and thus he pointed to David as the person whom in due season the People were to set over themselves For tho God had designed the person and anointed him by Samuel in token of that Designation yet the Right of the People was left entire unto them 2 Sam. 2. 4. The men of Judah came and there they anointed David King over the house of Judah Which Title as David owned so he asseâ—ts pleads and adheres to it in his controversy with the house of Saul v. 7. The house of Judah have anointed me King over them And there 's no doubt but if a People wanted a King they would thankfully own the condesention of God that he would direct them to a fit person whom they might advance to the Throne But in ordinary cases when we cannot expect an immediate Revelation to deâ—ermine the point we must look upon the person to be of the divine Designation whom all circumstances considered God has qualified for goveâ—nment in general and adapted to the genius and temper of the Nation in particular over whom he is to reign Now what could he more articulately the voice of God in our case than this He was a Prince and Protestant born such a one the Nation grâ—aned for train'd up to War from his youth such a one we wanted to revive the Military Courage of the Nation almost choaked with luxury and riot through the effeminacy of the two last reigns one whose Interest led him to espouse the betrayed Cause and Interest of the Land against a haughty Prince who had swallow'd up a considerable part of Europe and daily gap'd to devour the rest Now it being clear that we wanted a Prince and as clear that we wanted such a Prince and still as clear that God offered us such a one as we wanted what could the Nation do in their general Convention but set up such a one as the Lord did choose Let us therefore return our thanks to our God who graciously offered who disposed the hearts of the people unanimously to accept the offer of God and then so powerfully inclined the Princes heart to accept our offer tho he foresaw the Crown of England was alternately flowred with Lillies and Crosses and he that would wear our Crown of Gold must also wear one of Thorns But as we have cause of Praise so have we of Prayer too In the grand Charter of Israel to set a King over them there are some special clauses to which both King and People will do well to attend 1. That the person whom they should set over them be one of their Brethren v. 15. Thou mayst not set a stranger over thee To this Proviso our Convention had a religious respect judging him that is of a strange Religion that has espoused a foreign intâ—rest and whose heart is an Alien to the good and prosperity of the People and who had introduced a foreign power to be really a stranger tho locally born within the Kingâ—om and him that shall own the Cause of our Religion the true Interest of the People to be a Denizon tho he had been born in the remotest parts of the earth 2. We have here a Law prescribed to the King himself v. 18. That when he sits upon the throne of the kingdom he shall write him a Copy of this Law in a Book and it shall be with him and he shall read therein all the days of his life that he may learn to fear the Lord his God to keep all the words of this Law that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren He must still remember that as the people have lifted him up above them yet he is under God still Regum timendorum in proprios Greges Regâ—s in ipsos Imperium est Iovis This Law of the Lord in which the King is commanded to read and walk afford us a Distinction which some men tinctured with an arbitrary spirit either will not understand or would confound 1. There is the Law of all Kings 2. The way of some Kings 1. There is the Law of all Kings oâ— that Law which the King of Kings has prescribed suborâ—iâ—ate Kings to govern themselves and their people by That they trust in God and not to an arm of flesh that they make the Word of God their Rule that their hearts be not lifted up above their brethren And unto this divine Law we pray that our King that all Kings and all that are in Authority may give deference 2. There is the way of some Kings not that in which they ought to walk but which some of them too many are persuaded to tread 1 Sâ—m 8. 11 This will be the manner of your King c. Not what righteously he ought to be but what eventually may be Blessed therefore be our God that we have known Laws that we know what we may exâ—ect from our King that he knows what he may expect frâ—m us that there may be a mutual confidence between us that the King breâ—k not in upon our Properties that we 〈◊〉 not in upon his 〈◊〉 that the Laws of the Land are to determine and 〈◊〉 all matters between us that the King may rule and we obey in the Fear of the Lord and God even our God shall give us his bâ—â—ssing § 2. 