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mutual expression of hopes and fears, of the infliction of evil, in contradistinction wishes and alarms, of animation and dis- to three things-to CHANCE, to IDOLS, and couragement of sources of danger and to SECOND CAUSES. means of safety!-Now, when the voice This is a supplementary topic to those of the Lord cried unto the city, the cause discussed on the former text, from the for alarm was as real, and far greater, than prophecies of Micah; and I wish to be at the sounding of the trumpet of battle. understood, although without any very This is the sentiment expressed in verses pointed mention of them, as having refer7, 8. "The Lord God hath spoken, ence to the distresses of our own times, who can but prophesy?" A truly be- and country, and city. nevolent spirit feels it a most painful I. We distinguish the agency of Jehorestraint, to keep back either the warn- vah from CHANCE.-Chance is a word very ing of evil, or the tidings of good. This common in the mouths of many: but it is was one at least of the impelling motives a word of the meaning of which very few in the bosom of the apostles, when they of those who use it have ever set themsaid, "We cannot but speak the things selves to form any definite notion. The which we have seen and heard;"—and in truth is, chance is nothing. It is a mere the bosom of Jeremiah, when, having been term for human ignorance. When we subjected to the persecuting violence of say that an event has happened by chance, his enemies, and having found all his we seldom think at all what we mean. If warnings so unavailing, he formed the we intend to say that it has had no cause,— resolution of shunning farther suffering that is atheism. It is the exclusion of all by silence: "I said, I will not make mention superintending agency. But the only of Him, nor speak any more in his Name: rational meaning of the word (if a rational but his word was in my heart as a burn- meaning it can be said to have) is, that we ing fire shut up in my bones, and I was are in ignorance of the cause or causes of weary with forbearing, and I could not the event. The poet speaks truly, when stay." (Jer. xx. 8, 9.) he defines chance in these terms

"All chance-direction, which we cannot see."

There is a natural atheism in the human heart, a constantly prevailing tendency to forget God. This tendency (alas! for There is an atheism, directly and properly our nature!) is more powerful amidst so called, which denies the existence of a the abundance of the enjoyments of life, God altogether. There is an atheism, than under the pressure of its calamities. which admits existence, but excludes all So true is this, that adversity has many a superintendence of human or created time been made use of as a means for beings, and of their respective concerns. counterworking the pernicious influence Such of old, was the atheism of Epicurus of prosperity, the former bringing back and his followers; which, however, had the heart which the latter had led astray. so far the merit of consistency, that it How rare is the case of a sinner brought associated the denial of providence with to repentance and serious religion by pros- the denial of proper creation. And simiperity and success in life! But the in-lar, though diversified in some particulars, stances have not been few, of persons have been the godless systems of some "chosen in the furnace of affliction," moderns. But certainly we might as well subdued and reclaimed by adversity. We have no God, as a God that takes no indare not say, however, that this is the terest in his creatures, and exercises no natural effect of divine judgments operat- superintendence over them. We might as ing on human corruption. They tend rather to fret, and provoke, and alienate. And there is, moreover, a sad propensity reverse of this,-that there is a God, and to overlook the hand of God in them al- that he directs and governs all things. together; so that men stand always in The sentiment is not to be confined to our need of having it pointed out to them, own world. It extends to all worlds. In and pressed upon their observation. It is all parts of the unmeasured creation, He to the solemn truth of the divine appoint- is "ever present, ever felt!" This is the ment of calamities, that the attention is uniform affirmation, and the pervading called, and called impressively, by the principle, of the Bible. It runs through question in the text-"Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?" We shall consider the Lord's agency in

well have no God as no providence.

The sentiment of the text is the exact

all its contents, with an application such as the most heedless reader can hardly overlook. Its maxim is-" All things are

