Bleſſings and continuing ſolemn Acknowledgments for them among Generations yet unborn. If any ſuch now hear me, I ſhall hope they will think the Equity of This Ordinance alſo abundantly juſtified by the following Conſiderations.
1. The cloſeneſs of the Relation between Anceſtors ſo bleſſ'd, and the Deſcendents from them. For ſurely it is contrary to Reaſon, no leſs than to Nature and Blood, to look upon our ſelves as unconcerned in Their Fortunes of any kind of whoſe Subſtance we are a part and from whence our very Life and Being are derived to us.
2. The Condition of all publick Communities. Which is, that they do not die off like private Men, but continue in that Capacity the ſame, what Change ſoever may happen to the Individuals whereof they are compoſed. And here the Body Civil reſembles the Natural, for the Particles of That too undergo daily and hourly Alterations: And yet the Man in one Caſe, and the Society in the other, is ſtill to all intents and Purpoſes One, from the firſt Moment of Exiſtence, to that of final Diſſolution. Conſequently all National Dangers, and Deliverances do really affect every Member of that Nation, as Such; in how diſtant a Succeſſion ſoever he may live from the time of thoſe publick Events.
But, Thirdly, Though ſuch Events themſelves be not, yet the Influences and beneficial Effects of them are preſent to Poſterity oftentimes in ſo ſenſible a manner, that they may in this reſpect be very truly ſtiled Perſonal Bleſſings. Thus every Iſraelite ſo long as that Diſpenſation endured, found his account in the Mercies referr'd to by the Text. And therefore the Sons and the Sons Sons were obliged to all fitting Demonſtrations of Gratitude, for the Deliverance out of the Bondage of Egypt, and the giving of ſo excellent a Law; No leſs, than thoſe Fathers, whoſe own Eyes had ſeen the Wonders of God at the Red Sea, and all the awful Pomp of his Majeſty at Mount Sinai.
For ſuch Reaſons as theſe, we may fairly preſume, God was pleaſed to inſtitute laſting Memorials of
