A SERMON Preached in the High Church of Edinburgh, May 18th, 1746.

IN this Pſalm ſome remarkable Victory and Deliverance is celebrated, which the Jewiſh Nation had obtained: A Delive⯑rance in which the Hand of God viſi⯑bly appeared, reſcuing his People from immi⯑nent Danger. Very probably it was written in Hezekiah's Reign, on Occaſion of their being delivered from the formidable Invaſion of Sennacherib and the Assyrian Army; when the Angel of the Lord, in one Night, diſcomfited all their Hoſt, and ſmote them with ſudden Deſtruction^a . To this ſignal [2] Interpoſition of the Divine Arm, theſe Ex⯑preſſions in the Context may be naturally ap⯑plied; There brake, he the arrows of the bow, the ſhield, the ſword, and the battle—the ſtout-hearted are ſpoiled: they have ſlept their ſleep; and none of the men of might have found their hands. At thy rebuke, O God of Ja⯑cob, both the chariot and the horſe are caſt in⯑to a dead sleep. In the Words of our Text, we have the Pſalmiſt's religious and wiſe Re⯑flection upon all theſe Events; upon the vio⯑lent Deſigns of their Enemies, and the Iſſue to which Providence brought theſe Deſigns; Surely, the wrath of man ſhall praiſe thee: the remainder of wrath ſhalt thou reſtrain.

The wrath of man; that is, all the Rage, and the impetuous Paſſion of wicked Men; with the violent Effects of War, Perſecution, Oppreſſion, and other Diſorders it produces in the World. All theſe the Pſalmiſt tells us, ſhall praiſe God: Not indeed, by the Intenti⯑on and Deſign, nor by the native Tendency, of the wrath of man: But by theſe wiſe and good Purpoſes, which the Providence of God cauſes it to accompliſh; from this Poiſon ex⯑tracting Health; and of Things, moſt unwil⯑ling and unapt in themſelves to yield him Glo⯑ry, [3] forming Inſtruments of Good. So that, tho' the wrath of man, as the Apoſtle James ſpeaks, worketh not, of itſelf, the righteouſneſs of God (a), it is nevertheleſs, forced and compelled to miniſter to his Praiſe. The Pſalmiſt adds, the remainder of wrath ſhalt thou reſtrain: That is, GOD will give Way to the Wrath of Man, and allow it Scope, ſo far as it anſwers his good Purpoſes, and works his Praiſe; the reſt of it ſhall be curb'd and bound up: When it would attempt to go beyond its preſcrib'd Limit, he ſays to it, as to the Waters of the Sea, Hitherto ſhalt thou come, but no fur⯑ther; and here ſhall thy proud waves be ſtay⯑ed ^b. All this, the laſt Iſſue of Things ſhall fully verify and declare: When we ſhall be able more clearly to trace the divine Admini⯑ſtration through its ſeveral Steps, by ſeeing the Conſummation of the whole. In ſome Caſes, it may be reſerved for this Period only, to diſcloſe and unfold the myſterious Wiſdom of Heaven. But in general, as much of the di⯑vine Conduct and Wiſdom, is at preſent ma⯑nifeſt, as gives juſt Ground for this Obſervati⯑on, that the wrath of man praiſes God, now, before the whole World.^c This was the Me⯑ditation [4] of the Pſalmiſt after Victory and Con⯑queſt. As we, my Brethren, like him, have lately ſeen the wrath of man raging around us, in all its Violence; and in the midſt of its Fury have ſeen it reſtrain'd and check'd by the powerful Hand of GOD; ſuch a Medita⯑tion, muſt be acknowledged very ſuitable and becoming now: That by ſerious Contempla⯑tion of the Ways of Providence, we may learn to view theſe Revolutions which befal Mankind, with the devout Sentiments of our Pſalmiſt.

IN proſecuting this Subject, I ſhall endea⯑vour to illuſtrate and confirm the Obſervation in my Text; by ſhowing in what Manner the wrath of man is made to praiſe God. And then I ſhall lead your Thoughts to the Im⯑provement we ought to make of ſuch a Me⯑ditation.

THE different Ways, in which the wrath of man turns out to the praiſe of God, are re⯑ducible chiefly to theſe three. I. As it mani⯑feſts moſt brightly the glorious Perfections of GOD in the Government of the Univerſe. II. As it illuſtrates and improves the Virtues of good Men; and thus beautifies his Church and People. And, III. As it is made the [5] Means of working out their greater Proſperity and Happineſs, upon the whole.

