A sermon preached before the Honourable House of Commons, on Wednesday the 11th of December, 1695 being a solemn day of fasting and humiliation, appointed by His Majesty, for imploring the blessing of Almighty God upon the consultations of this present Parliament / by John Williams ...
         Williams, John, 1636?-1709.
      
       
         
           1695
        
      
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             A sermon preached before the Honourable House of Commons, on Wednesday the 11th of December, 1695 being a solemn day of fasting and humiliation, appointed by His Majesty, for imploring the blessing of Almighty God upon the consultations of this present Parliament / by John Williams ...
             Williams, John, 1636?-1709.
          
           36 p.
           
             Printed for Ri. Chiswell, and Tho. Cockerill ...,
             London :
             1695.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Church of England -- Sermons.
           Fast-day sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           Dr.
           
           WILLIAMS's
           FAST-SERMON
           Preach'd
           before
           the
           House
           of
           COMMONS
           ,
           On
           Wednesday
           the
           11th
           of
           December
           ,
           1695.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           
             
               Jovis
               12.
               
               Die
               Decemb.
               1695.
               
            
          
        
         
           ORdered
           ,
           That
           the
           Thanks
           of
           this
           House
           be
           given
           to
           Dr.
           Williams
           for
           the
           Sermon
           by
           him
           Preach'd
           before
           this
           House
           Yesterday
           at
           St.
           
             Margarets
             Westminster
          
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           be
           desired
           to
           Print
           the
           same
           .
           And
           that
           Sir
           
             Robert
             Cotton
          
           do
           acquaint
           him
           therewith
           .
        
         
           
             PAUL
             JODREL
             .
             Cler.
             Dom.
             Com.
             
          
        
      
       
         
         
           A
           SERMON
           Preached
           before
           the
           HONOURABLE
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           ON
           Wednesday
           the
           11th
           of
           December
           ,
           1695.
           
           BEING
           A
           Solemn
           Day
           of
           Fasting
           and
           Humiliation
           ,
           Appointed
           by
           His
           MAJESTY
           ,
           For
           imploring
           the
           Blessing
           of
           Almighty
           God
           upon
           the
           Consultations
           of
           this
           Present
           Parliament
           .
           By
           JOHN
           WILLIAMS
           ,
           D.
           D.
           Chaplain
           in
           Ordinary
           to
           His
           MAJESTY
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           Ri.
           Chiswell
           ,
           and
           Tho.
           Cockerill
           ,
           Sen
           r
           and
           Jun
           r
           ;
           at
           the
           Rose
           and
           Crown
           in
           St.
           Paul
           s
           Church-Yard
           ;
           and
           at
           the
           
             Three
             Legs
          
           in
           the
           Poultrey
           .
           M
           DC
           XC
           V.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           SERMON
           Preach'd
           before
           the
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             1
             SAM
             .
             II.
             30.
             
          
           
             Them
             that
             honour
             me
             ,
             I
             will
             honour
             ;
             and
             they
             that
             despise
             me
             ,
             shall
             be
             lightly
             esteemed
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           Words
           of
           the
           Text
           are
           a
           general
           Proposition
           ,
           but
           made
           use
           of
           as
           a
           reason
           to
           justify
           the
           Severity
           of
           the
           Threatning
           here
           denounced
           by
           a
           Prophet
           against
           the
           House
           and
           Family
           of
           Eli
           ;
           whose
           Sons
           at
           that
           time
           executed
           the
           Priests
           Office
           under
           him
           at
           Shiloh
           :
           Of
           whom
           ,
           and
           their
           case
           ,
           it
           is
           requisite
           to
           give
           some
           account
           ,
           
           as
           an
           Exemplification
           of
           the
           Text
           ,
           and
           what
           may
           serve
           also
           as
           a
           Comment
           on
           it
           .
        
         
           Eli
           ,
           that
           was
           then
           High
           Priest
           ,
           was
           a
           Descendant
           of
           Ithamar
           the
           Younger
           Son
           of
           Aaron
           ;
           but
           how
           the
           Succession
           came
           to
           be
           alter'd
           ,
           which
           from
           
           Aaron's
           death
           had
           probably
           continued
           for
           
           Seven
           Generations
           in
           the
           Line
           of
           Eleazar
           the
           Elder
           Brother
           ,
           the
           Scripture
           is
           silent
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           nothing
           to
           be
           collected
           from
           thence
           to
           
           Eli's
           disadvantage
           and
           disparagement
           ,
           in
           the
           double
           charge
           he
           Officiated
           in
           ,
           whether
           as
           a
           
           Judge
           ,
           in
           which
           Station
           he
           was
           for
           Forty
           Years
           together
           ,
           or
           as
           the
           High
           Priest
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           not
           a
           Syllable
           that
           charges
           him
           with
           Intrusion
           any
           more
           into
           the
           Priesthood
           ,
           than
           into
           the
           Judicature
           .
        
         
           
           There
           was
           in
           being
           at
           that
           time
           a
           Meraioth
           or
           an
           Amariath
           ,
           one
           of
           the
           Family
           of
           Eleazar
           ,
           and
           the
           next
           in
           Blood
           and
           pretence
           too
           ,
           if
           a
           direct
           Succession
           were
           inviolably
           to
           be
           observed
           ,
           and
           yet
           it
           is
           no
           where
           imputed
           to
           Eli
           that
           he
           invaded
           or
           was
           possess'd
           of
           another's
           Right
           ;
           nor
           is
           it
           said
           that
           any
           did
           
             abhor
             the
             offering
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           for
           that
           reason
           ,
           as
           they
           
           did
           for
           another
           .
        
         
           No!
           There
           we
           find
           Elkanah
           and
           Hannah
           (
           and
           without
           doubt
           those
           pious
           Persons
           were
           not
           
           alone
           )
           repairing
           to
           the
           Tabernacle
           at
           the
           appointed
           Seasons
           ,
           and
           applying
           themselves
           to
           him
           as
           
           God's
           Minister
           ,
           and
           the
           Director
           of
           the
           Publick
           Service
           .
        
         
           
             To
             him
             ,
             and
             his
             Sons
             ,
             were
             they
             wont
             to
             bring
             their
             Offerings
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             expresly
             said
             there
             ,
          
           v.
           3.
           
           When
           Elkanah
           went
           up
           out
           of
           his
           city
           yearly
           to
           worship
           ,
           and
           to
           sacrifice
           unto
           the
           Lord
           of
           Hosts
           in
           Shiloh
           ;
           the
           two
           sons
           of
           Eli
           ,
           Hophni
           and
           Phineas
           ,
           the
           priests
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           were
           there
           .
        
         
           Whence
           this
           Translation
           of
           the
           Priesthood
           ,
           from
           the
           Elder
           to
           the
           Younger
           House
           ,
           proceeded
           ;
           or
           when
           it
           was
           ,
           whether
           before
           ,
           or
           whether
           it
           began
           in
           Eli
           (
           as
           it
           is
           most
           probable
           )
           is
           not
           certain
           .
           It
           seems
           ,
           whenever
           it
           was
           ,
           to
           have
           been
           by
           God's
           approbation
           ,
           if
           not
           his
           immediate
           direction
           ;
           and
           that
           ,
           perhaps
           ,
           for
           some
           gross
           neglect
           ,
           or
           great
           Miscarriages
           ,
           or
           some
           incapacity
           on
           the
           other
           side
           :
           Or
           from
           the
           necessity
           of
           having
           such
           a
           Person
           in
           that
           Station
           in
           those
           perilous
           and
           uncertain
           Times
           ,
           as
           would
           by
           a
           wise
           and
           steady
           Hand
           ,
           and
           his
           prudent
           Conduct
           ,
           and
           above
           all
           ,
           by
           his
           Exemplary
           Piety
           and
           Vertue
           ,
           maintain
           the
           Honour
           and
           Dignity
           of
           the
           Priesthood
           ,
           and
           keep
           the
           People
           firm
           to
           their
           Religion
           ,
           under
           all
           the
           inclinations
           ,
           and
           too
           often
           prevailing
           inclinations
           to
           Idolatry
           .
        
         
         
           This
           seems
           to
           have
           been
           the
           state
           of
           Affairs
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           and
           the
           reason
           of
           
           Eli's
           introduction
           into
           the
           Priesthood
           .
        
         
           And
           because
           of
           the
           difficult
           Service
           he
           was
           to
           enter
           upon
           ,
           God
           encouraged
           him
           (
           as
           he
           was
           wont
           to
           do
           in
           great
           undertakings
           )
           by
           a
           particular
           promise
           of
           establishing
           his
           Posterity
           in
           that
           Sacred
           Function
           ;
           as
           the
           words
           immediately
           preceding
           the
           Text
           do
           intimate
           ;
           
             I
             said
             indeed
             that
             thy
             house
             ,
             and
             the
             house
             of
             thy
             father
             should
             walk
             before
             me
             for
             ever
             .
          
