he shake his rod of exemplary vengeance over us, and we stand void of sense or fear? If so, then surely a brutish dotage, or a gigantic stoutness doth possess us.

III. We are in such cases obliged to declare God's work:' that is, openly to acknowlege and avow, to applaud and celebrate the special providence of God, with his adorable perfections displayed in such events; to the glory of God's name, in expression of our reverence and gratitude toward him, for the common edification of men; for which uses they greatly serve, to which purposes they are designed. We should not view such providential occurrences, like dumb beasts, with a dull or careless silence, as if we did not mind them, or were not concerned in them: we should not suppress or stifle the knowlege of them in our breasts, as if they were barely matters of private consideration and use; we should not let our observation and resentment of them be fruitless, so as to yield no honor to God, no benefit to man. But we should propagate and convey them into others: in so loud a tone, in so lively a strain we should vent them, as thereby to excite the notice, to inflame the affections of all men within the reach of our voice; provoking them to conspire with us in acknowlegement of God's power and wisdom, in acclamation to his justice and goodness. This is the due improvement of our glory; that peculiar excellency, wherein chiefly (except in our reason) we do surpass all creatures; that without which our reason itself is more than half unprofitable; that whereby we put our best member to its best use. For this we have the devout psalmist's pious resolutions, his exemplary performances, his zealous wishes, his earnest exhortations to guide and move us. 'I will speak of the glorious honor of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts; and I will declare thy greatness.' They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power.' So did he signify his resolution. 'I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth from the great congregation.' So his conscience testified of his practice. O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men: that they would offer the sacrifice of

thanksgiving, and declare his works with gladness.' So doth he pour forth his desire. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.' Sing unto the Lord, bless his name: show forth his salvation from day to day.' 'Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.'Come and see the works of God.' Sing forth the honor of his name, make his praise glorious.' 'O give thanks unto the Lord; call on his name; make known his deeds among the people.' So doth he summon, so doth he urge us to this practice; and in his deportment we may see our duty.

IV. It is peculiarly the duty and practice of good men on such occasions to feel and to express religious joy. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord.' Good men indeed then have great matter, and much cause, on many accounts, to be glad.

It becometh them to rejoice, as having an universal complacence in God's proceedings, as gratefully relishing all dis-. pensations of Providence. They, as pious, are disposed to bless and praise God for all things incident, and cannot therefore but rejoice; joy being an inseparable companion of gratitude and praise. Hence, 'light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.' Hence, the voice of salvation and rejoicing is in the tabernacles of the righteous.' Hence, rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright;' is an exhortation backed with a very good reason.

They cannot but find satisfaction in observing God's providence notably discovered, to the confirmation of their faith, and cherishing their hopes; together with the conviction of infidelity, and confusion of profaneness. Our heart,' saith the psalmist, shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.' 'I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.' The righteous shall see it, and rejoice; and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.'

It is to them no small pleasure to behold God's holy perfections illustriously shining forth; and the glory of him (who is the principal object of their love, their reverence, their hope, and confidence) to be conspicuously advanced. • Rejoice,'

saith the psalmist, O ye righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.' 'Zion heard, and was glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoiced, because of thy judgments, O Lord.' For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth.'

It is to them ground of exceeding comfort, to receive so clear pledges of God's love and favor, his truth and fidelity, his bounty and munificence toward them, expressed in such watchful care over them, such protection in dangers, such aid in needs, such deliverance from mischiefs vouchsafed to them. Such benefits they cannot receive from God's hand, without that cheerfulness which always doth adhere to gratitude.* I will,' saith David, 'sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.' Because thou hast been my helper, therefore in the shadow of thy wings I will rejoice.' My lips shall greatly rejoice in thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.' I will be glad, and rejoice in thy mercy; for thou hast considered my trouble, and hast known my soul in adversities.' The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.' Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them.'