I. I ſay, the wrath of man praiſes God, as it gives Occaſion for the brighter and more illuſtrious Diſcovery of his Perfections, in the Government of the World.—The Beauty and Order of the Univerſe is much heighten'd, by its being ſo complicated a Syſtem: In which, there are ſuch a Variety of Springs to be ad⯑juſted; and ſo many different Movements to be regulated and kept in Order: Inter⯑fering Intereſts and jarring Paſſions ballanc'd, in ſuch Manner, againſt one another; violent and unruly Men kept under ſuch a wiſe and regular Controul; and the wrath of man made ſo to know its Place; that, how oppoſite ſo⯑ever the ſeveral Motions ſeem to be, yet they concur and meet at laſt in one End. This renders a Divine Hand ſenſible and illuſtrious: This opens a more wonderful Proſpect of the Divine Government, than if all its Subjects were loyal, and willingly obedient; and makes that Power and Wiſdom, which can render ſuch intractable Things ſubſervient to the Ends of Juſtice and Goodneſs, appear ſo much the more worthy of everlaſting Admiration and Praiſe. More particularly,

[6] 1. THE wrath of man redounds to the Praiſe of GOD's almighty Power; as this is diſplay'd in his reſtraining and baffling at Pleaſure all its Fury and Wickedneſs.—To reign with ſovereign Command, amidſt the moſt diſorder'd and turbulent State of Things, is the peculiar Glory of Omnipotence. Hence we find GOD deſcrib'd in Scripture ſitting on the flood, riding on the wings of the wind, dwelling in the darkneſs and the tempeſt. As he ſtills the raging of the ſeas, and the noiſe of their waves, ſo, he ſtills the tumults of the people. When the Paſſions of Men are moſt agitated and inflamed, and their violent De⯑ſigns juſt ripe for burſting into Execution; how oft by ſome unforeſeen. Turn of Provi⯑dence, hath he call'd upon Mankind to ob⯑ſerve, that there is one higher than the higheſt on Earth, who can baffle all their Devices with the Breath of his Mouth; and com⯑mand the Earth to be ſtill before him? When proud Fleets cover the Ocean, he blows with his Wind, and they are ſcattered. When mighty Armies go forth to Battle, in all the Glory of human Strength, with what Majeſty does an omnipotent Arm ſometimes appear? —As in the Caſe of haughty Sennacherib, [7] and that boaſted Tempeſt of Wrath he threat⯑ned to pour upon all the Jewiſh Nation: I will put my hook, ſays GOD, in thy noſe, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou cameſt ^a. In that Night the deſtroying Angel ſmote the Hoſt: And he departed, we are told, with ſhame of face to his own land. When the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing; when the kings of the earth ſet themſelves, and its rulers take counſel together; he that ſitteth in the heavens ſhall laugh: the Lord ſhall hold them in deriſion: then ſhall he ſpeak to them in wrath, and vex them in his ſore diſpleaſure ^b. Again,

2. THE wrath of man is made to praiſe the Wiſdom, as well as the Power of GOD; when he makes the unruly Paſſions of bad Men, work in a ſecret Way, towards Ends, by them altogether unforeſeen. This moſt eminently diſplays the unſearchable Depths of the Di⯑vine Counſel, when we ſee them render'd the Miniſters of Providence, to forward Deſigns which they intended to deſtroy.—Thus, how ſurpriſing is it, in the Hiſtory of Joſeph, that the Cruelty of his Brethren, the Lewdneſs [8] and Reſentment of his Miſtreſs, and the Wrath of Potiphar, ſhould all conſpire to his Ad⯑vancement, and prove the Steps, by which this perſecuted and friendleſs Man roſe, till he became the Saviour of all his Kindred? How remarkably did the wrath of man praiſe GOD in the caſe of Daniel? The Malice of his E⯑nemies had thrown him into the Den of Li⯑ons for worſhipping GOD; they preſumed his Deſtruction accompliſh'd; and them⯑ſelves completely delivered from ſo formi⯑dable a Rival; yet this very Event prov'd not only the Occaſion of Daniel's greater Honour, and their utter Ruin, but of a Decree through all the Kingdom of the Medes, that all Men ſhould worſhip and fear before the GOD of Daniel ^a. Thus GOD ſnareth the wicked in the works of their hands ^b: And erects his own Counſel upon the Ruin of theirs. Theſe Things which, view'd apart, appear to us Spots in the divine Adminiſtration, when conſidered in their Connection with all the Train of ſucceeding Events, often add a great Luſtre and Beauty to it. Were our Views extenſive enough, we ſhould diſcern it always to be thus.

[9] 3. I might obſerve further, that the wrath of man praiſes the Goodneſs of GOD; in all theſe Purpoſes of general Benefit, both tem⯑poral and ſpiritual, to which his Providence renders it ſubſervient. But theſe will fall to be afterwards conſidered; I therefore pro⯑ceed to obſerve,