〈◊〉 our most enlarged Praises be offered unto God on the 〈…〉 that in the midâ—t of those many dangers to 〈◊〉 he has â—een exposed yet the Divine Providence has 〈◊〉 over his 〈◊〉 Ballets are impâ—â—tial things the Sword 〈◊〉 one as well as aâ—other the Câ—â—non is no Respecter of 〈◊〉 and â—et when many have fallen on his right hand many on the left the fatal stroke has noâ— come nigh him Wâ— cannot forget what a wound God gave us this last year in the peâ—son of oâ—r most excellent most gracious Queen none can touch that tender point but oâ—r wounds bleed afresh Tears may be wiped from our eyes but the Fountain flows grief to this day we cannot reflect upon that dreadful stroke which astonisht three Kingdoms but our hearts tremble at the thought that if the blow had been repeated in the person of his Majesty and our wound opened before it was well healed we must have bled to death Bless we God therefore that Providence in preserving our King has not preserved only three Kingdoms but almost all Europe And let us mingle our Prayers with our Thanksgivings that the same watchful and faithful eye of Providence would superintend his person still that Praises may succeed Prayers and Prayers follow Praises in an uninterrupted succession which that the one may be successful and the other acceptable let us be advised that we mix not our sins with either § 3. We have special matter of Thanksgiving administred to us that God has attended the Arms of the Confederates with unexpected sure with undeserved successes this Summer This iâ— the duty of the Text and of the Day which we have the more reason
to adâ—ire and recognize in that the word and and works of God have had such lean success upon our hearts and lives at home we may well wonder that the Kings Sword should cut so deep in the field when the Sword of God does so little execution upon our lusts would we be persuaded to lay down our Arms and submit to God how soon would our enemies weapons drop out of their hands and they be found prostraâ—e at our feet Upon what confidence is it that we who so desperately fight against God should hope to prevail over our enemies Are we so vain as to think our selves fit mâ—tches for Heaven and Earth It had been our wisdom when grappling with so potent an enemy to have made our Peace with the Almighty Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy are we stronger than he Let us therefore before we enter upon further acts of hostility hearken to the Advice of our Saviour Luk. 14. 3â— to deliberate and consâ—lt whether we are able with our ten thousands of sins to meet him who can meet us with twenty thousands of judgments and if not to send Embâ—ssâ—dâ—rs of Peace or rather to close with those overtures which he by his own Embassadors of Peace has offered unto us But let us join our Supplications to our Thanksgivings that the grace of God may turn us from our iniquities that God may turn from his just displeasure and that we repenting of the evil of sin he may also of the evil of punishment which he hath threatned and we have deserved § 4. We have yet plenteous matter to fill up and furnish our Thanksgivings that we could sit at home every man under his own vine and fig-tree eating the good of the Land when our Lord the King with his Nobles and Commanders were in Tents I am afraid we have not duâ—y weighed the Mercy that our Native Country has not been made â—he 〈◊〉 of War which tho it has been supported with the Nations Purse 〈◊〉 not at the cost of our Blood God and the King have kept the War from our doors The cruel enemy does not Lord 〈◊〉 our houses We live out of the noise of the Cannon 〈◊〉 sound of the Trumpet the groans of the Dâ—ing Our Cities are not first plundered and then fired The enemy has not reaped what we sowed Our Virgins are not torn from under the Wings of their tender Parents our Wives from the Arms of their beloved Husbands How little impression has this made upon our hearts if a Mercy of so great impâ—â—â—â—nce escapes our most serious Consideration our highest Thanksgiving I have observed when the issues of affairs upon the Wheel were dubious how impatient we were how fretful that we could no sooner hear the Events of Sieges Battles when had we had understood our selves we had more reason to admire the disposal of wise Providence that these matters were transacted at such a distance that we could be informed no sooner Had this War been acted upon the bloody Theater of our Native Country our own eyes would have been the Expresses to tell of the burning of Towns our ears the Intelligencers that would soon have brought the tidings that our Country was laid waste and desolate And now let fervent Prayers accompany our Praises that our base ingratitude our sordid murmurings may not bring this War over Seas to avenge the quarrel of provoked goodness upon us we who have no more sympathized with our Brethren and fellow Subjects that have hazarded or sacrificed their Lives to keep Fire and Sword at a distance from us may justly be taught at dearer rate to prize that Mercy when