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worse, than the deftroying the King and Parliament at one Blow; and had put all Things in fuch a Readiness in order thereunto, that they certainly had effected it, as on this Day, had not their Confpiracy been detected in a wonderful manner.

But Thanks be to God, their Designs then, and ever fince, have been defeated, and fome of them even miraculoufly; and we trust in the Mercies of God that they will ever be fo.

God hath been wonderfully Gracious to us in the Preservation of our Church and Religion from Popish Attempts to destroy it, ever fince it was fettled among us.

How many Plots and Confpiracies were laid in the Time of the Glorious Q. Elizabeth, to put an End to her Life, and with it, to our Reformed Establishment?

What a dreadful one was this of the Gunpowder Treafon, in the Reign of her Succeffor? How many Dangers have threatned us fince that Time, from that Quarter?

What a horrible Storm, but of late, did we apprehend, and justly enough too, was impending over us?

And yet, bleffed be God, (who hath never failed to raise up Deliverers to his People in the Day of their Diftrefs) that Storm is blown over: And we are here, not only in Peace and Quietness, in the full Poffeffion of our Native Rights and Liberties, and in the Enjoyment of the free Exercise of our Religion (which is one of the most defirable Things in the World); But fuch is the Deliverance that

God

God hath wrought for us, that we also seem to have a fair Profpect of the Continuance of thefe Bleffings among us; and, according to Human Estimate, to be, in a good meafure, out of the Danger of our old inveterate Enemy, Popery I mean, which, one would think, had now made its laft Effort among us.

Is not this now a great Bleffing? And must not all fincere Proteftants (of what Perfua. fions foever they be in other refpects) neceffarily believe fo? Certainly they must, if they think it a Bleffing to be delivered out of the Hands of our Enemies, and to be in a Condition to ferve God without Fear.

Let us all therefore own it as such to God Almighty; let us thankfully remember all his paft Deliverances from Popery, and especially, let us never forget thofe of this Day; neither the former, nor this late one,

We have reason to believe, that God hath a tender Care of his Church and Religion in thefe Kingdoms, not only because he hath fo many times fo fignally and wonderfully appeared for the Prefervation of it; but more efpecially, becaufe we know, and are convinced, that our Religion is according to his Mind and Will; being no other than that which his Son Jefus Chrift taught unto the World; that is to fay, no other than that which is in the Bible, which is our only Rule of Faith.

It infinitely concerns us all, therefore, fo to behave ourselves, as to fhew, that we are neither

neither unthankful for God's paft Mercies, nor unqualified for his future Protection.

And in order to that, I know no other way but this, that we all firmly adhere to the Principles of our Religion; and that in our Practices we conform ourselves to thofe Principles; that is to say,

In the firft Place, That we fincerely love and fear God, and have a hearty Sense of his Prefence, and Goodness, and Providence, continually abiding in our Minds: That we truft in him, depend upon him, and acknowledge him in all our Ways: That we be careful of his Worship and Service, paying him the conftant Tribute of our Prayers, and Praises and Thanksgiving, both in Publick and Private.

And then, Secondly, That we be pure and unblameable in our Lives; avoiding the Pollutions that are in the World through Lust: And exercifing Chastity and Modefty, Meekness and Humility, Temperance and Sobriety, amidft the fundry Temptations we have to conflict with.

And, Thirdly, That we have always a fervent Charity to one another, that we Love as Brethren; endeavouring to do all the Good we can, but doing Harm to none. Ufing Truth and Juftice, and a good Confcience in all our Dealings with Mankind. Living peaceably, if it be poffible, with all Men. And not only fo, but in our feveral Places and Stations, promoting Peace, and Unity, and Concord among Chriftians, and contributing what we can to

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the healing the fad Breaches and Divisions of our Nation.

And then, Lastly, That we pay all Submiffion, and Duty, and Obedience to the King and Queen whom God hath fet over us; endeavouring, in all the Ways that are in our Power, to render their Government both as easy to themselves, and as acceptable to their Subjects, and as formidable to their Enemies, as is poffible.

If all of us, that call ourselves Proteftants, would charge our felves with the Practice of thefe Things, how affured might we reft that: God would Blefs us; that he would continue his Protection of our Nation, our Church, our Religion, against all Enemies whatsoever, and that we might fee our Jerufalem still more. and more to flourish, and Peace to be in all her Borders.

May God Almighty pour upon us all, the Spirit of his Grace, and work all thefe great Things in us, and for us: And in order hereunto, may he fend down his Bleffings upon the King and Queen, and fo influence and direct all their Councils, both Publick and Private, that all their Subjects may be happy in their Government, and lead peaceable and quiet, Lives under them in all Godlineß and Honefty. And after fuch a Happy and Peaceable. Life here, may we all at last arrive to God's Eternal Kingdom and Glory, through the Merits of his dear Son: To whom, &c.

SER.

SERMON XI.

Preached before the

KING and QUEEN,

AT

WHITE-HALL,

On CHRISTMAS-DAY, 1691.

HEB. IX. 26.

Now once in the End of the World bath he appeared to put away Sin by the Sacrifice of himself.

T

HIS Text doth naturally fuggeft Five Things to be infifted on, moft of them proper for our Meditations on this Day; which therefore I fhall make the Heads of my following Discourse.

I. In General, the Appearance of our Lord.
Now hath he appeared.

II. The Time of that Appearance. In the
End of the World.

III. The End and Defign for which he ap

peared. To put away

Sin.

IV. The

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