God's King the People's Blessing. A SERMON Preached on the Day of THANKSGIVING FOR PEACE, At St. Ann's Church in Dungannon, In the Diocese of ARMAGH. By EDM. ARWAKER, Rector of Drumglass, and Chaplain to his Grace the DUKE of ORMOND.  
DUBLIN: Printed by Joseph Ray, and are to be Sold at his Shop in Skinner-Row, over against the Tholsel. M DC XC VIII.   

To His GRACE MICHAEL Lord Archbishop of Armagh, Primate and Metropolitan of all Ireland.  
MY LORD,  
I Can make no Apology to the Public, for sending this Discourse abroad; nor to Your Grace, for its appearing under Your Patronage; but that I believe the Occasion of it sufficiently Agreeable and Satisfactory to Both, to gain Your Approbation of the Design: For the Sincerity whereof, I am induced to hope You will Accept the Performance, and Pardon its Imperfections.  
'Tis true, His Majesty has done so Great Things for our Nations, that He needs not the Help of any Weak Endeavours to Support His Interest, or Endear His Person and Government to their Inhabitants; Yet since He who was above all Praise of Men, did vouchsafe to Accept it from the Mouth of Babes and Sucklings, to still the Enemy and Avenger; Why may not as mean an Orator prove Serviceable to put to silence the Ignorance of Foolish Men, who have said of our Sovereign, as those in the Parable, of their King, We will not have this Man to Reign over us?  
The Hope of such Good Success, and some little Good Liking that my Hearers discovered to this Sermon, after its Delivery from the Pulpit, encouraged me to venture it to the Press: And that Presumption drew me into a Greater, to shelter it under Your Grace's Name.  
But, Since Men that fly to Altars for Sanctuary, aught to bring Offerings thither with them; I humbly beg leave to Assure Your Grace, That in this Dedication, I aim no less at an Acknowledgement for Your past Favour, in Collating me to a Considerable Benefice, than at Your Future Countenance and Encouragement.  
And I esteem myself under the Greater Obligation to Your Goodness, that notwithstanding Your Grace's Extraordinary Care to provide an Able and Deserving Clergy for Your Diocese, You have however Admitted me into that Learned and Reverend Society; my Unworthiness of which, makes me seem to myself like Saul among the Prophets.  
Might I be Improved by the Advantage of such Excellent Conversation, to Prophesy to the Edifying of the People whom I have in Charge, I should be Happy in several respects: But in none more, than in making Your Grace, by that means, the Best Return within my Power, for all Your Benefits; Since nothing is so pleasing to You in Your Clergy, as the Diligent and Exact Performance of their Duty on their Cures.  
For the Continuance whereof, May Your Grace live long, to Oblige and Encourage them to it: And as You have Honourably Born, and Faithfully Discharged, the Highest Offices in our Church and State; So may You, when You shall be taken from this World, Arrive at a Proportionable Degree of Glory in the Celestial Hierarchy, to receive Above, the Reward of all the Good You have done Below; and particularly to,  
My Lord, Your Graces most Obliged, and most Dutiful Son and Servant, EDM. ARWAKER.   
2 CHRON. IX. 8. Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on his Throne, to be King for the Lord thy God: Because thy God loved Israel to Establish them for ever, therefore made he thee King over them, to do Judgement and Justice. 
SO Great, so Valuable is the Blessing which we this Day Celebrate, even the Blessing of Peace in all our Lands, Psal. 29. 10. So long has it been Wanted and Desired, so Earnestly has it been Pursued and Sought, Psal. 34. 14. And at last so happily Obtained and Settled, that we can never sufficiently Adore the Goodness of our God, the Author, nor enough Applaud the Gonduct of our King, the Instrument of its Joyful Restoration.  
