That earthquakes proclaim themselves to mankind in this light, is further deducible from this observation, the _ninth_ in our recapitulation of circumstances; that they are peculiarly directed to great cities, and maritime towns, those nurseries of wealth, luxury, and of all the evils naturally flowing therefrom. It would be childish to rehearse from old history, or modern, a proof of it. We have no other notices of them. Look upon these two shocks we have here felt. We own that _Hampsted-heath_, and _Finchley-forest_, and _Kennington-common_ were affected with it; yet it is notorious, that _London_ was the center, the place to which the finger of God was pointed. And this leads us in the _third_ place, to consider the moral use and purpose of these _magnalia naturæ_, and prodigies of the agency of material causes. For nothing sure, but an electrical shock, and that from a divine hand, could have been so well adjusted, as twice, nay four times, so sensibly to shake every house in _London_, and not throw one down. This duty we will endeavour to execute, from the words of that great man, king _David_. [Illustration] PSALM xviii. 7. _Then the earth shook, and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved, and were shaken; because he was wroth._ This Psalm is a triumphal song, which _David_ deliver'd publickly before God, in thankful remembrance of the great mercies he had receiv'd; being firmly established on his throne: and all his enemies, foreign or domestick, subdued. He does not attribute this happy situation of his affairs to his own prudence and courage; but, like a consummate politician, absolutely to the mediation of the divine providence. He draws up a most grand and magnificent description of the advent of the deity, such as words never before expressed. All the heathen pictures of the appearance of their gods, are cold and lame, compar'd to this; which is deservedly so much admir'd by all criticks that have any taste for religion, as well as language. This verse, in our text, is the first movement in the scene, which was to represent the appearance of _Jehovah_, without whose interposition _David_ hoped for nothing fortunate. After describing all the pomp of light, and darkness, celestial; hailstones, thunder, lightning, and the like instances of majesty and terror, in the skies; he still keeps his eye on the ground, and concludes with the earthquake, where he began. _Then the channels of waters were seen; and the foundations of the earth were discovered; at thy rebuke, O Lord; at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils._ Our holy psalmist, at other times, has exhibited the same images, in different coloring; as a great master varies his works, to strike out all the beauties.