhook the Earth. But now he bath promiſed ſaying : Yet once more 1 ſhake wot the Earth only, but the Heavens alſo. And this Expreſſion, yet once more, 445 ſignifies the remov- ing of theſe Thin 7 that are ſhaken, as of 11 that are 2 Bat t 75 e Things which cannot ſhaken may remain. hen God gave his Statites from Mount f Sinai, Moſes tells us, that there were Thunders, and Lightnings, and a thick Cloud on the Mount, and the Voice of the Trump exceed- ing loud, and the Smoke aſcended as the Smoke of a Furvace, and the whole Mount quaked greatly. Theſe were the Effects of the divine Preſence, when God came in the Pomp and Majeſty; of a wgiver, to deliver his Commandments to Iſrael, whom he had t choſen for his Inberitance, the Peo- ple whom he loved, when th 9 / ſat down at bis Feet, and received of his Words, By Haggai the Prophet he promiſed, that he Jodl | Fake the Heavens and the Earth, the Sea and the dry Land, and all Nations, i. e. that there ſhould be cat Concuſſions in the Earth, and remarkable Com- motions amongſt the Nations of the World, pre- vious to the coming of the Defire af all Nations, and bis filling bis "Fouſ iſe with Glory; both which were abundantly verified, there being in Fudea 9 ſuch a Concuſſion of the Earth, as never was known. before, by which vaſt Numbers. of Cattle were deſtrayed throughout the whole Country, and ten thouſand Fon ae in the Ruins of their 2 Fouſes „ Hab. l. 26, 27 2 xix. 16, 18. { Deut. xxxiij. 3. Hag. ii. 6, 7. „ Ae e 52. 4 * F Houſes, and in other Places of the Empire; many Cities being ſubverted by Earthquakes in the Reign of Auguſtus *, and the whole Roman Empire ſhaken by Land and Sea, by the Civil War between him and Mark Anthony, The ſacred Hiſtorian ob- ſerves, that at our Lord's Death, not only the Veil of the Temple was rent in twain, from the Top -to the Bottom, but the Earth quaked, and the Rocks were rent; to ſhew the Diſſolution of the Fewihh Covenant and Conſtitution, and that God was about to ſhake that unbelieving perſe- cuting Nation out of their Temple, City, and Osun- try. And when our Lord aroſe from the Dead, his Conqueſt over the Grave, and the Introduction of the Covenant of Life and Immortality was de- Fred by ſuch a Shaking of the Earth, as made the eepers t of his Monument quit their Charge, trem- ble for fear, and become as dead Men. When Rome || ſhall be ſwept off the World, and ſwal- lowed up by an Earthquake, in that fiery Gulph which is preparing for her, Heaven and Earth, the Apoſtles, and Prophets, and the whole Church of God ſhall ſing, Hallelujah, Salvation, and Glo- 75 and Honour, and Power unto tbe Lord God 4 the Judgment executed on her, which ſhall be fol- lowed by the Marriage of the Lamb, and the moſt glorious, happy, and proſperous State of the Cbriſti- an Church. It would indeed be. vain, and pre- ſumproous for any to affirm, that the Shakes we have lately felt, are previous to a better State of Things, to be ſhortly introduced by the Provi- dence of God. Such a State is, however, I ap-- rehend, expreſsly promiſed, when the Fews ſhall e brought as a Nation to the Belief and Profeſ- ſion of Chriftianiiy, and the Publication of the Goſ- pel amongſt the Gentiles ſhall be more banks. 2511 5 bs „ Stet; Aug. c. 47. f. 3. + Mat. vil. 51: f Mat. xxyiii. 2, 4. | Rev. xvili. 20. xxix. 1. * „ 7 [ 291 MED and when the good Effects of Chriſtian Principles ſhall more gloriouſly pres in the Lives and Tempers of thoſe who publickly acknowledge and embrace them. And as this Seaſon doth not ſeem to me to be very far diſtant, we may expect the Preparations for it will become more and more obſervable. And prudent Cbriſtians will not fail to remark them, and without pretending poſitive- ly to determine the Day, or the Year, or to af- firm that this, or the other Event is a certain Prognoſtication of it, will lay Things and Circum- ſtances together, as they fall out in the Courſe of Providence, to ſupport their own Faith and Hope in the Prophecies and Promiſes of divine Revela- tion; contentedly leaving the Times and Seaſons in the Hand of that God, whoſe Counſel ſhall Rand, and who will do all his PRA. 1 ſhall only add, 7. Laſtly, that another Intention of theſe Shak- ings of the Earth is to ſhew the inconſtant, un- ſettled, diſſoluble, periſhing Nature of this World, and all Things in it; that it neither was from Eternity, nor ſhall endure to it. What is ſtrict- ly eternal, is ſtrictly incapable of Motion, and any poſſible Alteration in any ſingle Inftance whatſoever, but muſt remain where it was, and what it was, without any the leaſt Variation, or Shadow of turning, But how numerous and in- diſputable are the Appearances, that demonſtrate that Immutability doth not belong to our Globe, which is every Moment ſhifting, and varying ity Situation and Place, liable to innumerable hanges.. ; on its Surface, the Diſſolution of its Mountains, and the Elevation of its Plains, the Lands being deluged with Water, and the Lakes and Rivers. being turned into dry Ground, the Eruption of Vulcan's, and