,transcribed from the #agid edition by ,david ,price1 email ccx#jgdpglaf4org ,many thanks to ,kensington and ,chelsea local studies for finding this in their archive and permitting it to be transcribed4 ,picture3 ,public domain cover ,a ,,sermon ,,preached ,,at ,,kensington ,,church1 ,,on ,,june the #bith1 #agid2 ,,after ,,the ,,victory gained at ,,sea1 ,june the #ast4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,by ,,the ,rev4 ,,joseph ,,phillimore1 ,late ,gentleman ,commoner of ,christ ,church1 ,,oxon4 ,a ,,sermon4 ,,math4 viii4 #be4 ,and his ,disciples came unto him2 and awoke him1 saying1 ,lord1 save us1 we perish4 ,,in a chapter previous to that from whence my text is taken1 our blessed ,saviour1 had been preaching his most excellent sermon on the mount to his disciples1 wherein he had diffused comfort and consolation1 adding thereunto satisfaction to the whole human race1 and after having pointed out his doctrine in a very specific manner1 the many and various duties1 of a good christian2 exhorting all to follow minutely the good advice contained in his discourse1 charging them not only to be hearers of the gospel1 but doers also1 intimating therein1 that it availeth little1 to listen and hearken1 to whatever religion1 and virtue1 instruct1 direct1 and authorize mankind to do1 provided the greater and more important part1 is omitted1 which our blessed ,redeemer1 during the whole time while he was on earth1 was unweary in well doing1 and particularly exhorting all those who wished to follow him1 to imitate continually1 and that was the practical part of religion2 let us not be faint hearted1 nor profess with our lips1 and utter with our tongue1 what our heart knows we are not able to perform2 let us shew forth ,god's praises and thanksgivings1 that by being attentive hearers1 and having received the fruits of good works go forth with joy and publish the glad tidings of ,salvation1 for unto us is born a son the ,saviour of the world4 ,for every one of you shall be known by your fruits1 for every good tree bringeth forth good fruit1 but an evil tree bringeth forth evil and corrupted fruit1 and is hewn down and cast into the fire1 and as the tree is more valuable that bringeth forth good fruit to its earthly possessor1 so much greater value1 shall those men be of to their heavenly father1 who from their first entrance into life have delighted in good works and actions1 how much more shall they be rewarded in a future state of bliss1 than those1 whose evil deeds have multiplied their sorrows and sins here1 and worn out their constitution4 ,this chapter hath been reckoned by some worthy and good christians1 as the miraculous scripture1 having contained in it1 the most wonderful acts of clemency and mercy1 the greatest display of divine love and tenderness that could possibly be possessed1 and as such ,i have chosen my text1 as our blessed ,lord and ,master1 found it necessary to exhibit wonders and perform miracles as you may all observe in this place1 rather than so many souls should be lost1 let me compare the present situation of sinful men1 in these our more improved and enlightened days1 that although1 the greatest3 rewards and punishments1 are held out to mankind1 the former as an incitement and encouragement and exhortation to every good work1 and the latter as a terror to every evil and wicked one2 yet the wicked must cry out and say1 ,lord1 save us1 we perish1 remembering the blessed ,jesus1 hath born all our infirmities1 yet we have a resting place1 a rock of defence1 in time of trouble to flee unto1 we are not as our blessed ,saviour described he was1 when he said unto his disciples1 the foxes have holes1 and the birds of the air have nests1 but the son of man hath not where to lay his head4 ,i will add a few observations on our blessed ,saviour's manner of teaching1 before ,i shew the great necessity of all sinners1 becoming truly penitent1 lest they perish1 and that is first1 his manner was grave and serious1 pious and ardent1 plain and profitable2 brevity without obscureness1 gravity without affectation1 eloquence without meretricious ornament1 such was the great power and influence of ,christ's doctrine1 that it made all that heard him admirers and believers1 and caused great astonishment in their minds and reformation in their manners and had every reason to confirm these words of scripture1 we verily believe him to be the son of ,god1 for never knew we any spake1 and act1 as he hath done2 and it came to pass1 when ,jesus had ended these sayings1 the people were astonished