A fascinating pesher-like use of account of the Nehemiah story in which Porter sees a direct, indeed, prophetic connection between the deliverance of Israel and the deliverance of America and the subsequent threatenings from France. A daring piece of exegesis, to be sure. But he assures us . . .
"I have scrupulously avoided the mentioning of any thing, as an historical fact, or circumstance, which I did not find expressly recorded, or clearly authorized, by the sacred writers, or other sufficient authorities."
With this, he then intends to show that it is no mere "coincidence" or "story-bending" that makes it only seem like it is indeed a direct corollary, but is at the very least exegetically warranted, and perhaps even prophetically demanded.
He continues,
"What an instructive lesson is offered here to these United States! . . . It is highly proper that we should now take a view of of [sic] the present critical situation of the United States."
He then articulates the reasons it is proper for preaching to engage the political sphere of the nation, details the history of the Revolution, the deeds of George Washington, and notes that should it come to war with France, the American people are now ready to defend their God-given land.
Porter, Eliphalet. A Discourse, Delivered at Brookline, in the Morning, and at the First Parish in Roxbury, in the Afternoon, of the 9th of May, 1798, being the Day Recommended by John Adams, President of the United States, for Solemn Humiliation, Fasting & Prayer throughout the Union. Boston. John Russell. at Quaker-Lane. 1798. 36pp.
Good -, textually complete, but disbound. Half title torn vertically with signature of John Worthington, likely that of Colonel John Worthington of the American Revolution and namesake of Worthington, Mass. Remainder clean without the tear, but essentially disbound.