n*^i*!^* is. :v. 
 
 '.'i>-'^:„;/ itijiBsstssaastti 
 
 FOR THECENriSEL. 
 
 \T\\z fo'.li) vin;^ r.tr.iy was wrote .luJ pr.blin^eJ imT.e- 
 »'i \\e\i aftef tlie ,»ic.iC fire, March 20, 1 ';6o, anJ is now 
 itf;mMilh:»l as a ),)liciil)le to tlie late Coiifl-igratioii J 
 
 TME uncertainty of Ivimao life, the tranfitory nature 
 ;riJ contiiural /icifikiKies ol'lhis jnef^tnt Il.itcof h-^\\\z 
 :wul of all ciijoymsus and poilVliiotis in it, arc truths io 
 well known to every ihoog' tUil pcrfun.and have lo ofu « 
 V<ren the fu'ije^lf of .j.iuici;>u8 n'ritrrs ii all ages, that the 
 Jlro-i;;jft iiivcntiori (..'in perhaps fcarctfi;nd any thing riovv 
 »(> (Jtfjf, an.l a m">i*.ell MiiTe with reluftance uiidertakes 
 iht iiiCTic : Vet f «ch is the fr.iilty of hirnan nature, tliat 
 %.l)c:i a fuJJ^-t; Cuaftrophe fiirrbiii"..ls ns themmd is fint- 
 tcreJ 3!) 1 vl.icoiicirted, and dws nv)t r^aJily collefl th.)fe • 
 rcfto('^ifris fuiiablir to the occafjon, or elie by Jiwing 
 l»;*tM ufid Ut \\'Zg\iSi {\\z\^ refli<;Vii>ns, froTi a conception 
 t'lat they mnft tieeUs flo'.v r.utnrally tro.n fnclV calamities 
 ■v. ih'nilj pio.hKc tliom, the rr.i:iJ ihroujh. tiifafc, may 
 •.'>t im;Tie.'.i,ite;y conceive them wlien wrintv'O. It is 
 'Til?, ilvj V'lfcc of nature has ahv^ays hsen the fame, 
 i; roiti'iuHlly fo'inuing, and ur.uerftood by oil ; yet 
 Aranjs to fay, u'hat we hear l!ic oftcncft, we attend to 
 the li.iA. a!id wliat %vc are fhc rmft certaia of, wa give 
 the Icaft heed to ; but there a^e tinnt;s when g')'>d proti- 
 i\e\\CQ fenJs a lo uler fummons by th.' flr-.inles of na;tiivff-- 1 
 and prj;!aim5 thofctruth';, which though they could not ^ 
 opera:;- hy :he iniportanci'.- of tiki;- nature, yet tpay force 
 tlicir Sifeiil by ro 1^111:5 the palHons ; l)Ut here fraiky a- 
 tViia takes, [Mace', fiom e.vtreme thoujIitkHhcis, tl.e paf- 
 fi:)n? b.ing rouz:d, wc n^Oi on to confufuu: and error ; | 
 1 -St i)ilnts c^rowmjixarclcfs by a lon2;c3lnri,we llesr hy the I 
 j:afl tvf paffim, i.ifti.-id of the conii[).irs of underftanding, 1 
 I'.ccdiefi; of the port of truth, and negiigent of tlmfe du- 
 ties !■) v.'hicJ; tlie jiairi )ns were only dc-rigned tt) nrre ti... 
 
 To point foith and fmiiU ivifc thefe tru'.li', has been the 
 \v'dl hmdlcd fabjesfl of the heft writei<: ; t/ut %^'hile na- ! 
 t irc contin jes tu hinj -non, and t!ie wifd.)i-n of lier voice I 
 remains in any iTie.ifu:e ncgleded, the therre cannot be I 
 truly cxha-.ift^d, nor the rc;-)etltion of it nei.Jlefs. 
 
 I-ortliefe en is, ihi_s Elfiy is prefented to the pnblic 
 vi ;w, if i[ ^TiU uidor the ju !j;rnent of ahJc miiuls, they 
 will ac(|uic:fce in any truth, and at ler-.f! n.ny Troii hence 1 
 t ike a hint for nobler thoughts'; bcfidc-;, rhore is a fat- 
 i.fa.'Lioa wcall feel in pivuig vent to the tlirobbings of 
 l!iC bofom,^nd in coUe^ing to fom? ordVr.thofe t,ho-:2hts 
 \vlii«,h float through the mind or- fuch occafiflns. 
 
 I.-;t this then he the apolor/ ; »nit if fcifl nr.y one 
 fh )i:l.l cenfure m? for treading in this unaccuftoin 3d path 
 cf v.-.:ting, I mud nuit the difpute and (zrQtin mvfclf be- 
 /.c;ith the horrors of (iiat never to be forgotten niglit,nhen 
 I 1': fi.im ;^ bro'ce loafe en our hcufe-^, and laid fo large a 
 :>.»: I of our capital in rnins: lam fcnfible that p.aintcd 
 t M r'.r-. il!-Secf>TT; re i! fornw, and are never to be ufed 
 b.i: wl-.ea the pafTnns r.:-e llog^ifh ; and tlierePce paf- 
 frir over that n-nple fie' i for derrriptu.n, which the late 
 unh-ppy cataflropheafTorls, fnall confine myfelf to lljofe 
 J iSer f.irts whicli no body (hould be iiriornnt of, and 
 V. .til w.hich every b'jdy nvift n^cdi he afledtcd. 
 
It \.v?.s than in the firft vvatchis of the morri'ng, v her. 
 r.n' hollies were fift fit,tered widi foa;idv:ft flcep, that 
 tiie five vva> firil difcovered, and the town r.l^rmeJ with 
 ?.n oiit-cry ; tlie inlia')itjats were f peed i!y colledled, and 
 though the lire was f;)u:id in the cett.lr of a hrick houft^ 
 yet it fo'jn eat through '.ts jirifon; the wind hlowirig 
 frefli iirg^d on the frames, and with furprlfinp fury they 
 ravaged in fpite of all oppofition or means to fopprefs 
 iham ; the cintkrs and burning ruins v.'cre carried to the 
 Icewardmoft part of the town, by means of which fome ' 
 who thought t!iemfelves in no daj.ger, were 'lie fooneft 
 confumcd, and tlie inliabitants of tliem being gatlicred to 
 flffi'^ at the held of the fire,fufrered the greatefllofTcs ?it 
 thair own hDiifes j the like evil happened to nuaihcis of 
 traJefmen, whofe fliops werefo quick fi:el foi'th'^ ftamcs, 
 that their tools and ftock were nil confumed before they 
 could repair to Them ; in fome pLiccs we heard the i 
 jhrieks of mothers and children rouzed from their beds 
 hy the furronnding flimes, and no man to. help ; h'rre 
 \\-£ might behold thff aged, the fick and the bed -rid, whofc I 
 dlft-ancc fyom the feat of th^- fire t^.ave them hopes of fe- 
 c;:rity.,dri\'en forth re the inclemencies of the wearher,not 
 knowin; where to fttelter; there we miglit fee thofs 
 whofe !eart.tho-.7v:htS were placed on their fubfi-ance, 
 i\ni whofe greateft anxiety was to fave their Jives : T!ius 
 laged tUi? fire, forcKig its way at the windows of brick 
 hoafes, whofe fiat^d roofs were thought a fuifirient de- 
 , fence, thui adding burning to bunurig, till it left no 
 building nnconfamed where the wind would let it paf*;. 
 The natural horrors of the night added terror to this 
 cataftrophsj and at once rendered it more difma! to the 
 eye, more grevious to be born, and more difficult to be 
 fuprelTed, till the odious nigl^.t wore out, and with it 
 ranifhsd the height of our fciars ; but )iot f* :iie reality 
 of our forrow, t!ie rifen fun aiTuaged the glo^m of the 
 night, but gave us a difmal profj.cc'l of its havock ; a 
 fjTe»5lacle (hocking to fenfibility ! Like the blaftsd trees 
 of fummer, or the fkeleton of fome deiightfai body ; yer 
 far left ungrateful to the Aghttlian forrowfal to' be re- 
 f.jfced on. Take a furvey tlien of tliefe e::!ended ruins , 
 here once lived the loyal fubjecft-, the tender father, 
 the obliging friend, awd a gc»d commonwealths-man; 
 hut their habitations, as with one fvveep .of a fcytlie, are 
 s,lt cut off, and they thrown on the charity o'f their 
 friends : And is this all ? Alas there aieflill more heain- 
 j)i3rcing-fceries ; walk througli the ruin?, and take a 
 n-.ore particular account ; here lived the laborious tradef- 
 ix\xn, on whofs daily iinluflry depended the fuftenance 
 of ."i i'lumsrous family ; there lived one whofe ciicum- 
 Itances were ftraitened with poverty, and diflrelled by 
 ficknels : here 'iresl one jnH ci^zirr^ug ui>iTi indigence, 
 aiid reaplngthe flrfl fruits of honeft indniTry ; tlierelivftd 
 thofe whofe comfci table circumllances affoided a refuge 
 for the needy, and an habitation for tiie friendlefs ; htrc 
 lived th.^fe whofe fubfiftence depended on thetr frtuation i 
 for bafuiefs ; rhere lived th.ofe whofe all was ip their 
 houfes, ana here ihofe who are ftill unhappily aauvera- 
 'i->le for all they loll ; there lived, and there u'as the fub- 
 ftftcnce of thtt aged and infirm, whofe frugal indufcry in 
 youth, had procured them the m-^rited fupport of eafy 
 flic age, whea the body unftrang for labor can n.o longer fup- 
 port itfelf^ — Bat all cut off, their iiiduftry appears no more, 
 and the fatigaes of youth overtakes them,whcn ags fhould 
 be at reft ; the children muft b<jg, and tli^ ii:idufliious 
 muft be dependent, the forehanded repeat his toil anew, 
 and the debtor lay at mercv ; the friendlefs mufl feek 
 for otUer patrons, and they wlio pitronizcd imiilore com- 
 pafuoa ; the affluent a»ed muft forget th?ir eafe, and 
 too foon lofe the benefit of that fabllancs wliich they 
 vould not carry hence. 
 
 ^ o 2 i: -^ '- - ^ ^^ „ " 
 
 - rj ^ ^ C h^ >. .^ n = 2 
 
 V X 
 
 O 
 
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 ^'^^^^ii 
 
 n 
 
 ■E--X 5« o— ~5iC 
 
 15 ?^ 2-;^^-- E 
 
 
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 ^ 
 
 ■^ .i- 
 
 
 t: — o 5 c 
 
 rt 1^ — ^ -r. 
 
 
\Vh*r* iball ll'.e mifcr b^aow his hoarAtebr t!)c ex- I 
 
 -ner his ill go:ien n'mF, or how f.iall Jfie worUlIy [ 
 
 fccurc his h.'.-pincfs uh-n flames IjitouihI them .' j 
 
 1 uf c viVmrs of firrak u'liicli v/e beheld a».ating to 
 
 ;i y wf:c at oncecnil 1 n a iral cf our polfemons uud 
 
 i::ive:jf their loft: liut uhatf-ty thele mighty vu- 
 
 tlicy ihew u:. rt how unceitain atsnure weliol'l our 
 
 •ncnts, fof next ur/Uer a fuvereign pravdence \ve 
 
 ., inJv! t-*J even to the ftahility «'f the wiml that it Jid 
 
 n»>l \ ^Jy :in<i roll the C.imcs over l!ic whole town. ^^ uh 
 
 I.oiv much CAfc then c:\n we fhifj tlie ftene ana fuppofe 
 
 nuilclvei ill the hluatinn of t'le prefent difticned ; v.-.y. 
 
 iloor po>J.>cf.s orvif,i;a-i(e tin'. protcacc> us ? And it 
 
 bti.icdrarovcd, wc Diouhl have felt for row ; hems lo 
 
 narrouly f.^vcd citi we f.iil to roc't with fympaihy ■' an<i 
 
 If c .-cr t!ie goMan rule was c.ipahle of a benevolent apph- 
 
 1 I'l: mort infcr.fiblc mull now feci it, ar.d tlie n.olt 
 
 ■:jcJ put it in piafiice ; and he wiio on this occa- 
 ,. .,. >o-rr.Dt b.-ftow hjuiu. fully to the relief of tlie inmie- 
 di.^ic fuffrrcis, muft eitherflattcr himfelf with fomc l>e- 
 cclur Jnf.ill.blc protection, or being Jefnerate in 
 gidJincfs, bid a hold dc/iaiicc to all calamity. Nor 
 c»ri ;.ny one, thour'.h not immediately expofed to this 
 deilrii-fiion, nrrr.O' Vljftant frcm this capital, farmifethat 
 ihey hive no pyt in its general admonition j 'tis natuie's 
 voice, iliat uell known hctwldofthe Al.mishty which 
 tlio' It h: n<>w utlcrr-J here, yet echoes every uhcre ; 'tis 
 but o-ie 1 1'h of that amazinj fcourgc, \-,randifhed hy the 
 hand cf vcngcaicf, a^a'-rft '^ g^iil'y uoild ; the fame fire 
 m.\y parch uo that land which it does not confumc, aivl 
 eaiili'pjake'j'make iis dcfolation worfc tli.-^n tlie prcfep.t; 
 i( thcicforc wc are common tenants of a l^afs variegate?! 
 v •''. toy and furrow, nerhiaks 'Vs natural wc fhould in 
 : meafurc (hare the good of i: ^vhi(.h we all want, 
 ;; wc are equ.xlly expofed to the evils of it, under 
 h we all dcfiic to he icUeyid. 
 
 nr.y U.^], whnt a tlioufht aiifcs ! can it v/ith truth be" 
 
 , th<t any i'.i !)um»ti Oupc, though (heir da'ly fiipport 
 
 robbery, ihouid hirk for thr CDnfiiflonot a public caiain- 
 
 . j:id phindsr the prop-rty of t'le clilli tiled.; or that any 
 
 • i3ol dflibcration, upon whitlocver pretence, (hould ci- 
 
 ,.-VUckly or priv-vt ly difcour.t^n.ince tliat relief to the 
 
 ■'Xei \-hi:h wc rr.r; all ar fo.Tic time want,and which hu- 
 
 •y fug;Ci\«; ? forMd it hcivm ! .. 
 
 ?.-,, wc fojourn ill a vile of tears, forrow on every fide 
 
 — indsus, and I alls fi»r tlofe duties whi.h wc ftcl im- 
 
 '.d 10 out natures, duties fy cndeliably crp.raven, th it a 
 
 , '.'en fail, " In roihinir do we mori imrr.iMtc the irimor- 
 
 !i Crti', than in doing adts of l:j-dnefs," ths voice of rcve- 
 
 , • ^;i IS ftid mere explicit, and fo plain, that Vc who nm? 
 
 read. PofTcfTions take to ihemfelvcj wines; to what 
 
 • -'le is it then, thai we diilrrfs, perplex and corrupt our 
 
 Is in fretting r.caUh, the pofTifnon of which is fo precs- 
 
 ^ > With what f.icc c«n w: fwell w;lh the conceit of riches 
 
 '. .i'.l\inr.c air"- of importance, difdain, opprefx, ::nd lyrar.- 
 
 - over ihMc 'ncpcaih us (perhaps only) in fortune, when a 
 
 i our^ may fct us -ill on a level ? Hew inucli does it become 
 
 •••hile in tfF.ucncc to demean outfelvrs with li" h honefty, 
 
 '-.iniiy and fccnehccnce, at thnt if calnmity ihould over- 
 
 ' i:: v., v"e may Hand ci^n'c^cdly the wortliy objedts of nced- 
 
 i I'ul relief? Mcthinks tltis cnt^l^rophc is big with in(lri:(ftion, 
 
 ro'jid ary • ne f:< the dire havock produced from fo fmall a 
 
 fre. «nd not feet the obh»aitoR? wc owe to the community in 
 
 r '». n-orr.y of this ntc^jrary but devouring elera-nt, and ot 
 
 TTTj thing that is cpt fuel for the fat^e ? foras our pof- 
 
 1-lVions are not fecuied by o'jrowr finele carelu' nefiB, the duty 
 
 tliTcfofc Lec'omeii cereral j and m«Y I be p'*rrnittcd to take a 
 
 1 i: r from thi: dreadhil dcfoUfton, and point it forth aj an 
 
 Bcr^Slcni of ihal di!tri:clion, which the paffi'.r.G -.vhc* \.l Icofc 
 pfod :cc in bun-an min»b j when the firft er.cefs is tiot (un. 
 pnilcd, like the litt r re they ravage, incre i(c hy running, and 
 \,\.\) dettroy every t^ ig vahjabic in the mind ; .n^y entirely 
 n. p u:, of thit real t. Mhirc which only c;io fVand us in itead 
 wl-.rn a preater conflagration (ball fcire this earth, when wc 
 fliml be as htt'.c anxi-i is lo fave our lives, s.s many Utcly 
 were to tavc their worldly {^circfTjoRS. 
 
^THKlnaiiMWIftai l llW II II lW i l 
 
 1 
 
Dr. Mayhezv's 
 
 TWO 
 
 Thankfgiving-Dircourfes, 
 
 OSioher <^thy 1760. 
 
(0J 
 
 TWO 
 
 DISCOURSES 
 
 Delivered OSloher gth, 1760. 
 
 Being the Day appointed to be obferved 
 As a Day of public 
 
 "T H AN KSGIFING 
 
 For the Succefs of His Majefly's Arms, 
 
 MORE ESPECIALLY 
 
 In the intire Redudion of 
 
 CANADA. 
 
 B Y 
 
 JONATHAN MAYHETV, D. D. 
 
 Paftor of the Weft-Church m Bofton. 
 
 Thou art my Son Afl< of me, and I will give thee the 
 
 Heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost 
 parts of the earth for thy pofTeflion. Pfalm IL 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 Printed and Sold by R. Draper, in Ncwbury-Street ; Fdes 
 and Gill, in Quccn-Street ; and T. and J. Fleet, ia 
 Cornhill. 1760. 
 
