The Mighty Wonders of a Merciful Providence, Title page – Preface
THE Mighty Wonders of a MERCIFUL PROVIDENCE.
IN A SERMON Preached on January 31, 1688/9. Being the Day of Publick Thansgiving to God for the Great Deliverance of this Kingdom by His Highness the Prince of ORANGE.
By T. Cruso.
PSAL. 85.9.
Surely his salvation is nigh to them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our Land.
LONDON, Printed for Thomas Cockerill, at the Three Legs in the Poultrey. and John Salisbury, near the Royal Exchange in Cornhil, 1689
The PREFACE.
COnsidering, that it is the fate of this Discourse to come forth in an Age, which is as Defective in Charity as Abounding in Iniquity; and that therefore perhaps the Author may be charg'd by some with an Itch of Vain-Glory, or Affected Ostentation, whereby the Discourse it self may lose its desired End, I have thought it necessary in the first place to inform the Reader, that I was constrain'd to yield up my own Judgment and Will to the irresistable Applications of very many of those, whose I am (under God) and whom I serve (in the Gospel of his Son), acknowledging it indeed as their Right in a great measure to command and dispose of my Publick Labours. And how common soever such an Apology be, I can be so easily vindicated, as to the Truth of it in this Case, that having declar'd it for the prevention of any ignorant or mistaken censure, I shall not be at all concern'd about any wilful or malicious ones.
Let none be offended at the meanness of this Thank-Offering for so valuable a Mercy, when God hath set that Example of accepting from men according to what they have; 2 Cor. 8.12.a willing mind, in his Account makes some amends for the want of suitable Abilities; and such as cannot run with the chariots and the horsemen of Israel shall be receiv'd, though they follow afar off. A Deliverance which extends to all, ought to be celebrated by all; even out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, as well as fathers and strong men. We must not think that Cedars onelyonly are call'd upon to praise the Lord, Psal. 148.9.but every one of them, that are planted in his house; for certainly such as exclude themselves from rejoycing in the gladness of the Nation at this day, and from glorying with Gods inheritance, deserve to be excluded from a share in the Universal Blessing. When Heaven hath appear'd and acted so eminently for us, the Earth will rise up against us, if we hold our peace; yea Barbarians and Infidels themselves would conclude us more insensible than the stones we tread on, if we can now forbear to cry out. A Man (who knows nothing of the Principles of Christianity, or Rules of the Gospel) might reasonably think, that a Providence which hath so many Miracles in it, should produce this after all, of causing the lame to leap as an hart, Isa. 35.6.and the tongue of the dumb to sing.
Such as are acquainted with the Course of my constant Ministry, need not be told (tho' it may be proper enough to mention it to others) that a great deal of that which might have been further said upon the Subject handled in these Papers, was delivered before from another Text which I had more largely insisted on, and therefore it is not repeated here;[Psal. 136.4.] several things which the most ordinary invention (in which rank I must reckon my own) would be able to suggest, are designedly omitted, because I judg'd it peculiarly nauseous to burden the Hearers with old matter, when the occasion could furnish me with new. As some Dispensations of God do overflow with righteousness, Isa. 10.22.so in this there hath been a very rich and plentiful discovery of Goodness; they that like to retain it in their thoughts, will find fresh springs continually bubbling up; and whoever hath a true principle of holy Gratitude in his heart, will see a copious variety of Arguments and Motives to express it.
My Prayer to God is, that he may have that just Tribute of Glory, which he expects from us; that as we have been commanded to speak of his honour in our Worshipping Assemblies, we may be assisted by his Grace to walk worthy of him in our daily Conversations.Hos. 14.2. We have taken with us words, but Conscience will tell us that Religious Actions are yet more significant; we have rendered to the Lord the calves of our lips, but these alone, without the presenting of our whole persons to him, can never be an acceptable sacrifice. After God hath given us such beauty for ashes, what a foul reproach will it be to flatter him with our mouths, and vilifie him in our lives! after he hath compast us about (like David) with songs of deliverance, Psal. 32.7.how unpardonable (I may almost say) will our sin be, if we, like the house of Israel, compass him with lies and with deceit! Hos. 11.12.will not all the World condemn us, for shewing forth, not so much his Praises, as our own Hypocrisie? If therefore the Spirit of God be pleas'd to joyn himself to this Sermon, and breathe in the following Lines (which otherwise will be but a Dead Letter) by quickening Souls to make practical returns for such abundant Mercy, I shall obtain my purpose and wish, which was to serve the Lord at this time, with all Humility of mind, as
An unworthy Helper of his Peoples Joy, T. C. Feb. 5th. 1688/9.