But tho' our Gratitude cannot reach the Inaccessible Height of this Obligation, yet should we fail in our Just Endeavours to Acknowledge it, the Queen of the South would rise up in Judgement with us, and condemn us, Mat. 12. 42. For she was drawn from the uttermost parts of the Earth, to hear the Wisdom of Solomon, and to admire the great and wonderful Effects of it, not only in his Proverbs and Answers, but in the Grandeur and Magnificence of his Court, and in the Plenty and Tranquillity of his Kingdom, 1 King. 10. 4, 5. And behold! through the tender Mercy of our God, if not a Greater, yet one little less than Solomon is among us; a Prince by whose Excellent Management our Circumstances are brought to resemble Israel's, in his Days, when every man dwelled safely under his Vine, and under his Figtree, from Dan even to Beersheba, 1 King. 4. 15.  
Since than our King, like Solomon, has Peace on all sides round about him, 1 King. 4. 24. Since the Lord has given him Rest and Safety from the Fatigues and Dangers of a Tedious War; and since we, not only in our Just Concern for Him, but through His Care of us, partake of this Inestimable Benefit; so that there is neither Adversary, nor Evil Occurrent, 1 King. 5. 4. No Complaining in our Streets, Psal. 144. 14. but the Voice of Joy and Gladness: If the People are happy, who are in such a case; if they are blessed who have the Lord for their God, to Establish their Felicity, by giving them so Excellent a Prince; We ought certainly to be Sensible of our Happiness, and Grateful for it.  
And how can we better render, either to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, or to God the things that are Gods? Mat. 22. 21. How more suitably extol the Merits of our King, or the Goodness of the King of Kings in giving him to us, than in the Queen of Sheba's Congratulatory Compliment to Solomon, when she found how much the Fame she had heard, was inferior to the Truth of his Acts, and of his Wisdom, 2 Chron. 9 5, 6. Blessed be the Lord thy God? etc.  
Which Words afford three things to our Observation.  
First, The certain Evidence of God's Favour and Affection to his People, in placing a Good King over them: Because thy God loved Israel, to Establish them for ever, therefore made he thee King over them.  
Secondly, The Excellent Qualifications of the Prince whom God makes choice of to convey Blessings to his People; implied in these words, Which delighted in thee, to set thee on his Throne, to be King for the Lord thy God.  
Thirdly, The Grateful Acknowledgements due from God's People, both to God and the King; for the Unspeakable Benefits of the One's Care and Kindness, in the Extraordinary Advantages of the Other's Government; which oblige them to say, Blessed be the Lord thy God.  That God's Placing a Good King over his People, is a certain Evidence of his Favour towards them. 
The Blessing of leading a quiet and peaceable Life in all Godliness and Honesty, is by St. Paul ascribed to the Just Administration of the Regal Power; wherefore he exhorts that Prayers, Intercessions, and giving of Thanks, be made for Kings, and all that are in Authority, 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. that they may be Good, in order to make their Subjects Happy. And indeed, the General Welfare of a Nation depends so much upon the Temper of its Governors, that God declares he gave Israel a King in his Anger, when he placed Saul on the Throne, Hos. 13. 11. And he threatens it as a Punishment for their not fearing him, that they should be deprived of the Benefits they enjoyed under the happy Influence of their better Princes; and say, We have no Kings, Hos. 10. 3. And the severity of this Curse will appear from the Observation, That when there was no King in Israel, every one did that which was right in his own Eyes, Judg. 17. 6. And what is to be expected but Confusion in that State, where every distempered Humour is the Rule for disordered Actions? Where there is no Superior Power to control the Unruly Wills of Men, swayed by their Lusts and Passions?  
But the Advantages of a Good King are not so well discovered from the Inconveniencies of having No King, as from the Miseries which a People suffers under an Evil King.  
When Israel had desired a King, and the Prophet thus described the manner of the King that should Reign over them; That he would take their Sons and appoint them for himself, for his Chariots, and to be his Horsemen, and some should run before his Chariots; And that he would appoint him Captains over Thousands, and Captains over Fifties, and set them to Ear his Ground, and to Reap his Harvest, and to make his Instruments of War, and Instruments of his Chariots: And that he would make their Daughters to be Confectionaries, and Cooks, and Bakers: And that he would, with an Arbitrary Injustice, take their Fields, and their Vineyards, and their Olive-yards, and dispose of them to his Servants: And that he would take their Man-servants, and their goodliest young Men, and their Asses, and put them to his work; nay, and make themselves his Servants, 1 Sam. 8. 11. to 18. Would they not have Reason to cry out in that day, because of such a King; and conclude that instead of a Nursing Father, Isa. 49. 23. God had given them a Devouring Lion?  
