THEBATTLEOFLEXINGTONASermon&EyewitnessNarrative

byPastorJonasClark

OriginalTitle:

TheFateofBlood-thirstyOppressors,andGOD’sTenderCareofHisDistressedPeople,1776

IncludingpoemsPaulRevere‘sRide,HenryWadsworthLongfellow

Lexington,OliverWendellHolmesLexington,JohnGreenleafWhittier

ConcordHymn,RalphWaldoEmerson

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***TableofContentsTheRev.ChristopherHoopsIntroduction:TheBattleofLexingtonPublisher’sSelection:BackgroundofPastorJonasClarkFacsimile:TheOriginalTitlePageSermon—PreachedApril19,1776TheBattleofLexington—AnEyewitnessNarrativeofThatDayEndnotesAppendixPaulRevere’sRideLexington,byOliverWendellHolmesLexington,byJohnGreenleafWhittierConcordHymn,byRalphWaldoEmerson

InvitationfromthePublisherOtherQualityBooksfromNordskogPublishing

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TheRev.ChristopherHoopsFoundingTheologyEditor,NordskogPublishing

(1950–2008)AsastudentatSanBernardinoBibleCollege,ChrisHoopsbeganmaking

missionaryfieldtripstotheNavajoandHopireservations,partneringwithlocalmissionaries.AftergraduationhewasaskedtoteachOldTestamenthistoryandminorprophetsathisalmamater(1976–1980).In1979,Hoopsco-foundedtheInlandChristianCenterAcademyandserved

asprincipalandadministrator.In1980,hemovedtoArizonaforoneyeartohelpmissionaryfriendsteachBibleandtheologytoNavajoandHopistudents.From1981–1984Hoopstraveledaroundthecountry,lecturingontheneedfor

homeschooling,forteachingAmerica’sChristianHistory,andforrecoveringthecontributionofChristianitytoWesterncivilization.TheseactivitiesledtohisfoundingofAmericanHeritageChristianChurch(Camarillo,California),wherefrom1984–1991,hecontinuedtoholdseminarsandconferencesonthosetopics.In1994,HoopsfoundedChristReformedChurch(Colville,Washington)and

in1999hefoundedEmanuelPresbyterianChurchofColvilleandledthemintojoiningtheOrthodoxPresbyterianChurch.In2001HoopsmovedbacktoCaliforniaandtookapositionatMonteVistaChristianSchool(Watsonville),teachingBibletomiddleandhighschoolstudents.Heandhiswife,Gail,raisedthreechildren(adaughterandtwosons)andthen

adoptedthreedaughtersinRoseville.Rev.HoopswasaleaderintheReformedChristianfaith,foundingBiblical-theologicaleditorforNordskogPublishing,andwasfirstonthewaitinglistforhissecondlivertransplantwhentheLordtookhimhome.

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IntroductionTheBattleofLexington

Haveyoueverwonderedwhofiredthe“shotheard’roundtheworld”that

fatefulmorningofApril19,1775?Whowerethosebravemenwhostoodagainstthebest-trainedarmyintheworld?ThefollowingisJonasClark’sSermonontheone-yearanniversary,andhiseyewitnessnarrativeofthoseevents.NoneotherbutJonasClarkcouldgivesuchanaccounting,forhewasthe

pastorofthose“embattledfarmers”whostoodtheirground.ClarkishereingivinganhonestandaccurateaccountingoftheBattleofLexington.HeisalsogivingtestimonyoftheeventsofApril19andanswersthegreatquestion,“Whofiredthefirstshot?”Therewasnobetter-preparedplacetoinauguratethefirstbattleoftheWarfor

IndependencethanthelittlevillageofLexington.ForPastorClark“discussedfromthepulpitthegreatquestionsatissue,andthatpowerfulvoicethunderedforththeprinciplesofpersonal,civil,andreligiousliberty,andtherightofresistance,intonesasearnestandeffectiveasithadthedoctrinesofsalvationbythecross.”(J.T.Headley,HeroesofLiberty:ChaplainsandClergyoftheAmericanRevolution,1861,21.)“Itwastothecongregation,educatedbysuchaman,thatProvidenceallowedtobeentrustedthemomentouseventsofApril19,eventswhichweretodecidethefateofacontinent—thatofcivillibertytheworldover.”(Headley,23)Today,theBattleofLexingtonislittlespokenof,forasanationwehave

forgottenourhistory.Wehaveneglectedtheheroesofourfreedomandliberty.Buttherewasatimewhenthisdaywasrememberedandodeswerewrittentocommemoratetheoccasion.PaulRevere’sRideandtheConcordHymnaretwoexamples.(SeeAppendix.)OurhistorybooksnolongertellthetruestoryofLexington,sowemust.AmericaisperishingfortheneedofpreacherswhoapplyGod’sholyWordto

everyareaoflife,includingpersonal,civil,andreligiousliberty.TheChurchneedsmorepastorslikeJonasClark,apreacherwhotaughtthegreatdoctrinesofsalvationinChristaloneandtheBiblicalrighttoresistance,whichgavehiscongregationcouragetostandinthefaceofgreatodds.TheBattleofLexingtonshouldinspireeveryman,inallstationsoflife,tostandandmakeadifference.—TheRev.ChristopherHoops,Roseville,California

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Publisher’sSelectionBackgroundofPastorJonasClark

1755–1805

ColonialMilitiaMinuteman

TheRev.WilliamWare,Cambridge,MA,intheAnnalsoftheAmericanPulpit,August10,1850,providedinsightsintothebackgroundofRev.JonasClark.IhaveselectedwhatIfeelourreadersshouldknowconcerningtheuniqueandgiftedpastorwhowasprovidentiallysetinLexingtonforjustsuchatimeasthis—theincidentswhichoccurredonthegreenatLexingtonthateventfuldaywhichledtotheDeclarationofIndependenceandthefoundingofanation,one

nationunderGod.JonasClarkwasbornonChristmasday,markinghislifeinobediencetoJesus

Christ.Hehadsixsonsandsixdaughters,allbutfourlivingatthetimeofhisdeath.Fourofhisdaughtersmarriedclergymen.Rev.ClarkgraduatedfromCambridgein1752andwasordainedinLexington

threeyearslater.Inadditiontobeingafulltimeclergyman,hewasanindustrious,hard-workingfarmeraswell.Hecultivatedsixtyacresofland,whichhestillownedattheendofhislife.AsthepastorofthechurchatLexington,hetypicallygavefoursermonsa

week,writtenoutandorallypresented—nearly2200sermonsinhislifetime.Hispreachingwasvigorousinstyle,animatedinmanner,instructiveinmatter,anddeliveredwithuncommonenergyandzeal,withanagreeableandpowerfulvoice.Hissermonswererarelylessthananhour,oftenmore,andintheologicalopinionshewasconsideredamongsttheTrinitariansandCalvinists.ThespiritandtemperofhislifewerejustwhattheGospelwasdesignedto

produce.HewasaChristianinthehighestandbestsenseoftheterm,showntobesuchbyalongandexemplarylifeandafaithfulpracticeofthevirtueshehadpreachedtoothers.Hewasconsideredapatriotofthemostardentanddecidedcharacter.AndatLexington,hewitnessedthefirstoutbreakoftheWarforIndependence.

