Page:The Philosophy of Earthquakes, Natural and Religious.djvu/52

 48 am apprehensive, were another, and another to come, they would only be less regarded than the preceding. As the Israelites, to whom miracles became familiar; as the Jews, in our Saviour's time, demanding of him to show them a sign from heaven, in the midst of the constant scene of miracles innumerable.

But 'tis my present business to call you to a due and serious reflexion, on these extraordinary events; by considering,

I. What the written word of God, the holy scriptures, informs us, concerning the ultimate purpose of earthquakes.

II. What we can learn from profane history.

III. To conclude with our text, that they are strictly and properly divine judgments; ''because he was wroth. ''

Ever since the earth began, earthquakes have been looked on as extraordinary appearances, among the prodigies of nature, and executioners of divine justice. In the case of Korah, the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up; and their houses, and all the men that pertained unto them; and all their goods.

In the miraculous victory obtain'd by Jonathon, and his armor-bearer, over the army of the Philistines, I. Sam. xiv. There was a panic terror infused into the Philistines, and an earthquake: it is call'd a very great trembling of