Good Rulers a Choice Blessing

Mr. MATHER's Election-SERMON,

1725.

At a General Assembly held at Hartford, May 13th. 1725.

THAT James Wadsworth and John Hooker, Esqrs. Return the Thanks of this Assembly, to the Reverend Mr. Azariah Mather of Saybrook for his Sermon Preach'd before this Assembly at Hartford, on the 13th of May Instant; and Desire that he give a Copy thereof that it may be Printed.

An Election-SERMON.

SOLOMON the Wise (as the Learned well observe) in the former part of our Context, is instructing Subjects with their Duty toward Rulers, Which Duty he urges upon them with many excellent Motives and Arguments to enforce their Loyalty & Obedience; and left Rulers from what he had said concerning the Obedience of the Subject, should take occasion to abuse their Power, lest they should think themselves Priviledged ones to do as they list, & become Arbitrary & Despotick: He therefore brings in a Caveat, and inserts an Admonition and puts them in mind that as Subjects may not Rebel against lawful Authority (and indeed there is no other Authority but such; there's great difference between Potentia & Potestas, Dunam • s & Exousia ) so neither may Rulers bec • me Licentious, Unjust, and Tyrannize over the Subject: Which Caution and Admonition is included in a declaration of that Dependence which is mutual between Subjects and Rulers, in regard of the good or ill State of the Common Wealth. Rulers cannot be either good or bad to themselves, but the Subjects must share in either Felicity or Misery, under them in their Administrations.

1. The Miseries of a People is briefly hinted in ver. 16. Woe to thee, • Land Woe is the • e denounced in general terms; for who, alas, can give a detail of the Mischiefs that attend a bad Government? Ill Government arising from ill Governors and Rulers, Supreme and Subordinate.

(1) Supreme; in that Clause, When thy King is a Child; Not so much in Years & Age, as Virtue, Wisdom and Understanding, Goodness and Ability.

(2) Subordinate Rulers, called Princes; a Second degree, including all lower & inferior Ranks and Orders: whose fault as a ground of the Subjects Misery is mentioned, where one or two instances implies many: Intemperance, a careless Negligence & Slothfulness, ver. 16. Spending their time in Feasting & Carowzing; indulging the Flesh when they should be Sitting in the Gates and upon the Service of the Subject, or preparing therefor, or in other necessary Business

2. We have intimation of the Happiness of a People under the Regimen & Government of good Rulers. Blessed art thou, O Land, &c. And here the goodness of such Rulers is mentioned; and one particular is Synecdochally put for many, as Pemble observes.

(1) When the Supreme Ruler the King, Rules well; is the Son of Nobles: The meaning anit of Nobility of Birth and Extract, or Nobility in Blood mainly and principally, at least, 1 King. 3. 7. But 'tis meant of Policy, Piety and Prudence

(2) As to Inferior Rulers, their goodness is set forth by their Prudence, Temperance, Care and Caution; who are men governed in all their Actions, Conversations and Administrations, by good & right Ends. That's the scope & meaning of that Phrase, of their Eating in due season, for strength and not for drunkenness; i. e. to fit and prepare them for the discharge of their Duty: Which makes way for this Doctrine or Proposition.

DOCT. Good Rulers in a Common-Wealth, will be a great Blessing to a People.

This Truth contains the Sum & Substance of our Text; and shall be Prosecuted in this Method, We shall Essay to show;

• 1. What are the Qualifications of these Rulers who are like to prove Blessings to a People, and styled Good Rulers.
• 2. The Reasons and Evidences of the Truth.
• 3. The Use and Improvement.

