Page images
PDF
EPUB

Western Kingdoms gave up their Power to a Foreign Ufurper; even then this Island made the longest Stand; nay, and was never fo perfectly fubdued, but that Popery was here a different Thing, from what it was in the Southern Climates.

When the happy Time came, that God thought fit to fet on foot the Reformation, (having firft made way for it, by the reftoring of Learning) fuch was his particular Care of us, that this was one of the firft Kingdoms that was brought over to it.

And we have this Advantage above all other reformed Churches, that as our Reformation was regularly made, and by juft Authority, fo it was made moft agreeably to the Pattern of the Primitive Churches of Chrift.

And, God be thanked, according to the Goodness of it, fuch hath been its Success ever fince; for we have all along, from that Time to this, (except the Interruption of a few Years in the late Times) ferved God in Peace and Happiness, under the fame Eftablishment; and we truft we fhall do fo to the End of the World.

Many, indeed, have been the Oppofitions and Disturbances, that have been given us by our Adverfaries, both at Home and Abroad; but as manifold likewife have been our Deliverances, and that in a moft wonderful manner. I need not mention them, for they are known to us all.

How many fecret Confpiracies against our Proteftant Kings and Queens, hath God Almighty's Mercy detected and defeated?

How

How many Open Attemps againft our Laws, and against our Religion, hath he by ftrange Providences brought to nought?

More than once hath he by wonderful Methods preserved us, when we gave up our Church and our Liberties in a manner as loft, and that in fo eafy and quiet a way, that there was no Concuffion of the Nation followed thereupon.

Are not thefe Extraordinary Instances of God's Kindness to a People? And ought not we, who have receiv'd, and do yet enjoy the Benefit and the Comfort of them, to remember them with Thankfulness all the Days of our Life?

[ocr errors]

a

But fome of us, perhaps, are not now in Humour to think of thefe Things; our prefent Circumftances fill our Minds, and Thofe are difficult enough. Let our past Deliverances have been what they will, yet we are fure we are now in a Hazardous Condition, notwithstanding all the Prayers we have put up for better Succeffes.

That is too true: And I pray God make us all fenfible of it; and efpecially make us fenfible of the Things that have caused it, namely, our Ingratitude for God's former Mercies; our Lewdness and Debauchery; the Spirit of Atheism, and Profaneness, and Irreligion, that ftill reigns among us as much as ever; and above all, our unaccountable dividing ourselves into Parties, and purfuing particular Piques and Quarrels, not only to the Neglect, but to the plain Ruin of our common Interefts.

Thefe are the Things that have hindred our Succeffes, and provoked God's Difplea

Cc 3

fure

fure against us; and 'till thefe Things be amended, I am afraid we shall never be a happy Nation.

But yet, notwithstanding our high Provocations, yet fo gently hath God corrected us, and even in his Judgments fo much hath he remembred Mercy, that we have all Reason to rejoyce at the Benignity and Kindness of his Difpenfations towards us; Nay, and to render him our most hearty and folemn Thanks, for the Mercies that he hath beftowed upon us, even with respect to the Matters we complain of.

For God hath really fo far heard our Prayers this Year, that he hath given us the most important Succeffes, though not the Succeffes we defir'd.

He hath kept the War at a distance from us: And we have, under the happy Government of Her Majesty, lived free from all Difturbance at Home; every Man fitting under his own Vine, and his own Fig-tree, (as the Prophet fpeaks) enjoying his Religion and Rights in perfect Peace; and with a bountiful Provifion likewife, from God's Hand, of all the Things that were either needful or convenient.

And as for our Succeffes Abroad, tho' it is not proper for me to .talk of thofe Matters, yet I believe, thus much I may decently and truly fay, That though the King had not the Victory, being over-power'd by Numbers; yet he gained more Honour, and fuftained lefs Loß than those that boafted of the Victory.

And which is yet more, God hath not only Preferved his Perfon, amidst the infinite Hazards

zards he was continually expofed to, and Re`turned him fafe to us, but returned him likewife with fuch Reputation for his Courage, and Vigilance, and Conduct, in the Difficulties he had to struggle with, as has gained him the highest Efteem among his Enemies, and therefore ought much more to endear him to his own Subjects.

And now, let all this be confidered, and then let any Man fay, that really loves the Intereft of his Country, whether we have not reason to look upon thefe Things as Great Bleffings; and as fuch, to return our Solemn Thanks to God for them?

And then, in the Second Place, as to our Future Succeffes, let us all chearfully depend upon God's Providence, and truft in his Mercy for them.

This is all the Rejoicing we can express as to Future Things; and this is that which the Apostle calls Rejoicing in Hope.

And furely, great Reason have we thus to do, when we confider who it is that orders our Affairs; One, whofe Kindneß we have no reason to doubt of, having had fo many Experiences of it, even beyond our Hopes and Expectations: And one likewife upon whose Power we may fecurely depend, fince His Arm is not bortned, nor ever can be, how much foever our Arm of Flesh may.

God Almighty is our King, and He both certainly knows, and will certainly do, that which is best for us, provided we take care to do that which becomes us.

[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

Away therefore with all Fear, and Distrust, and Defpondency; it is an Argument of Infidelity and Irreligion, as well as Cowardice, to despair of the Common-wealth.

We are in as good Hands as it is poffible for us to be: Nay, we ourselves cannot wish to be in any other.

Let us but do our Parts, by qualifying our felves for God's Mercies; and that is to be done by contributing our beft Endeavours, every Man in his Place and Station, to the Service of the Publick; and then we may fafely cast all our Care upon him who careth for us, and we may be fure we shall not be disappointed.

This Method, as it is much more eafy, fo we shall find it much more conducing towards the obtaining the Succeffes we defire, than Complaining, and Fretfulness, and a tormenting Anxiety about our Affairs.

We may, indeed, by our Peevish and Querulous Humour, difquiet ourselves, and put others into a Ferment, nay, and at laft, perhaps, may contribute a great deal to the Glory of hindring and defeating the most wife Counfels, that are proposed for our Safety; but that is the greatest Point we gain.

God Almighty will not alter his Methods, for any of our foolish Paffions; but there is a way to prevail upon God himself, to do for us all that our own Hearts can defire, provided that which we defire be good for us; and that way is, to own Him and his Government to love him, and to ferve him; to be thankful for his Mercies; to be eafy and chearful under all his Difpenfations to us; and, lastly, to re

[ocr errors]

fer

« PreviousContinue »