4. THAT the wrath of man is made to praiſe the Divine Juſtice.—In many Caſes it is ſufficient for this End, that GOD let looſe upon bad Men, for their own Puniſhment, theſe angry Paſſions, which make them the Diſturbers of others. By giving them up to the Workings of theſe, he opens a Source of reſtleſs Pain within their Breaſts; and delivers them over to themſelves, to be their own Tormentors. In thus connecting the Puniſh⯑ment with the Crime, cauſing their own wickedneſs to reprove them, and their back⯑ſlidings to correct them, the Hand of Juſtice is plainly ſeen. And tho' the Sinner that feels it, may affect to diſguiſe his Suffering, yet every one knows that no Puniſhment is more real, or more intenſe, than the inward Miſery of a Mind, wrought and torn with Deſpite, Revenge, or wrathful Paſſion. In ſuch a Caſe, we may underſtand that Say⯑ing [10] of the Pſalmiſt to receive its Accompliſh⯑ment; The wicked have drawn out their ſword, and bent their bow, to caſt down the poor and needy;—but the ſword which they have drawn ſhall enter into their own heart ^a. —The wrath of man praiſes alſo the Divine Juſtice, by being the Inſtrutment of puniſh⯑ing other ambitious and violent Men. They are let looſe upon one another to fulfil the Vengeance of Heaven. One corrupt Nation is raiſed up againſt another; that both may ſuffer for their Sins. And as there can be no ſoild nor laſting Bond of Union amongſt wicked Men, (tho' they may be occaſionally cement⯑ed by Conſpiracy againſt the Good) their con⯑tinually interfering Views and Intereſts, ren⯑der them, in the juſt Judgment of Provi⯑dence, a Prey to mutual Jealouſy, Strife and Fraud.—Finally, the Juſtice of GOD is praiſed in the Vengeance, which, ſooner or later, he executes againſt the Wrath and Vio⯑lence of Sinners. They may go on for a Time, and appear to proſper: The Juſtice of Heaven may ſeem to ſlumber: but it is awake: and only waits till the meaſure of their iniquity be full. How oft has the World been a⯑wakened to the Obſervation of the awful Go⯑vernment [11] of GOD, by the ſudden Fall and Deſtruction of Tyrants? GOD repreſents him⯑ſelf in Scripture, as permitting Wickedneſs ſometimes to ariſe to an over-grown Height, on Purpoſe that its Ruin may be the greater, and the more aſtoniſhing. For this cauſe he tells that wicked Prince Pharaoh, he had raiſed him up, that is, allowed him to proſper and be exalted, that he might ſhew in him his power; and that his name might be declared throughout all the earth ^a. The Divine Ad⯑miniſtration is glorified as well in the ſtrange Puniſhment he hath decreed for the Workers of Iniquity, as in the Reward he hath pre⯑pared for the Righteous. This is the purpoſe which the Lord hath purpoſed upon all the earth: and this is the hand that ſtretched forth over all the nations ^b!

THUS the wrath of man is made to praiſe God, by giving Mankind deep Impreſſions of that infinite Power, Wiſdom and Juſtice, that governs the World. Such Impreſſions it is neceſſary for Mankind to have; and, in their preſent imperfect State, they can only receive them from ſomething that is ſenſible and ſtriking. The Commotions and Diſorders of the World, [12] open a Field for ſignalizing the Divine Ad⯑miniſtration more, than if all Things went on in a quiet undiſturbed Tenor. The Waters muſt be ſometimes troubled, that we may at⯑tend to that Hand which ſtills their Raging: and Clouds muſt ariſe, that the heavenly Light which diſpels them, may ſtrike our Eye with the more ſenſible Brightneſs. We further obſerved,

II. THAT the wrath of man may be juſtly ſaid to praiſe GOD, by that Tendency which he gives it to improve and illuſtrate the Virtues of good Men; and thereby to beautify his Church and People. Now it hath this Effect,

1. As it is employed by GOD to be the Means of correcting good Men for their Faults. Theſe Storms, which Ambition and Pride raiſe among Mankind, he permits, with the ſame Intention, that he ſends forth Tempeſts and Hurricanes amongſt the Elements; to clear the Atmoſphere of noxious Vapours, and pu⯑rify it from that Corruption which all Things contract by too much Reſt. Bad Men appear ſometimes to have obtained entire Power o⯑ver the Juſt: they exerciſe their Tyranny, perhaps, with a very heavy and oppreſſive [13] Hand: the Juſt complain and groan; and in the Bitterneſs of their Soul, can hardly for⯑bear to exclaim; "Where is the Lord? And where the Sceptre of Righteouſneſs and Truth? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Or doth he indeed ſee, and is there know⯑ledge in the Moſt High?"—Their Oppreſ⯑ſors are really no more than the Inſtruments of GOD to them for Good: He ſees they ſtand in Need of ſuch Correction; and therefore raiſes them up Enemies, to cure the Intempe⯑rance of Proſperity; And by that Seriouſneſs which Affliction is fitted to introduce into the Mind, to lead them to think of themſelves, of their Duty, and their paſt Errors. In this Way the Diſturbers of the Earth are often re⯑preſented to us in Scripture; as Scourges in the Hand of GOD, ſent forth to do his Work up⯑on a degenerating People: They are employed in the Execution of righteous and wiſe Purpo⯑ſes, concealed from themſelves; and, when their Commiſſion is fulfilled, recalled and de⯑stroyed. Of this we have a remarkable Ex⯑ample in the King of Aſſyria. I will ſend him, ſays GOD, against an hypocritical nation, and againſt the people of my wrath, will I give him a charge, to take the ſpoil and to take the prey: [14] —howbeit he meaneth not ſo, neither doth his heart think ſo; but it is in his heart to deſtroy and cut off nations not a few.—Wherefore it ſhall come to paſs, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jeruſalem, I will punish the fruit of the ſtout heart of the king of Aſſyria, and the glory of his high looks ^a. Vainly then doth the warth of man lift itſelf up againſt GOD.— Shall the ax boaſt itſelf againſt him that hew⯑eth therewith? Or ſhall the ſaw magnify it⯑ſelf againſt him that ſhaketh it? ^b—All things, whether they will or not, muſt work together for good to them that love God.—This amongſt the reſt, fills up the Place aſſign'd it, by the Ordination of Heaven;—and the proudeſt Conqueror, and the moſt oppreſſive Tyrant, poſſeſs only the ſame Station, with the Famine, the Peſtilence, and the Flood: their Triumphs are no more than the Ac⯑compliſhment of GOD's Correction: And the remainder of their wrath ſhall he reſtrain.

