on all the false Oracles, and dissembled Inspirations of ancient Times.
There have been, 'tis true, some peculiar Occasions wherein God was pleased to convince the World from Heaven in a visible manner. But if we consider the Arguments that us'd to move him to it, we may conclude that such wonderful Signs are not often now to be expected.
He has either done it in Times of gross Ignorance, or in the beginning of a new way of Religion, or for the peculiar Punishment of some prevailing Wickedness: Upon the account of the two first, we have no reason to expect Wonders in this Age: Because all sorts of Knowledge do so much abound; and because we have a Religion already establish'd, against which the Gates of Hell shall never prevail.
The third time has been, when God has taken to himself, the Exemplary Punishment of some heinous Sin. From this indeed our Age is no more exempted, than it is free from those Vices that are wont to provoke the Divine Vengeance. This then we confess, that even at this present God may declare himself against the Iniquities of Men, by the supernatural Tokens of his Displeasure: But yet the Interpretation of such Punishments ought to be handled with the greatest Tenderness. For as it is said of the last and general Judgment, that no Man knows the time when it shall happen; so we may also affirm of these particular Judgments, That there is no Man who understands the Circumstances, or Occasions of their Infliction, but they are one of the deepest parts of God's unsearchable Councils.
Whenever therefore a heavy Calamity falls from Heaven on our Nation, an universal Repentance is re-
