the hearts, who guideth the hands, who enlighteneth the minds of men) to have been engaged in the detection of this day's black conspiracy. to fear God: All men, it is said, shall Such are some characters of special Providence; each of which singly appearing in any concurrence would in a considerate man breed an opinion there-clad with robes of vengeance and zeal, of; each of them being very congruous denouncing and discharging judgment; to the supposition of it; no such appear- when he representeth himself fearful in ances being otherwise so clearly and praises, terrible in his doings toward the cleverly explicable, as by assigning the children of men, working terrible things divine hand for their principal cause. in righteousness; it should strike into our But the connexion of them all in one hearts a dread of his glorious majesty, of event" (when divers odd accidents do be- his mighty power, of his severe justice, fall at a seasonable time, according to of his glorious and fearful name:" it exigency for the public benefit, the pres- should instil into our minds a reverence ervation of princes, the security of God's of his excellent wisdom, his exceeding people, the protection of right, the main- goodness, his perfect holiness: it should tenance of truth and piety, according to breed in our souls a solicitous care of disthe wishes and prayers of good men, pleasing and provoking him: it should with proper retribution and vengeance cause us in our hearts to shake and tremupon the wretched designers of mis- ble before him. Then is that of the chief; such a complication, I say, of Psalmist to be put in practice: Let all these marks in one event) may thorough- the earth fear the Lord: let all the inly suffice to raise a firm persuasion, to habitants of the world stand in awe of force a confident acknowledgment con- him. Tremble, thou earth, at the prescerning God's providence, in any con- ence of the Lord, at the presence of the siderate and ingenuous person: it readi- God of Jacob. Such dispensations are ly will dispose such persons upon any in their nature declarative of those divine such occasion to say, This is the Lord's attributes which do require such affec doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. tions: they are set before our eyes to Notwithstanding, therefore, any obscu- cast us into a very serious and solemn rity or intricacy that sometime may ap-frame; to abash and deter us from ofpear in the course of Providence, notwithstanding any general exceptions that may by perverse incredulity be alleged against the conduct of things, there are good marks observable, whereby (if we are not very blockish, drowsy, supine, lazy, or froward; if we will consider wisely, with industrious attention and care, with minds pure from vain prejudices, and corrupt affections) we may discern and understand God's doing. Which to do is the first duty specified in my text: upon which having insisted so largely, I shall (hoping you will favour me with a little patience) briefly touch the rest. II. It is the duty of us all, upon such remarkable occurrences of Providence, * Εἰ μὴ σημεῖα καὶ θαύματα, ἀλλ' ἐοικότα σημείοις πράγματα, δείγματα τῆς τοῦ Θεοῦ προνοίας, καὶ ἀντιAiews apárov.-Chrys, ad Olymp. Ep. i. Vide Diod. Sic. lib. xv. p. 482. • Psal. exviii. 23. fending, by observing the danger of incurring punishments like to those which we behold inflicted upon presumptuous transgressors; upon those who do heinously violate right, or furiously impugn truth, or profanely despise piety; who earnestly prosecute wicked enterprizes; who persecute the friends of God with outrageous violence, or treacherous subtilty. Upon infliction of such punishments, all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously,' saith God himself, declaring the nature and drift of them. They do plainly demonstrate, that there is no presuming to escape being detected in our close machinations by God's all-seeing eye; being de d Job xxxvii. 22; xiii. 11; Psal. lii. 6; lxviii. 35; Dan. vi. 26; Isa. lix. 17, Exod. xv. 11; Psal. lxvi. 3, 5; lxv. 5; (cxxx. 3;) Deut. xxviii. 58; x. 17. Isa. lxvi. 2; Psal. xxxiii. 8; cxiv. 7. f Deut. xvii. 13; xiii. 11; xix. 20. feated in our bold attempts by God's | excellency, wherein chiefly (except in almighty hand; being sorely chastised our reason) we do surpass all creatures; for our iniquity by God's impartial judg- that without which our reason itself is ment. Extremely blind and stupid, more than half unprofitable; that wheretherefore, must we be, or monstrously by we put our best member to its best sturdy and profane, if such experiments use. For this we have the devout Psalof divine power and justice do not awe mist's pious resolutions, his exemplary us, and fright us from sin. When the performances, his zealous wishes, his lion roareth, who will not fear? When earnest exhortations, to guide and move the trumpet is blown in the city, shall us: I will speak of the glorious honour not the people be afraid? Shall he at of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous whom the mountains quake, and the hills works. Men shall speak of the might of melt; whose indignation the nations are thy terrible acts; and I will declare