2. GOD makes the wrath of man to praiſe him, not only by employing it in Chaſtiſe⯑ment, but as the Inſtrument of improving and ſignalizing the Graces of good Men; and [15] thereby raiſing them to higher Honour and Glory.—Had there been no Perſecutors and Tyrants, no Oppreſſors of Liberty, no wrath⯑ful and furious Men in the World, what a Number of great and worthy Actions had ne⯑ver been heard of? What ſhining Examples of Fortitude, Conſtancy and Patience, had been loſt to the World? What a Field of Vir⯑tues, peculiar to a State of Improvement and Diſcipline, had lain uncultivated?—Spirits of a higher Order poſſeſs a State of eſtabliſhed Virtue, that ſtands in Need of no ſuch Improve⯑ments and Trials. But to us, who are only under Education for ſuch a State, it belongs to paſs through the Furnace, that our Souls may be tried, refined, and brightened. We muſt ſtand the Conflict, that we may be graced and crowned as Conquerors. The wrath of man gives the Occaſion, and the Field;—calls us forth to the moſt conſpicuous and diſtinguiſhed Ex⯑erciſe of active Virtue,—and forms us to all thoſe ſuffering Graces which are amongſt the brighteſt Ornaments of the human Soul. When unjuſt Attempts are carried on againſt our pub⯑lick Intereſts, theſe give us the Means of diſco⯑vering true publick Spirit, and Love to our Coun⯑try. When we ſuffer in our private Concerns, [16] there our Enemies put it into our Power to gain the nobleſt Conqueſt, by overcoming the World; and to make ourſelves greater than the greateſt Man who injures us by forgiving him. When we ſuffer for the Sake of Truth and a good Conſcience, there we have the de⯑ſirable Opportunity afforded us, of gaining Ho⯑nour truly immortal, by being Witneſſes for GOD, and maintaining an exemplary and he⯑roic Fidelity. In all this the wrath of man praiſes God.—Every ſingle Inſtance, in which our Souls are improv'd, or ſome Action of diſtinguiſhed Goodneſs is produced, by Means of the wrath of man, redounds moſt highly, both to our own Good, and to his Praiſe, who hath order'd Things in this Manner for our Improvement.—'Tis thus, the illuſtrious Band of Patriots and Heroes, of Confeſſors and Mar⯑tyrs, have been ſet forth to the Admiration of all Ages, as the lights of the world: Whilſt the Violence and Fury of Enemies, inſtead of bearing them down, has only ſerv'd to exalt and dignify them the more.—We proceed now to the

III. VIEW we propoſed to give of the wrath of man praiſing God; when Providence makes [17] it the Mean of working out greater Proſperity and Happineſs, upon the whole, to his People and Church.—I ſay, the Violence of Enemies, the Rage of Perſecutors, and the Oppreſſion of Tyrants, not only tend, in the Way of mo⯑ral and religious Improvement to the better⯑ing of our Souls; but alſo are often made, in their Conſequences, to produce other un⯑look'd for Bleſſings to good Men in this State. As this is no rare nor unfrequent Thing, we ſhall point out ſome Inſtances in which it ap⯑pears. Thus,