table to interpret particularly, and with series of arrangements, we can see the reference to individuals, the views of watchful providence of God rendering men divine judgment when affecting a multi- in their respective spheres, the instru tude. It is enough for us to know that ments of promoting the destined and these judgments, whatever be their kind, ultimate perfection of our race. whatever be their nature, or whatever Now, to a man capable of reflecting on their degree, are instruments of God's these marks of Divine government, the government of his moral and rational Almighty surely presents an object most offspring, and that the inhabitants of the worthy of unbounded veneration-a being earth may learn from them lessons of whose mercies in all things are conspicurighteousness. This is the view, you will ous, and who has an unqestionable title remark, in which the text represents the to receive from his rational creatures the judgments of God to our consideration; worship and homage which he requires. and, therefore, in conformity with the But, alas! my brethern, while things obpious purpose for which we are assembled serve their ordinary course, how seldom this day, I shall endeavour to suggest, do we permit our thoughts to rise from briefly, two of the righteous lessons which them to the power by which they are the judgments of God ought to teach us. conducted? Alas! alas! the beauty and In the first place, the judments of God, benignity which our Father in heaven has whatever their form, and whatever their spread around us in the world, where he degree may be, when they are contem- has given us our situation, detain our atplated by an enlightened and devout mind, tention on themselves, without suggestare found powerfully to excite within it ing the source from which they flow. sentiments of warm piety and deep devo- Nay, that very order, that very regularity tion toward that God from whom these which is the effect of his present power judgments proceed. My friends, that God and care, lulls our mind asleep, and rencontinues to govern the world which he ders us insensible to the workings of his has made, and that his rational subjects hand. It is, in truth, only when the owe to him reverence and obedience, are general order of events seems to be sentruths which scarcely admit of doubt. sibly interrupted-it is only when the God has impressed so visibly on all his elements composing the world and the works the signature of that unceasing frame of divine government seem to jostle, care which he exercises for their preserva- as it were, against each other, it is only tion, that we have only to open our eyes when the pillars that support the society on his works and behold it. When we of men are suddenly shaken or broken look up to the heavens which his fingers down-or when some public or personal have framed,-when we see the sun, and misfortune crosses the path of life, that the moon, and the stars observing order the thoughtless multitude-and, alas are and regularity in all their movements, we we not all to be considered too much are at once convinced of the powerful members of the thoughtless multitudesuperintendence and energy of their Cre- arise to reflection, and feel the presence ator;-and when we turn our view to of their God. this earth, we meet every where indica- My friends, there are various principles tions of a similar kind. It is by the in our constitution, by which the judg. energies of his hand that all the things of ments of Heaven contribute to a salutary this world are maintained, each of them effect upon the minds of a thoughtless in their due season and proportion, and it world. Unexpected revolutions, either in is upon him they depend for the wonder- the natural or moral world, naturally ful maintenance of their condition. But arrest our attention. They demonstrate, above all, we can trace the watchful pro- in the most sensible manner, to our convidence of God in the history of our race, sciences, our own weakness, and the in-we can trace the watchful providence competency of our powers, either to proof God communicating to man, at his first duce or control the changing events formation, the instincts and powers re-around us; and to every mind that is not quired for the new condition he was to totally enfeebled and darkened, through fill, we can trace the watchful provi- corruption, such revolutions suggest with dence of God mingling men in society, irresistible force the notion of a powerful and adjusting their talents to the situation Supreme Ruler, they alarm our fears at his which each of them has been destined to displays, and awaken all those sentiments fill in it, and, through a most complicated (this is at least their natural tendency,

or ought to be their constant effect)- From these remarks, my friends, it will of humility and penitence, which form the appear that the divine judgments have as beginning of a pious and devout temper. their first and general purpose, whatever And I would especially call your attention their kind and form may be, to rouse the to this view of the case, that we learn attention of sinners to the proofs of divine from Scripture, that this is not only the government, and to recall them, before it be 1 tendency of the divine judgments when too late, from their sleep of inconsideration, rightly improved, but often the very pur- and from the criminal practices of irreligion pose for which they were sent by the and vice. These purposes of the divine providence of God. The early record of judgments which we have affirmed in so 1 Moses proclaims repeatedly, that strange many portions of Scripture, and which so #punishments came upon the disobedient. heavily afflict our land, let us carefully And why? That the people may hear, and feel, and do no more their iniquities. The plagues were sent upon Egypt that the Egyptians might know that God is the Lord. When Sennacherib was pursuing his severe conquests, and wickedly railing against the God of Israel, an angel of the Lord slew in one night an hundred and fourscore and five thousand men! And why? It was, that all the kingdoms of the earth might know that he is the 1 Lord God, even he alone! And the Psalmist in express terms asserts the general proposition, that God maketh himself known by the judgments which he executeth, and snareth the wicked in the work of his own hands.

improve. Let us remember, that, amid the calamity that is committing its ravages among our brethren, all is the doing of the Lord; and considering that, let us then, with habitual and awful reverence, bow before him, and in submission to his will.