at his doctrine1 for he taught them as one having authority2 his authority was the best1 his religion was the purest1 it breathed forth charity and love1 his love1 was visibly displayed to the whole human race1 that their souls might be saved1 his charity was exhibited in covering a multitude of sins1 and healing all the infirmities human nature endures2 even the leper was cleansed of his spots1 the paralytic received strength1 who had been grievously tormented1 and ,peter's mother in law had been cured of a fever on a sudden1 which miracles are particularly described in a preceding chapter4 ,the more we search the scriptures the better able we shall be to judge of the frailty and weakness of human nature1 and to make such observations1 as will convince all mankind1 at least the most religious and virtuous part1 that during our short and transitory passage in these earthly regions1 where there is a great mixture of good and evil1 that very often unexpected storms1 and tempests arise and we are surrounded with turbulent and violent appearances of approaching misfortunes1 and insurmountable troubles1 and may compare the present situation to the mariner1 who for a series of years must go through the threatening and dangerous scenes of chance1 either of good1 or bad fortune1 and be subjected to be tossed in the troubled ocean1 now and then beholding it serene and calm1 and very frequently becomes a witness of many distressed objects1 shipwrecked1 forlorn and apparently cast away1 neglected and deserted1 yet as he knows very well1 long ere he sets out on his prosperous and advantageous voyage1 he must place all his dependance on divine providence that he may escape and avoid all the dangers1 the restless and disturbed deep may expose him unto during his passage1 yet at the last1 through the mercy of ,god1 he may arrive at the wished for haven1 where plenty and security will protect him for his trouble1 and the service he has been of to his country by returning with those necessary supplies1 for his fellow creatures1 he left behind1 and without which the mercantile part of this creation would neither be rich or opulent in the latter part of their lives2 such1 is the great desire of gain1 and power1 and authority1 that we behold many risque and venture their lives1 some after a few years absence ruin their constitutions1 returning with opulence1 spend it in extravagance1 indulging themselves in idleness and passing their days in inactivity and lasciviousness4 ,others who have been led to search unknown countries1 and visit foreign regions for the sake of information and improvement1 and have quitted their native place for the sake of the propagation of the gospel1 and encouraging virtue and religion1 ,god grant1 they may receive the honour due unto them1 and when they return1 receive a sufficient recompence for their rewards2 all such examples as these1 those who have not had inclination1 nor have been forced to leave their domestic happiness1 and wonted societies of their youth and innocence1 owe many great and valuable comforts unto1 such is the mixture1 such is the composition of frail man1 unbounded are his desires1 various are his expectations1 some are promoted to honour1 some born to dishonour2 yet in every birth1 in every climate1 and situation of life1 more or less man is exposed to different trials1 some accidental1 some troubles1 are to be expected long ere they happen1 but then we have this consolation1 as we see the fatal and evil day approaching1 we have every opportunity1 to prepare for the attack1 and place our reliance and dependance alone on the ,almighty1 and as the storm was sudden1 and unexpected1 and terrified the disciples of the blessed ,jesus1 that even1 the sea began to roar1 and the whole ocean looked black1 and the wind to sound terribly1 and the foaming billows1 and boisterous waves rolled in upon them1 so that they verily thought they should perish1 instantly as their faith urged them to call on their all-powerful master1 he listened unto their cry of justice1 and stilled and rebuked the troubled waves1 and all was calm and quiet4 ,let me now rouse all mankind1 and particularly sinners to have a lively faith in ,god1 that they may have a due sense of his great mercies1 that as they have been carried along for a series of years1 and length of days1 in the deceitful and fallacious path of pleasure and dissipation1 they are still supported and borne up by a very feeble and slippery1 and tender prop1 and if not seriously and instantly consider their dreadful situation1 