THE Hardſhips which good Men ſuffer from others in their private Concerns, are of⯑ten ſeen to give Birth to their ſucceeding Proſ⯑perity. Many Exemplifications of this we find in Hiſtory. The unfortunate Circum⯑ſtances of Moſes's Birth, thro' the Cruelty of an Egyptian Tyrant, were the Means of this expoſed Infant's being bred up as a King's Son, and of his being accompliſh'd for his future great Atchievements, with all the Wiſdom and Learning of the Egyptian Court. The Inſolence and proud Reſentment of Haman pav'd the Way for the Advancement of Mor⯑decai his Enemy, at the very critical Time When he thought his Deſigns ripe for ſinking [18] him into Ruin: And his cruel Scheme for the Deſtruction of Mordecai's whole Nation, prov'd the Occaſion of their being raiſed above all their Enemies. There are many devices in the heart of a man, but the counſel of the Lord ſhall ſtand ^a. He, connecting together each Link in the Chain of Events that fill up our Life, by an unexpected Contexture of Cauſes, makes thoſe Things which we moſt deplore bring on our better Days: And, in the dark Boſom of Misfortune, gradually ripens the la⯑tent Seeds of future Proſperity.—How fre⯑quently have the Attempts of Enemies to run down and blacken good Men by all the Arts of Malice, made their Character ſhine the fairer in the Eye of the impartial World? How frequently have the Extremities to which they have been driven by Injuſtice and Vio⯑lence, prov'd the Occaſion of calling forth their Courage and Activity, and of putting them upon ſuch Efforts to do themſelves Ju⯑ſtice, as have raiſed them higher than ever they fell? How many, in the Courſe of their Life, have had Reaſon to be thankful for be⯑ing diſappointed by the Wrath of their Ene⯑mies, in Deſigns, which, perhaps, they very [19] earneſtly purſued; but which, if they had ſuccceſsfully accompliſh'd, they have afterwards ſeen would have prov'd their Ruin? Whoſo is wiſe and will obſerve theſe things, even he ſhall understand the loving-kindneſs of the Lord ^a.

BUT if thus, in private Life, the wrath of man is often made to praiſe GOD, by becom⯑ing the Occaſion of greater Good; ſtill more is the Hand of GOD apparent, in the Ends of publick Benefit it is made to ſerve, to Nations and Societies.—The Rage of Civil Wars, the Oppreſſion of Tyrants, and all the other diſ⯑mal Effects of the Ambition and Wrath of Man, have often ſung the Praiſe of GOD to many ſucceeding Generations. Thence have been made to ſpring, publick Liberty to a People, wiſe Government, good Order, and laſting Peace. Nations have been thereby a⯑waken'd to ſee their true Intereſts; and taught more effectually to ſecure them. Publick Af⯑fairs being once thrown into a Ferment, the Corruptions of Government, like bad Hu⯑mours in the Body, have been purg'd and wrought off. The Feeling of grievous Op⯑preſſion has frequently been the firſt Thing that made Nations ſhake off the Yoke; and [20] led them to aſſert their own juſt Rights againſt tyrannical Governors; which, had their Ty⯑ranny been leſs inſolent, theſe Nations would have remain'd longer, perhaps for ever, de⯑priv'd of. Of this we have a memorable Ex⯑ample in the late glorious and happy Revolu⯑tion in our own Country. Our Conſtitution, and its Liberties, might have been inſenſibly undermined, and ruined, had it not been for the glaring and open Violation of Laws with a high Hand; which proclaiming all to be then at Stake, rouz'd up the Spirits of Men to rnake a determin'd Stand againſt incroaching Tyranny: and thus gave Birth to that free and legal Establiſhment, with which we at this Day are bleſſed; and for which, we hope, late Poſterity after us, ſhall continue to bleſs the Providence of GOD. Had it not been for the avow'd Attempts then made againſt our Religion. and our fundamental Rights Britain might have been now under a Popiſh Sove⯑reign: and, inſtead of that mild and tempe⯑rate Adminiſtration we have enjoyed, under a Series of Princes who have always made the Law their Rule, we would have been the Subjects, or rather Slaves, of thoſe who arro⯑gantly claim us as their Property by Divine [21] Right. In like Manner, the Tyranny and Violence of Tarquin, produced the illuſtrious and victorious Commonwealth of Rome. The Oppreſſion of the King of Spain, laid the Foundation of the Liberty of the United Pro⯑vinces; and Liberty, from a few inconſide⯑rable Fiſher-towns, has raiſed them to the moſt flouriſhing Height of Trade and Opu⯑lence. —As to the firſt Eſtabliſhment of Free⯑dom, ſo to the further Security of a publick Intereſt, unjuſt and violent Deſigns have been often ſubſervient. Attempts to overthrow a good Government, have generally ſtrength⯑ned it more. By theſe its falſe Friends are unmasked and brought to Light; its ſecret Foes ſuffer for their Treachery: the Zeal of its Well-wiſhers is awakened and increaſed; and, from what is felt of the Violence and Outrage of its Enemies, People are more con⯑firm'd in Abhorrence of their Deſigns, and made more juſtly to prize the Bleſſings of Tranquillity and legal Protection.

