Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

or that power which performs nothing? or that goodness which is good for nothing? or that justice which distributes nothing? In short, that Deity who hath neither wisdom, power, goodness, nor justice; or, which is the same thing, who makes no manner of use of them, is no better than a dead and senseless idol, unworthy of the regard of a rational being.

But this general custom of prayer, which prevails in all nations, is a strong presumption, that there is a universal active mind which prompts mankind to rely upon and implore his protection at least, it is a convincing proof that the world, in general, allows a divine Providence; and it was this religious persuasion. that led the legislative body of this Island* to enact the solemn observance of this day.† And if atheists and infidels (by whom, I mean those who deny a revelation) will but consult Plato, Socrates, and many other heathen divines, upon this important point, they may, perhaps, be persuaded by those (though they despise the Christian who advises them) to lay aside their singularity, and to unite in the general opinion and practice.

But, as for those who are Christians, and who, I would hope, entirely make up the present congregation, I must observe, that next to the existence of God, and the veracity of his word, the belief of his real Providence enlarges the mind, and gives us a just apprehension of

[blocks in formation]

that power by which we are daily surrounded and protected.

And, therefore, in the further prosecution of this subject, I shall endeavour to demonstrate as brief as possible, that angels and men, both good and evil, are under the peculiar government, and controul of the Almighty that the celestial luminaries, the sun, moon, and stars, are kept in their regular course and order by his infinite wisdom and power: that the earth, the air, and the seas, with all their stores and furnitures, are so far from being beneath his notice, that he often excites them to move and act to the astonishment and conviction of the most hardened of the sons of men.

In order to this, I shall have recourse to those sacred records which are the foundation of our faith, as they should be of our practice.

[ocr errors]

We have a great variety of beautiful hints and descriptions of God's universal rule in the holy scriptures, particularly in the Book of Psalms. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord all ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening to the voice of his word. Bless the Lord all ye his hosts, ye ministers that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominions. But in the 148th Psalm we are called upon, in a most pathetic and elegant manner, to praise the Lord. There the glorious angels in the heights of heaven are called upon; together with the sun, moon, and stars of light: The heaven of heavens, and

waters that are above the heavens, dragons and all deeps: fire and hail, show and vapours, storms and tempest beasts and all cattle, creeping things and flying fowl: kings, princes, and judges of the earth: young men and maindens, old men and children, are excited to praise the Lord; whose glory is above the earth and heavens § who is righteous in all his ways, and hoty in all his works; who fulfilleth the desire of them that fear him; will also hear their cry and will save them.

So that here is a general summons to the whole universe; and a particular encouragement to all the rational inhabitants thereof to pay their homage to their awful Maker and Governor.

[ocr errors]

It may not be improper to observe to you, that it has been, and is still the opinion of many learned and judicious men, that God disposes and conducts most of the remarkable events and occurrences of this lower world by the agency of invisible spirits.

Many of the ancient philosophers being at a loss to account for the origin of evil; through what contingency, necessity, or permission it first came; and being once come, should still continue in the world; have ascribed it to the clashing and alternately prevailing power of good and evil spirits; and this opinion is strongly supported in divers places of the sacred writings: for as to the good angels, they are expressly called the ministers of the Lord, that do his pleasure. And we have very early accounts of those glorious agents being employed

[ocr errors]

to serve or punish; to defend or destroy a good or perverse race of mortals.

An instance or two, in both respects, may suffice.

I would willingly avoid the least suspicion of trespassing upon the honour and chastity of the Christian religion, therefore shall decline taking notice of apparitions sent to particular persons on secret and special messages; because, it may be objected, that enthusiasm and superstition too frequently usurp the throne of reason; the one keeping the soul under the bondage of implicit faith; the other of fantastical fear. I shall, therefore, only remark where those divine messengers were sent on great and astonishing occasions.

As, first, it was an angel, at the command of the Lord, that at midnight smote all the first born of the Egyptians; from the first born of Pharaoh that sat on the throne, unto the first born of the captive that was in the dungeon; and likewise all the first born of cattle.

Again, when the Lord was offended at David for numbering the people, and was determined to punish him either with the famine, sword, or pestilence: after David had made choice of the pestilence, we are told, that God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it; and as he was destroying, the Lord beheld and repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, 'tis enough, stay now thine hand; and the angel of the Lord stood at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. And David lift up his eyes, and saw the angel of the Lord. stand between the

earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched forth over Jerusalem.

It was an angel that guarded the passage of Eden after Adam and Eve were turned out for their transgression. And they were the same heavenly messengers who were sent to Lot, to acquaint him with the design of God to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. In short, numberless instances might be given, of the agency of good angels who are commissioned, by their glorious Lord, to transact many awful passages in the course of Providence. And it should be a great comfort to good men to reflect, that they are under the tuition and guardianship of these invisible friends from their entrance into the world 'till their arrival in glory. Take heed, says Christ, that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. They kindly watch over us night and day, sleeping or waking, at times and seasons that we are not aware of: for we are told that the angel of the Lord encamped round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. And at the close of this frail life, they give their faithful and friendly attendance on our dissolution, to conduct our naked spirits, through regions unknown to us, unto the heavenly mansions: for, when Lazarus died, he was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. And as there are good, so there are also evil angels moving to and fro upon the earth and the air, whose daily study is to annoy and ruin mankind.

« AnteriorContinuar »