nish and diftrefs them. From their Example we may learn to reckon with ourselves; and, by confidering our own Cafe, know what to fear, and what to hope, from the Juftice and Mercy of GoD: for the Ways of Providence are unalterable, and the fame Wisdom and Juftice which governed the Jews, governs all the People of the World. The Purposes of GOD are the fame towards all Nations, though not fo difcernible and manifeft as in the Hiftory of the People of Ifrael. Profane Hiftory prefents us many

Inftances of Nations fubdued under the Hand of their Enemies, and fallen from a State of Pride and Sovereignty to the miferable Condition of Slavery and Captivity. There the History leaves us.-It acquaints us with the Facts, and the Politicians of the World are bufied in affigning Causes for the furprising Changes that have been in the Nations. Some difcern great Wisdom and Conduct on the Side of the Conquerors, and great Mistakes and ill Management on the Side of the Unfortunate; and all agree to afcribe in moft Cafes, the Events and Succeffes of War to the Number and Bravery of the Troops. But look into the Sacred Hiftory, where the Counfels of GOD are difplayed

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played by his holy Prophets, there will you fee a plain Reason, why the favourite Nation, delivered moft wonderfully and miraculously from the Slavery of Egypt, was fold again into Slavery to the Philistines, and other heathen Nations around them. Had this Story been told in the common Way of Hiftory, we should have thought this People extremely weak or unfortunate, in that they had no fooner efcaped out of the Hands of the great and powerful Kings of Egypt, but they became Vaals and Bondfmen to the little Princes bordering upon Canaan. But fee the Truth of the Cafe: they became extremely unfortunate, because they were extremely wicked; their Profperity was their Ruin, as it made them forget the LORD that bought them. And the Strength, which they relied on as their Security, betrayed them to their Destruction ; for they had to deal with Him, who faveth not Kings by the Multitude of an Hoft, nor giveth the Battle to the Strong.

Let no Man be fo weak as to imagine that this Method of Providence was peculiar and confined to the Jews, and that other Nations were left to follow their own Imaginations, and that God regarded them not ;

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for the contrary appears in the fame facred Hiftory, in which we have the Account of the Jewish Nation. The Counfels of Gob were not indeed fo manifeftly declared to other Nations by Prophets and Messengers from God; but the Methods of Justice were the fame to all, and the Nations were left to Reafon and Confcience, thofe great Lights given to all alike, to interpret the Conduct of Providence with Respect to themselves. Were Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed by Chance? No: it was by a Fire from Heaven, commiffioned to extirpate a wicked and profane People. Were the Canaanites overpowered by the Arms of Ifrael? Certainly not but God, who had waited in Patience and Forbearance till the Measure of their

Iniquity was full, delivered them up to Deftruction. Enquire what became of the great Monarchies of Affyria, Babylon, and Egypt: you may fee their Doom foretold by the Prophets. They were to be destroyed for their great Idolatry and Corruption: and the Prophecies have been fo remarkably fulfilled, that they are a ftanding Leffon of Instruction to all Nations, who have Eyes to fee, and Hearts to understand. Thus too it fared at last with the favourite People of Y 2

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the Jews: they were often punished in Mercy, and suffered to be miferable, that they might become better. They were from Time to Time admonished by the Prophets; and at laft GOD fent his Son to them; Him they flew and hanged on a Tree; and having filled up the Measure of their Iniquity, Vengeance purfued them; and fuch Vengeance as aftonished the World, and does yet aftonish it; for there is no Mifery, like their Mifery.

Final Punishments, whereby Nations are entirely rooted out, are of Use to us as Examples and Warnings to flee from the Wrath to come; otherwise they can do us no Service for fhould we ever fall into fo wretched a Condition as to call down fuch Judgments on our Head, who can deliver us from the Hand of the living GOD? But other Judgments, how fharp and fevere foever they may be, are the Effects of Mercy, and intended for our Correction.-When ancient and late Deliverances are forgotten, and have no Effect upon the Mind; when the Voice of GOD fpeaking in his Law, by his Prophets, and by the Minifters of his Word, is no longer attended to; nothing remains. but to apply sharper Remedies, or to permit

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the People to fill up the full Measure of their Iniquities, and to perish in their Sins. -It is Mercy to prevent this fatal Evil, how corroding foever the Means, made Use of by Mercy, may prove. The Perverseness and Corruption of Men's Hearts juftify the Goodness and Equity of God in inflicting fuch Punishments, and they must blame themselves for not attending to the gentler and the kinder Calls of Providence.

Perhaps there may be no great Occafion to justify before you the Ways of God towards the Children of Ifrael; we are all of one Opinion to condemn their Perverseness and Ingratitude: fo much easier is it, to detect the Faults of others, than to fee and acknowledge our own!

But are we innocent from this great Offence?

Let us confider our own Cafe: and furely we have great Reason to confider it, now the Enemies of our Religion and Liberty appear with Triumph in our Land, and are in Poffeffion of one antient and powerful Kingdom united to the Crown of England.

Our unhappy Divifions in civil Matters I choose to pafs over in Silence at this Time and Place; for I mean no Reproach to

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