Nor would they be Sufferers only from the Tyranny and Injustice of their King; his Imprudence, Intemperance, Irresolution, or Impiety, would be as injurious to them.  
Solomon denounces a Woe to that Land whose King is a Child, Eccles. 10. 6. That is, Not so much in Years, as in Understanding; whose Ignorance how to Govern, destroys his People by Maladministration: For even a Child, in respect of years, if Wise, is better than an Old and Foolish King, that will not be admonished, Eccles. 4. 13. That being grown old and hardened in his Folly, is Irreclaimable by Reproof, and past all Hope and Expectation of Amendment by Advice.  
How miserable must a People be under such a Governor, who, tho' ignorant how to Rule them, will not however be Advised, but is obstinately wedded to his own Opinion, and rejects that Safety which is in the multitude of Counsellors? Prov. 11. 14. Thus, Not the green Years, but Imprudence of Rehoboam, in making him slight the Counsel of those Old Men that stood before Solomon his Father, and prefer the Advice of others, whose want of Judgement and Experience rendered them unfit to be consulted; made Israel cast off his Government, and Rebel against the House of David, 1 King. 12. 8. and 19 And he justly deserved the Ignominious Character which the Son of Sirach gives him, That he was the Foolishness of the People, and one that had no Understanding; since he turned away the People through his giddy and inconsiderate Counsel, Ecclus. 47. 23. Which sufficiently declares God's severe Displeasure against Judah and Jerusalem, when he threatens that he will take away from them the Prudent, the Ancient, and the Counsellor, and give Children to be their Princes, and Babes to Rule over them, Isa. 3. 2, 3, 4. For the consequence will be Oppression, Rapine, Ruin and Destruction, Vers. 5, 8. And how sad and calamitous must the condition of a People be, when their Domestic Jars weaken and expose them to Foreign Outrage and Insults? How easily shall they be Overcome and made a Prey, when the same want of Prudence in their Ruler, which hindered him from keeping them in Peace, will not let him with good Advice make War? Prov. 20. 18.  
Nor is a People in more danger from the Imprudence, than from the Intemperance of a Prince, whether in respect of Excess as to Meat and Drink, or Immoderation in other Appetites. Misfortune attends that Land, whose Princes eat in a Morning, for Drunkenness and not for Strength, Eccles. 10. 16, 17. For when Kings drink Wine, and Princes strong Drink, they forget the Law, and pervert the Judgement of the Afflicted, Prov. 31. 4, 5. They incapacitate themselves to Govern by Law or Reason, and so cloud their Understanding, that it cannot discern what is Just and Equitable. And when Reason is so weakened, Passion will quickly be predominant; and then as he that cannot rule his Spirit, will be as a City that is broken down, and without Walls, Prov. 25. 28. So he will break down all the Fences of Law and Justice, of Clemency and Moderation, and will run into all the Violence and Outrage, to which his Ungovern'd and Misguided Will inclines him; will be like a Lion in his House, and Frantic among his Servants, Ecclus. 4. 30. And as when his Belly is his God, Phil. 3. 19 he will sacrifice the Revenues of his Kingdom to his Appetite; so when his Will is his Law, he will subject the Liberties and Properties of his People to its Determinations.  
But neither Imprudence nor Intemperance make a Prince more pernicious to his People than Irresolution and want of Courage, without which they cannot long continue in Peace, nor shall be Victorious in War. He whose strength is so small, that he faints in the day of Adversity, Prov. 24. 10. and turns himself back in the day of Battle, Psal. 78. 9 leaves his Realms Defenceless, and his People without Protection. He that has not Courage enough to do Valiantly, and to play the Man for his People, and the Cities of his God, 2 Sam. 10. 12. will leave them like Sheep without a Shepherd, 2 Chron. 18. 16. to glut the Sword and Fury of their Enemies, to be spoiled and slaughtered by them. For when he that should lead them on, is the first whose Heart faints, and seeks for Safety rather in Flight than Forwardness, how shall they but follow his Example, and turn their Backs to the Smiters? Isa. 50. 6.  
