IF we reflect on the Wicked and Traiterous Designs of our Enemies, and think how near they lately were to put 'em in execution, and what the Consequences of that must have been; we cannot but see cause to acknowledge God's Goodness, to adore his Wonderful and Gracious Providence, [Page 2]and to think our selves exceeding happy, in that we are now here peaceably met together, to render our devour Praises and Thanksgivings unto him, and not driven from home, or scat­ter'd up and down under the Fears and Terrors of Foreign Armies ravaging amongst us, or of a more Unnatural Brood of Vipers amongst our selves, that were to have join'd with 'em for the Ruin of their own Religion (as they call it), and of their Countrey. From these woful Ca­lamities that were hastily coming upon us, and must, in all human appearance, before this time have overtaken us, Not our own Policy and Foresight, not any Wisdom or good Con­duct that we can boast of, but the mere over­ruling Hand of Divine Providence, the Wisdom and Goodness of that God who sees through all the dark Plots and Conspiracies of his own and his Church's Enemies, have mercifully deli­ver'd us.

This, as well as many former Deliverances that we have had, is of such a nature, that it plainly speaks him to be the Author of it. And it should therefore engage us to the most chear­ful and hearty Thanksgivings, to reiterated Acts of Praise and grateful Acknowledgment, and should teach us to ascribe the Glory of all [Page 3]to him, who in so visible and remarkable a manner has appeared from time to time, most opportunely to help and deliver us. I suppose therefore the Words which I have chosen as the Subject of my Discourse at this time, will be allow'd to be proper and pertinent enough to the Occasion.

They are part of a Psalm which, as some conjecture, was compos'd by Asaph the Seer (mention'd 2 Chron. 29.30.) as a Thanksgi­ving for the great Deliverance that God wrought for Hezekiah, and the People of the Jews, from Senacherib the King of Assyria. And if this were so, then we may understand the Al-taschith that is in the Title, to be not merely, as some would have it, a Note to direct how the Psalm was to be sung, but to be put as an Allusion to what the Prophet Isaiah had foretold concerning Se­nacherib, viz. That for all his proud Boasting and his Confidence, he should not come into Jerusalem, Isa. 37, 33. nor shoot an arrow there: For so the Word Al-taschith signifies; Let him not destroy; or, He shall not destroy. Which Sense of it need not be re­jected, though we should suppose this Psalm to have been made (as others think it was) long before the days of Hezekiah, viz. as an Hymn of Thanksgiving for David's happy Settlement [Page 4]upon the Throne, after the many Troubles and Difficulties which he met with in his way to it. For then it may refer to Saul, and the Frustration of all his Attempts to take away David's Life. But however it were, we may observe in the Words these Two Things; viz.

1. A Devout, Emphatical, and Repeated Thanksgiving; Unto thee, O God, do we give Thanks; unto thee do we give Thanks; where the Reduplication of the Expression intimates to us, That the Psalmist thought there was abundant Cause to give Thanks to God; yea, that the Thanks were peculiarly due to him, in a manner far transcending all that could be due to Instru­ments or subordinate Causes.

2. A Reason added, why they ought to be more than ordinarily thankful unto God; viz. Because the Deliverance was such as plainly pointed out him for its Author. For that thy Name is near, i. e. that thou art near by thy Power and Goodness to help and save us, thy wondrous works declare.

Now if the Occasion of this Psalm were the Deliverance from Senacherib, 'tis plain then that there was great Cause of Thanksgiving. For then both King and People had been in extreme danger. And had Senacherib prevail'd, the City [Page 5]of Jerusalem had in all probability been spoil'd and laid waste, the Holy Temple of God viola­ted and prophan'd, great numbers of people slain with the Sword, and the rest carried into a wo­ful Captivity. Neither had they any sufficient Strength of their own to defend or preserve themselves from these threatning Evils, but the work was done for 'em by an Angel, who went out with God's Commission and slew in one Night a Hundred and fourscore and five thousand of the Enemy. So that this was a thing wholly extraordinary.