God shall his for Armies of enemies to invade the Land of our Nativity § 5. Proceed we to yet further cause of Thanksgiving to God that has made our King his Servant in delivering us from those Twin-plagues of Pâ—pery and Slavery and therefore do we offer to him the Twin-duties of Prayer and Praise May we never imitate the Israelites who cried importunately for Mercies one day which they scornfully threw away the next We cannot but remember sure I am God remembers how we sighed and groaned under the apprehensions of Papal Tyranny how we fasted how we prayed that God would prevent what we feared divert what threatned us and remove what we felt with prodigal vows what we would be what we would do what we would return if God would deliver and save us that one time As Israel was in a wretched frame to praise God for Manna when they were murmuring and longing again for the Flesh-pots of Egypt in such a sorry case 〈◊〉 we to bless God for our Deliverances when we are 〈◊〉 upon our old Bondage and have forgot the evils we were fâ—eed from the ends we were delivered for and the present freedom we are delivered unto § 6. We have infinite matter of Thanksgiving to God but I will refresh your Memories with one more Let our Souls and all that it within us bless his Name that under his Majesties benign and tender government we may be as holy as we will we may pray in our Faâ—ilies worship our God in our Congregations reform our own persons and none distâ—rbs us none mâ—kes us afraid Who hinders our Religiâ—us observation of the Lords day Who persecutes us for acting walking worshipping according to our Consciences provided our Consciences be instructed and guided by the word of God The King has broken the rod of the oppressoâ— it lies no longer upon the lot of the righteous as a pressing temptation to put forth their hand to 〈◊〉 The fury of the violent man is restraiâ—ed the prey pluck◠〈◊〉 of the Teeth of the Lyon in â—hort the snare is broken and we are delivered But yet we have cause to pray that Men may not be as wicked as they will that the swinish Dâ—unkard the vain Swearer the impudent Blasphemer the Sabbath breaker and filthy Adulterer may be restrained and ashamed and that at least it may be as Criminal to be Atheisticâ—l and Irreligious as it has sometimes been repâ—ted to serve and worship God the Father through the Son by the Spirit I have now dispatcht my two first enquiries It remains 3. That we enquire What ought to be the frame of our hearts whilst we are making supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks for Kings and all that are in authority For satisfaction in this point I must only leave these few Directions and then Conclude Direction 1. Conscienciously beware that we pull â—ot down by profâ—ning the Lords day all that we build up by a Thanksgiving day we have cause to fear lest we provoke God more than we praise him Praise him in words and dishonoâ—r him in our worâ—s As God expostulated with his People when they were Fasting Isa. 58. 5. Is it such a Fast that I have chosen May he not plead with us Is this such a thanksgiving-Thanksgiving-day as I have chosen Let us fear lest God
make us keep a day of Fasting for our day of Thanksgiving Profaning Gods day is an odd way of praising him I will readily grant 1. That Thanksgiving is a duty proper to the Lords day Nor can we more suitably and seasonably fill up that holy day than with a thankful Commemoration of the triumphant Resurreâ—â—ion of our Lord Jesus Christ and let us throw in too all the particular Victories which our Redeemer has won oveâ— the Kingdom of Satan and Antichrist 2. I readily grant that holy Joy is an individual Companion of holy Praise and well suited to that holy day 3. Nor can it be denied that some sort of rejoycing or outward signs expressions and testimonies of the inward Joy in God and Praise unto God are agreeable to that day and the duties of it such are Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs â—inging with grace in our hearts unto the Lord Gal. 3. 16. 4. And there are other lawful expressions of our joy and rejoycing which the usage and custom of several Nations have found out and applied to this end such as may be Illuminations Bone fires Ringing of Bells Fireworks the disloding of Guns and whatever other innocent expressions of joy may be in practice 5. But yet great care caution and conscience ought to be appâ—iâ—d in the uâ—ing of these arbitrary expressions of our joy as whether they be not 〈◊〉 with and destructive of the solemn worship of the Lords day If they shall divert us from holy meditation upon that holy word which we have heâ—rd upon that holy day if they shall interfere with that worship we owe to God in our Families and in our more secret retirenâ—ents 6. There are some expressions of Rejoycing which upon any other day be sinful or become so as they are ordinarily practised wherein the lusts of men are apparently