THE pulpit is devoted, in general, to more important purposes, than the fate of king­doms, or the civil rights of human nature; being intended, to recover men from the slavery of sin and satan—to point out their escape from future misery, through faith in a crucified Jesus—and to assist them in their preparations for an eternal blessedness: But still, there are special times and seasons when it may treat of politics. And surely, if it is allowable for some who occu­py it, by preaching up the doctrines of non-re­sistance and passive obedience, to vilify the prin­ciples, and to sap the foundations of that glori­ous revolution, that exalted the house of Hanover to the British throne; it ought to be no trans­gression in others, nor be construed into a want of loyalty, to speak consistently with those ap­proved tenets, that have made GEORGE the third, the first of European sovereigns, who otherwise, with the his personal virtues, might have lived an obscure Elector.

[Page 6] Having then, the past morning of this pro­vincial thanksgiving, accommodated the text to the case of individuals, I shall now dedicate it, according to its original intention, to the service of the public, the situation of whose affairs, is, both distressing and alarming.

THE capital of the colony is barbarously treated, pretendedly for a crime, but actually, for the no­ble stand she has made in favour of liberty, against the partisans of slavery. She has distinguished herself by an animated opposition to arbitrary and unconstitutional proceedings; and therefore has been markt out, by ministerial vengeance, to be made an example of, whereby to terrify other American cities into a tame submission. She is an example—and, thanks to heaven! an exam­ple of patience and fortitude, to the no small mor­tification of her enemies, whose own base feelings led them to imagine, that she would immediately become an abject suplicant for royal favour, tho' at the expence of natural and charter'd rights. May some future historian, the friend of mankind and citizen of the world, have to record in his faithful and ever-living page, that she never truck­led, though British sailors and soldiers, contrary to their natural affection for the cause of liberty, were basely employed to intimidate her; but per­severingly held out, through the fiery trial, 'till a revolution of [...] and measures brought on her deliverance.

But it is not the capital alone that suffers. The late venal Parliament, in compliance with the di­rections of admini [...]tration, have, under the false colour of regulating the government of the colo­ny, [...] its charter, and conveyed dange­rous [Page 7] powers to individuals, for the enforcing and maintaining those encroachments, that they have ventured, in defiance of common equity, to make upon the rights of free people.—And had not the calmness and prudence of others supplied their lack of wisdom, the country might by this time have become an Aceldama. ^*

UPON the principles, which the British legisla­ture have adopted in their late extraordinary proceedings, I see not, how we can be certain of any one privilege—nor what hinders our being really in a state of slavery to an aggregate of masters, whose tyranny may be worse than that of a single despot—nor that a man can with pro­priety say, his soul's his own, and not the spring to move his bodily machine, in the performance of whatever drudgery his lords may appoint—nor that the public have a permanent and valuable constitution. If the British legislature is the con­stitution, or superior to the constitution, Magna Charta, the bill of rights, and the protestant succession, these boasts of Britons, are toys to please the vul­gar, and not solid securities.

THE operation of the late unconstitutional acts of the British Parliament, would not only de­prive [Page 8] the colony of invaluable privileges, but in­troduce a train of evils, little expected by the generality, and give the British ministry such an ascendency in all public affairs, as would be to the last dangerous. ^*

[Page 9] THE spirited behaviour of the country under these innovations, has charm'd, and affrighted, numbers: And, should it be continued, with pru­dence unremitted zeal and true fortitude, will produce monuments of praise more lasting than brass; even though it should not prove success­ful, which is scarce supposable.

[Page 10] THE distresses that the late acts have already occasioned, [...] many and great; and too well known to requ [...]re an enumeration: And yet, could we be secure of a speedy relief, in the permanent redress of our grievances, we should soon forget them. But we have our fears, lest they should be only the beginning of sorrows: and are in doubt, whether we may not be called to experi­ence the horrors of a civil war; unless we will disgrace our descent, meanly submit to the loss of our privileges, and leave to posterity—the ma­ny millions that shall people this continent, in less than a century— bonds and fetters.

