If we attentively survey the above dreadful examples of the divine severity, (the greatest which are recorded in the history of the world,) we may observe these particulars, either plainly expressed, or sufficiently indicated, in the historical narrations concerning them so that even the harshest instances of God's wrathful dealing with some, may serve to the illustration of his mercy and goodness to all; may evince it true, what our Lord affirms, that God is kind unto the unthankful, and to the evil.

To prove this observation, and consequently to assert the truth of our text, (that God is good to all, and merciful over all his works,) against the most plausible objections; I shall examine the above particulars in my following discourse.

The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works.

To prove the goodness and the mercy of God, against the most plausible objections, I shall now more particularly consider the several instances of divine vengeance alluded to in my morning's dis

course.

The punishment inflicted on mankind for the first transgression, contains in it such depth and mystery, (surpassing, probably, all human capacity; being, I conceive, purposely concealed from us, by divine wisdom;) that I shall not pretend thoroughly to explain it, and consequently shall not enlarge

This, however, is evident, that God intended to evince by it, his resentment and indignation against wilful disobedience; and yet we may observe that God expressed his resentment in so calm and gentle a manner, that Adam, though abashed by the consciousness of his fault, was not utterly dismayed or dejected at the severity of the reproof. God even mitigated the extremity of the sentence so justly decreed and plainly declared to Adam, (that the punishment of his offending against the law prescribed him, should be immediate death,) for, notwithstanding his forfeiture of life that very day, God reprieved him, and indulged him with a life of nearly a thousand years. And whilst God, to all appearance, punished mankind with such severity, it is evident, from the event, that his mind was occupied by sentiments of the highest kindness towards us. Whilst he excluded us from a terrestrial Paradise, he provided for us a celestial one; into which, if we please, we may certainly enter, by a due obedience to his holy laws. So that in this, the severest instance of God's vengeance, his goodness and clemency are eminently conspicuous.

The calamity which, by the general deluge overflowed the world, was not brought upon mankind till after the most enormous offences, long continued in, and without all hopes of amendment : not till the earth itself was become a habitation every way unfit for persons of any innocence or integrity. The earth was corrupt before God;

God

and the earth was filled with violence. looked upon the earth, and behold it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And yet so universal a corruption could not have sprung up at once. The divine patience must long have endured the wickedness of men, before it thus resolved to punish them. A long reprieve was also given after the sentence passed. The execution was deferred till Noah, by his denouncing the judgment in so signal a manner, not only by verbal declarations, but by the construction of the ark, could prevail no longer towards their amendment. For, (as St. Peter tells us,) they were disobedient, when the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing; which, by the best calculation that can be made from the sacred text, was no less than a hundred and twenty years. But, though this obstinate and incorrigible disobedience so much displeased him, that God is said to have repented that he made man on the earth; yet he so tempered his anger, as not utterly to destroy mankind, but preserved the family of Noah for the restoration of the generations of men.

As to the extermination and excision of the Canaanites, which wears so dreadful an appearance of severity, we shall find it qualified, if we consider, that the iniquities which occasioned it, were of the most heinous and abominable nature. Impunity would rather have been cruelty than mercy to such

a lawless and abandoned people. Yet their doom was not executed upon them till after four hundred years of forbearance. Even in the time of Abraham, God took notice of their iniquity, but suspended their punishment, because, says he, the iniquity of the Amorites was not yet full. Whilst there was the least remains in them of reason, regret, and shame, the least possibility of recovery, God stayed his avenging hand: but, when all fear, remorse, and modesty were banished, and all means of cure had proved ineffectual; then was the sword of justce not more seasonable than necessary and, to cut off their sins and their miseries together, was no less an argument of God's mercy than his anger.

A similar account may be given of the judgments of God upon the people of Isruel. If we consult the Prophets, we shall find that they were brought down from heaven by an universal apostacy, both from the faith and practice of true religion. Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, says God, by the voice of the Prophet Jeremiah, seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a MAN, if there be ANY that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it. Hear also Isaiah,―The earth is defiled under the inhabitants thereof: because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, and broken the everlasting covenant. As there were no means of remedy left, nor any hopes of amendment; their