But if the Occasion of this Psalm were David's happy Settlement upon the Throne, after many years patient waiting, many dangers and hard­ships undergone; Then have we indeed not any direct or downright Miracle demonstrating the Name of God to be near, or his Power and Goodness to be exercis'd and display'd in the Transaction, but a visible Series of many re­markable Events, whereby God brought to pass what he intended and had foretold; and which an observing Beholder, that was concern'd in 'em, might well call. Wondrous Works, though there were no Violence offer'd to the Course of Na­ture, nor nothing done wherein Second Causes had not their subordinate Agency as usual, under [Page 6]him who is the Grand Disposer of all things for his own Glory, and his People's Good.

Since therefore by Wondrous Works 'tis not ne­cessary for us to understand such as are in the strictest sense Miraculous, but rather Signal and Remarkable Providences, I suppose we may fair­ly make from the Text these Two following Observations; viz.

1. That as all things are order'd by the Pro­vidence of God, so there are some Events that deserve the name of Special Providences, for that they shew forth the Power, Wisdom, and Goodness of God, and his Care over his Church and People in a more especial and extraordinary manner than others do.

2. That 'tis our Duty to observe and take no­tice of such Events, to render God the Glory, and to offer unto him our hearty Praises and Thanksgivings for the Benefit or Deliverance that we receive thereby.

I shall speak something to each of these, and then proceed to make some Application to the present Occasion. And

1. That as all things are order'd by the Pro­vidence of God, so there are some Events that deserve the name of Special Providences, for that they shew forth the Power, Wisdom, and [Page 7]Goodness of God, and his Care over his Church and People in a more especial and extraordinary manner than others do.

That all Human Affairs are order'd by God's Providence, so that without his Knowledge and Permission at the least, nothing can possibly come to pass, yea, that he is able to bring about whatever he pleases, This is a Truth so bright and clear, that it was scarce ever, I think, denied by any that own'd a God who was the Creator of the World: For it were too absurd to ima­gine that God should make the World, and not be the Governor of it. And though indeed we are no more able to give a Reason of all the Proceedings of the Divine Providence, than we are to explain all the Works of Nature; yet as in the latter we see enough to convince us of his Infinite Power, Wisdom, and Bounty to his Creatures, so in the former also we may easily see sufficient Proofs of the same his most Ado­rable Perfections. But all the Works of Provi­dence are not alike. Sometimes for wise and good Reasons God has been pleas'd quite to alter the Course of Nature, as it were to shew him­self to have a Power above it. So it was when he divided the Sea, and made the Waters to stand on an heap, whilst the Israelites passed through: [Page 8]So likewise in many other his Miraculous Works that we read of in Holy Scripture, both of the Old and New Testament.

In the general Course of Things, Second Causes seem as if they were left to themselves, and tempt inconsiderate men sometimes to think that they are so: But there are very frequently such Events brought to pass, that are, as it were, of a Middle Sort, not plainly Miraculous, nor yet Common and Ordinary, but carrying in 'em very peculiar Marks and Characters of the Divine Power, Wisdom, and Goodness, and of his Care of Good Men, or of his Truth and Faithfulness to his Promises or Predictions. And these we call Special and Signal Providences.

Such was that whereby Joseph was brought into Egypt; and the Ill will and Envy of his Brethren, as well as his Mistress her false Accusations after­wards, turn'd to the great advantage and happi­ness both of himself and his Family; and the Di­vine Predictions thereby also fulfill'd. Such was that whereby David was advanced to the Throne from the mean Calling of a Shepherd. By such a signal Providence it was that he married one of the Daughters of Saul, though much against the good liking of her Father,1 Sam. 18.21. only that he hoped (the Text tells us) that she would become a snare to [Page 9]him, in which he proved to be much mistaken. And by the like Providence was he preserved from time to time, from all the Attempts of his Father-in-law to assassinate him, and, at last, af­ter the Tragical Death, both of Saul and his Son Ishbosheth, setled peaceably in the Kingdom which God had promised him.

By such a signal and remarkable Providence was the whole Nation of the Jews delivered from the Destruction and Extirpation designed against 'em by Haman, and he himself hang'd on the ve­ry Gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.