[Page 11] The important day is now arrived, that must de­mine whether we shall remain free; or, alas! be brought into bondage, after having long enjoyed the sweets of liberty. The event will probably be such as is our own conduct. Will we conform to the once exploded, but again courtly, doctrines of passive obedience and non-resistance, rather than hazard life and property, we may have the honour of burning under the heats of summer, and freez­ing under the colds of winter, in providing for the luxurious entertainment of lazy, proud, worthless pensioners and placemen. ^*

[Page 12] WILL we make our appeal to heaven against the intended oppression; venture all, upon the noble principles that brought house of Hanover, into the possession of the British diadem; and not fear to bleed freely in the cause, not of a particu­lar people, but of mankind in general; we shall be likely to transmit to future generations, though the country should be wasted by the sword, the most essential part of the fair patrimony received from our brave and hardy progenitors, the right of possessing, and of disposing of, at our own op­tion, that honest fruits of our industry. Howe­ver, it's alarming to think, that, through the mista­ken policy of Great-Britain, and the absurd noti­on of persisting in wrong measures for the ho­nour of government, we may be obliged to pass through those difficulties, and to behold those scenes, and engage in those services that are shock­ing to humanity, and would be intolerable, but for the hope of preserving and perpetuating our liberties. Our trade ruin'd, our plantations trod­en down, our cattle slain or taken away, our property plundered, our dwellings in flames, our families insulted and abused, our friends and relatives wallowing, and our own garments rolled, in blood, are calamities that we are not accustom­ed to, and that we cannot realize but with the ut­most pain: And yet we must expect more or less of these, should we be compelled to betake our­selves to the sword in behalf of our rights. 'Tis not a little grievous to be alarmed with the ap­prehension of such severe trials, unless we will in our conduct resemble those simple ones, that for the sake of indulging themselves in present [...]ase [Page 13] and plenty, barter away their whole interest in future happiness. ^*

BUT though the situation of public affairs is both distressing and alarming; it is by far better than we have deserved, from the Sovereign of the universe. It would have been much worse had we been dealt with according to our demerits. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, be­cause his compassions fail not. Some may at first hear­ing object agianst this, as being too strong an expression, and may think, considering the morals of the people when compared with the inhabitants of other places, that it is mis-applied. I am rea­dy to allow, that the morals of this people, taken collectively, are superior to those of other places (Connecticut excepted, where I suppose they are nearly the same) whether in the new or the old world, all things considered; and I cannot but view, as a strong proof hereof, the order that prevails through the country, now that the exe­cution of the laws, because of the peculiarity of the times, is suspended. And yet after all, I must hold to the text; and, that we may be fully con­vinced, and be duely affected with the truth of it, shall make some remarks upon this people, con­sidered as the subjects of God's moral goverment.

[Page 14] 1. IN the first place I remark, that the preva­lency of any vices and immoralities among this people, must be peculiarly provoking.

Circumstances aggravate or alleviate the crimes, of societies, no less than of single persons; and far more and other is expected from some, than from many others in a very different situation and condition.

NOW it should be remembered, that this is but a young people, not a hundred and fifty years old; for, they were not a people for the few first years of their settlement in this wilderness, no more than a small company, who must have soon perished by the hands of the native Indians, had not God interposed. They youth is an ag­gravation to the crimes committed by them. For a young person to be given to vice, though he has a corrupted nature the same as others, is high­ly offensive. We look for a decent, modest, and orderly behaviour in him.

IN like manner, a young state should be pure in its morals; should be addicted to no particular vices; should observe the utmost regularity of be­haviour; and should not even think of, much less practise, the crimes too generally to be met with in countries of long standing, when attained to thier height in power and affluence. There is an utter unfitness in the former's attempting to imitate the latter. Can we say, that this rising young state is clear as to this matter; that it has not co­pied the corrupt manners of it's aged parent; and that it hath not it's particular vices that are a re­proach to it? However willing we may be, thro' self love and native fondness, to apologize for it; we cannot conscientiously pronounce it not-guilty, while we know how notorious, intemperance, uncleanness, luxury and irreligion are among us.

