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 you_o untie_v with_o that_o ease_n and_o dexterity_n as_o that_o they_o seem_v of_o themselves_o to_o open_v it_o be_v not_o in_o you_o to_o cut_v or_o force_n it_o consist_v not_o with_o that_o sweetness_n of_o temper_n by_o which_o you_o so_o charm_v all_o you_o have_v to_o deal_v with_o as_o that_o you_o seem_v most_o deserve_o to_o inherit_v that_o glorious_a title_n of_o the_o great_a vespasian_n of_o be_v the_o darling_n of_o mankind_n for_o the_o very_a curse_n of_o the_o law_n you_o manage_v with_o that_o tenderness_n and_o indulgent_a affection_n as_o even_o that_o the_o condemn_v go_v away_o satisfy_v if_o not_o please_v that_o i_o may_v not_o therefore_o appear_v the_o only_a stubborn_a thing_n in_o nature_n i_o submit_v and_o subscribe_v myself_o my_o lord_n your_o honour_n most_o humble_a and_o obedient_a servant_n ab_fw-la campion_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o assize_n etc._n etc._n 127._o psalm_n i._n except_o the_o lord_n keep_v the_o city_n the_o watchman_n wake_v 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 confess_v sometime_o doubt_v of_o or_o dispute_v against_o but_o almost_o always_o practise_v against_o the_o epicurean_a be_v loath_a to_o put_v his_o god_n to_o the_o trouble_n of_o look_v after_o the_o world_n think_v all_o happiness_n to_o consist_v in_o a_o slothful_a ease_n and_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v like_o some_o man_n of_o quality_n and_o fortune_n conceive_v all_o business_n a_o profess_a enemy_n to_o enjoyment_n and_o a_o mark_n of_o honour_n to_o be_v useless_a the_o stoic_a make_v his_o god_n a_o servant_n to_o something_o or_o rather_o nothing_o he_o know_v not_o what_o but_o call_v it_o fate_n but_o to_o put_v the_o best_a interpretation_n his_o fate_n seem_v capable_a of_o he_o represent_v his_o god_n so_o tie_v up_o his_o own_o hand_n by_o his_o own_o positive_a peremptory_a decree_n as_o that_o he_o thereby_o destroy_v if_o not_o all_o providence_n yet_o all_o religion_n i._n e._n all_o such_o providence_n as_o be_v the_o true_a foundation_n of_o religion_n for_o if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o god_n take_v such_o a_o original_a care_n of_o all_o his_o creature_n as_o from_o the_o beginning_n to_o appoint_v every_o one_o his_o portion_n by_o a_o irreversible_a decree_n what_o ever_o thanks_o may_v be_v due_a from_o such_o who_o have_v a_o prosperous_a beneficial_a lot_n in_o this_o world_n yet_o as_o the_o roman_a orator_n well_o argue_v it_o seem_v in_o vain_a to_o pray_v to_o or_o implore_v the_o aid_n and_o assistance_n of_o their_o god_n in_o time_n of_o danger_n or_o distress_n if_o all_o thing_n be_v from_o the_o first_o sullen_o fix_v so_o as_o not_o to_o have_v leave_v to_o himself_o liberty_n to_o succour_v the_o oppress_a reward_v the_o good_a or_o punish_v the_o wicked_a to_o which_o the_o apostle_n assent_v as_o a_o thing_n fundamental_o requisite_a to_o all_o religion_n 11.6_o heb._n 11.6_o that_o whosoever_o will_v come_v unto_o god_n must_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o such_o as_o diligent_o seek_v he_o some_o there_o be_v who_o under_o the_o name_n of_o fortune_n have_v fall_v very_o foul_a upon_o providence_n for_o this_o they_o must_v mean_v if_o any_o thing_n if_o fortune_n be_v not_o a_o mere_a name_n a_o fancy_n a_o word_n without_o sense_n a_o invisible_a overrule_a power_n must_v be_v understand_v thereby_o which_o be_v the_o providence_n we_o contend_v for_o but_o yet_o how_o infamous_o do_v she_o stand_v brand_v for_o