thy not able to abide; at whose wrath the greatness. They shall speak of the glory earth doth shake and tremble; at whose of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power. reproof the pillars of heaven are aston- So did he signify his resolution. I have ished; shall he visibly frown, shall his not hid thy righteousness within my wrath flame out, shall he shake his rod heart; I have declared thy faithfulness of exemplary vengeance over us, and we and thy salvation: I have not concealed stand void of sense or fear? If so, then thy loving-kindness and thy truth from surely a brutish dotage, or a gigantic the great congregation. So his constoutness, doth possess us. science testified of his practice. O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men: that they would offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and declare his works with gladness. So doth he pour forth his desire. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. Sing unto the Lord, bless his name: show forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. Come and see the works of God. Sing forth the honour of his name, make his praise glorious. O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the people. So doth he summon, so doth he urge us to this practice; and in his deportment we may see our duty. III. We are in such cases obliged to declare God's work; that is, openly to acknowledge and avow, to applaud and celebrate the special providence of God, with his adorable perfections displayed in such events; to the glory of God's name, in expression of our reverence and gratitude toward him, for the common edification of men; for which uses they greatly serve, to which purposes they are designed. We should not view such providential occurrences, like dumb beasts, with a dull or careless silence, as if we did not mind them, or were not concerned in them: we should not suppress or stifle the knowledge of them in our breasts, as if they were barely matters of private consideration and use; we should not let our observation and resentment of them be fruitless, so as to yield no honour to God, no benefit to man. But we should propagate and convey them into others: in so loud a tone, in so lively a strain we should vent them, as thereby to excite the notice, to inflame the affections of all men within the reach of our voice; provoking them to conspire with us in acknowledgment of God's power and wisdom, in acclamation to his justice and goodness. This is the due improvement of our glory; that peculiar Hos. xi. 10; Amos iii. 6,8; Nah. i. 5; Jer. x. 10; Psal. civ. 32; xviii.7; lxxvi. 8; cxliii. 2; Job xxvi. 11; (Isa. lxiv. 3; Ezek. xxi. 10; Isa. xxv. 3; lix. 18, 19.) h Psal. vii. 8. IV. It is peculiarly the duty and practice of good men upon such occasions to feel and to express religious joy. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord. Good men indeed then have great matter, and much cause, on many accounts, to be glad. It becometh them to rejoice, as having an universal complacence in God's proceedings, as gratefully relishing all dispensations of Providence. They, as pious, are disposed to bless and praise God for all things incident, and cannot therefore i Psal. cxlv. 5, 6, 11; (lxxvii. 12; ix. 14;) xl. 10; cvii. 8, 15, 21, 22, 31; xlvii. 1; xcvi. 2, 3; cv. 2; lxvi. 5, 2; (lxvi. 16;) cv. 1. but rejoice; joy being an inseparable com-joice in thee; and my soul, which thou panion of gratitude and praise. Hence, hast redeemed. I will be glad, and re Light is sown for the righteous, and glad-joice in thy mercy: for thou hast conness for the upright in heart. Hence, sidered my trouble, and hast known my The voice of salvation and rejoicing is in soul in adversities. The Lord hath the tabernacles of the righteous. Hence, done great things for us, wherefore we Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: are glad. Let all those that put their for praise is comely for the upright; trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout is an exhortation backed with a very for joy, because thou defendest them. good reason. They cannot but find satisfaction in observing God's providence notably discovered, to the confirmation of their faith, and cherishing their hopes; together with the conviction of infidelity, and confusion of profaneness. Our heart (saith the Psalmist) shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. The righteous shall see it, and rejoice; and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. It is to them no small pleasure to behold God's holy perfections illustriously shining forth; and the glory of him (who is the principal object of their love, their reverence, their hope, and confidence) to be conspicuously advanced. Rejoice, saith the Psalmist, O ye righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. Zion heard, and was glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoiced, because of thy judgments, O Lord. For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth.1 It is to them ground of exceeding comfort, to receive so clear pledges of God's love and favour, his truth and fidelity, his bounty and munificence toward them, expressed in such watchful care over them, such protection in dangers, such aid in needs, such deliverance from mischiefs, vouchsafed to them. Such benefits they cannot receive from God's hand, without that cheerfulness which always doth adhere to gratitude.