That People a Safe and Happy People, Who Have God for and Among Them

George Wyllys, Secr.

The Presence, & Favour of GOD; the Defence, and Happiness of His People.

What shall we then say to these Things? If GOD before us, who can be againsus?

AS the all-wise GOD hath made, and upholds the World, by his Power; so he over-rules, directs, and orders universal Nature, by his Providence. The Dispensations of which have been very extraordinary of late, in the terrible Earthquakes, that have been in one Country, and another, and in the dire Effects they have produced; some of which have been amazingly Awful; and; vastly exceeding, in their Extent thro' many Kingdoms, and Countries, and in the Destruction p. 6of many Cities, Towns, Villages, and Places, any thing of the like Kind that ever has been known in any one Year of the World. [It appears from various accounts computed, that the Earthquakes, being on the first of Nov. last, continued for the space of 60 Days, and were felt with more, or less Violence, from the eastern Shores of the Atlantic Ocean to the heart of Germany; and from the frozen Clime of Iceland almost to the Tropick of Cancer; a prodigious extent of about four thosand Miles from East to West & about two thousand from North to South.] Nation is rising against Nation, and Kingdom against Kingdom; rumours of Wars ready to break out, are spread among the Nations: And our own Nation is obliged to have recourse to Arms for the defence, and security of her just Rights; and our own Land is actually engaged in a dangerous WAR. Which with the Invasions that hath been made on our Frontiers, the Blood that hath been already spilt, and the vigilant Preparations each side are making for a more vigorous carrying on the War; together with other remarkable Dispensations of Divine Providence, seem all plainly to forebode some great Overtures, and Events in the womb of divine. Providence ready to break forth. What shall we then say to these Things? The frowns of Heaven, and the Dangers that surround us; does not the same excite p. 7in every thinking Man, good Christian, and loyal Subject, serious, and enquiring Tho'ts what these Dispensations calls us to; what we have to do, and what may best be done, to secure ourselves against those threatning Dangers, and Invasions of our Enemies; which seems to put every Thing that is dear to us at stake; not only the Property of the Country, and our Enjoyments in it; but also our Liberties, Privileges, and the holy Religion we are blessed with; and when this is the general Concern and Enquiry in such a critical Day, where can we better go for Direction than to the sacred Oracles of GOD, which offer the best Directions in all Cases, and Light in the darkest Times. And if we enquire at the Divine Oracles we shall find ourselves directed to look to GOD, and seek his Face, and Favour, Presence, and Blessing, as the best, and only sure Way for Deliverance from Dangers & Troubles, & for Protection, and Safety at all Times. For if GOD be for a Kingdom, a Government, or a People, who can be against them to their real Harm, much less to their Ruin: As St. Paul triumphantly speaks in our Text,—What shall we then say to these Things? TO GOD's abundant Grace towards Christians; his mysterious Love to them in Jesus Christ, his kind, and gracious Intentions towards his p. 8People, and the wonderful special Care he takes of them; who keeps them as the Apple of his Eye, who is Afflicted, in all their Afflictions, and ready to their help in every time of Need, to relieve and succour them, to protect and save them in all Times of their Trouble, and Danger; on their humbly looking to and trusting in him for the same.

p. 8What shall we then say to these Things? Why this we may surely say, and ought believingly and thankfully to say, That if God be for us who can be against us so as to prevail to the ruin of GOD's People? Surely none at all! GOD is for his People, as he is in Covenant with them, & so engaged to them and for them, as he condescends to dwell among them, and take them under his special Care, and Protection, and is ready to bestow every needed Blessing of Grace, and Providence on them, on their seeking to, and trusting in him for the same. So that GOD's being for us implies Preservation, and Guidance, Counsel, and Conduct, in all our Ways: Protection, Preservation, and Help in every time of Need, together with the bestowment of all the Blessings of Grace, and Providence, so far as shall be for GOD's Glory, and our best Good; Yea, GOD is for his People, and bringing about their Good and Salvation, ◊emporal, and p. 9spiritual when he seems to be against them. And since it is so. If God be thus for us who can be against us, so as to prevail to the ruin of GOD's Church and People, be their Enemies never so many, never so strong and potent, never so malicious, politic, and designing. Yet GOD is above them to controul all their Measures, confound their Counsels, and overthrow their evil Machinations against his People. What then can they do while GOD is for his People, and with them, to Protect, Defend, and Preserve them, and Fight for them.

The DOCTRINE which seems to offer it self to our Consideration is this, (viz.)

That GOD's Favour for, and Presence with his Covenant People, is their Happiness, best Security, and Safety always; especially in Times of Trouble, and Danger.

Their being GOD'S Covenant People, and as such near to him, and interested in his divine Favour, does not exempt them from Enemies, Troubles, and Dangers in this sinful World. No their being so, often raiseth them up Enemies, and exasperates ungodly Men against them, and exposes them to their Rage, and Persecution, who would gladly ra◊e Zion even to the Foundations p. 10thereof. But GOD has such a Favour for them for his Covenants Sake, and for CHRIST's Sake, the Head of the Covenant; and because there are many upright Ones, and elect Vessels in the collective Body) as he has not for the rest of the World. For what Nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is in all things that we call up◊n Him for. This is their Happiness, in this is their best Security, and Safety: For if God be for us, who can be against us.