FURTHER, the wrath of man, in the Per⯑ſecution of Religion and Truth, ſignally praiſes GOD, when it is made to turn to the greater Advancement of Religion, and further Propa⯑gation of Truth.—The Church of GOD, ſince [22] the Days of its Infancy, hath never been free from the World's Wrath; and yet, in theſe Ages in which it was moſt perſecuted, it hath moſt flouriſhed. In vain, the Policy and the Rage of the World united their Strength, to extinguiſh this Divine Light. Tho' all the four Winds blew againſt it, it only ſhone the brighter; and flam'd the higher: Many wa⯑ters could not quench it, nor all the floods drown it: and the Blood of the Martyrs, as has been often and juſtly ſaid, was the Seed of the Church. The Zeal of the primitive Chri⯑ſtians, their Conſtancy and Fortitude in gi⯑ving Teſtimony to Truth, and their chearful Patience in ſuffering for it, did much more to increaſe the Number of Converts to true Religion, than all the Terror and Cruelty of Perſecutors could ever do to leſſen it. The At⯑tempts that were uſed to bear down Religion, only enlarg'd its Triumphs, by diſplaying the victorious Force of Truth. By this Means the wrath of man was made to turn againſt it⯑ſelf, to the Deſtruction of its own Purpoſe;— like Waves, that, aſſaulting a Rock with im⯑potent Fury, diſcover its immoveable Stabi⯑lity, whilſt they daſh themſelves in Pieces at its Feet. Proſperity, Greatneſs, and worldly [23] Favour may have corrupted Religion, and ſullied the Purity of the Church: But, never did the wrath of man try to overthrow it, but in the Iſſue it made its own Weakneſs appear; and rais'd the praiſe of God, by purifying the Church, and advancing Religion more.

I SHALL only add one Inſtance more of the wrath of man praiſing GOD, by accom⯑pliſhing Ends of moſt extenſive Benefit: and that is, the Death of JESUS CHRIST.—Ne⯑ver did Malice, Rage and Envy pleaſe them⯑ſelves with the Thoughts of having obtain'd a more complete Triumph, than in this Caſe. JESUS was now put to Death; the Revenge of his Enemies gratified; his Name, and his Honour, they believ'd, rooted out from a⯑mongſt Men;—yet, behold how vain the wrath of man is! all that they intended to overthrow, they moſt effectually confirm'd. The Ignominy of the Croſs became the Standard of eternal Honour to CHRIST, and his Religion: and his Death, perpetrated by them as a wicked Murder, was, in the Coun⯑ſel of GOD, the Spring of everlaſting Life to all his Followers. He, who reſtrains the Remainder of Wrath at his Pleaſure, ſuffer'd their Rage to ſuggeſt no other Things to them, [24] than what himſelf had long before determin'd, and his Prophets foretold, ſhould be ſo done. So that they all conſpir'd to render the whole moſt exactly conformable to his original Plan of Mercy and Goodneſs; and each contri⯑buted his Share, to finiſh that great Work, which none of them knew any thing of, nor in the leaſt intended.—So glorious an Inſtance as this, fully aſcertain'd and laid out to us in Scripture, of the wrath of man miniſtring to the gracious Deſigns of Heaven, ought to have the greateſt Weight; as an Exemplifica⯑tion of the Conduct of Providence in ma⯑ny other Caſes, where we have not ſo much Light afforded us for the Diſcovery of its Ways.

AND now, by this Induction of Particulars, you ſee, upon the whole, how much Ground there is for aſſerting, that the wrath of man ſhall praiſe God; that all the Diſorders which the Paſſion and Pride of Men occaſion in the World, tho' they take their firſt Riſe from the Corruption of human Nature, are ſo order'd, as to become Parts of a wiſe and good Conſtitution, redounding to his Honour and Glory, who hath order'd all.—Either illuſtrating before the World, his Divine Per⯑fections, [25] in the Government of Things;—or ſerving the Purpoſes of moral and religious Improvement to the Souls of Men;—or by ſome ſecret Tendency, working out Proſperity and Happineſs to thoſe whom they ſeem moſt to threaten with Suffering and Evil.—Surely, O GOD, the wrath of man. ſhall praiſe thee! the remainder of wrath ſhalt thou reſtrain! "In thy Hand it is; and thou never lets it forth but in Weight and Meaſure. It is wild and intractable in its Nature; but thou tameſt it: blind and headlong in its Im⯑pulſe; but thou directeſt it: ever ſtruggling to break its Chain, knowing no Bounds; but thou confineſt it: Thou retrencheſt all the Superfluity of its Fury!"—Let us now conſider, what is the Improvement to be made of this Meditation on the Ways of Providence.

1. Let it lead us to a religious Contempla⯑tion of the Hand of God, in all the Occurren⯑ces and Tranſactions of the World. We be⯑hold a very mixed and buſy Scene of Things paſſing before us: the Paſſions of Men vari⯑ouſly agitated and new Changes daily brought forth upon this Stage of Time. We behold Peace and War taking their Turns: the [26] Fortunes of private Men riſing and falling: and Nations and Kingdoms partaking in the ſame Fluctuation and Viciſſitude. In all this, if we look no farther than to the Operation of external Cauſes, and the mere Rotation of, Events, we behold only the dead Side of Na⯑ture; —ſtop at the Surface of Things;— contemplate them not like rational and religi⯑ous Beings. The Life and Beauty of the U⯑niverſe ariſes from the View of that Wiſdom and Goodneſs, which animates and conducts the whole; and unites all the Parts in one great Deſign. There is an eternal Mind that puts all theſe Wheels in Motion; himſelf re⯑maining for ever at Reſt. Of him we are to conceive not as removed from this World; ſitting, a mere Spectator of his Creatures, in his high Abode: but as an omnipreſent Spi⯑rit, pervading, directing, and regulating all; ever buſy without Toil, and working without Wearineſs! Nothing is void of him: even in the Paſſions and Ragings of Men, GOD is to be found: and when they think they guide themſelves, his Hand controuls and guides them ſtill.—To what ſerious and ſolemn Thoughts are we led by ſuch a View as this; when we attend not merely to the Actings of [27] Men, but to the Ways of GOD; deeply im⯑preſs'd with the Belief, that we and all our Concerns are Parts of his great Admini⯑ſtration!