Courage is so necessary a Qualification for a King, for the Defence and Safety of his Subjects, that we find whenever God raised up a Deliverer for his People, he inspired him with an extraordinary Valour, Taught his hand to war, and his fingers to fight, Psal. 144. 1. The time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, of Samson and of Jephthah, who through Faith were endued with that Courage by which they subdued Kingdoms, escaped the edge of the Sword, waxed valiant in Fight, and turned to flight the Armies of the Aliens, Heb. 11. 32, 33, 34. And the People of Israel were so sensible of the evil consequences of wanting a King to go out before them, and fight their Battles, 1 Sam. 8. 20. that they still persisted to desire one for that reason, notwithstanding all the Inconveniencies of it, represented to them by Samuel, to divert them from that Request.  
And tho' Saul proved as great a Scourge to Israel, as the Prophet had foretell he would, yet since from the Blood of the Slain, and from the Fat of the Mighty, the Sword of Saul returned not empty; David reckoned it as just a reason for the Daughters of Israel to weep over him, as his Clothing them in Scarlet, and putting Ornaments of Gold on their Apparel; and he knew that the occasion of their Sorrow would make the Daughters of the Philistines rejoice and triumph, to find the Mighty fallen, by whom Israel stood, and the Shield of Saul, which was his People's Shelter, vilely cast away, 2 Sam. 1. 19 to the end. But the Weapons of War were not wholly perished, while David yet survived, and succeeded in the Kingdom; since 'tis part of his Character, That he played with Lions as with Kids, and with Bears as it had been Lambs; that he slew a Giant when he was yet but young, and took away the reproach from the People, whn he lifted up his hand with the Stone in the Sling, and beat down the boasting of Goliath, Ecclus. 47. 2, 3. So great a Man of War he was, so mighty valiant, that he could as well put to flight the Enemies that Invaded Israel, as the Evil Spirit that disturbed Saul; and compose the Troubles in the heart of his Country, as the Disquiets in the Breast of his King, 1 Sam. 16. 18, 23.  
But the Safety and Honour which his Country found in the great Effects of his Invincible Courage, was afterwards often lost and laid in the dust, by the want of that Virtue in many of his Successors: Which may suffice to show how fatal this Defect in a Prince is to his People.  
But in no Miscarriage of the King, is the Misfortune of his People so great, as in his Impiety and Disregard of God; for besides the Grievances of his Evil Reign, and the Mischiefs they suffer from himself; the Wickedness of a King brings Afflictions from Heaven upon his People, in that his Example generally prevails with them to deserve them.  
Thus when Rehoboam forsook the Law of the Lord, all Israel did so with him, 2 Chron. 12. 1. And tho' at the Preaching of Shemaiah, they Repent, and were delivered from Destruction, yet were they not exempt from Spoil; For Shishak King of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the Treasures of the Lord's House, as well as of the King's, Vers. 9 and the People were made his Servants, that they might know God's Service better, Vers. 8.  
Thus Ahab's Wickedness provoked God to shut up the Windows of Heaven, 1 King. 17. 1. and to withhold from Israel the common Mercies of Dew and Rain, which he usually bestows alike on the Just and Unjust, Mat. 5. 45. so that there was a sore Famine in Samaria, 1 King. 18. 2. and the People wanted their daily Bread, because their King had forsaken Him, who alone fills all things living with Plenteousness, Psal. 145. 16.  
Thus Jehoram's working that which was Evil in the Eyes of the Lord, caused the Revolt of the Edomites and Libnah, not only from under his hand, but the hand of Judah: And 'tis assigned for the reason of this Defection, Because he had forsaken the Lord God of his Fathers. For which Impiety of his, his People are threatened with a Plague, 2 Chron. 21. 10, 14. To die an Untimely Death, for the Irregularities of his Life.  