the Deſolation of whole Countries by ſudden and irreſiſtible Fires; in a Word, to be reconyerted into that Chaos, out of which the Power, | | r [ 3a ] Wiſdom, and Goagneſs of the Almighty. origi- nally foriped it; that frequently trembles by the inteſtine Diſcords, Tumults, and Agitations of its own Bowels, and that contains within itſelf the certain Cauſes of that final Diſſolution, to Which Prophecy and Revelation hath long ſince doomed it. What then, tho? the Foundations of it are fo firm- y faſtened, and the Corner- Stones of it ſo ſtrongly United, as that no created Power can ſhake them, yet we find by our own Experience, that there is a Power that can make the mighty Fabrick to faulter, and by ſpreading an univerſal Tremor Arche hoo this well compacted Frame, cauſe even the ſtouteſt Hearts to diſſolve for Fear. There : * is a Power that can break its Bars, root up the F oundations of the proudeſt Hills from their Bot- toms,” rend in Pieces the ſolid Rocks, carry the largeſt Mountains from their Seats, level them with the humble Valley, or open them into Furnaces of tempeſtuous and unextinguiſhable Fires. Our ſtatelieſt Cities, our ſplendid Temples, our riſing ires, our ſtrongeſt Fortreſſes, our coſtly Palaces, aur Gardens of Pleaſure, all our Pride and Secu- ty hath its Foundation in the Duſt; and what 70 been the Labour of innumerable Hands, the ork of many Years, and the Conſumption of the richeſt Treaſures, is not Proof againſt a Mo- nent's Shock, but in an Inſtant totte:s, reels, and ſits into univerſal and eternal Deſtruction. Dreadful ares of this Truth hath the Providence of God a orded us, to ſhew us that the End of all Things all come on, and that the Hour will. approach, that ſhall mar all the Beauty of the World, turn i into an Heap of Ruins, perhaps intirely diſſolve the Frame of it, or poſſibly ſee it, Phenix like, atiſe more gloriouſly out of its . Deſolation, and converted into a beautiful and bliſsful Manſion, | for the Hahitation of ſome happy Beings, who ſhall fad A * 0 o » [ar] never pollute it with our Crimes, nor render its Purs geen neceſſary” by the Warefs of another Deluge, or the devouting Flames of a ſecond Conflagtation. So juſt is that Obſervation, of the inſpired Writer even in the literal Senſe, that' God's ſhaking-the Barth, ſignifies the Removal vf thoſe Things bas are ſhaken, when before the Preſence of ay uni. verſal' Judge, ſeated" on the Throne of his tbe preſent Earth" and Heaven away; an there ſhall be found no more Place for them for "ever t 1. Are then theſe Corcuffions of the Word the evident Marks of the divine Diſpleaſure, and. ſometimes Forerunners of the -ſevereſt Fudgrients of God, upon à ſinful Nation and Peopſe, and doth it not become us in theſe Kingdoms to con- fider our own' Circumſtances, and ſeriouſly te ata tend to theſe awakening Calls of divine Providenees Would to God the publick State of Religion and Virtue was ſuch in the midſt of us, as that we had no Reaſon to ſtand in awe, and tremble: upon Ac- count of them. Tis but an ungrateful Taſk pubs liekly to reproach Nations fot their Vices, . 18 -pabliſhingthi the Shame of the People among whom we dwelt; nor is it a pleaſing Employment to be Leas g them continualiy in mind of the divine geance they provoke by their ties and Crimes that . in the midſt of tem. For who, that loves his Country, can take Plex” ſure in the proſpect of it's Diſtreſt, or not mourn over it, when he ſees the plaineſt Indications of the Judgments of God approaching it? And yet who' can be filent oi ſuch Occaſions ? What bene völent Mind can fee the Glory departing, the Foundations! of the publick Happineſs diſſolving by tlie open Practice, and daily Enoreaſe of the worſt of Hnor- mities, the Providence of God giving us Warnings * our r ny W Aer = * . x 27. Rev, xx. 11. 140 - 1 32 to Bring on us the ſevereſt Calamities; without feeling the greateſt Anxiety, and attempting to his utmoſt to give ſome Check to the Cauſes, that threaten the Deſtruction of the Nation's Welfare. Upon the moſt candid and impartial View of things, is there not too much Reaſon to take up the Prophet's Complaint: * Ab ſinful Nation, a People laden with Iniquities, a Seed of evil Doers, Children that are Corrupters, that have forſaken the Lord, that have provoked the Holy One to An- ger | The whole Head is fick, the whole Heart is faint ; from the Sole of the Foot, even unto the Head, there is no Soundneſs in it, All Ranks and Degrees of Men, from the higheſt to the loweſt, amongſt all their religious — political Differences, ſeem to be fatally united in this; the encreaſing the Sins and Guilt of the Nation, be filling up the Mea- | fare of our Iniquities, and the ripening us for ſome ſignal Rebukes of the divine Diſpleaſure. Amongſt many, what an intire Waſte is there of all good Principles, who pay as little regard to thoſe of natural Religion, as they do to thoſe of Revela- tion. Is it not become faſhionable, and even a mark of Politeneſs, and good Senſe, to declare for Infidelity, and