a_o sermon_n concern_v national_a providence_n preach_v at_o the_o assize_n hold_v at_o ailesbury_n in_o buckinghamshire_n march_n 13._o 1693_o 4._o by_o ab_fw-la campion_n d._n d._n rector_n of_o monk_n risborough_n buck_n print_a for_o anthony_n piesley_n bookseller_n in_o oxford_n an._n dom._n 1694._o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a sir_n john_n holt_n lord_z chief_z justice_z of_o england_n and_o one_o of_o their_o majesty_n most_o honourable_a privy_a council_n my_o lord_n without_o leave_n i_o presume_v to_o prefix_v your_o lordship_n name_n to_o this_o discourse_n that_o it_o be_v preach_v i_o myself_o stand_v accountable_a but_o that_o it_o be_v print_v it_o have_v nothing_o to_o justify_v it_o but_o your_o lordship_n command_n who_o nothing_o can_v or_o do_v resist_v for_o the_o great_a obscurity_n of_o the_o law_n it_o be_v most_o sullen_a difficulty_n scatter_v before_o your_o lordship_n eye_n as_o the_o cloud_n before_o the_o sun_n the_o most_o intricate_a knotty_a case_n 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but_o in_o vain_a a_o great_a and_o pregnant_a truth_n that_o deserve_v to_o be_v fix_v as_o a_o motto_n to_o every_o charter_n it_o hold_v good_a in_o what_o ever_o sense_n we_o take_v the_o word_n city_n it_o be_v true_a of_o all_o sort_n of_o society_n great_a or_o less_o family_n or_o empire_n from_o the_o little_a dirty_a prince_n of_o a_o cottage_n to_o the_o proud_a monarch_n that_o style_v himself_o king_n of_o king_n and_o lord_n of_o the_o whole_a earth_n of_o he_o especial_o most_o true_a so_o disproportionate_a be_v his_o ability_n to_o the_o weight_n of_o his_o burden_n that_o except_o the_o lord_n uphold_v he_o he_o be_v undo_v it_o may_v perhaps_o be_v think_v a_o unnecessary_a undertake_n to_o prove_v or_o vindicate_v a_o overrule_a providence_n the_o world_n have_v general_o appear_v in_o some_o measure_n sensible_a of_o it_o but_o yet_o it_o must_v be_v say_v that_o it_o seem_v to_o have_v have_v but_o a_o disturb_a possession_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n sometime_o 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have_v great_a privilege_n and_o high_a interest_n in_o god_n than_o ever_o the_o jewish_a have_v but_o the_o care_n of_o god_n as_o to_o temporal_a matter_n be_v that_o that_o i_o seem_v most_o concern_v to_o prove_v in_o my_o present_a undertake_n and_o here_o the_o jew_n seem_v to_o have_v the_o advantage_n his_o covenant_n be_v more_o temporal_a than_o the_o christian_n be_v think_v to_o be_v to_o this_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o jewish_a covenant_n be_v in_o many_o respect_v more_o temporal_a than_o the_o christian_a though_o they_o be_v the_o same_o spiritual_a covenant_n but_o under_o a_o temporal_a disguise_n and_o therefore_o no_o doubt_n a_o particular_a jew_n may_v lay_v a_o more_o certain_a claim_n to_o temporal_a felicity_n by_o virtue_n of_o his_o obedience_n than_o a_o single_a christian_a can_v for_o though_o the_o christian_n have_v temporal_a promise_n as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n yet_o they_o be_v but_o in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o be_v mind_v 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and_o protection_n i_o shall_v far_o observe_v three_o that_o god_n watch_v over_o some_o city_n with_o a_o peculiar_a and_o distinguish_a care_n we_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o i._o that_o the_o care_n of_o the_o watchman_n be_v not_o alone_o sufficient_a to_o keep_v the_o city_n which_o be_v