        
         
           Eli
           ,
           as
           to
           his
           own
           person
           ,
           and
           whilst
           in
           a
           condition
           ,
           seems
           to
           have
           answer'd
           this
           Character
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           acquitted
           himself
           worthy
           of
           the
           choice
           made
           of
           him
           ,
           in
           both
           capacities
           ,
           as
           a
           Priest
           ,
           and
           a
           Judge
           ;
           for
           during
           the
           whole
           time
           of
           his
           Administration
           ,
           the
           Times
           seem
           to
           have
           been
           quiet
           ,
           and
           the
           Nation
           in
           an
           orderly
           condition
           for
           about
           forty
           years
           together
           ;
           and
           accordingly
           it
           is
           pass'd
           over
           in
           silence
           in
           the
           Sacred
           Annals
           .
        
         
           
           But
           Eli
           grew
           superannuated
           ,
           being
           98
           years
           old
           ,
           and
           blind
           ,
           and
           uncapable
           of
           officiating
           in
           person
           at
           the
           Altar
           ;
           and
           so
           it
           fell
           to
           his
           Sons
           ,
           two
           dissolute
           Young
           Men
           ,
           that
           being
           from
           under
           their
           Father's
           Eye
           ,
           and
           possess'd
           of
           so
           large
           a
           power
           ,
           as
           from
           him
           devolved
           upon
           themselves
           ,
           
           set
           no
           bounds
           to
           their
           arbitrary
           and
           licentious
           Humours
           ,
           but
           broke
           through
           all
           the
           ties
           of
           Piety
           and
           Modesty
           ,
           treating
           the
           Institutions
           of
           their
           Religion
           with
           so
           prophane
           an
           Insolence
           ,
           that
           
             men
             abhor'd
             the
             offering
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           ;
           and
           so
           
           lewd
           were
           they
           in
           their
           Conversation
           ,
           that
           by
           their
           Example
           and
           Encouragement
           ,
           they
           made
           
           (
           as
           their
           Father
           tells
           them
           )
           
             the
             Lord's
             people
             to
             transgress
          
           .
        
         
           This
           was
           a
           Case
           too
           hard
           and
           perverse
           to
           cure
           by
           gentle
           means
           and
           calm
           reasoning
           ,
           the
           way
           used
           by
           their
           over-indulgent
           Father
           ,
           verse
           23
           ,
           24.
           therefore
           it
           was
           time
           for
           God
           to
           appear
           to
           threaten
           and
           to
           punish
           :
           'T
           is
           time
           then
           for
           him
           to
           reverse
           his
           own
           Laws
           ,
           to
           cancel
           his
           Promises
           ,
           and
           recal
           his
           Favours
           which
           were
           so
           ungratefully
           and
           impiously
           abused
           ;
           so
           it
           is
           represented
           in
           this
           
             verse
             ,
             Wherefore
             the
             Lord
             God
             of
             Israel
             saith
             ,
             I
             said
             indeed
             ,
             that
             thy
             house
             ,
             and
             the
             house
             of
             thy
             fathers
             ,
             should
             walk
             before
             me
             for
             ever
             :
             but
             now
             the
             Lord
             saith
             ,
             Be
             it
             far
             from
             me
             :
             For
             them
             that
             honour
             me
             ,
             I
             will
             honour
             ;
             and
             they
             that
             despise
             me
             ,
             shall
             be
             lightly
             esteemed
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           I
           shall
           Treat
           of
           these
           Words
           by
           themselves
           as
           a
           general
           Proposition
           ,
           and
           as
           containing
           
           several
           important
           Truths
           ,
           and
           that
           are
           worthy
           of
           our
           most
           serious
           Consideration
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           shall
           Treat
           of
           them
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           Context
           ,
           and
           make
           use
           of
           them
           by
           way
           of
           Application
           to
           the
           occasion
           .
        
         
           Before
           I
           proceed
           to
           which
           ,
           give
           me
           leave
           to
           observe
           ,
           That
           though
           it
           is
           in
           the
           power
           of
           every
           man
           ,
           more
           or
           less
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           it
           is
           his
           Duty
           ,
           to
           honour
           God
           by
           his
           Words
           and
           Actions
           ,
           by
           the
           Obedience
           he
           gives
           to
           his
           Laws
           ,
           and
           the
           Acknowledgments
           he
           makes
           of
           his
           Providence
           ,
           by
           the
           regard
           he
           pays
           to
           the
           Sacred
           Offices
           and
           Institutions
           of
           Religion
           ;
           yet
           that
           this
           more
           especially
           belongs
           to
           those
           that
           are
           in
           a
           more
           eminent
           Station
           ,
           and
           have
           greater
           advantages
           and
           opportunities
           for
           doing
           Good
           ,
           than
           others
           ,
           by
           their
           Authority
           ,
           Power
           ,
           and
           Example
           .
           Of
           these
           it
           's
           said
           ,
           that
           if
           they
           then
           
             Honour
             God
          
           ,
           and
           lay
           out
           themselves
           ,
           and
           use
           their
           utmost
           Endeavours
           for
           promoting
           his
           Religion
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           he
           will
           then
           Honour
           them
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           will
           shew
           himself
           to
           be
           their
           God
           ,
           by
           supporting
           them
           under
           all
           the
           discouragements
           they
           meet
           with
           ,
           by
           directing
           them
           to
           the
           most
           proper
           methods
           ,
           and
           giving
           success
           to
           all
           their
           endeavours
           ;
           by
           raising
           them
           a
           just
           esteem
           ,
           and
           making
           even
           their
           Enemies
           to
           be
           at
           peace
           with
           them
           ;
           and
           by
           a
           
           thousand
           other
           ways
           ,
           that
           good
           and
           worthy
           Persons
           have
           the
           comfortable
           experience
           of
           in
           the
           faithful
           discharge
           of
           their
           Duty
           toward
           God
           and
           Men.
           To
           these
           the
           words
           (
           as
           they
           are
           before
           us
           )
           do
           more
           especially
           belong
           ,
           
             Them
             that
             honour
             me
             ,
             I
             will
             honour
             .
          
           Of
           which
           I
           shall
           treat
           first
           of
           all
           ,
           as
           a
           Proposition
           in
           general
           ,
           and
           by
           it self
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           I
           shall
           treat
           of
           the
           Words
           by
           themselves
           ,
           
             Them
             that
             honour
             me
             ,
             I
             will
             honour
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Honour
           due
           to
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           is
           founded
           upon
           the
           same
           reason
           as
           his
           Being
           ;
           and
           by
           the
           same
           Arguments
           and
           ways
           that
           we
           know
           him
           to
           be
           ,
           by
           the
           same
           is
           he
           concluded
           to
           be
           of
           Infinite
           Power
           and
           Wisdom
           ,
           and
           indued
           with
           all
           those
           Perfections
           which
           make
           him
           to
           be
           God
           ,
           are
           peculiar
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           do
           distinguish
           him
           from
           all
           other
           Beings
           besides
           ;
           and
           for
           that
           reason
           we
           can
           no
           more
           be
           wanting
           in
           the
           Honour
           due
           to
           such
           a
           Being
           ,
           than
           we
           can
           suppose
           him
           not
           to
           be
           ,
           or
           not
           endued
           with
           those
           glorious
           Perfections
           that
           unalienably
           belong
           to
           his
           Nature
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           if
           we
           did
           not
           understand
           the
           depravation
           of
           human
           Nature
           ,
           nor
           had
           any
           experience
           of
           the
           state
           and
           inclinations
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           we
           might
           well
           suppose
           that
           we
           should
           find
           the
           whole
           World
           a
           Temple
           ,
           and
           all
           Mankind
           ,
           in
           
           Fact
           ,
           agreeing
           in
           a
           constant
           Adoration
           and
           Honour
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           they
           do
           in
           the
           Belief
           of
           Him.
           
        
         
           For
           who
           can
           consider
           the
           wonderful
           Power
           and
           Wisdom
           shining
           through
           the
           Works
           of
           the
           visible
           Creation
           ,
           without
           the
           profoundest
           Reverence
           for
           their
           Great
           and
           Almighty
           Creator
           ?
        
         
           Who
           can
           Contemplate
           his
           Goodness
           and
           his
           Mercy
           ,
           his
           Mercy
           to
           the
           worst
           ,
           and
           his
           Beneficence
           to
           all
           ;
           his
           readiness
           to
           Give
           what
           we
           Want
           ,
           and
           to
           Forgive
           when
           we
           have
           Offended
           ;
           but
           must
           express
           his
           sense
           of
           it
           by
           an
           humble
           Love
           to
           his
           Gracious
           Benefactor
           ,
           and
           a
           hearty
           desire
           of
           being
           Conformable
           to
           him
           in
           the
           like
           Divine
           Temper
           ?
        
