FROM the time of God's entering into covenant with Abraham, it became neceſſary that the father of each family ſhould, at the cloſe of life, convene his children to inform them in what line the bleſſing of Abraham was to deſcend, as he the father had been inſtructed by God. The promiſed ſeed being explicitly declared to be in Iſaac, there was no occaſion for Abraham's doing this; but when Iſaac was advanced in age and in the decline of life, he thought proper to pronounce his bleſſing upon his ſons, and proceeded without having received any ſpecial direction from heaven. Iſaac being partial towards Eſau, eſpecially becauſe he provided him with Veniſon, called him unto him. Rebeckah, Iſaac's wife, perceiving that he was about to promiſe the bleſſing of Abraham not to the perſon for whom it was deſigned, reſolved if poſſible to prevent it; ſhe accordingly concerts a ſcheme for Jacob's obtaining the bleſſing: The artifice we find related in Gen. xxvii. Eſau upon this hated Jacob and ſaid in his heart, the days of mourning for his father were at hand, then would he ſlay his brother Jacob; which led Rebeckah to apply herſelf to Iſaac, ſhew the unhappineſs of Eſau's connections, and the pleaſure they might promiſe themſelves in Jacob if he would diſpoſe of himſelf better; her governing deſign was to get Jacob out of the way of Eſau. Iſaac called Jacob, bleſſed him, and ſent him away to Padan Aram, unto Laban the brother of Rebeckah, directing him to take a wife of his daughters; Jacob went out from Beerſheba agreeable to his father's direction, went on his journey and came into the land of the people of the Eaſt, and arrived at the houſe of Laban, where he married his daughters Rachel and Leah. After twenty years he was directed by God to return unto the land of his fathers and to his kindred, and he with his ſons and wives retired ſecretly. Laban following, overtook him, and when, after ſome conference, Laban departed, Jacob recollecting the diſpleaſure of Eſau his brother, ſent meſſengers to him that he might find grace in his ſight. The meſſengers upon their return increaſed the fears of Jacob, and alarmed him greatly by telling him that Eſau was coming to meet him, attended with four hundred men: Miſapprehending the deſign of Eſau, he contrived the moſt likely means of defence and ſafety; and, as in the text, applied to God for ſucceſs.

The text is a prayer, containing

1. An invocation of God, in theſe words, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Iſaac, the Lord which ſaidſt unto me, Return unto thy country and unto thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee. That the Lord was the God of Abraham appears from his promiſes to him, and from the interpoſition of his providence in his behalf; thus God promiſes that he will make of him a great nation, will bleſs him and make his name great, and he ſhall be a bleſſing; he will bleſs them that bleſs him, and curſe them that curſe him;Gen. xii.2, 3. of the ſame tenor are all his expreſſions of regard unto him. In the courſe of providence he was his ſhield and exceeding great reward; he influenced Melchizedeck King of Salem, to bleſs him; when the cities of the plain were deſtroyed he remembered Abraham, and warned Lot his brother to flee; he interpoſed once and again with regard to a deception reſpecting his wife, influencing Abimeleck to offer him a ſettlement in his land, and was at all times at his right hand.

That the Lord was the God of Iſaac likewiſe appears from his promiſing to be with him and bleſs him, to perform the oath which he ſware unto Abraham his father, and to multiply his ſeed. Gen. xxvi.3, 24. By the interpoſition of divine Providence his life was preſerved when to appearance in imminent danger; and he proſpered and flouriſhed. And,

From what we have already ſeen of Jacob, it is evident that the Lord was his God.

There was then a propriety in Jacob's addreſſing the ſupreme Being in theſe characters, and warming his heart with a recollection of God's favourable regards to his family. There is in the prayer of the text

2. An acknowledgment of unworthineſs of paſt favours. I am not worthy of the leaſt of all the mercies and of all the truth which thou haſt ſhewed unto thy ſervant; for with my ſtaff I paſsed over this Jordan, and now I am become two bands.

The mercy of God towards Jacob in having directed a method of evading the immediate reſentment of Eſau, his preſence with him to Haran, a kind reception by Laban, ſucceeding in his deſign, and his proſperity upon the whole while with Laban, with the repeated promiſes of God and his truth and faithfulneſs in the performance of them, of theſe mercies of God and of all the truth ſhewed unto him, Jacob very humbly acknowledges himſelf not worthy. And particularly of one expreſſion of God's goodneſs he deems himſelf unworthy; when he went out from Beerſheba, he went as a traveller, having no more than neceſſary proviſion, and the ſtaff in his hand, but when he returns he has people with him, and flocks, and herds, and camels, which for defence and ſafety he is able to divide into two bands.

