THE Existence of an absolutely perfect Being, which we call the DEITY, unavoidably infers his absolutely perfect Providence, exactly answerable to the absolute Perfection of his Nature. For as his Understanding is absolutely perfect, it must needs eternally have seen all Things possible to be and come to pass, both by his Influence and Permission: And as out of all these Possibilities, his absolutely perfect Wisdom must needs select Those to come into Existence which are fittest (all Things perfectly considered) to be effected and permitted; [Page 6] the same Wisdom will eternally direct him, both in creating, supporting, over-ruling and permitting, in a perfect Corre­spondence with his absolutely perfect Foresight.

If any object, That this infers Fatality; I think 'tis plain that this can be no other Kind of Fatality than there is and must be, if you will give it such a Name, in the very Nature of GOD himself: Or that 'tis absolutely necessary that GOD be absolutely wise; and therefore absolutely necessary that he ever wills, permits and acts most wisely, wherever there is any Room for Wisdom to be exercised.

Not that this absolutely perfect Wisdom must confine him to one Way of acting or permitting: For it may, perhaps, direct him to all possible Varieties, at some Time or other, not improper, or not inconsistent with his moral Excellencies. And as the Varieties seem to be infinite, they may go on to Eternity.

Answerable therefore to his absolute Wisdom, almighty Power and universal Presence, must be his universal, wise and perfect Providence. He must ever will and act, order and permit agreable to his wisest Prospects.

There is not an Atom in the Universe, but his absolute Wisdom directed him to make it, and his Almighty Power produced it with the wisest Views and Purposes; and for all its Trains of Scituations, Influence and Uses, throughout the Period of it's Existence, or so long as he sees fit to give it Be­ing. As a clear and undoubted Instance of this universal DE­ITY's taking constant Care even of every Atom; the sagacious Enquirers into his Works of Nature, find Attraction is uni­versally annex'd to Matter; and there is not an Atom in this Earth, Sea or Air, but has a constant Influence even on every Atom of the Moon and Sun; tho' the Sun is found to be near a Million. Times bigger than our Earth; nor an Atom in the Sun, but has a constant Influence on every Atom of our Earth, Sea and Air, and even of all the Planets and Satellits wheeling round that great and illustrious Body: And by these mutual Influences continually derived from their universal Cause and Agent, he continually rules these lower Worlds, and is con­stantly [Page 7] producing innumerable Varieties and Alterations in them. Yea, should we perfectly pursue their Trains of In­fluence from the Creation; we should doubtless see, there is not a single Atom in the Universe, in these lower Worlds at least, but has had its Influence more or less according to it's Distance, even on every Event among them.

But I must now forbear to penetrate any deeper in these endless Contemplations. Thus much I tho't convenient,—to lead you into some clear & enlarged Views of the universal Providence of GOD, and excite some suitable Adorations of him.—

I now go on to observe, That as this wise and almighty A­gent must forever fill the whole Creation; so by his absolute Power and Wisdom in eternal Harmony, he must forever over-rule even every Iota in it in the wisest Manner. In his over-ruling them, he is always exercising his Perfections: And no doubt is either constantly displaying them to some of his attentive Creatures, either visible or invisible, whom he has made intelligent for this among other Ends, that they might be happy in seeing them; or at least, (as in the deeper Scenes) he acts with a perpetual View to open and show his Excellencies in his Operations, to the greater Surprize, Ad­miration, Joy and Happiness both of Men and Angels, at the most proper Periods, or when they are prepared for the clear Discovery. And thus he will doubtless do to Eternity.

For as GOD is ever working; new Mysteries will be ever forming and opening. Yea, it seems as if a great Part of the Happiness of the Saints and Angels in the Heavenly World con­sists in viewing successive and continual Scenes of providen­tial Mysteries and Revelations:—a most agreable Mixture of mysterious Scenes before them, to show them the amazing Reach of GOD beyond them, and raise their Adorations; and then their surprizing Openings, to raise their delightful Wonders and excite their Praises. Thus all the Hosts of Heaven ap­pear perpetually entertained, as described in the Apocalyps: The Seals are continually opening to the Living Creatures, Angels, Elders and Saints encircling the Throne of the SON of GOD in that upper World of Revelations.

[Page 8] Yea, in this lower World, in it's present State, among myste­rious Clouds and Darkness, we have often partial Glympses of the Sovereign Wisdom and Power of GOD in his Works of Providence. And scarce in any thing more are those Perfec­tions seen, than in the wonderful Salvations he gives his People. Their Salvation is every where by the inspired Wri­ters ascribed to him. As Isaiah observes, Chap. xxviii. 29. The LORD of Hosts is wonderful in Counsel, and excellent in working; so Asaph in behalf of Israel, describes him in Psal. lxxiv. 12. GOD is my King of old, working Salvation in the midst of the Earth. Jonah on his great Deliverance, or in the Prospect of it, sings, Chap. ii. 9. Salvation is of the LORD. David, in Psal. iii. 8. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD; and in Psal. lxviii. 20. He that is our GOD, is the GOD of Salva­tion. Jeremiah says, in Chap. iii. 23. Truly, in vain is Salva­tion hoped for from the Hills and from the Multitudes of Moun­tains; Truly in the LORD our GOD is the Salvation of Israel. And in divers other Places of the inspired Scripture, is He expresly styled by his People, The GOD of their Salvation. To him, in Times of Trouble and Danger, they look and cry; and upon their Deliverance, ascribe the Praise.

Salvation is sometimes in Scripture used in the largest Sense: As comprehending both Preservation and Deliverance from all Kinds of Evil, both of Sin, Disorder and Trouble, both felt and threatening, in the Present State, and Preservation from every Evil in the Future—; together with the Bestowment of all Kinds of Good contrary to those Evils; and all This forever. But the Salvation in the Text is meant of Preserva­tion from a threatening Host of humane, powerful and de­stroying Enemies.

And as the Sovereign GOD, in Times of his People's Dan­ger from them, is to be eyed as having all the Parts and Powers of Nature in his Hands, both angelical, humane and elementary, and using each according to his perfect Wisdom and Sovereign Pleasure; he has these Two Ways in general, of working out Salvation for them—

1. By exciting, guiding and strengthening them in their Use of proper Means for their Deliverance, and crowning their [Page 9] Endeavours with Success. And then their Business is to exert themselves both in turning and praying to him, contriving, fortifying, fighting, and trusting in him, all together: And when delivered, to ascribe to him the Glory, for strengthening, guiding and succeeding them.

2. When proper Means cannot be bad, or are utterly insuffi­cient, either thro' the vastly superiour Power and Skill of the Enemies, or thro' their quick or unexpected Onsets; then he sometimes works Salvation for them by other Means, either Angels, Men or Elements; and this in so remarkable a Way, as clearly to show his providential Care, Power and Wisdom: So that while it was out of their Skill and Power to defend themselves, they cou'd only stand still and see the saving Hand and Work of GOD. And then it is their Duty, both to turn and cry to him, hope in him, attentively observe the Traces of his Power and Wisdom in working their Deliverance; and then to rise in respectful Wonder, Gratitude, and gratefull Acknowledgments and Praises.