very_o evident_a 1._o because_o the_o watchman_n care_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o keep_v himself_o except_o the_o lord_n keep_v he_o he_o stand_v in_o a_o very_a unsafe_a place_n and_o be_v likely_a to_o make_v but_o ill_a work_n of_o it_o have_v man_n continue_v in_o a_o state_n of_o innocence_n there_o will_v have_v be_v but_o little_a need_n of_o government_n for_o where_o love_n and_o universal_a benevolence_n have_v be_v the_o general_a practice_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o only_a prevail_a ambition_n who_o shall_v be_v most_o kind_a most_o beneficial_a there_o will_v have_v be_v no_o need_n of_o the_o magistrate_n to_o decide_v the_o quarrel_n of_o love_n no_o use_n of_o the_o sword_n to_o punish_v where_o there_o be_v no_o fault_n or_o injury_n apparent_a therefore_o it_o be_v that_o sin_n bring_v into_o the_o world_n the_o use_n of_o a_o arm_a magistrate_n when_o man_n appetite_n grow_v irregular_a and_o boundless_a and_o reason_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o restrain_v than_o something_o more_o sharp_a and_o terrify_v be_v requisite_a to_o check_v the_o outrage_n and_o villainy_n of_o fool_n and_o madman_n but_o herein_o lay_v then_o the_o infelicity_n of_o mankind_n have_v god_n leave_v they_o to_o themselves_o that_o very_a sinfulenss_n of_o nature_n which_o make_v government_n necessary_a render_v man_n unfit_a to_o govern_v for_o impossible_a it_o be_v that_o he_o shall_v govern_v other_o well_o who_o have_v not_o first_o obtain_v the_o government_n of_o himself_o the_o dominion_n over_o his_o own_o passion_n for_o if_o a_o prince_n take_v his_o lust_n with_o he_o into_o the_o throne_n what_o mischief_n then_o will_v natural_o ensue_v the_o history_n of_o those_o nation_n will_v inform_v we_o where_o out_o of_o judgement_n to_o the_o people_n god_n have_v leave_v such_o a_o prince_n to_o the_o wildness_n of_o his_o own_o spirit_n little_o be_v most_o man_n aware_a how_o much_o corruption_n lie_v lurk_v in_o their_o nature_n and_o what_o great_a enormity_n they_o may_v be_v guilty_a of_o do_v god_n but_o place_n they_o in_o suitable_a temptation_n and_o leave_v they_o to_o the_o conduct_n of_o their_o own_o foolish_a heart_n it_o be_v a_o common_a observation_n how_o much_o the_o sentiment_n of_o man_n usual_o change_v with_o the_o alteration_n of_o their_o condition_n tu_fw-la si_fw-la hic_fw-la sis_fw-la aliter_fw-la sentias_fw-la then_o be_v then_o and_o now_o be_v now_o many_o man_n virtue_n hold_v out_o pretty_a well_o in_o a_o private_a life_n where_o they_o meet_v with_o few_o or_o but_o vulgar_a temptation_n which_o will_v miserable_o fail_v they_o be_v they_o more_o expose_v to_o strong_a assault_n this_o admonish_v we_o therefore_o not_o to_o be_v over-confident_a of_o our_o own_o integrity_n and_o present_a resolution_n and_o to_o cast_v a_o mantle_n over_o the_o miscarriage_n of_o those_o above_o we_o who_o stand_v at_o difficult_a post_n and_o in_o slippery_a place_n perhaps_o where_o they_o trip_v we_o shall_v have_v fall_v when_o the_o prophet_n have_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n acquaint_v hazael_n 8.12.13_o 2_o kin._n 8.12.13_o what_o a_o villain_n he_o will_v prove_v he_o astonish_v at_o the_o ugly_a character_n of_o himself_o reject_v it_o with_o abhorrency_n but_o the_o prophet_n to_o make_v good_a his_o charge_n only_o tell_v he_o thou_o shall_v be_v king_n over_o syria_n such_o a_o alteration_n of_o condition_n if_o by_o god_n not_o due_o qualify_v for_o the_o high_a office_n be_v