A Sermon on Occalion of a public Fafi. 349 the liberties of mankind, to recover its broken SERM. force : and we now a ±ually fee it raifed to XIII. fuch a frate, as to eagle its terror in the land L^^" of the living, to threaten the laying walk' nations not a few, or changing their coníli- tutions and government by policy or by vio- lence, and even to hurt or dEflroy in God's holy mountain. I mention thefe things, that we may make proper refleétions upon them to the purpofes of our humiliation before God, and praying that threatned evils may be averted, and that we may do what is fit for us in our feveral frations for preventing the like for the future : not that we fhould rafhly cenfure our rulers, or entertain caufelefs jea- loufies concerning them, but it becomes every wife and good man according to his capacity to be attentive to a national intereír, and ferve it as far as it is in his power ; above all, that we íhould implore the divine mercy to them who are fet over us, that they may be pre - ferved from evil counfel, and that they may, as the fcripture fpeaks, feed the people com- mitted to them in the integrity of their hearts, and guide them with fkilful hands. But, let us alfo confider thofe fins which may be called national, upon a different, and a very proper account, becaufe they are very gene-
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