openly to renounce all Regard to. the great Author and Finiſber of our Chriſtian 5 What Reſpect is paid by the Generalit Yor: rick and great to the Institutions of pubück ſhip, who never t the Church of God, it beneath them to pay their Adorations to him * 2 made them, and ſcorn all Inſtructions in Wiſdom, and Virtue: Yea, who to ſhew they renounce. all Relation to, and Dependence on the great Preſer - ver and Governor 5 the World, have baniſhed Nic even from their wry — deride — Super- tion, the very aſking his Bleſſing, or return ing him Thanks; when they haye been Feaſting liberally on the Effects of W What is the „11 1 4, 8 [33] the Day of ſacred Reſt become, but a Day of Sloth, Indolence, and Folly, when the Houles of too many of them are turned into Aſſembly-Rooms, filled with Routs, and Riots, and ſcandalouſly converted into Places of Diverſion for public Gaming, in open Violation of the Laws of God and Man? I wiſh even our Churches themſelves were intirely free from a Prophanation of a worſe kind, the Propha- nation of one of the moſt ſolemn Inſtitutions of the Chriſtian Worſhip ; not only as adminiſtered on a civil Account, but indiſcriminately to Men of the vileſt and moſt profligate Characters, to Men of all Ranks, Parties, Principles, or no Principles, who demand it as their Qualification; a Practice in- conſiſtent with every Appearance of Diſcipline in the Church; that tends to bring the very Inſtitu- tion itſelf into Contempt, by thus rendering it com- mon and unholy, and the Clergy under Reproach Who thus adminiſter it; that muſt, in the Nature of the Thing, occaſion numberleſs Impieties, and thereby render the beſt Attempts for a national Reformation greatly unſucceſsful; that is a natio- nal Provocation of the moſt heinous Nature, and one of the principal Sources of that Infidelity, and Profaneneſs, which good Men of all Parties juſtly complain of, as the growing Evil of our Times. For Men will but too naturally think, that the Clergy themſelves have no very high Opinion of the Sacredneſs, Dignity, and Importance of an In- ſtitution, which they ſee them proſtitute to meer- ly. ſecular Purpoſes, and pervert from its ori- ginal Intention into a mere [nſtrument of State Po- licy, and the Badge of a Party; and after a grave Warning of the great Peril of unworthy receiving, and a ſolemn Admonition to Blaſphemers of God, Hinderers and Slanderers of his Word, Adulterers, ſuch as. are in Malice, er Envy, or any other grie- vous Crime, not to come near the holy Table W „ 134 Repentance, yet receiving without Fear or Scruple Men chargeable with all theſe Crimes, without any Profeſſion, or the leaſt Appearance of Repentance : A Practice that hath, I believe, no Precedent or Example to juſtify it, amongſt any of the Churches of the Reformation, and which I wiſh and pray for the Removal of, not as à Diſſenter from the Eſtabliſhed Church, for the Diſſenting Intereſt can gain nothing by it, but for the Honour of the Eſta- bliſhed Church itſelf, to whom it is a real Reproach, and but the Shadow of a Security. As for myſelf, I publickly declare, that for the Sake of our com- mon Chriſtianity, the Reſpect I bear to all the wor- thy Part of the national Clergy, for maintaining the Dignity of the Chriſtian Worſhip, and to re- move what I cannot but think one main Occaſion of the viſible Effects of God's Diſpleaſure to theſe Nations; I had rather be brought under ſome freſh Difficulties of a civil Nature, as the lefs Evil of the two, than ſee a Practice continued ſo diſhonour- able to Chriſtianity, that ſtrikes at the Foundation of all ſerious Piety, tends to eraſe out of the Minds of Men all Reverence for Things of a ſacred Na- ture, and to bring upon theſe Kingdoms thoſe Judg- ments, which no Man can foreſee the End, or de- clare the Conſequences of; tho?, methinks, Ex- perience ſhould at length teach us, that that Eſta- bliſhment is of all others the moſt ſccure, that is ſupported by Moderation, Gentleneſs, and the Spi- rit of Chriſtian Charity and F orbearance. Another Evil, and no ſmall one, that prevails amongſt us is, the numberleſs Oaths that are im- poſed. upon all Ranks and Orders of Men ; Oaths, that in numerous Inſtances, it is univerſally and openly acknowledged, cannot be /terally, i. e. truly and faithfully kept; Oaths exacted in the moſt trivial Cauſes, and on the ſlighteſt Occaſions, and too often adminiſtered with an intire Want of all go ( 35 ] Appearance of Reverence and Solemnity ; where- by frequent Perjuries mult neceſſarily be occaſion- ed, and we are become too like the ancient Jets, who * ſware by the Name of the Lord, and made mention of God, but not in Truth, nor in Righte- ouſneſs ; and have too much Reaſon to fear, leaſt the Þ Curſe ſhould go forth over the Face of our whole Land, and God ſhould cauſe it to enter inta our Houſes, and to remain in the midſt of them, and conſume them with the Timber thereof, and the Stones thereof. Is it any Wonder that, when Oaths are made thus frequent by Law, and given in ſuch a manner, as