         
           Who
           can
           consider
           God's
           Government
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           his
           constant
           Preservation
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           an
           Order
           amongst
           them
           under
           all
           Vicissitudes
           and
           Changes
           ,
           which
           like
           an
           Earthquake
           tear
           up
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           the
           foundations
           of
           Kingdoms
           ;
           but
           must
           own
           his
           and
           the
           World's
           Preserver
           by
           his
           Prayers
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           a
           Dependance
           upon
           him
           ?
        
         
           Who
           that
           considers
           the
           Equity
           and
           Perfection
           of
           the
           Divine
           Law
           ,
           how
           suitable
           to
           the
           Nature
           ,
           Reason
           ,
           and
           Condition
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           but
           must
           testifie
           his
           regard
           to
           it
           by
           a
           ready
           and
           chearful
           Obedience
           ?
        
         
         
           Who
           can
           reflect
           upon
           the
           Preservation
           of
           a
           Church
           (
           the
           Conservator
           of
           Divine
           Truth
           )
           under
           all
           the
           opposition
           it
           has
           met
           with
           from
           the
           fury
           of
           Bad
           men
           ,
           and
           the
           malice
           and
           craft
           of
           evil
           Spirits
           ,
           that
           with
           one
           consent
           have
           been
           Confederates
           against
           it
           ;
           but
           must
           acknowledge
           the
           watchful
           Providence
           that
           presides
           over
           it
           ,
           and
           which
           has
           made
           even
           the
           Blood
           of
           its
           Martyrs
           ,
           and
           the
           Sufferings
           of
           its
           Confessors
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           Seed
           of
           the
           Church
           ?
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           Who
           is
           there
           that
           has
           made
           any
           observation
           of
           himself
           ,
           and
           look'd
           into
           the
           Circumstances
           of
           his
           Life
           in
           the
           various
           Scenes
           of
           it
           ,
           of
           Youth
           and
           Manhood
           ,
           of
           Prosperity
           and
           Adversity
           ,
           of
           Health
           and
           Sickness
           ,
           of
           Success
           and
           Disappointments
           ,
           of
           the
           Mistakes
           and
           Miscarriages
           when
           he
           has
           trusted
           to
           his
           own
           Wisdom
           and
           Conduct
           ▪
           ,
           and
           the
           wonderful
           turn
           of
           Affairs
           to
           his
           advantage
           ,
           when
           he
           often
           least
           thought
           and
           expected
           ;
           but
           must
           own
           a
           Cause
           superiour
           to
           himself
           ,
           and
           his
           obligations
           to
           this
           Almighty
           Power
           ?
        
         
           These
           are
           Considerations
           lie
           open
           to
           every
           man's
           eye
           ;
           and
           ,
           in
           reason
           ,
           we
           might
           as
           soon
           find
           so
           many
           Infidels
           and
           Atheists
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           as
           any
           Contemners
           of
           the
           Most
           High.
           
        
         
           Surely
           there
           is
           no
           need
           of
           any
           other
           Arguments
           than
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           thing
           to
           induce
           us
           
           to
           honour
           our
           Creator
           ,
           Preserver
           and
           Benefactor
           ;
           and
           so
           the
           Text
           may
           seem
           to
           be
           in
           vain
           ,
           when
           't
           is
           said
           by
           way
           of
           Argument
           ,
           
             Them
             that
             honour
             me
             ,
             I
             will
             honour
             .
          
           What
           need
           is
           there
           of
           this
           Doctrine
           ?
           What
           need
           of
           any
           Rewards
           proposed
           and
           promised
           ,
           any
           more
           to
           provoke
           ,
           encourage
           and
           oblige
           us
           to
           honour
           God
           ,
           than
           to
           love
           our selves
           ?
           Since
           the
           same
           reason
           that
           will
           direct
           us
           to
           the
           one
           ,
           will
           also
           direct
           us
           to
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           Surely
           then
           there
           cannot
           be
           an
           instance
           given
           of
           so
           hateful
           a
           Creature
           as
           the
           other
           part
           of
           the
           Text
           supposes
           ,
           of
           one
           that
           despises
           God
           ,
           no
           more
           than
           of
           one
           that
           denies
           him
           :
           And
           if
           such
           an
           one
           there
           were
           ,
           it
           may
           reasonably
           be
           supposed
           the
           whole
           World
           would
           with
           one
           mouth
           condemn
           him
           ,
           and
           cast
           him
           out
           of
           their
           Communion
           .
        
         
           But
           it
           was
           not
           in
           that
           Age
           alone
           that
           there
           were
           such
           Hophni's
           and
           Phineas's
           ,
           such
           
             Sons
             of
          
           
           Belial
           ,
           that
           
             knew
             not
             the
             Lord
          
           ;
           and
           such
           among
           the
           People
           that
           
             abhorred
             the
             Offering
          
           ,
           and
           that
           despised
           the
           Divine
           Institutions
           .
        
         
           It
           has
           been
           too
           much
           the
           Vice
           of
           most
           Ages
           ;
           and
           I
           wish
           I
           could
           say
           ,
           that
           this
           in
           which
           we
           live
           ,
           were
           among
           those
           that
           are
           to
           be
           excepted
           :
           For
           then
           ,
           whatever
           need
           there
           were
           of
           this
           Doctrine
           
           in
           a
           degenerate
           Age
           and
           Nation
           ,
           there
           would
           be
           no
           need
           of
           it
           in
           ours
           .
        
         
           But
           though
           ,
           blessed
           be
           God
           ,
           we
           are
           not
           arriv'd
           to
           that
           prodigious
           state
           of
           Impiety
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Offerings
           to
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           publick
           Offices
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           are
           not
           so
           prophaned
           ,
           as
           among
           the
           Israelites
           at
           that
           time
           ;
           but
           are
           maintained
           ,
           generally
           speaking
           ,
           by
           the
           Guardians
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           the
           Governors
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           by
           the
           Laws
           and
           Established
           Order
           :
           Yet
           we
           may
           find
           too
           much
           of
           that
           Impiety
           insinuating
           it self
           among
           us
           ;
           and
           work
           enough
           for
           all
           concerned
           in
           the
           government
           of
           Church
           and
           State
           to
           provide
           against
           .
           And
           therefore
           that
           the
           Argument
           of
           the
           Text
           is
           fit
           to
           be
           insisted
           upon
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           shall
           refer
           the
           treating
           of
           it
           in
           this
           way
           to
           the
           Second
           General
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           mean
           time
           ,
           as
           the
           words
           lie
           before
           us
           ,
           we
           may
           collect
           from
           them
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           Religion
           and
           the
           Civil
           Interest
           are
           closely
           connected
           :
           The
           honouring
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           God's
           honouring
           those
           that
           thus
           honour
           him
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           Religion
           is
           in
           the
           first
           place
           to
           be
           taken
           into
           consideration
           :
           First
           honour
           God
           ,
           and
           then
           God
           will
           honour
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           According
           as
           Religion
           is
           encouraged
           ,
           and
           
           God
           thereby
           honoured
           ,
           may
           we
           judge
           concerning
           the
           state
           of
           Persons
           or
           Nations
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Religion
           and
           the
           Civil
           Interest
           are
           closely
           connected
           .
        
         
           It
           was
           strictly
           so
           among
           the
           Jews
           ,
           whose
           Government
           was
           a
           Theocracy
           ,
           the
           Constitution
           of
           God's
           sole
           Contrivance
           ,
           and
           his
           immediate
           Establishment
           ;
           so
           that
           they
           could
           not
           admit
           of
           any
           alteration
           ,
           or
           revocation
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           same
           Divine
           Authority
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           Land
           being
           then
           of
           God's
           own
           Institution
           ,
           there
           was
           a
           peculiar
           Providence
           and
           Blessing
           that
           was
           connected
           to
           their
           Obedience
           by
           a
           Divine
           Promise
           :
           And
           by
           this
           they
           were
           eminently
           distinguished
           from
           other
           Nations
           .
        
         
           But
           though
           it
           was
           thus
           with
           them
           after
           an
           especial
           manner
           ,
           yet
           the
           whole
           World
           always
           was
           ,
           and
           ever
           will
           be
           under
           the
           government
           of
           God's
           Providence
           ;
           and
           the
           same
           general
           Reasons
           are
           there
           for
           it
           over
           the
           face
           of
           the
           Earth
           .
           It
           being
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           in
           Government
           amongst
           Men
           ,
           which
           however
           it
           varies
           ,
           whether
           a
           Monarchy
           ,
           Aristocracy
           or
           Democracy
           ,
           has
           the
           same
           foundation
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           Ends
           to
           pursue
           ;
           which
           are
           the
           determining
           and
           securing
           mens
           Rights
           ,
           the
           impartial
           administration
           of
           Justice
           ,
           
           and
           the
           preservation
           of
           the
           Publick
           Peace
           and
           Order
           .
        
