LORD GOD omnipotent, Ruler of Nations, hear us! Perfuaded that thou Art, in utter felf-annihilation, we adore thy infcrutable nature. Perfuaded that thou art the moral Governor, as well as the Creator of the Universe, in ftedfaft faith we address our prayer.―Thy wisdom, O Lord, is not limited by time; it pervades eternity. Thy Goodness is not circumfcribed by place; it comprehends the Universe. If for the advancement of thy Glory; the propagation of thy Son's Gospel; the promotion of the general good of Mankind; thou haft decreed that this Nation is to be humbled, this Empire divided, this War protracted, in dutiful acquiefcence we kiss the rod of thy Chastisement, knowing all thy difpenfations to be wife and good. Thy judgments, O Lord, are true and righteous; interest cannot sway them; paffion cannot pervert them; nor ignorance mislead them: If in thy judgment, we are engaged with our Brethren in an unrighteous cause, we should think it an impious mockery of thy Majesty to fupplicate protection; we ask instruction; befeeching thee to illumine the understandings of our Rulers, with the knowledge of what is right, and to influence their hearts that I 4 that knowing they may do it. But, if our cause be just in thy fight with all our Enemies, and it be for our iniquities that thou haft brought thefe evils upon us, in thy wrath we pray thee to remember mercy; Nineveh repented, and was forgiven, we repent and implore pardon. Thou haft broken the pride of our power; we accept the punishment of our iniquity: Thou haft humbled our uncircumcifed hearts, we return in fafting and prayer to thee, the God of our strength, hear us, O Lord, from Heaven thy dwelling place, maintain our cause, hear and forgive thy PEOPLE! SERMON VI. T PSALM LVIII. 10. DOUBTLESS THERE IS A GOD THAT HERE have been but few men, fince the beginning of the world, who have doubted concerning the Being of a God; but there have been many who have doubted concerning his Providence. That "there is a God" who made the Heavens and the Earth, all nations have been taught by Tradition, derived originally from Adam; and fome individuals in every nation, scarcely excepting the most barbarous, have been able to collect the fame truth from Reason. But that this God " judgeth the Earth" which he hath made, is a propofition which has |
