***

PSALM CL. 2.

Praife Him for his Mighty Alts.

7

HE admirable Traces of an Infinite Wisdom and Power, which we difcern in the Formation of various Creatures that inhabit this Earth, are such a Proof of a Deity, that a Man may as reafonably doubt whether he exifts himself, as call in question the Being of a God. Now next to the Acknowledgment of a Deity, is the owning that the fame excellent Being governs the World; for there is a neceffary Connection betwixt the Belief of a God and a Providence. 'Tis as unreasonable to think that all things in this World happen by Chance, as to affirm that a fortuitous Concourfe of Atoms ftretch'd forth the Heavens, and laid the Foundations of the Earth. As the Power and Wif dom of an invifible Deity are manifefted by the things that are made, fo are the fame Perfections wonderfully display'd in the Govern ment of the fame things: one Branch of which Divine Administration confifts in preferving

the

the Creatures that are form'd; it being impoffible they fhould have any Principle of Selffubfiftence independent on their firft Caufe: for 'tis incompatible with the nature of a Creature, to be independent. Now as the unlimited Power of God is neceflary to uphold all things, fo is his infinite Wisdom to direct, and guide them. 'Tis not fullen Fate nor giddy Chance, but a wife and a powerful Deity that holds the Reins of Government; all the Creatures and all their Actions are under the wife and righteous Management of Heaven.

No Succefs can attend the Affairs of a private Perfon, or the Arms of a publick Community, but 'tis owing to the Influence of Providence: So that the Victories fome People attribute to the Favours of Fortune, Reafon it felf directs us to afcribe to the Hand of God, and to number them among thofe Mighty Acts the Royal Pfalmift fpeaks of in the Text, and for which he exhorts us to praise God.

For tho God's railing the beautiful Frame of the World, and furnifhing it with noble and excellent Creatures, may very well be accounted amongst his Mighty Acts; yet I appre hend that the Mighty Acts mention'd in the Text, do principally refer to thofe furprizing Occurrences in the Divine Oeconomy, wherein the Wildom, Power and Goodness of God have been moft eminently difplay'd in behalf of the Church. For the Pfalmift had in the Verfe before the Text fignify'd that we thould praife God in the Firmament of his Power, .e. for the Works of Creation, whereof Heaven is the chief: he then immediately fubfoins, Praife him for his Mighty Acts 1.e. his Providential Acts: in which fenfe the most

learned

learned and judicious Ineerpreters agree. The Obfervation I defign to speak to from the Words, is this, viz.

That the Mighty Acts God hath wrought in the Course of his Providence on the behalf of his People, lay them under very great Obligations to praise him.

In fpeaking to this Argument it will be neceffary,

First, To lay down fome preliminary Propofitions by way of Diftinction and Explication, with 'refpect to the Mighty Acts of Divine Providence.

Secondly, To fhew you what is comprehended in our prailing of God.

Thirdly, To difcourfe of the great Obligations we are under to praife God for the Mighty Acts of his Providence.

Fourthly, To improve the Whole, futable to the folemn and joyful Occafion of our prefent Meeting.

First, I am to lay down fome preliminary Propofitions By way of Diftinction and Explication, with refpect to the Mighty Acts of Divine Providence; which may be confider'd as Common, Miraculous, and Special.

1. There are the Common Acts of Divine Providence, which we ought not to pass over without ftrict Obfervation. I mean thofe that have occur'd in every Age fince the Creation of the World, and do every day afford matter for Inquiry and Notice: Such as the regular Motion of the Heavenly Bodies in a due Diftance, fo as not to depopulate the Earth, and render it unfruitful; the orderly Succeffion of

Seed

Cen, 8.22. Seed-time and Harvest, of Cold and Heat, of Summer and Winter, of Day and Night: Thefe

all proclaim the Perfections of the Godhead, and are a Demonstration of a Divine SuperinPfal. 74. tendency. And I obferve, the Royal Pfalmift recites the like Inftances as Proofs of a Providence. How foon would the Harmony of the Creation be broken, and this beautiful World turn'd into a deform'd Chaos, did not God by his irresistible Power and infinite Wisdom animate, influence, guide, and on fit occafions restrain the vast number of diftinct Beings that are in the upper and lower World?

The Epicureans imagin'd that God did not govern the World, because the difficulty of fuch an Administration would leffen his Greatnefs, and interrupt his Felicity. Thefe People had very mean and low Thoughts of the Majefty of Heaven, who concluded that becaufe human Conftitutions are not manag'd without great trouble and fatigue, therefore God himself cannot govern the Universe without labour and toil. An Inference very abfurd; for there's no comparison betwixt an ignorant and feeble Creature, and an Omnifcient and Almighty Creator; who as he fees all things paft, prefent, and to come, at one view, fo he can accomplish any thing by one Act of his Will, without the leaft In2 Chron. 16. terruption of his Happiness. The Eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole Earth. Pfal. 33.13, He booketh from Heaven, and beholdeth all the Sons of Men. He fashioneth their Hearts alike, and confidereth all their Works. There is no Event fo great, but 'tis under the Divine Government; no Creature fo mean, but it

9.

comes