I might add many more Instances out of Scrip­ture, and innumerable there are to be found in other Histories. But to come a little nearer our own Times, and to such things as are of particu­lar concernment to our selves. The Conduct of Divine Providence was very observable in bring­ing about a Reformation of Religion in the Church, and particularly in these Nations.

That in Germany such a man as Luther should be rais'd up, with a Spirit fit to encounter the Difficulties of that work for which he was de­signed; That the gross and notorious corruption of Indulgences, preach'd about at that time in a shameless manner, to delude and cheat the People, should give him the occasion of enqui­ring; [Page 10]and that the Opposition he met with, should only serve to whet him, and put him up­on examining farther, and discovering still more Errors and Abuses, which in those dark Ages had been put upon the Christian World; that no means should be found to take him off, or to hinder the spreading of his Doctrine, though it were so vehemently endeavoured by the Great Ones of those days; and that whole Countreys should thereupon revolt, and casting off their Obedience to the See of Rome, together with the Errors they had suck'd in thence, should return to the Primitive and Apostolical Christianity: The carrying on, and management of all these things by the Divine Providence, affords a very wonderful Scene to him that seriously and consi­derately takes a view of it, and observes how hap­pily things then concurred to bring that about, in God's appointed time, which to man might have justly seem'd impossible; and how vain were all the strivings, and earnest Endeavours of the Great Ones of the World to hinder what God had de­termined to bring to pass; even just like the En­deavours of the Heathen Emperors to suppress Christianity.

In our own Nation how remarkable was the Providence of God that made use of an High-spirited [Page 11]Prince, a zealous Assertor of the Popish Cause, and a Writer against Luther, to lay the Foundations of a Reformation amongst us, and to remove those Obstacles, those Nurseries, I mean, of Idolatry and Superstition, which would else have render'd the Work impossible (in a man­ner) to his Successors! So that it might be said according to Sampson's Riddle,Judges 14.14. That out of the eater came forth meat!

'Tis very observable also, how much the Re­formed Religion here was establish'd, and made to take the deeper root in the hearts of the Peo­ple, instead of being rooted out by the Blood of the Martyrs, which was shed in such abundance, during the short Reign of Queen Mary. And how it was legally setled under the long and hap­py one of Queen Elizabeth. As also, how she, whilst she strictly adher'd to it, was all along wonderfully preserv'd from the Designs and Ma­chinations of her Enemies, which were many and dangerous; and yet serv'd to no other purpose but to knit the hearts of her Subjects the more closely to her, and to unite them in mutual Bands of Association to do all that in them lay to pre­serve her Life.

I might speak also of the strange, but happy Discovery of the Gun-powder Plot in the following Reign. But I should be too long should I des­cend to more Particulars.

I proceed therefore to speak to the Second Pro­position that was drawn from the words, which was,

2. That it is our duty to observe and take no­tice of the signal Providences of God; to render unto him the Glory of them; and to offer him our hearty Praises and Thanksgivings for the Benefit or Deliverance that we receive by them.

There are two Extreams that men are apt to run into in this matter. The one is, of those who con­strue Providence always in favour of themselves, or their own Party; and if Good befal us, presently reckon it is for their sakes; or if Evil come, imme­diately conclude, 'Tis because we will not do as they would have us, tho perhaps there is very little Reason that we should. The other Extream is, of such as are so careless and inconsiderate, as to over­look the hand of God whatever falls out, though never so remarkable, never so seasonable, never so surprizing and unexpected, or never so neces­sary, in all appearance, for the support and pre­servation of True Religion, or for the bringing of some just Judgment upon great and notorious Offenders. Such there are, who seem to impute all to second Causes, scarce ever looking higher; or else, at least, to imagine, that all things are so promiscuously order'd by Providence, that it sig­nifies nothing to take any notice what falls out.