her_o blindness_n her_o levity_n and_o inconstancy_n her_o rashness_n madness_n and_o what_o not_o so_o do_v fool_n under_o this_o feign_a name_n curse_v their_o god_n and_o reproach_n his_o wisdom_n because_o they_o be_v keep_v stranger_n to_o the_o counsel_n of_o the_o most_o high_a and_o discern_v not_o therefore_o the_o true_a reason_n of_o event_n the_o affair_n of_o the_o world_n appear_v to_o such_o shortsighted_a creature_n as_o a_o mere_a jumble_v of_o action_n and_o heap_n of_o uncertainty_n this_o tempt_v the_o wise_a philosopher_n to_o exclude_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n from_o thing_n do_v under_o the_o moon_n and_o have_v the_o thing_n above_o the_o moon_n be_v contrive_v according_a to_o his_o foolish_a scheme_n he_o may_v much_o more_o just_o have_v exclude_v he_o thence_o too_o but_o among_o christian_n it_o be_v hope_v there_o be_v little_a need_n of_o vindicate_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n true_o if_o such_o i_o may_v call_v all_o those_o who_o have_v be_v baptize_v into_o the_o faith_n in_o no_o age_n have_v the_o be_v and_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v more_o deride_v and_o scoff_v at_o than_o in_o this_o for_o god_n govern_v the_o world_n now_o in_o a_o spiritual_a manner_n not_o by_o visible_a appearance_n of_o angel_n or_o message_n of_o prophet_n his_o footstep_n be_v only_o to_o be_v discern_v by_o the_o eye_n of_o reason_n and_o faith_n he_o work_v by_o second_o cause_n and_o under_o they_o lie_v conceal_v from_o careless_a or_o perverse_a mind_n that_o will_v not_o see_v his_o finger_n be_v only_o to_o be_v descry_v by_o their_o admirable_a concurrence_n and_o wonderful_a effect_n beyond_o the_o power_n of_o any_o visible_a cause_n such_o be_v the_o art_n of_o god_n or_o stupid_a blindness_n of_o man_n that_o he_o that_o do_v all_o thing_n be_v by_o vulgar_a eye_n see_v to_o do_v nothing_o but_o even_o among_o the_o better_a sort_n of_o christian_n we_o may_v observe_v the_o sense_n of_o god_n providence_n to_o be_v very_o weak_a and_o faint_a for_o be_v it_o hearty_o believe_v what_o mean_v the_o bleat_n of_o the_o sheep_n whence_o those_o impatient_a complaint_n in_o time_n of_o calamity_n or_o affliction_n why_o so_o deject_v because_o the_o cloud_n gather_v blackness_n why_o do_v the_o heart_n ache_v the_o countenance_n wax_v pale_a at_o every_o evil_a tide_n if_o they_o be_v very_o persuade_v that_o they_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n a_o good_a god_n their_o best_a friend_n and_o that_o nothing_o can_v befall_v they_o but_o what_o he_o ordain_v or_o permit_v what_o he_o know_v and_o observe_v and_o that_o no_o danger_n can_v be_v so_o great_a but_o that_o he_o have_v power_n and_o wisdom_n sufficient_a and_o goodness_n too_o to_o extricate_v they_o out_o of_o the_o difficulty_n this_o doctrine_n hearty_o believe_v will_v work_v its_o wonder_n let_v we_o proceed_v therefore_o to_o view_v it_o and_o its_o influence_n from_o the_o word_n i_o have_v read_v except_o the_o lord_n keep_v the_o city_n the_o watchman_n wake_v but_o in_o vain_a which_o word_n do_v natural_o afford_v these_o head_n for_o the_o subject_n of_o our_o discourse_n first_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 second_o that_o therefore_o it_o be_v to_o the_o lord_n that_o the_o city_n owe_v its_o safety_n and_o to_o excite_v we_o to_o render_v ourselves_o fit_a object_n of_o god_n care_n
