340 A Sermon on Occafion of a public Fa/d. SERM. and from the great, becomes almoft always XIII. univerfal, and the authority of fuch exam- v`""i ples feldom fails of corrupting the grofs of the people ; fo, partly by the reafon and na- tural tendency of things, but never without the juft judgment of God upon a people, far from being themfelves guiltlefs, the faults of gover- nors produce very pernicious effects in fociety. I am, Secondly, to confider the methods by which God teftifies his difpleafure againft a land which fins by trefpaf ling grievoufly againft him. The threatning is here ex- preffed in general, by (retching out his hand upon that land, that is, he will exercife his power in punithing the inhabitants of it. The true notion we ought to have of the Su- preme Being as the governor of mankind up- on this earth, is, that of a gracious compaf- fionate parent, caring for all his great family, fuperintending all their affairs, liberally in- deed providing for all, he never leaves himfelf without a witnefs of his mercy to every one of them : but at the fame time, ufing necef- fary difcipline for preferving fuch order and peace among them, as he intended to pre- ferve in this imperfect Rate. When he doth interpofe by extraordinary difpenfations in the way of punifhment, it is with a kind defign to
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