It was fit and proper that Jacob ſhould by recognizing the mercies and truth of God, impreſs his mind with a ſenſe of his dependance upon him, eſpecially when about to aſk any favour at his hand.

The text contains

3. A petition. Deliver me I pray thee from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Eſau, for I fear him, leſt he will come and ſmite me, and the other with the children. There is nothing particular here to be remarked, except that Jacob's apprehenſions of danger were great, and he expected nothing leſs than total ruin and deſtruction. This ſame expreſſion, ſmite the mother with the children, is uſed by a prophet in comparing the deſtruction of Samaria with a deſolation made at Betharbel, where the mother was daſhed in pieces, upon her children, all the inhabitants being put to the ſword without regard to age or ſex.Hoſta x.14.

There is in the text

Fourthly and laſtly. Encouragement of an anſwer taken from God's own promiſe, in theſe words, and thou ſaidſt, I will ſurely do thee good, and make thy ſeed as the ſand of the ſea which cannot be numbered for multitude.

Jacob knowing the promiſes that God made to his fathers Abraham and Iſaac, and having obſerved his faithfulneſs to them, recollecting the repeated promiſes and the truth of God to himſelf, has a ſtrong faith; he confides in the veracity of God, and is encouraged to hope for ſucceſs.

In this part of his prayer, he refers to a ſeaſonable relief afforded him ſome years before; altho' he was the heir of a powerful family, we have ſeen that he was obliged to take his leave of his aged parents, and depart from his father's houſe, for fear of an angry brother; the night following, as it is repreſented, his undertaking this journey to Haran, that beneficent Being who ſurrounds the bed and path of every individual, aſſured him of his kind protection; a ſublime repreſentation filled the mind of Jacob! a repreſentation of a ladder extending from earth to heaven, with angels deſcending and aſcending upon it, and emblematical of a particular Providence! Behold, the Lord ſtood above this ladder and ſaid, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Iſaac; the land whereon thou lieſt, to thee will I give it, and to thy ſeed. And behold, I am with thee and will keep thee in all places whither thou goeſt, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee until I have done that which I have ſpoken to thee of. Gen. xxviii.13.1 • . Though an exile and wandering in ſolitude, he had the pleaſing aſſurance that he was in the preſence of his Maker, whoſe powerful arm would conſtantly protect him from all dangers and difficulties, and under whoſe wings he ſhould be perfectly ſafe. Nelſon's Expoſition.

This was impreſſed deep in his mind: and from this, in his prayer for deliverance from Eſau, he takes encouragement to hope that God will hear from heaven, and anſwer.

The words thus opened offer theſe obſervations, 1. That although our beginning be but ſmall, our latter end may increaſe. 2. That the proſperity of any ſociety or community depends upon public virtue, while diſtreſs and trouble will be connected with vice. 3. That prayer is a proper exerciſe in a day of trouble. And, 4. That our ſtate may be ſo mixed as to afford us reaſon for mourning, as well as rejoicing.

The firſt obſervation, That although our beginning be but ſmall, our latter end may increaſe, is true, whether applied to individuals or ſocieties.

It is verified in Abraham, in Iſaac, and in Jacob, which has been already curſorily mentioned; and daily obſervation will furniſh many inſtances of perſons riſing from poverty to affluence, and from obſcurity to eminence and diſtinction.

Societies have, no leſs than individuals, roſe from ſmall beginnings to large increaſe; for the truth of which, we need have recourſe to no other people but our own: Our fathers but few in number, yet how have we increaſed! their territories but ſmall, yet how are they enlarged! poor, yet how rich now! trifling then, yet how important now to the parent ſtate! though our beginning was but ſmall in all reſpects, yet what ſtrides! what advances! and how great the acceſſion! The truth of the remark is thus obvious at the firſt ſight.

But as a probability is not immediately connected with the poſſibility of our ſtill continuing to increaſe, I ſhall immediately proceed to the ſecond obſervation; and ſhew the ground of that probability, which is righteouſneſs or public virtue.

That proſperity is intimately connected with public virtue, is a matter of which we ought to be well aſcertained; and ſo on the contrary that trouble will follow vice.