TheRev.WilliamWarewrotealittlelessthanahundredyearslater:Itcanberegardedonlyasasingularlyhappycircumstancethat,asLexingtonwastobetheplacewhereresistancetothepowerofEnglandwasfirsttooccur,andthegreatactofadeclarationofwarfirsttobemadebytheactofthepeopleinthebloodtobethereshed,makingtheplaceforeverfamousinhistory,theministerofLexingtonshouldhavebeenamanoftheprinciples,character,courage,andenergyofMr.Clark.Itcanberegardedhewaseminentlyamanproducedbythetimes—morethanequaltothem;ratheraguideandleader.Allhispreviouslife,hispreaching,hisintercourseandconversationamonghispeoplehadbeen

butacontinuedandmosteffectualpreparationforthenoblestandtakenbyhispeopleonthemorningofthe19thofApril,1775.ThemilitiaontheCommonthatmorningwerethesamewhofilledthepewsofthemeetinghouseontheSundaymorningbefore,andthesamewhohungupontherearoftheretreatingenemyintheforenoonandthroughouttheday.Theywereonlycarryingthepreachingofmanypreviousyearsintopractice.Itwouldnotbebeyondthetruthtoassertthattherewasnopersonatthattimeandinthatvicinity—notonlynoclergymanbutnootherpersonofwhatevercallingorprofession,whotookafirmerstandforthelibertiesofthecountry,orwasmorereadytoperformthedutiesandendurethesacrificesofapatriot,thantheministerofLexington.Whenthestruggleactuallycommenced,thepeoplewerereadyforit,thoroughlyacquaintedwiththereasonsonwhichthedutyofresistancewasfounded,andpreparedtodischargethedutyateveryhazard.NopopulationwithinthecompassoftheColonieswerebetterpreparedfortheeventsofthe19thofApril,thanthepeopleofLexington;nopeopletowhomtheeventsofthatdaycouldmoresafelyhavebeenentrusted;nonemoreworthyofthedutiesthatfelltotheirlot;orwhobetterdeservedthehonourswhichhavefollowedthefaithfulperformanceofthem.Nosingleindividualprobablydidsomuchtoeducatethepeopleuptothatpointofintelligence,firmness,andcourage,astheirhonouredandbelovedpastor.

Itwasaheavydaytothepastor,who,ontheretreatoftheBritish,visitingthegroundsdirectlyunderthewindowsofhischurch,foundeightofhisbelovedparishionerslyingdead,andmanyotherswounded.Ofthetransactionsofthatmorningandday,JonasClarkdrewupanarrative,includedaspartofhisanniversarysermon,whichwehaverepublishedinthisbook.—GeraldChristianNordskog,Publisher

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Facsimile:TheOriginalTitlePage

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SERMONTheFateofBlood-ThirstyOppressors,andGOD’s

TenderCareofHisDistressedPeople.A

SERMON,PreachedatLexington,

April19,1776

TocommemoratetheMURDER,BLOODSHEDandCommencementofHostilities,betweenGreat-BritainandAmerica,inthatTown,byaBrigadeofTroopsofGeorgeIII,underCommandofLieutenant-Colonel

SMITH,ontheNineteenthofApril,1775.

TOWHICHISADDED,ABriefNARRATIVEoftheprincipal

TransactionsofthatDay.BYJONASCLARK,A.M.

PastoroftheChurchinLexington(1730–1805)

ThoseThingsdoththeLORDhate:—AproudLook,alyingTongue,andHandsthatshedinnocentBlood.Prov.6:16–17

MASSACHUSETTS-STATE:Boston;PRINTEDBYPOWARSANDWILLIS

1776

ASERMONTheFateofBlood-ThirstyOppressors,andGOD’s

TenderCareofHisDistressedPeople.

Joel3:19,20&21

EGYPTshallbeadesolation,andEDOMshallbeadesolatewilderness,fortheviolenceagainstthechildrenofJudah,becausetheyhaveshed

INNOCENTBLOODintheirland.ButJudahshalldwellforever,andJerusalemfromgenerationtogeneration.ForIwillcleansetheirbloodthatIhavenotcleansed;fortheLORDdwellethinZion.

NEXTtotheacknowledgementoftheexistenceofaDeity,thereisnooneprincipleofgreaterimportanceinreligionthanarealizingbeliefoftheDivinegovernmentandprovidenceassuperintendingtheaffairsoftheuniverseandintimatelyconcernedinwhateverhappenstomankind,bothasnationsandkingdoms,andasindividuals.Deeplytobeimpressedwithasenseofthedivineprovidence,torealizethat

GODisGovernoramongthenations,thatHisgovernmentiswiseandjust,andthatallourtimesandchangesareinHishandsandatHisdisposal,willhavethehappiesttendencytoexcitethemostgratefulacknowledgementsofHisgoodnessinprosperity,themostcordialresignationtoHispaternaldisciplineinadversity,andthemostplacidcomposureandequanimityofmindinallthechangingscenesoflife.Inspiredwiththisdivineprinciple,weshallcontemplate,withgratefulwonderanddelight,thegoodnessofGodinprosperousevents,anddevoutlyacknowledgeandadoreHissovereignhandindaysofdarknessandperplexity,andwhenthegreatestdifficultiespress.Thiswillbeasourceofcomfortandsupportunderprivateafflictionsandtrials,andthisshallencourageourhopeinGodandtrustinHisname,underpubliccalamitiesandjudgments.Yea,howeverdarkandmysteriousthewaysofprovidencemayappear,yetnothingshalloverwhelmthemindordestroythetrustandhopeofthosethatrealizethegovernmentofHeaven,thatrealizethatanall-wiseGodisseatedonthethrone,andthatallthingsarewell-appointedforhischosenpeople—forthemthatfearHim.Thisprincipleandthesesentimentstherefore,beingofsogreatuseand

importanceinreligionunderthevariousdispensationsofprovidence,onegreatdesignofthepresentdiscourseistorouseandexciteustoareligiousacknowledgementofthehandofGodinthosedistressingscenesofMURDER,BLOODSHEDandWAR,wearemettocommemorateuponthissolemnoccasion.Thepassagebeforeus,itishumblyconceived,iswell-suitedtoconfirmour

faith,toexciteourtrustandencourageourhopeundersuchawfuldispensations,asitpointsoutthemethodofGod’sgovernmentandthecourseofHisprovidencetowardstheenemiesandoppressorsofHispeople,andthefateofthosethatshedinnocentblood;andatthesametime,representsHispeculiarcareofHischurchandchosenandtheassurancetheyhavewhenunder