         
           And
           howsoever
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           may
           vary
           in
           its
           motions
           ,
           now
           turning
           it self
           this
           way
           ,
           and
           then
           another
           ;
           yet
           there
           are
           immoveable
           Reasons
           upon
           which
           it
           always
           proceeds
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           Blessing
           of
           God
           ;
           our
           honouring
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           his
           honouring
           of
           us
           ,
           in
           conjunction
           and
           co-operation
           .
        
         
           For
           Religion
           will
           stand
           to
           the
           World's
           end
           ,
           whatever
           become
           of
           particular
           Persons
           and
           Governments
           :
           As
           the
           Earth
           will
           abide
           for
           ever
           ,
           though
           the
           Inhabitants
           of
           one
           Age
           give
           way
           to
           another
           ;
           though
           Rivers
           change
           their
           course
           ,
           and
           Mountains
           their
           station
           .
           And
           't
           is
           Religion
           that
           gives
           the
           surest
           establishment
           ,
           and
           infuses
           a
           new
           life
           into
           a
           Nation
           ,
           or
           a
           Cause
           ,
           when
           it
           seems
           to
           be
           upon
           point
           of
           expiring
           ;
           for
           that
           engages
           Providence
           on
           its
           side
           ;
           and
           then
           they
           have
           in
           reality
           what
           the
           Heathens
           had
           in
           imagination
           only
           ,
           when
           they
           fought
           ,
           as
           they
           conceived
           ,
           against
           poor
           Mortals
           ,
           with
           the
           advantage
           of
           having
           their
           gods
           concerned
           in
           their
           quarrel
           .
        
         
           While
           Mortals
           engage
           with
           Mortals
           only
           ,
           there
           is
           the
           like
           Force
           to
           defend
           ,
           as
           to
           assault
           ;
           and
           the
           success
           depends
           upon
           the
           greater
           Numbers
           ,
           
           the
           inbred
           Courage
           of
           the
           Soldiery
           ,
           the
           Conduct
           of
           the
           Commander
           ,
           or
           some
           fortunate
           Accident
           :
           And
           the
           last
           sometimes
           has
           the
           advantage
           of
           all
           the
           rest
           ,
           and
           is
           instead
           of
           Numbers
           ,
           Conduct
           ,
           or
           Courage
           ;
           so
           that
           as
           Solomon
           observes
           ,
           The
           battel
           is
           no
           more
           
             to
             the
             strong
          
           ,
           than
           the
           race
           is
           always
           to
           the
           swift
           ,
           Eccles
           .
           9.
           11.
           
        
         
           But
           now
           when
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           comes
           to
           be
           concerned
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           what
           the
           Number
           ,
           or
           the
           Courage
           ,
           or
           the
           Conduct
           ,
           nay
           or
           Accidents
           ,
           are
           on
           the
           adverse
           side
           :
           Because
           that
           's
           all
           in
           it self
           ,
           and
           becomes
           all
           whereever
           it
           is
           .
        
         
           
             And
             there
             it
             will
             be
             ,
             where
             the
             Honour
             of
             God
             and
             Religion
             is
             concerned
             .
             This
             was
             it
             that
             inspired
          
           David
           
             with
             an
             undaunted
             Resolution
          
           ;
           Thou
           comest
           to
           me
           with
           a
           sword
           ,
           and
           with
           a
           spear
           ,
           and
           with
           a
           shield
           ;
           but
           I
           come
           to
           thee
           in
           the
           name
           of
           the
           Lord
           of
           hosts
           ,
           whom
           thou
           hast
           defied
           ,
           
             1
             Sam.
             17.
             45.
          
           
        
         
           And
           these
           are
           no
           more
           to
           be
           separated
           ,
           than
           the
           Soul
           and
           the
           Body
           ;
           for
           if
           we
           once
           with
           Goliah
           defy
           ,
           or
           to
           speak
           in
           milder
           terms
           ,
           neglect
           or
           despise
           Religion
           ,
           and
           have
           no
           regard
           to
           the
           Honour
           of
           God
           in
           our
           Consultations
           and
           Resolutions
           ,
           our
           Affairs
           and
           Proceedings
           ,
           we
           are
           upon
           the
           brink
           of
           destruction
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           are
           preserv'd
           ,
           and
           become
           successful
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           for
           our
           own
           sakes
           ,
           but
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           others
           ,
           or
           some
           
           further
           design
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           has
           in
           reserve
           for
           us
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           a
           vast
           difference
           between
           what
           is
           done
           by
           Divine
           Providence
           for
           our
           own
           sakes
           ,
           and
           what
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           others
           ,
           or
           for
           other
           Reasons
           than
           what
           appear
           ,
           and
           what
           are
           unknown
           at
           present
           to
           us
           .
           If
           for
           our
           own
           sakes
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           ,
           when
           grounded
           upon
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           Honour
           we
           pay
           to
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           it
           will
           then
           continue
           ,
           and
           last
           as
           long
           as
           the
           Reason
           lasts
           upon
           which
           it
           stands
           .
           But
           if
           it
           be
           for
           other
           Reasons
           that
           we
           succeed
           in
           a
           Design
           ,
           and
           not
           for
           our
           own
           sakes
           ;
           then
           when
           the
           Reasons
           cease
           ,
           our
           assistance
           that
           we
           had
           from
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           ceases
           with
           it
           .
           Thus
           it
           was
           with
           the
           haughty
           Assyrian
           ,
           who
           prosper'd
           in
           his
           Invasion
           of
           Judea
           ,
           not
           as
           he
           himself
           thought
           ,
           by
           the
           wisdom
           of
           his
           own
           Counsel
           ,
           and
           the
           mere
           force
           of
           his
           Arms
           ;
           but
           as
           he
           was
           
             the
             rod
             of
             God's
             Anger
          
           ,
           and
           sent
           by
           his
           special
           Commission
           
             against
             that
             hypocritical
             Nation
          
           .
           But
           that
           Service
           ended
           ,
           there
           was
           a
           stop
           put
           to
           his
           Victory
           ,
           and
           he
           soon
           fell
           under
           the
           like
           Calamity
           ;
           As
           it
           follows
           ,
           
             When
             the
             Lord
             hath
             performed
             his
             whole
             work
             on
             Mount
             Zion
             ,
             I
             will
             punish
             the
             fruit
             of
             the
             stout
             heart
             of
             the
             king
             of
             Assyria
             ,
             and
             the
             glory
             of
             his
             high
             looks
             ,
          
           Isa
           .
           10.
           5
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
         
           In
           which
           Case
           Prosperity
           and
           Success
           may
           be
           so
           far
           from
           being
           a
           Blessing
           ,
           that
           it
           becomes
           a
           Curse
           ;
           and
           often
           Men
           are
           thereby
           made
           but
           Instruments
           of
           mischief
           to
           each
           other
           ,
           and
           the
           Assyrian
           is
           conquer'd
           by
           the
           Babylonian
           ,
           the
           Babylonian
           by
           the
           Persian
           ,
           the
           Persian
           by
           the
           Grecian
           ;
           and
           the
           Grecian
           after
           a
           little
           time
           dies
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           upon
           the
           spot
           ;
           and
           the
           Power
           ,
           which
           when
           intire
           ,
           was
           confiderable
           ,
           broke
           and
           crumbled
           into
           numerous
           Kingdoms
           ,
           and
           came
           to
           nothing
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           it
           has
           been
           throughout
           the
           World
           from
           the
           time
           of
           the
           
             mighty
             hunter
             Nimrod
          
           ,
           to
           the
           present
           Age
           ;
           when
           it
           has
           been
           a
           mere
           humane
           World
           ,
           subsisting
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           by
           it self
           ,
           and
           managed
           by
           the
           Policy
           ,
           and
           too
           often
           by
           the
           Passions
           and
           Vices
           of
           Mankind
           ;
           by
           their
           Ambition
           and
           their
           Pride
           ,
           their
           Revenge
           and
           Cruelty
           ,
           the
           great
           Incentives
           and
           Boutefeus
           of
           the
           World.
           And
           thus
           there
           will
           be
           a
           circulation
           of
           rising
           and
           falling
           ,
           of
           punishing
           and
           being
           punished
           ;
           and
           like
           Billows
           of
           the
           Ocean
           ,
           of
           swallowing
           up
           ,
           and
           being
           swallowed
           up
           ,
           till
           the
           World's
           end
           ;
           whilst
           in
           this
           condition
           ,
           whilst
           acted
           and
           managed
           by
           the
           Interests
           of
           Men
           ,
           without
           respect
           had
           to
           a
           higher
           Cause
           ,
           and
           Principle
           ,
           viz.
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           Providence
           of
           God.
           But
           now
           if
           we
           consider
           the
           World
           as
           a
           compound
           State
           ,
           when
           