It is reaſonable to ſuppoſe that the ſupreme Being ſhould call men to account AS members of ſociety, and diſpenſe rewards and puniſhments as his juſtice ſhould direct: and THAT in this world, becauſe we are not held by ſocieties and bodies of men to anſwer for our conduct in another world. God diſpoſes and inclines us to form ſocial and civil connections, and has given us laws and commands to govern ourſelves by in thoſe connections; and upon a regard to thoſe laws and commands, or public virtue, does the happineſs and proſperity of any people depend. Thus we find that when the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah was great, when their ſin was very grievous, the Lord went down to ſee whether the inhabitants had done altogether according to the cry which had come unto him, and upon enquiry finding that wickedneſs had become univerſal, that they were unanimous in iniquity, and were ſinners exceedingly before him, he rained upon them brimſtone and fire out of heaven, and overthrew the cities and all their inhabitants and that which grew upon the ground.

In like manner, Babylon that glory of kingdoms and praiſe of the whole earth, ſhall be, ſays the prophet Iſaiah, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah; and this for their iniquity, for the puniſhment of their ſin.

Moſes promiſed the people of Iſrael that if they would diligently hearken to the voice of God, obſerve and do all his commandments, they ſhould be ſafe and eaſy; their families ſhould be bleſſed with abundance; ſucceſs ſhould attend them in all their employments; they ſhould have honour among their neighbours, and be victorious over their enemies. But on the contrary, if they would not keep God's commandments, his diſpleaſure would overtake them; they ſhould be viſited with ſickneſs and famine; they ſhould be ſo infatuated in their counſels as not to diſcern their true intereſt, nor effect any thing for the public good; and their name ſhould be for an aſtoniſhment. See Henry upon Deuter. 28.

But a queſtion may here ariſe, viz. Whether this connection between vice and miſery, virtue and happineſs is not in conſequence of that political covenant between God and Iſrael, and ſo peculiar to that people? and whether it be juſt to argue from thence, that the proſperity of a people or ſociety depends upon their obeying the commandments of God, while adverſity will be the conſequence of their diſobedience? In anſwer to which it may be ſaid, that it is the will of God, who always conſults the good of his creatures, that we ſhould incorporate ourſelves into larger ſocieties than thoſe which every family of itſelf forms; our general ſecurity and happineſs could not otherwiſe have been promoted, nor could we have been furniſhed with the conveniences of life. It is highly juſt and reaſonable, that God ſhould take cognizance of, and call men to account in this their capacity as ſocieties; diſtributing upon the whole body rewards or puniſhments, and aſſigning them to adverſity or proſperity, according to the nature of their united conduct. Seeing the bonds of ſociety are diſſolved by death, after which perſonal characters only will be examined, this buſineſs (as has already been obſerved) will be tranſacted in this world. There is a greater neceſſity of ſuch a diſtribution taking place here, than there is of that with reſpect to perſonal characters; for although God often ſuffers wicked men to paſs unpuniſhed here, they cannot eſcape his notice on the day of general judgment; but communities and ſocieties, as ſuch, can never be puniſhed or rewarded, except in this world.

According to the common method of providence, the ſtate of a people is good or bad according to the general nature of their actions; if they are careful to pleaſe God, good and virtuous, juſt and merciful, they flouriſh and are happy; but on the other hand, if profanity and impiety gain footing among them, a cloud ſits upon their affairs, and calamity, ruin and deſtruction ſoon follow. Such obſervations have found entertainment in the minds of men in all ages; the decay of the Roman ſtate was attributed not to chance, fortune or ſome unhidden cauſes, but to the general looſeneſs and corruption of manners. And it was remarked by Scipio, that it is impoſſible for any ſtate to be happy though their walls were firm, if their manners were decayed.

That God does charge guilt upon nations as well as particular perſons or individuals, is implied in theſe paſſages of ſcripture; when Abner had revolted to David, David ſaid, I and my kingdom are guiltleſs before the Lord,"2 Sam. iii.28. &c. and when upon Amnon's being ſlain, the woman of Tekoah ſaid unto the king, my Lord O king, the iniquity be on me and on my father's houſe, and the king and his throne be guiltleſs. 2 Sam. xiv.9.

Virtue promotes the honour of a people abroad, and will engage the confidence of diſtant nations and higher powers; it prevents private animoſities and civil diſcord at home, it exhilerates the ſpirits and inſpires with courage and magnanimity; it is a ſecurity and defence againſt the greateſt dangers; and wherever we find it is generally countenanced and encouraged, there we find the good of the whole is promoted; there the peaceable enjoyment of the comforts of life is allowed, and the true end of civil exiſtence is anſwered. On the contrary, vice renders a people deſpicable in the eyes of the world; depreſſes the ſpirits, and introduces confuſion at home; and expoſes to the greateſt evils. When the former takes place in a ſociety, people or nation, that nation, people or ſociety will flouriſh; righteouſneſs exalteth a nation, Prov. xiv.34. ſays the wiſe man. But when the latter, it is a reproach, and calls for divine judgments.