 Sec 
 

 Con fiderat ions on divine Providence in 
 the Succefs and Confequcnces of na- 
 tional Wars ; with fome fliort, gene- 
 ral Reflections on the Succefs of His 
 Majefty's Arms in the prefent War. 
 
 PSALM XCVIII. I, 2. 
 
 O Sing unto the Lord a new long, for he hath 
 done marvellous things : his right hand, and his 
 holy arm hath gotten him the victory. 
 
 The Lord hath made known his falvation : his 
 righteoufnefs hath he openly fliewed in the 
 fight of the heathen. 
 
 F'¥#)J("^HOEVER has been much converfant 
 ^\I\/$ in the holy fcriptures, has, I fuppofe, 
 ^;^ ▼ V w made the two following obfervations. 
 
 )!0^%)¥jd ^^^^ ^^^' y^'^^^ ^^^ prophetic writers, 
 after fpeaklng of fome recent, common 
 events, and things of a fccular nature, often flide, al- 
 moft imperceptibly,into futurity ; or into the mention 
 of thofe things that pertain to the kingdom of God 
 under the reign of the Mefllah. So that while a per- 
 ilm thinks he is reading oniy about certain ordinary 
 occurrcnts, and expe(^s to meet with nothing clfe, he 
 ^nds himfelf fuddenly carried into future times with 
 A 3 th^ 
 
6 Confideratlons on Providence in the 
 
 the prophec ; even into the later periods of the chriH. 
 tian difpcnfation, concerning which the moll glorious 
 things are foretold. 
 
 The other obfervation alluded to above, i§. That 
 in the prophetic writings, what is fpoken primarily 
 concerning worldly things and events then prefenr, 
 pad, or fpeedily to come to pafs,has often a reference 
 lo other matters ; to things fpiritual and future ; and 
 not only future, but far diftant ; and indeed princi- 
 pally refpe£ls thefe : viz. the perfon, offices, and 
 reign of Chriit ; and the glory of his kindgdom in 
 the latter days. So that in one view, the fame paf- 
 fage is fometimes common hiftory, and in another 
 -view, illuRrious prophecy ; fome word or claufe being 
 purpofely inferted, which determines the padage to 
 be of the prophetical kind ; and chiefly to relate to 
 the kingdom of Chrili, even Vv'hile a great, or perhaps 
 ^he greater parr of it, has a plain reference to other 
 niatters, more commpn and ftmiJiar. 
 
 Many of the pfalms"^ of David are plain exam- 
 ples, and undeniable proofs, of both thefe obfervatir 
 
 ons.' 
 
 * As for inflance, the 2nd, 72nd and 89th pfilnis. The paf- 
 fages of fcripture which have fuch a double meaning, arc 
 indeed numerous, both in the old and new teftarocnt. 
 And they partake of tjic nature of parables, or allegories ; 
 which are fornetimes literally true, either in parr or whole : 
 But what is chiefly intended in them, is the moral, or fpiri- 
 tual meaning couched under thofe common words & phraf- 
 cs. And, what this f^condary, yet principal, and ultimate 
 fcnfc is, may |;cnera!ly at lea(l,if not always, be determined 
 v/ith grc.it eafe and certainty by the difccrning and judici- 
 ous. Tho' it mud not be denied, that fome whimfical.but 
 well meaning people, ha?c made very odd work with fuch 
 pafTagis, by oyer draining them ; and have fometimes con- 
 ceited a double meaning without a^y appaient rcifon for it : 
 whereby they have given too much occaHon to others to ri- 
 dicule the whole notion of types, and a dqublc fcnfc, as 
 ^ho' k were in iifclf abfurd. 
 
Stfccefs and Confequencei of Wars, &c. "7 
 
 ons. And the 98th pfalm, the beginning of which I 
 have chofen for the ground of my difcourfes on the 
 prefent joyful occafion, is an example of the latter 
 of them. 
 
 In this pfalm David praifesGod, and exhorts others 
 to praife him, on account of forae fignal appearances 
 of his providence in favour of his chofen people ; in 
 faving them from, and giving them vi£lory over their 
 enemies ; hereby openly fliewing his righteoufnefs to 
 the heathen nations around them. This is doubtlefs 
 the primary defign of the pfalm ; at leaft, of the for- 
 mer part of it : But it is not the principal, or ultimate. 
 In its chief and ultimate view, it is a prophecy of 
 what was to come to pafs in the days of the MeJfTiah ; 
 when God was, by him, to make known his falvation 
 in a far higher, and more illuftrious fenfe ; and to 
 reveal his righteoufnefs, not only to the heathen na- 
 tions in, and round about the land of Canaan, but to 
 the uttermoft parts of the earth. So it is faid, ver. 3d, 
 in the ixmcfaj} (as is common in the language of pro- 
 phecy,to denote the immutable certainty of the thing 
 fpoken of ) '* He hath remembered his mercy and 
 " his truth toward the houfe of Ifracl : All the 
 " ENDS OF THE EARTH have fccn thcfalvation of our 
 '* God." In confequence whereof, not only Ifrael, 
 but all the earth, is called upon in the following ver- 
 fes, to make a joyful noife unto the Lord, to rejoice 
 snd fing his paifes. Yea, the fea, and the fuinefs 
 thereof, are bid to join in this concert ; the world, and 
 they that dwell therein, while " the floods clap their 
 •* hands, and the hills are joyful together." 
 
 This is both extremely fublime, and very natural ; 
 6nce the main fubje(^ of the pfalm, is that glorious 
 reign of Chrill. before the conclufion of which there 
 
 A 4 « 
 
E Confiderations on Providence in the 
 
 is to be a general " reftltution", or renovation of all 
 things ; even of the material earth and heavens. For 
 behold, faith the Lord, I make all things new : And 
 we, according to his promife, look for new heavens 
 and a new earth,wherein dwelleth righteoufnefs. And 
 indeed this pfalm itfelf, tho* a fhort one, looks for- 
 ward to the lime of our Lord's fecond coming ; 
 *' whom the heavens mud receive, [only] until thefe 
 " times of reftitution of all things, which God hath 
 *' fpoken of by the mouth of all his holy prophets, 
 '' fince the world began.''"^ For it is to be obferved, 
 that all things rational and irrational, animate and 
 inanimate, are called upon thus to rejoice together, 
 *' BEFORE THE LoRD ; for he Cometh to judge the 
 *' earth : With righteoufnefs fhall ho judge the world, 
 *' and the people \yith equity j" as the pfalm con- 
 cludes. 
 
 But to return to the text : " O ling unto theLord 
 */ a new fong, for he hath done marvellous things : 
 *' his right hand, and his holy arm harh gotten him 
 '' the viflory. The Lord hath made known his fal- 
 ^' vation : his righteoufnefs hath he openly fliewed in 
 *' the fight of the heathen." Tliis pafTage,as before 
 obferved, has undoubtedly a reference to fome very 
 remarkable deliverance which God had vouchfafed to 
 his people Ifrael, and to his fubduing their enemies 
 under them ; hereby making manifelt his righteouf- 
 nefs to their heathen neighbours. In confequence 
 whcrcof,ihc Ifraelites are admonifhed to (mg " a new 
 *' fong" ; which was not ufed to be done, but upon 
 fame very (Ignal occafion. But while the padage has 
 fuch a retrofpe(5i to things and events already pail, it 
 docs, without all reafonable doubt, look forward to 
 things and events then, and even flill future. And 
 this new fong, confldcred in the ultimate view of the 
 palT:ige, may probably be no other than that menti- 
 oned in the revelation of St. John, The 
 
 ♦ Aas Ml. 21. 
 
Succefs and Confeqiiences of Wars, Szc. ^ 
 
 The prefent occafion, you are fenfible, leads us 
 directly and immediately to confider this padage, only 
 as an exhortation to praife God for the temporal fal- 
 vation, the fuccefTes and vi£lories, with which at any 
 time he favours his people : but efpecially when thefe 
 are very fignal and illultrious ; fo that by them, God 
 may be fciid to make known his falvation, and openly 
 to fhew his righteoufnefs in the (ight of the heathen. 
 Which is {lri(ftly and literally applicable to what he 
 hath lately done for us, at leaf! here in America. But 
 having confidered and applied the paflage in this view 
 of it, I am perfuaded, you will think it proper for us 
 then to extend our views beyond thefe temporal con- 
 cernments ; and briefly to confider what afpe<fi: our 
 military fncccfFes have upon the kingdom ofChriil, 
 the extenfion thereof, and its eflabl-ifhment in its pow- 
 er and purity thro'out the earth. For this is not only 
 that event, to which the pafiage ultimately relates ; 
 but it is what we all do, or fliould, firmly believe and 
 pray for, whenever we repeat thofe words — *' Thy 
 *' kingdom come ; thy will be done on earth as it is 
 *' in heaven" ! And our late victories and fuccefles 
 may, not improbably, contribute to the accompliili- 
 ment of this great event. 
 
 But before I come to fpeak particularly of thefe 
 fiiccedes, which have lately attended the arras of our 
 king ; and of our obligation to (ing a new fong on ac- 
 count of them; it will be proper to obfcrve and il- 
 Juftrace one mod important point of doiflrine contained 
 in the text ; and which is really the foundation of all 
 the gratitude and praife, which we owe to almighty 
 God for them. It is this ; That God is truly the 
 author of all our deliverances from, fuccefles againft, 
 and victories over, our worldly enemies. You fee 
 U:iat ihcfe are in the text afcribed to God / there 
 
 being 
 
lo Conjukrat'ions on Providence In the 
 
 being no particular mention made, fo much as of any 
 means or indriimcnts, employed by him in bringing 
 thein to paf^. Altho' means and inftruments are at 
 Icalt generally, if not always fuppofed,in fuch cafes ; 
 yet the plalmill here takes no particular notice of any, 
 bat attributes all directly to God. The Lord hath 
 i\o\-\t iiiarvcilous things, fays he ; his right hand, and 
 his holy arm hath gotten him the viftory. He is ac- 
 cordirgly faid i0 have made kno\vn his falvation 
 hereby ; and to have openly ihewed his righteouf- 
 nefs to ;he licathen : Tho' pofFibly there might have 
 ;been nothing of a miraculous kind, {lri<9:ly fpeaking,in 
 .the deliverance and fuccefTes wherewith God had 
 favoured hi-i people, and which are here primarily in- 
 tended. At leail this is fuppofcable ; for the fame 
 ,kind of language is often ut'cd in fcripture, refpe^ling 
 thofe fucceiles and vi^lories, which were confeiTedly 
 brought about only by natural, ordiiiary ajid human 
 means ; which is fufficient to my prefent deHgn, 
 And fo much it was needfuj to obferve, previoufly to 
 my entering upon it. For, intirely fetting afide the 
 cafe of miraculous interpofitions, with which we our 
 .felves are not novv concerned ; it is propofed,by divine 
 alhilance, to illudrate snd conHriii the proportion 
 mentioned above, on the fuppoHrion that things come 
 to p:,:fs according to what is called the edabliihed 
 courfe of nature, and the fettled order of things. For 
 jevep, upon this fuppolMon, as well as in thofe cafes 
 where miracles arc to be admitted, all our temporal 
 deliverances, victories and fuccelKiS are fi'om almighty 
 Cod: — Otherwife indeed, I knov;^ not what reafoa 
 ^ve have tg praifc hi in for them, however great or 
 important rhey arc in liiemfelves. And this is cer^ 
 taj.ily a point, very fuitable to employ our thoughts 
 >: thisfeafon, and upon the prefent occafion. 
 
 However, 
 
Succefs and Confequences of Wars^ See. 1 1 
 
 However, you will obferve that it is not fo much 
 the proof, llridlly (peaking, as the ilhiftration of this 
 point, that is now intended : Becaufe it is taken for 
 granted, that we all in general believe this to be true 
 already ; and therefore do not need to have it proved 
 to us in a formal manner. But yet it may be profi- 
 table to many, and indeed to all of us, to hear fome 
 refle£hons and remarks upon it,by way of illuftration. 
 
 SoMB general notion of a providence fuperintend- 
 ing the world, and the concerns of mankind, has been 
 common in all parts and ages of the world; and alfb 
 common to all perfons, with a very few exceptions. 
 The ancient epicureans, indeed, denied a providence, 
 while they profefied to believe there were Gods in 
 great number ; fo many, that it were eaficr to call all 
 the ftars by their names, than to give a catalogue of 
 them. But perhaps they acknowledged a deity, or 
 deities, only to avoid the general odium of mankind, 
 being nothing better than atheifts in difguife ; if in- 
 deed there beany fuch thing as fpcculative, or philo- 
 fophical atheifm. But at this day all profciled theiOs, 
 to be fure all chriftians, believe a providence ; how- 
 ever crude, indigefted, and partial, the conceptions of 
 many perfons may be concerning it. None of thefe 
 imagine, as the epicureans affc6ied to do, that God 
 is too indolent, or that he difdaineth, to concern him- 
 fclf about the things that are donf on earth, even 
 tho' he humbleth himfelf when he beholdeth them 
 that are done in heaven ; in thofe heavens, which are 
 not clean in his fight, and the angels whereof he 
 chargeth with folly. 
 
 Now, if there be any fuch thing as a providence, 
 convcrfnnt and aftive about men, and their temporal 
 concernments, which is taken for granted j certainly 
 
 national 
 
12 Confiderations on Providence in the 
 
 national wars and their events, mud be under God's 
 particular infpc^tion and fuperintendence; thefe be- 
 ing, in their nature, of the higheft importance, and 
 the confequences of them mod extenfive and intereft- 
 ing. It is on the conduct, fuccefs and ifTue of battles 
 and wars, that the temporal welfare of nations princi- 
 pally depends, from generation to generation. Ani 
 notonly their temporal, but their fpiritual welfare alfo, 
 depends in a great meafurenpon the management and 
 iilue of wars. For hereby it is frequently determin- 
 ed, in efie6l, not only whether people fhall enjoy 
 iheir native country, their laws, their civil rights and 
 liberties ; but alfo whether they fhalj lofe or enjoy 
 their religion, with their fpiritual privileges ; and whe- 
 ther their poflerity fliall be of this pr that religion, 
 or perhaps of none at all, 
 
 Whoever is converfant in hlflory, or is tolerably 
 acquainted with the pad and prefcnt flate of the 
 world, knows that the religious llate of countries is 
 often determined, ahpod unavoidably, to be what it is 
 in general, by wars and conquefls ; almofl: as certain^ 
 ly as their political and civil (late. How often docs 
 the conqueror deprive the conquered of their old re- 
 ligion> cither in whole or in part ; and give them a 
 ne v one in its room ? Which is done, cither by right 
 CO vn tyrannical impofiiion, or elfc by allowing fomc 
 I eculiar privileges of a fecular nature to thofe who 
 will make an exchange ; uhich latter, though it be a 
 gentler and more humane way of bringing about a 
 revolution in religion, and may require more time, js 
 not perhaps a lefs cfncricious and certain one in the end. 
 Sometimes both thefe methods are einploycd at once, 
 iiud what is ir, for examplc,that hath made almoli all 
 the Eufi, mshouictans ? thole who, at lea^^ whofe 
 fore-fati:crs,were once chrillians ? What is it that hath 
 
 produc'd 
 
Succefs and Confequences of Wars ^ Sec. 13 
 
 produc'd Co prodigious an alteration in the religious 
 ftate of thofe countries, in fo confiderable a part of 
 Europe, Afia and Africa ? Thevifible, apparent cau- 
 fes hereof, were the wars and conquefts of the Sara- 
 cens ; of Mahomet and his fucceirors, and the vari- 
 ous methods iifed by them to fupprefs the religion of 
 Chrift, and to propagate the impollure of the Coran.^ 
 This is only mentioned as one remarkable example 
 of what is ufually the effect of conquefts in a greater 
 or lefs degree. It cannot,howevcr, be denied, that the 
 changes thus introduced in religion, are fometimes 
 for the better, as well as often for the worfe. As, for 
 inftance, fmce the time of Oliver Cromwell, at lead 
 of William III, the roman catholic religion has, I 
 fuppofe, hfen gradually lofing, and the proteftant 
 gaining ground, in Ireland : And this, without perfe- 
 cution, inquifitions and racks ; which are abhorrent 
 from the principles of the latter, tho' very confonant 
 to the fpirit and temper of too many of its profeflbrs. 
 Now, if this be indeed God's world, and in any pro- 
 per fcnfe under his in(pe£lion and government, it is 
 impofnble but that he muft, in fbme way or other, 
 order and determine thefe great events of war, by 
 which almoft all other things are, in effe^l:, determin- 
 ed; both in the religious and civil ftate of nations. 
 If we fhould fuppofe that fuccefs and vi£lory are not 
 owing to the influence and operation, or the provi- 
 dential government of God, we ihouldtakea great and 
 inoft material part of his work out of his hands ; leav- 
 ing him, I had almoft faid,but very little to do in the 
 adminiftration of this world. On this fuppofition.the 
 world would be governed almoft without him ; even 
 with refpc^i: tothegreateft, and moft interefting events 
 and revolutions, that come to pafs therein from age 
 to age ! And if we could once fuppofe, that God does 
 
 not 
 * Or mahometan bible. 
 
14 Cofifiderations on Providence in the 
 
 hot concern bimfelf about thefe matters, the wars of 
 nations, their conduct, and various ifliies ; if we could 
 once imagine, that fome mighty empires are reduced, 
 overturned and ruined, while other kingdoms are 
 founded, extended, and made formidable, indepen- 
 dently of God, or without his providential influence 
 ?nd ordination ; we might then come into this farther 
 concluflon, naturally, if not neceffarily flowing from 
 fuch premifes, viz. That all other events in this world 
 alfo come to pafs independently of God ; they being 
 apparently of lefs confequence to the world than 
 thefe. But as this would be dire6lly to adopt the old 
 epicurean (yftem, which was really no better than 
 difguifed ntheifm, it is concluded, nothing needs 
 to be faid in confutation of it in a chriAia^flembly. 
 