oppression,ofrestorationandestablishment,andthatGodhimselfwillpleadtheircauseandbothcleanseandavengetheirinnocentblood.“EgyptshallbeadesolationandEdomshallbeadesolatewilderness,fortheviolenceagainstthechildrenofJudah,becausetheyhaveshedINNOCENTBLOODintheirland.ButJudahshalldwellforever,andJerusalemfromgenerationtogeneration.ForIwillcleansetheirblood,thatIhavenotcleansed;fortheLORDdwellethinZion.”Itisnotnecessarytoenquireastotheimmediateoccasionorliteralfulfillment

oftheprophecybeforeuswithrespecttotheparticularnationsorkingdomsherementioned.ItissufficienttoourpresentpurposetoobservethatEgyptwasearlynotedinscripturehistoryforoppressingGod’speopleandcausingthemtoservewithcruelbondage.Edomalsoismentionedasguiltyofviolencetowardsthemandexpressingamostembitteredhatredandrevengeagainstthem;andfromtheexpressionsinthetext,itisnaturaltosupposethattherehadbeensome,ifnotmany,instancesoftheirsheddinginnocentbloodintheirland.(Joel3:19–21;seealsoPsalm137:7)Israel,God’schosenpeoplehadoftensufferedviolencefromboththesestates:sothatwehavegoodreasontosupposethatbothEgyptandEdom,inthelanguageofscriptureprophecy,inthetextandotherpassages,mayintendnotEgyptorEdomonly,but(proverbially)inamoregeneralsense,enemies,persecutorsoroppressorsofGod’speople,whoviolatedtheirrightsandliberties,religiousandcivil,andbytheswordofpersecutionoroppressionshedinnocentbloodintheirland.Prophecies,especiallythosethatareormaybeofgeneralusetothepeopleof

God,arebutseldomliteral,eitherinpredictionorfulfillment.Theyareratherofusetoforeshowgreatandinterestingeventsastakingplaceintheworldinsuchtimeandmanner,anduponsuchpersons,societies,nations,orkingdomsasshalldisplaythejusticeandequityofdivinegovernmentandthepeculiarcarewhichHeaventakesofthechurchandpeopleofGodfortheircorrection,instruction,preservationorestablishment.Agreeably,St.Paulspeaksstronglyforthismethodofexplainingandimprovingscriptureprophecies,wherehesaysexpresslythat“noprophecyofthescriptureisofanyprivateinterpretation.”(2

Peter1:20)Itisthereforerationaltosupposethat,thoughpropheciesmayhavespecialorimmediatereferencetoparticularpersons,societies,nationsorkingdomsandtoeventsinwhichtheymaybeimmediatelyinterested,yettheymaybefitlyconsideredashavingafurtherandmoreimportantinterpretation,whichmaybeofgeneraluseforthedirectionandedificationofGod’schurchandpeopleinallagestotheend.Inthisgeneralsense,therefore,youwillpermitmetoconsidertheprophecyinthepassagebeforeus:andthusunderstood,itiseasytoseeseveralthingssuggestedinitworthyofourmostseriousattentionandreligiousimprovementuponsuchanoccasionasthis.Inthefirstplace,itisadmittedthatforwisepurposes,ajustGodmaypermit

powerfulenemiesoroppressorstoinjure,doviolenceuntoanddistressHispeople,andtocarrytheirmeasuresofviolenceandoppressiontosuchlengthsamongthem,astostrikeattheirlifeand“shedinnocentbloodintheirland.”AsGodistheSovereignoftheworldandexercisesHisgovernmentforthe

gloryofHisnameinthegoodofthewhole,soHehathapaternalconcernforthespecialbenefitandimprovementofHischurchandpeople.AllcreaturesareHisservants;andGodaccomplishethHisdesignsandcarriesHiscounselstoeffectbywhatmeansandinstrumentsHepleases.ItiswithHimalone,“Whoiswonderfulincounselandexcellentinworking,”tobringgoodoutofevil.WhenGoddesignsthereproofandcorrectionofHispeople,HecanexercisethisholydisciplineinvariouswaysandbyvariousmeansasshallbestanswerthepurposesofHisgovernment.Thisholydisciplineisaccordinglyexercised,sometimesbytheimmediatehandofprovidence:asinwastingsickness,parchingdrought,awfulanddesolatingearthquakesorotherjudgmentswhichareimmediatelyfromGodHimself.OrthismaybedonemoreimmediatelybytheinstrumentalityofHiscreatures;andeventhewickedandthosethatlovethewagesofunrighteousness,thatdelightinoppression,wasteandspoilorthirstforinnocentblood,maybeimprovedastherodinHishandtocorrectorpunishthesinsofHispeople.Withthisview,theoppressorispermittedtoinjure,insult,oppressandlaywasteinaland,andtocarryhismeasurestothesheddingof

innocentblood.WiththesamedesigndoesasovereignGodgivetheenemyacommissioninwar,withfireandsword,todistressanddestroy.Insuchpubliccalamities,itistrueitoftencomestopassthat,asindividuals,

theinnocentareinvolvedandsufferwiththeguiltyandsometimestheinnocentalone.Buthoweverunjustorcrueltheoppressorandthosewhothirstforbloodmaybeincontrivingandcarryingintoexecutiontheirwicked,oppressive,orbloodydesigns,theyarenootherthaninstrumentsinprovidenceandtherodinthehandofthegreatGovernoroftheworldforthereproofandcorrectionofHispeople.Thesethingshappennotbyaccidentorchance,butbythedirectionorpermissionofthatGodwhoisrighteousinallHiswaysandholyinallHisworks.WhenIsraelsinnedanddidevilinthesightoftheLORD,itissaid,“theangeroftheLORDwashotagainstIsrael,andHedeliveredthemintothehandsofspoilersthatspoiledthem,andHesoldthemintothehandsoftheirenemiesroundabout,andtheyweregreatlydistressed.”(Judges2:14–15)HencealsotheAssyrianKingisexpresslycalled“therodofGOD’sanger,”forthecorrectionofHispeople.(Isaiah10:5)AndthusEgyptandEdomintheprophecybeforeus,incommittingviolenceuponthechildrenofJudah,andinsheddingofinnocentbloodintheirland,arehelduptoviewastherodinGOD’shandforthecorrection,reproofandinstructionofHispeople.Agreeably,thisisthelanguageofajustandfaithfulGODinsuchdispensations:“hearyetherod,andwhohathappointedit.”(Micah6:9)Itmattersnot,therefore,whoaretheimmediateinstrumentsofviolenceand