But the true and middle way which we ought to take between these Extreams, is,

First. Never to look on the meer seeming fa­vour of Providence alone, as a sufficient Ar­gument of the goodness of any Cause, for that will be found a very dangerous and uncertain way of Arguing. But yet,

Secondly, When we are from other Reasons well satisfied of the Goodness or Justice of a Cause, or the Truth of any Profession, to take a particular notice then of what Provi­dence does in favour of it, and to believe that, tho' indeed it be true, that in the general course of God's Providence things are somewhat pro­miscuously carried (as 'tis reasonable they should, since God designs this Life for a time of Trial) yet, as he is ever a lover of good Men, and a Friend to those that fear him, so he will so far appear in their defence, as never to suffer Piety, true Religion and Vertue to be utterly run down and destroy'd, as they wou'd certainly be, did not his Providence sometimes interpose, and appear for 'em. And for that Reason, God does sometimes signally shew himself for their Defence, and Preservation, and for the Con­founding of their Enemies. And when he does [Page 14]do so, for us to take no notice of it, is an Argument of great stupidity, Ingratitude, and Folly. They are highly blam'd in Scripture, who regard not the work of the Lord, nor consider the operation of his hands; they are the bruitish among the People, who look no farther than the immediate Agents or Instruments whereby such things are done, and cast no Eye upwards to­wards him, who sits in the Heaven above, and beholds all the dwellers upon Earth, and or­ders every thing that falls out among 'em, ac­cording to the Rules of a most Exquisite and Unsearchable Wisdom. The passing over such things without any regard, is a robbing God of the Glory of his Works, and of the Praise that is due unto him, as well as a depriving our selves of the Benefit and Comfort that we might and ought to take in the Performance of so Excellent and Noble a Duty, as that of rendring Praise, and Honour, and Thanksgiving to our Great Creator.

It becomes every Good and Religious Man, in all such Cases, when he sees the Innocent happily preser'd from intended Ruine, the Pro­fession of true Religion rescued from imminent Danger, Mischievous and Traiterous Plotters [Page 15]and Conspirators surprizingly discover'd, and brought to Condign Punishment, Tyrants and Persecutors disappointed in their Barbarous and Bloody Designs, and God's Judgments perhaps remarkably executed upon 'em. 'Tis the part, I say, of every Good and Religious Man, in such a Case, to Admire and Adore God's Infi­nite Wisdom and Power, to applaud his Ju­stice and his Goodness to his People, and to Rejoyce and Triumph in the Event. So the Psalmist tells us in such Cases, The Righteous shall see it, and rejoyce, and all Iniquity shall stop her mouth, Psal. 107.42. And in divers pla­ces he Exhorts to this Duty, particularly Psal. 5.11. Let all those that put their trust in God rejoyce, let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them. And in the Book of the Reve­lations, the Saints and all the whole Heav'ns are call'd upon to rejoyce at the fall of Babylon. Rejoyce over her thou Heaven, and ye Holy Apostles, Rev. 18.20. and Prophets, for God hath avenged you on her.

I now proceed in the last place, to make some Application of this Discourse to the pre­sent Occasion. And here I shall,

First, Consider how very Remarkable and Signal our present Deliverance is, which shou'd [Page 16]induce us to the more heedful observance, and devout admiration of the Providence of God in it. And,

Secondly, I shall consider how beneficial and happy a Deliverance it is to us, in order to the increasing of our Thankfulness, and putting us upon a suitable Carriage towards God.

Now our present Deliverance will appear to be very Remarkable, whether we consider either,

• 1. The Circumstances of it; Or,
• 2. For whom it is wrought; Or,
• 3. What Ends and Designs of Providence are answer'd by it. And,