hath not the leaſt Tendency to ſtrike with Fear the Perſons who take them, but on the contrary, to cauſe them to look on them as mere empty WE and inſignificant Ceremonies, pro- fane Curſing and Swearing in ordinary Converſa- tion ſhould ſo abound, as to become a common Nuſance in our Streets ; as tho? all the Knowledge that Men had of God, was only to blaſpheme, and utter the moſt horrid Imprecations in his Name! Or, as tho* they made uſe of the Name of God, only to ſhew, that they defied his Vengeance, and dared impiouſly to provoke his Damnation | And when Men are loſt to Principle, and all thoſe Awes of God, that are the only ſure Re- ſtraints upon their Paſſions, are thus worn of, what can be the Conſequence, but the moſt extravagant Debaucheries amongſt the Rich and Great, and Vil- lanies of all kinds, the moſt execrable, amongſt the loweſt and meaneſt of the People? I wil! get me, ſaith the Prophet t, to the great Men, and will ſpeak unto them, fer they ſhould know the way of the Lord, and the FJu:gment of their God. But theſe have altogether broken the Yoke, and burſt the Bonds. When be bad fed them to the full, they then committed Adultery, and aſſembled themſelves : | F. 2 Ia. xlviii. 1. + Zech. v. 3, 4. 1 Jer. v. 5, 7. | ö ' =_ | | = | [ 36 ] by Troops in the Harlots Houſes, It would be an Offence againſt Decency ſhould 1 mention the Lewdͤneſſes that are practiſed without Bluſhing, the too infamous Subjects of modern Converſation, and the Arts that are made uſe of to ſhame Mo- deſty out of the World, and to keep the Paſſions ready enflamed, and prepared for the moſt cri- minal and profligate Debaucheries, and which it 1s impoſſible for Perſons of the moſt recluſe Life not to be ſometimes offended with the Relation of. Every one ſees, and every wife Man ſees with Concern, the Luxury and Love of Pleaſure, that hath infected the Minds, and bewitched the Imagi- nations of all Degrees of Men; who, when they have no Principles, can have nothing but Inſtin&t ard Inclination to govern them, and will madly follow whereſocver that blindly leads them. Within my own Remembrance, how are the Houſes of Diverſion encreaſed, and how various and new the kinds of it that have been invented, wholly unknown to our Anceſtors, and which the generous Severity of for- mer Times would never have endured. Not con- tent with theſe Receptacles of Gaiety and Mirth, at the diſtant Parts of the Town, we have intro- duced them into the Heart of the City. They con- front our Exchange, bid Defiance to our Trade, and by becoming the Sources of Extravagance, and the powerful Allurements to the Negle& of Buſineſs, threaten the Proſperity, and even the Be- ing of our Commerce. To ſupport the Expences, that theſe numerous Diverſions neceſſarily occaſion, the large Draughts for Pleaſure cramp Buſineſs, ſtraiten Men in their Payment, and put them upon imprudent and illicit Meaſures to ſupply their Wants; Gaming, borrowing of Friends, Widows, and Fatherleſs, deſperate Puſhes to retrieve their Cir- cumſtances, unfair and wicked Meaſures of Trade, to the Injury of honeſt Men, and the Detriment of Go- [37] Government itſelf ; Methods that ſeldom fail to ruin thoſe who practiſe them, and that too often involve the Credulous and Innocent in the ſame Deſtruction. From hence ariſes that «univerſal Venality, that is the Reproach and Curſe of the preſent Genera- tion. * Every one almoſt, from the leaſt even to the greateſt, is given to Coveteouſneſs, ſo that Men muſt be bought for every Service of their Country, and are as eaſily bought to betray and ſacrifice it; inſomuch, that it is now openly avowed, that Bri- bery is become a neceſſary Evil, neceſſary to pre- ſerve the Religion and Liberties of theſe King- doms. O precarious Foundation on which theſe ſacred Intereſts depend! Who can help trembling, when he ſeriouſly conſiders, that their principal, or only Securities, are the Corruption and Perfidy of the worſt of Men? | In ſuch a State of Things, when Princes and Nobles are the Leaders in Vice, and inferior Ranks and Orders grow infected by their Examples; ſhould Magiſtrates loſe the Dignity of their Cha- rafters, ſhould the Guardians of our Laws grow remiſs in the Execution of them, ſhould the Laws themſelves become a dead Letter, without Life or Efficacy, and the Miniſters of Religion too gene- rally become wholly ſecular, and inattentive to their Cures ; can it be expected, that the Emiſſaries of Popery. will not make their Advantage of our Fol- lies and Vices, and aſſiduouſly labour to gain over Proſelytes to their Superſtitions and Idolatries ? This Evil is ſeen, it is publickly acknowledged, and loudly complained of. But to what Purpoſe? In Proportion, as the Nation grows corrupt, it grows Tipe for Popery. Religion is too much in- terwoven into the very Conſciences of Men, wholly to extirpate it out of them; and the Religion — fer. viii. 10. 