 But, from thefe general reflections on the over- 
 ruling providence of God in the fuccefs and ifliie of 
 wars, we will, if you plcafe, proceed now to take a 
 nearer and more particular view of thefe important 
 events. We will conflder, what are the ufual, the vi- 
 fible, and more immediate caufes of military fuccefles 
 and viftpries : In doing which, we fliall trace the vef- 
 tiges of divine providence. We fliall hereby fee fome- 
 thing of the manner, in which God operates to the 
 production of thefe efFcCls in ordinary cafes, by the 
 inflrumentality offecondary caufes, or natural metmsi 
 Which, it is hoped, will be a uieful entertainment to 
 us, and particularly feafonable at this time. 
 
 Wnr^N nations are engaged in war, there afe divers 
 things, to which fuccefs is apparently,and more vifibly 
 owing, whenever obtain'd ; fometimes to one of them, 
 fomctimes toanother ; and fometimes to a coincidence 
 of feveral together. And a curfory review, or brief 
 confideraiion of thefe things, will fcrve to illuflrate 
 
 and 
 
Succefs and Confequencts of Wars, &c. 15: 
 
 and confirm the main point before us ; by fliewing, 
 that there is no victory, no fuccefs in war, but what 
 is ultimately to be refolvcd into the holy will, the 
 adive influence, or providential government of God. 
 
 I. To begin then at the vifible fource and foun- 
 tain of military enterprifes and operations : Succtfsis 
 fbmetimes more plainly owing to a fupcriority of wif- 
 dom in the cabinet, in a king, or his council and mi- 
 niflry, than to any other fecondary caufe. For when 
 there is an equality of advantage in all other refpefts, 
 fuch a fuperiority of wifdom at the helm, at lead or* 
 dinarily determines the fuccefs. It is in courts, that 
 the fcheme and plan of wars, and the general m.anner 
 of condu6ting them, are laid and fixed upon. And 
 one nation often becomes vitorious and triumphant, 
 rather than its enemy, becaufe there is more wifdom 
 and prudence at the helm, in direfting and pointing 
 its military efforts. But from whom, or from whence, 
 did fome kings, their councils or minifters, derive this 
 fuperiority of wifdom and genius l How, for exam- 
 ple, does it come to pafs, that a George and a Pitt 
 have more wifdom than a Louis and a Belle'ijle f Is 
 their wifdom felf-derived ? or have they more than 
 they received from above I You know, who it is that 
 tcacheth man knowledge; whofe infpiration giveth 
 him underftanding ; and from whence all found judg- 
 ment and counfel comes. It is all originally from 
 God, as truly as the wifdom of prophets and apoftles; 
 tho' not of the fame kind, nor defigned to anfwer ex- 
 aftly the fame ends. So that whenever fuccefs and 
 and triumph arc more vifibly owing to fuch a fuperio- 
 rity of wildomat the- helm, than to any other caufe, 
 you fee to whom the glory thereof is ultimately 
 due. 
 
 2. SuCCESi 
 
l'6 Con fi derations on Providence in thd 
 
 2. Success is often owing to a fuperiority of mili- 
 tary ikill, courage and ftratagem, in the general or 
 generals, who have the more immediate diredlion and 
 condu£l of a war committed to them. All other circvim- 
 ftances being fuppofed alike,fuch a difference between 
 the capacities of the refpe£live commanders of armies, 
 commonly at lead determines the victory. Many a 
 general and admiral have lofl: the day, merely by 
 being outwitted ; and as many, of confequence, have 
 come off with fuccefs and applaufe, by means of their 
 fuperior fldll and addrefs. But is not the wifdom and 
 penetration of generals, or military commanders, de- 
 rived from the fame divine fource, with that of kings, 
 their minifters and counfellors ? Does not God make 
 a difference in this refpe£l: between the former,as well 
 as between the latter ? Did not the duke of Marl- 
 borough, for example, receive that military genius 
 from heaven, which gave him fach a fuperiority over 
 the French commanders, the beginning of this 
 century ? Who made a Ferdinand fuperior to Rich- 
 lieu and a Contade f perhaps to a Broglio alfo ? And 
 who but God was the author of thofe military ac- 
 compli fliments, that penetration, addrefs, and true 
 martial ardor, which appeared in the late general 
 WdLFE ; and which have render'd both him, and thd 
 HEIGHTS OF ABRAHAM, forcvcr memorable ? Or 
 who gave another general, whom I need not name, 
 the wifdom and magnanimity to condu6l the war in 
 this part of America, to a conclufion at once fo glori- 
 ous to himfelf, fo happy for us, and for Great* 
 
 Britain ? But without a regard to any particular 
 
 times or fa6ls, it is unqucftionably true in general, 
 that fuperior facjacity, a thorough knowledge of mili- 
 tary aiTctH'S, brav^M-y, and a right judgment in a chief 
 commander, yr^^. oftlic ntmolt importance ; and that 
 fuccefs is ofu.'u iiit-rc viably owing hereto, than to 
 
 any 
 
Succefs and Cotifequences of JVars , &c. 1 7 
 
 any other caufe. And if we know from whom thofe 
 qualities are derived, we can be at no lofs, to whom 
 the fucceiles obtained by means of them are to be af- 
 cribed. Certainly God did not originally make all 
 generals & military commanders equal ; or give them 
 the fame capacity and genius for war : We have fecn 
 a very remarkable difference even amongft our own, 
 during the prefent war. 
 
 3. Success and vi£lory are fometimes moft appa- 
 rently owing to a fuperioriry on one fide in refpe£l of 
 numbers. And indeed, when there is equal wifdom 
 in the cabinet,equal fkill,difcipline and bravery in the 
 field, and all other circumflanccs arc alike favourable 
 to both fides ; whenever this is the cafe, it is plain 
 that, without a miracle, vidlory mud declare for the 
 mod numerous hoft. And numbers have often 
 prevailed againft a fuperiority in almofl all other 
 refpefls ; tho' not fo often as other things have pre- 
 vailed againft numbers. But fince this is fometimes 
 the cafe, let us confider whence it is, that one nation 
 or country is more populous than another ; and able 
 to fend more troops into the field. Do men grow 
 fpontaneoufly out of the ground, like trees ^ or ra- 
 ther, as they do not ? For it isGod's hand that plants 
 and waters, and his fun that warms, even the meaner 
 flirubs, as well as the fpreading oak, the hanging elm, 
 and the cedars of Lebanon,thofe tall and ancient fons 
 of the forefl. Now doesGod caufe the trees,and even 
 the lowly fhrubs, to abound more in one country than 
 another ? and do men, who are fliled '' his offspring," 
 increafe and multiply with him ! Surely they do not. 
 God has not only made all nations to dwell upon the 
 face of the earth ; but has determined the times before 
 appointed,in which they live, whether in fucccffion or 
 at once j and has even fixed the bounds of their habi- 
 B tariui^ 
 
i8 Ccufiderations o?i Providence in the 
 
 ration rcfpeflively ^. If, while one nation is incrcafed 
 and enlarged, another is diminiihed by plagues, earth- 
 quakes, famine, or any other means, doubtlefs it is 
 the providence of God that makes this difference. 
 It is therefore evident, that when one nation is fuc- 
 cefsiul in carrying on a war, by reafon of its being 
 greater and more populous than another, fuch fuccefs 
 is ultimately to be attributed to God, who multiplieth 
 one, and diminiilieth another by various methods, as 
 he pleafeth. 
 
 4. Success and viclory are fbmetimes more appa- 
 rently owing to neither of thefe things, but to the 
 inperior courage and ftrength, patience and rcfolution 
 of the troops ; I mean,of the common foldiery. Thefe 
 qualities often prevail over fuperior numbers, and 
 nixTny other advantages, to fuch a degree almofl,that 
 one has been known to chafe an hundred ; and two, 
 to put ten thonfand to flight ; As in fomeof the wars 
 of the Jews of old ; and in others alfo,where nothing 
 prcetcrnatural i? fappofed to have taken place ; parti- 
 cularly in the wars between the ancient Greeks and 
 the Perfians : Wl^erein a few thoufands,or even hun- 
 dreds of the former, fometimes put to the rout almofl 
 incredible hofis of the latter ; armies, the number of 
 which, as is fnidof Gog andMagog, '' was as the fand 
 ** of the fea"; and which '' went up on the breadth 
 *' of the earth" f againft them. But whence is it 
 that fome men, yea whole nations in general, have 
 more bodily flrcngth, and more fortitude than others? 
 Some are doubtlefs weaker, more timed and faint- 
 hearted than others, even by nature. Or if this ap- 
 parent difference amongri: men, be in part owing to a 
 difiLTencc ir. the cli marcs, who made this difference ? 
 Or if it be owing partly to different ways of living, 
 
 different 
 
 * Aas XVII. 26. t Rev. XX, 
 
Succefs and Confequences of PF'arS, ScC, i^ 
 
 different difcipline, &c ; yet the providence of God 
 is not to be excluded, even here. There is indeed 
 no reafon to doubt but that courage, and even bo- 
 dily (Irength, may be acquired and improved by pro- 
 per methods of living, exercife and difcipline. Buc 
 this is never ja^ually done independently of divine 
 providence, giving opportunity and occafion for it, and 
 leading the way to fuch improvement. There is of- 
 ten a co-incidence of many things and events, and a 
 long train of particular circumflances, by means 
 whereof the courage and martial prowefs of one na- 
 tion are raifed and improved to a prodigious height ; 
 while in another nation there is no fuch train of cir- 
 cumftances,no fuch co-incidence of things and events, 
 favourable to a martial fpirit ; But, oii the contrary, 
 fuch an one as tends to enfeeble and enervate, to dif^ 
 pirit and debafe the people. Now this long rrain of 
 conne£led circumftances and events, tendirg to raife 
 the military fpirit of one nation, and to deprtis that of 
 another, is certainly never, in the whole of it, the 
 effect of human contrivance, forefight and ordination, 
 of which it appears to be, at leaft in a great meafure, 
 independent. Irmuftbe afcribed at laft to that di- 
 vine providence, which fuperintends and over-rules 
 all thinc^s. It is, in fhort, like the fabulous golden 
 chain of the poets, hung down from heaven to earth ; 
 the upper end whereof is far above mortal reach and 
 
 (ight, and there faftened to the throne of God 1 
 
 Whenever, therefore, fuccefs in war is more immedi- 
 ately owing, as it often is, to fuch a fuperioriry of 
 martial prowefs and bravery, it may be faid, with the 
 greatefl: truth and propriety, that God's '* right hand, 
 " and his holy arm hath gotten him the vi<flory." 
 
 $, Success is fometim.es owing, more immediately, 
 
 to neither of the things already mentioned ; but to one 
 
 B 2 nation's 
 
2d ConfideraUoHs on Providence in the 
 
 nation's having a greater plenty than another of mi- 
 litary (lores, provKionS, and all things neceflary for 
 profecucing a war to advantage : Or, to its being 
 richer, which comes to much the fame thing at laft ; 
 for, as Solomon has obferved, " Money anfwereth all 
 " things." But whence is it that one country abounds 
 with provifions, with all things needful in carrying on 
 a war, or with riches ; while another is barren, defti- 
 tute of thefe conveniencies, and poor ? None of my 
 hearers, certainly, need to be informed from whence, 
 or from whom, thefe differences originally proceed : 
 Who it is that giveih corn and wine, wool and flax ; 
 that multiplieth the flocks of the fliepherd, and feed- 
 eth the cattle upon a thoufand hills ; that has ap- 
 appointed *' a vein for the filver, and a place for the 
 ** gold where they fine it ; while iron is taken out of 
 " the earth,andbrafs is molten out of the {l:one",where 
 he has depofited them : Or, who it is that has ordain- 
 ed and opened the canals of commerce between coun- 
 try and country, either more or lefs convenient for 
 mercantile intercourfe, for the exchange of commodi- 
 ties, and fupplying thofe places with filver and gold, 
 which are naturally deftitute of them. Will you ex- 
 clude God and his providence from having done thefe 
 things ? Surely you will not. Whenever, therefore, 
 fuccefs in war is owing more vifibly and immediately 
 to fuch plenty, abundance, or fuperior riches, the vic- 
 tory is plainly theLord's : Who giveth thefe fiipplics, 
 in various proportions as he plcafeth, out of his own 
 cxhaufilefs (tores and treafuries, to different nations, 
 realms and kingdoms : None of which podefs more 
 of them, than they pofTcfs by his favour and bounty. 
 
 6. Where nations are equal, or nearly equal, in 
 all thofe refpc6ts that have been mentioned, there is 
 yctfometimes health enjoyed in one camp or army, 
 
 while 
 
Succefs and Cenfequences of WarSy Sec. a i 
 
 while ficknefs prevails in that of the enemy ; which is 
 the more immediate caufe of fuccefs and vi(flory to 
 the former. Yea, lefs numerous armies, and inferior 
 in every other refpedl, have prevailed by this means ; 
 while far fuperior ones have become an cafy prey ro 
 them. But whence does it come to pafs, that ficknefs 
 rages in one country, camp or army, rather than in ano- 
 ther? or this particular year,rather than anothcr,either 
 fore the war commenced, or after it is over, and all 
 is decided ? I will not fufpe(5l any prefent to be fo 
 fceptical, or rather fo athciflical, as to hefitate a mo- 
 ment for the true anfwer to thefe demands. When- 
 ever,therefore,vi£lory or fuccefs is owing to the greater 
 health enjoyed in one army than in the oppofite, you 
 fee to whom it muft be attributed at laft. 
 
 7. Success, when all other circum fiances are nearly 
 alike, is (bmetlmes mod apparently owing to winds, 
 tides and weather ; which prove favourable to one 
 fleet or army, and unfavourable to the oppofite. In 
 all maritime wars, and all military operations which 
 have any connexion with, or relation to, the mighty 
 waters of the ocean, or even to lakes and navigable 
 rivers (as indeed almoft all national wars have, cfpe- 
 cially in this age of the world) ; in all fuch wars, a 
 great deal depends upon weather, winds and tides. 
 Thefe are fometimes fo ordered, as to give fuccefs 
 ;ind victory even to the inferior fleet or army. Some- 
 times the fuperior fleet fuffers a terrible fhipwrack, 
 and all defigns mifcarry therewith; while the inferior 
 rides fafely in port, or fails fecurely juft beyond the 
 limits of the ftorm, under a ferene Iky, and profper- 
 ous gale. Sometimes a numerous army is obliged to 
 remain inactive, and is perhaps half flarved, becaufe 
 the wind has held long to the northward or the fouth- 
 ward, to the eaft or weft ; and the expelled fupplieg 
 
 B 3 hav 
 
ti Conftderattons on Providence in the 
 
 have mifcarriec] ; perhaps, been driven on the 
 enemy's coaU, as a feuronable relief to them. Yea, 
 fometimes when well appointed armies have met on the 
 field, and hjve h:.d no connexion with feas, lakes or 
 rivers ; the wind, rain and hail from heaven, by at- 
 tackin-:^ one of them in front in the time of battle, 
 hav^e been ihe nieaiv.: of pi^ttirg it to the rout, and 
 giving the v"aory to the weaker army. Hiflory fur- 
 nifhes examples of all thefe things. Now you are 
 fenfible, that winds and tides, ftorms and tempefls, 
 which have fuch a mighty influence in w?.rs,efpecially 
 in naval ones, are no ways dependent upon human 
 wifdom or power ; but upon almighty God, So that 
 whenever they prove favourable to one fide^and un- 
 favourable to the oiher, and determine the faccefs ; 
 we can afcribe fuch faccefs to none but to him, who 
 holdeth the waters in the hollow of his hand ; whole 
 pleafiire, fnow and hail, rain and vapour, and (iormy 
 winds fulfil ; and of whom it is laid, '* There is 
 ** non^ like the God of Jefliirun, who ricJerh upon 
 '* the heavens in the help of his people, and in his 
 " excellency upon the Hey." Deut. xxxiii. 26. 
 
 8. Sometimes fuccefs is owing, more immediately, 
 to what is vur;'ar!y termed a mere accident,and which 
 Solumon hiinielf c:!'!> chnrice. " 1 returned, and faw 
 " under ihe mn,fays he,that the race is not to the fwift, 
 " nor the battle ro the Hrong — but time and chance 
 ^^ happeneth *o them all'' ^. 1'hat is, fome unfore* 
 feen, unfjfpecled turn, incident or circumflance, not 
 owing to any human providence or contrivance, fome- 
 times gives the race to the flower, and the vi6lory to 
 
 the 
 * Eclcf. ix. II. The word chance \% di^eis tJmes ufoi in 
 fcrip'.ure in mucli che fame fenfe ; and particularly in our 
 Saviour's account of the man that " fclj aniong thieves,'* 
 Luke X 31. " And by chance there came down a ccrtaii 
 ?* Pfieft ib^t way," &c. 
 