The judgments either feared or felt in ſuch a caſe, can be averted only by reformation.

Which leads to the

3d Obſervation. That prayer is a proper exerciſe in a day of trouble.

There is a natural propenſity in the mind of man, ſays a modern writer, to fly to ſome ſuperior Being for ſuccour and relief in a time of trouble, danger and diſtreſs; an inward principle that leads the mind to hope for relief from that inviſible Being from whom we believe we have received any extraordinary good. See Angel on prayer, p. 25. We are generally more ſenſible of our weakneſs in ſorrow, than in joy; and nature and reaſon point us to an arm ſuperior to our own, to obtain relief and deliverance from trouble and difficulty. Prayer is ſpreading the deſires of ſuch deliverance before him, who can alone afford relief. If we feel the rod of God, are properly attentive to his hand, we ſhall in this way caſt our burthen upon him; and our waiting eyes will be directed to him, for that ſalvation we ſtand in need of. This is the way appointed and inſtituted by the Diſpoſer of all events, the only way in which he has given us encouragement to hope for ſucceſs; if we apply for deliverance as a favour, he ſtands ready to confer it as ſuch, giving us that general rule, Aſk and ye ſhall receive.

Trouble and affliction ſpring not from the ground, but from that God who is the ſupreme origin of all things; He is the Governor of the univerſe, and Superintendant of our public as well as our private affairs.

Sacred hiſtory affords a variety of inſtances wherein the ſuſpenſion or removal of evil has been the object of His providence; there was an inſtance, in the caſe of Ninevah; and he ſuffered no man to do harm to Iſrael when but few in number and paſſing from one nation to another, yea he reproved Kings for their ſakes. Pſ. cv.14.

Profane hiſtory is likewiſe pregnant with interpoſitions of providence of the like kind.

Is there evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it? Are the public affairs of a people diſtreſſed and embarraſſed, and God hath not ſuffered it? Would He have done that evil in the city, or permitted public diſtreſs and calamity to have befallen a people, if He had not been provoked? Surely, no! Is he not able to convert trouble into joy, bring light out of darkneſs and good out of evil? Has he not repeatedly promiſed to individuals, that if they would walk before him, he would be their God? Has He not promiſed the ſame to nations? And does he not manifeſt, in the courſe of His providence, that when a people are holy, they are a happy people? Surely, yes!

Nothing more is neceſſary to ſhew the truth of the remark, that prayer (attended with reformation) is proper in a day of trouble.

I haſten to the laſt obſervation,

4thly. That our ſtate may be ſo mixed as to afford us reaſon for mourning, as well as rejoicing.

Had experience never led us to the truth of this, the preſent ſtate of Jacob would convince us of it; his conſideration of a vaſt acceſſion in train and intereſt, although his beginning had been but ſmall, muſt excite ſentiments of gratitude; and at the ſame time the apprehenſion of danger from his brother muſt depreſs his ſpirits. Oftentimes, we find ourſelves in ſuch a ſituation, eſpecially when in any trouble. Trouble, as ſuch, muſt lead us to mourn; but conſidered in ſome certain views, it muſt afford reaſon for rejoicing; David could ſing of judgment as well as mercy.

In our preſent ſituation we are attended with ſome circumſtances which call us to mourn, and with others which may lead us to rejoice.

It is inconvenient for the Parliament of Great-Britain, at ſuch a remove from us, to regulate our internal policy; and it is impoſſible that they ſhould do it with propriety, equity and juſtice: Notwithſtanding which they have attempted it without our conſent, in effect commanding our life and property. This, very naturally alarmed us: Repeated remonſtrances, a tenaciouſneſs of rights and privileges, a ſpirit of freedom and liberty, with a manly fortitude on our part, have led them to involve us in difficulty and perplex our affairs.

Without being allowed an opportunity of defence, or being heard, we find our Charter vacated; our trade and merchandize loaded with encumbrances, and diverted from its proper channel.

Although foreign riches have been wont to meet in the ſtreets of our capital, and that has been the ſeat of commerce, yet now we ſee an unhappy reverſe! That city, to adopt the language of the Prophet, that was full of people, how does it ſit ſolitary! how is ſhe become as a widow! She weepeth ſore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: All her gates are deſolate: Her Prieſts ſigh, and ſhe is in bitterneſs. A hand is ſpread out upon all her pleaſant things. Is there any ſorrow, like unto the ſorrow which is done unto her? She is made deſolate and faint all the day. Her ſtrength is made to fall, ſhe is delivered into their hands, from whom ſhe is not able to riſe up. Lamentations 1. That, which was once the ſeat of juſtice, opulence and virtue, is now unjuſtly wreſted from its proper owners; who are obliged to flee from the iron hand of tyranny, or are held in the unrelenting arms of oppreſſion. See the Proclamation for the day.