enough_o to_o make_v he_o do_v he_o know_v not_o what_o what_o he_o can_v not_o at_o present_a believe_v true_a of_o himself_o the_o necessary_a royalty_n of_o a_o crown_n do_v carry_v a_o violent_a temptation_n with_o they_o that_o high_a honour_n that_o sovereign_a authority_n and_o power_n and_o those_o large_a revenue_n which_o be_v requisite_a for_o the_o end_n of_o government_n to_o be_v invest_v in_o the_o person_n that_o manage_n it_o be_v not_o themselves_o to_o be_v due_o manage_v but_o by_o a_o mind_n extraordinary_o fit_v by_o the_o father_n of_o gift_n and_o grace_n small_a man_n have_v many_o restraint_n upon_o they_o to_o keep_v they_o within_o due_a bound_n the_o lash_n of_o the_o law_n the_o frown_n and_o rebuke_v of_o their_o superior_n the_o fear_n of_o blast_v their_o reputation_n and_o hope_n of_o preferment_n the_o narrowness_n of_o their_o fortune_n may_v be_v a_o check_n to_o many_o not_o well_o perhaps_o afford_v the_o necessary_a expense_n of_o vice_n for_o many_o vice_n be_v costly_a at_o least_o if_o enjoy_v to_o the_o best_a advantage_n but_o to_o a_o prince_n vice_n come_v ready_a dress_v set_v off_o with_o all_o the_o witchcraft_n that_o curse_a art_n and_o wealth_n can_v furnish_v it_o withal_o nature_n be_v rack_v to_o treat_v he_o with_o the_o most_o luscious_a and_o exalt_a pleasure_n he_o be_v continual_o court_v with_o gaudy_a temptation_n improve_v to_o the_o utmost_a by_o the_o devil_n care_n and_o industry_n for_o it_o be_v his_o masterpiece_n to_o debauch_v a_o king_n the_o great_a interest_n of_o his_o kingdom_n so_o many_o be_v the_o ill_a consequence_n of_o it_o add_v to_o this_o that_o he_o be_v free_a from_o most_o of_o the_o common_a restraint_n of_o other_o man_n the_o many_o hellish_a instrument_n also_o that_o he_o have_v about_o he_o to_o provoke_v and_o inflame_v his_o appetite_n none_o to_o check_v or_o curb_v they_o so_o that_o if_o he_o be_v not_o catch_v in_o the_o snare_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n he_o have_v a_o good_a keeper_n to_o what_o insufferable_a pride_n will_v his_o high_a honour_n inflame_v the_o mind_n of_o mean_a man_n to_o see_v all_o the_o world_n to_o stoop_v and_o bow_v before_o he_o and_o caress_n he_o with_o awful_a solemnity_n will_v be_v a_o strange_a poison_n to_o a_o common_a soul_n it_o will_v infect_v it_o with_o giddiness_n and_o a_o most_o absurd_a vanity_n it_o require_v a_o mind_n rare_o well_o poise_v fortify_v with_o sovereign_a antidote_n to_o preserve_v itself_o untainted_a from_o the_o most_o subtle_a penetrate_a charm_n of_o praise_n and_o flattery_n but_o above_o all_o his_o temptation_n methinks_v his_o necessary_a power_n be_v a_o most_o dangerous_a weapon_n nothing_o seem_v hard_a for_o man_n than_o to_o use_v great_a power_n well_o never_o to_o oppress_v the_o innocent_a or_o justify_v a_o bad_a cause_n by_o might_n argue_v a_o generous_a mind_n a_o soul_n free_a from_o corrupt_a prejudice_n or_o partial_a affection_n great_a power_n be_v only_o fit_a for_o god_n or_o for_o those_o that_o be_v like_o he_o that_o have_v wisdom_n and_o goodness_n to_o govern_v it_o power_n and_o ill_a nature_n be_v the_o essential_a quality_n of_o a_o devil_n it_o be_v not_o in_o man_n necessary_a it_o be_v therefore_o that_o the_o watchman_n be_v teach_v of_o god_n to_o use_v his_o sword_n aright_o that_o the_o vicegerent_n bear_v the_o image_n of_o his_o god_n as_o well_o in_o his_o gracious_a quality_n as_o in_o his_o authority_n 2d._o the_o care_n of_o the_o watchman_n be_v not_o alone_o sufficient_a to_o keep_v