Succefi and Confsquences of Pf^ars, &c. 2 3 
 
 the weaker. It were indeed very abfurd to fuppofe, 
 that the fwifter fhould not win the race, all other 
 things and circumdances relative thereto being ahke ; 
 and the only difference lying in iherefi:)e6i:ive Iwinnefs 
 of the runners. This were as abfurd as to fuppofe, 
 that a winged arrow from a bow, would not reach a 
 diftant goal, tho' there were no ob(lru(Slion in the 
 way, fooner than the fleeping, almofl motionlcfs fimil 
 would crawl to do it. It were alfo irrational to fup- 
 pofe, that the (tronger army fhould not prevail in 
 the field, all other things and circumftances being 
 alike ; and the only difference lying in their refpec- 
 tive power. This were as abfurd as to fupjx)fe, that 
 a heavier weight ihould not preponderate in an equal 
 balance^and overcome a lighter. We may be fure that 
 Solomon was too much of a philofopher to intend either 
 of thefe things, fo contrary even to common fenfe. 
 His meaning, as intimated before, doutlefs is, that 
 certain crofs accidents, finifter and unfufpe£led occur- 
 rents, or cafual ties, fometim.es intervene as to one fide, 
 or fome favourable ones as to the other ; and (natch 
 the vidory from the {lrons;er, yea,from the v/ifer and 
 braver, giving an unexpected triumph to the lefs nu- 
 merous and valiant hoft. As alf) the fwifter, and 
 more expert runner, may be vanquifhed by running 
 at a difad vantage, by making one flip, or a (ingle 
 mif-ftep. Thus it is that, in the language of Solo-r 
 mon, time and chance happen to all men. And that 
 great victories have fbmietimes been thus obtained by 
 inferior, over fuperior armies, without any realmifcon- 
 du61 of the one, or any wiier or braver conduft in the 
 t»ther, hiftory abundantly atteftrs. Thus, for illuflra^ 
 tion, the better general, with the fuperior army, has 
 not always had, nor could have, his choice of ground: 
 Perhaps he was a dranger to the country, and a little 
 £00 far advanced, or not quite far enough, when hs 
 13 ^ was 
 
24 Cofiftderattons on Providence In the 
 
 was necefilrated to come to a battle at a great difadvan" 
 tage ; which has been the occafion of vi£i:ory to the 
 weaker, by whom perhaps the particular time and 
 place of battle were as unfought for, i. e. as accidental, 
 as they were to the former. So again, when the bed 
 difpofitionshave been made in an army before a battle, 
 upon a rational prefumption that the oppofite army 
 would be drawn up after fuch or fuch a manner, this 
 has proved, perhaps, the lofs of the day ; there being 
 an order of battle in the latter, materially different 
 from what was, on good grounds, expelled : And this 
 polTibly, rather by a mere miftake, or blunder, than 
 from any fuperior ikill in the arc military. So that 
 wifdom on one fide, and want of it on the other, 
 have, by a ftrange kind of fatality or accident, contri- 
 buted equally to take the victory from the ftronger ! 
 Yea farther : Battles have been loft by the (Ironger, 
 thro' (ome unaccountable miflake of orders, or only 
 of a fingle word at a critical jun<^ure, and gained by 
 the weaker ; to which decifion of the day, another, 
 but fortunate miflake in the latter, may have partly 
 contributed ! Hiftory, I think^affords examples of all 
 thefe things ; at leart,fuch examples as are a fufficient 
 ground for thefe reprefentations : Tho' if it did not, 
 yet thefe things are plainly fuppofeable accord- 
 ing to the courfe of nature ; which is fufficient. 
 And this may in fome meafure ferve to illuftrate and 
 verify the obfervation of Solomon, that the battle is 
 not always to the flrong ; but that time and chance 
 happen to all. Indeed fome of thofe things which 
 were mentioned under former heads, might be redu- 
 ced to this of time and chance, according to this noti- 
 on of it; particularly winds, weather, &c. under the 
 Jaf^preceeding head : which things are, as to us, con- 
 tirgcnt, accidental or cafual ; noways dependent up- 
 on human providence and ordination. 
 
 Akp 
 
Succefs and Confe que noes of Wars^ &c. j y 
 
 And bow many things of this kind are there,whlch 
 come to pafs from age to age, fometimes quite con- 
 trary even to rational probability, as well as without 
 any human contrivance, to fruilrate the devices of 
 men ? " For man knoweth not his time, as the fifhes 
 " that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that 
 *^ are caught in the fnare ; fo are the fons of men 
 " fnarcd in an evil time,when it falleth fuddenlyup- 
 " on them"^". Thus It is that Solomon Illuftrates 
 his own meaning about time and chance, in the verfe 
 immediately following. But are thofe things which 
 are chance and accident to us, iliort-fighted mortals, 
 the fame to God, to whom, it is faid, " all his works 
 *' are known from the beginning of the creation ?" 
 Can we think that fiich things, which tho' feemingly 
 iittle in one view of them, yet give fuch great turns 
 to the aifairs of nations, and are relatively of fuch 
 prodigious importance to the world,are accidental with 
 regard to God ; or that they happen beyond, or bc- 
 (ide, his intention 1 Certainly we cannot, without the 
 greateft impiety, and the greatefl: abfurdity, in ccn- 
 jun^iion. No : The lefs man has to do in the con- 
 trivance, ordination and produ6i:ion of them, i. e. the 
 more accidental and fortuitous they are with relation 
 to man, the mere immediately and dire£i:iy are they 
 to be attributed to God. Thefe things, by whatever 
 name or names they are called, are doubtlefs ordain- 
 ed by him to be producl:ive of fuch and fuch confe- 
 quences ; and, at the fame time> to confound hum.an 
 pride and arrogance, that no flelh might glory in his 
 (ighr. In one word, thefe are^ without all doubt, a 
 very material part of that great plan of divine provi- 
 dence and government, which are carrying on in th« 
 world from one age and generation to another. For 
 even a fparrow does not fall to the ground without our 
 
 Father , 
 
 9 Ecclef ix. I a. 
 
2 5 Conftderatlons on Providence in the 
 
 Father ; and when men caR the lot or die, *' the 
 ** whole difpoling thereof is of the Lor J ""^j 
 
 It may juH: be adued here, that the vi(Slory, and 
 with it the civil and religious llafe of nations, has 
 Ibmetimes bven determined hy an unpremeditated re- 
 foliuion, or a hicky thought, i»s feme would plirafe it, 
 coming into the mind of a coTimander in a decifivc 
 moment, one can hardly tell ho?/. Aiiho' it was net 
 owing to any fuperior fep^aciiy habitual to him ; yea, 
 altho' the moH: wife and experienced generals would 
 perhaps have agreed in looking on it as ralh and un- 
 juftifiable, yet it has fuccceded. Of this there have 
 been examples. And to what fliall we attribute fuch 
 victories and fucceiTes, but to tliat providence which 
 fuperintends and directs all things ; and to the influ- 
 ence of which, even chance and accident are fubjeft, 
 in accomplifhing its own great defigns I 
 
 Miraculous interpofitions being excepted, I can- 
 not rr-^dily think of any other things befides thofc 
 mentica^v^ ;;bovC; ivbich are the imm<"diare, apparent 
 caufes of vi«5tory, and military faccefTes ; at lead, of 
 any which may not eafily and naturally be reduced to 
 them. And a!l thefe, we fee, are to be refolved at 
 jali into the pleaflire and providence of God. The 
 wifdom of kings, their mimficrs, counfellors,military 
 commanders, is all originuliy from him. It is he that 
 muk;pri..^th and increafcih nations ; that givcth fupe- 
 rior irren^ch, cournge, plenty, riches, heakh. Winds 
 and feas, and florms, fulfil his pleafare : And what- 
 foever is, widi rcfptd to us, accident or chance, we 
 muil^unleis we are epicureans or ntheifts, acknowledge 
 to be in him fixed purpofe, counfcl and dellination. 
 
 But 
 * Prey. xvi. 33. 
 
Succefs and Confequences of rp^an,Zcc. 27 
 
 But if there f]\ould be any other things befides 
 ?hofe mentioned above, to v.'hich fucccfb is ever more 
 immediately owing ; it mnfl, however, be either owing 
 to fbme qualities, powers and aflsof fubordinate agents 
 intirely dependent on him ; or elfe, to fome more di- 
 rt£l influence and operation of the fupreme, original 
 caufe ; for there is no medium. If the former, flill 
 luch fuccelTes are truly from God, according to the 
 lame reafoning that has been ufed above : But if the 
 latter, then they are, by the very fuppofition icfelf, 
 more immediately from him. ^ 
 
 What then is the refult of all this, but that God 
 really fits as Umpire on his eternal throne, between 
 contending nations in all their contefts, whether 
 for right and juftice only, or for proud dominion ; 
 giving fuccefs and triumph to which fbever he pleaf- 
 eth ? And it is always to be remembered, that he 
 afts herein the part, not merely of the (overeign, but 
 of the infinitely wife and holy, juft and good gover- 
 nor of the world. His providential government is not 
 deflruflive of, but pcrfeclly confident with, the moral 
 powers, the liberty, and proper agency, of his rational 
 creatures ; being conformable to the nature which he 
 has given them. And he alfo exercifeth loving- kind- 
 nefs, judgment and righteoufnefs in the earth, by de- 
 fending 
 
 * It Is very fuppofeablc that the omniprcfcnt Spirit, which is 
 •' above all, ar.d thro' alJ, and in us all", may often imme- 
 diately influence the human mind in its determinations, tho' 
 quite irnpercepnbly. Or the rainiftry of angels may be em- 
 ployed for that purpofc, and in a great variety of other 
 vtays, to the produ(5lion of fuch cfFtds and events as arc 
 fpokcn of above ; of which there are more than obfcurc in- 
 timations in the fcripturcs of the old and new tcftamcnt. 
 And it is farther to be cbferved, that both thcfc may be 
 fuppofed, without any altcrntion in, or infradlon upon, the 
 viUlIc cftabiiftied couffc of things, or the known laws of 
 Diiiwre J fwcJi a« k soipiita iu the noiioa of a tniracU. 
 
2 8 Confiderattons on Providence in the 
 
 fending and profpering one nation when engaged in 
 war, and humbling or deftroying another ; ordering 
 all things in the moft perfect manner pofTible. Of 
 this we may be fare in general, from what we know 
 of his perfections by reafon and revelation ; altho', 
 when we come to particular events and difpenfations, 
 we are indeed often unable to fee the fpecial reafons 
 and defignsof them. And how fhould it be other- 
 wife? It were infinitely abfurd to imagine, that crea- 
 tures of fuch very limitted capacities as mankind,fhouId 
 be able fully to comprehend the immenfe defigns and 
 works of an infinite being. It were as rational to 
 fuppofe that a child in the arms of its mother, fhould 
 be able to comprehend, not only the oeconomy of the 
 family, but of the great kingdom or empire, of which 
 it was born a fubjedl ! 
 
 Let me here fubjoin without any comment, a few 
 paflages of fcripture, which being taken all together 
 in one view, very fully and ftrongly exprefs whate- 
 ver has been faid upon this fubjeCl.— '* Thine, O 
 Lord, is the greatnefs, and the power, and the glory, 
 and the viClory and the majefty : for all that is in the 
 heaven and in the earth is thine. Both riches and 
 honor come of thee, and thou reigned over all ; and 
 in thine hand is power and might, and in thine hand 
 it is to make great, and to give ftrength unto all "^" — 
 
 ** Mine UNDERSTANDING RETURNED UNTO ME, and 
 
 I blefied the Mod: High — whofe dominion is an ever- 
 lafling dominion, and his kingdom is from generation 
 to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth 
 are reputed as nothing ; and he doeth according to 
 his will— All whofe works are truth, and his ways 
 judgments ; and thofe that walk in pride he is able to 
 abafe §". — *' There is no king faved by the multi- 
 tude of an hoft : a mighty man is not delivered by 
 
 much 
 * J Chron. xxix. ii, 12. § Dan. 17. 34. 
 
Succefs and Confequenc^s of Tf^ars^fcc, tf 
 
 much ftrength. An borfe is a vain thing for fafety ; 
 neither fhall he deliver any by his great ftrength. 
 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear 
 him"^" — ** Bleded be the Lord my ftrength, which 
 teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight : 
 my goodnefs, my fortrefs, my high tower, and my de- 
 liverer f " — " God is the judge : he putteth down 
 one, and fitreth up another:]:". — ** Thus faith the 
 Lord, Let not the wife man glory in his wifdom, nei- 
 ther let the mighty man glory in his might ; let not 
 the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that 
 glorieth, glory inthis,that he underflandeth and know- 
 eth me, that I am the Lord, which exercife loving- 
 kindnefs, judgment and righteoufnefs in the earth : 
 
 for in thefe things I delight, faith the Lord§". 
 
 *' Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens ; and thy 
 faithf ulnefs reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righte- 
 oufnefs is like the great mountains ; thy judgments 
 are a great deep" || . — *' By his fpirit he garniih- 
 cd the heavens ; his hand hath formed the crooked 
 ferpent. Lo, thefe are parts of his ways ; but how 
 LITTLE a portion is heard of him ^f" — " Canfl: thou 
 by fearching find out God P canft thou find out the 
 Almighty unto perfection ? It is as high as heaven, 
 what canft thou do ? deeper than hell, what canft 
 THOU know H§ ! " 
 
 Thus I have offered ibme things in order to illuf- 
 trate and confirm that important point of do^^rine 
 mentioned in the former part of this difcourfe. And 
 let the impious Mezetitti of the earth boaft ever fo 
 often, that their " right hand is their God §^;" yet it 
 
 appears 
 ^ Pfalm xxxili. i6. f Pfalm cxHv. i. J Pf Ixxvii 7, 
 § ix. 23. 11 Pfalm xxxvi. 5.6. ^ Job xx?i. 13, 14,, 
 ||§ Chap. xi. 7, 8. 
 
 J* Contemptor Deum Mezentlus 
 
 Dextra mihi Deu8, ct tclinn quod xniffilc IlUr©, 
 Adfint i . Virg. 
 
JO ConfidemUons on Providence in the 
 
 appears that there is Another, whofe right ha nd.an(3 
 his holy arm, does, and will, get him the viftory. 
 We are not to fiippofe a fatality in the events of war, 
 inconfillcnt with any real liberty in man. Nei- 
 ther arc we to ruppofc,that thefe important events are 
 fb precarious and fortuitous with refpe^i: to our felves, 
 that we can never form a rational or probable judg- 
 ment concerning ihem, before-liand. But, accord- 
 ing to reafon, to fcripiureand experience, the Author 
 and Lord of nature does fo over-rule and controul 
 mankind in the exercife of all their powers and facul- 
 ties (without deflroying them) ; and fo order almoil: 
 innumerable other things — every thing indeed, rela- 
 tive to the conduct and ifTue of wars, as to hold thefe 
 events in his own hand ; and to keep men in a conti- 
 nual dependence on himfelf. A nation can never be 
 certain of fucccfs in war ; fo many things unexpc<^- 
 edly intervene from rime to time,by God's ordination, 
 to fruilrate the moli fanguine hopes. And fometimes, 
 on the other hand, contrary to all apparent probability, 
 God f^ipporteth, raifeth, and crowneth with victory, 
 thofe that were caft down, without ftrength or fpirits, 
 and fcemingly on the brink of de{lru(Si:ion. That fome 
 nations are in fa61 thus difappointed and humbled, 
 and others exalted, quite contrary to human probabi- 
 lity, none will deny : And he that will afcribe thefe 
 events, ukiniarcly, to any thing elfe than to divine 
 providence, has an *' evil heart oi unbelief in de- 
 ♦* departing from the living God." 
 
 Some of thefe lafl: obfervations might be, in a mca- 
 fure, exemplified in the turn which the prefent war 
 h ts taken within about three years. There has fel- 
 dom been (b great a change in the face ofany war in 
 fo (horr a (pee, as this took about that time. In Vv'hat 
 fea did our fleets, jud before, fupport the ancient ho- 
 nor 
 
Succefs and Confequences of JVars, &c. 31 
 
 nor of the Britifli flag ? Where were not onr troops 
 defeated and difgraced? What part of our extended 
 frontier in America, was not drenched with blood ? 
 What countenances did not appear deje6lcd, except of 
 thofe, who were not the friends, perhaps the enemies, 
 of their country ? In what nation were we not become 
 a bye-word and an hifTing ? v/hile the very favages 
 defpifed and infulted us. How wonderfully is 
 the fcene changed fmce ? Where are not the Britifh 
 fleets and armies now v^riorious ? IJow many ? u-hat 
 important conquefls and acquifitions, have been made? 
 What fatisfa^lion appears in the face of every well- 
 wiflier to Great-Britain, and her dependencies ? If 
 war, horrid war, can ever wear any other than a hide- 
 hus form, it may now be fa id to have put on a finiling 
 countenance with refpe^l: to us. But, like the fabled 
 jfanuSf whofe temple was always open in a time of 
 war, it has two faces. If with one it f miles onus, 
 with the other it certainly frowns on our enemieSjpar- 
 licularly here in Am.erica. They now feel all that 
 we either felt or fear'd from them heretofore, ex- 
 cepting the effe^s of favage cruelty and treachery ; 
 which God grant they mny never feel from the hands 
 of Britons, or Britifh fubjefls ! Whatever they may 
 deferve, we certainly owe more reverence to our 
 felves, and to human nature, than at once to diflio- 
 nour and debafe both, by retaliating their perfidy and 
 barbarity. This were as much beneath us, and even 
 more, than for a man of virtue and true honor to be- 
 come a common executioner. Such work is fit only 
 for them, and for hl??i '' whofe works they ufe to do." 
 
 Divers things have been mentioned in this dif- 
 courfe, as the more immediate, apparent caufes of 
 military fuccefles and victories ; ibm>etimes one of 
 tliem, fometinies another, and fometimes fevcral of 
 
 them 
 
J 2 Confiderations on Providence in the 
 
 them In conjun<^ion ; all by the determinate counfel 
 and ordination of heaven. It would be an unnecef- 
 fary, perhaps an indecent inquiry, To which of ihefe 
 things the great change in the face of the prefent war, 
 and our military fuccefTes for feveral years part, have 
 been more efpecially owing ? fince this might lead to 
 fuch comparifons as ought not to be made. There 
 has, I fuppofe, been a co-incidence of feveral of thefe 
 things, to the produ^ion of fuch happy and glorious 
 events : Wifdom, and found policy at the helm : mi- 
 litary /Idll, fpirit and magnanimity in the commanders 
 of our fleets and armies"^ : courage, difcipline, and 
 martial prowefs in the troops : plenty, health, &c. 
 And what may feem to have had as little hand, per- 
 haps, as any thing, in moft of our fucccfles, is that 
 which was diflinguiflied by the name of accident, or 
 chance. However, this is not to be wholly excluded 
 from having had a Ihare therein : For in all military 
 affairs and enterprizes, after human policy, wifdom 
 and bravery have done their beft, there will dill be 
 fomething,more or lefs, left to the decifion of chance; 
 that is, in other words, left to be determined more 
 immediately by the hand and providence of God, 
 Let it fuffice, that our fuccefles are real and great ; 
 and that, by whatever means they have moft vifibly 
 been obtained, they are originally fromGod,to whom 
 the glory of them is therefore due. 
 
