A SHORT ADDRESS TO Persons of all Denominations, OCCASIONED BY THE Alarm of an Intended INVASION, in the Year 1756.
_I also will shew my Opinion._ Job xxxii. 10.
A SHORT ADDRESS, &c.
_Men, Brethren, and Fathers_,
THOUGH so many alarming warnings, pathetic exhortations, and suitable directions, have already been given both from the press and pulpit, by way of preparatives to our late public day of humiliation; yet should one, who is less than the least of all his brethren, now that solemnity is over, presume to trouble his dear countrymen with a _short address_, by way of supplement to what hath already been offered; it is to be hoped, none will be so unkind as to look upon it as altogether superfluous and needless, much less, be so ungenerous as to censure it as proceeding from the pride and naughtiness of his heart. But should this be the case, I shall make no other apology (as I think there needs no other) than that which _David_ the youngest of the sons of _Jesse_ made long ago upon a like occasion, “Is there not a cause?”
An insulting, enraged, and perfidious enemy is now advancing nearer and nearer to the _British_ borders. Not content with invading and ravaging our rightful Sovereign King _George_’s dominions in _America_, our popish adversaries have now the ambition to attempt, at least to threaten, an invasion of _England_ itself; hoping, no doubt, thereby, not only to throw us into confusion at home, but also to divert us from more effectually defeating their malicious designs abroad. That such a design (however chimerical it may seem) is now actually on foot, the _royal proclamation_ lately issued forth, renders indisputable. Which proclamation, as it plainly bespeaks his Majesty’s paternal care, doth at the same time loudly call upon all his faithful and loving subjects, not only to stand upon their guard, but also to exert their utmost efforts, in dependance on divine protection, to prevent and render abortive such an unjust and daring enterprize.
Blessed be GOD! as a professing, though sinful people, we have lately taken one effectual step towards bringing about such a salutary end.
In obedience to a call from the throne, we have been humbling ourselves in the most public and solemn manner before the most high GOD. And it is to be hoped, that the many tears which were that day shed, and the thousands and thousands of prayers that were then offered up, have long since been regarded by, and entered into the ears of the LORD of ♦Sabaoth. Infidels may perhaps laugh, and make themselves merry with such an insinuation; but serious people (and to such in a more peculiar manner is this address directed) will account it no ways enthusiastic to affirm, that solemn humiliations, whether performed by public communities in general, or individuals in particular, have always met with such a divine acceptance, as to obtain at least a reprieve from, if not a total removal of, the threatened evil. The deferring of an impending judgment, only upon the hypocritical, but public humiliation of a wicked _Ahab_; The mature and providential deliverance of the _Jewish_ people from the cruel plot of an ambitious _Haman_, for which queen _Esther_, _Mordecai_, and the other distressed _Jews_ sought so earnestly by public fasting and prayer: And what is yet more, the total and entire suspension of the destruction of _Nineveh_, that exceeding great city, (though so peremptorily denounced) upon the fasting, praying, and repenting of the king, nobles and commons, at the preaching of _Jonah_. These, not to mention many more that might be adduced from sacred story, are most pregnant, and, at the same time, very encouraging proofs, that they that humble themselves, shall in GOD’s due time be exalted; and therefore, as a nation, we may boldly infer, that the righteous LORD, who delights to shew himself strong in behalf of those who are of an upright heart, will favour, plead, and vindicate our righteous cause.
♦ “Sabbaoth” replaced with “Sabaoth”