And as this latter was the Way of his working out Salvation for his ancient People intended in the Text; in such a Way he has also wrought both for them and others, in after Ages, and even gives Instances thereof in the present Day.

It is true indeed the Salvation there accomplished was pro­perly miraculous.

For the Tribes of Israel had march'd from Goshen in the Land of Egypt to the southwestern Shoar of the Red Sea; and this lay between them and the Wilderness, as the Wilderness lay between that Sea and the Land of Canaan. And when they came to the Sea, they lift up their Eyes and saw the E­gyptian Army marching after them: at which they were sore afraid, cried out to the LORD, and complained to Moses for leading them into so extream a Danger. But Moses said to the People— ‘Fear ye not! Stand still and see the Salvation of the LORD, which he will shew you to Day!—The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your Peace!’

[Page 10] Upon this, the supernatural Power of GOD, tho' working partly by a strong East Wind, opens a Way thro' the Sea be­fore them, and makes the Bottom entirely dry: The Tribes of Israel go into the midst of the Sea: And tho' it is Night and a Pillar of Fire moving onwards over them, yet the Host of Pharaoh ventures after them. But as soon as the Israelites are all advanced to the opposite 'hoar, the LORD withdraws his supernatural Influence and works again in his natural Way, returns the Sea to it's usual Strength: And the E­gyptians fly, but all in vain: the Sea returns and drowns them. And thus 'tis said— The LORD overthrew them in the midst of the Sea: And, Thus the LORD saved Israel that Day out of the Hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw that great Work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians; and the People feared the LORD, and believed the LORD and his Servant Moses.

But tho' that Salvation of GOD was properly miraculous, and so were divers others wrought for that peculiar People in ancient Times, in order to confirm the Scripture Revelation, then a forming: Yet as in all Ages since their national Rejec­tion, GOD has had, in some Countrey or other, a peculiar People owning his Revelation and their covenant Engagement to him; so he has sometimes brought them into the most threatning Dangers, to humble them for their Sins, awaken them to Repentance, make them sensible of their Dependance on him, excite their Cries to him and Hope and Trust in him; and so preparing them to see the necessary and clear Displays of his Mercy, Power and Wisdom in working their Delive­rance;—Then he has made them stand still and see it with Wonder: He has in such a Way wrought it by his wise and sovereign Influence both on the Minds of Men and elementary Substances, as clearly to show to due Observers, that their Sal­vation was of his contriving, ordering and effecting, some­times wholly above, and sometimes wholly without their Power and Policy.

And this brings us to apply the Text in our considering the wonderful Salvations GOD has wrought for the whole British Empire with her Allies in general, and for these her Northern Colonies in special, in the Year past; i. e. I mean since our Anniversary Thanksgiving on the 5 th of last December, and the [Page 11] Intelligence then and since received. But as I have published Remarks on the great, the comprehensive and the happy Sal­vation GOD was pleased to give us in the Victory of Culloden; on which all our civil and religious Liberties, our Privileges, Properties and the Lives of Multitudes seemed under GOD to be depending; I may but just mention it, and refer you to them.

And that we may sing his Praises with Under standing, I pro­pose to rank our Observations under these three general Heads—

1. The dangerous Enemies we have been concerned with.

2. The dangerous Circumstances we were in a Year ago and since.

3. The wonderful Salvations GOD has wrought for us, while we in America especially have stood still and seen them.

1. The dangerous Enemies we have been concerned with.

For they have such a Connection with our dangerous Circum­stances, that without a due Consideration of those our Enemies, we cannot duely see the Greatness of our Salvation from them.

Now our Dangers chiefly rose from the vast Increase of Empire, Power and Influence in the popish, cruel, ambitious, restless House of Bourbon.

This House first came to the Throne of France by the Help of the Protestants in 1589, in the Person of Henry IV: Who being stab'd to Death by a popish Priest in 1610; his Son Lewis XIII, who lived to 1643; his Son Lewis XIV, who lived to 1715; and his immediate Successor tho' great Grand­Son Lewis XV, the present King, have been the main Sup­porters of the Papal Empire, and the Scourge of Europe and America, yea of their own Subjects, for above these Hundred and Thirty Years. From their wicked Thirst of arbitrary Power, they have Wars, Blood and Treachery, abolished the an­cient [Page 12] Liberties of France, and made their Subjects, both com­mon People and Nobles Slaves. From their cruel Hatred of the reform'd Religion, they have destroy'd above Two Thou­sand Protestant Churches in that Kingdom; banished their Ministers; imprisoned, tortured, butchered and ruined above a Million of their People. And from their restless Eagerness to gain the Monarchy of Europe, they have, by unprovoked Wars, Battles, Seiges and mortal Sicknesses occasioned there­by, sacrificed Millions of their own Subjects and of their Neighbours round about them. They never made a Treaty without perfidious Violation in the fittest Time for their Ad­vantage: They never made a War without fallacious and un­just Pretences: and they never made a Peace, without Ad­ditions to their Power and Empire.

About 1633, Lewis XIII, began a War on Lorrain, Ger­many, Spain and the Netherlands, and took divers Places from them all.

In 1648, by the Treaty of Munster, and the fourteen Years War before, Lewis XIV, added three Bishopricks in Lorrain, and all Alsace in Germany to his Dominions. In 1659, by the Pyrenian Treaty, and the twenty five Years War preceeding, he added, both from Spain, the Counties of Rou­sillon and Gonflans; and from the Netherlands, twenty six fortified Places. In 1662, he purchased of our King Charles II, Mardyke and Dunkirk, with the Forts round them; and in 1667, Nova Scotia; to the infinite Injury of the British Na­tions. The same Year, he invades the Netherlands: And the next Year, by the Treaty of Aix le Chapelle, adds twelve strong Places more. In 1672, he breaks into the Netherlands again, and then into Germany: and in 1678, by the Treaty of Ni­miguen, he adds the County of Burgundy towards Germany, and sixteen Places more in the Netherlands. In 1689, he falls on Germany and the Netherlands again: And in 1697, by the Treaty of Reswick, he farther adds out of Germany, Strasburg, a great, free, protestant and wealthy City, with another City and three more fortified Places; and out of the Netherlands, Eighty two Towns more.

[Page 13] Yet not contented with all these Encroachments, he in 1700, contrary to the most solemn Oaths and Renunciations, seized the whole Spanish Monarchy, setting his second Grandson, the Duke of Anjou on the Throne thereof. And tho' King William wisely formed a grand Alliance against this growing Power, and Queen Ann proceeding with it in a glorious Train of Victories for a Course of ten Years, seemed just to be on the Point of recovering Spain from the House of Bourbon to our Ally the House of Austria; yet the Friends of France pre­vailing in the Court of Britain at the End of 1710, turned out a most wise, faithful and successful Ministry, deserted our own Allies, sacrific'd them to the French; and by the Peace of Utrecht in 1713, confirmed Spain, with her Dominions in America, to that second Grandson of the House of Bourbon.