 I AM, by God's leave and help, in the afternoon 
 to make fome more particular obfervaiions and re- 
 flections on our lare military fuccelTes, efpecially in 
 the total redu6lion of Canada ; and alfo briefly to 
 confider, what afpc6l thefe fuccefles have upon the 
 enlargement, and more general eflablifliment of 
 Chrifl's kingdom in the world : which is the grand 
 
 and 
 
 * Not, however, without fomc exceptions. 
 
Succefs and Confcquences of TVars^ Sec. 33 
 
 and glorious event to which my text, and the whole 
 pfalm relates, in its uhimate view. And we flioukl 
 remeinber, thai in the common cuurfe of things, the 
 great defigns of God's kingdom and grace are carry- 
 ing on in the v-orld, even by means of wars and the 
 fword. All thcfe commotions are preparatory andin- 
 trodu<5lory to the glorious things foretold of the latter 
 days ; when, '' from the rifing of the fun, even iin- 
 ** to the going down of the fiime, the name of GcJ 
 " lh.i!l be great among the gentiles ; and in every 
 *' place incenfe fhall be ofTcrcd unto his name, and a 
 *' pure offering : for my name fhall be great among 
 " the heathen, faith tlie Lord of hoffs'' "^ . While 
 perhaps kings, or even whole nations, are proudly 
 flruggling for mutual revenge, or for extended empire 
 and dominion, without a thought of any thing farther ; 
 there is One who, tho' invifible to mortal eye,preiides 
 over, and dire61s all,with far other views and defigns; 
 with defigns and views infinitely more wife, juff, bene- 
 volent and auguft : And whatever He wills is defli- 
 ny. For there is no underflanding, or counfel, or 
 might againd: the Lord. Sooner Ihall man that is a 
 worm, and the fon of man that is a worm, *' break 
 *' God's covenant of the Day, and his covenant of 
 *' night, fo that there fhall not be day and night in 
 *' their feafon-j-", than fruflrate his piirpofe as ex- 
 prefTed in the prophecy following — •• The God of 
 *' heaven fhall fet up a kingdom which fliall never 
 *' be deilroyed ; and the kingdom fliall not be left ro 
 ** other people ; but it Hiall break in pieces, and 
 *' confime all thefe kindgdoms, and it lliali fland for 
 " ever "ij. 
 
 Let us, my Brethren, be truly fenfible, that it is 
 to God we are indebted, not only for all our late mi- 
 litary fucceffes, but for life, breath, and every blelTiicr 
 C which 
 
 * Mai. i. 5. f Jer. xxxlii. 20. {! Dan. 
 
 u. 4 
 
 fi- 
 
54 Confide rat ions on Providence, &c. 
 
 which we enjoy. "For of him,andthro'him,and to him 
 '' are all things" — If we are now truly thankful to 
 our God,and walkanfwcrably to the obligations which 
 he hath laid us under, we Ihall at length praife him 
 without wearinefs in ** a temple not made with 
 *' hands'* ; and begin that glorious thankfgiving,thofe 
 fongs of vifle^y and triumph with patriarchs and pro- 
 phets, with apofcles and angels, wherewith the uni- 
 verfe fliall refbund when thefe heavens are *' folded 
 " up and changed" — In the mean time, O let us fing 
 nnto trie Lord a new fong here on earth ; for he haih 
 already done marvellous things; his right hand and 
 his holy arm hath gotten him the vi£l:ory — Give unto 
 the Lord, O ye mighty ; give unto the Lord, all ye 
 kindreds of the earth ; give unto the Lord glory and 
 ftrength ; give unto the Lord the glory due unto his 
 name • 
 
 The End of the firft Difcourfe. 
 
 ^^^''^^'^^-''^cS^^^^'^^'^J^'^^ 
 
 Difcourfe 
 
Difcourfe IL 
 
 Concerning the late Succefies of His 
 Majefty's Arms, more efpecially in 
 the Redudion of Canada ; and the 
 Afped they have upon the Kingdom 
 of Chrift, its Extension, and farther 
 Eftabhfhment ; with Refledions. 
 
 PSALM XCVIil. I, 2. 
 
 O Sing unto the Lord a new fong, for he hath 
 done marvellous things : his right hand, and his 
 holy arm hath gotten him the victory. 
 
 The Lord hath made known his falvation : his 
 righteoufnefs hath he openly fhewed in the 
 (ight of the heathen. 
 
 ^^^"^!^x AIL, Happy day! and thanks to Him 
 ^'^XJ^I* that made it fuch ! This is indeed a 
 <V^li'>^> ^ood day, which the Lord hath made 
 ^CW^^J^]* for us to be glad and rejoice therein ; A 
 Sar'Tfif'SiK^Sfl^ day which, if not many prophers, yet 
 many wife and righteous men have defired to fee ; 
 and which we their pofterity are To highly favoured 
 of God, as now to behold. Let us therefore fing a 
 C 2 new 
 
^6 Co /ice ml rig the ReduB'ton of CAi<i ad a, &c. 
 
 new fong unto the Lord, vvliofe right hand, and his 
 holy arin hath gotrcn him the vi£lory ; whereby he 
 harh made known his iaivation, and (liewed his ri;h- 
 teoufnefs to the heathen, 
 
 Wherever the Hnging of a new fong is mentioned 
 in fcripture, as it is in divers other places, it has a 
 reference to fome very (ingular event, by which God 
 manifefls his power rmd glory; his loving-kindnefs 
 to his people, orhis jnil feverity in the punilhment of 
 their enemies. Anci it was obfcrved to you in the 
 morning, that this padage, and the pfalm in general, 
 has a retrofpedl to fbme remarkable appearances of 
 God s providence in behalf of his people llrael. This 
 is not, however, the ultimate view of the pfalm, or 
 of tl'iis palTage in particular. It is nor merely of the 
 jiiitorical, but alfo of the prophetic kind ; looking 
 for'ward to the great things then, and fiili future ; 
 which arc moH: furely to come to pafs in the latter 
 days, under die reign of the Merfiah : When God 
 will more.fjgnally difplay his falvation, and openly 
 fhew his rightcoufliefs to all the gendle nations ; 
 '* giving his fon the heathen for his inheritance, and 
 *' the uttermod parts of the earth for his poffelTion." 
 Agreeably wheren^, th^ anolHe John tells us, that he 
 jheard a new fong f<Jii^g ; in which, it feems,the whole 
 rational creation bore a part — '' And every creature 
 " which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the 
 *' earth ; and fach as are in the fea, and all that are 
 " in them, heard I fiying, BleiTmg, and honor, and 
 /' glory, and power be unto him that (itteth upon the 
 f throne, and unto the lamb for ever and ever"^. 
 
 The text in its ultimate defign and view, leads our 
 thoughts to the time when this new fong fliall befung, 
 on occafion of thoie great diings and glorious events, 
 
 he re u fie r 
 
 * Vid. Rev. V 9-13. 
 
Concerning- ths KcduBion of Canada, &c. 3 7 
 
 hereafter to be accoinpliflied ; of which God's mak- 
 ing knovvn his falvation to his people of old, and 
 fhewing his righteoufnefs to the heathen in, and round 
 about the land of Canaan, was typical, and a kind of 
 pledge. But the prefenc occafion lead.s us more par- 
 ticularly to confider this pafT^ge, as an exhortation to 
 praife God fcr the temporal deliverances with which 
 he favours his people, and the fuccelles and victories 
 which he grants them over their v/orld!y encn:iies. 
 However, it was intimated to you, that 1 Ihould not 
 quite lo[e fight of this palTage confide red in its ultimate 
 def]gn, or as having a prophetic reference to the glory 
 of ChriiVs kingdom in the latter days : Efpccially 
 fjnce thofe fuccelles with which God hath lately fa- 
 voured us againd: cur papal and heathen enemies, may 
 pofTibly, or rather probably, be one means of, and a 
 f;ep towards, the final accoinpliflimcnt of thofe far 
 greater things vi'hich arc fiiortly to come to pa fs. 
 
 The main bufmefs of my difcourfe in the morn- 
 ing, was to illuf^rate and confirm an important point 
 of doflrine contained in the text : viz. That Cod is 
 truly the author of all our deliverances from, fuc- 
 ceiles againff-, and victories over, our worldly enemies. 
 His right hand, and his holy arm, faith the pfalmitl-, 
 hath gotten him the victory, &c. This is indeed the 
 foundation of ail our religious joy and gratitude on 
 fuch occafions as the preient. It was thcfefore 
 thought proper to enlarge upon this point. And ac- 
 cordingly we traced fcime of the foot-fleps of divine 
 providence, and the v;ir;ous methods of its operafu.n, 
 in giving falvation and victory to thofe whom it fa- 
 vours ; and in accompli iliing its own great defiens. 
 But having already laid what may fcrve in fome 
 incafure to clear up and el'iablifli this im.portant prin- 
 ciple of natural and revealed religion ; and alfo made 
 I'jaie fhcrr, general reflexions on our late- militaiy 
 C 3 fuccelTcs 
 
38 Concerning the ReduSiion of Canada, &c. 
 
 fuccedes : It will now be proper to take a nearer, 
 and more particular view of thefc fucceflc-s, efpeci- 
 ally here in America, in the redudlion of Canada ; 
 which, you are fenfible, is the principal cccafion of 
 our appearing before God this day to fing a new fong 
 of praife to him. However, fome other fuccefles 
 with which God hath lately favoured the Britifli arms 
 in other parts, will not be wholly omitted. 
 
 Some of my hearers may probably remember, that 
 on the day of our public thankfgiving the lail year on 
 the fdrrender of Quebec, the capital of Canada, I 
 confidered the importance of that acquifition, not fo 
 much in itfelf, as with reference to what might proba- 
 bly be the confequence thereof another campaign.viz. 
 the intire redu61ion of the whole country : Some of 
 the happy effefts whereof were then reprefented to 
 you, upon a prcfumption that this muft be the confe- 
 quence of thatacquifition, with the ordinary bleiTmg 
 of providence on the Britiih arms ; or unlefs fome- 
 thing out of the common courfe of things, iliould in- 
 tervene to prevent it. I now heartily congratulate 
 you, my friends and brethren here prefent, and blefs 
 the great, the eternal God, who prefides over nations 
 and their affairs, that he has not frufirated thofe our 
 hopes; but fulfilled and realized them, in fome re f- 
 pects even beyond what we could have reafbnably 
 expected. But having heretofore confidered the fur- 
 render of Quebec in connexion with thefuppofed re- 
 du^ion of Canada, as the natural confequence ; and 
 fpoken fomewhat particularly of the advantages which 
 muft refult to Great-Britain and her colonies from 
 fuch a conqueff ; you are fenfible that I have hereby 
 in ibme meafure anticipated the joy and gratitude of 
 tliis day ; and precluded myielf from faying divers 
 things, which might otherwiie have been proper on 
 
 ihc 
 
Concermng the ReduSlion i?/ Canada, &c. 39 
 
 the prefer) t occafion : I mean, unlefs I fhould go 
 into a repetition of the fame things ; of which I am 
 not fond. 
 
 However, Hnce it is proper to fay fomething par- 
 ticularly upon this conqueflj in order to excite our 
 gralitudge to the fupreme Governor of the world, 
 from whom falvation and vi^lory come ; I iliall noc 
 fcrupuloufly avoid every thing that was mentioned on 
 the occafion aforefaid ; But, touching briefly on thofe 
 things which were then chiefly enlarged upon, I fhall 
 now fpeak more efpecially of fuch as neither were, 
 nor could be, taken notice of at that lime, without the 
 fpirit of prophecy. 
 
 Let us then confider the compleatnefs of this 
 conquefl: ; the great importance of it co Great-Bri- 
 tain and her American colonies ; the little lofs of 
 men with which it has been efle<51ed ; and fome of 
 the foot-fleps of providence therein. After which, 
 we will rake a curfory notice of fome other of our 
 military fuccefl^s (ince the time of our lafl public and 
 general thankfgiving : All which tbgether, aflx)rd us 
 the agreeable hopes of feeing the prefent calamitous 
 war foon brought to a happy period, and demand our 
 moft grateful acknowledgments to the God of armies. 
 
 We may now, with the greatefl propriety, conflder 
 the conquft of Canada as compleated. The French 
 no longer hold a fingle fort, garrifon,or fortified place, 
 in that country ; but ihere has been a formal furren- 
 der of the whole by the governor-general thereof to 
 the Britilh commander ; the principal parts whereof 
 had indeed before been brought under,and fubduedby 
 force of arms.From what we have already heard, it may 
 bereafonably fiippofed that the far greater part of the 
 inhabitants of NewFrance are before this time become 
 Britiili fubjeas ; having taken an oath of allegiance 
 C 4 ^' 
 
40 Concermng the ReduBion of Canada, S^c. 
 
 at leaQ of fiddity, lo his MajoQy : While the regular 
 troops and nrarinc coi-npanies of Franco, with all 
 officers civil and m'ditary, and other pcrCons of any 
 diflin£l:ion who m'ght pron^ote dillurbanccs, are em- 
 barked, or embarking, for tlieir mother country. The 
 liritiHi troops are a(51ua]Iy in pollcirion of all. places 
 '^^•^<^ polls of any confequence, fuch as they deflre to 
 jjodcfs; and in fufficicnt numbers. So that if there 
 ihould be any eiTort made by the French with their 
 favdgcs to recover the country from their conque- 
 rors, it mud: cerrainly, without a miracle, be to no 
 purpofe. Tho' there is not the leail renfon to fu(pe6l 
 there will be any fjch mad attempt madr : Efpeci- 
 ally when we conHder that the French who remain in 
 the country, are difarmed ; that the favages in thofc 
 jiurts, wiih whom they are forbid any commerce, are 
 become our allies ; and lafliy, that the Englifli gene- 
 ral has iliown ^o much clemency and humanity to the 
 Canadians, a^ to have endeared himfclf to tbein, and, 
 ^% we are informed, to make them confider him, not 
 fo much their conqueror, as th-ir proreclor and deli- 
 verer from their old tyrannical maders. "^ In fliort, 
 we may look upon thi .'•country as cffedlually fubdu- 
 ed ; as cfTeffuaily as it could liave been, unlefs fire 
 and fword had been carried thro' it from one end to 
 the other, to devour without niercy all that came in 
 their way ; \^'hich were equally inconfifient with the 
 genius of the religion we profefs, and with the true 
 bravery and genemfity of Britons, how agreeable fo- 
 ever it might be to the bloody religion, to the favage 
 fp'rit.and the butcherly conducf of cur enemies : And 
 it may be added, how much provocation focvcr they 
 have given us, by their former treacheries and baiba- 
 rities, to treat them in the fame mianncr whenever it 
 fhould bo in our pov/er. This 
 
 * It is crcdi'^ly fai'l that M. Vaudreuil, the la e ooverr.or • 
 general of Canada, was almod iiniveiTally dcttflcd by the 
 Canadians for his pride, avarice and cruelty. 
 
Concerning the ReduBion of Canada, &c. 41 
 
 This conqued of New France Is moft important 
 in its nature and confcquenccs, as well as jcompleat. 
 The country itfelf is large and fruitful ; many parts 
 of it well cultivated, and much more populous,as well 
 as fertile, than we were taught to believe in times pad. 
 This Gonquert adds at once a large extent of territory 
 to the Eritifli empire in America ; and a great number 
 of fubjed^ts to the Britiih crown, who may in time be- 
 come very ufeful ones. All the Indians bordering on 
 Canada, will, or rather arealready,bccome our friends 
 and allies. None of the American favages are now 
 our enemies, excepting two or three tribes on the back 
 of our fouthern colonics, in the intereft of theFrench 
 of Louifiana. Tiicfe have indeed lately committed 
 the mofi horid outrages, accompanied with the black- 
 eil treachery ; taught them, doubtlefs, by the great 
 maders thereof, the French, at whofe inftigation they 
 commxnced their hodilities. However, this rupture 
 with thofe favages will probably be of no long conti- 
 nuance. They received a ccnfiderable check the 
 lad fummer,in the dedru^lion of (bme of their towns. 
 And they v/ill doubtlefs be awed by the late fuccedes 
 of the Britidi arms; and by plainly feeing theEnglilh 
 now fo fuperior in America, that they can have no 
 dependence upon the French, cither for fupplies or 
 proteclion. God hath made known his falvat!on,and 
 openly dievveJ his righteoufnefs, to all the heathen 
 nations in thefc parts of Amciica ; who were no d ran- 
 gers to the perfidy, the wicked defic^ns and pra£lices 
 of the French. Thef: favages who, like (bme more 
 refined politicians, chule always to be on the dronged 
 fide, have in times pad been indudrioudy fed up by 
 the French with an opinion of their great fuperiotity ; 
 that they diould be able at length to fubdue us, and 
 inake a conqucd rf the v/hole country. But the eyes 
 of almoil all ef iliem are now fufnciently opened; 
 
42 Concerning the ReduBion of Canada, &c. 
 
 and thofe of the few others,cannot long continue fhut. 
 They wiW probably expe6i: in a fliort time to {clq, 
 Loiiifiana in \k\t fame fituation with Canada — Nor are 
 they flow todifcern, or backward to follow, their own 
 imerefl. So that we may reafonably depend on hav- 
 ing them all in a manner our friends, from Hudfon's 
 Bay to Lake fuperior ; and from thence foinhward to 
 the gulph of Mexico. Inftead of having any of them 
 todidurb, and break np our infant fettlements from 
 time to time, as heretofore, we ihall have a large and 
 profitable trade opened with them ; even with nations 
 whofe very names were lately unknown to us. Our 
 colonies, it maybe fuppofed, will enjoy peace for the 
 future ; and with the common blefTmg of providence, 
 be greatly increa fed and enlarged in thecourfe of a few 
 years. 
 