38 moſt favours their Vices, bad Men will be fond of, and caſily fall into that, which will give them the greateſt Eaſe and Security in the Commiſſion of them. Every Convert of this kind becomes an Enemy to his Country, a Rebel in his Heart to his Prince, and wants only the Opportunity to give his Aſſiſtance to the Deſtruction of both. Put theſe Circumſtances together, and I could have eaſily added more, and what is the Judgment that im- partial Reaſon will paſs on the Circumſtances of theſe Kingdoms? Are we ſuch a People, as can expect to 2 any longer favoured of Heaven? May we not too juſtly apply to ourſelves the Language of God to his ancient People? * How ſhall I par- don thee for this? Shall I not viſit for theſe Things? And ſhall not my Sau! be avenged on ſuch a Nation as this? In ſuch a Situation, may we not juſtly be afraid from the Heavens over us, and from the Earth underneath us, and if theſe Convulſions of our World, as permitted by God, have any Inten- tion, what other can it be but this, to let us know that we have awakened his Diſpleaſure, and that he is ſhaking the Foundation of the national Security and Happineſs? _ II. Are they not therefore loud Calls to the In- habitants of theſe Lands to immediate Repentance and Reformation, and ſhould they not cauſe us to Stand in Awe of God, that we Sin no more, leaſt worſe Evils ſhould befall us? When he makes our Capital tremble, ſhakes our Palaces, and threatens the Subverſion of our Houſes, ſhould we not con- ſider our Ways that have not been good, urn unto the Lord, that be may have Mercy on us, and to our God, that he may abundantly pardon us? If when we are ſtricken we will not grieve, and when he threatens to conſume us, we refuſe to receive Correc- tion, ®. ſar. v; 7, 9. MW tion, and make our Faces harder than a Rock, and will not waſh ourſelves from our Wickedneſs, bow can wwe. be ſaved? What remains, but Judgment without Mercy, and the total Exciſion of the Wick. ed from our Land? Ob why is this People aden back by a perpetual BackNiding ?. * Will no Man te- pent him of his Wickedneſs, ſaying, What have I done ? The Stork in the Heaven knows her appointed Times, and the Turtle, and the Crane, and the Swal- low obſerve the Time of their coming, and ſhall we not know the Judęment of the Lord? The Ox knows its Owner, and the Aſs bis Maſters Crib, and ſhall. we, more ſtupid than theſe, not know, nor conſider, the Things that belong to our Peace? Many have been, of late Years, the Intim tions of the divine Diſpleaſure to theſe Kingdoms. A War, may I not ſay, 700 haſtily begun, in ſome In-, ſtances 7nglorioufly carried on, almoſt in the whole unſucceſsfully managed, and at laſt concluded thro? * Neceſſity ; an unnatural Rebellion in the midſt of us, at firſt ſucceſsful, and that came ſo near us, as to make us in Pain for all that was dear and valuable to us; the preſent uncertain Poſture of our Affairs, and the Diſturbances. that ſeem to be fomenting and ripening in ſeveral Parts of Eg-, rope, in the Conſequences of which, it they break out, we can ſcarcely fail of being affected and in- volved ; the Spirit and Rage of Pariy amongſt . ourſelves, and he growing Diſaffection to the pre- lent Eſtabliſhment and Government, I will not ſay fomented, but ſcandalouſiy appearing in thoſe Places, that ſhould be. the ſacred Nurleries of Religion, Learning, and Loyalty; the Growth of Popery, eſpecially amongſt the jower Part of our People, almoſt without Care to prevent it, or check the buſy x1 Endeavours of thoſe Emiſſaries, who are cus |; at- ele; gage to ſeduce them; the Mortality of o ® Jer. vii, 6, 7. * 141 38 moſt favours their Vices, bad Men will be fond of, and caſily fall into that, which will give them the greateſt Eaſe and Security in the Commiſſion of them. Every Convert of this kind becomes an Enemy to his Country, a Rebel in his Heart to his Prince, and wants only the Opportunity to give his Aſſiſtance to the Deſtructjon of both. Put theſe Circumſtances together, and I could have eaſily added more, and what is the Judgment that im- partial Reaſon will paſs on the Circumſtances of theſe Kingdoms? Are we ſuch a People, as can expect to 5 any longer favoured of Heaven? May we not too juſtly apply to ourſelves the Language of God to his ancient People? * How ſhall I par- don thee for this? Shall I not viſit for theſe Things ? And ſhall not my Sau! be avenged on ſuch a Nation as this? In ſuch a Situation, may we not juſtly be afraid from the Heavens over us, and from the Earth underneath us, and if theſe Convulſions of our World, as permitted by God, have any Inten- tion, what other can it be but this, to let us know that we have awakened his Diſpleaſure, and that he is ſhaking the Foundation of the national Security and Happineſs ? * II. Are they not therefore loud Calls to the In- habitants of theſe Lands to immediate Repentance and Reformation, and ſhould they not cauſe us to ſtand in Awe of God, that we Sin no more, leaſt worſe Evils ſhould befall us? When he makes our Capita] tremble, ſhakes our Palaces, and threatens the Subverſion of our Houſes, ſhould we not con- ſider our Ways that have not been good, urn unto the