About twenty Years from this, during her present King's Minority, France enjoyed a perfect Peace, except her taking St. Sebastians: And exceedingly extending her Trade, cut off divers Branches of ours, and grew more rich and powerful than ever. And in the mean Time, by the Missisippi Scheme, the French Crown clear'd itself of above fifty Millions of Debts: While by Reason of the many Disaffected to the protestant Succession in Great Britain, and the constant Bick­erings of the Court of Spain, so many Forces were obliged to be maintained both by Land and Sea; that the Debt of forty Millions contracted by the Wars preceeding, unhappily continued on the British Nation.

In the mean while, the French drove us from St. Lucee in the West Indies; exceedingly fortified Cape Breton; almost worm'd us out of our Fishery; set the Indians on our North American Frontiers, and built a strong Fort on Crown Point, of most mischievous Consequence, on our End of the Lake near our Borders, and even within our own Territories. Yea, spreading round all our British Colonies, from Cape Breton, St. John's and Anticoste Islands in the Bay of St. Lawrence up to the Heads of that River in the Lakes above, and thence to Missisippi River down to the Mouth in the Bay of Mexico, two of the greatest Rivers in Earth: Bringing over the Indian Nations to their Religion and Interest, and extending their Trade among them.

[Page 14] In 1733, the three Kings of France, Spain and Sardinia, having a Mind to divide some of the Dominions of the Em­peror Charles VI, Father to the present Queen of Hungary, united in a War against him. And the French King finding Ways to lull the neighbouring Powers asleep; declaring in his Proclamation of War, that he was fully contented with his large Dominions and desir'd no more, only acted out of Re­sentment against the Emperor for contriving to hinder his Father in Law King Stanislaus from the Throne of Poland: By this Pretence and other Means, the Emperor had none to help him, lay at the cruel Mercy of the House of Bourbon: And in two Years War, was obliged to yield to the King of Sardinia, some Places in Italy; to Don Carlos the King of Spain's second Son, the Kingdoms of Naples and Sicily; yea the Emperor was forced to perswade his Son in Law the young Duke of Lorrain to yield to France his ancient patrimonial Dutchies of Barr and Lorrain on her eastern Borders, in Ex­change for Tuscany in Italy; tho' Don Carlos was the Heir thereto, and France had no Pretence either to Lorrain, Barr or Tuscany: And all these Concessions the Emperor made, on the solemn Engagement of the French King to guarantee the Pragmatick Sanction; which was a special Establishment, whereby the Emperor settled all his remaining patrimonial Dominions on his eldest Daughter married in Feb. 1735, 6 to the said Duke of Lorrain.

Almost ever since King GEORGE I. came to the Crown in 1714, that Branch of the House of Bourbon on the Throne of Spain, no doubt secretly encouraged by the other on the Throne of France, has been continually molesting the British Nations. Sometimes by open War, laying Siege to Gibraltar, and forming Expeditions in favour of the Jacobites in Great Britain: Almost constantly at other Times, by seizing our Trade of Logwood at the Bays of Campeachy and Honduras, our Trade of Salt at Saltertudas, of such great Importance to our American Meat and Fishery: Breaking in upon our Assi­ento and South Sea Trade, in Opposition to most solemn Trea­ties; delaying our Ships, exacting arbitrary Premiums, and seizing our Stocks, Books and Factors: While they have been at the same Time, favouring underhand the French, in trading to the South Seas, and even making Settlements there to their [Page 15] vast Enrichment; as also in settling with them the more com­modious Part of Hispaniola, of most threatning Consequence in Time to our Trade and Island of Jamaica: Yea we cou'd hardly send a Vessel to or from our own Islands in the West Indies, but the Spanish Guarde la Coasts wou'd seize and em­bezzel them, and even abuse our Sailors in a barbarous Man­ner. Which after near twenty Years unexampled Patience, obliged us in 1739 to enter into a War with them to recover our Rights and Safety.

Upon the Death of the aforesaid Emperor Charles VI in October 1740, his said eldest Daughter was rightfully declared Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, Archdutchess of Austria, sovereign of the Austrian Netherlands, and of all the other He­reditary Domains of her Father. The Kings of Great Britain, France, Poland, Prussia and the Dutch were Guarrantees to her said Succession. Among the rest the French King sent to condole her Loss, congratulate her Succession, and assure her, he wou'd according to his Engagements stand by and main­tain her in it: And yet in three or four Months it appeared, he had treacherously engaged the Kings of Spain, Poland, Prussia and Elector of Bavaria, to divide a great Part at least of her Dominions between them; the French King pretending he engaged against her, not to get any of her Dominions for himself, but only as an Auxiliary to the Elector who laid Claim to them, and whom by his Influence he got to be chosen Emperor.

And thus all these Powers most barbarously fell on the Estates of that young Lady in 1741, but then about twenty four Years of Age: In a few Months seized her Kingdom of Bohemia, the chief Part of her Province of Silesia, with other Places, and threatened the Rest, while she had none to help her—

—'Till King GEORGE with the British Nations, touch'd with her Distresses, resenting the Treachery and Baseness of her Enemies, viewing the great Danger of Europe, Knowing the French King was only making all others Tools to his own Ambition; and considering the wise and just Engagement of the British Crown to maintain her Possession of the Dominions [Page 16] of the House of Austria, of absolute Necessity to keep all Eu­rope from being enslaved to the insatiable House of Bourbon;—arose for her Deliverance; and resolved, that tho' all other States and Princes should prove perfidious, they would give a glorious Instance of their Fidelity to sacred Treaties, as well as of their wise Care for the Safety of Europe, and generous Tenderness for that young Princess (one of her Principal Friends) in her great Distresses.

In Pursuance of this—they both sent her Troops and Mo­ney, and bro't the King of Poland as Elector of Saxony, to help her in Bohemia and Germany; as also engaged the King of Sardinia to help her in Italy, sent Monies to him, and employ'd their Fleets to assist him.

Enrag'd at This, because our King is faithful to the very En­gagement they had treacherously broken, the French King, in the Winter of 1743, 4, sends out his Fleet in Concert with the Spaniards to fall upon our's near Toulon; another power­ful Armament to invade the Kingdom, and place a popish Pretender on the British Throne; declares War against us; and sends forth Multitudes of Privateers to destroy our Trade and take our Treasures: On his South Eastern Border seizes the Dutchy of Savoy, the hereditary Country of the King of Sardinia: And in America employs both his Privateers and barbarous Indians against us.

Yea, to confirm the League and Unity with Spain;—as he had in 1739, married his eldest Daughter to the King of Spain's third Son Don Philip; so in 1744, he takes a Daughter of that King as Consort to his eldest Son the Dauphin; agrees to erect a Kingdom for Don Philip out of the Queen of Hun­gary's Dominions in Italy, and draws both the King of Sicily and Naples and the rich Republick of Genoa into their mer­ciless Alliance.

