Page:Reflections among the monuments.pdf/8

 inviſible hand. God preſideth over the armies of heaven; ruleth among the inhabitants of the earth; and  conducteth what men call chance. Nothing, nothing comes to paſs through a blind and undiſcerning fatality. If accidents happen, they happen according to the exact fore-knowledge, and conformable to the determinate counſels of eternal wiſdom. The, with whom are the iſſues of death, ſigns the warrant, and gives the high commiſſion. The ſeemingly fortuitous diſafter is only the agent, or the inſtrument, appointed to execute the ſupremne decree. When the impious monarch was mortally wounded it ſeemed to be a caſual ſhot. A certain man drew a bow at a venture* .—At a venture, as he thought. But his hand was ſtrengthened by an omnipotent aid, and the ſhaft levelled by an unerring eye. So that what we term caſualty, is really providence, accompliſhing deliberate deſigns, but concealing its own interpoſition.—How comforting this reflection! Admirably adapted to ſoothe the throbbing anguiſh of the mourners, and compoſe their ſpirits into a quiet ſubmiſſion! Excellently ſuited to diſſipate the fears of godly ſurvivors and create a calm intrepidity even amidſt innumerable perils!

The marble, which graces yonder pillar, informs me, that near it are depoſited the remains of Sophronia; the much lamented