with a deep fenfe of his Maker's Goodnefs and providential Care.

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In the facred Compofition that contains the Text and his dying Admonitions (more than in any other part of the Pentateuch) he reminds the Jewish Nation of the numerous Bleffings they had received from God, and their own confequent Profperity." What Nation is there fo great," fays he, "who hath God fo nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?"-He then paffes a merited Eulogium on their Polity and Government :-" What Nation is there fo great, that hath Statutes and Judgments fo righteous ?"-and goes on to enjoin (as fuitable Returns to their Divine Protector) GRATITUDE and OBEDIENCE. exhorts them to keep their Soul diligently; to remember (as the best Security against Difobedience and Tranfgreffion) the Things which their Eyes had seen; and not to fuffer a sense of them to depart from their Minds all the days of their Lives but to teach them their Sons, and their Sons' Sons.

:

He

The

The Circumftances he alludes to were, for the most part, miraculous displays of divine Power, which the united Wif-. dom and Goodnefs of God had vouchfafed them.

To enquire why they were vouchsafed them;-why the Jewish Nation, more than others, was fo diftinguished by the Almighty (whom the fcriptures reprefent as "no Refpecter of perfons") would at any time be a Difquifition more curious than ufeful.-Before the prefent Audience, I need not “ vindicate the Ways of God to man." Though "clouds and darkness are round about "him," we all, I truft, believe that

Righteousness and Judgment are the habitation of his Seat."-Glorious in Attributes which are "paft our finding out," He will not be accountable to man, why he grants to fome, the Privileges which he denies to others.-The field of Zoan, the Red Sea, and Wilderness, were Scenes for auguft Manifestations of his ftupendous Majefty and Power."Marvellous things, fays the Psalmist, did he in the fight of our fore-fathers, in

the

the land of Egypt, even in the field of Zoan. "He divided the Sea, and let them go through: he made the Waters to ftand on an heap. In the day time alfo he led them with a Cloud: and all the night through with a Light of Fire. He clave the hard Rocks in the Wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. He brought streams alfo out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like the rivers.'

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With respect to these Signs of Almighty Power, the Jews were certainly a peculiar People;" as alfo for their Prophets, and "because that unto them were committed the Oracles of God: But with thofe " Oracles" the Jews were not exclufively bleffed.-The precious Volume of inspired Wisdom has devolved to us; and will remain a Monument of Divine Mercy to the remoteft ages.— The Jews were highly favoured, and "God was nigh unto them." They had Statutes and Judgments that were righteous," and that distinguished them from other nations.-But, are these things peculiar to the Jews?-Except in

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Signs and Wonders,"-in vifible Interpofitions, and miraculous Events,they did not experience a larger portion of Divine Favour than ourselves. In many Inftances (and Inftances of a very important nature) the Arm of Omnipotence hath been as kindly extended for our Welfare as theirs. However frequent and momentous might be their Deliverances, equally frequent and momentous have been the merciful Interpofitions of Heaven in favour of this Country. As the mild Genius of the Gospel has fucceeded the rigorous Ceremonies of the Law,-fo we feem to have fucceeded the Jews in the peculiar Favour and Protection of God." For what Nation is there fo great, that hath God fo nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?"

Permit me to direct your attention to the following very fingular Events which dignify the Annals of this Country.

1. "Our Separation from the Church of Rome was occafioned by the Paffions of a Prince, who had little regard about that Reformation which was the Refult of

his Conduct. Thus the Almighty produced (as he is ever wont to do) Good out of Evil.

2.

"The total Overthrow (nay almost the Annihilation) of what was impiously called the invincible Armada, was effected, almost entirely by " ftormy Winds and Tempefts."Here we may apply this fublime Paffage from the Writings of Mofes Thy right hand, O Lord, became glorious in power;-thy right hand, O Lord, dafhed in pieces the enemy. In the greatnefs of thine excellency thou didst overthrow them that rofe up against us.-The enemy faid, "I will purfue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; I will draw my fword, and my hand fhall deftroy them." -But Thou didst blow with thy Wind, and the Sea covered them: they funk as Lead in the mighty Waters.-O Lord, who is like unto Thee? glorious in Holinefs, fearful in Praifes,-doing Wonders!"

3. "That atrocious Confpiracy (the object of which was, the Subversion of our Religion, and the Deftruction of our Govern