this_o immediate_a care_n yet_o reason_n will_v drive_v we_o to_o he_o at_o last_o but_o what_o ever_o be_v the_o conceit_n of_o vain_a philosophy_n or_o the_o more_o vain_a philosopher_n who_o idle_o dream_v of_o build_v a_o world_n without_o a_o god_n yet_o scripture_n the_o infallible_a philosophy_n assure_v we_o that_o the_o great_a god_n do_v not_o disdain_v to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o least_o of_o his_o creature_n and_o think_v it_o no_o encumbrance_n to_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n to_o observe_v and_o govern_v all_o their_o concern_v 145.9_o psalm_n 145.9_o the_o lord_n be_v good_a to_o all_o say_v the_o psalmist_n his_o mercy_n be_v over_o all_o his_o work_n he_o look_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o see_v under_o the_o whole_a heaven_n 28.24_o job_n 28.24_o in_o he_o all_o thing_n live_v and_o move_v and_o have_v their_o be_v though_o original_o the_o say_n of_o a_o poet_n yet_o be_v by_o the_o apostle_n consecrate_v into_o a_o divine_a oracle_n all_o thing_n be_v but_o spark_n or_o stream_n of_o be_v 17.28_o act_n 17.28_o from_o he_o the_o fountain_n of_o all_o be_v and_o depend_v continual_o on_o he_o as_o the_o ray_n of_o light_n on_o the_o sun_n if_o his_o face_n or_o influence_n be_v for_o a_o moment_n eclipse_v they_o vanish_v he_o make_v the_o grass_n to_o grow_v 104.13_o psalm_n 104.13_o and_o clothes_n some_o of_o it_o more_o glorious_o than_o solomon_n in_o all_o his_o gaiety_n there_o fall_v not_o a_o sparrow_n to_o the_o ground_n without_o his_o knowledge_n 6.29.10.29_o mat._n 6.29.10.29_o his_o eye_n run_v to_o and_o fro_o upon_o his_o creature_n give_v they_o their_o meat_n in_o due_a season_n 15._o ps_n 145.14_o 15._o they_o as_o by_o instinct_n seem_v instruct_v in_o their_o duty_n and_o privilege_n 104.21_o ps_n 147.9_o ps_n 104.21_o for_o the_o eye_n of_o all_o wait_n upon_o he_o the_o young_a raven_n cry_v to_o he_o and_o he_o feed_v they_o the_o young_a lion_n seek_v their_o meat_n from_o god_n in_o a_o word_n the_o whole_a family_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n he_o every_o day_n provide_v for_o 14.17_o ps_n 105.16_o act_n 14.17_o fill_v every_o thing_n live_v with_o plenteousness_n refresh_v their_o heart_n with_o food_n and_o gladness_n but_o of_o all_o his_o creature_n man_n be_v cherish_v as_o the_o darling_n of_o the_o family_n at_o first_o fearful_o and_o wonderful_o make_v by_o a_o consult_v as_o some_o imagine_v of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n curious_o wrought_v in_o the_o low_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n every_o part_n of_o he_o form_v with_o such_o exact_a superlative_a care_n of_o the_o deity_n 22.9_o ps_n 139.13_o etc._n etc._n matt._n 10.30_o ps_n 22.9_o as_o that_o god_n be_v by_o the_o psalmist_n represent_v as_o write_v all_o his_o member_n in_o his_o book_n by_o our_o saviour_n as_o number_v all_o his_o hair_n it_o be_v he_o that_o take_v he_o safe_o out_o of_o the_o womb_n and_o make_v he_o hope_v upon_o his_o mother_n breast_n conduct_n he_o through_o the_o path_n of_o life_n uphold_v he_o when_o feeble_a and_o gray-headed_a 27.10_o ps_n 27.10_o when_o his_o father_n and_o mother_n forsake_v he_o his_o soul_n be_v a_o most_o precious_a jewel_n of_o divine_a extract_n it_o be_v a_o stream_n of_o divinity_n the_o breath_n the_o image_n of_o god_n if_o god_n take_v this_o care_n of_o the_o natural_a and_o single_a state_n of_o man_n we_o have_v less_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o his_o care_n to_o his_o political_a state_n the_o community_n of_o mankind_n if_o our_o saviour_n way_n of_o argue_v be_v good_a for_o if_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v