As for the Character, Properties and Qualifications of such a Ruler,

1. A good Ruler must be a good man. Such is the Connection between Piety & Christian Policy, that a man must be a GOOD man, in order to his being a Good Ruler; a Consciencious man, one that fears God, that walks with the fear of God before his Eyes. This is agreeable to what we have in God's Word; Exod. 18. 21. Thou shalt provide such as fear God, and place such to be Rulers. So Deut. 17. 14, 15. particularly ver. 19. which though' spoken with express reference to Supreme Rulers, yet not exclusive of Inferior and Subordinate Officers. We read 2 Sam. 23. 3▪ He that ruleth over men must be Just, Ruling in the fear of God, Civil Rulers are to be Custodes U • ri • s • ue Tabulae, Keepers of both Tables of the Law. Rulers in a Christian-Common-wealth have a Sacred Dep • situm put into their hands. And as we have all reason in the world to fear, that men whose Biass is not Grace, will do no great Service for God & Religion, so likewise that they will do a great deal of Mischief. If great men be good men, their goodness makes their greatness Honorable▪ but if they are bad men, their greatness makes their badness but the more Shameful & Dangerous. And Famous Bolton writing to a great man, tells him out of Nazianzen That never any man void of the true fear of God, can possibly be cordially and conscionably Serviceable to men on Earth; and much more to the same purpose says that Man. Such men are acted by Self-love, and governed by Self-interest at best: Seek to serve themselves, and oft want nothing but an Opportunity & Temptation to throw off the Mask; as is too often seen in Magistrates & Ministers of the Gospel too. Such men are unfit & unworthy to Rule over the Lord's People, who are unwilling to be Ruled by God himself. We read, Psal. 82.6. Civil Rulers are styled God's. They are so by Deputation; they are GOD's Representatives, Cloathed with his Image, Adorned with Majesty & Power by him▪ and shine with his Rays: But he who is not partaker of the Divine Nature and vested with the Moral Beatifying Communicable Attributes of God, anit fit to bear the Scepter of Rule & Government over a Christian Common-wealth. Shall it be said by Zenophon, That such was the Court of Cirus, That if a man blindfold should seek he could not miss of a good man? And shall a Christian People think Moral goodness no necessary Qualification for Rulers? The Father of Constantine the Great, is said to have turned off some of his Courtiers and Councillors, saying, He cannot be faithful to me, who is unfaithful to God. Pietate sublata tellitur Fides. I have oft with wonderment thought of Frederick a Gothic King and an Arian, who having a Servant that was near and dear to him, and of the Orthodox Faith; but turned Arian, hoping thereby to please his Master and recommend himself to his more peculiar Favor; the King his Master coming to understand it, most severely Punished him; commanding suddenly, Capite multari, giving this for his Reason (as he abovesaid) Qui non, &c. He that would not be faithful to his God, I cannot expect will be so to me. And to talk of men's being good Common-wealths men and fit to bear Rule over Religious People, and yet they not be men of Religion, is to talk at Random, without Reason or Religion. He that is not a good man or but only so, can never be a good Ruler, says Fuller. But this anit the only necessary Qualification.

2. Knowledge & good Understanding is another Qualification that fits men for Rule. And indeed without this, men will be but Cyphers. They who Rule should be Knowing men in the nature and end of Government, and the Laws which ought to be the measure and boundaries of their Rule and Government. An Ignorant man may chance to do Justice, but much as the Blind man hits the mark: There is great hazard that either he prove rash & precipitant and go beyond the Line, or else thro' fear or cowardice he fall miserably short; and so the best of Causes may be miserably betrayed 'It is especially dangerous when Un-skillful men sit Judges in heavy & weighty Cases. Many times thro' the cunning Craft and Subtlety of learned & studied Lawyers, Judgment fails and falls in the Gate, and poor People lie under the weight of Oppression and Injustice; and all under the pretence & color of Law (would to God it be never the miserable state of this Land) I shanit pretend to tell you the minimum quod sic, of Knowledge necessary; but 'tis certain that the lower degrees will not make men Strong Rods to Rule. There will be Seasons which call for good Hearts and the best Heads; and a strong head & good heart together, make a good Ruler: And this head p • ece seems to be what God expects. See Exod. 18 21, 25 Able men. Ver. 20. Men of Study, men Taught & Learned. In Deut. 1. 12 'tis said, Take wise & understanding men. And without this, however honest & well-meaning, 'tanit at all probable they'll do much to promote the welfare of a People.