Thus Ahaz's wicked Reign exposed his People as well as himself, to the hand of the King of Syria, who not only smote him, but carried away a great multitude of his Subjects Captives to Damascus, 2 Chron. 28. 5. And afterwards he was delivered into the hands of the King of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter, so that there were slain in Judah in one day 120000, which were all valiant Men; and the Israelites carried away captives to Samaria 200000 Women, Sons, and Daughters, with much Spoil, Vers. 6, 8. And as if this had not been enough, the Philistines also invaded, and took no less than six of the Cities of Judah, whom the Lord brought low because of Ahaz; for he made Judah Naked, and transgressed sore against the Lord, V 18, 19  
Since then the Sin of an Evil King is often the Reproach and Ruin of his People, Prov. 14. 34. How great a Blessing is a good King to his Subjects, because he not only frees them from this Misfortune, but is Instrumental to procure and promote their Happiness? Which occasioned that saying of the Psalmist, of such a one, Thou hast set him to be Blessings for ever, Psal. 21. 6. for so 'tis in the Original; signifying that a Good King is the means of conveying many Blessings to his People. And this Truth has been proved by a Cloud of Witnesses, Heb. 12. 1. How did Judah enjoy the Benefit of Asa's Piety? The first ten years of his Reign the Land was quiet, 2 Chron. 14. 1. and he had no War, because the Lord had given him rest, Vers. 6. so that the People built and prospered, Vers. 7. And when Zerah the Ethiopian came to disturb their Peace, he did it to the Ruin of his own, Vers. 9 for the Men of Judah overthrew and spoiled him, Vers. 13. and had no War unto the five and thirtieth year of the Reign of Asa, Chap. 15. 19 This Tranquillity his People had, because he did that which was good and right in the Eyes of the Lord his God, 2 Chron. 14. 2. And they, after his Example, had entered into a Covenant to seek the Lord God of their Fathers; which as they had sworn with all their heart, they performed with their whole desire. Chap. 15. 15. And Jehoshaphat succeeding to his Father's Piety, as well as to his Throne, continues his People's happiness. The Kingdom was not only established in his hand, so that he had Riches and Honour in abundance, 2 Chron. 17. 5. but the fear of the Lord fell upon all the Kingdoms of the Lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no War against Jehosaphat, Vers. 10.  
And when afterwards the Children of Moab and Ammon came against him to Battle, they were destroyed; but his People returned to Jerusalem with Joy; and his Realm was quiet, because the Lord had given him rest, 2 Chron. 20. 30. So certain it is, that when a Man's Ways please the Lord, he maketh even his Enemies to be at Peace with him, Prov. 16. 7.  
For this are Good Kings called, The Breath of their People's Nostrils, Lam. 4. 20. who live Safe under their Shadow, and enjoy Peace and Prosperity by their means. And since it is by God that King's Reign, Prov. 8. 15. it must needs be an Evidence of his signal Favour to that People over whom he places a Good King, whose Excellent Qualifications establish their Felicity, and whose Great Example teaches them the Practice of that Righteousness which exalts a Nation, Prov. 14. 34.  
Since than Solomon had not only brought Plenty to his People, in making Silver as common at Jerusalem as the Stones, 1 King. 10. 27. but Peace and Splendour too; the Queen of Sheba might very reasonable conclude, that, Because God loved Israel, to Establish them for ever, therefore he made him King over them. And as his love to Israel made him bless them with so Good a King; so his taking a delight in Solomon, induced him to make Choice of him, to set him upon his Throne, to be King for the Lord his God; since he found in him those Excellencies and Perfections which endear a King to God, and render him a Blessing to his People. For the Virtues of Justice, Prudence, Temperance, Fortitude and Piety, (the want of which in a King, I have already shown to be of pernicious consequence to his Subjects) were so signally Eminent in Solomon, that his People could not desire a more Accomplished Sovereign to complete their Happiness: Justice, which is a constant and perpetual Will to render every Man his Right, or rather a habit of so doing upon all occasions, was the Rule of all Solomon's Administrations. This was Judah's and Israel's Security in the Possession of their Rights and Properties, and gave every Man a safe Enjoyment of his own Vine, and his own Figtree, all the Days of that Righteous King. And this could not but be wellpleasing to God, as giving Man a near Resemblance of himself, who is Righteous in all his Ways, Psal. 145. 17. And being advantageous to his People, in keeping them from Injuries and Oppression, and securing them in the Possession of those Acquists to which they had just Right and Title. Thus, A Divine Sentence is in the Lips of the King, when his Mouth transgresseth not in Judgement, Prov. 16. 10. and by it he establisheth the Land, Prov. 29. 4.  