           there
           is
           as
           certain
           connexion
           between
           Religion
           and
           the
           State
           ,
           as
           between
           the
           Soul
           and
           the
           Body
           ;
           then
           there
           is
           another
           account
           to
           be
           given
           of
           things
           ,
           and
           a
           better
           State
           to
           be
           expected
           .
           The
           World
           is
           then
           as
           the
           Jewish
           State
           was
           ,
           a
           kind
           of
           Theocracy
           ,
           God
           is
           the
           Governor
           ,
           and
           Religion
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           the
           Soul
           of
           it
           :
           And
           then
           it
           is
           that
           God
           becomes
           their
           Patron
           ,
           and
           his
           Providence
           their
           security
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           without
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           ,
           we
           are
           neither
           secure
           of
           what
           we
           have
           ,
           nor
           can
           be
           sure
           of
           success
           in
           what
           we
           pretend
           to
           .
           It
           is
           there
           only
           that
           we
           are
           safe
           ,
           by
           that
           only
           we
           can
           hope
           to
           succeed
           .
           And
           therefore
           as
           there
           cannot
           be
           a
           more
           comfortless
           prospect
           in
           view
           ,
           than
           to
           take
           a
           cause
           in
           hand
           ,
           where
           we
           cannot
           promise
           to
           our selves
           that
           assistance
           ;
           so
           there
           cannot
           be
           a
           greater
           or
           more
           dangerous
           error
           committed
           in
           the
           conduct
           of
           Affairs
           ,
           than
           to
           leave
           that
           out
           of
           our
           consideration
           ,
           and
           to
           separate
           those
           two
           Interests
           of
           Religion
           and
           Civil
           Affairs
           ,
           which
           God
           hath
           so
           advantageously
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Good
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           joyned
           together
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           As
           these
           Two
           are
           thus
           to
           be
           connected
           ,
           so
           Religion
           is
           to
           have
           the
           preference
           :
           
             Them
             that
             honour
             me
             ,
             I
             will
             honour
             .
          
        
         
         
           Second
           Causes
           have
           this
           advantage
           of
           the
           first
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           visible
           ,
           and
           so
           sooner
           affect
           us
           than
           the
           Supreme
           ,
           who
           is
           invisible
           ;
           and
           therefore
           Mankind
           have
           been
           inclined
           to
           direct
           their
           expectations
           and
           endeavours
           another
           way
           .
           And
           as
           the
           Heathens
           ,
           for
           want
           of
           looking
           further
           ,
           made
           the
           most
           conspicuous
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           the
           meanest
           Creatures
           ,
           because
           present
           ,
           the
           Objects
           of
           their
           Adoration
           ;
           so
           when
           second
           Causes
           stare
           us
           in
           the
           face
           ,
           and
           we
           see
           how
           one
           moves
           another
           ,
           and
           from
           what
           immediate
           reasons
           the
           success
           of
           affairs
           doth
           arise
           ;
           we
           are
           apt
           to
           begin
           with
           them
           ,
           there
           to
           stay
           our
           hand
           and
           lodge
           our
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           depend
           upon
           their
           concourse
           and
           influence
           as
           if
           they
           all
           moved
           of
           and
           from
           themselves
           ,
           and
           there
           were
           no
           Superior
           Power
           ,
           no
           Invisible
           Agent
           ,
           that
           they
           had
           a
           relation
           to
           ,
           and
           dependance
           upon
           .
           Thus
           it
           was
           with
           them
           ,
           Isa
           .
           22.
           8.
           
           &c.
           They
           
             looked
             to
             the
             armour
             of
             the
             house
             of
             the
             forest
             ,
             made
             up
             the
             breaches
             ,
             gathered
             together
             the
             waters
             of
             the
             lower
             pool
             ,
             made
             a
             ditch
             for
             the
             old
             pool
             ;
             but
             ,
          
           saith
           God
           ,
           
             ye
             have
             not
             looked
             to
             the
             maker
             thereof
             .
          
        
         
           But
           this
           is
           an
           unpardonable
           oversight
           ,
           to
           begin
           thus
           at
           the
           wrong
           end
           ;
           as
           if
           because
           an
           Artificer
           uses
           a
           Pencil
           and
           Colours
           in
           the
           various
           Figures
           which
           he
           draws
           ,
           and
           sets
           off
           by
           his
           Skill
           
           to
           the
           greatest
           advantage
           ;
           that
           a
           Person
           should
           impute
           all
           to
           the
           Instruments
           the
           Artist
           uses
           and
           applaud
           their
           Skill
           ,
           and
           apply
           himself
           to
           them
           as
           the
           Operator
           ,
           and
           pass
           by
           the
           Painter
           ,
           upon
           whose
           Judgment
           they
           wholly
           depend
           in
           their
           Use
           and
           Operation
           .
        
         
           Much
           so
           do
           they
           that
           apply
           themselves
           to
           the
           next
           Causes
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Means
           (
           how
           proper
           and
           sufficient
           soever
           they
           are
           in
           their
           own
           nature
           to
           answer
           the
           design
           )
           to
           the
           neglect
           of
           Him
           who
           is
           the
           Supreme
           Cause
           ,
           and
           that
           gives
           Laws
           and
           Activity
           to
           all
           Inferior
           Agents
           ,
           and
           directs
           ,
           and
           over-rules
           ,
           and
           determines
           them
           as
           he
           pleases
           .
           An
           imprudence
           that
           no
           Person
           would
           be
           guilty
           of
           in
           any
           case
           besides
           .
           It
           is
           not
           to
           be
           denied
           but
           all
           these
           inferior
           Powers
           ,
           these
           second
           Causes
           ,
           these
           Instruments
           and
           Means
           ,
           may
           be
           and
           are
           very
           proper
           ,
           convenient
           ,
           and
           necessary
           in
           their
           place
           and
           order
           ;
           but
           to
           begin
           with
           them
           without
           asking
           leave
           ,
           and
           begging
           the
           Blessing
           of
           God
           in
           the
           use
           of
           them
           ;
           is
           of
           Inferior
           to
           make
           them
           Supreme
           ,
           of
           Instruments
           and
           Means
           ,
           to
           make
           them
           the
           Efficient
           ;
           and
           what
           therefore
           they
           may
           with
           the
           like
           Devotion
           ,
           as
           the
           Romans
           applied
           themselves
           to
           Fortune
           ,
           make
           the
           Objects
           of
           their
           Prayer
           .
        
         
           Prayer
           is
           somewhere
           due
           ,
           for
           we
           receive
           what
           
           we
           cannot
           of
           our selves
           procure
           ;
           we
           live
           as
           well
           as
           we
           begin
           to
           be
           ,
           by
           the
           like
           Power
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           enter
           upon
           our
           affairs
           under
           the
           influence
           only
           of
           our
           own
           wisdom
           and
           power
           ,
           we
           may
           as
           well
           pray
           to
           our selves
           ,
           as
           depend
           upon
           our selves
           ;
           since
           where
           our
           dependance
           is
           ,
           there
           are
           our
           devotions
           due
           .
           But
           how
           ridiculous
           would
           he
           appear
           ,
           that
           should
           thus
           adore
           himself
           ,
           and
           pray
           to
           himself
           ?
           A
           folly
           greater
           than
           that
           of
           Caligula
           ,
           who
           when
           he
           required
           others
           to
           own
           him
           for
           a
           god
           ,
           could
           not
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           think
           himself
           to
           be
           so
           .
           And
           yet
           this
           is
           a
           folly
           he
           must
           be
           guilty
           of
           that
           doth
           not
           in
           the
           first
           place
           own
           a
           God
           and
           a
           Providence
           ,
           in
           the
           guidance
           and
           conduct
           of
           human
           Affairs
           ;
           and
           darkly
           pursues
           them
           under
           the
           covert
           of
           a
           blind
           Chance
           ,
           or
           of
           a
           Wisdom
           of
           his
           own
           ,
           very
           often
           as
           blind
           as
           that
           .
        
         
           
             We
             are
             taught
             a
             wiser
             course
             ,
             and
             what
             will
             always
             hold
             and
             continue
             to
             be
             so
             ,
          
           Prov.
           
             3.
             5
             ,
             6.
          
           
           Trust
           in
           the
           Lord
           with
           all
           thine
           heart
           ;
           and
           lean
           not
           unto
           thine
           own
           understanding
           .
           In
           all
           thy
           ways
           acknowledge
           him
           ,
           and
           he
           shall
           direct
           thy
           paths
           .
           