But the Elector of Bavaria dying in Jan. 1744, 5, to whom the French King pretended to be only an Auxiliary in the War; and the Elector's Son soon coming to Peace with the Queen of Hungary, and quitting all Pretentions to her Dominions; the French King's Alliance ceases, and the War with her should [Page 17] therefore End. But now he is forced to take off the Mask and show the encroaching Views he had in his Heart before. He pretends he must be paid for the infinite Expence she put him to, in defending herself; and he must make it out of her own Dominions, especially her Austrian Netherlands which lie handiest to him: i. e. He must have her Netherlands for his perfidious Breach of his solemn Engagements to keep her in the Possession of them, for his vast Expence in perfidiously fighting for another against her, and for horridly ravaging a great Part of her other Countries: And so without the least Provocation of her's, only provok'd that she defended herself; he with a hundred and fifty thousand Men cruelly falls on her Towns and Cities in the Netherlands on his northeastern Border, and carries all before him. At the same Time, he also sends the Young Pretender and raises a Rebellion in North Britain.

In short, the French Nation is exceeding numerous and fruitful: The Kingdom of France is the largest Kingdom in Europe, and full of People: They are industrious, active, subtil, restless: Tho' they are naturally kind and civil; yet they are by a vast Majority Papists, and the popish Spirit makes them in Affairs of Religion cruel: Witness their hor­rid Massacres of the Reformed in 1572; and their number­less Barbarities both before and since 1685, when Lewis XIV most perfidiously revoked the Edict of Nantz which contained their Liberties. All the People and Nobles (except the popish Clergy) are absolute Slaves to the King, who obliges them to pay him what Monies he wants, makes all their Laws, and orders them as he pleases: And so he does when he is but a Child, by a Regent or chief Minister.

On such Accounts as these, France is the most powerful and dangerous Kingdom in Europe. And her Scituation is such near the midst—having Germany and Lorrain on the E, the Netherlands on the N E, the British Sea with Great Bri­tain and Ireland on the N, the Atlantick Ocean on the W, Spain on the S W, the Mediterranean Sea on the S, and Savoy and Italy on the S E; that the Countries round her cannot unite their Forces against her, but she can easily pour out all her Force on each as she pleases. Besides, by placing one of her Sons on the Throne of Spain, she makes the Treasures of [Page 18] Mexico, Peru, and the South Seas, and the Power of all that Monarchy subservient to her: Especially since the King of Spain will be sure take Care not to prejudice the French against him, there being but two young Persons between the Kings of France and Spain in the hereditary Order of Successi­on: France having also placed one of her Grandsons and next Brother of the present childless King of Spain, on the Throne of Sicily and Naples, has added further to her Power and In­fluence: And for the Reasons above, the Interest of all these three Kings must for this Generation at least, be inviolably united.

By all this we see, the turning out of the wise, prosperous, steady and faithful British Ministry, so bent to reduce the Power of the House of Bourbon, and who were just on the Point of accomplishing their glorious Schemes in 1710—was the unhappy Source of the Debts and Troubles in which the British Nations, as well as Germany and the Netherlands have been involved since, and of the End of which there yet appears no Prospect.

In Sum, our dangerous Enemies were These—The three Kings of the House of Bourbon; the 1 st setting on the Throne of France and Navarre, the 2 d on the Throne of Spain, the 3 d of the Kingdoms of Sicily and Naples, most firmly united in one Design and Interest, to aggrandize their House and ac­quire the Countries of their Neighbours; having drawn the King of Prussia and State of Genoa to their Alliance, with the popish Highlanders and Jacobites of Scotland forming an Army of Ten Thousand; on one Side—against King GEORGE, the Queen of Hungary, the King of Sardinia, and the Elector of Saxony on the other.

And this brings us to consider

II. The dangerous Circumstances we were in a Year ago and since; that we may thereby see the Greatness of that Salvation GOD has given us from them.

And we may orderly review them under these two general Heads—

[Page 19] 1. As they were in Europe,

2. As they were in North America.

1] We may briefly review the dangerous Circumstances, in which our Nations and Allies were involved in Europe. In Particular—

1. On the southeastern Border of France, the French were in full Possession of the Dutchy of Savoy belonging to our Ally the King of Sardinia.

2. With respect to Italy—the French and Spanish Army ha­ving also taken from the King of Sardinia the strong City and Fortress of Nice, the very Gate or Passage between France and Italy; the Rest of the Barrier being the Alpine Range of Mountains, exceeding high, rocky, steep and unpassable by Armies, Baggage and Artillery; they join'd the Troops of Genoa and Naples: And then those four Powers obliged the King of Sardinia and Queen of Hungary's Forces to retreat before them, took their Cities, and over-run almost all their Territories in that Country; raised heavy Contributions, subsisting on them, and were near besieging the King of Sar­dinia's Capital Turin itself.

3. Tho' the Queen of Hungary had recover'd Bohemia, yet the King of Prussia had not only taken and kept the chief Part of Silesia, but had also beaten the Queen of Hungary and Elector of Saxony's united Army; and thereupon had broken into Saxony, drove the Elector from Dresden his Capital, yea had taken the City, the Queen's and Electors Army retreating from him.

4. In the Netherlands—The French Army of a hundred Thousand at Fontenoy being intrenched and defended with ma­ny Batteries; our allied Army of little more than Half their Number attacking them, were obliged to retreat with the Loss of a great many Men: And being so small and exceeding­ly weakened, the French had carried all before them, taking the Cities of Tournay, Ghent, Bruges, Ostend, Neiuport, Aeth, the last Winter, Brussels; and since that, Antwery, Charleroy, [Page 20] Mons, Namure, &c, from the Queen of Hungary; having so sufficient Power to stop their rapacious Conquests.

5. In Great Britain, a dangerous Rebellion under the young Pretender rose and surprizingly prevailed: The Rebels had carried the North of Scotland, passed the Forth, seized Edin­burgh the Capital City of Scotland, beat the King's Army at Tranent mightily grew, marched into England taken Carlisle; on Dec. 4, the very Day before our last annual Thanksgiving, had entered Derby the chief Town of the Shire, in the very Heart of England, but about a hundred Miles from London, in their March for that City: And the Ports of France were full of Vessels, Soldiers and warlike Stores, to supply the Rebels and invade the Kingdom.

6. In the Winter Season, while our Ships were fully em­ployed to guard the Coasts of Great Britain, the French Pri­vateers intirely reigned before the Mouth of the English Chan­nel, took almost all the Vessels of our Nation bound into it, and carried the People into Captivity.

7. And lastly, A rich Fleet of Galleons got also safe in­to Spain, to recruit their Funds: Whereby both the Spanish, French, Genoese and Neapolitans were more enabled and spi­rited to carry on the War with fresh Vigour against us.