3. Prudence & Discretion is another necessary Qualification. Good Rulers will be discreet in their Administrations and Government. Wisdom will guide their Tongues Heads & Hands too. Men who in the Executions of their Powers, will distinguish between Cause and Cause, Men and Men, Times & Seasons. Such we read of, in that 1 Chron 12.32▪ Men that had understanding of the times, & know what they and Israel ought to do. Those, 'tis said, mere the Heads & Rulers of the People. Prudent men who consult the State & Condition of the People. What Laws to make what Penalties to affix, what Severity to use, when to brandish the Sword of Justice, and when to sheath it in the bowels of Offenders; they distinguish between such Thick S •• ll'd Transgressors, whose hardiness make it necessary to brighten and sharpen the Sword, and to smite with redoubled force, and such upon whom a Frown will make due impression. They know how to distinguish between the Letter & the Meaning of the Law Men's, ratio or finis Legis est Lex, not Litera. Rulers ought to suffer their Zeal to rise and to assert the Dignity of their Post; but this Zeal is to rise or fall as occasion serves: They are Discreet men, Gen. 41. 3 • Such guide their Affairs with discretion. David one of the best of Rulers was such, Psal. 101. So 112 5. They'll be men not heady and giddy, self-confident and conceited, but men willing to take the best Advice and Counsel in matters of Weight and Consequence: Prov. 1. 7. 'It is a part of Folly to despise Counsel & Instruction. A Prudent Ruler will endeavor to intermix Judgment with Mercy. 'It is observed, in Prov 16. 12. 'It is said, that the throne is Established by Righteousness. Yet Chap. 20. 28. 'It is said that Mercy and Truth preserve the King, and that his 〈◊〉 is Upholden by Mercy. He that is a Mortal God, should remember when he sits upon the Seat of Judgment, that he Represents that GOD who in Judgment remembers Mercy. I remember I have read of a King, sitting out upon rule & Government, asked a Counselor how he should do to best manage the Affairs of his Government? He took a piece of Paper and wrote on the top middle and bottom, M • de-ratio; Prudence and Wisdom carries Rulers between the Two Extremes, Indulgence and Severity, which is the best, if not the only way to Rule quietly, safely and successively. The old rule is, Legis Extremitas est Severitas.

4. Courage and Resolution is another Article. Good Rulers must be bold and resolute men, whose Front is well-steeled. Such who fear not the face of Man in a good Cause: Such men having forementioned Qualifications, will be Strong Rods indeed. Judgment and Justice shall run down like Waters, & Righteousness as mighty Streams. They'll break in upon the lines of strong and heady Opposers, and will not be beat out of Countenance, or removed from the Seat of Justice by Vice however rampant. They fear not to sit in the Gate, though' confronted by bold and daring Sinners: Nor can they be baffled and run down by bare-faced Impudence. Their Iron Sinew must either bend or break. Joshua was once and again bid to approve himself such an one; to be Bold and of good Courage and not Fear See Josh. 1. 6, 9, 18. Men of a cowardly truckling & mean Spirit, will do but little Service; but will oft be out-faced in the Execution of Justice, Clear Heads and stout Hearts, says Henry, make good Rulers and Judges.

5. Another Qualification is an Anti-worldly Spirit. They should be such by rights: Men that hate Covetousness. Gen. 18. 21. Men of a Generous and Noble Contempt of Worldly Wealth: Not only such who seek not Bribes, but such who Abhor even the very thoughts of it. That man anit fit to Rule, who donit despise the gain of Oppression and shake his hands from holding Bribes, Isa. 33. 15. God complained of such of old, who Judged for a Reward, Mic. 3. 11. Chap. 7.3. The Reward which a Jealous God will give such is very sad. 'It is verily a sad time, when a poor injured People cannot have Justice done them, without an extravagant Feeing & Bribing the more principal Judges, Lawyers and Attorneys. Shall such Represent that GOD who tells us, He Judges not for a Reward Deut. 10. 17. It brings to mind a bold, yet deserved stroke of Catulus, meeting the Roman Judges returning home, after they had Acquitted Clodius a great Malefactor; You, said he, do well to be well Guarded for the Safety and Security of the Money you took for Bribes. A good Ruler will not only hate such Practises in himself, but will be careful to have no hand in Advancing others of such rottenness to Places of Honor & Dignity. They look on such Gain, but as a Cankering Rust; and esteem a Little well-gotten, better than Treasures gotten by Iniquity and Oppression. They are such who admire the Life of Famous Judge Hale.