2. FROM what has been ſaid we ſee, that we ought not to be ſhaken in our Minds, by any preſent ſeeming Diſorders of the World, ſo as on Account of them to think ill of Providence. Many Things, doubtleſs, there are, which appear as Blemiſhes in the general Order, to a ſuperficial View; and which, if we were to regulate the World, we think ſhould have no Place in it. And yet, theſe various Inſtances, which we ſee, and can clear⯑ly trace, of the Workings of Paſſion and Wic⯑kedneſs, render'd ſubſervient to worthy and good Ends, give us the higheſt Reaſon to con⯑clude, that, in all other Caſes of ſeeming Evil, the like Ends are promoted. This ought to ſa⯑tisfy our Minds, even where the Proſpect is moſt diſcouraging, and the State of human Affairs moſt dark and embroil'd. The Schemes of Di⯑vine Wiſdom are too large and comprehenſive, to be diſcerned by us, in all their Extent, at one View; and, where we ſee only by Parts, we muſt be often at a Loſs to judge of the Whole. The way of God is in the ſea, and [28] his path in the great waters: his footſteps are not known^a. Although thou ſayeſt thou canſt not ſee him, yet judgment is ſtill before him, therefore truſt thou in him ^b. His it is, to educe Good from Ill, Order from Con⯑fuiſion, his own juſt Praiſe from Man's Wrath. As in the natural World, there is no real De⯑formity; nothing but what has either its own Ornament or Uſe: ſo, the moſt irregular and deformed Appearances in the moral World, ſhall be made to heighten the Beauty of the whole: And, in the End, all the Works of GOD ſhall appear to be perfect. GOD binds together the moſt oppoſite and diſagreeing Principles in the Laws of univerſal Concord: and adapts, even the moſt harſh and diſcor⯑dant Notes, to the Harmony of his Goodneſs. As he hath rear'd the goodly Frame of Na⯑ture, from various and jarring Elements, and hath ſettled it in Peace; ſo he hath formed ſuch an Union, by his Providence, of the more various Intereſts, and more jarring Paſſions of Men, that they all conſpire to his Glory, and co-operate for the general Good.—How a⯑mazing is that Wiſdom, which comprehends ſuch infinite Diverſities, and Contrarieties, with⯑in [29] its Scheme! How powerful that Hand, which bends to its own Purpoſe, the Good and the Bad, the Buſy and the Idle, the Friends and the Foes of GOD; which makes them all hold on their Courſe to his Glory, tho' divid⯑ed from one another by a Multiplicity of Pur⯑ſuits, and differing often from themſelves; and whilſt they all move themſelves at their own Freedom, yet, by a ſecret Influence, winds and turns them at his Will! O the depth of the riches both of the wiſdom and knowledge of God! how unſearchable are his judgments, and his ways paſt finding out ^a!

3. From what has been ſaid, we ſee the greateſt Reaſon for entire Submiſſion to the Will of Heaven, amidſt all Sufferings from the Wrath and Violence of Men. Theſe be⯑fal us not in vain: they are not to be con⯑ſidered as mere Effects of the arbitrary Plea⯑ſure and Will of Men: nor are we to believe ourſelves the Sport of Fortune and Paſſion. But, good Deſigns are going on: GOD is al⯑ways carrying forward his own Ends: And if we are certainly aſſured that all is tending to his Glory, which is ever the ſame with the general Good, is not this a ſufficient Reaſon for [30] the moſt peaceable Acquieſcence on our Part? Ought not we, as Parts of the Whole, chear⯑fully to reſign our private Intereſt, to the Advancement of a higher and more general Good?—But moreover, by this Reſignation, our own Intereſt ſhall ſuffer nothing in the Iſ⯑ſue. For the greatest Happineſs of every good Man, of each Individual, as well as of the whole, is comprehended in that Praiſe which the wrath of man is decreed to yield to GOD. —Hence ought to ariſe, not unreluctant Sub⯑miſſion only, but the moſt exalted Joy in the Divine Adminiſtration, to all who are pious and virtuous. In all Events, their Intereſt is ſecur'd; and the ſevereſt Trials of Life are to them Matter even of Thankfulneſs and Grati⯑tude, when view'd in their juſt Light. For, in theſe very Trials, their Advantage is conſult⯑ed; by them is their Good promoted; and the moſt hurtful Deſigns of the Wrath of Man are converted into Benefits and Bleſſings.—Let this be enough to reconcile our Minds to every Part of our Lot; and to eſtabliſh them in the moſt comforting Truſt and Confidence, in GOD, in the Way of our Duty.—If God be for us who, or what, can be againſt us? He who can defeat all the Purpoſes of our Enemies, [31] and transform their intended Evil unto real Good, is certainly the moſt powerful Friend: And if his Wrath be once, appeas'd, there is no other Wrath from which we have ought to fear.