Our other "ſea-ports are greatly diſtreſſed," their inhabitants having been obliged to eſcape with their lives in their hands.Marblehead, and Gloceſter, are evacuated of moſt of their inhabitants.

Our towns burnt by the foes, who have acted the part of barbarous incendiaries. Charlestown was burnt June 17th. And Falmouth, October 18.

The moſt arbitrary meaſures have been purſued, and tyranny itſelf is making a mean effort to ſupport a claim which God Almighty abhors and deteſts, that of making laws in all poſſible caſes whatever.

In conſequence of the unnatural, cruel and barbarous meaſures adopted and purſued by the Britiſh adminiſtration; and in ſecurity of our rights and privileges, thoſe gifts of the Author of nature and more immediate patrimony of our pious fathers and anceſtors, we have choſen the alternative of defence and taken the field; having ſeriouſly and firmly reſolved to devote our lives to ſuch an important ſervice: And now we feel the dreadful effects of a civil war! a war, by which our land is ſtained with the blood of her valiant ſons.

Theſe things ſpread a gloom over the face of the whole continent; unhappy is the altercation! a kingdom divided againſt itſef is brought to deſolation!

We have certainly then great reaſon to mourn, eſpecially ſeeing we ever "have had," as a modern hiſtorian obſerves, a firm attachment to our mother country, on account of the invaluable bleſſings we have enjoyed from her happy conſtitution, and form of government. WYNNE's hiſtory of America. And it is yet to be wiſhed, that the ſentiments of the Britiſh Parliament may co-incide with thoſe of this hiſtorian; where, concerning the regulation of the Colonies, he ſays, that the repeal of taxes impoſed upon them is ſo far from being a ſacrifice of the higheſt permanent intereſt, and of the whole majeſty, power and reputation of government, that it appears to be the only way to ſecure them.

Wherever the ſeat of war is, there we muſt expect to find diſtreſs and deſolation; on which account we more ſenſibly feel the hand of God, than our friends who are remote from us.

Droughts in ſeveral parts of the province, and waſting ſickneſs in many of our towns, have been additional reaſons for mourning; peculiar to us, and which are to be conſidered ſeparately from the more general calamity.

I have now curſorily run over thoſe circumſtances which call for mourning; let us change the view, and recollect the reaſons we have for rejoicing.

We of this land, have been the peculiar care of Providence from our earlieſt periods; the tender mercies of God have been conſtantly over us; thro' the benignity of Providence, we have greatly flouriſhed; in general, the ſeaſons have been fruitful, and we have been bleſſed with abundant proviſion.

At this preſent time the truth of that obſervation muſt ſtrike us with force, viz. that in the midſt of affliction, we are ſurrounded with mercies.

The firſt and principal mercy to be regarded is this, that whereas many are involved in darkneſs, others debarred a free uſe of the ſacred ſcriptures, and popery is making its ſtrides into the Northern parts of this continent,See the Quebec Bill, in the letter and ſpirit of it. we are ſurrounded with the light of the goſpel, yet allowed acceſs to the ſacred ſcriptures, and favoured with worſhipping God as our conſciences dictate to us.

Another favour which demands our grateful notice, is, an exchange of waſting ſickneſs for the voice of health.

It is likewiſe a peculiar ſmile of Providence, that ſickneſs has not prevailed more univerſally in the army; and that ſo few, compared with the vaſt numbers in the camp, have been unfit for duty.

Providence has likewiſe ſmiled upon the camp, in permitting ſo few fatal accidents;I am informed that by means of upwards of 2000 balls that have been thrown from the oppoſite lines, five men only, have been taken off! I perceive likewiſe that by means of about 300 balls, &c. thrown into this place in the courſe of one month, viz. from September 8, to October 8, but two were wounded (one, but ſlightly; the other died after ſome time, of his wound) and no man was immediately killed! It is to be remarked further, that not one perſon was hurt, in the courſe of above 300 ſhells being thrown to a fortreſs erected upon P • n • ed Hill. and evidently been its ſafe-guard and defence.

A competency of the neceſſaries and comforts of life inſtead of a ſcarcity, which we had reaſon to apprehend, is a bleſſing we are not to be unmindful of.