extend_v to_o the_o grass_n of_o the_o field_n or_o to_o sparrow_n argue_v the_o care_n of_o god_n to_o be_v great_a on_o the_o behalf_n of_o man_n so_o say_v i_o again_o if_o god_n vouchsafe_v to_o take_v such_o care_n of_o man_n in_o his_o natural_a and_o individual_a state_n much_o more_o do_v he_o charge_v his_o providence_n with_o whole_a society_n of_o man_n nation_n and_o kingdom_n be_v his_o peculiar_a care_n in_o which_o the_o dear_a interest_n the_o life_n and_o fortune_n of_o many_o million_o be_v involve_v though_o man_n be_v a_o creature_n of_o most_o wonderful_a composure_n yet_o it_o be_v very_o observable_a that_o by_o the_o same_o infinite_a wisdom_n it_o be_v contrive_v that_o of_o all_o the_o creature_n of_o god_n none_o so_o helpless_a as_o man_n so_o uneasy_a or_o unfit_a to_o be_v alone_o be_v so_o full_a of_o want_n stand_v in_o need_n of_o so_o much_o care_n such_o long_a attendance_n which_o infirmity_n do_v early_o instruct_v he_o in_o the_o duty_n of_o mutual_a love_n and_o kindness_n and_o show_v he_o the_o abfolute_a necessity_n of_o imbody_v into_o fraternity_n and_o civil_a society_n for_o mutual_a defence_n and_o safety_n that_o this_o be_v the_o will_n of_o his_o maker_n he_o by_o good_a consequence_n conclude_v his_o natural_a state_n and_o condition_n make_v it_o very_o necessary_a so_o wise_o have_v god_n by_o mean_n of_o his_o infirmity_n consult_v the_o great_a safety_n of_o man_n thereby_o constitute_v every_o man_n his_o keeper_n from_o all_o which_o it_o follow_v that_o city_n or_o public_a society_n be_v of_o god_n make_v or_o design_v though_o the_o model_n of_o they_o may_v be_v in_o great_a measure_n leave_v to_o humane_a contrivance_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n therefore_o do_v they_o entitle_v themselves_o to_o his_o protection_n as_o be_v his_o creature_n his_o leviathan_n in_o the_o government_n of_o which_o he_o appear_v most_o of_o all_o as_o god_n for_o by_o set_v bound_n to_o mighty_a empire_n by_o some_o slight_a mean_n scatter_v and_o confound_v the_o most_o dreadful_a army_n turn_v about_o kingdom_n as_o little_a thing_n as_o though_o they_o be_v but_o the_o sport_n of_o providence_n he_o show_v the_o transcendency_n of_o his_o own_o almighty_a power_n he_o hold_v the_o world_n as_o in_o the_o hollow_a of_o his_o hand_n and_o all_o its_o prodigious_a massy_a globe_n with_o all_o their_o myriad_n of_o inhabitant_n to_o we_o inconceivable_a either_o for_o their_o magnitude_n or_o number_n be_v to_o he_o but_o as_o the_o drop_n of_o a_o bucket_n or_o the_o small_a dust_n of_o the_o balance_n as_o a_o far_a demonstration_n give_v i_o leave_v to_o observe_v that_o all_o those_o duty_n which_o be_v essential_a to_o the_o well-being_n of_o a_o society_n be_v by_o god_n enjoin_v under_o the_o most_o weighty_a sanction_n of_o religion_n they_o be_v the_o second_o table_n the_o one_o half_a of_o religion_n so_o that_o he_o that_o be_v peccant_a against_o any_o such_o rule_n of_o duty_n do_v not_o only_o incur_v the_o wrath_n of_o the_o magistrate_n but_o of_o god_n himself_o than_o which_o can_v there_o be_v a_o high_a instance_n of_o god_n care_n in_o keep_v the_o city_n than_o by_o enforce_v civil_a duty_n with_o eternal_a punishment_n one_o will_v think_v obedience_n to_o magistrate_n well_o secure_v when_o the_o offender_n stand_v not_o only_o expose_v to_o the_o sword_n of_o authority_n but_o to_o that_o damnation_n too_o which_o be_v threaten_v to_o he_o that_o resist_v and_o that_o that_o villain_n have_v need_v to_o be_v well_o bait_v or_o very_o stupid_a who_o will_v