DOCTRINE,

1. GOD hath shewed us his marvellous Kind­ness in what concerneth the late Expedition, by disposing the Minds of the Country to ingage in that Affair with such Ardor and Zeal. When the Expedition was projected and set on foot, the chief of our Colonies, and His Excellency Governour Shirley, who under GOD, was the Spring of that Motion, when he sent his Pro­posals, with a general Plan of the Operation to the other Governments, publick Bodies and private Persons appeared mightily disposed to engage in the important Affair; thus it may be said as with Respect to King David, in a great [Page 10]Affair he had to transact, [...] Sam. 19.14. And he bowed the Heart of all the Men of Judah, even as the Heart of one Man. High and Low, Rich and Poor concurred in the same Senti­ment; if any were otherways disposed, yet they were borne down with the strong Torrent of a general Inclination.

If the upper Orders of Men had not concur­red, the Expedition must have failed; if the lower Ranks of Men had not been strongly en­gaged, the grand Design must have come to nothing: So that we see that the Head cannot say to the Foot, I have no need of you: All Orders and Degrees of Men were so united that there was no Schism in the Body.

Such was the united Inclination of People in New-England, that notwithstanding the great Charge of such an Undertaking, and their own Poverty, yet as the Apostle saith, 2 Cor. 8.2. Their deep Poverty abounded unto the Riches of their Liberality: For to their Power (I bear Record) and beyond their Power, they were willing of themselves.

2. Another Instance of GOD'S marvellous Kindness in what concerns the late Expedition, was, That what was Concerted and Projected here, was Acceptable and well Approved by the gover­ning Powers in GREAT. BRITAIN: We found favour in the sight of the King and His Nobles.

[Page 11]The Packquet-Boat had a safe Passage, altho' it was in the depth of Winter; the Messenger had a favourable Answer from the Board, and (as we have hèard) was dispatch'd in Twelve Hours; Ships were ordered to assist in that Expedition. But what is an Instance of marvellous Kindness was this, That before that time, Commodore Warren (whose coming was agreeable to the Wishes and united Desires of the whole Country) had received Orders to come with his Squa­dron of Ships here to this Country; had this Order been sent after the Messenger sent from hence did Arrive, it must in the common course of Things, have been too late; had the Enemy's Store-Ships entred and supply'd the City, this would have rendred the Reduction of the Place difficult, if not impracticable: The Ship Vigilant was large, in all probability it would have proved that her Sides were too thick, and her Metal too heavy for our small Shipping. That the Commodore should be Ordered hither before our designed Epedi­tion was known to them who gave that Order, is a wonderful Providence; it is GOD'S Wis­dom and not Man's that did direct: This is the LORD'S Doings, and it is Marvellous in our Eyes, Psal. 118.23.

[Page 12] 3. Another Instance of GOD'S marvellous Kindness, was, That the Affair was managed and carried on with such Secresy, that it was not known to the Enemy, nor so much as sus­pected. Very much of the Affair was concer­ted, agitated, and carried on in the Winter Season, in a dead Time of the Year, when there is but little Communication either by Sea or Land: Yet after all, we and our Ene­mies being upon the same Continent, it is of GOD'S Kindness, nay, it is an Instance of his Marvellous Kindness that this important Design was hid from them; it was hid from them even a long time after the Expedition was over, so that after the strong Place was Sur­rendred, they came boldly there as to their own Home; were Ensnared and Taken with­out having opportunity to strike one Stroke: Their case was not unlike to that of the Syrians, of whom the Prophet said, Smite them with blindness, 2 King. 6.18. — And He smote them with blindness, — And he said follow me; but he led them to Samaria, and they saw and be­held they were in the midst of Samaria. That an Affair of this nature, known to so many, about which there must be many imployed, and so much done in Preparation for the Ex­pedition, it is marvellous that the Enemy did by no means come to the Knowlege of it; when it was commonly said among our selves, [Page 13]That the Enemy knew it 'ere this time: One saith to another, The English can never keep a Secret! Well, I believe that before this time, that the French at Canada and Cape-Breton know all the Affair as well as we. But GOD hath dealt with us not only better than we deserve, but even better than our fears: there­fore we may say, Blessed be the LORD, who hath shewed us his marvellous Kindness in a strong City.