The band of union which unites the American colonies, deſerves our unfeigned praiſes. Notwithſtanding many might have entertained the thought of recommending themſelves to adminiſtration, by cool remonſtrances and perſevering petitions; and therefore the people might have been divided with regard to the mode of reſiſtance; (all joining in the expediency of reſiſtance) notwithſtanding they might have been divided with regard to the mode, we ſee a happy reverſe! Perſons of every rank and character throughout the colonies have ſtrained every nerve, and exerted themſelves under Providence to defeat the meaſures that are purſued againſt us; the whole continent from North to South is connected as it were by an indiſſoluble bond, and have unanimouſly devoted their intereſt, and what is ſtill dearer, their lives in their common defence. The miniſtry having pledged themſelves to the deluded people of England that there would be a defection among us, muſt now find themſelves, to their aſtoniſhment and confuſion, greatly miſtaken; the aſſociation of the Engliſh colonies, daily gains new ſtrength; the moſt Southern has acceeded, the moſt Northern is manifeſtly well affected to the ſame general cauſe, and Canada rather ſurpaſſes in zeal and ardour for the common rights of America.See an addreſs to the ſoldiery. &c. The means of forming this union deſerve ſome notice. Diſtinct Committees were appointed in moſt of the towns of this province, and through the continent for the management of ſpecial matters, particularly ſuch as were of a commercial nature. Theſe Committees were large, and compoſed of perſons that had not before been honoured with the confidence of the public; the public eye ſtimulated them to exertion in their department; they naturally improved others, that were ſtill their inferiors; each one acquired a degree of importance, which was new to him; and by this means, whole communities and ſocieties were cemented together. Theſe Committees early correſponded with ſimilar Committees, far and wide. Thoſe of the ſame county conſulted, and appointed County Congreſſes. Provincial Congreſſes ſucceeded to the honours of General Courts. And the various Provincial Congreſſes committed the concerns of the whole, to a Continental Congreſs, the moſt grand and auguſt Aſſembly that ever exiſted in America. The union is remarkable, and beyond the reaſonable expectation of any that were acquainted with the complicated views and various tempers of mankind; it is an union, which ſhews that each individual has imbibed the ſpirit of a dying father, who, by a ſtriking alluſion to a bundle of ſticks, recommended domeſtick peace and harmony to his ſons; an union, that ſhews that each individual was ſtrictly governed by that maxim, "united we ſtand, divided we fall!"It has been univerſally admitted, that the greater part of a community ſhould govern the minority in all matters of public concern. When nine or eight tenths of that community unite in any matter, commonly ſpeaking, they are not divided; their voice is in every ſenſe the voice of the whole. That the continent is as much united, if not more perfectly, cannot be denied.

It is not a ſmall token of the goodneſs of Providence to us, that on the contrary the counſels of adminiſtration appear not to be blended with ſound judgment. As rational creatures, they act upon a plan; but their plans, to judge from paſt operations, do not appear to have been well calculated, and conſequently not to have been founded upon reaſon. In no particular reſpect have they yet ſucceeded; but a kind hand has blaſted every deſign, and turned all their counſels into fooliſhneſs. They have not ſucceeded yet in their firſt deſign of diſtracting and dividing us, although they have been ardent to effect it. They have been equally diſappointed in that deſign of intimidating, and frightening us into a compliance with their meaſures; their loading our innocence and virtue with reproach, their hoſtile array, and unprecedented ſeverity, has ſerved to inſpire us with an undaunted fortitude. What, but the ſame kind hand, as it directed thoſe that took the alarm on April 19: What, but the hand of Providence preſerved the ſchool of the prophets from their ravage, who would have deprived us of many advantages for moral or religious improvement.General Gage, as governor of this province, iſſued his precepts for convening a general aſſembly at Boſton, deſigning to enforce a compliance with Lord's North's deſigning motion; they were to be kept as priſoners in garriſon, till under the mouth of cannon and at the point of the bayonet they ſhould be reduced to a mean and ſervile ſubmiſſion. To facilitate this matter, he was to ſend out a party to take poſſeſſion of a magazine at Concord; preſuming that this might be done without oppoſition, the ſaid party upon their return from Concord were to lay waſte till they ſhould arrive at Cambridge common; there, after deſtroying the colleges and other buildings, they were to throw up an entrenchment upon the ſaid common, their number was to be increaſed from the garriſon, and the next morning a part of the artillery to be removed and planted in the entrenchment aforeſaid. This aſtoniſhing manoeuvre, it was ſuppoſed, would ſo effectually intimidate the conſtituents, that the general aſſembly by the compliance deſigned would literally repreſent their conſtituents." The author is not at liberty to publiſh the channel through which he received the foregoing; but begs leave to aſſure the reader, that it comes ſo direct that he cannot heſitate in giving credit to it. He recollects one circumſtance, which renders it highly probable; Lord Percy (on April 19.) ſuſpicious his progreſs to Concord might be retarded, by the plank of the bridge at Cambridge being taken away, brought out from Boſton ſeveral loads of plank, with a number of carpenters; not finding occaſion to uſe them, he carried them on his way to Concord, perhaps about a mile and an half from the bridge: About an hour after the plank were returned. If he had intended to repoſe that river at night, he muſt have reſerved the plank; if he deſigned to ſtop in Cambridge, the plank muſt be an encumbrance. This conduct, in returning the plank, may be accounted for upon ſuppoſition of the foregoing plan of operation.

