us, by ordering fome Events to our advantage. Then did He prepare for us Salvation, and only delayed it to an acceptable Time. We may fee and admire his Goodness to us both in the MANNER and INSTRUMENT of our Deliverance, to forget which on this occafion would be to add impiety to ingratitude.

1.) The Manner of our Deliverance was fuch in fome Circumftances, that we cannot fuppofe it to rife folely from our own Wifdom and measures. For inftance,

The Mercy was delayed because we were not fufficiently prepared for it. It was unaccountable how the first information of this Rebellion fhould be treated as a romantick Thing; and that, when it made fome Progrefs, we should imagine fome few difciplined Troops fufficient to ftop it. By this it appeared, we were fecure, and leaned too much on an arm of Flesh. The firft Body of Troops was easily and entirely routed. This furnished our Enemies with arms, and encouraged others to enter into their defparate measures. But then God was pleased to permit this to awaken our Fears. Happy for us was our confternation on this Event, because it roufed us up to Union and felf-defence. That which raised our Fears, cured our Lethargy.

The

The greater part of our Troops were abroad, and in this defenceless state we were foon to receive the news of our defeat, but at that very inftant we were revived with the arrival of fome of our Forces. Winds and Weather, and every thing concurred to facilitate this Event. The Eaft wind blew, and kept its courfe long, though unusual at this season, and in fixteen hours brought the tranfports into the River. This was like a chearful light breaking through a Cloud. The coincidence of those events points out a wisdom and Power fuperior to that of man.

The infatuation of our enemies in lingering fix weeks after their victory, was really Extraordinary. In that space more of our Troops arrived, and we were putting ourfelves into a better pofture of defence, and confequently they muft have lefs hopes of fuccefs. This circumftance appears to me an evident proof of God's influencing the Hearts and councils of Men; that he does quicken or retard their measures; and restrains that Wrath, for a season which he intends for a fevere and exemplary Correction.

It was really furprizing, that, in their march through so many Counties, and through fome places, that wished well to their cause, fo few fhould join them, fcarce enough to form

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form a Regiment. The conflant good intelligence they received, fufficiently convinced them, they had many fecret friends, who by Principle and inclination were abetters of their Cause. Yet fuch was the impreffion on their minds, fuch their fufpence between hope and fear, that they durft not openly countenance them.

1

It was furprizing that those boafted warriors, and flushed with fuccefs, fhould retire to their bleak mountains with fo much precipitation. God often subjects the minds of his Enemies to fear, and strikes into them fuch a Pannick, that they flee when no man purfueth, when their danger is far inferior to their apprehenfions. They retired to those inhofpitable climes, which they hoped never to fee more, and with greater plunderings and outrages too, as men defpairing of fuccefs b. They had fome important Paffes, which they

Prov. xxviii. 1.

An inftance of their favage tempers we have in their flight from Sterling. They told the Country People that they fhould be obliged to leave part of their Baggage behind, which they might come and take. Thofe unhappy Perfons were admitted into the Church of St. Ninians, where, no fooner were they come, than they fet fire to the Magazine of Powder, and buried many in the ruins of that Church; which deftruction had been ftill greater, but that one of their trains Providentially mifcarried, Feb. 1.

they might have defended to great Advantage; but now their Terror was increased; now guilt and fear united, and drove them on to their impending Fate. Those invincible Heroes ftill retire, and cannot think themselves fafe, till they had fome Forts and Ramparts near them at Inverness.

Such circumstances as thefe convince me of a Divine Interpofure. See here our Enemies reserved, till they had tried their intereft, and collected their ftrength, for a more fignal Overthrow. The wicked are fnared in the works of their own hands. It is the Lord's doing, who ftilleth the noife of the Sea, and the Tumults of the People; who is going by terrible things in righteoufnels to answer our prayers, and fhew himself the God of our Salvation.

2.) The Inftrument of this Deliverance was also under the Direction and care of Providence, namely, that Brave, Illuftrious Youth WILLIAM Duke of Cumberland: WILLIAM, a name hateful to the house of Stuart, and dreadful to Tyrants. All men, in proportion to their Sphere, are the Inftruments of God's Providence; but Princes, whofe Actions and Conduct determine fo often the welfare of mankind, must be more

eminently fo, the objects of his choice direction and care. This appears in the present Cafe with great advantage. Here is a Royal Youth raised up by Providence to be the Happy Genius of Britains; to animate our Troops; to guard our Liberties, tnd Scourge Rebellion.

When he advanced at the head of our Troops, the enemy retired, and forgot their natural fierceness nnd intrepidity. Thofe armed with broad fwords and target, (weapons, which were imagined to be almost invincible) make long marches to keep out of his reach, and are glad to throw any Remora in his way, at Carlisle, to delay the pursuit.

The Duke drove them out of England, retook Carlisle, and reasonably prefuming they would now enter into fober Councils, and go home, fat out for London. No fooner was he at a distance, but thofe Plunderers revived in their Courage and hopes, and formed new defigns of mischief. Some Generals of undoubted experience, conduct, and courage were fent against them, and lead on Troops fuperior to the fatigues and terrors of war. The Rebels attacked them at Falkirk, but two or three Regiments fuftained their whole ftrength, and denied them the honour of a fecond

• Decemb. 30. Jan. 17.