A Sermon on Occafaon of a public Pali. 3 5 anger, and if the flaf in their hand be hisSERivi. indignation, that can make them formidable XIII. enough ; or however that be, he has many arrows in his quiver, he can call for another more powerful nation, or inflict other ftrokes of a different kind, for the punifhment of a rebellious people. Therefore, take our Sa- viour's warning whom you (hall fear, what- ever courage you preferve againft men, and I fhould be forry to fee us meanly dejected be- caufe of any enemies and their preparations ; yet fear the fupreme Ruler, who has an un- limited power over all nature, and to whofe juftice our iniquities have rendered us ob- noxious. But it may be faid, what can fuch a particular fociety as this do ? They can have very little influence, rather none at all, for effecting a national reformation, which can only prevent national judgments. I an- fwer, I hope it will always be a principle with you, that religion is not in vain. It is remarkable, that in the 9th chapter of this book, when the deftroying angels are com- miffioned to make dreadful havock among finners, yet they cannot fir in execution of that power, till fome are marked out to fafety, and their character is, verfe the 4th, A a men
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