In a ſtate of war, the final victory by no means depends upon early ſucceſſes; nor can a final conqueſt be argued from early defeats; the laſt national war in which we were engaged was crowned with ſucceſs, notwithſtanding it commenced with repeated defeats: Guarding ourſelves by this obſervation from a vain confidence, it becomes us to take a grateful notice of the ſucceſs that has already attended our arms. Viewed in connection with the final reſult of the preſent controverſy, and conſidering the precarious ſtate which ever attends the din of war; it is difficult to determine what attention this ſucceſs demands; but detached from the final reſult and viewed ſeparately, muſt we not ſay our arms have been wielded by a hand that is more than human? It is well known that in order for unavoidable deſtruction upon our frontiers and back ſettlements, vigorous efforts have been uſed, and indefatigable pains taken to excite the ſavage vengeance of the wilderneſs and rouſe the natives with their former allies, to arms againſt us; yet Providence has miraculouſly defeated the black deſign, by influencing the natives in general to ſupport the united colonies, and put it out of the power of thoſe allies to diſtreſs us: Remarkable ſucceſs has attended the Weſtern detachment of the continental army; Providence has manifeſtly owned and bleſſed them, in permitting them to take into poſſeſſion two fortreſſes, one of which was doubtleſs the ſtrongeſt they will meet with.Fort Chamblee ſurrendered to the forces of the United Colonies, October 18. And the fort at St. John's, November 2.

Laſtly. We are to look upon this as a ſmile of Providence, that the inconſiderate among us have been under ſuch reſtraints, when left to the exerciſe of luſt uncontrouled by civil authority; amidſt all our ſtruggles, commotions and perplexities, each one has looked upon his neighbour's perſon and intereſt ſacred, as when defended by wholeſome laws uninterrupted in their courſe; abuſes of the former, and invaſions of the latter, have been leſs frequent in the preſent diſſipated ſtate of our affairs, than in any given term of time before; no threatning quarrels, or animoſitions have ſubſiſted; but harmony and internal peace have ever reigned, and one ſoul has inſpired the body politic.

It now remains that we reflect upon our paſt lives, and by that means determine whether we have not rendered ourſelves leſs than the leaſt of theſe mercies, and deſerved greater evils than we have yet felt.

Our ſins which are the remote occaſion of an obſtruction in that harmony which has ſubſiſted between the parent ſtate and us, are great; and God may be juſtly provoked to puniſh us in proportion to the meaſure of our iniquities: Let us then this day lay our hands upon our mouths, and our mouths in the duſt, humbly acknowledging our ſins and iniquities. I doubt not but God has many faithful and choſen ſervants among us; but a general view of the wickedneſs and corruption that ſpreads far and wide, muſt tenderly affect every ſerious mind. An acquaintance with the many examples of divine juſtice in the puniſhment, and ſometimes in the entire deſtruction of kingdoms, nations and ſocieties, and a compariſon of their circumſtances with our own, muſt excite fearful apprehenſions in us; eſpecially as we ſee the diſpleaſure of God manifeſted in the calamity we now labour under.

Had this part of the world leſs knowledge and leſs light, there might have been ſome excuſe, and perhaps God might have winked at times of ignorance; but of this we cannot make a plea. The goſpel, in which the goodneſs of God is diſplayed through a Redeemer, in which the holy Spirit is offered to all that diligently ſeek it, and in which motives are ſet before us to engage our attention, and guard us againſt ſin, this goſpel has reached our ears. But, how has it been abuſed and neglected! Is it precious to our ſouls, ſweeter than honey, or the drops that diſtill from the comb? do we make it the theme of our converſation by day, and the ſubject of our meditation by night? alas! where are the perſons that have a ſuperlative eſteem for the oracles of truth?