Lord, that te may have Mercy on us, and to our God, that he may abundantly pardon us? If when we are ſtricken we will nat grieve, and when he threatens to conſume us, we refuſe to receive Correc- tion, e. v, 74-0 39 ] tion, and make our Faces harder Ban a Rock, at will not waſh ourſelves from our Wickedneſs, bow can we be ſaved? What remains, but Judgment without Mercy, and the total Exciſion of the Wick- ed from our Land? Oh why is this People Niiden back by a perpetual Backfliding ?. Will no Man te- pent him of bis Wickedueſs, ſaying, What bave I done ? The Stork in the Heaven knows her appointed Times, and the Turtle, and the Crane, and the Swal- low obſerve the Time of their coming, and ſhall we not know the Judgment of the Lord? The Ox knows its Owner, and the Aſs bis Maſter*s Crib, and ſhall, we, more ſtupid than theſe, not know, nor confi der the Things that belong to our Peace? Many have been, of late Years, the Intim tions of the divine Diſpleaſure to theſe Kingdoms. A. War, may I not ſay, 0 haſtily begun, in ſome In- ſtances inglorioufly carried on, almoſt in the whole unſucceſsfully managed, and at laſt concluded thro? | Neceſſity ; an unnatural Rebellion in the midſt of us, at firſt ſucceſsful, and that came ſo near us, as to make us in Pain for all that was dear and valuable to us; the preſent uncertain Poſture of our Affairs, and the Diſturbances that ſcem to be foment ing and ripening in ſeveral Parts of Eu- rope, in the Conſequences of which, if they break out, we can ſ-arcely fail of being affected and in- volved ; the Spirit and Rage of Party. amongſt ourſelves, and he growing Diſaffection to the pre- lent Eſtabliſhment and Government, I will not lay - fomented, but ſcandalouſiy appearing in thoſe Places, that ſhould be the ſacred Nurſeries of Religion, Learning, and Loyalty ; the Growth of N. | eſpecially amongſt the lower Part. of our Pe almoſt with Care to prevent it, or check the i £ 4 Endeavours of thoſe Emiſſaries, who are indefati- * o gable to ſeduce them; the Mortality of our Cat- _ fer. viii. 6, 7. [ 49 ] tle, raging for ſeveral Years, and baffling the Pre- cautions of Government, and the Remedies of the moſt ſkilful to prevent the farther Ravages of it, and ſtill prevailing in many Parts of this Iſland ; this double Shock within a Month, even of our Capital itſelf, and the Conſternation cauſed by it among the Generality of its Inhabitants: Are not theſe Circumſtances, that ſhould awaken us to Con- ſideration, and cauſe us in good earneſt ro enquire : What will the End of theſe Things be? If theſe Concuſſions amongſt us have been fa- vourable, and attended with no deſtructive Con- | ſequences, this only argues the great Patience and Forbearance of God, and his Willingneſs that we ſhould not periſh, but come to Repentance, and be ſaved. And if we will not be at length pre- vailed with to turn from our Iniquities by the Warnings, or leſſer Judgments of Providence, God hath other Arrous in his Quiver, other Methods of national Puniſhment, to avenge his injured Rights as Sovereign of the World, "and Plagues more dreadful, with which to viſit an ungrateful and incorrigible People. God can make the Peſtilence to cleave to us, till he hath conſumed us from off the Land, or ſmite us with the Conſumption, the Fever, the Inflammation, and with an extream Burn- inp ; or with Drought, Blaſtings, and Mildew ; or make the Heaven over us as Braſs, and the Earth under us as Iron, or corrupt our Seeds, and Fruits by immoderate Rains; or give us up to inteſtine Diviſions, or deliver us over into the Hands of a fierce and cruel King, who ſhall divide our In- heritance amongſt Strangers, transfer' our Honours amongſt Aliens, and cauſe us to bow down to his falſe Gods and Idols, whom our Fathers have not known, or worſhipped, and bring us under the Yoke of the ſevereſt Bondage. 8 K - 1471 It is not long ſince theſe Apprehenſions were near us, when all good Men trembled for fear of them. And are we abſolutely ſecure againſt this Deſtruction, when we have ſo many amongſt our- ſelves. that are willing and eager to introduce it, and the number of them is ſo confeſſedly en- creaſing by the daily Spread of Popery ? Should God for our Sins permit us for a Seaſon to fall under his Power, will not many of our Nobles and Gentry be the firſt, who ſhall feel the dread- ful Effects of it, in the Forfeiture of their Ho- nours, the Confiſcation of their Eſtates, and their being brought to an ignominious Death? Let them not imagine, that any Readineſs to change their Religion, or fall into any new Meaſures that may then take place, will ſecure them from the Ven- eance, that hath been long ſince determined againſt m. They are irreverſibly doomed to Deſtruc - tion, and nothing but their Honours, their Eſtates, and their Heads will ſatisfy for the Crimes, that will then be laid to their Charge. Why then will they not have Mercy on themſelves, and theſe Nations? Why will they not conſult the Dignity af their own Characters, the Safety of themſelves and their