1. For the Circumstances of it. If we con­sider it, as indeed it is, but a part, and a far­ther carrying on of that great Work which God has been doing these several years past in this part of the World, and particularly amongst us of these Nations, we cannot but think it very suitable, and of a piece with all the rest; nor can we chuse but reflect on the whole, as on a wonderful Scene of Providence, fit to be taken notice of, and admir'd. In order whereunto, it will be necessary for us to call to mind that, which one wou'd think none shou'd easily for­get, viz. What our Condition was, and what [Page 17]the state of the Protestant Religion abroad, be­fore the late happy Revolution. As for our selves, you cannot but remember by what hasty steps we were going towards Popery, and how fearful and apprehensive we then generally were of it, as having no visible means to prevent its being forcibly obtruded upon us, together with a new Constitution of Government, according to the Pattern of a Neighbouring Nation. In France you all know how the Professors of the Reform'd Religion were persecuted in a new and unheard of manner, which has prevail'd to an utter Extirpation of the open profession of it. And so great was the Power and Influence of France, that it did not appear how either we, or any of the Protestants abroad, in the Circumstan­ces that things were, cou'd possibly resist or pre­vent the execution of those two grand Designs, that were visibly enough on foot, of Extirpating the Northern Heresie (as they call'd it) and set­ting up an Universal Monarchy. This I take to be but a true representation of our Case as it then was, when all on a sudden God was pleas'd to bring about one of the most wonderful and sur­prizing Revolutions that any Age has ever seen. His present Majesty, with a small number of Forces came over to Deliver us from that yoak [Page 18]of Popery and Slavery that was just a going to be put on. It was a great wonder that he would venture upon so bold and hazardous an Under­taking, and no less that he should find an Op­portunity to do it. Whether the Enemy disco­ver'd not the Design time enough to hinder it, or whether he imagin'd such an Expedition would end but in the ruine of the Undertaker. Take it either way, the Providence was very Remark­able; and when His Majesty, the then Prince of Orange, was ready to come, you all remem­ber how seasonably and happily God was pleas'd to order the Winds to come about to favour his Arrival, and at the same time to prevent the late King's Fleet from making any opposition. That Circumstance of the Wind I am sure was very Remarkable, and then much talk'd of; for God gave just enough to do the business, and then immediately, when it had as it were executed its Commission, it chop'd about again. And truly the turning about the hearts of the People so Universally at that time, and making even those that were pitch'd upon as the In­struments to bring us into Slavery, so readily go over to the other side, was a Circumstance not less, but rather much more Remarkable than that of the Wind; yea the more so still, [Page 19]because like that too, as soon as the Business was well over, divers of them quickly turn'd about again, as unaccountably as the Wind it self, which our Saviour tells us blows where it listeth, no Man being able to say why from this Corner, rather than from that. But here now there open'd a new Scene of Affairs; and I shou'd be too long, shou'd I reckon up all the Remarkable Providences that have attended the present War in which we are Engag'd. However this is visible and clear, that the Successes we have had, have been still owing very much to some signal Interpositions of Pro­vidence; as particularly that at La Hogue, when the Wind was again so favourable as to keep off the Enemie's Fleet, 'till just we were ready for it; and then to deliver a good part of it into our hands. But to come to the Occasion of our present meeting. The War growing tedious, it seems at last the Enemy had resolv'd to make a Descent upon England; and truly he had pitch'd upon a time that seem'd very favourable to such a Design; A time when he might hope the continu­ance of the War so long, together with some un­happy Circumstances we have of late lain under, might make a Rash and Heady People ready for another Change, altho' apparently to their Ru­ine, if they had but eyes open to see it. A [Page 20]time when very few of our Regulated Troops were in the Kingdom. A time when by Agree­ment they had assurances from hence of a Party that would rise and joyn 'em at their Landing. Tho' it be a thing wonderful (even to astonishment) that any among us shou'd be so mad; that any En­glish Man, especially that calls himself a Prote­stant, shou'd have so little regard either to his Religion, or his Native Country, as upon any Account to Desire and Incourage the bringing over a French Army hither; but such it seems there were too many. A Time it was more­over when our Fleet was to have been gone far enough off, and had been actually gone above a Month before, if the Wind again wou'd have permitted 'em to obey their Orders. Yea, which was worst of all, it was a Time when a Crew of Ruffians (by whose Commission or Instiga­tion the World must judge) even just about such a number as Conspir'd against St. Paul, had a­greed together in a most Horrid and Barbarous Design to Assassinate our King. A Time certain­ly this was, upon all accounts, very proper for the French to make an Invasion! And no doubt they reckon'd themselves in a manner sure of the Success.