But to do Impartial Justice, requires a Solid Prudence; which being a True Habit of Acting with Reason, in respect of those things that concern the well or ill being of Men, must therefore be a Requisite Qualification for Kings, on whose Management the Happiness or Misery of their Realms must necessarily depend.  
The Consideration of this, prevailed with Solomon, when God left it to his Option to ask what he should give him, to desire an Understanding Heart to judge his People, that he might discern between Good and Bad, 1 King. 3. 9 Which Choice, was an Argument that he was in great measure endued already with what he so judiciously desired: And God was so well pleased with his Petition, that he not only gave him what he asked, but an Overplus of Riches and Honour, Vers. 13.  
Now how signal his Prudence was, and how great the Benefits thereof, appears from his Celebrated Decision between the Harlots, who contended for the living Child, ver. 27. Which proves it as much the Happiness of a People, as the Honour of a King, that he should be able to search out a matter, by so nice a Scrutiny, Pro. 25. 2. And since the Wisdom of God was in him to do Judgement, 1. King. 3. 28. it must needs please him to see the Stream retain the Pureness of its Fountain, and he would Love him for this, as much as all Israel Feared him. Nor did Solomon permit his Justice to be perverted, or his Prudence baffled, by any manner of Intemperance, but as those Virtues were his People's Safeguard against Injuries and Outrages from one another, so his Temperance was their Defence against all Oppressions and Severity from himself. But, when magnified in the noblest part and demonstration of it, Clemency; it freed them from the Just Punishments they had deserved, and provoked him to inflict on them, by their Crimes.  
This was evident in his dealing with Adonijah, whom tho' he had set up a Title to the Crown, he pardoned; and assured that if he would show himself a worthy man, there should not an hair of his Head fall to the earth, 1 King. 1. 52.  
Nor was it less visible in his proceed with Abiathar, who promoted the Usurpation; for tho' the King declared him worthy of Death, yet he contented himself with deposing him from the Priesthood, and confining him to his House at Anathoth, 1 King. 2. 26. Thus by his slowness to Anger, did he render himself better than by all his Might; and greater in Ruling his Spirit, than in the Government of Judah and Israel, Pro. 16. 32. and as it was his Glory, so it proved his People's Safety; and God, who his is slow to Anger and of great Goodness, could not but be delighted with Qualities so resembling his own, and choose him for the Representative of his Power, as fittest to Rule Others, who had so great a Government over Himself.  
But if Judah and Israel were thus obliged to their King for their Domestic Ease and Enjoyments, they were no less indebted to him for their Protection from Foreign Ravages and Incursions,  
Fortitude, which is a Mediocrity between Fear and Confidence, was so eminent in Solomon, that it left him no Famous Opportunities of exerting it, more than in the Methods which took the occasion from him. It led him to strengthen himself with all the necessary Provisions of War; at Land, with a powerful Army, 2 Chron. 1. 14. By Sea, with a sufficient Fleet, 1 King. 9 26. Which supplied him with Gold from Ophir, to support the charge of both, ver. 28.  
So that he kept his People in Peace Forty Years, a Blessing which needs no other recommendation than the Terrors and Calamities of War.  
