J.C. Branner A SERMON, PREACHED AT Haberdashers-Hall, November 30th, On Occafion of The tremendous EARTHQUAKE at LISBON, Printed for J. BUCKLAND, at the Buck in Pater-Nofter Row; [ Price Sixpence.] st THE PREFACE, T1 'HE following practical Difcourfe being entirely devoted to the dreadful Event that occafioned it, and containing fome folemn and facred Inftructions and Ufes, the Author of it determined to give it a wider Spread than what it could posfibly receive from the Pulpit, and accordingly ventures it to the Public View; encouraging his Hopes that it will meet with a candid Perufal, from the general and indifpenfible Obligations upon Mankind feriously to regard and improve this terrible Vifitation, and from the Duty of all, according to their respective Stations in Life, to concur with their utmost Powers to promote and fecure fecure fuch a falutary and important End. What an awful and alarming Juncture of Time! War is preparing its Thunders, and has begun its bloody Havoc! Conflagration has confumed a great Part of * one of the capital Cities of our World, and Earthquake has buried another! + The Lion bath roared, who will not fear? The Lord hath Spoken, who can but Prophefy? Referring to the late terrible Fire at Conftantinople. † Amos iii. 8, A HABAKKUK ill. 2. STAWORD BRARY Lord, I have heard thy Speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive thy Work in the miaft of the Years, in the midst of the Years make known; in Wrath remember Mercy. O LORD, I HAVE HEARD THY SPEECH. T HE laft Week has brought us an Account of a late tremendous Earthquake at Lisbon, a very fair, rich, and noble City, and the Metropolis of the Kingdom of Portugal. Not only the royal Palace, the Churches, and most of the ftately Buildings have been deftroyed by this difmal Calamity*, but the Lives, it is to be feared, of many Thousands of Inhabitants have perished in the general Defolation. Alarm and Diftrefs are now spread every where among us, and fo much the more, as the mercantile Interests of these Kingdoms are fo deeply concerned in this dreadful Catastrophe. Need I then to make any Apology for endeavouring to turn, or rather (for they are turned, I doubt not, already) to fanctify and confecrate your Thoughts A *It has been reported fince, that some deteftable Villains fet Fire to the Palace, and one of the Churches. |