             Or
             as
             it
             is
             here
          
           ;
           Them
           that
           honour
           me
           ,
           I
           will
           honour
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           According
           to
           the
           honour
           we
           give
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           regard
           shewn
           to
           Religion
           ,
           we
           may
           expect
           
           to
           be
           honoured
           by
           him
           ;
           such
           we
           may
           expect
           the
           Event
           will
           be
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           an
           easy
           thing
           to
           conceive
           that
           such
           the
           Event
           will
           be
           ,
           forasmuch
           as
           God
           Governs
           the
           World
           ;
           and
           when
           we
           lay
           things
           in
           their
           proper
           order
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           reason
           to
           think
           but
           that
           prosperity
           ,
           honour
           ,
           and
           success
           ,
           should
           attend
           those
           that
           honour
           God
           ;
           as
           heat
           and
           light
           do
           the
           Sun.
           And
           we
           may
           as
           well
           question
           ,
           whether
           it
           will
           be
           day
           when
           the
           Sun
           rises
           ;
           and
           whether
           it
           will
           be
           Summer
           with
           us
           when
           the
           Sun
           is
           in
           Cancer
           ;
           as
           whether
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           infinitely
           Good
           ,
           and
           has
           the
           Sovereign
           disposal
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           will
           not
           so
           Govern
           and
           Order
           ,
           as
           shall
           be
           for
           the
           Interest
           ,
           Good
           ,
           and
           Happiness
           ,
           of
           such
           as
           honour
           him
           .
        
         
           And
           yet
           if
           we
           draw
           near
           ,
           and
           view
           the
           case
           as
           it
           is
           often
           in
           Fact
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           it
           far
           different
           from
           what
           it
           is
           in
           Speculation
           .
        
         
           If
           indeed
           this
           were
           constantly
           so
           ,
           that
           those
           that
           honour
           God
           were
           always
           honoured
           by
           him
           with
           such
           peculiar
           marks
           of
           favour
           as
           distinguished
           them
           from
           others
           ,
           it
           would
           serve
           as
           a
           character
           by
           which
           the
           Good
           might
           be
           known
           from
           the
           Bad.
           But
           since
           nothing
           is
           more
           evident
           from
           common
           experience
           ,
           than
           that
           
             all
             things
          
           ,
           generally
           speaking
           ,
           
             come
             alike
             to
             all
          
           ;
           then
           those
           that
           do
           not
           honour
           God
           ,
           may
           
           fare
           alike
           with
           such
           as
           do
           ;
           and
           those
           that
           do
           honour
           him
           ,
           fare
           no
           better
           than
           those
           that
           do
           not
           ;
           and
           so
           the
           force
           of
           the
           Argument
           in
           the
           Text
           will
           be
           lost
           .
        
         
           But
           setting
           aside
           ,
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           what
           may
           be
           said
           in
           defence
           of
           the
           method
           of
           Divine
           Providence
           in
           such
           a
           seeming
           promiscuous
           dispensation
           of
           things
           (
           as
           the
           Wiseman
           speaks
           of
           )
           and
           the
           reconcileableness
           of
           the
           proposition
           in
           the
           Text
           to
           it
           ,
           as
           to
           particular
           persons
           ;
           we
           are
           to
           remember
           what
           has
           been
           already
           said
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           more
           especially
           to
           be
           applied
           to
           such
           Persons
           that
           are
           of
           eminent
           Character
           in
           respect
           of
           Quality
           ,
           or
           Office
           ;
           or
           for
           the
           advantages
           they
           have
           and
           improve
           to
           the
           honour
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           promoting
           of
           Religion
           .
           Such
           as
           these
           God
           doth
           honour
           in
           the
           eye
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           by
           Providences
           as
           extraordinary
           as
           their
           stations
           and
           improvements
           ,
           doth
           often
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           crown
           with
           success
           ,
           or
           a
           Blessing
           greater
           than
           that
           .
           So
           that
           even
           their
           disapointments
           shall
           be
           to
           their
           advantage
           ,
           their
           danger
           to
           their
           security
           ,
           and
           their
           fall
           ,
           if
           not
           to
           their
           after-advancement
           (
           as
           was
           the
           case
           of
           Job
           and
           Joseph
           )
           shall
           be
           ,
           however
           ,
           to
           their
           reputation
           and
           honour
           .
        
         
           Such
           as
           these
           that
           do
           good
           for
           goodness
           sake
           ,
           and
           that
           lay
           out
           themselves
           for
           the
           honour
           of
           
           God
           ,
           the
           service
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           therein
           for
           the
           publick
           Good
           ,
           are
           Benefactors
           to
           Mankind
           ;
           and
           had
           they
           lived
           among
           the
           Heathen
           ,
           who
           had
           no
           better
           ,
           they
           should
           have
           been
           taken
           into
           the
           Kalendar
           of
           their
           Gods
           :
           And
           surely
           such
           as
           these
           will
           God
           more
           especially
           regard
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           we
           raise
           the
           argument
           higher
           ,
           and
           apply
           it
           to
           Nations
           and
           Communities
           ,
           it
           improves
           in
           our
           hands
           ,
           and
           we
           have
           a
           noble
           Instance
           of
           this
           Truth
           .
           It
           must
           be
           granted
           ,
           that
           God
           that
           has
           a
           regard
           to
           the
           Flowers
           of
           the
           Field
           ,
           the
           Fowls
           of
           the
           Air
           ,
           and
           the
           Beasts
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           is
           as
           much
           more
           concerned
           in
           the
           Good
           ,
           Preservation
           ,
           and
           Happiness
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           as
           these
           in
           their
           Nature
           exceed
           the
           other
           ;
           but
           yet
           because
           we
           see
           not
           into
           all
           the
           Events
           and
           Circumstances
           relating
           to
           men
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           is
           a
           reserve
           for
           them
           in
           another
           ;
           we
           cannot
           so
           settle
           what
           relates
           to
           them
           ,
           but
           that
           we
           are
           forced
           to
           suspend
           ,
           and
           must
           acknowledge
           there
           are
           great
           difficulties
           ,
           and
           that
           must
           remain
           so
           to
           be
           ,
           till
           the
           whole
           comes
           to
           be
           disclosed
           .
           But
           now
           as
           to
           Men
           combined
           together
           in
           Societies
           ,
           the
           case
           is
           not
           so
           perplexed
           ;
           for
           there
           we
           may
           ,
           generally
           speaking
           ,
           observe
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           ,
           if
           a
           careful
           History
           of
           Acts
           and
           Events
           were
           preserved
           ,
           it
           would
           appear
           ,
           that
           God
           doth
           honour
           
           those
           Nations
           which
           honour
           him
           ;
           and
           that
           there
           is
           no
           People
           among
           whom
           ,
           as
           well
           by
           their
           Practice
           as
           Laws
           ,
           Virtue
           and
           Religion
           have
           been
           ,
           and
           are
           encouraged
           ,
           but
           has
           a
           suitable
           Blessing
           attending
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           eminently
           appearing
           in
           their
           behalf
           .
           Even
           among
           the
           Heathens
           this
           was
           both
           acknowledged
           and
           experimented
           .
           And
           if
           we
           will
           but
           take
           the
           pains
           to
           consider
           the
           periodical
           Revolutions
           among
           the
           Jews
           ,
           we
           should
           find
           all
           along
           through
           the
           course
           of
           that
           History
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           a
           continued
           Series
           and
           Narrative
           of
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           proceeding
           by
           this
           Rule
           :
           So
           that
           I
           am
           confident
           there
           cannot
           be
           one
           Instance
           given
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           that
           ever
           they
           were
           delivered
           up
           to
           their
           Enemies
           ,
           or
           had
           any
           great
           Misfortune
           befel
           them
           ,
           but
           what
           was
           brought
           upon
           them
           from
           some
           foregoing
           Apostacy
           ,
           and
           high
           Provocation
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           there
           be
           any
           thing
           wanting
           for
           the
           proof
           of
           this
           part
           (
           of
           God's
           honouring
           them
           that
           honour
           him
           (
           as
           surely
           there
           is
           not
           )
           yet
           there
           are
           Instances
           upon
           Instances
           on
           the
           other
           part
           ,
           that
           those
           
             that
             despise
          
           Religion
           ,
           
             shall
             be
             lightly
             esteemed
          
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           some
           Vices
           that
           in
           their
           own
           nature
           and
           apparent
           consequences
           root
           up
           Families
           ,
           make
           Nations
           effeminate
           ,
           and
           poor-spirited
           ,
           and
           render
           them
           an
           easy
           Prey
           to
           the
           bold
           Invader
           :
           
           As
           was
           evident
           in
           the
           declining
           Times
           of
           the
           Roman
           Empire
           ,
           declining
           in
           Vertue
           as
           well
           as
           Power
           ,
           and
           declining
           in
           Power
           ,
           because
           they
           declined
           in
           Vertue
           .
        
         
           But
           there
           are
           other
           Sins
           that
           have
           as
           bearing
           an
           influence
           in
           the
           Judgments
           that
           befal
           a
           Nation
           ,
           and
           especially
           a
           Nation
           in
           Covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           as
           a
           Church
           ,
           that
           deprives
           them
           of
           their
           best
           Defence
           ,
           the
           protection
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           exposes
           them
           to
           the
           worst
           of
           dangers
           ;
           and
           these
           Sins
           are
           a
           profane
           contempt
           or
           neglect
           of
           things
           Sacred
           .
        