may die in their sins1 and cry out too late in the greatest misery and the bitter pangs and agonies of severe and conquering death1 ,lord1 save us1 we perish4 ,sinners delight in laying snares for the innocent and virtuous1 and encourage and invite many a thoughtless and giddy youth1 by the wages of sin1 that all the ways of ,satan are pleasing1 amiable1 and enviable1 and prosperous1 but they are deceitful on the weights2 they are lighter than vanity itself1 they are full of ungodliness and wrong1 and will haunt the wicked person even in his latter days1 to overthrow him4 ,prosperity in worldly affairs1 often makes a man think that he shall never know adversity1 and while he is supported by art and flattery1 believes it2 but this is not a life consisting entirely in prosperity4 ,man is a composition of good and evil1 and in order to escape adversity and enjoy prosperity1 he must suffer the one with patience and resignation in the early part of his life1 and as he advance forward1 he shall bear it patiently1 and supported by hope1 on his future expectation1 shall be rewarded with prosperity1 clothed and adorned with that simple and never fading dress and attire of virtue and chastity1 subduing and conquering the gaudy and presumptuous attacks of vice1 arrogance and pride4 ,this is the state of mortal man here below1 yet within him dwelleth an immortal soul1 that points out an hereafter unto him and if not very attentively modelled and particular care paid to him1 when reason first enters his tender mind1 in all probability his irregular and unruly passions being numerous will get the better of him1 and the inconsiderate actions of his younger days will bring his grey hairs with grief and sorrow to the grave1 the end of that journey from whence no traveller ever returns4 ,many there are at this present time perhaps among us1 who are living in the deceitful scenes of sin and wickedness1 and running where they would be very sorry to be told1 a very swift1 and sure race of destruction and ruin1 despising what the aged aged parent or faithful and experienced friend and companion1 hath often admonished1 never as yet having felt the timely correction of ,god1 by sickness or adversity1 but day after day rolling on1 and continually seeking the societies of the profligate1 the abandoned1 and the wicked4 ,man it is allowed1 and its true1 is formed for societies1 for intercourse1 but for such as either improve1 or inform1 the mind and understanding2 he was made and brought into the world of such noble and glorious materials1 having the image of his maker in an inferior degree1 to pass his whole time in feasting and idle talking1 spending the beginning of the day in ludicrous and unprofitable company and the latter in crimes of excessive intemperance1 excessive indelicacies and irregularities3 such my younger part of this congregation1 is too much the fashion and the custom1 and the practice of the present time1 yet it is to be hoped the young will stop their career and race1 and have a due sense of ,god's love and affection1 and call upon him in the time of trouble and need1 and at a time when he may be heard1 and that is right instantly1 for he has declared he is ever ready to listen and even willing to pardon and receive the returning and penitent sinner4 ,may you all escape divine wrath and vengeance and punishment1 beholding with your eyes1 and being fully convinced in your hearts1 of the numbers that are likely to perish1 yet may be spared1 if they will but imitate the blessed example of our ,saviour's faithful disciples in my text1 who being warned of their danger1 cried out in time1 ,lord save us1 we perish3 may sincere repentance work out your own salvation1 may you all have that timely notice1 that not one of you may perish3 may the prodigal if there is any one among you be convinced of his error of life1 and with firm resolution of amendment return to his afflicted and forgiving father3 may the adulterer miss no opportunity of bewailing his past sins1 which are of the highest degree1 implore for pardon and forgiveness3 may you all individually receive that impression in your hearts and minds1 that early repentance will get the dominion and conquer sin3 and that you may all be serene and calm when the awful and melancholy hour of dissolution waiteth on you1 and when the secrets of all hearts shall be opened and disclosed1 which to the young on the pursuit of diversion and pleasure1 may seem at a great distance2 yet man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live1 and so fast1 so fleet