But here again, behold the wonderful Hand of God! Yea 'tis fit for us to stand still and pause a while to admire his Providence! For our Fleet shou'd indeed have sail'd, but the Wind for a matter of two Months together hung still in one Corner and wou'd not suffer it. Our Allies a­broad having some Apprehension of our Dan­ger, prepar'd to send us back our Soldiers to de­fend us; And, which was more than all the rest, The Project for the Assassination (that damnable and hellish Design) is happily disco­ver'd and disappointed. And now instead of a French Invasion, we have been lying with a large Fleet upon their Coasts; Instead of ha­ving our King barbarously murder'd, God has given him the Necks of his Enemies, yea we have the Heads of divers of those Miscreants upon our City Gates. Instead of an Insurrecti­on among our selves, we have, God be thank­ed, a good Number of the Contrivers of it dis­arm'd and secur'd. Instead of any Commotions from a Discontented People weary of the War; we find the People of England generally wiser than to think to ease themselves by such absurd Means; nay, on the contrary unanimously asso­ciating to do their utmost for the Defence and Preservation of his Majesty's Sacred Person and [Page 22]Government; Yea, looking upon him (as there is great Reason they shou'd) as a particular Gift from Heaven, sent us in the most needful time for our Deliverance! A Prince in whom all the Virtues of his Ancestors shine very bright, and who, like them too, but in a more high and e­minent degree, has that peculiar Honour done him by the wise Providence of God, to be set as the Bulwark of True Religion, the Patron of Laws and Liberties, and the Grand Opposer of Tyranny and Oppression in all this part of the World. So that now (thanks be to Almighty God) instead of the Clergy of France preach­ing to their People upon that Text in the 46th of Jeremiah, vers. 10. which, 'tis said, was put a­bout amongst 'em as a proper Subject upon this Occasion of their intended Descent, and the Success they expected in it; viz. This is the Day of the Lord of Hosts, a Day of Vengeance, that he may avenge himself of his Adversaries; And the Sword shall devour, and it shall be sa­tiate and made drunk with Blood; For the Lord of Hosts hath a Sacrifice in the North Country. Instead of this, I say, we may with better Rea­son take up the following words at the next Verse of that Chapter: O Virgin Daughter of Egypt, in vain shalt thou use many Medicines, [Page 23]for thou shalt not be cur'd. The Nations have heard of thy shame, and thy Cry hath filled the Land, for the Mighty hath stumbled against the Mighty, and they are fallen both together.

And thus much, I suppose, may be sufficient to shew us, how very remarkable and wonder­ful our present Deliverance is, considering the Circumstances of it. That which adds to the Remarkableness of it, is,

2ly, The Consideration of the People for whom it is wrought. That God should signal­ly appear in behalf of a Righteous and Reli­gious Nation, a Thankful and Obedient Peo­ple is agreeable to the Notions we have of him, and is what we are ready to expect from his Providence: But that he shou'd do so much for an ungrateful People as he has done for us, that he should shew himself so kind to those that have wofully abus'd his Mercies, and that continue still unreform'd in a high degree, not­withstanding all the plain Warnings that he has given 'em, and the loud Calls of his Provi­dence to Repentance and Amendment: This is what may justly raise our Wonder. But for our Resolution in the Case, that we may dis­cern something of the Signs of the times, and [Page 24]of the true Reason, as near as we can judge, of God's Proceeding with us on this manner, and not flatter our selves, and impute all to our own good Deserts, we may do well to Enquire into that which I propos'd as the third Consideration whereby the Remarkableness of our present Deliverance, and of this whole Scene of God's Providence, which began with our late Revolution, may farther appear. And that was