gratified excited and inflamed and to which no Rules of Moderation were ever yet effectually prescribed 7. And there are some which seem to be the contrivance of the Devil to advance his Kingdom and Interest such as drinking of Healths in which tho some critical Divines can divide the sin from the things in the notion and speculation yet as the custom has obtained upon tiâ—es of profuse indulgence to rejoycing we see that in fact God is dishonoured the creatures are shamefully abused the souls of men are brutified Let therefore all that fear God be cautious our Bonefires may kindle such a fieâ—ce fire of wrath that all our tears cannot quench it and whilst we are riâ—ging our Bells so unseasonably God can make us ting 'em backwards Retire we therefore to our Families and there bless and praise God for his great mercies and let us not be partakers of other mens sins lest incensed Justice turn our thanksgivings into mournings and we prepare work for days of Humiliation by our carnal vain and unsanctified Rejoycing 2. Direction Let us well understand and keep fixt in our eye the true reasons of our thanksgivings to God on the behalf of our Kings and all that are in Authority and there are two great ones mention'd 1. That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The former word denotes a Mind disposed to peace composedness and rest for all the world will be stormy without us if we be not of a calm temper within The other denotes a posture and state of things secure from disturbances abroad Bless we therefore our God that in any degree we are and pray that we still more may be Delivered out of the hands of our enemies that we may serve him without fear all the days of our lives Luke 1. 74. The less cause we have slavishly to fear men the more reason we have religiously to fear our God 2. That this quiet and peaceable life may be spent in all goâ—liness and honesty The end of a just War is an honourable Peace the end of that Peace is Godliness Shall we make a war with heaven because God has indulged us a Peace on earth Are we therefore worse to our God because he 's better to us Do we thus requiâ—e the Lord Peace without godliness is but a confederacy against the Almighty As therefore we may sit down under our own Vine le ts also sit down under the shadow of Christ that his fruit may be sweet to us Let not therefore our Peace when ever God shall restore it prove the Mother of Luxury Riot and Carnal Security nor the Nurse of Idleness but let it teach us to live righteously soberly and godly in this present world Tit. 2. 3. Direction Let us endeavour to get all our deliverances all our mercies so rooted and fixt in our hearts that our praises may not be the work of a day but the business of our lives It was recorded as the great reproach of Israel Psal. 106. 12 13. They sang his Praise They soon forgot his Works The words refer evidently to their deliverance at the Red Sea Eâ—od 15. 1. where while the mercies were recent and fresh upon their minds and 〈◊〉 they were lifted up in Praises at that â—ate that had we seen and heard them we must have concluded their Rejoycings reacht heaven and would terminate there and yet they had 〈◊〉 but two or three days in the Wilderness but the sense of the Mercy was worn out and they are murmuring repining and provoking their God Such are we prone to be To sing the praise of God one day and curse him the next And that not because fresher calamities have overtaken us to obliterate the sence and 〈◊〉 the impressions of late salvations but from a strange frame of spirit that cools and dies over the mercies that we cannot without special grace watch unto prayer and praise one hour O pray therefore that the same God who has given us cause would also give us hearts to praise him and that in an abiding sense of his never â—ailing goodness may live as well as speak his praises for ever 4. Direction Whilst we are enjoying the comforts of these selvations God has vouchsafed to us and are giving doe honour to the instruments which the Soveraign Goodness has used or shall use in procuring them let us not rob God of his peculia and deserved glory Let our King and all under him have their due but be sure that God have his How easily does 〈◊〉 dispense his favours to those that diligently seek him but 〈◊〉 he reserves the glory to himself and will not part with it to 〈◊〉 â—â—ther Nor can we doubt but that the King and all that have fought under him will chearfully join with us whilst we pray Psal. 115. 1. Not unto us O Lord not unto us but unto thy Name give glory for thy Mercy and Truths sake Let it therefore abide upon the imagination of the thoughts of all our hearts to maintain our prayer in vigor for the King and all that are in Authority with affectionate thanksgivings to the God who has served his gracious counsels of them in working our deliverance for us that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty Amen FINIS