And these were some of the dangerous Circumstances we were in, in Europe. We come to consider

2] Our more near and especial Dangers in North America,—in these Particulars—

1. In the last Winter and early Spring, the French with the utmost Application fitted out at Brest and Rochfort, the grea­test and most powerful Armament against these Northern Co­lonies, that was ever sent into North America: Having twenty Men of War, a hundred Transports, about Eight Thousand disciplined Troops with veteran Officers, and vast Quantities of Provision, Powder, Shot, Arms, Cannon, Bombs and Mor­tars, sufficient to take the strongest Places.

[Page 21] 2. They were all under one Commander of Figure, Duke D'Anville; a Nobleman of Ability, Skill and Courage; who came with Resolution to exert himself to his own Honour, and to the Glory of his King and Nation, or die in the Cause: And the whole Armament and all their Officers, both naval and terrene being united under him, had a natural Tendency to prevent Contention, and promote the Execution of every Order.

3. They own'd they had the best Plans and many skilful Pilots with them, well acquainted with all the Coasts and Harbours of Newfoundland, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and New England; in particular of Louisbourg, Canso, Jebucta, Anna­polis, Casco Bay, Boston, &c.

4. They came with the very exciting Motives, both of Resentment, Policy and Necessity.—Of Resentment; for our saving Annapolis, and disappointing the French Invasion there in 1744; and for our taking Louisbourg, destroying their Fishery, blocking up the Bay of St. Lawrence, and taking their great Man of War, and their East India and South Sea Ships, in 1745:—Of Policy; to recover their lost fortified City and Harbour of Louisbourg, their lost Opportunity by their Privateers thence to seize our Vessels, their lost Fishery with the infinite Profits thence arising, their lost Fort and Harbour of Annapolis, their lost Territory of Nova Scotia, and their lost Reputation both in Europe and America, especially among the Indian Salvages: And lastly, of Necessity; to save their Canada, with all their Settlements and Trade, in North America; and either by taking Cape Breton, oblige us to come to a Peace and save their Encroachments in the Netherlands; or by taking Annapolis, oblige us to return them Cape Breton; and to save themselves from ignominious Death or Ruin, in case they returned without taking the one or the other.

5. That which rendred our Case more dangerous, was, that we were a long while wholly ignorant of their Designs against us: And when we had them hinted, we were easy with hearing that Admiral Martin was blocking them up, first at Brest and then at Rochfort, and that we had a powerful [Page 22] Fleet of Men of War and Transports preparing at Portsmouth in England to come on the Expedition to Canada.

6. At Length they got out of Brest and sailed to Rochfort: On June 11, they sailed from this last Port, passed by Admi­ral Martin's Squadron unobserved, and he cou'd not find what Way they were gone: Yea, while they were coming toward us, Admiral Lestock with his Fleet at Portsmouth sailed seven Times from England; and was as oft drove back by contrary Winds, 'till Mid-September, when our Enemies Fleet was come to Nova Scotia, and the British Ministry judging it too late in the Year, diverted their Enterprize.

7. In the mean Time; while Duke D'Anville's Fleet is coming, a fatal Illness sweeps away many of our New Eng­land Soldiers at Cape Breton: And being now without any Help from England or any where else; if GOD had given our Foes a speedy Passage, and had brought them on in Health to Louisburg; they had come there with Surprize: And with their Showers of Bombs from twenty five Mortars, and Cannon Shot from fifty Brass Field Pieces, it seems highly probable, they wou'd soon have taken the Place. And then Placentia and St. John's in Newfoundland, with all their Fish and Vessels wou'd have been as nothing to them. All the French and Indians in Nova Scotia and the neighbouring Places wou'd have join'd them at once, and made them ten or twelve Thousand strong, besides their Seamen. Annapolis wou'd have been soon reduced. And then their mighty and triumphing Forces, both French and Indians, both by Land and Sea, wou'd have doubtless come quick all along our Eastern Shoars, carried all before them like a sweeping Deluge: And where they cou'd be stop'd, and whether this Town cou'd have baffled them, GOD only knows.

8. In the mean Time we are this Summer exceedingly mo­lested with our Indian Enemies round about, both in this and the neighbouring Provinces: Murthering our Men, Women, Children; carrying many into a barbarous Captivity; breaking up many Houses and divers Villages and new Towns, destroying Cattle and Fields of Corn; yea seven hundred French and In­dians destroying a Fort an hundred Foot square on our western [Page 23] Borders on Aug. 19: Reducing us to such Distresses as have not been known in the present Generation: And Sep. 2 we are informed, that about two thousand French and Indians were assembled at Menis in Nova Scotia, in order to besiege An­napolis.

9. Our Trouble is yet increased by our surprizing Intelli­gence from the six valiant Nations of Mohawk Indians above our western Borders, who had been our constant Friends from the Beginning of these Colonies:—That the French had made them believe, they had taken an English Letter, wherein they pretend we wrote, ‘We intended first to subdue Canada, and then destroy the Indian Nations, the French in Canada being the only Obstacles that hinder us:’—Which made most dangerous Impressions on them, raised their Jealousies, began an Alienation, disposed them to join our Enemies, and was like to lead to fatal Consequences.

10. All this while we were wholly ignorant of the French Fleet coming towards us—'till at the same Time, viz. Sept. 2, we had a Hint in a Letter from Hull in England of June 24, by a Ship from Newcastle, that they were sailed about ten Days before, but none knew whither: Sept. 9, by a Ship from Liverpool, was the Hint above confirmed, and that many in England tho't them bound for North America. About a Week after, we begin to hear a Rumour of a large Number of Ships seen near Cape Sable Shoar; but whether French or English, we are at a Loss to guess. About a Week after, the Rumour is confirmed; but who they are, remains uncertain, 'till Sept. 28: And then by Express from Governor Knowles and Ad­miral Townsend at Louisburg, we are inform'd they are the French Armada, were seventy Sail when they came from France; fourteen being Ships of the Line from fifty to seventy four Guns, two Fire Ships, with eight thousand Troops on board; standing for Jebucta or le Have: And by a Vessel from Jamaica, that the four French Men of War which had escaped Commodore Mitchel near Domingo, were design'd to join them.

11. And lastly, About Mid-September, Eight Ships of the Line and about forty others arrive at Jebucta, the Port of their Rendezvous, on the south eastern Shoar of Nova Scotia, one of [Page 24] the finest Harbours of the Globe; in which the British Na­tion had utterly neglected for a Course of thirty Years from the Peace of Utrecht, to settle one Inhabitant; and in the very Way to interrupt all our Fishery, and even all the Trade from Great Britain, Ireland, Newfoundland and Cape Breton, to the Colonies on the Main, and from These to them: There they water, wood, refresh, careen, refit; thence take our Ships, strike Surprize and Terror thro' the Countries round about them. And thence deserting their Design of attempt­ing Louisburg, they set sail with all their Power towards us.

