OF PUBLIC EVENTS. 545 ous notice of the death of a preceding prince, which makes way for the introduction of his successor, and he points his eye to the hand of God in the sudden change of our rulers. The true christian assumes the language of the prophet Daniel with a devout temper of mind, " Blessed be the naine of God for ever, for wisdom and might are his : He changed' the times and the seasons, he removeth kings, and he setteth up kings ;" Daniel ii. 21. 'Whereas the formal professors of christi'anity, or the vicious part of the people, shew their mirth by " enflaming themselves with strong drink ; and the harp and the viol are in their feasts, but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands." This is the crime which the prophet severely reproves, and for which he pronounces divine threaten- ings in the followingverses : To make a right impròvement of the present provi- dence, and the text, I shall enquire, 1. What sort of notice we ought to take of the dispen- sations of Goa, and especially in the affairs of nations.. II. I shall consider, What is the guilt and danger of disregarding the hand of God herein. III. I will apply these things particularly to the pre- sent events. First, " What sort of notice ought we to take of the dispensations of God ?" I answer briefly under three ge- neral heads. I. " We should make a solemn observation ofwhat is awful and afflictive in the events of divine providence and learn some instructive lessons thereby." If the life of a sparrow be the object of divine superintendency; " if a sparrow fall not to. the ground without our hea- venlÿ Father ;" 111atth. x. 29. much more should we direct our thoughts to the operation and influence of God in the greater incidents of the lifeand death of man, and the important changes that depend upon them. " When the judgments of God are abroad in the earth, the inha- bitants of the world will learn righteousness," or at least they ought to do it ; Is. xxvi. 8, 9. " Is there any evil in the city, any sorrow attends a nation, but the Lord hath a hand in it ?" Amos iii. 6. " -The voice of the Lordhath spoken,. and the man of wisdom will see his name, will hear the rod and him that hath appointed it;" Micah: VOL. III N
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=