[Page 15] BUT another thing that makes that vices and immoralities of this people peculiarly provoking is, their descent and education. This sins of a youth descended from pious parents, who has had good examples set him, and who has been care­fully educated, are worse than those of a common youth, that has not enjoyed such advantages.

Now the ancestors of this people were eminently godly. I was the strength of their zeal for true unadualterated religion, and the ardour of their love to God and Christ, that prevailed upon them to venture over the great deep, and to [...] an a­bode in this then inhospitable and dangerous coun­try; and that reconciled them to the numberless difficulties, that they had long to encounter, with­out ever attaining to the various comforts that we enjoy. They were concern'd to perpetuate the same spirit of piety which they were actuated by; paid great attention to the rising generation; and wisely provided for the good instruction of succeeding ones. Wherein can we charge them with want, either of wisdom, or faithfulness to posterity? Do we not still reap the fruits of their contrivance and foresight, though not in so am­ple a manner as might, be through our own faultiness? Judge ye, what could have been done more, through their instrumentality, for this part of the Lord's vineyard, than what hath been done? Wherefore then, hath it brought forth so many wild and bad grapes, when it should have yielded the choicest fruit? Is not this people strangely degenerated, so as to possess but a faint resemblance of that godliness, for which their forefathers were eminent! And, could these last [Page 16] appear for a while, again in this colony, with the common passions and sentiments of human na­ture, would they not stand amazed at the sinful­ness of the present generation, and be ready to disown them for their posterity! Is it not another generation of professors, very different both as to sentiments and practice, from that which by their emigrations for conscience sake, first planted the gospel in New-England; would not the like zeal for the leading doctrines of christianity, and the like strictness in morals, that prevailed in the first settlers, be severely censured and be stigmatized by some reproachful epithet, as in their day, by the generality among us, though through the spi­rit of the times, the persecution might not be more than that of the tongue. They that will divest themselves of prejudice, and judge impar­tially, will be obliged, I apprehend, to acknow­ledge that this people do not answer to the ho­nourablenss of their descent; any more than to the care that was taken by their predecessors, for their being well-educated in the principles and practices of religion; the full benefit of which care, though they may not enjoy, through the censura­ble faultiness of some in neglecting their duty, yet is so far enjoyed, as that people in general, in­cluding all ranks, are not better instructed and e­ducated any where, it is probale, than in this country. But certainly the more honourable their religious descent, and the better their edu­cation, the more provoking must their vices and immoralities be; and nothing can be more wor­thy of their particular consideration, especially in these threatning times, than those words in the 3d of Amos 2d. wherein the Lord addresses the children of Israel saying, You only have I known of all [Page 17] the families of the [...]arth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. I might add more particu­lars to this first remark, but chuse to make them distinct ones of themselves.

2. I therefore proceed to mention in the second place, that the obligations this people are under to holiness, are special, from the many appearan­ces of God in their favour, and his having so mul­tiplied and exalted them.

How oft has the supreme Governor of the universe wonderfully, next to miraculously, in­terposed for their deliverance, when in the ut­most danger! Their enemies expected to swal­low them up, and were upon the point of doing it, when providence hath critically in­interposed, so that they have escaped, like a bird out of a snare that has been thrown over it. When their eagerness to co-operate with the parent state, in reducing the power of the common enemy, led them into a bold and dangerous enterprize, in which if they had miscarried they would have been subject to an almost irreparable damage, and which must have miscarried according to the usu­al course of human and military affairs, had not special events, carrying in them the evident marks of providential appointment, though in the ac­count of the unbeliever purely casual—I say, which must have miscarried, had not special events turned up; it pleased God to order the existence of them, and, by crowning the expedition with success, not only to avert the train of evils that must other­wise have followed, but to give this people, then indeed in their infancy, a NAME among the war­like veteran states of Europe and to show the world, what a few raw provincials could do, un­der the smiles and care of heaven, against fortifi­cations and batteries really strong, and defended [Page 18] by regulars, though not by Britons, May they never lose that NAME, nor blast the laurels gained at Louisbourg, by any future cowardly conduct, when it is not conquest, but liberty and property that are at stake!