4. Another Instance of marvellous Kind­ness in what concerns the late Expedition, was, The fitness of the Weather for such an Under­taking. It was fine Weather for a long time beyond what was usual at that time of the Year, nay, beyond what was ever known. In ordering the Season, human Skill fails, and Strength can do nothing: It is GOD who commands the Winds and the Seas and they obey him. Had not GOD had the Winds in his Fist, and bound up the Waters as in a Garment, how difficult, how dangerous the Navigation? Had GOD sent, nay, had he not prevented the usual Storms of the Season and the Roughness of the Sea, a great Fleet of Transports must have been greatly Exposed: Had not GOD appeared for them, that must have been their case, which we find painted in such lively Colours, Psal. 107.25. For he [Page 14]commandeth and raiseth the stormy Wind, which lifteth up the Waves thereof; they mount up to Heaven, they go down again to the Dephts; their soul is melted because of Trouble? they reel to and fro and stagger like a drunked Man, and are at their wits end. Our Forces were not only favoured with good Weather in their Passage, but also when they lay Incamped, which was a marvellous Kindness; especially considering the early Season, the coldness of the Climate and the length of the Siege: And what is very remarkable, immediately upon the Surrendry of the Place, the Heavens gathered to blackness, Rain and Cold: Stormy Weather and Goggs was in abundance, and continued long such, as would have rendred the Encampment much more incommodious and difficult. These were such Instances of marvellous Kindnesses, as our Enemies could not but take Notice of; so that we may say, Their rock is not as our Rock, even our Enemies themselves being judges, Deut. 32.31.

5. Another Instance of GOD'S marvellous Kindness in what concerns the late Expedition, was, That most of the Land Army who under­took this great Enterprize, had not practical Knowlege in the Arts of War. Incamping, Intrenching, erecting Batteries, Bombarding and Cannonading, was what they had not been [Page 15]acquainted with; yet being used to turn their Hands to many sorts of Work, they soon un­derstood what was to be done: If they had not so much skill as regular Forces, yet they had one prime Qualification, they engaged with Resolution and good Will; they were able-bodied Men, able to endure Labour and Fatigue; they perform'd their duty as Sol­diers, and did that work which would have imployed many hundred Pioners: They were near to a Country that could supply them with a sufficiency of good, strong and wholsom Food, by which they were kept in heart and high spirit. That this is of great importance, we have the Opinion of the best of Judges of his time, Prince Maurice, who was wont to receive supplies of Soldiers from England, of whom he said, he found it best to bring them to Engage the Enemy before the English Beef was dissolved in their Bellies; finding by Ex­perience that when they fed on cold and weak Diet, they lost much of their Vivacity and Courage. All these advantages are from Him who is the Author of all good: It was He that instructed an undisciplin'd Army, so that they might say with the Psalmist, Psal. 144.1 Thou hast tought my hands to War and my fingers to Fight.

[Page 16] 6. Another Instance of GOD'S marvellous Kindness in the late Expedition, was, The Har­mony, Unanimity and good Agreement between the Sea and Land Forces. Different Powers make different Claims: There are points not fully setled in the oldest and best established Constitutions as to the extent of Prerogative and Liverty; the extent of Maritine of Ad­miralty Powers and that of Civil: But in this Undertaking against the Enemy, there was an happy Concord, no Jealousie or Emulation; the Sea and Lond Forces were ready to afford each other mutual Help and Assistance: How happy and how useful is such Agreement? Like that of Joab and Abishal, when Joab found himself beset before and behind; he made a double Front, then he makes a short military Oration, enough to warm the hearts and invigorate the minds of every one, 2 Sam. 10.11. And be said, if the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me; if the Children of Ammon be too hard for thee, then I will come and help thee: Be of good Courage, and let us play the Men for our People, and for the City of our GOD, and let the LORD do what seemeth him good.

7. Another Instance of GOD'S marvellous Kindness, is, The protection and salvation of GOD in preserving our Forces from the Shot [Page 17]of the Enemy. All the Opposition they made at the Landing of our Men was ineffectual and insignificant: Notwithstanding all the advan­tage of Ground, the loss they sustained was greater than the damage they did. GOD in his great Mercy so ordered it, that when they expected our Men to Land in one place, they Landed at another place, only because it ap­peared a better place; which quite disconcerted the Measures and defeaned the Design of the Enemy. At the time of the Siege, when the Shooters shot from the Wall, it is wonderful that they did no more Execution: How shall we speak of it but in the Language of the Psal­mist? Psal. 5.11, 12. Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice; let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: With favour thou wilt compass them as with a shield. Psal. 140.7 O God the LORD, the strength of my salvation; thou hast covered my head in the day of hattel.

Another Instance of marvellous Kind­ness of GOD in this important Affair, was, The Health that he afforded to our Army and Pleet. It is no uncommon thing for Fleets and Ar­mies, especially if they ly long Incamped, to suffer more from the Pestilence that walketh in darkness, and the destruction that wasteth at noon-day, than from the Sword of the Enemy. This we sorrowfully experienc'd at Wood [Page 18]Creek some Years past. What is marvellous Kindness indeed, is this, that by the Sword of the Enemy, by the Sea, and by Sickness and all Accidents, we did not loose more Lives, than out of such Number, of which the Fleet and Army did consist, in such a space of Time we have lost at home when it hath not been ac­counted a very sickly Time; sometimes out of such a Number and in such a space of Times, it is probable that we have lost many more: So that we may say, GOD hath shewed his marvellous Kindness in a strong City.