oppression,orbywhosehandsthebloodofinnocentpersonsisshedortheirsubstancewastedandhabitationsdestroyed;noryetfromwhatmotivesorviewssuchactsofoppressionandcrueltyareperpetratedwithrespecttothereligiousimprovementthatGODexpectsus,oranypeople,tomakeofsuchheavydispensations.’TisGODandHishand—’tisGODandHisprovidencewhichwearefirstofallconcernedtonotice,acknowledgeandimprove.Howeverunjustoursufferingsmaybefromman,yetwhenwerealizethehandofGOD,thegreatandwiseGovernoroftheworldasconcernedherein,silenceandsubmissionisourindispensableduty,andnomurmurorcomplaintoughtevertobeheard,butwithreverenceandhumilityitbecomesustobowbeforetheLORDand,adoringHissovereignty,ascriberighteousnesstoourGOD.Neithertheinsultsofoppressorsnortheflamesofouroncedelightfulhabitations,noreventheinnocentbloodofourbrethrenslain,shouldmovetoamurmuringwordoranangrythoughtagainstGOD,Hisgovernment,orprovidence.“Shallwereceive

goodatthehandofGOD,andshallwenotreceiveevil?”(Job2:10)And“shallnottheJudgeofalltheearthdoright?”(Genesis18:25)Themoregrievouslywearesmitten,themoredeeplyweareaffected,themorecarefullyshouldweendeavourtorealizeourdependenceuponGOD,themorereligiouslyacknowledgeHishandandthemoreearnestlyreturntoHimthatsmites.Thisisthelessonofinstruction,whichGODexpectsweshouldlearnbysuchbitterdispensations,andthistheimprovementHelooksforinusandHispeopleinorderto[receive]therestorationofHisfavorandourredemptionfromenemiesandoppressorswhothreatentolaywasteanddestroy.Maythesethings,then,bedeeplyimpressedoneachofourhearts.ButIpass—Secondly,toobservethefateofoppressorsandthesentenceofheavenagainst

thosethatdoviolencetoGOD’speopleandshedinnocentbloodintheirland.Egyptshallbeadesolation,andEdomshallbeadesolatewilderness,fortheviolenceagainstthechildrenofJudah,becausetheyhaveshedinnocentbloodintheirland.HoweverjustitmaybeinGODtocorrectHispeople,andwhateverrightis

ascribedtoHimofimprovingthewicked,astherodinHishandtocorrect,ortheswordtopunishthem,yetthisaltersnotthenatureoftheiroppressivedesigns,neitherdoesitabatetheirguiltoralleviatetheircrimeinthesemeasuresofinjustice,violenceorcrueltybywhichthepeopleofGODaredistressed.ThusGODspeaksoftheAssyrianking,aprincenotedinhistoryforhisavarice

andambition,crueltyandoppression,(andinhim,oftheAssyrianstate,whosecharacterwasincludedinthatofitsking)saying,“OAssyrian,therodofmineangerandthestaffintheirhandismineindignation.Iwillsendhimtoanhypocriticalnation;andtothepeopleofmywrathwillIgivehimachargetotakethespoilandtotaketheprey,andtotreadthemdownlikethemireofthestreets.Howbeit,hemeanethnotso,neitherdothhisheartthinkso,butitisinhishearttodestroy.Whereforeitshallcometopass,thatwhentheLORDhathperformedHiswholeworkuponmountZionandonJerusalem,IwillpunishthefruitofthestoutheartofthekingofAssyriaandthegloryofhishighlooks.”(Isaiah10:5–8,11–12)Andsoitcametopass:Forthispowerthatwithsuchamightyhand,andforsolongatime,oppressedGOD’speopleandothernations,inGOD’sduetime,felttheweightoftheironyokeandreceiveddoubleforalltheinjustice,oppressionandcrueltyithadexercisedtowardsothers.Inthisandmanyothercircumstanceswithwhichhistoryabounds,itiseasyto

seethefateoftheenemiesofGOD’speopleandoppressorsofmankind.Butweneednotgofromthetextforsatisfactioninthismatter.Inthewordsofthe

prophecybeforeus,wehavethesentenceofheavenagainsttheoppressorsofGOD’speopleandthedoomofthosecommonenemiesofmankindpronounced,andthereasonthereofassignedintheclearestterms.Egyptshallbeadesolation,Edomshallbeadesolatewilderness,fortheviolenceagainstthechildrenofJudah,becausetheyhaveshedinnocentbloodintheirland.TheLORDisaGODthatlovethrighteousnessandhatethinequity,inwhatever

shapeorcharacteritappears.Injustice,oppressionandviolence(muchlessthesheddingofinnocentblood)shallnotpassunnoticedbythejustGovernoroftheworld.Soonerorlater,ajustrecompencewillbemadeuponsuchworkersofiniquity.Yea,thoughhandjoininhandinmeasuresofoppressionandviolenceagainstGOD’speople,andthoughtheiravarice,ambitionandlawlessthirstforpoweranddominationmaycarrythemon’tilltheirstepsshallbemarkedwithinnocentblood,yetcertainitistheyshallnotfinallygounpunished.Foratimeindeed,andbutforatime,suchworkersofunrighteousness,suchdestroyersofmankindmaypracticeandprosper,but“vengeanceslowisvengeancesure.”TheirwaysaremarkedbeforeGOD.TheirpunishmentanddestructionaresealedinHispresence,andthetimeishasteningwhendestructionwithoutremedyshallbetheirportion.Thetruthofthesesentimentshathoftenbeenverifiedinprovidence,andthe

proudestprincesandthemostpowerfulstateshavebeentaughtbysevere,byfatalexperience,thatdesolationfromtheLORDawaitstheimpietyofthosewhodoviolencetoHispeopleand“shedinnocentbloodintheirland.”Herethenwemayseethelightinwhichthatpeopleornationaretobe

consideredthatwalkinthewaysofoppressionandthatthirstforandshedinnocentblood.Herewemayalsoseetheruintowhichtheyarehastening,theawfuljudgmentsthatawaitthem,andthegreatreasontheyhavetofearthesentenceofheavendenouncedagainstthemintheprophecybeforeusanditsliteralfulfillmentuponthem;whichnaturallyleadsinthelastplace—Thirdly,toobserveintheprophecybeforeus,thepeculiarcareGodtakesof

HisChurchandpeople,andtheassurancetheyhave,evenwhenactuallysufferingviolenceandunderthecruelhandofoppression,ofredemption,restorationandestablishment;andthatGODhimselfwillpleadtheircause,andbothcleanseandavengetheirinnocentblood.NothingcanbemoredirectlyexpressiveofthissentimentorafirmergroundofassurancefortheconfirmationofthefaithandhopeofGOD’schosenpeopleinthebeliefofit,thanthepromiseandprophecyconcerningJudahandJerusaleminthetext.WhileEgyptand

