As a proof of this, I will not lead you so far back, as to the beginning of time, when the Everlasting “I AM” spoke all things into existence, by his almighty _fiat_; and out of a confused chaos, “without form and void,” produced a world worthy of a GOD to create, and of his favourite creature man, his vicegerent and representative here below, to inhabit, and enjoy in it both himself and his GOD. And yet, though the heavens declare his glory, and the firmament sheweth his handy work, though there is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard, and their line is gone out through all the earth; and by a dumb, yet persuasive language, proves the hand that made them to be divine; yet there have been, and are now, such fools in the world, as to “say in their hearts, There is no GOD;” or so wise, as by their wisdom, not to know GOD, or own his divine image to be stamped on that book, wherein these grand things are recorded, and that in such legible characters, that he who runs may read.
Neither will I divert your attention, honoured fathers, to the histories of _Greece_ and _Rome_, or any of the great kingdoms and renowned monarchies, which constitute so great a part of ancient history; but whose beginnings were very small, (witness _Romulus_’s ditch) their progress as remarkably great, and their declension and downfal, when arrived at their appointed zenith, as sudden, unexpected, and marvellous. These make the chief subjects of the learning of our schools; though they make but a mean figure in sacred history, and would not perhaps have been mentioned at all, had they not been, in some measure, connected with the history of GOD’s people, which is the grand subject of that much despised book, emphatically called, The Scriptures. Whoever hath a mind to inform himself of the one, may read _Rollin_’s Ancient History, and whoever would see the connection with the other, may consult the learned _Prideaux_’s admirable and judicious connection. Books which, I hope, will be strenuously recommended, and carefully studied, when this present infant institution gathers more strength, and grows up into a seat of learning. I can hardly forbear mentioning the small beginnings of _Great Britain_, now so distinguished for liberty, opulence and renown; and the rise and rapid progress of the _American_ colonies, which promises to be one of the most opulent and powerful empires in the world. But my present views, and the honours done this infant institution this day, and the words of my text, as well as the feelings of my own heart, and I trust, of the hearts of all that hear me, lead me to confine your meditations to the history of GOD’s own peculiar people, which for the simplicity and sublimity of its language, the veracity of its author, and the importance and wonders of the facts therein recorded, if weighed in a proper balance, hath not its equal under the sun. And yet, though GOD himself hath become an author among us, we will not condescend to give his book one thorough reading. Be astonished, O heavens, at this!
Who would have thought that from one, even from _Abraham_, and from so small a beginning, as the emigration of a single private family, called out of a land wholly given to idolatry, to be sojourners and pilgrims in a strange land; who would have thought, that from a man, who for a long season was written _childless_, a man whose first possession in this strange land, was by purchasing a burying place for his wife, and in whose grave one might have imagined he would have buried all future expectations; who would have thought, that from this very man and woman, according to the course of nature, both as good as dead, should descend a numerous offspring like unto the stars of heaven for multitude, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore innumerable? Nay, who would have imagined, that against all probability, and in all human appearance impossible, a kingdom should arise? Behold a poor captive slave, even _Joseph_, who was cruelly separated from his brethren, became second in _Pharaoh_’s kingdom: he was sent before to work out a great deliverance, and to introduce a family which should take root, deep root downwards and bear fruit upwards, and fill the land. How could it enter into the heart of man to conceive, that when oppressed by a king, who knew not _Joseph_, though they were the best, most loyal, industrious subjects this king had, when an edict was issued forth as impolitic as cruel, (since the safety and glory of all kingdoms chiefly consist in the number of its inhabitants) that an outcast, helpless infant should be taken, and bred up in all the learning of the _Egyptians_, and in that very court from which, and by that very tyrant from whom the edict came, and that the deliverer should be nurtured to be king in _Jeshurun_?