6. A Public Spirit is an Excellent Qualification in a Candidate for Rule: Such I mean, who have the Public Interest lying near to their heart; that bear the Burden of it about with them from Day to Day. Such men the Interest of the People, is the greatest thing in the world with them. We read, when Samuel made a Feast for Saul, 1 Sam. 9.24. The portion he sent him, was the Shoulder: If there's in it any Allegorical sense, as some acute Schoolmen imagine, it may intimate the Weight of Government; and that a People's Interest should lie near to a Ruler's Heart; and the need that Rulers have of strong Shoulders, a Generous Noble Spirit. A Narrow▪ Contracted, Selfish Spirit, is unbecoming men in Public Capacity.

7. If a good measure of Activity and Zeal may be but added, we shall have a Ruler of Consummate Excellency indeed. And verily without this, he will be but too heavy molded to move regularly in this Orb and Sphere. Civil Rulers should be made of the best Metal: Not Tin nor Lead, the one is too Flex-able, the other too Fragil▪ Rulers should be men of Sense and Feeling; that can be red hot when there is occasion for it, as the word signifies, Rom. 12. 11. Fervent. 'It is true, Men that will appear in a declining day with a distinguishing Zeal for Justice and Piety, shall be stigmatized & reproached, as hot Headed and Rash men: but this should not abate their Zeal, but rather increase it. They should be Cloathed with Zeal, as the Phrase is, Isa 59▪17 Phineas was Commended for his Zeal, and highly Rewarded too, Numb. 25. 11, 13 Natural Temper may be a great help to a man, but when Nature and Grace concur, a man may do great things I forbear adding, and proceed to the Reasons.

1. The First Reason and Evidence, Such Rulers are like to answer, in some good measure, the Ends of Civil Rule & Government. A good Ruler, says Fuller, is one that looks on Salus Populi, to be Maxima Charta He owns what Cicero said, that Salus Populi est Finis imperii; The great subordinate End is the Public good; the Means and Laws of Government must be calculated to work and bring about that End & Effect. And a good Ruler knows these Maxims are not only founded in Nature, but expressly asserted in God's Word: Rom. 13.4. He is the minister of God for good. A Peoples good is the End. A good Ruler will study the Interest of the Common-wealth, and will not suffer any Private Views to come in Competition therewith: All shall be Sacrificed to subserve the Public. He's one that has a Compassionate Regard for those of his Charge. Hence they are compared to Fathers and Nursing Mothers, Isa. 49. 23. In the Book of Judges we find when Barak was ordered by Deborah the Prophetess, to Levy Forces and Oppose Siserah, Barak refuses • nless she will go with him, though' he knew her Presence would bear away the Trophies of Honor and Eclipse his Glory, when he should be crowned with Success, One makes this Observation upon it, that Barak was one that valued more the Success of the Enterprize, than his own Honor; having more at Heart the Public Good than his own Honor. And 'tis observed, That a Saul before the Spirit of God departed from him, will be in distress for his People, 1 Sam. 11. 5. Henry' s Note upon it is, That good Rulers will be in Pain, when their Subjects are in Tears. There will be a readiness in such Rulers to do even the best and all they can for the Subject. 'It is an Ahasuerus and an Haman, that can sit down to Eat and Drink when the City Shushan is Perplexed. A good Ruler cannot look on himself Happy, unless the Subject be so too. Good Rulers consider well that their Peace, Prosperity & Success, much depends on their interest in the hearts of the People: Therefore they will endeavor to suit and please the People what they may and can A Condescending Spirit is no unbecoming Qualification in a Ruler. 'It is taken Notice of by the Historian, to the honor of Trajon the Emperor, That once when mounted for Battle, he dismounted his Horse to hear the Complaint of a Poor Woman, that Cryed to him for Justice. 'It is Chronicled of our Edward the VI th. That he would appoint certain Hours to set with the Master of Requests, to see a Dispatch given to the Causes of the Poor. They that can pass by the repeated Cries and Complaints of the Subject and not take Notice thereof, have not the good Nature of the Unjust Judge. Good Rulers in their Exalted Station, think it not too low a stoop to do Service for God and their Country. 'It is no ways inferior for a Governor to step into Inferior Courts, or into the Place of a Justice of Peace, to take care that Justice be done, and the Laws Executed, when Necessity calls therefor. Dignity of Place Excuses not from Extensiveness of Service. Excellent Mr. Henry Observes, That when the Holy Ghost is about to give an Instance of Solomon' s Wisdom, a Proof is not fetched from the Mysteries of State, or the Policies of the Council-Board; but from the Trial & Determination of a Cause between Party & Party. And observes, That though' Princes devolve such Business upon their Judges, yet they ought not to think it a matter below Themselves to take Cognizance of Solomon the King patiently hears what the Parties had to say, the Case Opened, not by Lawyers, says he, but the Parties themselves, and then gives Judgment He did not divolve the Cause upon Inferior Officers; He himself will see Justice done, though' a great King.