4. FROM all that has been ſaid of the Con⯑duct of Providence, let us obſerve, how much Reaſon there is for acknowledging with Thank⯑fulneſs the Hand of GOD, in all theſe Delive⯑rances, which we obtain from the wrath of man. As we ought never to forget, when we ſuffer by human Violence, that it is his Hand which corrects us; ſo, when that Violence re⯑ceives a Check, we ought to remember, it is his Hand which reſtrains it. In both theſe, the wrath of man, either permitted, or re⯑ſtrain'd, praiſes GOD: and we have ſeen him remarkably prais'd in both.—Through all the Steps of our late Sufferings, and our preſent happy Deliverance, ſuch a Series of Divine Wiſdom hath appear'd, as muſt preſent, to the Obſervation of every conſidering Spectator, a ve⯑ry beautiful Scene in the Hiſtory of Providence. —GOD beheld a Nation, whom he had fa⯑voured with long Tranquillity and Peace, ſunk, by that Peace and Tranquillity, into Luxury and Corruption of Manners. He had bleſs'd [32] them with a happy Conſtitution, a mild Go⯑vernment, and equal Laws; but long Enjoy⯑ment had deaden'd their Senſe of ſo invaluable a Bleſſing, and fed a giddy and factious Spi⯑rit. He had diſtinguiſh'd them with the pureſt Enjoyment of pure Religion above moſt Nations of the Earth; but their religious Pri⯑vileges, once ſtruggled for with Zeal, began to be contemn'd and their firſt Love to cool.— Behold, how opportunely GOD ſent forth the wrath of man, to work a Cure for all theſe Evils;—to ſhake that Peace which had foſter⯑ed Luxury and Impiety under its Wings; to threaten that Religion, and that Government, to the Bleſſings of which we had beeninſen⯑ſible; and to diſplay before us theſe Terrors of oppreſſive Power, and perſecuting Religion, to the Danger of which we had been laid aſleep:—He made us feel the Value of all we ſhould have loſt;—he made the Evil to grow ſudden and unexpected, from amongſt ourſelves, and allowing it to proceed ſo far, as might be ſufficient to awaken the Nation, and to ren⯑der us ſerious and wiſe, he then gave a ſignal Check to the wrath of man; and reſtrain'd the remainder of it, after it had gone the Length which he ſaw meet. Our Enemies boaſted [33] of the Favour and Countenance of Heaven: Countenanced they were by Heaven, but not for their own Sakes; and the Succeſs permit⯑ted them for a Time, was meant for the Im⯑provement and Benefit of thoſe, whom they in⯑tended to deſtroy. When the proper Seaſon was come, for GOD to aſſert his own Cauſe, then he rais'd up an illuſtrious Deliverer, whom, for a Bleſſing to his Country, he had prepared againſt this Time of Need. HIM, he crowned with the Graces of his Right-hand: to the conſpicuous Bravery of early Youth, he added that Conduct and Wiſdom, which, in others, is the Fruit only of long Experience; and diſtinguiſh'd Him with all thoſe Qualities which render the Man, amiable; as well, as the HERO, Great: He ſent him forth to be the Terror of his Foes, the Confidence and Love of his Friends; and, in the Day of Danger and Death, commanded the Shields of Angels to be ſpread around him!—What Heart, in which the Love of BRITISH Liberty remains, warms not at the Mention of his Name?—Whoſe Boſom overflows not with Gratitude, when he looks back upon the late dark and melan⯑choly Scenes of Oppreſſion and Terror, and ſurveys the fair Proſpect now open'd, by this [34] choſen Inſtrument of our Deliverance, of Peace reſtored, Liberty flouriſhing, and Religion ſafe?—Let us lift up our Eyes to Heaven, and ſay, This is the doing of the Lord, and it is marvellous in our eyes ^a!—HIM, the wrath of man hath indeed ſignally prais'd, in our Land: Prais'd him, when it rag'd; and prais'd him, when it fell!—When he aroſe, his enemies were ſcattered; as ſmoke is driven a⯑way, and as chaff before the wind.—Give unto the Lord, ye mighty, give unto the Lord glo⯑ry and ſtrength ^b! He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the ſpear in ſunder; he burneth the chariot in fire ^c. His excellency is over Iſrael: his ſtrength is in the clouds: He giv⯑eth ſtrength and victory to his people ^d. —PRAISE ye the LORD.