the_o city_n because_o his_o best_a care_n can_v be_v commensurate_a to_o his_o work_n it_o be_v too_o great_a it_o exceed_v his_o ability_n it_o transcend_v the_o natural_a power_n and_o reach_v of_o his_o faculty_n so_o various_a be_v the_o affair_n of_o a_o kingdom_n as_o that_o they_o even_o overwhelm_v a_o humane_a understanding_n it_o must_v be_v always_o upon_o the_o rack_n distract_v with_o perpetual_a care_n and_o thoughtfulness_n how_o to_o remedy_v this_o evil_a prevent_v that_o threaten_a danger_n his_o own_o understanding_n as_o humane_a be_v subject_a to_o infirmity_n and_o mistake_n and_o of_o what_o boundless_a ill_a consequence_n may_v a_o mistake_n prove_v in_o matter_n of_o such_o high_a importance_n where_o the_o interfere_a interest_n of_o so_o many_o thousand_o be_v wrap_v up_o his_o own_o eye_n be_v it_o infallible_a can_v be_v every_o be_v he_o must_v for_o the_o most_o part_n see_v with_o other_o man_n eye_n and_o they_o may_v deceive_v he_o in_o his_o circumstance_n it_o be_v hard_a not_o to_o be_v deceive_v some_o man_n out_o of_o their_o own_o ignorance_n or_o mistake_n deceive_v he_o other_o out_o of_o design_n as_o his_o eye_n so_o neither_o can_v his_o hand_n be_v every_o where_o to_o execute_v his_o purpose_n instrument_n therefore_o he_o must_v have_v but_o honesty_n be_v not_o always_o engrave_v in_o the_o line_n of_o the_o face_n it_o be_v therefore_o a_o difficult_a matter_n for_o a_o prince_n to_o know_v his_o friend_n and_o who_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v trust_v let_v he_o be_v never_o so_o wise_a
to_o contrive_v and_o direct_v yet_o if_o his_o instrument_n be_v false_a he_o be_v deceive_v and_o the_o city_n suffer_v god_n be_v please_v to_o give_v his_o apostle_n a_o power_n of_o discern_a spirit_n of_o know_v the_o heart_n of_o those_o they_o entrust_v with_o the_o care_n of_o soul_n but_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n do_v not_o see_v this_o miraculous_a gift_n requisite_a for_o the_o support_n of_o civil_a government_n for_o it_o may_v be_v reasonable_a to_o think_v that_o that_o great_a concern_v which_o man_n usual_o have_v for_o their_o temporal_a interest_n and_o that_o interest_n particular_a man_n have_v in_o the_o public_a welfare_n may_v be_v of_o force_n enough_o to_o engage_v man_n to_o be_v faithful_a to_o their_o civil_a trust_n if_o not_o it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v that_o the_o sword_n of_o the_o magistrate_n may_v be_v of_o force_n enough_o to_o revenge_v the_o wrong_n to_o this_o we_o may_v add_v the_o ungovernableness_n of_o some_o man_n spirit_n their_o impatience_n of_o any_o yoke_n do_v often_o render_v it_o very_o difficult_o possible_a for_o the_o watchman_n to_o keep_v the_o city_n in_o tolerable_a peace_n and_o good_a order_n the_o unruly_a passion_n of_o some_o will_v neither_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v at_o rest_n nor_o the_o state_n to_o be_v long_o in_o quiet_a some_o creature_n be_v bear_v to_o live_v in_o the_o fire_n uneasy_a but_o when_o they_o be_v in_o flame_n it_o be_v their_o hellish_a delight_n to_o be_v cherish_v quarrel_n and_o foment_v misunderstanding_n covetousness_n and_o ambition_n inflame_v some_o to_o the_o most_o dare_a attempt_n pride_n and_o revenge_n will_v stick_v at_o no_o villainy_n to_o accomplish_v their_o end_n they_o be_v eager_a and_o violent_a whilst_o in_o pursuit_n of_o their_o curse_a design_n and_o enrage_v if_o they_o suffer_v a_o defeat_n what_o peace_n can_v there_o be_v in_o a_o state_n which_o have_v various_a