And thus, in the Room of our long look'd for Friends from England to go against Canada, there are now coming on a powerful Armament of resolute Enemies; and none to pre­vent them or defend us against them. We look for our powerful Friends, but our Eyes fail us, and we look in vain. Our Case seems like that of David, Psalm 142 and 3, ‘We look on our right Hand and behold; but there is no Man that knows us, Refuge fails us, no Man seems to care for our Souls: We cry unto Thee, O LORD! Thou art our Refuge and Portion in the Land of the Living! O attend to our Cry, for we are brought very low—we stretch forth our Hands to Thee!—hear us speedily, O LORD:—Cause us to hear thy Loving Kindness in the Morning, for in Thee do we trust—Deliver us O LORD from our Ene­mies:—We flee to Thee to hide us!’ And we further cried as Asaph in Psal. 83; ‘Keep not thou Silence O GOD! hold not thy Peace and be not still, O GOD! For lo thine Enemies make a Tumult, and they that hate Thee lift up the Head: They have taken crafty Council against thy People: They have said, ‘Come and let us cut them off from being a People, that the Name of New-England may be no more in Remembrance.’ O our GOD, make them as Stubble before the Wind: As the Fire burneth the Woods, and as the Flame setteth the Mountains on Fire; [as we often see in America] so persecute them with thy Tempest, and make them afraid with thy Storm: Fill their Faces with Shame; that they may seek thy Name, O LORD! [or if they will not seek it] let them be con­founded and troubled for ever:—That Men may know, [Page 25] that Thou, whose Name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most High over all the Earth, &c.’

This is Part of our late dangerous Circumstances: And now, stand still and see the Salvation of the LORD!

This therefore brings us

III. To view the wonderful Salvations GOD has wrought for us, while we, in America especially, have stood still and seen them.

And

1] For the Salvations wrought the Year past in Europe.

1. By the Blessing of GOD on the Mediation of King GEORGE, the King of Prussia in December last, came to a Peace with the Elector of Saxony and Queen of Hungary: wherein he acknowledged as Emperor, her Imperial Consort the Grand Duke of Tuscany, lately chosen to that high Dig­nity: Whereby all Contests about the Election were ended, and the Queen became relieved of a bloody, weakening and expensive War on that Side of her Dominions, and cou'd spare fifty Thousand or more of her Troops in 1746, both for the Netherlands and Italy.

2. In Italy, the Queen of Hungary and King of Sardinia's Army being thus increased, thro' the Help of GOD, have twice defeated the French, Spanish, Genoese and Neapolitan Army; obtained such Victories as have wholly broken the Power of our Enemies There; killed and taken near thirty Thousand Soldiers, made the rest to fly, recovered all the Places ravished from them; driven the French and Spaniards out of Italy; taken the City and Republick of Genoa, obliged them to relinquish the Queen of Hungary's Debts, pay a great Sum of Money, and come to an Agreement with her and her Allies. So that the War seems to be ended likewise in that Part of Europe; and the King of Sardinia and Queen of Hungary's Forces there, ready to fall on the Southeastern Part of France, for the rest of the War.

[Page 26] 3. GOD was also pleased to break the Power of the Rebels in Great Britain; especially by employing Prince WILLIAM, to drive them out of England, reduce Carlisle, fright them from the Siege of Stirling, and wholly defeat them in the glorious and happy Battle of CULLODEN, on April 16: And then and since, to take many of their Chiefs and Soldiers, di­vers of whom have received capital Punishment; and to sup­press the Remainder. Whereby we can also spare a greater Number of Forces in the Austrian Netherlands, to drive our French Enemies back, and also engage in Expeditions by Sea.

4. Tho' the French have taken five strong Cities from the Queen of Hungary in the Austrian Netherlands; yet they have lost a great many Soldiers There by Seiges, Fatigues and Sickness: And our allied Army there is now grown so great, and the next Year like to be greater; that there's a hopeful Prospect, thro' the Help of GOD, of beating them back in one Year more: Or, while the King of Sardinia pours his Forces into the Southeastern Side of France, obliging her soon to resign her late Incroachments and yield to righteous Terms of Peace. Yea, if the Empire and Dutch wou'd join us; it looks as if, thro' the divine Assistance, France wou'd in one Year more be forced to return both to Lorrain, Germany and the Netherlands, all the Incroachments she has made upon them these two hundred Years; and be disabled for a great while to come from disturbing Europe, or hurting us or others.

5. GOD has been also pleased to remove by Death, the late King of Spain: Whereby he has put a present happy Period to the mischievous Reign of his ambitious Queen, who has been a principal Spring of all the Troubles of Great Britain and Europe from that Court and Nation these thirty Years; and set on the Throne the late King's eldest Son, who was not born of Her, but of the King of Sardinia's Sister: And this new King, in Part has broken the League with France alrea­dy, by deserting the Project of forming a Kingdom for her second Son Don Philip, out of the Queen of Hungary's Countries in Italy; and seems disposed to Peace with us and our Allies.

[Page 27] 6. By the Death of the Dauphiness without Male Offspring, who was a Sister of his by the Father's Side; the Union be­tween the Courts of France and Spain, seems to be further weakened. And by the Ascent of King GEORGE'S Son in Law the Prince Royal of Denmark to that Throne, who had married his youngest Daughter Princess Louisa; the Union between the Courts of Great Britain and Denmark, seems to be further strengthened.

7. And lastly, The French East India Trade and Company, by the Flames consuming their large and costly Houses, Warehouses and Stores at Port l' Orient in France; and by Commodore Barnet's taking their Ships and Forts in the East Indies, seems to be almost ruined: While the seizing their Wealth adds to our's; and our East India Ships are come safe to England; as well as our Treasures took from the Spaniards near Jamaica.

But

2] Let us now stand still and see the Salvations of GOD in North America—

On two Accounts in general, tho' widely different, both the last Year and This have been as remarkable as any we have seen, since the happy Accession of the Protestant House of Han­over to the British Crown:—The last Year 1745,—for GOD'S succeeding our Enterprize in a wondrous Manner, and giving us Cape Breton;—and This,—for his working wonderful Salvations for us, while we cou'd only stand still and see them with Admiration: Let this be ever the Charac­ter of 1746.

While we knew nothing of Danger, GOD beheld it, and was working Salvation for us. And when we had none to help in America, He even prevented our Friends in Europe from coming to succour us; that we might see our Salvation was his Work alone, and that the Glory belongs intirely to Him.

And here are the following Things observable—

[Page 28] 1. That our Enemies Fleet were detained so long in the Harbours of France, even to the 11th of June, tho' ready long before: Whereby a greater Fomes was prepared for scor­butical Weaknesses and Ails, before they arrived at America; whereby they also lost the cooler Weather and more easterly Winds of the Spring, were kept for the Calms and Heat of the Summer, their Voyage must be lengthened, and they cou'd not come with quite so much Surprize upon us.

2. That after their getting clear from the Coast of France, they shou'd be led to bear so far to the Southward: Whereby they not only went from the Straiter Course, but likewise into a more rarified Air and calmer Latitudes, which yet further served to lengthen their Voyage: And whereby they also went into more sultry Climates, even in the hottest Months of the Summer; the Air between-decks among so great a Number so closely stowed, must be more suffocating, putrid and nauseous, and both further weaken, and breed Diseases.

