lently ravish'd and with-held You from Him: And certainly you have had your share in sufferings. But Providence has cast upon you want of Trade, that you might appear bountiful to your Country's necessities; and the rest of your Afflictions are not more the effects of God's Displeasure, (frequent examples of them having been in the Reign of the most excellent Princes,) than occasions for the manifesting of your Christian and Civil virtues. To you therefore this Year of Wonders is justly dedicated, because you have made it so. You, who are to stand a wonder to all Years and Ages; and, who have built yourselves an Immortal Monument on your own Ruins. You are now a Phœnix in her ashes, and, as far as Humanity can approach, a great Emblem of the suffering Deity. But Heaven never made so much Piety and Virtue to leave it miserable, I have heard indeed of some virtuous Persons who have ended unfortunately, but never of any virtuous Nation: Providenceis