venture_v to_o be_v a_o thief_n in_o spite_n of_o the_o gallow_n and_o of_o hell-fire_n nay_o more_o god_n have_v guard_v the_o temporal_a law_n by_o carry_v his_o spiritual_a law_n up_o to_o great_a height_n the_o magistrate_n punish_v only_o the_o gross_a act_n of_o murder_n adultery_n or_o the_o like_a and_o humane_a law_n be_v often_o too_o remiss_a to_o a_o fault_n for_o not_o censure_v severe_o enough_o reproachful_a provoke_a word_n which_o natural_o draw_v on_o blow_n and_o break_v the_o harmony_n and_o peace_n of_o society_n but_o a_o malicious_a thought_n a_o lustful_a desire_n a_o unjust_a covet_v god_n revenge_n with_o everlasting_a burn_n so_o that_o if_o the_o sanction_n of_o religion_n have_v but_o tolerable_a effect_n the_o magistrate_n will_v have_v so_o little_a trouble_n as_o that_o the_o sword_n of_o justice_n may_v rust_v in_o the_o scabbard_n from_o whence_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v the_o high_a interest_n both_o of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o the_o city_n to_o preserve_v religion_n in_o due_a credit_n and_o that_o profess_a atheism_n and_o debauchery_n deserve_v the_o gibbet_n more_o than_o theft_n or_o burglary_n as_o strike_v more_o at_o the_o foundation_n of_o government_n to_o all_o this_o we_o may_v add_v several_a observable_a occurrence_n in_o public_a affair_n which_o plain_o speak_v themselves_o the_o footstep_n of_o a_o god_n as_o when_o we_o see_v good_a man_n by_o surprise_n snatch_v out_o of_o eminent_a danger_n raise_v by_o unexpected_a mean_n to_o wealth_n and_o power_n when_o a_o honest_a and_o good_a cause_n prevail_v by_o its_o own_o simplicity_n against_o wit_n and_o power_n and_o all_o worldly_a
advantage_n when_o wise_a politician_n be_v infatuate_v and_o catch_v in_o their_o own_o snare_n when_o hellish_a plot_n and_o inhuman_a murder_n be_v bring_v to_o light_v none_o know_v how_o 2.11_o hab._n 2.11_o betray_v by_o a_o stone_n in_o the_o wall_n when_o person_n notorious_o wicked_a be_v pursue_v by_o a_o secret_a vengeance_n tumble_v down_o from_o their_o height_n of_o honour_n and_o power_n into_o extreme_a disgrace_n and_o misery_n when_o tyrant_n and_o bloody_a persecutor_n be_v observe_v to_o die_v by_o violent_a death_n pers_n lactant._n de_fw-fr mort_fw-fr pers_n and_o usual_o under_o horrid_a torture_n of_o body_n and_o anguish_n of_o mind_n when_o thing_n be_v grow_v insufferable_a and_o nothing_o but_o a_o black_a prospect_n of_o evil_n present_v themselves_o to_o view_v then_o to_o see_v affair_n turn_v gentle_o about_o without_o visible_a force_n or_o some_o unthought_a of_o deliverer_n start_v up_o and_o break_v through_o innumerable_a difficulty_n rescue_v a_o nation_n from_o slavery_n and_o bondage_n when_o the_o star_n fight_v in_o their_o course_n and_o the_o wind_n and_o weather_n and_o natural_a agent_n which_o be_v only_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n concur_v to_o promote_v the_o cause_n and_o disappoint_v the_o enemy_n these_o and_o such_o like_a do_v demonstrate_v god_n to_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o event_n the_o truth_n be_v if_o god_n do_v not_o exercise_v a_o national_a providence_n i_o know_v not_o what_o business_n we_o have_v here_o public_a worship_n suppose_v or_o prove_v god_n care_n of_o the_o public_a or_o prove_v itself_o to_o be_v vain_a and_o absurd_a but_o if_o all_o this_o be_v not_o yet_o enough_o to_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o care_n of_o god_n in_o keep_v the_o city_n will_v his_o own_o word_n be_v a_o sufficient_a testimony_n