Their young men were not slain with the Sword, nor their Cities wasted; there was no desolation in their Fields, nor complaining in their Streets; but Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the Sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry; 2. King. 4. 20. There was no one durst attempt to disturb or trouble them, but their Tranquillity was firm and unshaken as the Resolution of their King; who could not have manifested his Fortitude so much in subduing Enemies, as he did in preventing his having Enemies to subdue; and keeping his People in so perfect a Peace, that it was preferable to the greatest Victories. And as God, who was always loving to Israel, and desirous of their Establishment, had reason to be delighted with that Courage, which so highly contributed to it; and to place the Owner of it on his Throne, to be King for the Lord his God; so he found in Solomon another Virtue, which crowned the rest, and rendered them more Amiable and Advantageous; and that was Piety, or the Love and Fear of God. I shall not trouble you with many Instances of this, but let one suffice for all, I mean that Everlasting Monument thereof, the Temple at Jerusalem. Which Work, as it received Gods Extraordinary Approbation, when it was finished, 1 Chron. 7. 1, 2, 3. So it remains upon Record, in sacred Writ, as an Evidence of its Founder's Zeal and Reverence for his Worship, Acts 7. 47.  
And since the concurrence of these Virtues in a King, tend to Complete and Establish the Prosperity of his People; it is unquestionably certain, that God, by giving any Nation a Prince in whom they are Eminently Visible and United, does thereby give the most convincing Evidence of his Favour and Affection towards them, and of his being highly delighted in the Person who is so much after his own Heart, 1 Sam. 13. 14. So qualified to be his Vicegerent. And this certainly requires the most Extensive Gratitude and Acknowledgements of that People, for whom God makes such a happy Choice, in admiring his Goodness which designed, and applauding their Sovereign's Excellencies, which concur with it, to effect their Establishment and Security: That having a King like Solomon, they should say as much to him, as the Queen of Sheba to that Great and Glorious Monarch, Blessed be the Lord thy God, etc.  
And if ever People had reason to Address their God, or their King, on such an account, and in such a style; We certainly of Great Britain and Ireland, lie under as great, and as many Obligations to Both.  
For our Almighty Sovereign Above, has blest us with a King Below, sufficiently furnished and enriched with all those Virtues that are requisite to make us as happy a People as we can propose to be in the largest extent of our own Wishes.  
So Just he has proved in the Administration of his Government, that he has not only eschewed the Evil of encroaching on our Liberties and Properties, but he has done the Good of Securing us in those Rights of Englishmen, with which all who are truly such, should as obstinately refuse to part, as Naboth with his Vineyard, since we have the same reason to allege, That they are the Inheritance of our Fathers, 1 King. 21. 3. But so careful our Sovereign has been to oppose the Fence of our Ancient Laws and Privileges against all Encroachments from Himself as well as Others, that nothing has been laid upon us in all his Reign, to which we have not first consented by our Representatives. Nor could we fear he should offer any Violence to our Laws, who came to us on purpose to Maintain them, when he saw an Arbitrary Power ready to throw down that hedge, and lay us open to its Devastations.  
This quick and happy foresight of the Storm that then was gathering, and ready to discharge its fury on us; to Crush us with the weight of Lawless Power, and Poison us with the Venom of Popish Principles; and the Timely as well as Happy Prevention of those Calamities, have sufficiently magnified his Prudence; so that whether we consider him on the Throne, swaying the Regal Sceptre, or in the Camp, wielding the Martial Sword, we must confess he has guided us by the Skillfulness of his Hands, Ps. 78. 72.  
And as his Wisdom has made us Safe, so his Great Temperance and Moderation (Sufficiently known to all men, Phil. 45. even to his greatest Enemies) has rendered us Easy too, under his Government: No Indulgence either to his Palate, or his Passion, has disturbed the Evenness of his Temper.  
Tho he has often been provoked to be Vindictive, by horrid Designs of Barbarous Assassinations, yet he has shown as little Inclination to Revenge, as Fear; and has spared to shed Their Blood, whose Thirst was Insatiable after His.  
Nor should it seem strange he should be so tender of his Subjects Lives, for whose Safety he has frequently exposed his Own; and that in the greatest Instances of an Unparallelled Fortitude; in Doing and in Suffering things almost incredible.  