2. Such Rulers will have the Presence of God with them As good Rulers will be in a good measure Faithful to their Trust, so God will be with them to Guide, Prosper and Succeed them; and may if they will, many times, do a great deal of Service. The Promise made to Saints, in Psal. 1. 3. Whatsoever he doth shall Prosper, Extends to the Civil Ruler in the faithful Endeavor to discharge his Duty, as well as to men in a Private Capacity; 2 Chron. 15. • So in that 1 Sam 18. 14. It is said, David behaved himself wisely in his ways, and the Lord was with him▪ In 2 Sam. 8. 14. 15 It is said, That David Executed Judgment & Justice to Israel, and the Lord Preserved or Prospered him whither soever he went▪ 1 King. 2. 1, 23. Altho' Civil Rulers may sink far below what they could wish or desire, yet their Labors shall be Rewarded, and oftentimes with good Success. It is observable at how low an Ebb Religion, good Order run of old in he Days of Bad Kings, and how they revived in the Reign of Good Kings.

3. The very Examples of such Rulers will do much good, many times, among a People. Examples are very taking: They are oft more Influential than Precepts. The Heathen Seneca was wont to say, •• us Exemplis quam P •• aeceptis Vivimus. But 'tis especially true of the Examples of great Men, Magnates magnetes. It is true the III Examples of such will have most Followers: Many will be exceeding ready to take Advantage of anything that looks like Ill in such men, to the hardening themselves in their Sin; and so greedy are many of such Advantages, that they censure the more innocent Practises of great Men, and put an ill Face on Innocency to justify themselves in what is real Vice. If Ministers and Magistrates do now and then make an innocent Visit to the Tavern, some men will look on themselves Excused, if they sit & Tipple, & spend a great part of their Time there. It is lamentably true. That ill Examples of such men will Corrupt not a few. We read of Manasseh, that he made Judah to Sin, 2 Chron. 32.9. Which as Divines observe, was done much if 〈◊〉 more by his Example than by his Commands. I say that good Examples and bad will have their Influence. The Maxim of old Claudianus has truth in it, Regis ad Exemplum totus Componitur Orbis. The Historian observes to the Reproach of this Nation, That It changed her Religion Four times in Twelve Years. Great Men, says Trap, are the Country Peoples Looking-glasses, by which they Dress themselves. Both the Fashions & Religion of the Court will have their Influence. One observes, that when Crispus the Chief Ruler of the Synagogue believed, many of the Corinthians believed also, Act. 18.8