party_n struggle_v within_o its_o womb_n with_o jealous_a eye_n watch_v each_o other_o motion_n and_o always_o tug_v for_o mastery_n their_o spirit_n boil_v against_o each_o other_o with_o fierce_a animosity_n and_o this_o especial_o if_o religion_n and_o pretence_n of_o conscience_n be_v get_v into_o the_o quarrel_n conscience_n be_v the_o most_o uneasy_a thing_n to_o government_n and_o that_o principal_o because_o it_o pretend_v a_o exemption_n from_o humane_a jurisdiction_n and_o appeal_v to_o the_o bar_n of_o heaven_n where_o cause_n will_v not_o be_v try_v till_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n and_o then_o it_o will_v be_v too_o late_o to_o right_v the_o state_n in_o such_o convulsion_n and_o tempest_n of_o state_n what_o pilot_n can_v steer_v the_o vessel_n safe_a true_o only_o he_o who_o have_v the_o wind_n and_o sea_n at_o his_o command_n and_o can_v with_o a_o word_n still_o the_o proud_a wave_n when_o they_o arise_v it_o may_v be_v far_o observe_v that_o in_o the_o course_n of_o public_a affair_n there_o be_v many_o thing_n in_o the_o dark_a as_o to_o humane_a eye_n of_o very_o uncertain_a consequence_n doubtful_a and_o intricate_a nature_n and_o therefore_o not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o a_o man_n to_o be_v manage_v as_o they_o ought_v the_o crown_n have_v sometime_o secret_a ill-willer_n which_o lie_v their_o plot_n often_o as_o deep_a as_o hell_n for_o its_o ruin_n only_o therefore_o to_o be_v discover_v and_o prevent_v by_o he_o that_o be_v there_o also_o the_o success_n of_o the_o great_a undertake_n often_o depend_v upon_o very_o small_a accident_n mere_a contingency_n which_o do_v show_v how_o little_a the_o watchman_n have_v to_o do_v in_o the_o case_n from_o all_o which_o i_o conclude_v that_o the_o preservation_n of_o a_o kingdom_n in_o peace_n and_o safety_n be_v nothing_o less_o than_o a_o stand_a miracle_n of_o providence_n we_o be_v in_o innumerable_a instance_n both_o in_o our_o private_a and_o public_a capacity_n high_o indebt_v to_o the_o watchful_a providence_n of_o god_n when_o we_o little_o know_v or_o think_v of_o it_o do_v not_o god_n by_o some_o secret_a influence_n overawe_v and_o curb_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o multitude_n no_o kingdom_n will_v stand_v long_o if_o the_o popular_a beast_n find_v its_o own_o strength_n the_o hand_n of_o government_n will_v be_v too_o weak_a to_o restrain_v it_o the_o violence_n and_o outrage_n of_o sinner_n will_v make_v earth_n like_o hell_n for_o confusion_n in_o spite_n of_o the_o magistrate_n sword_n the_o prince_n of_o darkness_n be_v very_o powerful_a and_o have_v a_o terrible_a flame_a sword_n but_o he_o himself_o be_v a_o very_a ill_a governor_n and_o his_o people_n as_o ill_a subject_n and_o therefore_o they_o make_v very_o bad_a work_n between_o they_o but_o yet_o they_o show_v we_o what_o sinner_n will_v do_v be_v they_o leave_v to_o themselves_o this_o world_n be_v a_o scene_n of_o good_a and_o bad_a that_o the_o good_a may_v here_o have_v some_o tolerable_a abode_n among_o the_o giant_n of_o the_o earth_n god_n by_o his_o providence_n set_v bound_n to_o their_o rage_n one_o ingredient_n of_o the_o misery_n of_o hell_n be_v that_o sinner_n be_v there_o let_v loose_a upon_o one_o another_o free_a from_o the_o restraint_n either_o of_o grace_n or_o providence_n devil_n and_o man_n to_o rage_n and_o tear_v and_o be_v a_o mutual_a plague_n to_o each_o other_o a_o true_a emblem_n of_o what_o our_o condition_n on_o earth_n will_v be_v do_v god_n resign_v we_o up_o to_o