best conjectural, we shall take occasion from the psalm to set before you, in reference to the solem- nities of this day,
I. Matter for devout acknowledgment —
[To illustrate this, two things are to be considered ;
1. Our danger; which, like that alluded to in the psalm itself, has been imminent b irresistible6 tremen- dous d
2. Our deliverance ; which, like that which is here cele- brated, has been sudden e and effectual f ]
II. Our duty arising from it — [This is comprised in two things ;
1. Gratitude. The language of all our hearts should be, " Blessed be the Lords "
2. Affiance. We should in all future difficulties hope and trust in God as our almighty Protector'1 ]
Application —
[However thankful we may be for our national mercies, we must not forget, that there is yet more abundant cause for joy on account of our deliverance from sin and Satan, death and hell, through the mediation and intercession of the Lord
Jesus Christ Let the greatness of our danger, and the
perfection of our deliverance, be the subject of our daily con- templations, that we may trust in Jesus with our whole hearts, and praise him with our whole souls ]
b The number of our enemies (like a flood, ver. 4, 5.) their inve- teracy against us (ver. 3.) and the combination of circumstances at the time of the mutiny in the fleet, well illustrate this.
c What if God had not been so decidedly for us (mark the repeti- tion, ver. 1, 2.) in some of our naval engagements ? If only half of our victories had terminated as much in favour of the enemy, how different would have been our state, especially when all Europe was combined against us !
d Torn in pieces (ver. 6.) and swallowed up (ver. 3 — 5.)
e Review the changes in the North ; and our escape is indeed like that of a bird that gets out after having been already caught in the fowler's net, ver. 7-
f Peace is established ; and the snare itself (the principles which occasioned the war) is broken, ver. 7. Written Oct. 1801.
g ver. 6. h ver, 8.