he_o be_v in_o his_o own_o book_n frequent_o set_v forth_o as_o king_n of_o king_n lord_n of_o lord_n king_n of_o the_o world_n governor_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n ruler_n over_o the_o kingdom_n of_o man_n pull_v down_o one_o setting_z up_z another_z judge_n of_o all_o nation_n 2.21_o dan._n 2.21_o his_o eye_n behold_v all_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o earth_n that_o the_o battle_n be_v not_o always_o to_o the_o strong_a 9.11_o eccles_n 9.11_o that_o salvation_n be_v only_o of_o the_o lord_n tell_v it_o among_o the_o nation_n that_o the_o lord_n reign_v let_v the_o earth_n rejoice_v it_o will_v be_v endless_a to_o quote_v particular_a text_n to_o this_o purpose_n in_o like_a manner_n the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v full_a of_o most_o glorious_a prophecy_n concern_v the_o rise_n and_o fall_v of_o empire_n the_o prophet_n be_v big_a with_o the_o burden_n of_o the_o nation_n as_o well_o as_o of_o god_n own_o people_n we_o there_o see_v the_o reason_n of_o god_n proceed_n with_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n which_o indite_v those_o holy_a book_n know_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n in_o other_o history_n we_o have_v naked_a matter_n of_o fact_n bare_o lay_v down_o but_o here_o be_v declare_v the_o counsel_n of_o god_n the_o wisdom_n and_o justice_n of_o his_o disposal_n of_o kingdom_n solomon_n have_v in_o short_a give_v the_o fundamental_a rule_n of_o god_n deal_v with_o they_o 14.34_o prov._n 14.34_o so_o that_o by_o righteousness_n a_o nation_n be_v exalt_v never_o be_v there_o any_o nation_n but_o flourish_v whilst_o it_o be_v victorious_a but_o sin_n be_v the_o ruin_n of_o any_o people_n it_o be_v the_o natural_a as_o well_o as_o the_o meritorious_a cause_n of_o it_o have_v thus_o i_o hope_v sufficient_o prove_v god_n care_v of_o the_o city_n in_o general_n and_o consequent_o their_o safety_n i_o now_o proceed_v to_o observe_v iii_o that_o god_n watch_v over_o some_o city_n with_o a_o peculiar_a distinguish_a care_n though_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n extend_v to_o all_o his_o creature_n yet_o for_o some_o god_n be_v please_v to_o own_o a_o particular_a regard_n and_o in_o a_o special_a manner_n to_o charge_v his_o providence_n with_o they_o for_o instance_n such_o as_o be_v in_o distress_n and_o want_v that_o have_v no_o friend_n in_o the_o world_n when_o there_o be_v no_o help_n in_o man_n no_o comfort_n in_o the_o creature_n then_o be_v they_o fit_a object_n of_o god_n care_n then_o be_v his_o season_n to_o appear_v it_o please_v he_o therefore_o to_o be_v style_v a_o father_n of_o the_o fatherless_a a_o husband_n to_o the_o widow_n a_o refuge_n for_o the_o oppress_v when_o the_o poor_a cry_n the_o lord_n hear_v they_o and_o deliver_v they_o from_o he_o that_o be_v too_o strong_a for_o they_o 22.23_o prov._n 22.23_o he_o plead_v their_o cause_n which_o hold_v as_o well_o of_o distress_a nation_n as_o single_a person_n for_o there_o be_v many_o miraculous_a deliverance_n on_o record_n which_o god_n have_v sometime_o vouchsafe_v to_o a_o distress_a people_n from_o the_o jaw_n of_o a_o proud_a insult_a enemy_n snatch_v the_o tremble_a prey_n from_o between_o their_o tooth_n so_o also_o for_o the_o good_a and_o pious_a for_o those_o that_o love_n and_o fear_n god_n he_o have_v a_o profess_a kindness_n no_o harm_n shall_v come_v nigh_o their_o dwell_n the_o wicked_a shall_v not_o approach_v to_o hurt_v they_o the_o righteous_a cry_n and_o the_o lord_n hear_v they_o and_o deliver_v they_o from_o