 These things will dire^lly and manifeflly tend to 
 the emolument of Great-Britain, by prodigioufly in- 
 creafing the demand for her manufactures, enlarging 
 her commerce, and augmenting her maritime power : 
 Efpccially if the North-an^crican cod-fifhery fhould 
 be all, or chiefly, in tho hands of Bririfli fubjefts. 
 The French themfelves who fliall remain inCanada, 
 will be tobefupplied withEuropean commodities from 
 Great-Britain, as well as the favages in America, and 
 her own colonies, probably in a fhort time increafed 
 beyond what many perfons vvili eafily conceive at 
 prefent. And even the inhabitants of Great-Britain 
 will be greatly multiplied hereby, if not in proportion 
 to thofe of her colonies ; (ince many more thoufand 
 perf()ns of different occupations, will, by fuch a vaff 
 demand and confumption of her manufaflures, readily 
 f^wdi [he means of fubiiflence, than can do fo at prefent ; 
 which is doubtlefs the reafon why fiie is not more po- 
 pulous. So that if the f^rength and honor of a nation 
 •onfifts in the number of its induftrious people, in an 
 
 extended 
 
Ca?icermng the ReduBlon of Canada, &c. ^j 
 
 extended commerce, and in riches, whereby ^iit is 
 enabled to raife armies, to equip mighty fleets, and 
 to m:iintain both as occafion requires ; thefe are the 
 advantages which will in ihe ordinary courfe of thingj 
 refult to the Britilh, from the late fuccefs of his ma- 
 jefty's arms in America."^ 
 
 The reduftion of Canada, fb important in its na- 
 ture and confequences, has, thro' the good providence 
 of God,becn compleated with very little lofs of men: 
 With far lefs, indeed, than could well have been ima- 
 gined, confidering the number of the enemy, the vi- 
 gorous effort they made to recover their capital early 
 in the fpring; and (to give them their due) the fpirit 
 and refolution which they have fhown on fome other 
 occafions (ince this v;ar commenced, to defend their 
 country, ani to give trouble and annoyance to us. In 
 which attempts they have divers times been far more 
 fuccefsful, not only than we could have wiflied, but 
 than was to the honor of the Eritifh arms. Witneft 
 Gfwego, Fort Wiliiam Henry, and more efpecially 
 Ticonderoga ! Witnefs alfo Fort Du Quefne, and the 
 banks of the Monongahela, fliil perhaps white with 
 
 the 
 
 * The ihings hinted In this paragraph were more particularly 
 mentioned in the .Outlier's 2^ difcourfe the jaft year, occ?.G- 
 oncd by the furrender of Quebec : And they are fip.ce fct in 
 a very full, cicar and (Irong iiglit in a Tradt lately publi/hed 
 in London, and re- printed here, cntiiuled. The hitereji of 
 Grsat- B 7 iia'tn cor- ftdersdnxiith regard ic hsr Colonies ^ &G. 
 In this judicious Tr2(5t it is compoted, that in one century 
 the ruittbc! of Britiili fubjcds on this fide the Atlantic may 
 probably exceed thut now on tlje other ; and that Great- 
 Britain hcrfeit is C'?p.*ble of containing and fupporting ten, 
 tiv:es the number of people (lie docs at prefent, could they 
 but fird employment by the increufed demand, and proper 
 returns, for lier rnannf^<fi'jrcs. To which nothing caa 
 contribute fo rraicb. iiijd To ccrtulf. iy, is the growth of her 
 Amcrieao colonies. 
 
^4 Concerning the Re duel ion of Canada, ^c. 
 
 the bones, if not red with the blood, of our flaughter'd 
 troops ! When we reflect on thefe things, adding 
 thereto, that the enemy were lately in poflelTion of 
 feveral pofls and pades lying between our armies and 
 them, ftrong both by nature and art ; and that they 
 had the advantage of a pcrfedl knowledge of the 
 country, of which we knew bur li[tle : Vvhen we re- 
 flexion thefe things, could it have been fuppofed that 
 general Amherst, with all his addrcfs, his patience 
 and magnanimity, would have been able to compleat 
 the redu£lion of Canada almofl without any lofs of 
 men ? Excepting thofe which were drowned in pafhng 
 the difficult and dangerous rapids above Montrenl,and 
 thofe who have been taken off" by (jckncfs, I think 
 the whole lofs amounts but to about an hundred "^ ; in 
 taking the arm'd veflels of the enemy on the lakes, 
 and feveral firong forts advantage oully (ituated, and 
 vigouroufly defended, of which it u'as necedary to 
 become maflers before the army, or rather armies, 
 could arrive at the ifland of Montreal, where it was 
 commonly fuppofed the chief Icene of action would 
 be. But when the three I armies uere drawn near 
 together at that place by their relj^ec^tive leaders, but 
 all under the general diie(flion and orders of One ; 
 it feems that general Amherst had little more to do 
 than to make his own terms, and to receive the furren- 
 der of Montreal and the whole country from the 
 French governor: Little elfe, I fliould have faid, un- 
 lefs it were to keep their own enraQ,*d favages froni 
 falling upon the French to plunder, butcher ana fcalp 
 them in tiieir turn, by whom thefe lavages had been 
 fo long deceived and abufcd. 
 
 The 
 
 * i. e. Since the 25th of April, 1760. 
 
 4- One by the way of i ike Ontuio, one by lake Ghamplain,aad 
 ihe otlitr from Quebec. 
 
Concerning the ReduBlon of Canada, &c. 4j^ 
 
 The enemy, tho' numerous and well fupplied^werd 
 fendble oF rlic fuperior vvifdom and military accom- 
 plilliments of the Britifli general, the bravery of his 
 officers and troops. They were afioniflied at his 
 having furmouiucd all obflacles in his advances towards 
 them ; wherein they th(>'t they faw the evident foot- 
 lleps of divine providence, and from whence they pre- 
 faged their approaching face. They were at the fame 
 time fo well fatisfied of the clemency and honor of 
 general Amherst, that they prudently chofe to lay 
 down their arms and fubmit, rather than hazard a 
 battle. And by what we hitherto learn, the terms 
 granted to, or rather impofed on them, were as ho- 
 nourable to the Britifh general and arms as we could" 
 have defired ; tho' Hill more favourable to theFrench 
 than y?/(f^ enemies, all circumftances confidercd, had 
 any right to expert. For tho' all that were found in 
 arms, were to be fentout of the country, and not to 
 fervc during the prefent war, againft his majefty or bis 
 allies ; together with other perfons of any diftinction; 
 yet it feems, the main body of the people are permit- 
 ted to continue in the country, and to enjoy their e- 
 jftates under the proteftion of the Britifh government, 
 on taking an oath of allegiance, or fidelity to his 
 majefty. j- 
 
 Thus has this great conqueft been compleated, as 
 was faid before, with an inconfiderable lols of men : 
 A conqueil which will in all probability be followed 
 with very extenfive happy confequences, both as to 
 Great- Britain and her A incrican colonies, whofe true 
 inrerefts are abfolutely inieparable : A conquelt v/hich 
 is likely to be advantageous to the Canadians them- 
 
 felves, 
 
 I It is faiH, the arric'es of furrendcr were pretty numeroas ; 
 but what they are, is not yet panicul'^rly, at leaft not pub- 
 lid.ly known amongft us. They were limned Sept. 8. 1769. 
 
4<5 Concerning the ReduBion of Canada, &:c. ' 
 
 felves, who with their pofterity may live in the coun- 
 try under the EngliOi government, and be far more 
 happy than under ihe French tyranny : A conqueft 
 to the honor, not only of the arms, but the humanity 
 of Britons: And a conqueft wherein che veOiges of 
 divine providence have been very confpicuous. There 
 is no need of adding, A conquefl which will forever 
 render memorable and illuilrious the name of that 
 difcrete, wife, and truly magnanimous general, who, 
 under God, has effected it ; and thereby put fo happy 
 and glorious a period to the war in this pan of America. 
 
 They who are acquainted with the geography of 
 North- America, may pofiibly fuppofe that the re- 
 duction of Montreal and Canada might have been 
 iboner, and more certainly effeCled, by one grand 
 army by the way of St. Lawrence, than by leveral 
 frnaller ones, conducted thro' fiich tedious and diffi- 
 cult routs as thofe of the lakes ; efpecially that of 
 lake Ontario. But there are now probably none but 
 what are convinced, that the plan which has been laid 
 and purfued, was, upon the whole, far the beil:. The 
 general, by thus dividing his army, and coming again!]; 
 the enemy on all fides, hcmm'd them in, prevented 
 their efcaping, or difperfing here and ther^ in fmall 
 parties ; and fo has accompliflied the whole bunnefs 
 at once. Whereas, had they been attacked only by 
 the way of St. Lawrence by one grand army, they 
 would doubtlefs have abandoned Montreal at its ap- 
 proach ; retreated together up the river, where they 
 could hardly have been purfued, or clfe gone off in 
 parties to the fouthward and weflward, and othf.rways, 
 with their arms. So that tho' Monrreal had been 
 in our podt-fnon, yet the country midir in effcci: have 
 remained (till unfubducd. This, not to mcnricm 
 fcme other thing?, fcems to fliow, that that w hich 
 
 . ■ fome 
 
Concerning the ReduRion of Canada, &c. 47 
 
 fbme perfons pofTibly imagined a more difficult, ex- 
 penfive and precarious way of compleating the re- 
 du(5lion of Canada, was in reality the belt ; perhaps 
 the only one, in which the conqueft could have beeii 
 perfe£led this campaign. — But I fhall fay no more of 
 what may feem foreign from the bufmefs of a fermoti 
 
 It is fufficient to our prefent purpofe, that God 
 
 has appeared very gracioully for us in conducing this 
 great enterprize to fo happy a conclufion ; from 
 whence we may reafonably promife ourfelves fuch 
 great and permanent advantages as have been hinted 
 at above. 
 
 But when I fpeak of the importance of this ac- 
 fjuifition, you will doubtlefs obferve, that I go wholly 
 upon the fuppofition that it will be retained. What 
 may poflibly be hereafter ; what different turn the 
 war may lake ; what real occafion and neceflity there 
 may be for relinquifhing this, or any other conquefts, 
 in order to a peace, no one can certainly tell. But 
 while things continues in fuch a pofture as they are at 
 prefent thro' the goodnefs of God ; while we have Qy 
 fair a profpe^t of having it in our power, as we Ihall 
 on that fuppofion certainly have a right, to infift upon 
 indemnification for the immenfe expence of treafurc 
 and blood, to which the ambition and injuftice of 
 France has lately put us, as alfo upon fecurity for 
 the future to thefe american colonies : while we have 
 fuch a profpe^l, I fay, I thought it hardly decent to 
 make the fuppofition of Canada's ever being deli- 
 vered up toFrance ; which might be looked upon as a 
 kind of trcafon. At lenft it might betray, either fuch 
 a difaffc£i:ion to the welfare of Great Britain and her 
 colonies, or fuch a difTrull: of the vvifdom and integrity 
 oF-our fuperiors, as 1 wouM not on any confideration 
 be thought capable of And one would think that 
 
 the 
 
4^ Concerning the Redudlon of Canada, &c. 
 
 / 
 
 the other European nations fhould all in general re- 
 joice to fee fome bounds fet to the power, and ambi- 
 tious views of France. For, which of them has ^e. 
 not he6i:or'd and threatned in its turn ? Which of her 
 neighbours has flie not plunderM and robb'd ? fome 
 of them of wealthy cities, fome of provinces, and 
 others of whole countries ? Which of them can be 
 fecure againfl: her intriegues, treachery, and lawlcfs 
 violence, unlefs fhe is in fome meafure humbled and 
 weakned ? — There would doubtlefs be fufficient rca- 
 fon for a day of general thank/giving thro'out Europe, 
 if this were done to purpofe. 
 
 As was obferved before, tho' wo cannot tell what 
 may yet come to pafs in the courfe of this war, we 
 have reafon to hope from prefent appearances, that 
 there will be no neceflity of making fuch a dear and 
 important facrifice as that of Canada, in order to pro- 
 cure a peace : the confequence of which would be, 
 that the almoft immenfe treafure expended in driving 
 the French from their encroachments, and in reducing 
 this country, would be fcarce better than thrown 
 away. The French would foon renew their en- 
 croachments and hoftilities, and fet their favagcs again 
 10 fcalping. We can never live peaceably with ihcm 
 here as neighbours : For it is almoll as impolfiblt for 
 them to ceafe from thofe treacherous and wicked 
 pra6lices, to which they have been fo IouvT «« r.c- 
 cudomed", as it were for the '' ^Ethiopian to change 
 his ikin, or the leopard his fpots". Nor would the 
 intereft of Great liritnin be Icfs afTt^led in the end, 
 than that of her colonics, by their rcgainii^g their 
 power and independence in Canada : Of which there 
 is at prefent, indeed, no apparent reafon to be ap- 
 prehenfive, confidering how profptrous, by tlieblcf- 
 liug of heaven, his majcfly's arms have been in other 
 
 jnr.aiiccs. 
 
Concerning the KeduBion of Canada, &:c. 49 
 
 inflances : For an almofl uninterrupted fcries of fac* 
 cedes has attended them for leveral years pall:. 
 
 And here let me takeoccafion jufl to mention foma 
 other material fuccefles that have lately crowned the 
 Britifli arms in other parts of the world. 
 
 Since the day of our common and public thankf- 
 giving on the furrender of Quebec, ^ we have re- 
 ceived advices here, of fome confiderable advantages 
 obtained in the Eafl-Indies,in the reduflion of fevcral 
 of the enemy's fortreiles and fa^ories, with fome of 
 their fettlements there. And Pondicherry, according 
 to our lateH: accounts, was the only place of which the 
 French were left poflefs'd in thofe parts. 
 
 Thz Dunkirk fquadron under the command of the 
 valiant, but unfortunate Thurot, has been chiefly ta- 
 ken or dedroyed, after going thro' a long feries of 
 calamities and difafters. 
 
 About the fame time,one of our admirals | fell in 
 with the grand fleet of the enemy from Brefl:, where 
 it had been long preparing, in order, as was given out, 
 to cover a difcent on the coafl of Britain or Ireland. 
 This fleet was beaten, and difperfed amongfl: the 
 fhoals upon the coaft of France § ; when five or fix 
 capital fliips were taken anddeftroyed : While a num- 
 ber of others, as it is faid, were render'd ufelefs, by 
 D being 
 
 * Odlober 25, 17^9. The author in his difcourfes publldied 
 on that occafion, and iii the year preceeding. took notice of 
 the moil confiderable and important fuccefles obtained by 
 his majefty's arms by lan-l and fea, (ince the heglnniog of thi? 
 war. For which reafon he does not here look any farthei 
 back than to the dute above. 
 
 f Sir Ed. Huwke. § Quiheron bay> 
 
50 Concerning the Reduction of Canada, icc, 
 
 being oblig'd to fly for fafety to land, to rocks, and 
 into Ihallow rivers. In this important affair there 
 were [omc pretty remarkable circumriances. TheBri" 
 tifh admiral's falling in with this fleet, was moft oppor- 
 tune and fea-fonablc for us, as it was nnexpe6tca to 
 the enemy. The French fleet was going to take un- 
 der her convoy a large number of Iran fports lying rea- 
 dy in different ports, after having gotten out of Bred: 
 byflealth while tneBririfl'i fleet was v/ithdrawn. And 
 indeed the latter did not again fail from its port in the 
 Engli:T' cliannel', 'rill the very day the other ftole out* 
 :\ circur.:;'ance not unworthy of notice, fince, humanly 
 fpea!:'ng,the French fleet had a fair profpe6i: of reach- 
 ing iis port, or ports, before it could be overtaken. 
 And this it had probably done, had not an inferiorEn- 
 glifli fquadron fallen in its v/ay, by which means it 
 was retarded for fome time. This fleet was fo infe- 
 rior to the French, that it muft in all probability have 
 fallen an eafy conqueft thereto. But at the in- 
 flant when (b unequal an engagement was to begin-, 
 appeared admJral LIawke with the Britifli flag, and a 
 formidable fleet : Which not only made the enemy 
 glad to quit their deflin'd prey, but flruck them with 
 fuch terror, as even rendered them incapable of a pru- 
 dent and fuccefsful flight. Thus was the littleEnglifli 
 fquadron at once preferved ; the defign of theFrench 
 fleet rendered abortive ; the great preparations of the 
 eneniy for a defcent,infignificant; and their mofl pow- 
 erful fleet difgraeed and ruined upon their own coafts: 
 A mortifying Ipe^iacle to the people ! And upon the 
 whole,this feems to have been almoR a flniflfmg blow 
 to the marine, and naval power of France, before re- 
 duced fo low by repeated difaflers and lofles. In all 
 which, the hand of providence is very GonfpiGuous. 
 
t!of2Cer?Tin^ the ReduBion of CA^i^ADA, Sec. j'l 
 
 We have lately bad the report of the very (ignal vic«- 
 lory obtained by his majcfly's ariPxy under prince Fer- 
 dinand, over the. formidable French army commanded 
 by marfhal Broglio. Which, if true, v/ill not only 
 prcferve Hanover a third time, when chreatned with 
 imminent danger ; but muft have an happy in- 
 fluence on the affairs of his majefly's illuflrious all}^ 
 the king of Prulfia. But this important news does 
 not appear to be fo authentic, that we may be juf^ified 
 in giving fuH credence thereto at prefcntf. And in- 
 deed, if one half we have heard were known to be faift, 
 our apprehenfions for Hanover might now be over, 
 as al fo in part, thofe for his Pruflian majefly in this 
 critical conjuncfture. Cur welfare even here in Ame*- 
 rica, is now nearly conne£led with that of this illuflri- 
 ous king, and of his majefiy's Hanoverian dominions. 
 What the purpofes of heaven are with refpefl to 
 them, time only will reveal. And if they ihould 
 maintain their ground this year (God almighty grant 
 they may!) we Ihould have good reafbn to hope, not 
 only that this may prove the lafl: campaign of thepre- 
 fent war ; but that fuch a peace will be concluded, as 
 will be at once glorious toGreat-Britain and her allies, 
 and happy for.all hc-r dependencies ; particularly for 
 her colonies in America. But if, contrary to our 
 hopes, the war fliould dill be protracted, we may take 
 it for granted that Great-Britain, under fo wife, firm 
 D 2 and 
 
 \ We had this news from Lifbon. It was reported that prince 
 Ferdinand had kill'd and taken about 50 000 men, and in- 
 tlre?y routed the French army on the borders of Hanover. 
 But we have fince had the mortification to be affurcd, that this 
 was a falfe rumour ; tho' it feems feme confiderable advan- 
 tages haye been gained by the allied army. -And fince the 
 delivering this difcourfe, we have alfo had the aud)eniic news 
 of his TrufTian majefly's defeating a large corps of theAuflrian 
 army ; killing and taking about 10. 000 men, with near 90 
 pieces of cannon, ammur.ition, &c. &c. A mod agreeable and 
 important piece of iatdiigencs. 
 
