them the secret and inscrutable arrangements of a God singularly watchful over our destiny; the more should we presume that, under events so new, he doubtless concealeth new views, and singular designs of mercy upon our soul; the more should we say to ourselves, that he consequently meaneth us not to perish with the multitude, which is the party of the reprobate, seeing that he leadeth us by ways so uncommon and so little trodden. This singularity of misfortunes ought, in the eyes of our faith, to be a soothing distinction. He hath always conducted his chosen, in matters of affliction as well as in other things, by new and extraordinary ways. What melancholy and surprising adventures in the life of a Noah, a Lot, a Joseph, a Moses, and a Job! Trace, from age to age, the history of the just, and you will always find in their various vicissitudes, something, I know not what, of singular and incredible, which has staggered even the belief of subsequent ages. Thus, the less your afflictions resemble those of others, the more should you consider them as the afflictions of God's chosen: they are stamped with the mark of the just: they enter into that tradition of singular calamities which, from the beginning of ages, forms their history. Battles lost, when victory seemed certain; cities, looked upon as impregnable, fallen at the sole approach of the enemy; a kingdom once the most flourishing in Europe, stricken with every evil which the Lord in his wrath can pour upon the people; the court filled with mourning, and all the royal race almost extinct. Such, sire, is what the Lord in his mercy reserved for your piety; and such are the unprecedented misfortunes which he prepared for you, to purify the prosperities of a reign the most brilliant in our annals. The singularity of the unfortunate events with which God afflicteth you, is intended for the sole purpose of rendering you equally pious as a Christian, as you have been great as a King. It would seem, that every thing was to be singular in your reign, the prosperities as the misfortunes, in order that, after your glory before men, nothing should be wanting to your piety before God. It is a striking example, prepared by his goodness for our age.
And, behold, my dear hearer, a striking instance, both to instruct and confute you, when you complain of the excess of your misfortunes and of your sufferings. The more God afflicteth, the greater is his love and his watchfulness over you. More common misfor^^tunes might have appeared to you as the consequences merely of natural causes; and though all events are conducted by the secret springs of his providence, you might perhaps have had room to suppose that the Lord had no particular design upon you, in providing for you only certain afflictions which happen every day to the rest of men. But, in the grievous and singular situation in which he placeth you, you can no longer hide from yourself that his regards are fixed on you alone, and that you are the special object of his merciful designs.
Now, what more consoling in our sufferings! God seeth me; he numbereth my sighs; he weigheth mine afflictions; he beholdeth