all_o their_o trouble_n good_a man_n by_o reason_n of_o their_o good_a quality_n stand_v in_o near_a relation_n to_o god_n than_o that_o of_o creature_n they_o resemble_v god_n as_o child_n their_o father_n and_o have_v a_o title_n therefore_o to_o his_o paternal_a care_n so_o in_o the_o old_a world_n those_o pious_a family_n which_o retain_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o god_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o son_n and_o daughter_n of_o man_n and_o when_o the_o world_n be_v reduce_v to_o that_o pass_n as_o to_o have_v but_o one_o righteous_a family_n as_o we_o know_v of_o with_o what_o a_o amaze_a providence_n be_v they_o save_v when_o the_o whole_a world_n beside_o be_v drown_v for_o their_o wickedness_n and_o if_o we_o proceed_v on_o far_a in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o world_n when_o mankind_n be_v again_o relapse_v into_o a_o universal_a idolatry_n and_o apostasy_n from_o god_n so_o that_o he_o seem_v in_o a_o manner_n justle_v out_o of_o his_o own_o world_n so_o have_v the_o devil_n every_o where_o usurp_v upon_o he_o engross_a all_o the_o worship_n of_o it_o to_o himself_o then_o as_o the_o best_a expedient_a to_o preserve_v himself_o a_o light_n to_o the_o world_n be_v god_n please_v to_o pitch_n upon_o one_o family_n even_o that_o of_o abraham_n to_o enter_v into_o a_o particular_a covenant_n with_o he_o and_o his_o posterity_n that_o if_o they_o will_v be_v his_o people_n he_o will_v be_v their_o god_n he_o then_o give_v he_o a_o explicit_a promise_n of_o the_o redeemer_n the_o foundation_n of_o all_o mercy_n and_o upon_o condition_n that_o he_o will_v walk_v before_o he_o and_o be_v perfect_a god_n promise_v that_o he_o will_v be_v his_o shield_n his_o protector_n from_o all_o his_o enemy_n his_o exceed_a great_a reward_n according_o we_o afterward_o find_v as_o if_o god_n have_v forget_v all_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o creation_n the_o lord_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n oh_o wonderful_a honour_n assume_v the_o name_n of_o abraham_n and_o his_o family_n into_o his_o own_o great_a title_n and_o be_v please_v in_o a_o eminent_a manner_n to_o style_v himself_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n the_o god_n of_o isaac_n and_o the_o god_n of_o jacob._n in_o prosecution_n of_o these_o glorious_a promise_n make_v to_o their_o father_n we_o afterward_o find_v moses_n caress_v their_o posterity_n with_o their_o transcendent_a privilege_n their_o near_a relation_n to_o god_n and_o his_o particular_a love_n to_o and_o care_n for_o they_o so_o deut._n 7.6_o thou_o be_v a_o holy_a and_o separate_a people_n unto_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n the_o lord_n thy_o god_n have_v choose_v thou_o to_o be_v a_o special_a people_n unto_o himself_o above_o all_o people_n that_o be_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n so_o again_o exod._n 19.5_o if_o you_o will_v obey_v my_o voice_n then_o shall_v you_o be_v a_o peculiar_a treasure_n unto_o i_o above_o all_o people_n for_o all_o the_o earth_n be_v i_o yet_o i_o reject_v they_o all_o in_o comparison_n of_o my_o love_n and_o care_n for_o you_o in_o like_a manner_n the_o psalmist_n sing_v the_o lord_n have_v choose_v jacob_n to_o himself_o 135.4_o ps_n 135.4_o and_o israel_n for_o his_o peculiar_a treasure_n to_o this_o purpose_n in_o many_o other_o place_n they_o be_v court_v in_o the_o most_o indear_v term_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o the_o segullah_n of_o god_n in_o which_o word_n be_v include_v the_o most_o