Families, and the common Intereſt of theſe Kingdoms, by avoiding thoſe Practices that are contrary to all Appearances of Religion and Virtue, and ſtrike at the Foundation of every Thing that is ſacred and good ? "7 er Why muſt that Day, that hath been conſecrated from the Beginning of the World, to be a Memo- rial. of the Power, and Wiſdom, and Goodneſs of God the univerſal Creator, be deſecrated into a Day of Gaming, Sports, and. diſorderly Aſſemblies? Is it beneath Men of Rank and Fortune, to adore and reverence the eternal God, or -APPEar in a Place that is appropriated to Devotion ? Is. that vene- rable Name offenſive to * Ears, or never — 42 be mentioned by them, except when it carries in it ſome Defiance of his Providence, Juſtice, and Diſpleaſure ? Can this be vindicated upon any Prin- ciples but thoſe of downright Atheiſm? And is the Scheme of Atheiſm, what any Man of ſober Rea- ſon can ever acquieſce in? Can it, in a political View, be prudent, for thoſe of Influence, Character, and Station, to appear to their Domeſticks, Dependants, and Families, the Patrons of Impiety, of Contempt of Religion, and of all the Immoralities practiſed by the loweſt and baſeſt of Mankind? Muſt not the Effect of this be, tual Diſorders in their own Houſes, and the rendering themſelves liable to be defrauded, and injured in ſome of their moſt eſſential and valuable Properties? Muſt it not encreaſe the Number of lawleſs and profligate Wretches, who defy all Law, and commit thoſe Enormities that may be fatal to themſelves, that are deſtructive of the publick Peace, and in the natural Courſe of Things tend to the Diſſolution of Government itſelf ? Is this con- ſiſtent with Benevolence, Humanity, and the Love of their Country, thus to indulge their Paſſions, their Love of Pleaſure, their- Vices, at the Ex- nce of all the valuable Intereſts of private and ſocial Life? Never to deny themſelves. the moſt offenſive criminal Gratifications, when God and Man demand it at their Hands? Is this all the Ad- vantage that ariſes from Nobility, Titles, and ſplen- did Fortunes, to be able to offend againſt all hu- man and divine Laws with greater Impunity, and to ſpread wider than- others, Corruption, Diſorders, and Ruin, by their Examples, throughout all the in- ferior Ranks of Men? How much more honour- able to themſelves, how much more for the Peace and Security of theſe Nations would it be, if Per- ſons of Condition, and diſtinguiſhed by their exter- Om Advantages of Life, would be careful to- diſ- tinguiſh 43 | tinguiſh themſelves by the venerable Virtues of a good Lite, put Vice out of Countenarce by the Integrity of their own Conduct, and encourage amongſt others, by their Authority and Influence, that Regard to Religion and Righteouſneſs, by which alone they themſelves, and the Nation can be 'exalted ? III. Under all Events and Terrors of this Kind, and others of a like threatning Nature, how ſure a Refuge have good Men in God, and how ſafely and chearfully may they commit themſelves, and all their valuable Intereſts to the Protection of his Power and Goodneſs? God is at all Times a - Refuge for them, and at what Times they are afraid they may fix their Hearts by Truſt in bim. Thus the inſpired Prophet“: The Heavens and the Earth ſhall ſhake, but Jehovah is the Hope of bis People, and the Strength of the Children of Iſrael. And in like Manner the Pſalmiſt : God is our Re- fuge and Strength, a very preſent Help in Trouble. Therefore will we not fear, tho" the Earth ſhould be removed, and ibo the Mountains be carried into the midſt of the Sea; tho* the Waters thereof roar and are troubled, and the Mountains ſhake with the Swelling of them. When the Earth and Sea are blended, the Order of the World yields to Con- fuſion, and the Wreck and Ruin of Nature is ap- proaching; a good Man; a ſincere Chriſtian may ſtand firm and unſhaken amidſt the Tumults and Convulſions he beholds, and ſtay himſelf on God the Rock of Ages, whoſe Covenant and Pro- miſe ſhall never fail, and who can ſooner ceaſe to be, than ceaſe to be the Patron of Religion and Virtue, the Guardian and Friend of thoſe who fear him, and hope in his Mercy. | e This is the certain and neceſſary Tendency of true Religion in Principle, Habit and Practice, and as far as the Influence of it prevails, it will in N © if +... dF Joel iii. 16. + Pfalm alvi. 1, 3. [ 44 ] fact produce this deſirable Effect. Ve will not fear, tho* the Earth be removed, is the Language of Piety, when the Principles of it have full Poſ- ſeſſion of the Heart, and Faith, and Hope, and Truſt in God are in their full Life, and Vigour of Exerciſe. Tho* from the Diſpoſitions of true Religion that influence him, he cannot but ſtand in awe of God, when he ſhakes the ſolid Globe, and ſeriouſly lay it to heart when he gives theſe and other Warnings of his Diſpleaſure; yet this Awe is quite different from that mean and ajett Timidity with which others are affected. Tis not that Conſternation which diſheartens and confounds them ; that operates only in quickning