How have the inſtitutions of religion been diſregarded! and the table of the Lord been rendered contemptible! are there not too many of us that have been the unhappy means of the ordinances of God being brought into diſrepute?

How has the Sabbath been profaned! waſted in idleneſs, or trifling converſation! are there not many, very many, that do not remember to keep it holy?

How has the name of God been taken in vain, and impiouſly blaſphemed!

How has the worſhip of God in our houſes, and family government, been laid aſide! and how have the duties of the cloſet been neglected!

How has vital religion decayed! do we not reſt contented with the form of godlineſs without the power?

How have animoſities been cheriſhed, inſtead of a chriſtian, charitable temper and frame of mind!

How has injuſtice abounded! And

How prevalent has been every kind of iniquity!

Conſider theſe things, and whatever elſe your own obſervation may furniſh, and then enquire whether it is not to be feared the Lord is viſiting for them.

It does not afford me pleaſure thus to lay open the ſhame, or expoſe the nakedneſs of my country; the taſk is diſagreeable, it is irkſome! with ſincerity I can ſay, better things than thoſe I have now mentioned, I hope of you; though it is more than probable that each one of us has been active, in this way, to bring down the judgments of heaven.

It becomes us all to ſtem the torrent of iniquity that threatens a general ruin; and, agreeable to the advice of our civil fathers, "with devotion of ſpirit, penitence of heart, and amendment of life, to humble ourſelves and implore the favour of almighty God."See an addreſs of the Continental Congreſs, to the inhabitants of the colonies, 1774.

Our Father in Heaven, is the ſupreme diſpoſer of events; he can preſerve us amidſt the innumerable dangers of the day, and turn the hearts of our adverſaries, making even our enemies to be at peace with us, as in the caſe of Jacob and Eſau: Let us then fear him and ſerve him in truth with all our heart; by this means recovering his favour and preventing the impending cloud from burſting upon our heads; hereby ſhall we recommend ourſelves to the preſent age, and endear our memories to ſucceeding generations.

[Let us convince the world that our right hand ſhall ſooner forget her cunning, or our tongue cleave to the roof of our mouth, than we will forget this our Jeruſalem, and prefer to her our chief joy. Pſ. CXXXVII.6. This paragraph, inſerted between the bars, was more immediately addreſſed to the ſoldiers of the regiment; and founded upon a general apprehenſion that an enliſtment of a new army would be attended with difficulty. While the ſacred cauſe of liberty is ſo remarkably owned and bleſſed, and its enemies as remarkably frowned upon, and whilſt "victory waits for our graſping," let us not meanly forſake the former, or turn a deaf ear to the inviting ſolicitations of the latter: But let us remember that the voice of our friends and country, and above them, the voice of God, is calling us to maintain our ground till our enemies either fall before us, or leave us to a quiet and peaceable enjoyment of the bounties of Providence. And let us not be diverted from an attentive regard to this our duty, by an apprehenſion of certain inconveniences which may occur under a new eſtabliſhment; conſidering that as the conteſt we are now engaged in, is ſingular and different from any other, ſo we muſt expect ſome unavoidable incidents; though trifling when put in a balance with peace and liberty, without which life would be an intolerable burden.]

Finally, ſeeing our help muſt come from above, let us pour out our ſouls in language ſimilar to that of the Pſalmiſt, and of Jacob in the text; "O God of our fathers, who in the times of old didſt drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedſt them; by whoſe right hand, by whoſe arm, and by the light of whoſe countenance they were ſupported; thou art our king, O God. We are not worthy of the leaſt of all the mercies and of all the truth which thou haſt ſhewed unto thy ſervants, for we have riſen from the ſmalleſt beginnings, have been cheriſhed, ſupported and greatly enlarged by thy hand; but few paſſed over to this land, and attended with very few of the conveniences of life, and now we are become many bands. Deliver us, we pray thee, from the hand of our brethren, for they have come and ſmote us."

"Awake, why ſleepeſt thou O Lord? Ariſe, caſt us not off forever. Wherefore hideſt thou thy face and forgetteſt our affliction and our oppreſſion? For our ſoul is bowed down to the duſt; ariſe for our help, and redeem us for thy mercy's ſake. Thou haſt ſaved us from our enemies, and haſt put them to ſhame that hated us. We will not therefore truſt in our own bow, neither ſhall our ſword ſave us. But in thee we boaſt all the day long, and praiſe thy name forever."