Edom—whiletheenemiesandoppressorsofGod’speople—aredoomedtothatdesolationtheysojustlydeserve,thestrongestassurancesaregiven“thatJudahshalldwellforever,andJerusalemfromgenerationtogeneration.ForI,saithGod,willcleansetheirbloodthatIhavenotcleansed:FortheLORDdwellethinZion.”Thewordsareplainandneednocomment.Theyspeakthelanguageofscripture,factandexperiencefortheconfirmationofthefaithandhopeofGod’sChurchandchosen,indaysofperplexityanddarknessandwhenactuallyundertheinjustice,violenceandcrueltyofinveterateenemiesorbloodthirstyoppressors.Herearetwothingsfortheinducementandconfirmationofthefaithandhope

ofGod’schurchandpeopleinsuchtimesofdarknessanddistress,whicharewellworthseriousnoticeandattention.First,God’swordandpromiseinwhichHeassuresHispeoplethat,

notwithstandingtheviolenceoftheirenemyagainstthemandthedistressandsorrowtheiroppressorsmayhavecausedthembysheddinginnocentbloodamongthem,theyshallneveravailtooverthrowordestroythem;butassuredlyHispeopleshallberedeemed,andrestoredandestablishedasHischurchandpeopleinaflourishingstate.Andthen,secondly,toleavenodoubtupontheirmindsastothefulfillmentof

thisblessedpromise,agraciousGodcondescendstoexplainHimselfintheclearesttermspossible,andtosatisfythemthatnothingshouldfailofallthatHehadpromised,HeassuresthemthatHewouldtaketheworkintoHisownhandsandseetotheaccomplishmentofitHimself;thatthusitmightappeartothemandtotheworldofmankind,thattheLordwaswiththemanddweltinthemidstofthem.“JudahshalldwellforeverandJerusalemfromgenerationtogeneration:ForIwillcleansetheirblood,thatIhavenotcleansed;fortheLorddwellethinZion,”—wordswellsuitedtocheerandcomfortthesinkingspiritsofGod’safflicted,oppressedpeople,andwordswhichmightrousethefaithandgiveaspringtothehopeofthemostfeebleandfaint-heartedamongGod’speopleinthedepthofdistress.For“GodisnotamanthatHeshouldlie,northesonofmanthatHeshouldrepent.”(Numbers23:19;seealso1Samuel15:29)

“HathHepromised,andshallHenotperform?HathHespoken,andshallHenotbringittopass?”Bloodissaidtobecleansed,oravenged,whenjusticehathtakenplaceandthe

murdererispunished.Godmaybesaidtocleansetheinnocentbloodwhichmayhavebeenshedamonghispeoplebytheswordofoppressorsorenemies,wheninprovidenceHeundertakesforthem,avengestheirblooduponthemthatslewthem,andreducesthemtoreasonorruin.Theswordisanappealtoheavenwhen,therefore,thearmsofapeopleare

eventuallysuccessful,orbytheimmediateinterpositionofprovidencetheirenemiesandoppressorsaresubduedordestroyed.Whenapeoplearereinstatedinpeace,uponequitableterms,andestablishedintheenjoymentofalltheirjustrightsandliberties,bothcivilandsacred,thenmayitbesaidthattheLordhathcleansedtheirinnocentblood,andthenwillitbemanifestlyevidentthattheirGodiswiththemanddwellethinthemidstofthem.Now,ofthis,GodhathgivenHispeoplethestrongestassurancesinthe

prophecybeforeus,andtheseassurancesareconfirmedbythewordofGodtoHispeoplethroughthesacredscriptures.Sothat,thoughfortheirsinsandthemultitudeoftheirtransgressions,arighteousGodmayjustlyafflictandcorrectHispeoplebythehandofoppressorsandpermittheirmostimportantrightstobeviolated,theirsubstancedestroyed,theirhabitationstobelaidwaste,oreventheinnocentbloodoftheirbrethrentobewantonlyshedintheirland,yetstillHeistheirGodinthemidstofthemandwillreadilyappearfortheirhelpwhentheyreturnfromtheirevilways,acknowledgeHishandandimploreHismercyandassistance.ThisholydisciplineisnomorethanwhatGodhathgivenHispeopletoexpectasareproofoftheirdeclensionsandasameansofbringingthemtoasenseoftheirdependenceuponHim.SuchdispensationsaresofarfrombeinganevidencethatGodhathforsakenHispeople,giventhemup,orforgottentobegracious,thattheyarerathertobeconsideredasdemonstrationsofHispaternalcareandfaithfulnesstowardsthem.Agreeably,inHiscovenantwithHisservantDavidandHishouse,thismethodofconductisexpresslystipulatedasatokenof

HisspecialcareandfaithfulnessandoftheremembranceofthecovenantHehadmade.“Ifhischildrenforsakemylawandwalknotinmyjudgments:ThenwillIvisittheirtransgressionwiththerodandtheiriniquitywithstripes.Nevertheless,myloving-kindnesswillInotutterlytakefromhim,norsuffermyfaithfulnesstofail.MycovenantwillInotbreak,noralterthethingthatisgoneoutofmylips.”(Psalm89:30–34)Insuchvisitations,GodevidentlyintendsthebestgoodofHispeople;nottheir

destructionbuttheirreformation.AndiftheyseeHishand,humblethemselvesunderitandseekhimaright,GodwillnotfailtorememberHiscovenantandHispromisesforthemand,inHisduetime,appearinHispowerandgloryfortheirrelief.Yea,thebowelsofHismercywillbemovedattheirdistresses,andHislanguagewillbethesameasuntoHispeopleofoldwhenundertheEgyptianyoketheywerecausedtoservewithcruelbondage.“Ihaveseen,IhaveseentheafflictionofmypeoplewhichisinEgypt,andhaveheardtheirgroaning,andamcomedowntodeliverthem.”(Acts7:34)AndtoencourageHissaintsandpeopletotrustonHisnameandhopeinHismercy,agraciousGodhathmostexplicitlypromisedthemHispresence,directionandassistanceinalltheirdistresses,betheyeversonumerous,eversogreat.Hislanguageismerciful,condescendingandendearing—especiallywhenbytheprophetIsaiahhesaystohisafflictedpeople—“Whenthoupassestthroughthewaters,Iwillbewiththee;andthroughtherivers,theyshallnotoverflowthee:whenthouwalkestthroughthefirethoushaltnotbeburnt;neithershalltheflamekindleuponthee.ForIamtheLORDThyGod,theHolyOneofIsrael,thySaviour.”(Isaiah43:2–3a)FromthesepassagesofsacredwrititappearsthatasGodininfinitewisdomseesfittoexerciseHispeoplewithtrialsandafflictions,andsometimestocallthemtopassthroughthedepthsofadversity,sohehathprovidedfortheirsupportandgiventhemthegreatestreasontohopeforHispresenceandassistanceandthestrongestassurancesthattheyshallbecarriedthroughalland,intheend,rejoiceinGod,astheHolyOneofIsrael,theirSAVIOUR.Inshort,nothingcanbemoreexpressiveofGod’scareofHispeopleindistressandofthesolidgroundtheyhavetohopeforredemptionandsalvation,inHiswayandtime,whicharealwaysthebest.Wemayadd,thatfurthertoconfirmourfaithandencourageourhopeinthose