their Speed, and haſtening their Flight from the ſuppoſed Scene of Danger, and the Places they imagine may be more immediately affected by it. Vain Refuge, to think of fleeing where God cannot follow them, or that Change of Pl:e or Habitation can be any Shelter to them, if he purſues them to their De- ſtruction! Vain eſpecially in Dangers of this Kind, becauſe the Shock that hath been felt in one Place, may, on a Repetition“, be felt in another, as hath been the Caſe in theſe Kingdoms, and produce more dreadful Effects even, there, where we pro- miſed ourſelves the moſt effectual Security. Or our own very Flight may prove fatal to us, or we may meet with Death from other Cauſes, if we ſhould eſcape it by that, which we withdraw ourſelves from thereach of. | I The religious Fear of God produces quite other Effects, and cauſes good Men to renew their Re- pentance, to correct more intirely their Errors, ro . ® Definamus audire iſtos, qui Campaniz renunciavere.— negantque ſe unquam ipſam regionem acceſſuros. Quis enim is promittit melioribus fundamentis boc aut illad ſolum ſtare ? Omnia — Si nondum mota, tamen mobilia Hunc ſortaſſe in quo ſecurius conſiſtis locum. hæc nox, hic aute noctem dies re- icindet, Senec. Hif. Nat. J. b. c. 1. 2 16 to cultivate more carefully their Graces, to attend more diligently to the Duties of their Stations, to become more eminently uſeful, to be more earneſt in Prayer with God for themſelves, and the Nations theybelong to,that the Threatnings of his Providence may have their kindly Effects, bring Sinners to ſerious Reflections, and promote that Reformation which is neceſſary to avert the divine Diſpleaſure, and to prolong and eſtabliſh the publick Security; and which, if it takes place in any conſiderable De- gree, may diſarm the Anger of God, and -cauſe him to return with multiplied Bleflings to the very City and People, he threatened with an intire Sub- verſion and Deſolation, ©, we. As to himſelf, the Man of Principle and Virtue knows, that God is his Refuge and Fortreſs, and that he hath wiſely provided againſt all the moſt formidable Evils of his Nature, by having fed for Refuge to lay hold of the Hope that is ſet before bim, embraced the Promiſes of God by Chriſt, and laid a good Foundation againſt the Time to come, And being thus fully prepared againſt all Events, he fixes his Heart by Truſt in bim; and when he can recolle& himſelf, attend to his Circumſtances, call up his Graces into Exerciſe, and awaken and actuate all the ſacred Diſpoſitions that are found in his Mind; tho? his Awes of God remain, his Terrors vaniſh, and he hath no deſponding Fears to oppreſs him. He gives up nothing for loſt, whilſt Na- ture, and the Government of the World is in the Hands of God; nor deſpairs of better Times, whilſt he can make the very Judgments he executes, the Means of introducing and eſtabliſhing them. Should he be miſtaken in this pleaſing Proſpect, ſhould he ſee the Deſolation of his Country, the Subverſion of its Cities, and the Deſtruction of their Inhabitants ; ſhould he feel the Convulſions of a rocking World, ſhould he behold the Mountains ſinking into Ruins, the ſtormy Ocean pouring „ [46] all his Waves to overwhelm and level them, the Vault of Heaven rend with Thunder, the ruddy Lightning darting impetuous from one End of it to the other, carrying ſwift and irreſiſtible Deſtruc- tion under its Wings, and the Elements all on Fire melting with fervent Heat : Should he be a Wit- neſs to theſe tremendous Events, and find himſelf ſurrounded with theſe multiplied Terrors, and ready to bear his Part in this univerſal Subverſion of Nature; yet if he attended to his Principles, his Hopes, his Proſpects, and the certain Conſequen- ces that ſhall finally take Place, he would triumph in thoſe glorious Words of the Apoſtle : Neither Life nor Death, nor Principalities nor Powers, nor Things preſent, nor Things to come, nor Height, nor Depth, nor any other Creature whatſoever, ſhall be able to ſeparate me from the Love of God which is Chriſt Jeſus my Lord*. Thus circumſtanced, we may truly ſay of him with greater -Reaſon, than the Poet of his Hero, in a Deſcription of like Cir- cumſtances : TID 51 Impavidum ferient Ruinæ. He would calmly ſmile at the Terrors preſented to him, ſink fearleſs and reſolute under theſe com- licated Ruins; and in his laſt Moments rejoice in the ſure Proſpect that he ſhould finally ſurvive them, and be reſtored to a State of the moſt durable Fe- licity; when Time and this World ſhall be no more, and neither Fate nor Chance, no, nor what. is of infinitely more Conſequence, the Anger of God ſhall ever introduce a ſecond Deſtruction, Let all thoſe therefore, O Lord, that put their Truſt in thee rejoice , let them ever ſhout for Joy, be- cauſe thou defendeſt them : Let them that love thy Name be joyful in thee : For thou Lord wilt bleſs the Righteous ; with Favour wilt 1hou compaſs him as with a ShieldF. | * Rom. viii. 38, 39. T P/. v. 11, is. FIN: 1:0

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