J 2 Our SticceJJes tend to advance 
 
 and vigorous an adminiQration as the prefent^will purfe 
 her advantages ; and perhaps, by the favour of heaven> 
 add Louisiana at lead to her other acquifiiions : A 
 conqneft, tho' of vafl: importance,yet, humanly fpeak- 
 ing, of very litde difficulty, confidering the navai 
 power of Britain, and the aumber of Britiili troops 
 jiovv in Ameiica. ^ 
 
 UT having thus reminded you of thpfe fuecefles 
 with which God has lately favoured theBritifh 
 arms, more efpecially in the Gonqueft of Canada ; all 
 u'hich feem to promife an honorable peace, future fe™ 
 curity to us here in Amc-iica, and many advantages 
 both to Great-Britain and her colonies ; and which 
 therefore demand cur grateful praifes to tlie fupreme 
 Governor of the world : Having done this, I fay, let 
 us now proceed, as w^as propofed, briefly to confider^ 
 what afpe£I thefe vifflories and fucceilcs have^upon the 
 kingdom of our Lord Jefas Chrifl: ; its farther exten.- 
 fion, and the accompiilhment of thofe glorious things 
 which are to come to pafs in the latter days. 
 
 IT would indeed be at once juil matter of re- 
 proach to a chriftian minifter, and a kind of affront 
 to a chriltian afTeinbly, if in preaching upon fuch 
 iin occafion as ti e preftnr, he wholly confined his 
 views and difcotrie to things of a fecular nature }, 
 without confidermg what relation thefe important 
 fucceilcs have to Chrift's kingdom. This would be- 
 tray 
 
 * since this difcourfe wr.s delivered, we hear there are more 
 troops adually embarked for Noah- America. If it be fo, is 
 fcenis not improbable that Louldana may be the objc(5l of 
 their dedination : From which country, -while the French 
 are pofTefi 'd of it, cur fonthcrn colonies wi'l probably vnttK 
 with diiUrbance ; at lead by means of murdering and fcalp- 
 in^ parties fent from time to lime upon their frontiers. 
 
the Kingdcvi cf Chrift, ^^ 
 
 tray in him a littlenefs and narrownefs of mind, and 
 a want of due regard to, and zeal for, the honour of 
 God, or the intereft of religion in the world. Ic 
 would alfo be treating his auditors as if he fuppofcd 
 them wholly immerfed in worldly cares, without a 
 thought of any thing greater or better than a /hort- 
 liv'd profperity here below •, which, I perfuade my- 
 fclf, is not the charader of thofe to whom I am 
 fpeaking. And befides ; that pafTage of fcripture, 
 on which niy difcourfe is grounded, naturally leads 
 our thoughts to that time, when our Lord fiia'ltake 
 to himfeir his great power, and reign as the king of 
 nations, as well as of faints. 
 
 Now there are two things to be laid down here, 
 as principles on which to proceed, they being cer- 
 taiiily and plainly foretold in the holy fcriptures. 
 One is. That God will at length in a mod wonder- 
 ful manner bring down, humble, and even dcftroy, 
 that corrupt and apoftate, that idolatrous ajul per- 
 fccuting church, varioufly delcribed in the holy 
 fcriptures \ particularly under the charader of 
 a woman^ " having a golden cup in her hand, 
 full of abominations and filthinefs of her fornica- 
 tions. And upon her forehead was a name written, 
 MYSTERY, Babyionthe great, the mother of harlots, 
 and abominations of the earth"r — " The great 
 wliore, which corrupteth the earth with her fornica- 
 tion.* *§—'' And in her was found the blood of pro- 
 phets, and of faints, and of all that were Piain upon 
 the earth."* That that apofiate, antichriftian church, 
 or kingdom, which is thus emblematically defcribcd, 
 is to have her plagues made wonderful, and to be 
 finally brought to ruin, is moil manifeft from the 
 facred fcriptures. Nur can proteftants In this ^ge, 
 one would think, be at any great lols, what church, 
 or where ihe is C 3 Th3 
 
 f Re\r. XVII. 4 5. § Ch: XIX. 2. * Cha. XVI!I. 24. 
 
54 Our Succeffes iend to advance 
 
 The other thing alluded to above, is. That the 
 gofpel of the kingdom is not only to be ^' preached 
 for a witnefs" an:ong all nations, but to be actually 
 eftablifl-ied thro'out the world, amongfb Jews and 
 Gentiles. For " the kingdoms of this world' are to 
 become the kin^ioms of our Lord, and of his ChriO: ; 
 and he fliill reign forever and ever."}] The fcrip- 
 tures are full of prophecies to -tliis purpofe ; which 
 predi(5lions remain to be fulBlled, either fooner or 
 later, unlcfs v/e have believed fables inftead of the 
 word of God, who cannot lie. 
 
 Now we may confidcr the great fucceflcs which 
 God has given to the Britifh arms in the prefent war, 
 as tending, in fome meafure, to the accomplifhmenc 
 of both thsfe events ; the deftruclion of the papal 
 power, and the efiablifhing of chriftianity thro'ouC 
 the v/orid« 
 
 Foil firfc, as to the former of them : Thefe fuc- 
 celTes have been obtained by a proteftant king and 
 nation, ngainll the greatefb and moft powerful na- 
 tion in t::c communion of the church of Rome. 
 The French monarch is unqueflionably the moft po- 
 tent of thofe kings who have '' given their kingdom 
 unto the bead." But his pov/cr is now much di- 
 minifljed, and feems in a fair v;ay to be farther re- 
 duced. And this will be in effeft diminlPning that 
 of the roman pontiff. Every new acceiTion of power 
 to our own, and to other proteftant kings and flates^ 
 will alfo tend to the rcdutflion of that of RomCo 
 It may be farther obferved here, that as learning in- 
 rreaf'5, and runs to and fro in the earth, the influence 
 and authority of the pope declines, as the nauira! 
 3nd neccHary confcquence thereof: And it is now 
 
 far 
 jj R.ev. XI. 15, 
 
the Kingdom cf Chrijl, ^y 
 
 far lefs, even in moft or all roman catholic countries, 
 than it was fome centuries fmce. It has declined 
 fail fince the beginning of the reformation •, when, 
 and fincc, divers kings and nations, and our own 
 among the firft, came to an open rupture with the 
 pope; utterly difowning his jurildidion over them* 
 The king of Portugal has alfj lately come to fuch a 
 rupture with him, as is not likely to be foon healed ; 
 and as may, not improbably, ifiue in the pope's 
 lofing forever all authority in that kingdom, how- 
 ever devoted the common people may be to him at 
 prefenc. Nor would it be very ftrange if the king 
 of Spain fhould foon break with him alfo : Since 
 the jefuits, moft probably with the pope's conni- 
 vance, if not by his diredion, have been plotting a- 
 gainft that crown, as well as the king of Portugal ; 
 and have acflually been carrying on a war againll 
 the fubie6i:s of both, in South America. But be 
 that as it will, it feems morally impofTible, confider- 
 jng the progrefs which learning has made, and is ftill 
 making, but that the eyes of all the kings, dates, and 
 people in general, now in the communion of the 
 church of Rome, muft before long be opened. And 
 when they fhail plainly fee, how groQy they have 
 been deluded, and how impudently tyrannized over 
 by her, they will of courfe bircome her enraged ene- 
 mies •, and be avenged on her, as many have been 
 already. For, in the language of infpiration, " Thefe 
 '* (iiall hate the whore, and fhall make her defolate, 
 '^ and naked, and fhall eat her fleOi, and burn her 
 *' v/ich Hre. For God hath put in their hearts to 
 *' fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their king- 
 ^'* dom Tinto the beafl:, until the words of God fnall 
 *' be fulfilled. And the woman which thou fav/eft, 
 *^' is tjiat great city, which reigneth over the king's 
 *' of the earth."*— -This remarkable prophecy is 
 D .| paiily 
 
 *|levr. XVII 16. 17- i8. 
 
5^ Our Succejfes tend to advance 
 
 partly fulfilled already, in the breaking off of fb 
 many kings and dates from the church of Rome ; 
 and their becoming enemies, and fore fcourges to 
 her pride and impiety ; of which nations our own is 
 the principal. And we may reft aflurcd, that this 
 prediction fliall in the whole of it, and poflibly be- 
 fore long, be punctually accomplifhed. In the 
 profpecl of which final ruin ccming upon the great 
 whore, or myftical Babylon, the apoftie John broke 
 forth thus — " Rejoice over her thou heaven, and ye 
 *' holy apoftles and prophets ; for God hathaveng- 
 *' ed you on her. And a mighty angel took up a 
 " ftone like a great millftone, and caft it into the 
 " fea, faying, Thus with violence fhall that great 
 '^ city Babylon be thrown down, and fhall be found 
 '^' no more at ali."§ 
 
 But fc^condly, as to the propagation and eftablidi- 
 ment of the gofct-I amongft all nations: Our mili- 
 tary fuccefTes may be confidered as one ftep tov/ards 
 the accomphfhing of that great event alji). Not 
 that tht^ gofpel of Chrift is to be propagated by 
 force of arms \ but thefe fuccefTes may in fome mea- 
 lure open and prepare the v/ay for fpreading it, by 
 methods fuitable to the genius and defign of this 
 religion. *' The weapons of our warfare are not 
 " carnal •, but mighty thro' God*' — And '* the 
 *' fervant of the Lord muft not drive, but be 
 *' gende unto all men •, patient, in meeknefs in- 
 " Itructing thofe that oppofe themfelves, if God 
 ^^ perad venture will give them repentance to the 
 *' acknowledging of the truth." 
 
 There are many heathen here in America, who 
 
 have long had fome inccrcourfe both with Us and 
 
 i'h$ 
 § Rev. XYIII. 20; 21. 
 
the Kingdom of Chr'ift, 57 
 
 the French. We have heretofore made attempts, 
 by the blefling of heaven to '' turn them from dark- 
 nefs to light, and from the power of fatan unto 
 God." But chefe our attempts have not been at- 
 tended with any great fuccefs ; with lefs indeed, than 
 the endeavours of the French milTionaries, I had 
 almoft faid, to make them apoftatize from heathcn- 
 ifm to popery. Many difcouragements and obfta- 
 cles have been in the way hitherto ; fomc of which 
 are now removed And there feems to be a fairer 
 profped:, by the blefTing of God, of doing fome- 
 thing confiderable to this end, than ever there has 
 been in times pall ; provided there be wifdom, in 
 conjunflion with a proper zeal, in undertaking and 
 profecuting fo good a defign. God hath in fome 
 fenfe already made known his falvation, and openly 
 fhewed his righteoufnefs in the fight of thele hea- 
 then, by the vidtories, and great fuccefies which he 
 hath given us over our enemies in thefe parts. So 
 that we may fuppofe, they will be under lefs tempta- 
 tion to fay now, than heretofore, " Where is their 
 God ?" The prejudices Vv'hich many of them have 
 imbibed againft us and our religion, by means of 
 the French miflionaries reprefenting all proteftants 
 to them, as bad or v/orfe than atheids, may now 
 in fome meafure be abated : At leaft we fliall have 
 a better opportunity, and greater advantages, for re- 
 moving thefe prejudices, than formerly -, and to 
 conviBce all thofe pagans who have had any know- 
 ledge of Us and of theFrench,that ourGod is indeed 
 in heaven •, and that it is no other than he, whofc 
 right hand, and his holy arm hath given u?, or ra- 
 tlier gotten to liimlelf, the vidory. They will pro- 
 bably be influenced in fom.e degree to think favour- 
 ably of us and our religion, by our great fuccefies, 
 snd triumphs over thofe v»Ii^ have ever rec)rcfeDt- 
 
 cd 
 
yS Our Succejfes fend la advance 
 
 ed us as the enemies of the true God ; and to whofe 
 vain boafts of thtir being his peculiar favourites, to 
 whofe thicatnings againfi: us, and repeated conftant 
 treacheries, they have been no ftrangers ; and many 
 of them indeed, the inif ruments of their wicked and 
 villainous defigns. 
 
 . Tx5 thefe things it may be added, that thefe nu- 
 merous tribes ot heathen, when they find thrmfeWes 
 wholly dependent upon us, as they miilf be, will 
 probably become in all refpeds morefubmilTive and 
 tradable than they ufed to be, cither to us or to 
 the French, in times pad. I hey could formerly 
 change fides, and run from one to the other on any 
 trifling occafion ; and held, as it were, the ballanceof 
 power betw^een us in their own hands. In thefe cir- 
 cumftances they thought they had a right to be 
 courted by bodi, as they adlually were : Which 
 made them, if poiTible, more proud^ infolent and 
 barbarous than they naturally are, as well as indocile 
 to the lad degree. BiU their having now only one 
 European people on .which to depend for neceflary 
 fupplies, if a reafonable, jull and wife ufe is made of 
 this advantage, it will without doubt give us fuch 
 an afcenJency over them, as will greatly ficilitate 
 %:^t work of humanizing and chrifiianizing then). 
 
 We find, agreeably to v»diat has been ffid above, 
 that the Six Nations are within a few years become 
 more tractable than they ufed to be •, I mean, fince 
 they have feen the French power upon the decline 
 here, and in a fair way to be entirely deftroyed. 
 Thofe of them wfio attended general Amherst in- 
 .to Canada, ii is faid, were very docile, fjbjecl to 
 difcipline and command. Yea, they were tutor'd 
 by him into i-^iT\z regard to clemency and mercy ; 
 
 to 
 
the Kingdom of Chr'tfl, ^^ 
 
 to which they were heretofore almofl: intire Gran- 
 gers. We are informed, that when they had taken 
 feveral hundred prifoncrs on Montreal, whoexped- 
 cd nothing but to die in tortures, the favages re- 
 lieved their anxiety by telling them, their orders 
 were, not to put any of their captives to death-, tho% 
 as they added, the French ufed to order their In- 
 dians to kill all that fell ir.to their hands. A juft and 
 fcvere reproach; which fhews.vve need not defpair of 
 humanizing and chriftianizing the American favages v 
 and which mud have fiung their prifoners to the 
 foul, if they were not pafl: feeling ! And how agree- 
 able ? how edifying muft it have been, to hear thcfe 
 favages thus reproaching thefe good catholic chrif- 
 tians, the fubjeds of his }7;oJl chrijiian majefly, for 
 their barbarity •, and trying as it were, by their own 
 better example, to infufe into them fome fenfe of 
 humanity ! And, by the way, it may be hoped that 
 the French themfelves who fliail remain in Canada, 
 or at leaft: their pofter'ity, will become proteftants, 
 provided prudent and proper methods, confiflent 
 with jufiice and humanity,are taken to make them fo. 
 
 You fee from what has been f^.id, that we have 
 now more encouragement than ever to attempt the 
 chriftianizing the American heathen •, fome of the 
 c^bRacles thereto being removed by the late fignal 
 fuccefks of his Majeiiy's arms. And v/ere this ac- 
 com>plifhed, it would be at once a con fiderable en- 
 largement of Chriirs kingdom, and partly the ac- 
 compiinimer^t of that promiie, that the uttermofi 
 parts ()f the earth Pnould be \\\% pv^iTt^ffion. Cur 
 fuccvfies in the Eail: Indies, and rite growth of our 
 icttlecnents there, where the natives are fJ-iO more 
 numerous, and Iffs favr.ge than in America, bids 
 fair to be a m^eans in time of fpreading chrillianity 
 
^o Our SucceJJes tend to advance 
 
 in thofe parts alfo — And upon the whole (for I may 
 not enlarge^ if we attentively look round the world \ 
 if we confider the increafe of knowledge, both reli- 
 gious and natural, ever fince the reformation began ; 
 and that it is growing more and corKmon in all 
 civilized nations, whereas ir lafed berore to be con- 
 fined to a few perfons \ if we reflect on the drop- 
 ping off of one kingdom ?n:i flute after another 
 from the church of Rome •, if we confider the great 
 increafe of navigation and commerce, carried oa 
 from Europe into all parts of the known world, 
 more efpecially by proteftant nations •, and the many 
 faflories, fettlements and colonies from chriftendom, 
 cftabliilied in the mod remote countries •, if we re- 
 fled: on thefe thing?, 1 fay, not to mention any 
 thing at prefent of the order of the prophecies, 
 there feems to be fonie reafon to hope the time 
 is not far dillant, when both the roman papacy fhail 
 come to nothing, and the gofpel Ihall be propagated 
 throughout the world ♦, the knowledge of God co- 
 vering the whole earth as the waters cover the feas. 
 Though, by the way, whenever thefe things (hall 
 be ^ccomplifhed, whether fooner or later, they will 
 not probably be effcded wholly by natural and hu- 
 man means : But by them in conjunflion widi the 
 extraordinary effufion of the Floly Spirit -, wit'.i the 
 moil figna!, undeniable manifeiiations of God's 
 power and grace in favour of his true worfhippers, 
 zvi'^ the equally vifible manifeftarions of his v.-rath, 
 ^ndi righteous difplealure againll ethers ; efpecially 
 ihofe who wilrully uphoki errors and corruptions 
 in Ins church : For this is undeniably the fcripture 
 account of the matter, f 
 
 A 
 
 •J- Some of ibe obflacles hitherto in tlic way of g^ofpelizing the 
 favage oittions in Nort)i Anisiitt^ bein;', now removed, it m^y 
 
 %2 'ui>v>zt ti:«t :he richt hoaoarubjt aad revertiid Society 
 
the Kingdom of Chri/l. 6% 
 
 A Few rcPxCxions on the prefent rubje(5l and 
 occafion, muft now conclude this difcourfe^ 
 almoft too long, I fear, already. 
 