Had the Soldiers gone upon that Expedition with never so much Resolution and good Will, yet if they had been Sick had lost their Strength, they could not have sustained the Burthen and performed Labour nècessary to be done; but having Health, Strength and good Will, they went through all with Chearful­ness: For as Nehemiah said of their great Works at Jerusalem, such as were the Wonder and Envy of those round about them; he gives this Reason for the uncommon progress they made, Neh. 4.6. So built we the Wall; and all the Wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.

The time would fail to mention all the particular wonders of Providence, either with respect to the Expedition in general, or what occurr'd to Parties or particular Persons.

[Page 19]The French Deserting and Evacuating the Grand Battery, a place of great Strength, whatever induced them to it, whether a scar­city of Men, or a Panick that seised them; whatever was the Cause, happy were the Ef­fects, and great the was the Joy on our part.

The happy success of our Cruisers and Ships of War, in preventing the Enemy in the City from receiving Supplies of Food, Naval or Warlike Stores, was another marvellous Kindness conferred on us.

The Bombs broke so near to our Men as to cover them with dirt, yet did them little harm.

The whole Affairs is so replete with Wonders, accompanied with such a train of Providences in what was antecedent or preparatory, in the time of Action, and what hath happed since to our Advantage and to the prejudice of the E­nemy: That were not the Facts a well known Truth, the whole would appear more with the air of a Romance, than a true History.

9. Another Instance of marvellous Kind­ness, was, That the full Strength of the Place was unknown to us. When the great Undertaking was set on foot, it was supposed that the Place was Weak and but slenderly Fortified on the Land-side; so that it was thought that it might be Reduced by a Land Army: The Wall was represented on that part as low and unfinished, [Page 20]which was an Encouragement to ingage in the important Affair; and may serve as a just Vin­dication of the Project from any charge of Rash­ness: But when our Men saw the full Strength of the Place, the heighth of the Walls, the depth of the Ditch, its solid Foundations and great Thickness; its Furniture to Offend, and the ample Provision made to Defend the Place, the Art and Skill with which every part was contrived and done, they were filled with won­der, like the Queen of Sheba, 1 King. 10.4. And when the Queen had seen all Solomon's Wisdom and the House he had built, there was no more spirit in her; for she said, Behold, the half was not told me.

As GOD sometimes confounds the Wisdom of the wise; here in this Affair, GOD in his marvellous Kindness, hath turn'd our Igno­rance and Unacquaintedness with the true state of the Place to our advantage.

10. Lastly, Another Instance of marvellous Kindness is this, That GOD hath graciously heard our Prayers, which have been incessantly put up, and done all these great Things for us, notwithstanding our many repeated Provocations and Offences. When we consider our Un­thankfulness for Mercies received, our Un­fruitfulness under gospel Means and Advan­tages, our Deadness and Formality, Prophane­ness, [Page 21]Injustice, Intemperance; when Iniquity doth so much abound and the Love of many waxeth cold, GOD'S Kindness is to be consi­dered as so much the more Marvellous.

At that time when GOD was working Won­ders for David, subjecting to him the strong City of Rabbah, David had Offended greatly in the matter of Urich the Hittite; so that when he was brought to a due sight and sense of that great Sin; the goodness of GOD in doing such great things for him, might raise in him so much the more exalted Thoughts of GOD'S marvellous Kindness in what related to the Reduction of that strong City.

PROP. 2. That for such marvellous Kindness we ought to bless the LORD.

1. We should bless the LORD in Humility. We should rejoice with trembling: For he that hath lift us up may cast us down, and turn his hand against us all the day long. Let us be thankful and give all the glory to GOD, Psal. 115.1. Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy Name give glory, for thy mercy and for thy truth's sake. Oh! Let us not say, This is the fruit and effect of New-England Courage. Let us not say our own Arm hath given us the Victory. Let us learn a lesson of Humility and Thankfulness, from Psal. 44.3. For they [Page 22]got not the land in possion by their own Sword, neither did their own Arm save them; but thy right Hand and thine Arm, the light of thy Coun­tenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. For I will not trust in my Bow, neither shall my Sword save me: For thou hast saved us from our Enemies, & hast put them to shame that bated us. In GOD we beast all the day long and praise thy Name for ever at dever. King David had Mi­litary Skill himself, had a number of Worthy's that were famous for their Courage and Skill in War; he also took care to have his Subjects instructed in military Discipline, 2 Sam. 1.18. Also he had them teach the Children of Judah the use of the Bow. The Soldiers having fallen before the Philistines, sunk in their Courage, & defective in military Skill, he makes it his first care to have them trained and instructed. It is true, Mr. Meade observes, in the Original it stands thus. He bad them teach the Children of Judah the Bow; he conjectures, that the fol­lowing Elegy being a martial Song, was called the Bow which he would have them learn. But the sense of the Translators is the most national and natural. After all his Skill in and Con­cern about military Skill, yet he did not trust in an Arm of Flesh, but made GOD his Confi­dence and Shield. The more humble any are, the more thankful they will be. Jacob said, I am less than the least of all Mercies.