But, my brethren, the judgment which has, by the divine permission, visited our land, and which has this day brought us, professing humiliation, to the house of prayer-a judgment as appalling in its effects as it is novel in its circumstancesnot only powerfully impresses the general lesson of righteousness, which all the divine judgments are calculated to do, but with a fatal and a loud voice reminds us, in the second place, of this other peculiar If, then, my beloved Christian friends, lesson, the uncertainty of life, and the nethe judgments of God be both fitted and cessity and wisdom therefore of instant designed to awaken us to the ways of his preparation for a Christian death of peace providence, how should we labour to re- and hope. For, my friends, what judgment gard and improve them? Never let it be has ever taught so widely and so alarmforgotten that the prevalence of these ingly the truth, that we know not what a judgments is a means of moral reformation day or a night may bring forth?-What for which we are accountable. They are judgment has ever so terrified the land chastisements which, after all gentler me- with the similitude of the Psalmist,— thods have failed, our gracious Father," thou turnest man to destruction, and desirous of our reformation and eternal sayest, Return, ye children of men. Thou safety, employs, and employs reluctantly, carriest them away as with a flood: they as the last efforts to recall us to the paths are as a sleep-in the morning they are of obedience. And if we return not-if like grass which groweth up. In the we still harden our hearts more and more, morning it flourisheth and groweth-in what must be the consequence? You all the evening it is cut down and withereth." know what must be the consequence. Yes, my brethren, how many are the This consequence may follow, and follow dwellings around us, where the inmates, I most certainly under the divine govern- healthy and light-hearted when the sun ment it will, that our wickedness must be arose, have, ere the sun descended, given avenged by signal calamity. The denun- the dust to dust, and their spirit to God? ciations made by the mouth of Isaiah must Oh! how alarming to unprepared and come: This "people turn not to him that sinful men is a fate like this? No time t smiteth them, neither do they seek the is there for review-no time for repentLord of hosts. Therefore the Lord will ance-no time for making assurance of cut off from Israel, head and tail, branch peace with God. Who prays not earnestly and rush, in one day; for through the at this moment for himself from a fate like wrath of the Lord of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother," (Isaiah ix. 13, 14, 19.)

this,-"O God of thy good mercy save and deliver me." O, my brethren, confine not your feelings to a brief momentary prayer. Let them have a permanent and practical

table to interpret particularly, and with series of arrangements, we can see the reference to individuals, the views of watchful providence of God rendering men divine judgment when affecting a multi- in their respective spheres, the instru tude. It is enough for us to know that ments of promoting the destined and these judgments, whatever be their kind, ultimate perfection of our race. whatever be their nature, or whatever Now, to a man capable of reflecting on their degree, are instruments of God's these marks of Divine government, the government of his moral and rational Almighty surely presents an object most offspring, and that the inhabitants of the worthy of unbounded veneration-a being earth may learn from them lessons of whose mercies in all things are conspicurighteousness. This is the view, you will ous, and who has an unqestionable title remark, in which the text represents the to receive from his rational creatures the judgments of God to our consideration; worship and homage which he requires. and, therefore, in conformity with the But, alas! my brethern, while things obpious purpose for which we are assembled serve their ordinary course, how seldom this day, I shall endeavour to suggest, do we permit our thoughts to rise from briefly, two of the righteous lessons which them to the power by which they are the judgments of God ought to teach us. conducted? Alas! alas! the beauty and In the first place, the judments of God, benignity which our Father in heaven has whatever their form, and whatever their spread around us in the world, where he degree may be, when they are contem- has given us our situation, detain our at plated by an enlightened and devout mind, tention on themselves, without suggestare found powerfully to excite within it ing the source from which they flow. sentiments of warm piety and deep devo- Nay, that very order, that very regularity tion toward that God from whom these which is the effect of his present power judgments proceed. My friends, that God and care, lulls our mind asleep, and rencontinues to govern the world which he ders us insensible to the workings of his has made, and that his rational subjects hand. It is, in truth, only when the owe to him reverence and obedience, are general order of events seems to be sentruths which scarcely admit of doubt. sibly interrupted-it is only when the God has impressed so visibly on all his elements composing the world and the works the signature of that unceasing frame of divine government seem to jostle, care which he exercises for their preserva- as it were, against each other, it is only tion, that we have only to open our eyes when the pillars that support the society on his works and behold it. When we of men are suddenly shaken or broken look up to the heavens which his fingers down-or when some public or personal have framed,-when we see the sun, and misfortune crosses the path of life, that the moon, and the stars observing order the thoughtless multitude-and, alas are and regularity in all their movements, we we not all to be considered too much are at once convinced of the powerful members of the thoughtless multitudesuperintendence and energy of their Cre- arise to reflection, and feel the presence ator; and when we turn our view to of their God. this earth, we meet every where indica- My friends, there are various principles tions of a similar kind. It is by the in our constitution, by which the judg energies of his hand that all the things of ments of Heaven contribute to a salutary this world are maintained, each of them effect upon the minds of a thoughtless in their due season and proportion, and it world. Unexpected revolutions, either in upon him they depend for the wonder- the natural or moral world, naturally ful maintenance of their condition. But arrest our attention. They demonstrate, above all, we can trace the watchful pro- in the most sensible manner, to our convidence of God in the history of our race, sciences, our own weakness, and the in-we can trace the watchful providence competency of our powers, either to proof God communicating to man, at his first duce or control the changing events formation, the instincts and powers re- around us; and to every mind that is not quired for the new condition he was to totally enfeebled and darkened, through fill, we can trace the watchful provi- corruption, such revolutions suggest with dence of God mingling men in society, irresistible force the notion of a powerful and adjusting their talents to the situation Supreme Ruler, they alarm our fears at his which each of them has been destined to displays, and awaken all those sentiments fill in it, and, through a most complicated (this is at least their natural tendency,