blessedassurancesofGod’spresencewithHispeople,evenintheirheaviesttrialsandgreatestperplexities,wemightsafelyappealtotheexperienceofHis

chosenineveryage,fromthebeginningtothepresenttime.Thiswillshowhoweasyitis,withaninfinitelywiseGod,tobringgoodoutofeviland,bytheover-rulinghandofProvidence,tocausethecouncilsandmeasuresofpersecutorsandoppressorstohastentheredemptionandestablishmentoftheinjuredandoppressed,aswellastobringuponthemselvesthatconfusionanddesolationtheysojustlydeserve.AndthiswillalsoprovehowtrulyapplicablethewordsoftheprophetaretoGod’schosenpeopleintheirdistressesineveryage,whenspeakingofthelargeexperienceIsraelhadhad,ofthetenderloveandfaithfulcareofamercifulGodexercisedtowardsthem,Hesaysthat,“InalltheirafflictionHewasafflicted,andtheangelofHispresencesavedthem:InHisloveandinHispityHeredeemedthem,andHebarethemandcarriedthemallthedaysofold.”(Isaiah63:9)NothingismoreevidentfromhistoryandexperiencethanGod’scareofHis

peopleandthewisdomofHisprovidenceincausingtheviolenceandoppressionoftheirenemiestooperatefortheiradvantageandpromotetheirmorespeedydeliverance.Thisappearstooplainfromvariousinstancestoadmitofdispute.ThechildrenofIsraelwouldnothavebeensoearlypersuadedtohaveleftthe

gardensofEgyptorthefertilefieldsofthelandofGoshenand,inthefaceofeverydanger,attemptedtofreethemselvesfromtheEgyptianyoke,hadnottheirburdensbeenincreasedtoanunreasonabledegreebytheviolenceandcrueltyofthosethatoppressedtheminthathouseofbondage.AndPharaohandhisarmieswouldneverhavemetwiththatdisgracefuldefeatandawfuldestructionwhichovertookthemintheRedSea,hadtheynotbeeninfatuatedtopursuetheirmeasuresofoppressionandviolenceafteritwasevidentthattheircausewasdesperateandthatGodwasagainstthem.Christendomwouldneverhavebeenrousedfromthatstateofignoranceand

darknessandslaveryitwasin,theprotestantleaguewouldneverbeenenteredintowithsuchfirmnessandresolutiontoshakeoffthepapalyokeandredeembothchurchandstatefromthehierarchyofRomehadnottheenormitiesandviolenceofthatpowerbywhichtheyhadbeensolongoppressed,rosetoanintolerableheighthandputthemupontheexpedient.1

TheunitedstatesofHollandwouldnothavebeenveryeasilyinducedtohaveopposedthepowerofSpain,whenatthemeridianofitsstrengthandglory,muchlesstohaveattemptedindependenceofthatkingdom,hadtheynotbeeneffectuallyconvincedbyalongseriesofinjuriesandoppression,andnumberlessviolationsoftheirmostsacredrights,thattherewasnootherremedy.2Britonswouldneverhaveresistedtheirkingsandflowntoarmsindefenceof

theirinvaluablerightsandlibertieshadtheynotfelttheweightoftheironrodofoppressionandtyrannyandseentheirdangerandtheabsolutenecessityofsuchresistancetopreventthetotaldeprivationofalltheyhelddearandsacredasFreemen,ChristiansandafreePeople.CharleswouldnothavelosthiskingdomandfinallyhislifeupontheScaffold,bythehandoftheexecutioner;norJamesbeenobliged,indisgrace,toquithisthroneandabdicatethegovernmentofthekingdom,haditnotbeenfortheirownviolentcounselsandmeasurestooppressandenslavethepeoplewhomtheywerecalledtogovernandprotect.Ourfatherswouldneverhaveforsooktheirnativeland,delightsome

habitationsandfairpossessionsand,inthefaceofalmosteverydangeranddistress,soughtasaferetreatfortheenjoymentofreligiousandcivillibertyamongsavagebeastsandmoresavagemenintheinhospitablewildsofAmerica,hadtheynotbeendrovefromthencebytheviolenceandcrueltyofpersecutorsandoppressorsinchurchandstate.Thehierarchyofthechurch,bywhichtheylookedupontherightsofconscienceinfringed,andthearbitrarymeasuresofthestate,bywhichtheyesteemedtheircivillibertiesabridged,ifnotgrosslyviolated,ratherthananyviewsofworldlygain(ashathbeenenviouslyhintedbysome)weretheprincipalcausesoftheiremigrationandthehopeandexpectationofdeliverancetherefromgavethespringtothehazardousundertaking.Andwhenheavensofarsmiledupontheirenterpriseastogivethemfootingin

theland;andwhen,afternumeroushardshipsanddangers,toilsanddistresses,theyhadsecuredapossessionforthemselvesandposterity,andobtainedaconfirmationofthosecivilandreligiouslibertiestheyhadsought,stillretainingafilialaffectiontowardstheirnativecountry,theyseemedtohavenothingmoreatheartthanthatAmericansmightbehappyintheenjoymentoftheirjustrights

andliberties,asmenandChristians,undertheprotectionofBritain;andthatBritainmightbeflourishingandgloriousinreceivingtheprofitsofthelabour,tradeandindustryofAmericans;andthattheconnectionofAmericawithBritainandherdependenceinthiswayupontheParentState,mighthavebeenpreservedinviolatetotheendoftime.AnditmaybeaddedthatthereisnojustgroundtosupposethatitwouldhaveeverenteredtheheartofAmericanstohavedesiredadissolutionofsohappyaconnectionwiththeMotherCountryortohavesoughtindependenceofBritain,hadtheynotbeenurged,andevenforcedupon,suchanexpedientbymeasuresofoppressionandviolence,andthesheddingofinnocentblood.But,alas!Ill-judgedcounsels!Ill-fatedmeasuresofBritainandtheBritish

administrationwithrespecttoAmerica,havebrokeninuponthepleasingsceneandfatallydestroyedthehappyprospectsofbothBritainandAmerica!Atthecloseofthelastwar,wearrivedatthathappyperiodtowhichour

ancestorslookedwithearnestexpectationastheutmostoftheirwishesastheansweroftheirprayersandtherewardofalltheirtoilsandsufferings.TheLORDweresubdued,thoserestlessneighbours,theFrench,weresubjected,andthiswideextendedcontinentseemedtobegivenusforapossession:Andwewerereadytosay,“therewasnonetomakeusafraid.”Buthowuncertainthemostbloomingprospects?Howvain,howdisappointingthemostrational,aswellasraisedexpectations,inthisimperfectstate?Scarcelyemergedfromthedangersandfatiguesofalonganddistressingwar,weareunexpectedlyinvolvedinperplexitiesandanxietiesofdifferentkinds,whichbydegreeshaveincreased’tilltheyarebecomemoreserious,dangerousanddistressingthananyeveryetfeltbyGod’speopleinthisoncehappyland.Throughthecraftyinsinuations,falserepresentationsanddiabolicalcounsels