They are also greatly refreshed with apprehension of the happy fruits sprouting from such dispensations of Providence: such as are the benefit of mankind, the peace and prosperity of the civil state, the preservation, settlement, enlargement, advancement of God's church, the support of right, the succor of innocence, the maintenance of truth, the encouragement and furtherance of piety; the restraint of violence, the discountenance of error, the correction of vice and impiety. In these things they, as faithful servants of God, and real friends of goodness, as bearing hearty good-will and compassion to mankind, as true lovers of their country, as living and sensible members of the church, cannot but rejoice. Seeing by these things their own best interest, (which is no other than the advantage of goodness,) their chief honor, (which consists in the promotion of divine glory,) their truest content, (which is placed in the prosperity of Sion,) are highly furthered; how can they look

* Sen. de Benef. ii. 22. Cum accipiendum judicaverimus, hilares accipiamus, profitentes gaudium, &c.-Vid. ib. 30.

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on them springing up, without great delight and complacence? 'O,' saith the psalmist, 'sing unto the Lord-for he hath done marvellous things. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.' And 'sing, O heavens,' crieth the prophet, and be joyful, O earth, and break forth into singing, O ye mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy on his afflicted.' And, when,' saith he, ye shall see this, (the comfort of God's people,) your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall florish like an herb and the hand of the Lord shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.'

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Even in the frustration of wicked designs, attended with severe execution of vengeance on the contrivers and abettors of them, they may have a pleasant satisfaction; they must then yield a cheerful applause to divine justice. The righteous,' saith the psalmist, shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance :' and, let the wicked,' saith he, perish at the presence of God; but let the righteous be glad, let them rejoice before God, yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.' Whence, at God's infliction of judgment on Babylon, it is said in Jeremy, then the heaven, and the earth, and all that is therein, shall sing for Babylon;' and at the fall of mystical Babylon, in the Apocalypse it is likewise said, 'Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy Apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. Farther,

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V. The next duty prescribed to good men in such case is, to 'trust in God,' that is, to have their affiance in God (on all such like occasions, in all urgencies of need) settled, improved, and corroborated thereby. This indeed is the proper end, immediately regarding us, of God's special providence, disclosing itself in any miraculous or in any remarkable way; to nourish in well-disposed minds that faith in God which is the root of all piety, and ground of devotion. Such experiments are sound arguments to persuade good men that God doth govern and order things for their best advantage; they are powerful incentives, driving them in all exigencies to seek God's help; they are most convincing evidences that God is abundantly able,

very willing, and ever ready to succor them. They,' saith the psalmist, that know thy name will put their trust in thee; for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.' And, 'I,' saith he, will abide in thy tabernacle for ever; I will trust in the covert of thy wings: for thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.' It is indeed a great aggravation of diffidence in God, that having tasted and seen that the Lord is good;' having felt so manifest experience of divine goodness; having received. so notable pledges of God's favorable inclination to help us; we yet will not rely on him. As a friend, who by signal instances of kindness hath assured his good-will, hath great cause of offence if he be suspected of unwillingness in a needful season to afford his relief: so may God most justly be displeased, when we, (notwithstanding so palpable demonstrations of his kindness,) by distrusting him, do in effect question the sincerity of his friendship, or the constancy of his goodness toward us.

VI. Good men on such occasions should glory: all the upright in heart shall glory.' Should glory, that is, in contemplation of such providences feeling sprightly elevations of mind and transports of affection, they should exhibit triumphant demonstrations of satisfaction and alacrity. It becometh them not in such cases to be dumpish or demure; but jocund and crank in their humor, brisk and gay in their looks, pleasantly flippant and free in their speech, jolly and debonair in their behavior; every way signifying the extreme complacency they take in God's doing, and the full content they taste in their state. They with solemn exultation should triumph in such events, as in victories achieved by the glorious hand of God in their behalf, in approbation of their cause, in favor toward their persons, for their great benefit and comfort. They may (not as proudly assuming to themselves the glory due to God, but as gratefully sensible of their felicity springing from God's favor) se jactare, se laudibus efferre, (as the Hebrew word doth signify;) that is, in a sort boast, and commend themselves as very happy in their relation to God, by virtue of his protection and aid. They may (not with a haughty insolence, or wanton arrogance, but