* I will (saith David) sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Because thou hast been my helper, therefore in the shadow of thy wings I will rejoice. My lips shall greatly re They are also greatly refreshed with apprehension of the happy fruits sprouting from such dispensations of Providence; such as are the benefit of mankind, the peace and prosperity of the civil state, the preservation, settlement, enlargement, advancement of God's Church; the support of right, the succour of innocence, the maintenance of truth, the encouragement and furtherance of piety; the restraint of violence, the discountenance of error, the correction of vice and impiety. In these things they, as faithful servants of God, and real friends of goodness, as bearing hearty good-will and compassion to mankind, as true lovers of their country, as living' and sensible members of the Church, cannot but rejoice. Seeing by these things their own best interest (which is no other than the advantage of goodness), their chief honour (which consists in the promotion of divine glory), their truest content (which is placed in the prosperity of Zion), are highly furthered; how can they look on them springing up, without great delight and complacence? (saith the Psalmist) sing unto the Lord—for he hath done marvellous things. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. And, Sing, O heavens, crieth the Prophet, and be joyful, O earth, and break forth into singing, O ye mountains for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy on his af flicted. And, When (saith he) ye shall see this (the comfort of God's people), your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the Lord shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies." : Even in the frustration of wicked de-ness; having received so notable pledges signs, attended with severe execution of of God's favourable inclination to help vengeance on the contrivers and abettors us; we yet will not rely upon him. As of them, they may have a pleasant satis- a friend, who by signal instances of kindfaction; they must then yield a cheerfulness hath assured his good-will, hath great applause to Divine justice. The righteous cause of offence, if he be suspected of (saith the Psalmist) shall rejoice when he unwillingness in a needful season to afseeth the vengeance: and, Let the wicked ford his relief; so may God most justly (saith he) perish at the presence of God; be displeased, when we (notwithstanding but let the righteous be glad, let them re- so palpable demonstrations of his kindjoice before God; yea, let them exceed- ness), by distrusting him, do in effect ingly rejoice. Whence, at God's in- question the sincerity of his friendship, fliction of judgment upon Babylon, it is or the constancy of his goodness toward said in Jeremy, Then the heaven, and the us.t earth, and all that is therein, shall sing for Babylon; and at the fall of mystical Babylon, in the Apocalypse, it is likewise said, Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. Farther, V. The next duty prescribed to good men in such case is to trust in God, that is, to have their affiance in God (upon all such like occasions, in all urgencies of need) settled, improved, and corroborated thereby. This indeed is the proper end, immediately regarding us, of God's special providence, disclosing itself in any miraculous, or in any remarkable way; to nourish in well-disposed minds that faith in God, which is the root of all piety, and ground of devotion. Such experiments are sound arguments to persuade good men, that God doth govern and order things for their best advantage; they are powerful incentives, driving them in all exigences to seek God's help; they are most convincing evidences that God is abundantly able, very willing, and ever ready to succour them. They (saith the Psalmist) that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. And, I (saith he) will abide in thy tabernacle for I will trust in the covert of thy wings; for thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. It is indeed a great aggravation of diffidence in God, that having tasted and seen that the Lord is good; having felt so manifest experience of divine good ever; • Psal. lviii. 10; Job xxii. 19; Psal. lxviii. 2, 3. P Jer. li. 48. Rev. xviii. 20. (Psal. lxxviii. 7.) Psal. ix. 10; lxi. 3, 4, 5; cxv. 9, &c.; cxxx. 7; χχχίν. 