the_o malice_n and_o madness_n of_o each_o other_o heart_n but_o our_o comfort_n be_v that_o the_o wise_a and_o good_a god_n take_v the_o reins_o of_o this_o world_n into_o his_o own_o hand_n if_o a_o man_n through_o weakness_n can_v govern_v the_o world_n god_n can_v if_o sinner_n will_v not_o be_v govern_v they_o shall_v be_v govern_v till_o they_o go_v down_o to_o their_o own_o place_n if_o the_o watchman_n care_n be_v not_o alone_o sufficient_a let_v the_o city_n rest_v satisfy_v the_o lord_n keep_v they_o and_o their_o watchman_n too_o which_o bring_v i_o to_o my_o second_o general_a head_n ii_o that_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o city_n be_v of_o the_o lord_n safe_a it_o must_v be_v in_o his_o hand_n if_o infinite_a goodness_n infinite_a wisdom_n and_o infinite_a power_n be_v good_a security_n for_o this_o trinity_n be_v that_o natural_a notion_n which_o all_o have_v of_o a_o god_n who_o own_o any_o such_o security_n they_o have_v therefore_o who_o have_v god_n for_o their_o keeper_n his_o perfection_n do_v abundant_o supply_v for_o the_o watchman_n defect_n for_o he_o see_v all_o thing_n and_o can_v do_v all_o thing_n whether_o god_n do_v take_v care_n for_o city_n i_o think_v be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v except_o by_o such_o as_o will_v exclude_v he_o altogether_o out_o of_o the_o world_n a_o attempt_n sufficient_o absurd_a for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o god_n i_o be_o sure_a there_o will_v be_v no_o atheist_n to_o betray_v the_o secret_a creature_n therefore_o i_o will_v presume_v to_o call_v all_o thing_n beside_o himself_o but_o creature_n as_o such_o be_v dependent_a being_n and_o must_v be_v uphold_v or_o they_o will_v sink_v into_o their_o primitive_a nothing_o they_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o their_o maker_n hand_n as_o much_o for_o their_o support_n as_o their_o first_o composure_n character_n of_o divinity_n therefore_o be_v every_o where_o visible_a not_o only_o in_o the_o fabric_n and_o contrivance_n of_o every_o creature_n of_o which_o the_o more_o we_o understand_v the_o more_o we_o be_v rapt_v into_o admiration_n but_o likewise_o in_o the_o conduct_n of_o they_o and_o their_o natural_a operation_n for_o do_v we_o not_o see_v the_o motion_n and_o product_n of_o mortal_a being_n curious_a and_o regular_a constant_a to_o themselves_o so_o that_o a_o monster_n or_o false_a step_n in_o nature_n be_v a_o rare_a thing_n but_o matter_n we_o be_v sure_o can_v move_v itself_o much_o less_o can_v it_o direct_v its_o own_o motion_n and_o these_o always_o with_o the_o high_a art_n and_o regularity_n we_o that_o boast_v of_o our_o reason_n mistake_v and_o blunder_v at_o every_o turn_n and_o be_v force_v for_o the_o most_o part_n to_o review_v our_o work_n for_o fear_n of_o error_n impossible_a it_o be_v therefore_o but_o there_o must_v be_v something_o beside_o matter_n to_o govern_v the_o corporeal_a world_n to_o manage_v all_o their_o internal_a motion_n and_o fermentation_n and_o direct_v they_o all_o to_o their_o design_a end_n if_o every_o plant_n therefore_o every_o be_v have_v not_o a_o peculiar_a guardian_n angel_n some_o universal_a superintendent_n there_o must_v be_v some_o general_a overseer_n of_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n a_o intelligent_a be_v call_v it_o by_o what_o name_n you_o please_v the_o plastic_a power_n or_o soul_n of_o the_o world_n or_o what_o ever_o else_o we_o contend_v not_o about_o word_n but_o if_o we_o remove_v the_o great_a god_n himself_o from_o