4. Good Rulers will prove Gap-men. They will be a good Defense many times to a People, and a Means to keep off heavy & awful Judgments. It may be said of them as of him, 2 King. 2. 12. They are as the Chariots & Horsemen of Israel. True, it may come to that, That God may say as of old, Tho' Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my Face cannot be toward this People, Jer. 15. 1▪ And, Woe to such a People. Yet tis oft better times with a People and a very few may prevail with the Lord to spare & turn away from the fierceness of His Anger. It is agreeable with God's wonted manner of the Government with a People, when good Rulers stand up Zealously in Pleading the Cause of God, God regards the People for their Sakes One Zealous Justice in a Place, may do a great deal to avert awful impending Judgments. One Phinehas of old turned away the Wrath of God from the Lord's Professing People. See Numb. 25. 11. So it was in the case of Achan, so soon as Joshua does Justice upon Achan, God's Anger ceases towards the People The Prayers and Intercessions of men in Public Capacity, are very Prevalent with God: God oft hears the Prayers and Cries of such on the behalf of a poor People, and spares them for the sake of Pious Rulers. If Pious men in a Private Capacity may do much to Save a People, much more may men in Exalted Stations, if good, do to Save a people from Public Calamities.

The APPLICATION followeth.

USE, I. Of Information and Instruction, in sundry Branches.

1. Learn hence the great Privilege of People in an Elective Government: A Government where People have the Liberty of Choosing their Rulers, such a Government as this Colony is Favoured with. It is much to be feared, we have many who are weary of their Privileges, & are willing to part with them, yea to cast them away. Some who are men of restless Spirits & hanker after Novelties, Nova Placent. Some of an haughty, self-conceited, aspiring Humour, that long for Advancement. Some again are Crossed in their pretended Interest, and upon a Revolution, hope for a Reparation. Others again of a mean low Spirit who Cry out of heavy Taxes. Were we under Oppression, what Government under better Advantages to Redress its Grievances, than where they choose their own Governors & Rulers, & from among themselves? It is well known that our Privileges are of great Value & Worth in the Eyes of other Governments, and we Envied on the account of them, by Men and Places not now to be mentioned. It is pity that CONNECTICUT who Enjoy them, should Undervalue them. It is our Abuse that gives all the reasonable grounds of Uneasiness. It was of old accounted a great Privilege, not to have Strangers set over a People, but such as were of their Brethren, Deut. 1 • . 15. It is one of the Privileges spoken of, Jer. 30. 20, 21. That their Governors & their Nobles should proceed from the midst of them. And where so likely as in a Government which may choose their own Rulers?

2. Then 'tis a Calamitous Time & a Dark Day with a People, who are Governed by Bad Rulers. If it be an Happy Time with a People under good Rulers, it must then be the Reverse under bad Governors. Such will become Grins, Traps & Snares, and bring a great deal of Mischief upon a People. Little good can be Expected from them, but a deal of ill. It was a sad time with them of old, under such Rulers, mentioned, Isa. 59. 14, 15. Judgment is turned away backward, Justice standeth as far off; Truth fails in the streets, & Equity cannot enter; when he that departs from Evil makes himself a Prey. It is a sad time with a Land, when wicked men are Exalted, Psal. 12. 8. Sin will in a little time (without a glorious Revolution) walk bare-faced through the Streets & ride in the black Chariot of Insolence, and the Land shall Mourn; the Sparks of God's anger will be enkindled to a Flame that would not soon and easily be Quenched: Yea there's great hazard lest the Sluices & Flood-g •••• be plucked up and an Inundation of Mi ••• y break in. It is a dreadful sign of God▪ Anger, when he gives over a People to be Ruled by such Men. Rulers have many times by their Male-administration, a great hand in pulling down the Judgments of Heaven upon a People. A People may be punished for their Rulers Sins. There are many signal Instances and Examples of it on Scripture Record: Particularly that of David, whose Sin in Numbering the People, brought down Mischief upon the Head of the People. Some indeed suppose David' s Sin but the Occasion and their own the procuring Cause; but Famous and Acute Alsop, somewhere smiles at such an Opinion. Civil Rulers are Representatives & Common Parents, and their Sin may many ways redound to the hurt of the People. Families are ruined by Sin & Kingdoms too, ruined by the Heads of them. If great Men do wickedly, they involve many others both in the Guilt and in the Smart: They go to hell with a large Train. See Henry on 1 King. XIV. Chap.