         
           Of
           which
           we
           need
           seek
           no
           further
           for
           an
           Evidence
           than
           the
           times
           we
           are
           upon
           ,
           viz.
           of
           the
           Judges
           ;
           insomuch
           ,
           that
           during
           the
           450
           years
           of
           
           that
           Administration
           ,
           there
           were
           111
           of
           those
           years
           ,
           years
           of
           Oppression
           ;
           the
           reason
           of
           which
           is
           all
           along
           ascribed
           to
           their
           Apostacy
           from
           the
           True
           Religion
           ;
           and
           that
           therefore
           God
           strengthned
           
           their
           Adversaries
           ,
           and
           deliver'd
           and
           sold
           them
           into
           their
           hands
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           we
           descend
           lower
           ,
           and
           consider
           the
           Example
           set
           before
           us
           in
           this
           Chapter
           ,
           we
           have
           one
           Instance
           beyond
           all
           exception
           ,
           in
           the
           Family
           of
           Eli
           ;
           whose
           Sons
           Hophni
           and
           Phineas
           were
           both
           slain
           in
           one
           day
           ,
           the
           Ark
           taken
           ,
           and
           thereupon
           Shiloh
           ,
           which
           had
           been
           the
           place
           of
           its
           Residence
           
           for
           340
           years
           ,
           (
           if
           not
           more
           )
           left
           desolate
           .
        
         
         
           A
           Case
           so
           remarkable
           ,
           that
           in
           as
           degenerate
           an
           Age
           ,
           when
           they
           placed
           as
           much
           confidence
           in
           the
           Temple
           ,
           as
           these
           did
           in
           the
           Ark
           ,
           they
           are
           sent
           to
           this
           Monument
           of
           God's
           just
           Indignation
           for
           their
           confutation
           .
           Jer.
           7.
           4
           ,
           12.
           
           
             Go
             ye
             now
             unto
             my
             place
             which
             was
             in
             Shiloh
             ,
             where
             I
             set
             my
             name
             at
             the
             first
             ,
             and
             see
             what
             I
             did
             to
             it
             for
             the
             wickedness
             of
             my
             people
             Israel
             .
          
        
         
           And
           this
           we
           find
           to
           be
           the
           usual
           method
           of
           Divine
           Providence
           throughout
           the
           Book
           of
           God
           :
           That
           whilst
           Religion
           was
           maintained
           ,
           and
           the
           Hands
           of
           Moses
           held
           up
           ,
           the
           Jews
           prevailed
           against
           the
           Amalekites
           ,
           and
           prosper'd
           whithersoever
           they
           went
           :
           But
           if
           they
           fell
           ,
           and
           Religion
           declined
           ,
           that
           Contempt
           gave
           force
           and
           success
           to
           the
           Stratagems
           and
           Combinations
           of
           their
           Enemies
           .
           Then
           God
           will
           forsake
           his
           own
           Tabernacle
           ,
           
           and
           deliver
           up
           his
           strength
           into
           the
           hands
           of
           their
           Enemies
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           make
           them
           sensible
           ,
           that
           his
           Justice
           and
           his
           Word
           are
           greater
           than
           the
           Ark
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           be
           worshipped
           for
           his
           sake
           ;
           as
           Josephus
           
           expresseth
           it
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           in
           fine
           ,
           if
           we
           would
           make
           a
           just
           calculation
           of
           what
           is
           like
           to
           be
           the
           fate
           of
           a
           People
           ,
           whether
           to
           the
           better
           or
           the
           worse
           ,
           to
           the
           success
           or
           disappointment
           ,
           the
           safety
           or
           ruin
           of
           a
           Nation
           ,
           we
           need
           not
           have
           recourse
           to
           the
           Stars
           ,
           and
           the
           vain
           Pretences
           of
           a
           Delusive
           Art
           :
           But
           we
           may
           
           go
           no
           farther
           than
           to
           the
           state
           of
           it
           as
           to
           Religion
           and
           Vertue
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           ,
           or
           Vice
           and
           Impiety
           on
           the
           other
           ;
           and
           then
           without
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Prophecy
           we
           may
           come
           to
           a
           point
           ,
           and
           foretel
           how
           it
           shall
           be
           with
           them
           in
           the
           latter
           end
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           is
           a
           Subject
           fit
           for
           the
           serious
           Consideration
           of
           a
           People
           ,
           and
           especially
           at
           such
           a
           time
           as
           this
           ,
           when
           we
           are
           assembled
           together
           before
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           to
           implore
           his
           Blessing
           upon
           the
           Publick
           Counsels
           and
           Proceedings
           ,
           upon
           which
           the
           good
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           and
           the
           Fate
           of
           the
           Western
           part
           of
           Europe
           more
           especially
           ,
           doth
           depend
           .
           And
           this
           will
           lead
           us
           to
           the
           Second
           General
           ,
           which
           is
        
         
           II.
           To
           consider
           the
           Proposition
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           with
           relation
           to
           the
           Context
           ;
           and
           to
           the
           matter
           of
           Fact
           it
           is
           subjoyned
           to
           .
        
         
           We
           have
           a
           remarkable
           Instance
           of
           this
           before
           us
           in
           Eli
           ,
           who
           was
           (
           as
           aforesaid
           )
           as
           well
           a
           Judge
           as
           a
           Priest
           ,
           and
           established
           in
           both
           capacities
           ;
           that
           by
           this
           conjunction
           of
           two
           of
           the
           highest
           Offices
           in
           himself
           ,
           he
           might
           be
           in
           a
           capacity
           of
           recovering
           the
           pristine
           honour
           of
           Religion
           and
           the
           Nation
           ;
           which
           for
           a
           long
           time
           had
           been
           in
           a
           very
           declining
           state
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           untimely
           Fall
           of
           Sampson
           ,
           Eli's
           immediate
           Predecessor
           (
           as
           may
           be
           conceived
           )
           little
           less
           ▪
           than
           desperate
           ,
           in
           human
           appearance
           .
        
         
         
           Eli
           being
           thus
           invested
           with
           the
           Supreme
           Power
           and
           Authority
           ,
           had
           an
           opportunity
           for
           doing
           the
           greatest
           Good
           ,
           for
           Reforming
           matters
           in
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           and
           setling
           them
           upon
           a
           sure
           and
           lasting
           Foundation
           .
           In
           which
           ,
           how
           happily
           soever
           he
           succeeded
           for
           a
           time
           ,
           and
           so
           as
           to
           have
           the
           former
           part
           of
           the
           Text
           verified
           in
           him
           ,
           
             Them
             that
             honour
             me
             ,
             I
             will
             honour
          
           ;
           yet
           afterwards
           there
           followed
           so
           great
           disorders
           ,
           through
           the
           evil
           Practices
           of
           his
           Sons
           ,
           and
           his
           Indulgence
           to
           them
           ,
           that
           drew
           upon
           him
           as
           severe
           a
           Train
           of
           Judgments
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           threatning
           of
           the
           Prophet
           Elkanah
           (
           as
           the
           Jews
           say
           )
           as
           ever
           a
           Person
           or
           a
           Family
           felt
           and
           suffer'd
           ;
           to
           the
           confirming
           the
           latter
           part
           of
           the
           Text
           in
           the
           highest
           sense
           of
           it
           ,
           
             Those
             that
             despise
             me
             ,
             shall
             be
             lightly
             esteemed
             ,
          
           that
           is
           (
           according
           to
           the
           usual
           Meiosis
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           as
           we
           are
           taught
           by
           the
           Event
           )
           shall
           be
           most
           severely
           punished
           .
        
         
           
           Now
           these
           things
           
             were
             our
             ensamples
          
           ,
           and
           
             are
             written
             for
             our
             admonition
          
           :
           For
           the
           History
           of
           Scripture
           is
           a
           practical
           Comment
           upon
           Divine
           Providence
           ;
           and
           what
           was
           in
           its
           design
           composed
           for
           the
           use
           of
           all
           future
           Ages
           ,
           that
           Posterity
           might
           by
           the
           numerous
           Examples
           of
           all
           kinds
           as
           to
           good
           or
           evil
           ,
           be
           encouraged
           as
           to
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           cautioned
           against
           the
           other
           .
        
         
         
           And
           to
           such
           as
           these
           is
           our
           Text
           more
           especially
           to
           be
           applied
           ;
           to
           such
           a
           People
           ,
           and
           such
           Persons
           ,
           whom
           God
           by
           his
           signal
           Providence
           hath
           been
           propitious
           to
           above
           the
           common
           sort
           and
           case
           of
           Mankind
           .
        
