Election Sermon

.6 God is to be seen in the production of all things animate and inanimate.' He is to be seen in every thing above and below us, within and around us, heard in the voice of every creature, felt in every motion, and r^ad, in short, on every pa^e in the great volume of the universe. No less evident is it, that he, who created, superintends all the works of his hand. He, who " spake and nature took its birth," does by the agency of his almighty arm continually uphoM^aH things in existence. Should that power» which first caused them to exist, be withdrawn one moment, they would sink into nothing. It is impossible in the nature of things that a creature should be so made as to ekist, erne moment, in any respect independently of the Creator. If it might thus exist now, it might have so ejfisted at first. If it might cause itself to exist from one moment^, to another, it might have caused itself to exist from the beginning ; and so a Creator would have been unnecessary. Evei'y thing, therefore, must be as really and as much dependent on the Deity for continuance in existence as for its first existence. All things which exist, from the greatest to the least, are not only constantly upholdeli by the same power, which firSt gave them existence, but, in all their motions, actions, and changes, are under the care and directioil of Divine Providence. He who fitet created all things for the best of purposes, so directs; afad disposes of every thing, a§, in the best manner, to answer those purposes. It is true, all things in the course of God's provi idence take place according to Uhe laws of nature^ The sun warms, and the showers refresh the earth ; consequently, vegetation springs forth, and food is fllr^ nished for man and beast. This, it is said, takes placiei according to the course of nature. The hand of God^ however, is in all this • for this course or law of nature is only the way, in which God constantly and fegularly exerts his power and manifests his goodness. Notwithstanding the vital heat of the sun and the refreshing showers of heaven, the earth would produce nothing wJthout the divine agencjr. These elements have no Strength, in themselves, to cause even a spire of ^ass to grow. The laws of nature, therefore, by which things take place in a regular, stpted manner, are only the w^y or course which God pursues in exerting his power ai^ manifesting his goodness : so that what are called second causes have no power or efficacy in themselves aside from the immediate exertion of divine power, which is the proper eflScacious cause of all things.

In the exercise of divine providence some events take place by 'the more immediate energy and agency of God ; and others, by the instrumentality and agency of creatures ; ' and by various mediums and what are called second causes. But in all events of the latter kind,' the divine power and agency are as really and as much exerted, and are as much to be acknowledged,"" as if no instrument, agent, or second cause had been used : because, the creature or instrument has no power to act or effect any thing which is not given by God himself. This is the light, in vi^hich divine revelation every where represents the providence or government of God. It extends to all creatures, events, and circumstances throughout the immensity of the divine works. In this view of the passage before us we may remark,', that God'a providential government respects all things in the natural voorld. The heavenly bodies, in all their movements, revolutions, and changes, are under his direction. The "ordinances of heaven" are established by his hand, and the "dominion thereof set in the earth. " The all-perfect hand that pois'd, impels and rules the steady whole." This causes the sun to pour on us his vital heat, the moon to cheer the solitary night, and moves the comets, which blaze throiigh the vast profound, and fill the astonished world with awe !, To God we owe the gr^eful succession of the seasons, and under his providence we enjoy the fruits of the earth. He giveth us " the former and the latter rain," and causeth the earth tp yield her increase in plentiful measure. He maketh his paths to drop marrow and fatness on the pastures of the wilderness, and the little hills to rejoice on every side. He clotheth the hills with flocks and the vallies with corn. He taketh care of our lives and health. Protected by his hand^Jihey that go down to the sea in ships and do busine^on the great waters survive the dangers, which surround, and threaten to swallow them up. They experience the goodness of God and behold the wonders 6f his providence in the deep. It is his hand, which, at any time, bringeth prosperity to our commerce and fishery, and causeth the hearts of the mariners to rejoice ; for, he holdeth the winds in his fists and the storm and tempest obey his voice. " He shutteth up the sea with doors, and saith, hitherto shalt thou come, but no further ; and here shall thy proud waves be stayed." God's providence extends to the brutal world. He provideth not only for the higher orders of his creatures, but he openeth his bountiful hand, and supplieth the wants of every living thing. " The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God." He provideth for the ravens their food, and giveth to their young ones when they cry. The cattle on a thousand hills are fed by his hand. How numerous and various the tribes of living creatures, which inhabit every part of the material world ! …