Perhaps never any King made his way so often through the Sea, even among those who claim the Sovereignty and Dominion of it; and that not only in Calm and Temperate Wether, when the Winds were Still, and the Ocean Smooth; but even when Tempests Roared aloud, and the Waves Raged horribly: Nay when they were Congealed to Rocks of Ice, by the Coldness of the Climate and the Season.  
Yet as he engaged in these Difficulties, with an Undaunted Constancy and Resolution, so he under went them all with an Invincible Patience, and an Unwearied Perseverance: Tho' he knew he was to run these Hazards only in pursuit of Greater, and went to expose his Life to an Host of Enemies; among whom, there neither wanted some who had Gallantry enough to attack it Bravely and with Vigour; nor others, whose Malice led them to attempt it Basely by Assassination.  
His Generous Courage prompted him to press with greatest Eagerness, where he saw the most imminent Danger in his way: So that he was in Labours abundant, and in Deaths oft; in Perils in the City, and in Perils on the Sea; in Weariness and Painfulness, in Watch and in Cold, 2 Cor. 11. 23, 26, 27. And all this he endured for us, and for our Establishment; to perfect which, he has added Piety to his other Qualifications; and expressed as much Fear and Reverence of God, as 'Slight and Contempt of Dangers. His Precepts and Example have all along contributed to bring Religion into Vogue and Countenance; and to make us rather Sincere in the Practice, than Noisy in the Profession of it; that we might reap the Fruit of Righteousness, dwell in a Peaceable Habitation, and in quiet Resting Places, Isa. 32. 17, 18. And that he might as happily Complete, as he gloriously Undertaken the Restoration of our Peace.  
And this, Thanks be to the God of Peace, he hath Accomplished, and Settled upon such a Foundation as may by the Blessing of the same Power, prove a firm and lasting Tranquillity to Europe.  
And now since War is ceased in most part of the World, Psal. 46. 9 so that Nation doth not lift up a Sword against Nation, but instead of Military Discipline, make Agriculture their Employment, break their Swords into Plowshares, and their Spears into Pruning-Hooks, Mic. 4. 3. Will not this tend to Wealth and Plenty? Shall not our Pastures be clothed with Flocks, our Valleys covered with Corn? And while we eat in safety the Fruits of our Labours, shall we not shout for joy, and sing? Psal. 65. 13. And what Songs will so well become us, as Songs of Praise and Thanksgiving to our God, who by giving us so excellent a King, does build our Jerusalem, strengthen the Bars of her Gates, bless her Children within her, make Peace within her Borders, and fill her with the finest of the Wheat? Psal. 147. 13, 14.  
And if we desire still to see Peace within her Walls, and Plenteousness within her Palaces, Psal. 122. 72. let us walk in the Name of the Lord our God for ever, Mic. 4. 5. Offer Sacrifices of sweet savour unto him, and pray for the Life of the King, Ezra 6. 10. That he may live to Rectify Corruptions and Abuses, effectually to Discourage Profaneness and Immorality, and employ his Thoughts in Advancing the Happiness and Flourishing 
King's Speech to Parliament.  Estate of all his Kingdoms; that he may so preserve our Laws and Liberties Entire, and leave them so to Posterity; that nothing may be left for his Successors to do, but that which hath been already done, Eccles. 2. 12. to continue them as they find them.  
And let our Gratitude to him, who next to God has been the happy Instrument of conveying these Blessings to us, make us so quiet and peaceable under his Government, that he may rejoice in the Pains he has taken for us, and be a Sharer in the Benefits that accrue to us by them. And let no Factious Malcontents be displeased with him, in whom 'tis Evident God Delighted, to set him on his Throne; and whom, because he loved us, he made King over us, to Establish us.  
May it please him therefore to continue the Mercy to us, in giving our Defender a long and prosperous Reign; that tho' we incessantly Commemorate with Thanks the Blessing of this Day, we may never in our time have a Second Occasion of Thanksgiving for the Conclusion of a General Peace. Which God, etc.  
FINIS.