3. That partly by these Means, partly by Calms, and part­ly by contrary Winds; their Voyage was so lengthened out, even to ninety Days from Rochfort, that it was the 9th of September before the forwardest of them arrived at Jebucta.

4. That by the Means above, and it may be others, GOD was pleased to visit them with such a mortal Sickness; that they owned, Thirteen Hundred died at Sea; and most of the rest were extreamly weakened, wasted and dispirited.

5. That by terrible Storms they were likewise so dispersed in the midst of the Ocean; that by Aug. 26, they had left but twelve Ships of the Line and forty one others, besides five Prizes they happened to meet with.

6. That on Sept. 2, at One at Noon, when they came near the Shoals of the Isle of Sables, the most dangerous Place in all their Passage, and had but three Days Sail to Jebucta; GOD was pleased to raise against them such a violent Storm of Wind, which held all that Day and Night: Wherein one of their Transports was lost on the Shoals; four Ships of the Line and a Transport were seen in great Distress, and never [Page 29] heard of after, and the rest of the Fleet had like to have run on the Shoals in that terrible Night, and were wholly disper­sed: Or if they had been but three Days earlier, they had got to Jebucta before the Storm.

7. The Weather after the Storm, was so very foggy for several Days, that Duke D'Anville their Admiral and General was obliged to lie off and on, not venturing to approach the Nova Scotia Shoar; that it was Sept. 12, before he got, with but one more Ship of the Line, viz. his Vice Admiral, three more Men of War and five Transports, into Jebucta: There being but one of the Fleet got in three Days before him, and but three more in three Days after him; his Rear Admiral with ten of the Line and all the rest yet missing. And finding his few Ships so shattered, so many Men dead, so many sickly, and no more of his Fleet come in; he sunk into Discourage­ment, and Sept. 15 died; but in such a Condition, and so much swelled, it was generally tho't he poysoned himself, and was buried without any Ceremony. Upon which their Go­vernment sell upon the Council of War, their Union was en­tirely broken, and their Counsels grew divided.

8. That tho' after the Storm, the Rear Admiral with five more of the Line and twenty seven more of the Fleet besides the Prizes, discovered each other and gathered together; yet the Weather being foggy and thick, they did not arrive at Je­bucta 'till the Day after Duke D' Anville died—Or their Ar­rival two Days sooner might have revived his Spirits and saved his Life: Tho' they were so exceedingly shattered and sickly, they were forced to stay and loose their fittest Time for doing us Mischief 'till near the midst of October.

9. That upon the Death of the Duke, the Vice Admiral Estournell being the chief Commander, in Consideration of the deplorable Case they were in, proposed to return to France to save the rest of the Men: But the Council of War oppo­sing and voting against him, he was on Sept. 19 in the Morn­ing, found in his Apartment fallen on his Sword, and the next Morning died also: Whereby the chief Command de­volv'd on the Rear Admiral Jonquire; who with the Council of War resolved to attack some English Place in these northern [Page 30] Parts before they wou'd think of returning. In the mean while, they landed their Men to refresh them: And yet their Sickness so prevailed, that they owned there died Eleven Hun­dred and Thirty more at Jebucta before they left it.

10. It was also very remarkable, that while the French were so generally very sickly, and so many constantly dying, both aboard and ashoar; our English Captives, tho' com­passionately tending upon and helping them continually, were so universally healthy and strong, that the poor sickly French cou'd not forbear to express their Wonder: Our People taken captive by them being more merciful to them than those of their own Nation. And yet the Sickness spread among our enemy Indians in Nova Scotia, and 'tis said carried off near half their Number.

11. In the mean Time our careful Governour sends out Spies and gets Intelligence—By the Help of GOD removes the Jealousies of the Mohawk Indians, renews our ancient League of Friendship with them, engages them on our Side against the French Canadians—sends Companies of Soldiers, who had lifted Volunteers for Canada, to help defend Annapolis; Admiral Warren sending his 50 Gun Ship thither also: And then our Governour calls in most of the Regiments of this Province to defend our Capital, who come in with wondrous Chearfulness: Sends Express to Governour Knowles and Ad­miral Townsand at Louisbourg, with the London Prints inform­ing of Admiral Lestock's waiting for a fair Wind in England, with eighteen Ships of the Line, to sail thither: And Octo. 6, with Advice of his Majesty's Council, and at the Desire of the House of Representatives, orders Thursday the 16th, a Day of Prayer and Fasting thro' the Province on this great Oc­casion.

12. About October 10, the French Council of War at Je­bucta being sensible that by dispersing Storms and wasting Sickness, they are utterly disabled for attempting Louisbourg, resolve to sail and take Annapolis. And if they had staid but one Week longer, they wou'd have bad a Season of suitable Weather for it. But a Cruizer of their's having happily ta­ken the Express above for Louisbourg, with the London Prints [Page 31] informing of Admiral Lestock's expected coming, and the Master of the Vessel happily forgetting to observe his Order and throw his Packets overboard; they were carried into Jebucta and opened on the 11 th early in the Morning in a Council of War. Upon which, surprized, in the utmost Hurry, they pull down all their Tents, burn a Line of Battle Ship, with a Snow from Carolina, a Vessel from Antigua, and some Fishing Schooners, embark their Soldiers; order two thousand French and Indians to march from Menis to Annapo­lis: And October 13, with about forty Sail, twenty Engineers, and thirty Pilots from near Annapolis, they came out to go round Cape Sables, and meet them there; having wrote to the Court, that they determin'd to keep the Seas 'till Nov. 15, N S, if they cou'd not get in sooner.

13. The next Day, they sent three or four of their Fleet with their Sick to France: The Distemper still increasing; our Captives saw them throwing their Dead out of most of their Ships into the Sea, every Day after they left Jebucta, for the three Days they continued with them. October 15, near the Isle of Sables a second Time came on a great and Cold Storm, which scattered them again: Yet the next Day, getting once more together; and persevering in their Purpose, they dismiss'd our Captives, who that Night left them lying by, and saw them no more.

14. But the same Day, viz. Thursday Octo. 16, is kept the Day of General Fasting and Prayer throughout the Churches in this Province, on this great Emergency. And that very Night ensuing, the glorious GOD entirely baffled all their Purposes, and put a total End to their mischievous Enterprize. He mightily arose, and wrought a full Salvation for us. He sent a more furious Storm of Wind and Rain and Hail, than ever—which held to the next Day Noon—which they cou'd not stand before—Which so dispersed and broke them, they cou'd never get together again: And several Ships were so crazy, and weakly handed, that 'tis apprehended by our dis­missed Captives, who were in the same Storm; that some were overset, some others foundered and sunk in the mighty Waters: And the remaining Men of War in View, so shat­tered and discouraged, that they determined for the West India [Page 32] Islands; and sent their Nova Scotia Pilots home, with Orders to the French and Indian Army who had march'd to Annapolis, to leave their Enterprize and get away. The scattered Rem­nants, it seems most likely, are gone back to France, abased and confounded.