GOD hath not only appeared for this people, but hath greatly multiplied and exalted them. They were at first a few men in number, yea, ve­ry few and strangers in the land. They came from a well cultivated kingdom to a savage people and a wild country, enough to discourage the stoutest. However they ventured to take up their abode in it, and, through the original blessing of heaven upon them, which perhaps never display­ed itself and wrought more effectually, except in the instance of the Jews, they are become a con­siderable nation, possess a tolerable share of wealth, and would enjoy much public happiness, were the painful disputes between them and the parent country comfortably terminated. The face of the colony is not less changed for the better since first settled, than what is set forth in the language of Isaiah's prophecy, the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blos­som as the rose. I shall blossom abundantly, and re­joice even with joy and singing, the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sha­ron. They shall see the glroy of the Lord, and the ex­cellency of our God. Isa. 35. 1, 2. These enume­rated, are special obligations on this people to ho­liness. But does their holiness correspond with them? Are the fruits yielded by them suited to such benefits? Are they that manner of people, that might have been expected; and that they engaged to be when under difficulties, and in great perplexity through threatning appearances? Or [Page 19] have they not, like the Jews of old, after singing the divine praises, forgot the works of God, and the wonders he hath showed them? And hath not the cast of their after-conduct evidenced that, in re­newing their engagements with him in the day of their affliction, they did flatter him with their mouth, and lied unto him with their tongues; and that their heart was not right with him; for, they have not been stedfast in his covenant, have not walked a­greeable to the design and purport of God's cove­nant of grace, with which they have in much mercy, been made acquainted.

3. I shall now remark in the third and last place, that though the appearances of religion among this people, are great and many, yet it is to be feared, that real religion is scarce, that the power of godliness is rare, and that while there is much outward show of respect to the Deity there is but little inward heart conformity to him.

Individuals are justly entitled to the benefit of an exception, notwithstanding which it may be ap­plied with too much truth to the community as a body, this people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Math. 15. 8. What is religi­on with the generality, more than being baptized, attending public worship statedly on the Lord's day, owning the covenant, coming to the Lord's table, and then being orderly in the outward de­portment! If, besides all now mentioned, there is a strict attendance upon private prayer, and the further addition of family, though the prayer shall consist of nothing more than the repeating of a certain set of words that the tongue has been habituated to, the goodness of such religion must not be questioned; though not proceeding from a [Page 20] work of regeneration—not produced originally by any special influences of the holy Spirit—not accompanied, with any saving illuminations from above, with any spiritual view of the divine glo­ries, any true hatred, to sin, any sense of the beau­ty of holiness, any soul-sanctifying love to God and the Lord Jesus. Is there not a great, though unhappy affinity, between the case of this people religiously considered, and that of the Laodi [...]an church, as described by the Alpha and Omega in Rev. 3. 15-18.

THE above remarks upon this people, consider­ed as the subjects of God's moral government, be­ing duely weighed, shall we not be brought to own with humility and gratitude, that it is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassion fail not. As yet we are not consumed.

Though, when we look down from the adjoin­ing hills, and behold the capital, we cannot but lament saying, "How is the gold became dim! “how is the most fine gold changed! how does her port mourn, because her shipping come not to her as formerly: all her wharfs are desolate! how is she possessed and surrounded by an ar­med force, as though in the hands of an ene­my! Yet, blessed be God! she doth not [...]it soli­tary; she is full of people: she is honourable among the nations: she is as a princess among the provinces, seeing that she hath not meanly become tributary. She weepeth fore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: but, like beauty in distress, she is the more engaging. She hath many lovers to comfort her; and her friends have not dealt treacherously with her, so far from having become her enemies. Her inhabitants are suffering, but not starving. Her [Page 21] priests and her elders have not given up the ghost, while seeking meat to relieve their soul. The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth not to the roof of his mouth for thirst. The young children ask not bread, without any man's of­fering to break it unto them. We see not her dwellings and public buildings, both civil and sacred, in flames; and the whole becoming, by a speedy destruction, an horrid heap of ruins.”

