Part 58

The clouds may again return after the rain; and the few surviving rebels (which I pray GOD avert) may yet be suffered to make head against us. We are still engaged in a bloody, and, in all probability, a tedious war, with two of the most inveterate enemies to the interests of _Great-Britain_. And, though I cannot help thinking, that their present intentions are so iniquitous, their conduit so perfidious, and their schemes so directly derogatory to the honour of the Most High GOD, that he will certainly humble them in the end, yet, as all things in this life happen alike to all, they may for a time, be dreadful instruments of scourging us. If not, GOD has other arrows in his quiver to smite us with, besides the _French_ King, his Catholick Majesty, or an abjured Pretender. Not only the sword, but plague, pestilence, and famine, are under the divine command. Who knows but he may say to them all, “Pass through these lands?” A fatal murrain has lately swept away abundance of cattle at home and abroad. A like epidemical disease may have a commission to seize our persons as well as our beasts. Thus GOD dealt with the _Egyptians_: who dare say, he will not deal so with us? Has he not already given some symptoms of it? What great numbers upon the continent have been lately taken off by the bloody-flux, small-pox, and yellow-fever? Who can tell what further judgments are yet in store? However, this is certain, the rod is yet hanging over us: and I believe it will be granted on all sides, that if such various dispensations of mercy and judgment do not teach the inhabitants of any land to learn righteousness, they will only ripen them for a greater ruin. Give me leave, therefore, to dismiss you at this time with that solemn awful warning and exhortation, with which the venerable _Samuel_, on a public occasion, took leave of the people of _Israel_: “Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth, with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, [I will not say as the Prophet did, You shall be consumed; but] ye know not but you may provoke the LORD Almighty to consume both you and your king.” Which GOD of his infinite mercy prevent, for the sake of JESUS CHRIST: to whom, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, three persons, but one GOD, be all honour and glory, now and for evermore. _Amen, Amen._