[Page 23]2. We should bless the LORD at all Times and with all our powers and faculties, Psal. 34.1. I will bless the LORD at all times, his praise shall be continually in my mouth. Bless him when alone and in Company; diligently Re­count these marvellous Things to our Chil­dren, Talk of them when we sit in the House and when we walk by the Way, when we are Assembled (as at this Day) we should Praise him in the great Congregation.

If it be our duty to bless GOD in the time of our Affliction, as Job did, The LORD gives, and he takes away, blessed be the Name of the LORD; Let us bless him when he is loading us with his Benefits and incompassing us with the blessings of his Goodness. Bless the LORD in the great Congregation. Let us not only speak, but live his Praises. If we are truly Thankful, we shall be chearfully Obedient.

We may Improve this in a Use of EXHOR­TATION, if we can need any Exhortation, beyond what the present Occasion offers.

Oh! Let us bless the LORD, who hath given us the Victory, and that with so little Effusion of Blood.

At a Council of War, it was Resolved in a short time to Storm the Place; GOD merci­fully prevented this, by a Capitulation and [Page 24]Surrender of that strong Hold. Had they been obliged to make a general Assualt by Sea and Land, in which whole Ranks might have been cut down and multitudes torn in pieces, this would have damped our Joy, and been a sad Alloy to all our Pleasure: It would have been with us, as with them at the Re-building of the Second Temple, the voice of Weeping and Rejoicing blended together. Oh! Bless the LORD for his marvellous Kindness in a strong City: For this place being Reduced, ^† our natural Enemy the French, have not one Sea-port on the Continent on this side the Bay of Mexico. Bless the LORD and make him our Boast all the day, since by GOD'S gracious Aid our Enemy's are Subdued who Threatned, with their Ships to sweep our Seas and main­tain their Fires with Jack-staves taken from us. But blessed be GOD, who hath given us to say with the Psalmist, Psal. 18.40. Thou hast also given me the recks of mine Enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.

We shall conclude this Use of Exhortation to Thanksgiving and Praise, with only Three [Page 25] Motives, which we find all laid together, Psal. 147.1 Praise ye the LORD, for it is good to sing praises unto our GOD: for it pleasant, and praise it comely. Good, Pleasant and Comely.

1. It is Good: There is a real Goodness in it. Psal. 92.1. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy Name, O most high.

The ways of GOD'S Providence in the Expe­dition have been such and so remarkable, that the Ignorant and Prophane, Careless and Irre­ligious, are obliged to own that this is the singers of GOD; and shall not the Righteous bless his holy Name? If it be so good to give Thanks, will good Men be ungrateful? Nay, that is a Contradiction; Unthankful and Evil go toge­ther. Shall all Nature speak forth the high Praises of GOD, and shall we be silent? Let our Mouths be filled with the high Praises of GOD; for it is a good thing to give Thanks unto the LORD.

2. Consider by way of Motive, That it is Pleasant. Grief compresseth the heart, and therefore is an uneasie thing: But Joy dilates and expands the Soul; is therefore attended with pleasing Sensations. A Soul sen­sible of his own Sin and Unworthiness, and yet enjoying the Overflowings of divine Goodness, and hath his Mind proportionably drawn out in Thankfulness, enjoys Happiness and hath a [Page 26]true taste of Pleasure. Must it not be plea­sant, since singing Praises to GOD in the happy Imployment and Entertainment of Angels and the spirits of just Men made perfect, and will be so to all Eternity. If therefore it were not pleasant, Heaven would be no Heaven, but a place of Confinement and Uneasiness.

3. To excite to Thankfulness by way of Motive, consider, That Praise is Comely. What is beauty or comeliness, but a just pro­portion and due disposition of Parts? where there is no Symmetry or just proportion of Features, there is what we call Homeliness: If so, then Ingratitude is not only uncomely, but even monstrous. An ungrateful, unthankful Person, makes a frightful Figure; is abhorr'd by GOD and Man. Since GOD has done so much for us in the great Deliverances he has wrought, we can do no less in decency and duty, than offer up to Him a tribute of Praise due to him. Let us all join together and bless his holy Name: Both young Men and Maidens, old Men and Children, let them Praise the Name of the LORD; for his Name alone is Excellent, his Glory is above the Earth and Heaven, and Praise is Comely. The most unexceptionable Evidence of true Gratitude, and that we are Thankful for his marvellous Kindness, is, That we yield to Him sincere, chearful and universal Obedience.