         
           Eli
           had
           much
           to
           answer
           for
           ,
           because
           more
           might
           justly
           be
           expected
           from
           him
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           Advantages
           he
           was
           superior
           to
           many
           others
           in
           :
           That
           Eli
           ,
           whom
           God
           had
           thus
           chosen
           to
           his
           Service
           ,
           and
           had
           thus
           dignified
           beyond
           any
           other
           of
           his
           Successors
           ;
           as
           was
           also
           the
           Nation
           he
           was
           of
           ,
           beyond
           any
           People
           in
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           And
           to
           what
           doth
           all
           this
           serve
           ,
           but
           to
           teach
           Persons
           of
           Eminence
           for
           their
           Quality
           or
           Office
           ,
           for
           their
           Interest
           ,
           Power
           and
           Authority
           ,
           what
           use
           they
           should
           make
           of
           it
           ?
           That
           so
           they
           whom
           God
           hath
           honoured
           in
           advancing
           them
           to
           such
           a
           degree
           of
           Superiority
           ,
           may
           not
           as
           the
           degenerate
           Sons
           of
           
             Eli
             ,
             make
             themselves
             vile
          
           and
           contemptible
           :
           That
           when
           God
           has
           made
           them
           to
           be
           Stars
           in
           the
           Firmament
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           to
           give
           light
           ,
           and
           shed
           their
           benevolent
           influence
           upon
           the
           Earth
           ,
           they
           should
           in
           the
           issue
           prove
           no
           other
           than
           Meteors
           ,
           shewn
           to
           the
           World
           for
           a
           time
           ,
           but
           all
           o'
           th'
           sudden
           expire
           without
           any
           benefit
           to
           Mankind
           .
        
         
           Can
           we
           think
           that
           no
           more
           is
           expected
           from
           us
           ,
           whom
           God
           hath
           endued
           with
           the
           light
           of
           Reason
           ,
           
           and
           fitted
           for
           Service
           in
           the
           Station
           and
           Condition
           we
           are
           ,
           than
           from
           the
           Horse
           and
           the
           Mule
           that
           have
           no
           understanding
           ;
           and
           that
           we
           have
           answer'd
           the
           end
           of
           our
           Beings
           ,
           if
           we
           spend
           our
           days
           in
           a
           torpid
           and
           unprofitable
           sloth
           ,
           or
           in
           such
           things
           as
           the
           Bruits
           can
           do
           as
           well
           as
           we
           ?
        
         
           And
           can
           such
           Persons
           whom
           God
           hath
           blessed
           with
           Gifts
           and
           Talents
           above
           others
           ,
           or
           rais'd
           by
           his
           Providence
           to
           a
           state
           of
           Eminence
           ,
           think
           that
           there
           is
           no
           more
           required
           of
           them
           ,
           in
           their
           publick
           Station
           ,
           than
           if
           they
           drowzed
           away
           their
           time
           in
           some
           obscure
           Corner
           ,
           alike
           unknown
           ,
           and
           unprofitable
           to
           the
           World
           ?
        
         
           No
           surely
           ;
           but
           as
           we
           ought
           often
           to
           reflect
           upon
           our selves
           ,
           and
           to
           consider
           how
           we
           that
           are
           reasonable
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           whom
           God
           hath
           made
           
             vessels
             to
             honour
          
           ,
           may
           employ
           our
           Talents
           to
           the
           Glory
           of
           our
           Creator
           ,
           suitable
           to
           the
           dignity
           of
           our
           Nature
           ,
           and
           to
           high
           and
           nobler
           purposes
           than
           those
           Creatures
           that
           are
           made
           
             vessels
             to
             dishonour
          
           :
           So
           ought
           those
           ,
           who
           out
           of
           the
           common
           mass
           of
           Mankind
           are
           exalted
           above
           others
           ,
           to
           answer
           the
           dignity
           of
           their
           Station
           ,
           and
           to
           consult
           how
           they
           may
           demean
           themselves
           worthy
           of
           that
           honour
           their
           Creator
           hath
           thought
           fit
           to
           place
           such
           a
           distinguishing
           Character
           upon
           .
        
         
         
           Our
           Saviour
           saith
           ,
           
             Unto
             whomsoever
             much
             is
             given
             ,
             of
             him
             shall
             be
             much
             required
             ;
             and
             to
             whom
             men
             have
             committed
             much
             ,
             of
             him
             they
             will
             ask
             the
             more
             :
          
           Luke
           12.
           48.
           
           And
           especially
           may
           this
           be
           expected
           from
           those
           that
           are
           the
           Representatives
           of
           a
           People
           ,
           and
           that
           are
           concerned
           in
           making
           those
           Laws
           for
           the
           promoting
           of
           Religion
           and
           the
           honour
           of
           God
           ,
           by
           which
           they
           themselves
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Community
           ,
           are
           to
           be
           Governed
           .
           How
           doth
           it
           become
           such
           to
           establish
           the
           Authority
           of
           those
           Sanctions
           by
           their
           Example
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           take
           that
           undue
           Liberty
           to
           themselves
           ,
           which
           they
           ,
           in
           the
           Laws
           they
           make
           ,
           deny
           to
           others
           ?
        
         
           How
           doth
           it
           become
           them
           to
           be
           the
           support
           of
           Religion
           ,
           to
           stand
           up
           in
           the
           defence
           of
           it
           ,
           to
           revive
           its
           drooping
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           that
           by
           their
           Authority
           as
           Sacred
           as
           the
           Holy
           Mount
           ,
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           which
           no
           man
           should
           dare
           to
           break
           in
           upon
           and
           violate
           !
        
         
           Here
           is
           a
           Cause
           not
           only
           worthy
           of
           their
           Appearance
           and
           their
           Zeal
           ,
           but
           what
           also
           is
           at
           this
           time
           Necessary
           ,
           when
           the
           very
           Foundation
           of
           Religion
           is
           Attempted
           ;
           and
           that
           which
           all
           the
           World
           has
           so
           much
           wanted
           ,
           and
           desired
           where
           it
           was
           not
           ,
           I
           mean
           Revelation
           ,
           is
           exposed
           ;
           and
           that
           which
           we
           all
           venture
           our
           Salvation
           upon
           ,
           
           the
           Christian
           Institution
           ,
           the
           Sacrifice
           and
           the
           Mediation
           of
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           is
           openly
           declared
           to
           be
           Derogatory
           to
           the
           Perfections
           of
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           and
           Injurious
           to
           Men.
           
        
         
           We
           are
           here
           a
           Christian
           Assembly
           met
           together
           in
           the
           Fear
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           with
           a
           Hope
           in
           his
           Mercy
           through
           Jesus
           Christ
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           an
           happy
           opportunity
           offer'd
           to
           us
           by
           the
           Supreme
           Authority
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           for
           Imploring
           the
           Divine
           Blessing
           upon
           the
           Publick
           Councels
           and
           Affairs
           ;
           by
           which
           we
           declare
           to
           the
           World
           what
           honour
           we
           bear
           to
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           what
           dependance
           we
           have
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           do
           professedly
           put
           our selves
           under
           his
           Protection
           :
           And
           how
           can
           this
           better
           be
           expressed
           by
           the
           Patriots
           of
           our
           Countrey
           ,
           than
           by
           taking
           his
           Religion
           into
           theirs
           ,
           by
           bearing
           as
           great
           a
           regard
           to
           ,
           and
           being
           as
           much
           concerned
           for
           the
           Honour
           and
           just
           Rights
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           for
           their
           own
           ?
        
         
           If
           this
           be
           the
           Event
           of
           this
           Solemn
           Appearance
           ,
           and
           shall
           be
           the
           Compass
           by
           which
           they
           principally
           steer
           in
           their
           Consultations
           and
           Proceedings
           ;
           as
           they
           will
           therein
           honour
           God
           ,
           so
           he
           for
           their
           so
           doing
           will
           honour
           them
           ,
           and
           make
           them
           a
           publick
           Blessing
           to
           the
           Nation
           ;
           and
           the
           Nation
           as
           
             Jerusalem
             ,
             a
             praise
             in
             the
             earth
             ,
          
           Isa
           .
           62.
           7.
           
        
         
           
             Which
             God
             of
             his
             mercy
             grant
             for
             the
             sake
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             our
             only
             Mediator
             .
          
        
         
           Amen
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A66421-e330
           
             V.
             Ezra
             .
             7.
             3.
             
          
           
             Chap.
             4.
             18.
             
          
           
             1
             Chron.
             6.
             7.
             
          
           
             Chap.
             2.
             v.
             17.
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             1.
             15
             ,
             26.
             
          
           
             Chap.
             4.
             15.
             
          
           
             Chap.
             2.
             17.
             
          
           
             V.
             24.
             
          
           
             Vers
             .
             12.
             
          
           
             Act.
             13.
             20.
             
          
           
             Judg.
             3.
             8.
             12.
             4.
             1.
             6.
             1.
             10.
             6.
             
          
           
             Psal
             .
             78.
             60.
             
          
           
             Psal
             .
             78.
             60.
             
          
           
             
               De
               Bell.
            
             l.
             5.
             c.
             12.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             15.
             4.
             1
             
             Cor.
             10.
             6.