Though, when we survey the country, we be­moan the attempts that have been made upon the ancient foundations of its civil government, which if successful, will in all probability, after a time, undermine and destroy it's religious liberties; yet we are thankful, that no dwelling has been de­stroyed—that none of any party, have as yet pe­rished, by the shocks they have occasioned in the state—that the sword hath not been commissioned by heaven to destroy, and the way to an accommo­dation been rendered still more inaccessible, thro' the shedding of blood. We adore the goodness of God, which has kept us from being consumed by the ravages of war. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. And much more so, that, in the distressing and alarming situation of our public affairs, there have been so many favourable circumstances to preserve us from fainting, to hearten us up, and to encourage our hopes, in expecting that we shall at length, in the exercise of prudence, fortitude, and piety, get well through our difficulties.

HERE allow me to run through a brief summa­ry of these favourable circumstances, composed of the following particulars—The rising and growing consistency of sentiments in the friends of liberty, whcih hath [...] one assembly and ano­ther [Page 22] on this continent, to attempt preventing the further introduction of slaves among them, tho' herein they have been counter-acted by governors, and which the American Congress hath with so much wisdom and justice adopted—The increa­sing acquaintance with the rights of conscience in matters of religion, as belonging equally alike to men of all parties and denominations, while they conduct as good members of civil society, without endeavouring to injoure their neighbours of differ­ent or opposite sentiments—The blundering po­licy of the British ministry, in giving so cruel a cast to the Boston Port-bill, taking away by it private porperty and subjecting it's restitution to the pleasure of the Sovereign; in following that so hastily with other acts, equally unjust and more extensively pernicious, affecting the whole colony, and built upon principles and claims, that render­ed every dwelling plantation and right through the Continent precarious, dependent on the will of the parliament, or rather of the junto or indi­vidual, that hath the power of managing it; in declaring openly while supporting the bills, that their design was not against a single town or colo­ny, but against all America; in presuming, that the other towns and colonies, upon receiving the dreadful news, would turn pale and tremble, con­ceal their spirit of resentment and opposition, in sneaking professions of tame submission and a ban­don the distressed, though their own ruin must have followed upon it, however slowly; and, upon such presumption, neglecting to divide in time, the different colonies, by flattering promises suited to their several situations, and by secret purchases, ere they could form a general union—The re-esta­blishment of arbitrary power and a despotic go­vernment, in a most extensive and purposely en­larged [Page 23] larged country, contrary to the royal declaration given a few years before, qualified somewhat to the inhabitants, by that formal security of their re­ligious liberty, which was no ways wanting; but as is generally, I fear justly, thought, with the base diabolical design of procuring their assistance, if required, in quelling the spirit of freedom among the natural and loyal subjects of Great-Britain.— ^* [Page 24] —The speedy arrival of the Port-bill in the common way of conveyance, whereby some difficulties were avoided and some advantages enjoyed, while ad­ministration was not so merciful, as to attempt giving us the earliest intelligence of what had been done-—It's arrival at Boston, New-York and Virginia, [Page 25] nearly at the same time—The firmness that the Bostonians showed upon the occasion—The indig­nation with which it was received, as the news flew through the continent—The spirited behavi­our of the noble Virginian Assembly, ^* whereby they hastened their own dissolution—The accounts from different places and colonies, forwarded to the capital for her encouragement under her dis­tress, and to assure her of assistance and support, and that they considered her's in the true light of a common cause; not in consequence of, but ere they had received, her applications for adivce and direction, with the state of her situation—The forwardness, which showed itself every where, to contribute to her relief, and to adopt measures that might, in the issue, recover and secure the [Page 26] liberties of this and the other colonies—The sur­prising agreement in opinion, that has prevailed in persons at a great distance from each other, while consulting for the general good, whereby they have been led to transmit by letters, nearly the same proposals to each other, as though the inspiration of the Most High gave them the like understanding—The fixing upon a general Con­gress, and chusing