8. VI. Good men upon such occasions should glory: All the upright in heart shall glory. Should glory; that is, in contemplation of such providences feeling sprightly elevations of mind and transports of affection, they should exhibit triumphant demonstrations of satisfaction and alacrity. It becometh them not in such cases to be dumpish or demure; but jocund and crank in their humour, brisk and gay in their looks, pleasantly flippant and free in their speech, jolly and debonair in their behaviour: every way signifying the extreme complacency they take in God's doing, and the full content they taste in their state. They with solemn exultation should triumph in such events, as in victories achieved by the glorious hand of God in their behalf, in approbation of their cause, in favour toward their persons, for their great benefit and comfort." They may (not as proudly assuming to themselves the glory due to God, but as gratefully sensible of their felicity springing from God's favour) se jactare, se laudibus efferre (as the Hebrew word doth signify;) that is, in a sort boast, and commend themselves as very happy in their relation to God, by virtue of his protection and aid. They may (not with a haughty insolence, or wanton arrogance, but with a sober confidence and cheerfulness) insult upon baffled impiety, by their expressions and demeanour upbraiding the folly, the baseness, the impotency and wretchedness thereof, in competition with the wisdom, in opposition to the power of God, their friend and patron. For such t Ecclus. ii. 10. " Psal. cxxvi. 1, &c. Psal. lii. 6, 7,-The righteous shall laugh at him, or, deride him, in this manner : Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength. sault or by fraudulent contrivance levelled against them. I should apply these particulars to the present case solemnized by us: but I shall rather recommend the application to your sagacity, than farther infringe your patience, by spending thereon so many words as it would exact. You do well know the story, which by so many years repetition hath been impressed on your minds: and by reflect carriage in such cases we have the prac- | from imminent mischiefs, by violent astice and the advice of the Psalmist to warrant and direct us. In God (saith he) we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work; and I will triumph in the works of thy hands. We will rejoice in thy salvation; and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Sing unto him, sing psalms untoing thereonhim; talk ye of all his wondrous works. Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy name, and to triumph in thy praise. Such should be the result (upon us) of God's merciful dispensations toward his people. You will easily discern, how God, in the seasonable discovery of this execrable plot (the masterpiece of wicked machinations ever conceived in human brain, or devised on this side hell, since the foundation of things), in the happy deliverance of our Nation and Church from the desperate mischiefs intended toward them, in the remarkable protection of right and truth, did signalize his providence. You will be affected with hearty reverence toward the gracious author of our salvation, and with humble dread toward the just awarder of vengeance upon those miscreant wretches, who digged this pit and fell into it themselves. You will be ready with pious acknowledgment and admiration of God's mercy, his justice, his wisdom, to declare and magnify this notable work done by him among us. I shall only farther remark, that the word here used is by the Greek rendered Eлairebσovia, they shall be praised: which sense the original will bear, and the reason of the case may admit. For such dispensations ever do adorn integrity, and yield commendation to good men. They declare the wisdom of such persons, in adhering to God, in reposing upon God's help, in embracing such courses which God doth approve and bless they plainly tell how dear such persons are to God; how incomparably happy in his favour, how impregnably safe under his protection; as having his infallible wisdom and his invincible power engaged on their side. This cannot but render them admirable, and their state glorious in the eyes of all men; inducing them to profess with the Psalmist, Happy is the people, which is in such a case; yea, happy is that people whose God is the Lord. And of such a people, that declaration from the same mouth is verified, In thy name shall they rejoice all the day long, and in thy righteous-like spawn of disastrous and tragical conness shall they be exalted: for thou art the glory of their strength, and in thy favour their horn shall be exalted. Such are the duties suggested in our text, as suiting these occasions, when God in a special manner hath vouchsafed to protect his people, or to rescue them Psal. xliv. 8; xcii. 4; xx. 5; cv. 3, 2; cvi. 47. * Psal. cxxvi. 3; cxxv. 1, &c.; cxxxviii. 1, &c. › Psal. cxliv. 15; xxxiii. 12; lxxxix. 16, 17. You must needs feel devout resentments of joy for the glory arising to God, and the benefits accruing to us, in the preservation of God's anointed, our just Sovereign, with his royal posterity: in the freeing our country from civil broils, disorders, and confusions; from the yokes of usurpation and slavery; from grievous extortions and rapines; from bloody persecutions and trials, with the sequences, by this design threatened upon it; in upholding our Church (which was so happily settled, and had so long gloriously flourished) from utter ruin in securing our profession of God's holy truth, the truly catholic faith of Christ (refined from those drossy alloys, wherewith the rudeness and sloth of blind times, the fraud of ambition and covetous designers, the pravity of sensual and profane men, had embased and corrupted it), together with a pure worship of God, |