3ly, What Ends and Designs of Providence we may reasonably suppose are brought about or answered by these Events. And here it may be sit for us to observe, that what God has de­sign'd and soretold as certainly to come to pass, that he is wont accordingly to bring about, not­withstanding the Sins and Provocations of those for whose Benefit it is, and tho' there be but few of them that do in any degree walk wor­thy of such Mercies; For he can find ways enow to punish those that do not, without al­tering any of his Purposes or Decrees. Thus we find that tho' the Posterity of Jacob were extreamly degenerated in Egypt, yet God brought 'em out thence,Exod. 12.41. punctually to a day, at the End of the 430 years, according to his Promise. Thus also afterwards, tho' they provok'd him highly, insomuch that he cast off Ten of their [Page 25]Tribes, and the other two were little better, yet he still preserv'd them as a distinct People, tho' made Captives first, and afterwards Tribu­taries to other Nations, because the so doing was necessary in order to what he had oft fore­told and promis'd, concerning the coming of the Messiah. Thus again, 'tis very observable, That tho' we can discern nothing that was visible in the Face of things, from whence to gather any like­lyhood of such or such Events coming to pass, yet God having foretold 'em, we find that still in due time, all things were made to work that way, and so as to bring about what he had pur­pos'd. For instance; It having been reveal'd to Daniel that there should be four great Mo­narchies set up in the World, (viz. Three more beside that of Babylon, which was then in being) the Providence of God did in a very wonderful manner, cause it in due time to be effected and brought about. For the overthrow of the Ba­bylonian Empire by Cyrus, which Daniel liv'd to see, and of the Persian by Alexander the Great, carried in 'em very signal Characters of a Divine Providence. And so did also the rai­sing up of the fourth and last, viz. The Ro­man Empire, from very inconsiderable and low beginnings. It was a long Series and Course of [Page 26]Successes for many hundred years, which the Romans themselves attributed to Providence, by which their City came at last to be the Em­press of the World: Nor can we discern any thing but the meer Will and Decree of Hea­ven, that hindred Hannibal, when he gave it so terrible a Shock as he did, from quite over­turning it. But he and his People were of the Race of Cham, of which it was foretold that they should be Servants, and not bear Rule. And God had also design'd that the fourth Mo­narchy shou'd be set up at Rome, and not at Carthage. And therefore though Hannibal seem'd to be come within a very little of utter­ly destroying that State, yet he cou'd not ef­fect it, which drew from him those memorable words recorded by the Historian, after the de­ciding Battle at Metaurus, Liv. l. 27. c. 51. Agnosco fortunam Car­thaginis. I see 'tis not the Decree of Heaven that Carthage should prevail. Or, I acknow­ledge and submit to the Fate of that City.

If then we have now but sufficient Reason to perswade us, that 'tis a thing contrary to the Will and Pleasure of Almighty God, that ei­ther the Reformed Religion shou'd be totally extirpated, or that a fifth Universal Monarchy shou'd be set up, We may then sufficiently dis­cern [Page 27]what Ends of Providence are serv'd by the late strange and unexpected Events, where­by the Designs of the aspiring Monarch of our Days have been hitherto blasted and brought to nought: And, at the same time, we may see reason still the more to observe and admire the Hand of God in all these things, and to put our Trust in him for the future.

Now as for the Design of Extirpating the Protestant Religion, that we are as sure is a wicked Design, as we are that our Religion is true and good. Yea, both the Design, and the barbarous Methods whereby it has been in part effected, are certainly abominable in the sight of God and Man: The converting of poor People, quiet and loyal Subjects, by Missiona­ry Dragoons, being a practise that is reproach­ful, not to Christianity only, but even unto Humane Nature. But that it is also a Design which God will not permit to take effect, we may probably gather from what has been be­fore briefly touch'd concerning the wonderful Providences whereby God kindled the Light of the Reformation but about the beginning of the last Age, which 'tis hard to imagine he shou'd suffer so soon to be extinguish'd again. Yea moreover, since we are assur'd that God [Page 28]will always have a Church, and the Popish one is now so extreamly corrupted (since the Re­formation, worse in many respects than it was before) that it can hardly be call'd a true one, that gives us good ground to believe that God will never suffer the Reformation to be utterly destroy'd. And yet 'tis hard to see but that that wou'd be the plain Consequence of the French Successes, of their over-running these King­doms, and setting up an Universal Monarchy.

But as for the Design of a Fifth Monar­chy, it is a thing generally agreed, I think, by all the Interpreters of Daniel's Visions, as being sufficiently plain in the Text, that there are to be, and shall be but Four; And that whenever they are at an End, the next thing we are to expect, is either the End of the World, or such a Renovation of it as is utter­ly inconsistent with the French Designs. And if so, what can we expect, but that God shou'd as effectually blast all Attempts to set it up, as he did those in the last Age, of Philip the Se­cond of Spain: Tho' perhaps in a more extra­ordinary and terrible manner, in regard to the Blasphemies that have been utter'd, and the Outrages that have been offer'd to the Saints and Servants of the most High!