is the wing of time1 that we are all soon brought to the same dust from whence we are sprung1 and as the fond father in the fulness of his inexpressible joy1 received his long absent son into his melting arms1 may we be received by that tender and merciful father1 who wishes1 not even one of his children to be lost1 but all to be saved4 ,may we be worthy of his embraces who knows no bounds to pardon and forgiveness3 may ,god of his infinite mercy and wisdom inspire you all1 with such reflections on the great danger and perils of a sinful life1 that you may all arise and awake from the soporific and dark regions of sin and woe1 to a godly and virtuous life1 that by the assistance of the divine will1 all mankind may shun and escape sleeping in eternal and everlasting death1 where sorrow and misery continually inhabit4 ,to conclude4 ,let me exhort all this congregation to consider the great value1 and the inestimable blessings planted in our hearts of gratitude1 praise1 and thanksgivings1 and as ,god is entitled to it from every christian heart1 for every benefit man receives in private as well as in public1 let no one be deficient in this important duty1 and according to the advantage received1 so great1 as far as frail man is able to perform1 return it with gratitude in the best manner he is able4 ,let me prevail on you to consider devoutly1 for ,i am fully convinced you cannot help continually thinking on the great1 and signal mercies1 so recently poured down upon us1 in such a miraculous manner1 for let us be ever so powerful1 ever so skilful in any art or science1 vain is the help of man1 if the ,lord will not fight for us1 and with us2 and as it hath pleased the ,almighty to give us victory in the day of battle1 shall we be silent1 or wanting as a nation1 in every church1 or house of prayer1 where public praise and thanksgiving are to be paid1 not to express our gratitude1 and shew forth our praises not only with our lips but in our hearts2 shall we not say1 ,lord thou hast spared us from ruin and destruction1 thou hast given victory to our fleet1 and saved us from falling a captive prey3 prepare our hearts and minds with a due sense of thy power1 and inspire us with such a great degree of humility1 not to presume we have gained the most compleat and naval victory ever obtained by any nation8 but on the contrary1 that it was thy will1 that we should by thy aid and assistance1 conquer an insulting and wicked enemy1 and make him fearful of continuing in the practice of what is hateful to thee1 and destructive to mankind4 ,out of the deep1 ,o ,lord1 have we cried unto thee1 and thou hast heard us1 many hast thou spared1 and many hast thou taken unto thee2 yet scripture comforts every christian in the greatest sorrow and affliction2 blessed are they that die in the ,lord1 they shall be eased from their labour1 therefore we may conclude1 those glorious and courageous heroes who have fallen into the deep in so memorable and virtuous a cause1 they will receive a crown of glory1 and their former sins thou wilt forgive1 and receive them unto thee1 for thou hast succoured us4 ,this and every day is the day1 in which we ought to give thanks1 this is the place1 and in every place we ought particularly to commemorate ,god's mercies1 but this most particularly1 for here we ought not to have come1 without intending to perform acts of religious worship1 and as we are assembled in ,god's holy sanctuary1 let us offer our most solemn prayers individually1 in heart and voice1 confessing without him1 nothing is strong1 nothing is holy2 unto ,almighty ,god1 therefore let us1 and the whole nation1 give as our bounden duty1 praise and thanksgivings2 that it hath pleased our gracious father to stretch forth his arm and protect our fleet1 and scattered our proud and insulting enemies1 in the imagination of their hearts4 ,this is becoming every good christian1 every disciple of the ,lord1 every virtuous nation1 every regular society1 every christian parish1 where virtue and religion are particularly professed1 and as ,i hope we are such1 and have been as fortunate as the disciples mentioned in my text3 have cried out in good time1 ,lord1 save us1 we perish2 now therefore depart with these words of the ,royal ,psalmist1 not unto us1 ,o ,lord1 not unto us1 but unto thy name give the praise1 for thy loving mercy and salvation's sake4 ,happy are the people that are in such a case1 yea blessed are the people who have the ,lord for their ,god4 ,now to ,god1 c4 c4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,finis4