To the REVEREND

Mr THOMAS BRADBURY.

REVEREND SIR,

T

HIS Sermon makes it's Entrance into the World under your Patronage and at your Request.

Í am fenfible of my Inability for fuch a publick Undertaking. But at fuch a Time as this, if Minifters fhould altogether hold their Peace, the Stones would immediately cry out.

In a Day when the Crown of his most excellent Majefty King GEORGE, with the Liberties and Religion of his faithful Subjects, are threatened with an OverA 2 throw,

iv DEDICATION. throw, 'tis high Time to look about us to see our Danger, and to look upwards for our Relief.

We have the best of Kings, the best of Governments, every Thing that can be reasonably defired for Soul and Body; but for the abounding Wickedness of our Land among all Sorts of Perfons, we deferve to come under the most fevere Refentment of Divine Providence: Nevertheless, God has faved us, for his Name's Sake, and there is Room to hope he will not pour out all his Wrath, by the Hand of them that are risen up to seek our Ruin.

This is the Scope of this Difcourfe; which, as it is published by your Approbation, I hope, will be ufeful in the perufing, as it was made fo in the preaching of it.

It comes out indeed with this Disadvantage among others, that my preaching feveral Sermons from the fame Text, makes this a little incompleat.

DEDICATION.

V

compleat: But that, I hope, will be eafily overlooked.

That you, dear Sir, may be farther owned as a publick Inftrument for maintaining the Doctrines of Religion, and the Liberties of the People, is the Prayer

of your obliged

bumble Servant,

RICHARD WINTER.

PSALM 1xxxv. ́9..

Surely his Salvation is nigh them that fear him; that Glory may dwell

in our land.

N these Words we may obferve (1.) The Character of good People, They are fearers of God. This Fear is a Principle implanted by a divine Hand. I will put my fear into their hearts". 'Tis conducted in a filial Way. God has Sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. It fills the Soul with the greatest Reverence for God, as Jacob fays, how fearful is this place? &c.c And 'tis the best Preservative against Sin. So did not I, fays Nehemiah, because of the fear of God.

(2.) Here's a Privilege attending them. God's Salvation is nigh them. This is a Deliverance from every Evil, and an Exaltation to every Favour. The Author of this Salvation is none other than God. God the Father laid out the Scheme and Design of it. God the Son revealed, procured, and gives it; and God the Spirit makes the Application of it effectual. This Salvation is nigh. God is a pre

• Jer. xxvii. 40. b Gal, iv. 6. • Gen. xxviii.

Neh. v. 15,

17.