delegates, altho' inseveral places, governmental chicanery was used to prevent it—The tender compassionate feelings that every de­legate of whatsoever denomination, without re­gard to party distinctions, discovered for the Bos­tonians, under the free and affecting prayer of a worthy episcopalian. ^* when at the opening of the congress they had been alarmed with the false rumour that Boston had been attacked by the mi­rumour that Boston had been attacked by the mi­litary and navy—The amazing consequences that this false alarm did, and continues to, produce. It proved the means of showing that the colonists were not to be intimidated, though martial ap­pearances were to terminate in actual hostilities; that they would be volunteers in the cause of li­berty; and that they meant not to avoid sighting, whenever it became necessary. It put many thou­sands upon boldly betaking themselves to arms, and marching forward, as they apprehended, to the assistance of their oppressed fellow subjects. It kindled a martial spirit, that has spread through various colonies, and put the inhabitants upon perfecting themslves in the military exercise, that so they may be early prepared for the worst. To that it has been owing, in a great measure, that the continent has put on such a warlike appea­rance; that companies have been formed, and are [Page 27] continually training, as far down as to, and even in Virginia, if not further ^*; and that they will be better prepared, than was ever before the case, to repel all invasions, that may be made upon their natural and constitutional rights, even tho' supported by a British army. Should British of­ficers and troops, wrongly imagine, that their commissions and oaths oblige them to act, tho' in opposition to those very principles of the con­stitution that supports them, and empowers the King to give them their commissions, instead of recollecting, that all obligations entred into, must [...] be attended with this proviso, that they are not contrary to and subversive of the constitution, and that it is a reverence for, and love to the constitution that distinguishes the soldier from the mercenary: Still, they would have no inclination to fight with fellow subjects, whose only fault was an excessive love of freedom, and a fixed determination not to submit, to what they really believed, were designed attacks upon their most precious lilberties. In such cricumstances, may we not hope, that the former would rather wish to escape with honour, than to disgrace them­selves with conquest, and that the men of might would not find their hands. But should it be other­wise, and their native bravery be sacrificed in support of a bad cause; yet it might be too hard a task for them to subdue their brethren, when [...]ighting pro aris et socis, for all that is dear; and who almost universally excel in the art of striking a mark, by which the waste of ammu­nition [Page 28] will be greatly prevented ^*, the want of field artillery will not be much, nor long felt, under a commander that has skill to avoid being attacked, and to chuse his ground for attacking, in a country with which he is perfectly acquain­ted, and where every inhabitant, even the chil­dren, are standing spies upon all the motions of an adversary. But as I earnestly beg of heaven, that the redress of our grievances may be obtain­ed without fighting: I shall not dwell longer up­on this point, and proceed to mention those other favourable circumstances of a pacifick kind, that remain to be specified; such as, the generous do­nations made for the poor the Boston, the union of the colonies, the prevailing harmony and una­nimity among the individuals composing the Grand Congress, their approbation of the oppo­sition giving by this colony to the acts for alter­ing it's ancient forms of government, their asso­ciation respecting trade and the like ^†, the rea­diness of the people to conform to it, and the [Page 29] intrepid conduct of the southern inhabitants in pre­venting the introduction of any more teas among them—These are favourable circumstances, be­yond what the most sanguine friends of liberty expected; that appear to be of the Lord's doing, and are marvellous in our eyes; that, if foretold, would have been deemed morally impossible, by those who are still inimical to them, though evi­dencing a wonderful interposition of providence; and that may justly encourage us, as well as keep us from fainting; especially when taken in con­nection with that spirit of prayer and humiliation, which has discovered itself in different places on occasion of the times. Would to God, there was more of this! Did it abound universally, we should have greater ground of encouragement by much; for the fervent prayers of the hum­ble, penitent, and returning, avail with GOD, thro' the mediation of the Lord Jesus. However, from what there is, and the other favourable circum­stances we are warranted to expect, that at length, in the exercise of prudence, fortitude and piety, we shall get well through our difficulties.