oftheenemiesofGod’speopleandthecommonrightsofmankindinAmericaandBritain,actsofoppressionaremadebytheParliamentofEnglandinwhichwearenotrepresented,whichdeeplyaffectourmostvaluableprivileges.Inopenviolationofourcharteredrights,theseactsofunrighteousnessandoppressionareattemptedtobecarriedintoexecutioninthesecolonies.Aftervariousthreatsofcoercivemeasures,amilitaryforceissenttoenforcethem.An

innocent,loyalpeoplearedistressed,andeveryart,whichwitormalicecouldinvent,isusedtoflatterorfright,todivideordishearten,andfinallysubjectustothewillofapowernotknowntoourchartersorevenintheBritishconstitutionitself.Andasoneofthenaturalconsequencesofstandingarmiesbeingstationedinpopulouscitiesforsuchexecrablepurposes,manyoftheinhabitantsofBostonareinsulted.Atlength,underpretenceofill-treatment,thestreetsofthatonceflourishingcityarestainedwiththeinnocentbloodofanumberofourbrethren,wantonlyorcruellyslainbythosesonsofoppressionandviolence!3Uponthehighresentmentsofthepeopleinconsequenceofthishorridoutrage

andviolence,therewas,forashorttime,apauseintheirmeasures.Foramomenttheoppressorsthemselvesseemedtobestruckwiththehorrideffectsoftheirowniniquitousproceedingsandstandaghastatthesightoftheinnocentbloodtheyhadshed!Perhapstheywerenotatthattimesothoroughlyhardenedinsinastheyhaveprovedthemselvessince!Butthispauseseemedtobenottorepentoftheirevildeeds,butrathertocollectthemselvesanddevisesomemeasuresmoreeffectual:Forsofarfromgivingovertheexecrabledesign,theplanofoppressionisrenewed.Newactsarepassedtodistressandenslaveus.Thislustofdominationappearsnolongerindisguise,butwithopenface.ThestarvingPort-Billcomesforth:Gagearriveswithhisforcesbyseaandlandtocarryitintoexecutionwithvigorandseverity.Andtocompletethesceneandatoncetomakethoroughworkofoppressionandtyranny,immediatelyfollowtheBillsthatsubverttheconstitution,vacateourcharter,abridgeusoftherightoftrialbyjuriesofthevicinityindiversspecifiedcapitalcases,andexposeustobeseized,contrarytothelawsoftheland,andcarriedtoEnglandtobetriedforourlives!AsalsotheBillforestablishingthepopishreligioninCanada,contrarytothefaithofthecrownandthestatutesofthekingdom.Addtothesethings,thepeoplearetreatedinvariousinstanceswithindignity,

severityandevencruelty.And,notwithstandingeverypossibleexpressionofapeacefuldispositioninthispeople,consistentwithadeterminedresolutionandChristianfirmness,indefenceoftheirrightsandlibertieswhichtheyhelddearerthanlife,theirpropertyisfrequentlyandviolentlyseized,andeventheirpersons

andlivesarethreatened.TheinhabitantsofSalemarethreatenedwiththesword,4forpeacefullymeetingtoconsultuponmattersofimportancetothemselvesandthepublic,astheyhadanundoubtedrighttodobythestandinglawsofthecolony.AnumberofthemostrespectableinhabitantsofthattownwerearrestedandthreatenedwithimprisonmentbyGeneralGage’sorder,forcallingtheinhabitantstogetheratthemeetingaforesaid.Theprovincestoresofpowder,whichweredepositedatMedford,werealsoclandestinelyseizedbyalargedetachmentofthetroopsandconveyedwithallpossibledispatchtoBoston,aswereatthesametime,also,somefield-piecesatCambridge.5EntrenchmentsarethrownupbyGage’sarmy,andthetownofBostonbecomesagarrison,andtheinhabitantsbecomeprisonersatthepleasureofthetroops.AndnotwithstandingGage’srepeatedprofessionsofhavingnodesignagainstthelivesorlibertiesofthepeople,everythinghaththeappearanceofhostileintentionsandofthenearapproachofbloodshedandwar.6Manyinhabitantsbothofthetownandcountryaredailyabusedandinsulted

bythetroops.ThedevotionofGod’speopleintheirworshippingassembliesisfrequentlyinterrupted,andmarksoftheutmostcontemptarecastuponreligionitself.Bodiesoftroopsfromtimetotimemarchintothecountry,withaview(aswassupposed)toalarm,terrify,orawetheinhabitantstoasubmission.OntheSabbath,adayheldsacredtoGodandreligionbyChristians,whileGod’speoplewereinHishouseengagedindevotionandtheinstitutedservicesofreligion,adetachmentoftheseinstrumentsoftyrannyandoppressionclandestinelylandedatMarbleheadand,makingaquickmarchtoSalem,attempttoseizeuponsomecannonandothermilitarystoresdepositedtheretobereadyforuse,ifwanteduponanyimportantemergency:Buthappily,theyaredisappointedintheirdesignsbythespiritandresolutionoftheinhabitants,whospeedilycollecteduponthatalarmingoccasion.7Atlength,onthenightoftheeighteenthofApril,1775,thealarmisgivenof

thehostiledesignsofthetroops.Themilitiaofthistowniscalledtogethertoconsultandprepareforwhatevermightbenecessary,orintheirpower,fortheirownandcommonsafety,thoughwithouttheleastdesignofcommencinghostilitiesupontheseavowedenemiesandoppressorsoftheircountry.Inthemeantime,undercoverofthedarkness,abrigadeofthoseinstrumentsofviolenceandtyrannymakestheirapproachand,withaquickandsilentmarchonthemorningofthenineteenth,theyenterthistown.Andthisistheplacewherethefatalscenebegins!Theyapproachwiththemorninglight;and,morelikemurderersandcut-throatsthanthetroopsofaChristianking,without