In fine, It is also remarkable, that two French Frigates who privately came to Jebucta in May or June to gather the French and Indians in all the neighbouring Countries, and rais'd their mighty Expectations; shou'd sail from thence a little before the Fleet's arrival:—That the four large Men of War who escap'd Commodore Mitchel near Domingo, and sail'd to the Cape Sable Shoar, in full Expectation of finding them; but surpriz'd to hear nothing of them, and it growing late in the Year, shou'd sail away but a few Days before the Duke's Ar­rival, and entirely miss them:—And that a few Days after the Fleet sail'd from Jebucta, arrived there two more Men of War from France, with absolute Orders to take Annapolis, and not presume to return without it: And being told they were gone for the Purpose, made haste after them: But arri­ving thither, and instead of the triumphing Fleet and Army, the Menis Pilots returning with the dreadful Tydings, and our Man of War there going to attack them; confounded also, they hastened away.

Thus, when on our solemn Day of General Prayer, we ex­presly cried to the LORD, as in Psal. lxviii. 1, 2 ‘Let GOD arise, let his Enemies be scattered, let them that hate him flee before him: As Smoak is driven away, so drive thou them away: As Wax melteth before the Fire, so let the [inveterate] Wicked perish at the Presence of GOD!’—When notwithstanding all the Displays of his Anger against them, he see them set upon Mischief:— ‘And when he looked, and there was none to help us, and he wondered there was none to uphold us:—Then his own Arm bro't Salvation to us, and his Fury upheld him: He trode down our Enemies in his Anger, he made them drunk in his Fury, and he brought down their Strength to the Earth. Terrors took hold on them as Waters: A Tempest bore them away in the Night: The East Wind carried [Page 33] them away, and they departed: And with a Storm he hurled them out of their Place.’

‘The Sorrows of Death encompassed us, and the Floods of ungodly Men made us afraid: In our Distress we called upon the LORD, and cried to our GOD: He heard our Voice out of his Temple, and our Cry came before him, even into his Ears. Then, he bowed the Heavens and came down, and Darkness was under his Feet: He rode on a Cherub, and did fly; yea, he did fly on the Wings of the Wind: He made Darkness his secret Place; his Pavi­lion round about him were dark Waters and thick Clouds of the Skies: Yea, he sent out his Arrows and scattered them: Then the Channels of Waters were seen, and the Foundations of the World were discovered; at thy Rebuke O LORD, at the Blast of the Breath of thy Nostrils!’

‘Before him went the Pestilence, and burning Coals of Diseases went forth at his Feet: He stood and measured the Earth; he beheld and drove asunder the Nations. I saw the Tents of Cushan in Affliction, and the Curtains of the Land of Midian did tremble. Was thy Wrath against the Sea, that thou didst ride upon thy Horses? But thy Chariots were Salvation! The Mountains saw thee and they trem­bled: The overflowing of the Water passed by: The Deep uttered his Voice, and lift up his Hands on high! Thou wentest forth for the Salvation of thy People: Thou woundedst the Head out of the House of the Wicked: They came out as a Whirlwind to scatter us: Their Re­joicing was to devour the Poor: Thou didst walk through the Sea with thine Horses, thro' the Heap of great Waters! When we heard, our Belly trembled, our Lips quivered at the Noise, Rottenness entred into our Bones; and we trem­bled in ourselves, that we might rest in the Day of Trouble, when they were coming to the People, to invade us with their Troops.’

The French Officers told one of our Masters—that when they came from Rochfort, they were ninety seven Sail, thirty of which were Men of War: That they had forty thousand Arms, with Proportionable Ammunition and Blankets for the Indi­ans [Page 34] and the Master saw above a hundred Chests of Arms with a great Quantity of Lead landed out of one Ship of thirty Guns which took him: That there were seven thousand North American French & Indians to join them: That upon their taking Annapolis, they expected eighteen French Ships of the Line & twen­ty two Spanish Men of War wou'd be sent early in the Spring to join the Fleet on these Coasts; which was a Matter generally be­liev'd & depended upon among them: that they were resolved to destroy the Frontier Settlements of the English Colonies, and had a great Dependance on getting a strong Footing on this Part of the North American Continent.

‘But how do the Heathen rage, and the People imagine a vain Thing! The Kings of the Earth set themselves, and the Rulers take Counsel together. He that sits in the Hea­vens has them in Derision. He disappoints the Devices of the Crafty, so that their Hands cannot perform their En­terprize: He taketh the Wise in their own Craftiness, and the Counsel of the Froward is carried headlong. Yea, he speaketh to them in his Wrath, and vexeth them in his sore Displeasure: He breaks them in Pieces as with a Rod of Iron: He dashes them in Places like a Potter's Vessel. But he saveth the Poor from the Sword, from their Mouth, and from the Hand of the Mighty. Be wise therefore, O ye Kings: Be instructed ye Judges of the Earth: Serve the LORD with Fear, and rejoice with trembling: Submit to the SON of GOD; least he be angry, and ye perish: When his Wrath is Kindled but a little, blessed are all they that put their Trust in him.’

‘But we will sing to the LORD; for he hath triumphed gloriously: He hath thrown our Enemies into the Sea. The LORD is our Strength and Song, and he is become our Salvation: He is our GOD, and we will prepare him an Habitation in the highest Room of our Souls; our Fathers GOD, and we will exalt him: The LORD is a Man of War, JEHOVAH is his Name. Our Enemies Hosts he has broke in the Sea: With the Blast of thy Nostrils, the Waters were gathered together; the Floods stood upright as an Heap: Thou didst blow with thy Wind; the Sea covered them, they sank as Lead in the mighty Waters.’

[Page 35] ‘But the LORD is our Light and Strength, our Shield and our Salvation. We will extol thee O GOD! For thou hast lifted us up, and not made our Foes to rejoice over us. In our Time of Trouble, we cried to thee; and thou hast sent from Heaven and saved us from those who would have swallowed us up; thou hast put them to Shame that hated us. Thou hast turned our Mourning into Dancing: Thou hast put off our Sackcloth, and girded us with Gladness; that our Glory may sing Praise to thee, and not be silent: O LORD our GOD! We will give Thanks to Thee, and praise thy Name for ever.’

‘Yea, we will Praise thee O LORD, among the People: We will sing to thee among the Nations. Be thou exalted O GOD above the Heavens: Let thy Glory be above all the Earth! Sing unto GOD ye Kingdoms of the Earth: O sing Praises unto the LORD;—to him that rideth upon the Heavens of Heavens; ascribe ye Strength unto him; His Excellency is over Israel, his Strength is in the Clouds. Let the Heavens and Earth praise him, the Seas, and every Thing that moves therein: Let the Sea roar, and the Ful­ness thereof: Let the Floods clap their Hands: Let the Hills be joyful together before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the Earth; with Righteousness shall he judge the World, and the People with Equity.’