 It 
 
 for propagating the go fp el in foreign parts, will, amongft 
 other objeds of their charitable attention, hereafter make 
 this a principal one. And it was with great pleafure, that 
 the author of this difcourfe lately read the following pafTage 
 in Dr. Ellis's fermon before that venerable .$'(?<:/>/;' the 
 
 !aft year, at their anniverfary meeting r-** Out of grati- 
 
 •' tude for this wonderful goodnefs of God to us," fays hi^ 
 Lordfliip, •* we ought freely to contribute to the advance- 
 ** mcnt of his glory, which he gracioufly places in the we'- 
 ** fare of mankind. And we are dircdcd to fit objects 
 
 ** of our charity There are on the borders of our na- 
 
 *' tional colonies and plantations in America, multitudes of 
 ** favages immerfed in grofs ignorance and fuperflirion, who 
 ** either have not heard at all of the gofpel of Chrifl:, or at 
 ** lead are very far from a competent knowledge, and due 
 ** pradice of it. For thefe, without (Question, we 
 *< ought to have a proper concern, and to ufe our endea* 
 ** Tours for their effedual converfion, ss there may be op- 
 ♦* portunity."— Dr. Ellis, Lord Bp. of St. David's, 
 
 Wc may almofl aflure ourfelves, that this very important and 
 feafonahle hmt of his Lordfhip, will have its due weigh? 
 with the Society ; and confcquently, that thefe American 
 favages will not be fo mu"ch forgotten and neole(51ed as they 
 have been heretofore. All x.h^ good people in New England, 
 where the gofpel has been generally fo well preached ever 
 fince its fettlement, would doubtlefs rejoice to fee fuch large 
 fums as are annually expended in fupporting cpifcopal mif- 
 iions here, applied to the carrying on this good work a- 
 mongft the heathen, *' who kaow not God." In New-Eng- 
 land only, near 30 of thffc miflions (befidcsfchods) are now 
 maintained at the charge of that venerable Society : The 
 members whereof can, however certainly have no z'ienus in the 
 particular applications of their own ar^d otiicrs charity, but 
 what are worthy of perfons of the greateft fidelity, catho- 
 licifm and honor, lir'd with a truly primitive zeal to propa- 
 gate /?r/?v/7it\? clriftianity, and only that. TIio' it is pro- 
 bable that they have been grofly impofed upon by falfe re- 
 prefeniations of rhe fUtc of reii^ien m ihtie parts ; which 
 
 has 
 
62 KefleBions on the Occafioiu 
 
 IT becomes us to be fincereJy and devoutly thank- 
 ful to almighty God, who hath delivered us from 
 our enemies in thefe parts, and crowned the arms of 
 our king with fo many fucceffesand vidlories. VYe 
 have abundant caufe for gratitude, both on tempo- 
 ral and fpiritual accounts : For both our civil and 
 religious privileges are fecured to us by thefe fuc- 
 ceffes ; ?.nd there is a fair profpect, that both we and 
 our pofterity may poffefs this good land in great 
 peace and profperity. Ltt us be admoniflied to 
 make it manifefl:, that we have a proper fenfe of 
 God's undeferved goodnefsto us, by forfaking all 
 our evil pradices •, whatever is dilpleafing in his 
 fight, and ferving him in holinefs and righteoufnefs 
 according to the gofpel of his Son .* As free, and 
 not ufing our liberty for a cloke of malicioufntfs, 
 but as the fervants of God. " For fo is the will of 
 God, that with well-doing we may put to filence 
 the ignorance of foolifb men." The praifesof our 
 lips, even tho' we fing unto the Lord " a new 
 fong," without the obedience of our lives, will be 
 a very inadequate return to him for the many and 
 great mercies wliich he hath bellowed upon us, up- 
 on our king and nation. Let us therefore keep all 
 his holy commandn:ients ; efpecially let us do juftly, 
 love mercy, and v/alk humbly with our God. 
 
 Let us moreover, in this way of well-doing, 
 place our hope and trud in God for the continued 
 fmiles of his providence upon us, upon the Britifh 
 counfels, government and arm>s, till the prefent ca- 
 lamitous 
 h«s been tlie occsfion of their employing fo much of their 
 charit 'ble c-ue abokU thofe wlio {o litile needed it, to the 
 negl t'^ of iliofe wlo were pcrilhing for vv^pt of it : For 
 which inipofiiions, abufes and miir^pplicsticns, their de- 
 ceive! s arc 3nf\vci.ahle ; if ret to ihtrn, \et ceiiaiiiJy to an 
 
 WlCii.i-iJ. AUTHORITY. 
 
Refleciions on the Occasion, . ^3 
 
 iamitoiis war is brought to a happy conclufion : And 
 not only fo, but till all the enemies of our holy re- 
 ligion ore either brought to repentance, or to ruin-, 
 and the gofpel of peace fhall every where prevail. 
 *' It is a righteous thing with God to recom- 
 ** pence tribulation to them that trouble" his faith- 
 ful and obedient people. And we may look upori 
 our late vidories and fuccefles, in conjunction with 
 fome other things, as pledges and earnefts of the 
 final triumph of the church of Chrift over all its 
 enemies. Tho' they were not, I fuppofe, particu- 
 larly pointed at in any of the prophecies ; yet wc 
 may look upon them as a partial accomplifhment 
 of God's general promifes of dehveranee and falva- 
 tion to his people, and his threatnings againft the 
 enemies, at lead the corruptors, of his gofpel. Thej 
 fhould therefore encourage us to hope in him for 
 the entire and complete fulfilment of both ; when 
 the juft fhall be eftablifhed, and " the wickednefsof 
 *' the wicked fhall come to an end." 
 
 How folid a foundation have the true worfhip- 
 pers of God according to the gofpel, for peace and 
 compofureof mind, in refieding on his fuperintend- 
 ing providence amidft all the wars and commotions 
 of the nations, and all the revolutions in ftates and 
 kingdoms ? The righteous are ftill fecure under the 
 fhadow of the Almighty. And thefe changes and 
 revolutions, when the kingdoms are moved, are in 
 effe(5t only God's overturning, overturning, over- 
 turning, until He fhall come in his kingdom, whofe 
 right it is -, and every tongue fhall confefs him to be 
 Lord, to the glory of God theFathcr. '• Therefore 
 will not we fear, tho' the earth be removed, and tho' 
 the mountains be carried into the midfl of the fea ; 
 Tha' the waters thereof roar and be troubled , the' 
 
 ths 
 
6^ 'RefleBions on the Occafion. 
 
 the mcuntains (hake with the fwelling thereof— 
 There is a ri^er, the ftreams whereof fhall make 
 glad the city of God ; the holy place of the taber- 
 nacles of the mofl: High- God is in the midft of 
 her ; fhe (hall not be moved : God fhall help her, 
 and that right early." * 
 
 While we praife God for the late favourable, 
 and very fignal appearances of his providence, in 
 caufing us to fee our defire upon vur enemies, we 
 fhould beware of every thing tl:at has a tendency to 
 fruftrate the defigns of his goodnefs '-owards us, and 
 to turn his bleflings into curfcs ; paiticuJrTly oi pride, 
 effeminacy and luxury. Thtfe are commonly the 
 attendants of peace, outward profpcjity, ric-^es and 
 fecurity j and therefore ought to be particularly 
 guarded againft. When Jefhurrn ofoid waxed far, 
 then he kicked, and forgat the God that *' rode up- 
 on the heavens in his help, and in h-.s excellency up- 
 on the fky." And thus it often comes to pafs, that 
 even the profperity of fools dciiroyeth them. All 
 hiftory, ancient and modern, Ucred and profane, 
 is a proof of thefe things ; and (hould ferve for a 
 warning to us. The Periians, Greeks and Romans, 
 amongit innumerable other nations, were fuccefTive- 
 ly examples of the fatal confequences of great prof- 
 perity without wifdom and virtue. 
 
 During the time of ancient Carthage, the onlf 
 dangerous neighbour and rival of Rome, when the 
 conqueft of the former was meditated by the latter, 
 there was a debate in the roman fenate, whether 
 this were expedient or not, if praclicable. While 
 fome thought it would be equally glorious and hap- 
 hay for Rome to crufh the only dangerous rival ot 
 
 her 
 * Pfalm XLYI, 
 
'Refleciwus on the Occafiofi, 6^ 
 
 htr power and greatnefs, others were apprehenfive 
 of the confequenccs thereof. They feared left they 
 fhould by means of fuch a conqueft, and the peace, 
 wealth and fecurity naturally following, become 
 luxurious, effeminate and corrupt, to their own de- 
 ftru(ftion in the end. This proved no imaginary or 
 groundlcfs fear : When Carthage was no more, and 
 Rome had fubdued all her neighbouring enemies, 
 fhe feemed indeed for a while to be more happy 
 than ever : But in procels of time, riches and fecu- 
 rity produced the moft fatal effects ; the moft ex- 
 travagant luxury, venality, and a total depravation 
 of manners. And when her citizens had no longer 
 any foreign enemy to fear, they fell into violent 
 faftions, contentions^ and civil wars. They loft 
 their liberty in the end ; became wretched by means 
 of their own profperity and greatnefs ; and fo the 
 roman power was deftroyed. Thus did luxury, the 
 moft formidable enemy to any ftate when it becomes 
 common, invade and triumph over ancient Rome, 
 which had triumphed over all her other enemies j 
 hereby fully revenging on her, not only the fall of 
 Carthage, but of a conquered world, f 
 
 Something not wholly unlike to this, may pof^ 
 fibly befall us in time^ the American Carthage being 
 fubdued, unlefs God fhould give us the wifdom to 
 avoid thofe rocks and fhelves on which lb many 
 have fplit, and fuffered a wretched (hipwrack. Di* 
 vine providence has fet up beacons and land-marks 
 in every age and quarter of the world for our warn- 
 ing and diredion ; and if we do not take due no- 
 tice of them, our deftruflion will be almoft certain,, 
 
 E while, 
 
 t — — ^— -^ Saevior armis 
 
 Luxuria Incubult, ?i^Uim<^ue ulcifcitur oibcni. 
 
if 
 
 66 RefleBions on the Occafion. 
 
 while, as an aggravation of it, we fliall have no 
 claim even to pity. 
 
 But to draw to a conckiflon : While we blefs 
 God for our repeated and great fuccefTes againft our 
 heathen, and other idolatrous enemies, let us take 
 heed that we ourfelvesdo not depart from the plain, 
 fimple doflrine and worfhip of the gofpel, or con- 
 form to any of the corrupt principles and modes of 
 worfhip eftablirtied in the world. We ought not 
 to leave the clear light of revelation, and the " fure 
 word of prophecy," to run after the ignes fatui oi 
 human creeds, which appeared in the dark and cor- 
 rupt times of the church, and have ever fince con- 
 tributed more or lefs to miflead the chiiftian world. 
 It becomes us to adhere to the holy fcriptures as our 
 only rule of faith and pradice, difcipline and wor- 
 fhip. The " mother of harlots" has many daugh- 
 ters in chriftendom ; " all nations have drank" 
 more or lefs, " of the wine of the wrath of her for- 
 *' nication."* There has indeed been a great re- 
 formation in many nations from fome of the groffer 
 errors, fuperftitions and corruptions introduced by 
 the papacy, and ftill upheld in the church of Rome. 
 But in what country, in what nation, is the refor- 
 mation complete P In what national, or even pro- 
 vincial church, are not fome of thefe errors and cor- 
 riiptions found ? It is worthy of obfervation, that 
 immediately after St. John heard a mighty angel 
 proQounce the fail and utter ruin of myftical Baby- 
 lon, he " heard another voice from heaven, fay- 
 '' ing. Come out of her, my people, that ye be not 
 *' partakers of her fins, and that ye receive not of 
 *' her plagues." X It nearly concerns all thofe who 
 flill any ways fymbolize with the leader in the grand 
 
 apodacy, 
 * Revel. XVIII. 3. J Chap. XVIII. Tcr. 4. 
 
Re/leBions on the Occafion. 67 
 
 apoftacy, ferioufly to attend to this divine admoni- 
 tion. There is one who walketh in the midft of the 
 golden candlefticks, holding the ftars in his right 
 hand ; whofe eyes are as a flame of fire, and his 
 voice as the found of many waters: " And all the 
 " churches (hall know," faith he, " that I am he 
 *' which fearcheth the reins and hearts ; and 1 will 
 *' give unto every one of you according to his 
 *' works."-f His fan is in his hand, and he will 
 ere long thoroughly purge his floor, his church and 
 kingdom, of thofe numerors errors and abufes which 
 are found in difFerents parts of it. And altho' thcfe 
 errors and corruptions are perhaps even gloried in 
 by fome churches as their diflinguiflVing ornam.ents 
 and excellencies, the breath of the Lord fhall one 
 day puff them all away like chaff and rubbifh, with 
 the wilful authors and upholders of them,to be con- 
 fumed in the fire of his indignation. They alone, 
 who worfhip the Father in fpiric and in truth, 
 fhall be efl:abli(hed. Chrifl:ianity, long obfcur'd and 
 difgraced by the additions which human pride, hu- 
 man folly and wickednefs, have made to it, fnall at 
 length be refl:ored to its primitive flmplicity, beauty 
 and glory, and become a praife in the whole earth. § 
 
 E 2 Tho' 
 
 t Rev. II. 3. 
 
 § ** We have Mofes and the prophets, and apoflles, and the 
 ** word of Chrift himlelf ; and if we v/ill not hear them, 
 ** we fhall be more inexcufable than the Jews. For the 
 ** prophets and apoftles have foretold, that as Ifrael often 
 ** revolted and brake the covenant, and upon repentance 
 ** renewed it ; fo there fhould be a falling away among the 
 ** Chriftians, foon after the days of the apoHIes : and that 
 *' in the latter days God .would deftroy the impenitent re- 
 ** volters, and make a new covenant with his people. And 
 *' the giving ear to the prophets is ?i fun daviental char ci^er 
 ** of the true church. — The authority cf emperors, kiig? 
 V- and princes \% hyraan. The authority of councils, fymds, 
 
 *' bj/ha|*.sj^ 
 
it KefleBions on the Occafmu 
 
 Tho' heaven and earth (hould pafs away and be 
 diiTolvcd, the word of the Lord Ihall not pvifs away, 
 till every promile and every threacning thereof is ful- 
 filled. '^ This," to adopt the language ot the pro- 
 phet, " This is the purpofe that is purpofed upon 
 the whole earth *, and this is the hand that is ftretch- 
 ed out upon all nations. For the Lord of tlofts 
 hath purpofed, and who (hall diiannul it ? and his 
 hand is ftretched out, and whofhall turn it back ?"* 
 Tremble! ye avowed enemies, and all ye wilful per- 
 verters of the gofpel, or upholders of error and fu- 
 perftition in the church of Chrift, to fubferve the 
 ends of your own vain ambition and fecular interefts : 
 Your perdition lingereth net ! And life up your 
 heads with joy, ye finct^re followers of the Lamb of 
 God : For your redemption draweth nigh ! And to 
 encourage all fuch to adhere lieadfaflly to the faith 
 and worfhip of the gofpel according to the holy fcrip- 
 tures, in oppofition to the many grofs corruptiijns 
 thereof at this day in mod parts of chriftendom i 
 
 To 
 
 *' birtiops, and prefbyters, is hnman. The sinhorityof the 
 ** prophets is divine, and comprehends the fum of religion, 
 *' reckoning iMofcs and the apollles aniongd the prcphcis. 
 ** And if an angel J)o?n heaven preach ans other gofpel^ 
 ** than what they have delivered, let hiiu be accurfid.'" 
 Sir I, Newton's obfcrvations on Daniel, 
 
 — ** The event of things predifled many ages before, wilJ 
 ** thcB be a convincing argument that iJic world is governed 
 ** by providence. For as the fcw& obfcure prophecies co«- 
 ** cerning Chrift's firf} coming, were for Petting up the 
 ** chri(iian religion, n>^hich all nations have jtnce corrupted \ 
 ** fo the many and elf ar prophecies concerning the things 
 *' to be done at Chri(rs fecond qoniing, are not only for 
 ** predifling. bn? alfa for effedin^ a rccovttiy and re-t'f].ib- 
 *' li<limeni of the Icng-hfi tnifh, and felting upa kingdom 
 ** wherein dwells righteoafiicfs." 
 
 NewtQa's obfeiv. en the -A|>oca}yprc^ 
 
 * Ifai. XIV, 26. 27c 
 
He/ttBims m the Oc'cafion. ^ 
 
 To this end, I fay, let me now clofe this long dif- 
 courfe with the words of our blefled Lord himfetf 
 to the angel of the church in Philadelphia : And 
 -whofoever baib an ear to bear, let bim bear wbat 
 the Spirit faith unto the cburches ! — " Thefe things 
 faith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the 
 key of David, he that ©peneth, and no man fhut- 
 tech ; and fhutteth and no man openeth : I know 
 thy works — Thou haft a little ilrength, and haft 
 kept MY WORD, and haft not denied my name. Be- 
 hold, I will make them of thefynagogue of Satan- 
 come and worftiip before thy feet, and to know that 
 1 have loved thee. Becaufe thou haft kept the 
 word of my patience, I alfo. will keep thee from the 
 hour of temptation, which fhall come upon all the 
 world,to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold I 
 com.e quickly : hold that faft, which thou haft, thac 
 no man take thy crown. Him that bvercometh will 
 I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he 
 fhall go no more out : and 1 will write upon him 
 the name of my God, and the name of the city of 
 ^Y God, the new Jerufalem which comet^ 
 
 DQ'WN OUf Of HEAVEN FROM MY GoD. "f^ 
 t Revel. III. 6 1^. 
 
 The End. 
 
 CorreSiwns, 
 PAGE. Line. Read 
 
 I? 5 bottom multip'y without hiiii ! 
 
 2} 9 top crawl to it. 
 
 2^: 3 hot. h carrying on 
 
 28 3 hot. judgment ; 
 
 44 — \ — • margin 28th of April 
 
 48 8 top intrijTues 
 
 5 T I top a very fi^nal 
 
 Aifo in fb«ic copies, page 2«^, mJi'"gin, for DeMU, read DivOn