We must prudently fall in with the measures recommended by the Congress, that so we may not be reported to other colonies, as disregarders of them, whereby, first a jealousy may be produ­ced, and then a disunion effected. We must pro­mote unanimity among ourselves, peace and good order, that we may not be represented as desirous of confusion, in hopes of making an advantage of it. We should let the laws of ho­nour and honesty have their full weight with us, that we may fall under no reproach, for abu­sing the present suspension of human laws. We [Page 30] should diligently provide for the worst; and be upon our guard, that we may not be suddenly stripped of those appertenances, the loss of which will be severely felt, should we be called upon by a dire necessity to make our appeal to heaven.

I have been ready at times to infer, from that military spirit that hath spread through the continent, that though we are to be saved, it is not to be without the sword, or at least the strong appearance of it; unless infinite wisdom (which we shall heartily rejoice to find is the case) should be in this way preparing the colonies, for co­operating with the parent state, after that mas­ters in dispute have been settled to satisfaction, in some important struggle with a common enemy; and therein, by giving her effectual assistance, fore wiping away the reproaches that interested calumny and malice have thrown up­on them, and for confirming an eternal friend­ship. But is it the awful determination of hea­ven that we shall not retain our liberties with­out fighting, let no one despair. The con [...]i­nent, after having discovered consummate wis­dom, can never conduct so absurdly, as to leave a single colony alone in the dispute; their own security will constrian them to support which­soever is attacked; they will rather [...] at a distance, than have a war upon or within their own borders, and will be sensible that whoever fights on the side of American liberty, hazards his life in their battles. Should it be allowed, for argument's sake, that some one province or other, through selfishness or timidity, should basely slink from the common danger; yet would the rest have greater probability of succeding, [Page 31] than had the Dutch, when they began to emerge from slavery, and to acquire their liberties. ^*. Let us be but brave, and we may promise ourselves success, do we join piety to our prudence and for­titude. Do we confess and repent of our sins, justify God on his so trying us, accept of our punishment at his hands without murmuring or complaining; Do we humble ourselves, amend our ways and doings, give up ourselves to God, become an holy people, and make the most High our confidence, we may hope that He will be on [Page 32] our side: And if the Lord is for us what can men do unto us? Have we the God of hosts for our ally, we mgiht bid adieu to fear, though the world was united against us.

LET us then be pious, brave and prudent, and we shall, some of us at least, have room for thanks­givings, not merely for promising appearances, but for actual deliverance out of present difficul­ties, though it should not be till we have been conversant with the din of arms and the horrors of war. But should the country be wasted for a few years, and numbers of it's inhabitants be destroyed, ere the wished for salvation is gran­ted, how soon, after having secured it's liberties, will it regain it's former prosperity; yea, become far more glorious, wealthy and populous than ever, through the thousands and ten thousands that will flock ot it, with riches arts and scien­ces acquired by them in foreign countries. And, how will the surviving inhabitants and their pos­terity, together with refugees, who have fled from oppression and hardships, whether civil, or sacred, to our American sanctuary, daily give thanks to the Sovereign of the universe, that this general asylum was not consumed! How oft will they, with raptures think upon that noble exertion of courage that prevented it; celebrate the praises of those that led and suffered in the common cause; and, with glowing hearts, bless that God who owned the goodness of it, and at length crowned it with success! Hallelu [...]ah. The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

FINIS.

THE way to escape an attack is to be [...] readiness to receive it. While admin­ [...]stration consists of those that have avow [...] their dislike to the principles of this continer and the known friends of America are exclude there should be not dependance upon the [...] speeches, or actual promises of any, but the [...] should pursue the means of safety, vigorously as ever, that they may not be s [...] ­prized. 'Tis the most constant maxim of [...] that a man ought never to be more upon [...] guard, than whilst he is in treaty. For want attending to it, King Edward the 4th was [...] attacked, defeated, and made prisoner, the Earl of Warwick in 1470.