is

or ought to be their constant effect)- From these remarks, my friends, it will of humility and penitence, which form the appear that the divine judgments have as beginning of a pious and devout temper. their first and general purpose, whatever And I would especially call your attention their kind and form may be, to rouse the to this view of the case, that we learn attention of sinners to the proofs of divine from Scripture, that this is not only the government, and to recall them, before it be tendency of the divine judgments when too late, from their sleep of inconsideration, rightly improved, but often the very pur- and from the criminal practices of irreligion pose for which they were sent by the and vice. These purposes of the divine providence of God. The early record of judgments which we have affirmed in so Moses proclaims repeatedly, that strange many portions of Scripture, and which so punishments came upon the disobedient. heavily afflict our land, let us carefully And why? That the people may hear, improve. Let us remember, that, amid and feel, and do no more their iniquities. The plagues were sent upon Egypt that the Egyptians might know that God is the Lord. When Sennacherib was pursuing his severe conquests, and wickedly railing against the God of Israel, an angel of the Lord slew in one night an hundred and fourscore and five thousand men! And why? It was, that all the kingdoms of the earth might know that he is the # Lord God, even he alone! And the Psalmist in express terms asserts the gen@eral proposition, that God maketh himself known by the judgments which he executeth, and snareth the wicked in the work of his own hands.

the calamity that is committing its ravages among our brethren, all is the doing of the Lord; and considering that, let us then, with habitual and awful reverence, bow before him, and in submission to his will.

But, my brethren, the judgment which has, by the divine permission, visited our land, and which has this day brought us, professing humiliation, to the house of prayer-a judgment as appalling in its effects as it is novel in its circumstancesnot only powerfully impresses the general lesson of righteousness, which all the divine judgments are calculated to do, but with a fatal and a loud voice reminds us, in the second place, of this other peculiar If, then, my beloved Christian friends, lesson, the uncertainty of life, and the nethe judgments of God be both fitted and cessity and wisdom therefore of instant designed to awaken us to the ways of his preparation for a Christian death of peace providence, how should we labour to re- and hope. For, my friends, what judgment gard and improve them? Never let it be has ever taught so widely and so alarmforgotten that the prevalence of these ingly the truth, that we know not what a judgments is a means of moral reformation day or a night may bring forth?-What for which we are accountable. They are judgment has ever so terrified the land chastisements which, after all gentler me- with the similitude of the Psalmist,— thods have failed, our gracious Father," thou turnest man to destruction, and desirous of our reformation and eternal sayest, Return, ye children of men. Thou safety, employs, and employs reluctantly, carriest them away as with a flood: they as the last efforts to recall us to the paths are as a sleep-in the morning they are of obedience. And if we return not-if like grass which groweth up. In the we still harden our hearts more and more, morning it flourisheth and groweth-in what must be the consequence? You all the evening it is cut down and withereth." I know what must be the consequence. Yes, my brethren, how many are the This consequence may follow, and follow dwellings around us, where the inmates, I most certainly under the divine govern- healthy and light-hearted when the sun ment it will, that our wickedness must be arose, have, ere the sun descended, given avenged by signal calamity. The denun- the dust to dust, and their spirit to God? ciations made by the mouth of Isaiah must Oh! how alarming to unprepared and come: This "people turn not to him that sinful men is a fate like this? No time smiteth them, neither do they seek the is there for review-no time for repentLord of hosts. Therefore the Lord will ance-no time for making assurance of cut off from Israel, head and tail, branch peace with God. Who prays not earnestly and rush, in one day; for through the wrath of the Lord of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother," (Isaiah ix. 13, 14, 19.)

at this moment for himself from a fate like this,-"O God of thy good mercy save and deliver me." O, my brethren, confine not your feelings to a brief momentary prayer. Let them have a permanent and practical

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