provocation,withoutwarning,whennowarwasproclaimed,theydrewtheswordofviolenceupontheinhabitantsofthistownand,withacrueltyandbarbaritywhichwouldhavemadethemosthardenedsavageblush,theyshedINNOCENTBLOOD!But,OmyGod!HowshallIspeak!—orhowdescribethedistress,thehorrorofthatawfulmorn,thatgloomyday!Yonderfieldcanwitnesstheinnocentbloodofourbrethrenslain!8AndfromthencedoestheirbloodcryuntoGodforvengeancefromtheground!Therethetenderfatherbled,andtherethebelovedson!Therethehoaryhead,andtherethebloomingyouth!Andtherethemaninhisfullstrengthwiththemanofyears!Theybleed,theydie,notbytheswordofanopenenemy(withwhomwarisproclaimed)inthefieldofbattle,butbythehandofthosethatdelightinspoilandlurkprivilythattheymayshedinnocentblood!Buttheybleed,theydie,notintheirowncauseonly,butinthecauseofthiswholepeople—inthecauseofGod,theircountryandposterity.Andtheyhavenotbled,theyshallnotbleed,invain.Surelythereisonethatavengethandthatwillpleadthecauseoftheinjuredandoppressed;andinHisownwayandtimewillbothcleanseandavengetheirinnocentblood.AndthenamesofMunroe,Parker,andothersthatfellvictimstotherageofblood-thirstyoppressorsonthatgloomymorning,shallbehadingratefulremembrancebythepeopleofthisland,andtransmittedtoposterity,withhonourandrespectthroughoutallgenerations.9Butwhoshallcomfortthedistressedrelatives,themourningwidows,the

fatherlesschildren,theweepingparents,ortheafflictedfriends?MaytheconsolationsofthatGod,whohathhithertosupportedthem,bestilltheirsupport!UponHimmaytheystilldepend,andfromHimandHisgracemaytheystillderiveallneededsupplies,inthingsspiritualandtemporal;andyetmoreandmoreexperiencethefaithfulnessandtruth,themercyandgoodness,oftheGodofallcomfort.Maythosethatwerewoundedandhavesinceexperiencedthetendermercyof

thatGod,“Whowoundeth,andhealeth,andbindethup,”bedeeplyimpressedwithasenseofHisdistinguishinggoodness,thattheirlivesweresparedwhileothersweretaken;andbepersuadedmoreentirelythanevertodevotethemselvestoGod,Hisserviceandglory.Mayallinthisplacestillcarefullyremember,noticeandimprovethisawful

dispensation.Particularlyitconcerns,notonlythosewhosesubstancehathbeen

plunderedandwhosehabitationshavebeenburntbytheselawlessinvaders,butalsoall,ingeneral,diligentlyandseriouslytoenquire:whereforeitisthatarighteousGodiscontendingwithusbythefireandswordoftheoppressor;andwhereforeitisthatthisawfulsceneofblood-shedandwarwasopenedinthisplace.MaywestillhumbleourselvesbeforeGodunderasenseoftheterriblethingswhich,inrighteousness,Hehathdoneinthemidstofus.MaywealsobedeeplyimpressedwithamostgratefulsenseofthegoodnessofGod,inthatsomuchmercywasrememberedinjudgment,thatsofewwerefoundamongthewoundedandslain,andsofewhabitationswereconsumedbythefireoftheenemy,whensomanyweresparedthatwereequallyexposed.AndmaythisdayberememberedtothegloryofGodandourowninstructionandimprovement,solongaswelive.Butitisnotbyusalonethatthisdayistobenoticed.Thisevermemorableday

isfullofimportancetoallaround,tothiswholelandandnation;andbigwiththefateofGreatBritainandAmerica.FromthisremarkabledaywillanimportanterabeginforbothAmericaandBritain.AndfromthenineteenthofApril,1775,wemayventuretopredict,willbedatedinfuturehistoryTHELIBERTYorSLAVERYoftheAMERICANWORLD,accordingasasovereignGodshallseefittosmileorfrownupontheinterestingcauseinwhichweareengaged.Howfartheprophecybeforeusmaybeapplicableuponthissolemnoccasion,

andwithwhatdegreeoftruthorprobabilityitmaybepredicted,inconsequenceofthepresentunjustandunnaturalwar,“thatGreatBritainshallbeadesolationandEnglandbeadesolatewildernessfortheviolenceagainstthechildrenofAmerica,becausetheyhaveshedINNOCENTBLOODintheirland:ButAmericashalldwellforever,andthispeoplefromgenerationtogeneration.AndtheLORDHimselfwillcleansetheirblood,thatHehathnotalreadycleansed.”Howfar(Isay)thisprophecymaybeapplicableinthepresentinterestingcontest,andhowfaritmaybeaccomplishedintheissuethereof,Godonlyknows,andtimeonlycandiscover.Butofthiswearecertain,ifwe“humbleourselvesunderthemightyhandofGoduponus,weshallbeexalted,inHisduetime;”andifwerightlyimproveHisdealings,“acceptthepunishmentofoursins”andreligiouslytrustinHisname,weshallseeHissalvation.Fromwhathathalreadyhappenedintheriseandprogressandevenuntothe

presentstateofthismostinterestingconflict,wehavethegreatestreasontohopeforanhappyissueintheend.Thoughwithfireandsword,ourenemiesandoppressorshaveendeavouredtolaywasteanddestroy,andthoughtheyhavebegunandcarriedonthewarsofarastheirpowercouldenablethem,withmorethansavagecrueltyandbarbarity;yet,throughthepeculiarfavourofheaventheyhavenotbeenabletocarrytheirdesignstoeffect;yea,inmostoftheirenterprises,theyhavebeengreatlydisappointed,nottosaydefeatedanddisgraced.Insteadofawingthepeopleintosubmissionbythosemeasuresofviolenceandcrueltywithwhichtheycommencedhostilitiesagainstus,astheyundoubtedlyexpected,theirspiritshavebeenrousedandawakenedtherebybeyondwhatanyothermeanscouldhaveevereffected.And,withaunionandfirmnessexceedingthemostsanguineexpectations,theyhavearmedtodefendthemselvesandtheircountryandtorevengetheinjuriesreceivedandtheinnocentbloodoftheirbrethrenslain.AndamercifulGodinvariousinstanceshathcrownedourarmswithsuccessandvictory.Notonlytheacquisitionsatthewestward,andtheprogressofourarmyinCanada,butthepreservationanddefenseofthiscolony;andabovealltheunexpectedevacuationofthetownofBoston,whichatsuchimmensecosttheyhadfortifiedandhadsolongintheirpossession,andtheirdestroyingtheworksoftheirownhands,whichwithsomuchlabourandexpensetheyhaderected;bespeakthespecialfavourofheaventothisinjuredandoppressedpeople;andappeartobehappyomensofthosefurthersuccesseswhicharenecessarytocompleteourdeliveranceandrenderthislandaquiethabitation.MaythatGod,whoisaGodofrighteousnessandsalvation,stillappearforus,

goforthwithourarmies,treaddownourenemies,andcleanseandavengeourinnocentblood.Andmaywebeprepared,byageneralrepentanceandthoroughreformation,forHisgraciousandpowerfulinterpositioninourbehalf;andthenmayweseethedisplaysofHispowerandgloryforoursalvation.WhichGodofHisinfinitemercygrant,forHismercy’ssakeinChristJesus.

AMEN

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