And thus much, I suppose may be sufficient to shew us how very remarkable both our pre­sent Deliverance is, and also all that Scene of Providence of which it is a part: And likewise to excite our devout Admiration of the Power, Wisdom, Goodness, and Faithfulness of Al­mighty God as manifested therein.

2. I come now in the last place briefly to consider how very beneficial and happy a De­liverance this is to us, in order to the encrea­sing of our Thankfulness, and putting us upon a suitable Carriage towards God. And tho' we cannot say that this Deliverance is sent us as a Reward of our Good Deserts, but rather have great reason to bewail the contrary Carriage of the generality amongst us; Yet so many as have but sincerely endeavour'd to do their Duty, and in an humble Sence of the total Dependence of all upon the Divine Providence, have been ear­nest Suitors and Solicitors at the Throne of Grace for Mercy upon these sinful Nations, They may look on this Deliverance as an An­swer to their Prayers, and an Encouragement to 'em to pray still, and to put their Trust in God. And as for others, it is a great and un­speakable Benefit to them, if they have but the hearts to make use of it. For 'tis a granting [Page 30]'em farther Respite; 'Tis the affording 'em ano­ther Call to Return and Repent, which if they will not hearken to, it is their own Fault; but the kindness of Almighty God is never the less. Neither let any think, that since the Reason of this Providence seems rather to be God's high Displeasures at the Designs of our Enemies, than any respect that he has to such a sinful People as we are, that therefore it signifies no great matter whether they reform or not. For doubt­less tho' he may still go on to defeat those En­terprizes which are contrary to his Will, yet he can easily find Means sufficient to punish all those that are thus harden'd in their Sins, and give them but little cause to rejoyce even tho' their Enemies are not suffered to attain their Ends. We may see already how variously God has mix'd good and bad Success in the course of this present War; the bad still being owing to our selves, and an effect of our own Sins, but the good proceeding from an over-ruling Hand of Providence that will not suffer our Enemies to have their Will. But now if we wou'd Re­pent and become a People fit for Mercy, we might hope that God wou'd not only bring down our Enemies, but cause us to rise by their Fall, and grant us that Peace and Pro­sperity [Page 31]which by our Sins we have so justly de­served to forfeit.

In the mean time, if we consider but what the Effect must have been of our Enemies ha­ving their expected Success in this Enterprize which God has been pleas'd so happily to disco­ver and defeat, we shall find cause enough for Joy and Thanksgiving, if there be any Blessing we enjoy, which we think deserves it, since there is scarce any which their Success wou'd not have depriv'd us of. I know not how strangely some People might flatter themselves, and ima­gine that the Restoration of the late King, even by a French Power, wou'd have been consistent with the Enjoyment of the free Profession of their Religion and their Liberties, that the For­reign Forces shou'd quietly have retir'd so soon as they had set him upon the Throne, and that he, laying aside all former thoughts, wou'd have contented himself in taking a little pleasure to see how they wou'd Persecute and Torment their fellow Protestants, and have gone no far­ther. To me this seems so great a piece of Folly and Extravagance, as needs only to be nam'd in order to it's being expos'd. And therefore I conclude, that if our present Con­dition be better than that of conquer'd Slaves; [Page 32]if it be a Happiness not to fall into the Hands of incens'd and bitter Enemies; if the Enjoy­ment of Peace at home, with the hopes of good Success in our Wars abroad; if our Laws and Liberties; yea, if the Light of the Gospel, and the free Profession of our Religon, be things of any value to us, then ought we to be exceeding thankful to that God who has so signally appear'd for us, and delivered us in the most seasonable and needful time. And that this our Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving may be accepted, we shou'd add thereto our hearty and sincere Endeavours to walk worthy of God's Mercies, and so to behave our selves in all holy Obedience to his Laws, that it may indeed appear, that this great Grace and Favour of his in delivering us so oft and so signally as he has done, has not been bestow'd in vain up­on us, nor may ever turn to our greater Con­demnation. Which God of his infinite Mercy grant.