3. Then it must follow, that the Removal of Good, Able, Faithful Rulers, brings matter of Lamentation to a Bereaved People. It is a dark Day with such a People; Especilly so, when there is little prospect of a Reparation of Breaches. It was a sad time with them of old, when it was said, Tho' she had had strong Rods to Rule, & her Stature was Exalted, yet it came to that, She was plucked up in fury, Ezek. 19. 11,—Such Cases can scarce be too much Bewailed. It is a Day in which an Angry God is calling us in this Government to Lamentation & Mourning. What shall we say? We are come a'most to a stand. The Lord has been writing bitter things against us and has given us wormwood & gall to drink The Roll that God has written, has been full of Lamentation & Mourning & Woe, Ezek. 2. 10. None of the least of the Frowns that appear in the face of God's awful Providence, is that of his plucking up our Stakes & pulling down our Pillars. Many of the Stars which not long since shined bright and with great luster in their Orb, are either Removed or Eclipsed, and our Hemisphere is darkened. Among others that are Removed, our SALTON-STALL is one, a Man TRULY Great. In the Day of his Removal, it might be said, as in the fall of Abner, 2 Sam. 3. 38. This day is a Prince & a great Man fallen. A Man who shined with distinguishing Excellencies in every Station. All Strangers to him at their trials found him a man of unexpected Affability, and every way a Gentleman. View him where you will! Walking in his House and when under the greatest Trials, in Patience & self-Command, Uncommon. Eye him at the head of his Troops, and you will see Mars shining in his Luster and Glory. When on his little Throne surrounded with his Councillors, he was their Oracle; and his word gave Law to most. His Countenance intermix'd with Gravity & Complacency, which Charm'd & Commanded the Admiration of Beholders. His Frowns were more than a match for the daring & impudent. Some have thought him Comparable to Argus King of Peloponesus, for his singular Sagacity & Circumspection; to Berianeus, for his Dexterity and Prowess; to Bringarius, for Knowlege, of whom tis said, He knew all things Knowable. His Death carries one thing Remarkable in it, which I'v thought much of; the Deaths & Mortality which preceded & followed it, which made us call to mind, what is Recorded of King James I. viz. As if a King should not want his Train, some to usher on before, & others to follow after. Such a Mortality of Nobility & Commonalty attended, the like was scarce ever known in this Kingdom. If any were ready to Magnify his Imperfections, let 'em know, that the greatest & best of Men have their Butt's. As for his Superior Excellencies, what are imitable let us follow, what above our reach, let us admire; and as becometh, let supposed Infirmities be covered with the mantle of Charity & a most candid Interpretation. Elias himself was a man of like Passion, &c. The greatest of Men are but men, & he that looks for more of any, abuses both him and others too.

4. Then let this teach a People privileged with good Rulers, the deep Obligations & Engagements they are under to Gratitude & Respect. It becomes them upon their bended Knees to acknowledge God's Favor & distinguishing Benovelence to them-ward. It is owing to Him that such Rulers are set up among a People, Prov. 8. 16. He tis that sets up one & pulls down another, Psal. 75. 7. And God might have set up such as would have been a provocation to Him, stirred up his Anger and Displeasure. God sometimes gives Governors & Rulers in Anger, Hos. 13. 11. God should be Acknowleged when he gives them Rulers after his own Heart.

There's an Obligation of Respect due to good Rulers themselves too, from a People. A People are bound to reverence & obey such. To do all they can to strengthen their hands & encourage their hearts. Men should not indulge themselves in mean & low though'ts of Rulers, or their Office-work. They should likewise cheerfully & liberally Support them in their several Relations, and Reward them for their good Services. To do otherwise is base Ingratitude both to God and Man. A base & niggardly Spirit is far from an Honor to a People so privileged. A good Governor should eat the Bread of a Governor, Neh. V th. Chapt.

I shall take leave in the Next Place, to Address myself to those in Highest Station & Relation, the GOVERNOUR & DEPUTY-GOVERNOUR, Honorable & much Honoured.

Sirs, It must be owned to be a dark and gloomy Day, in the which a glorious and merciful God, is Advancing You to the Head of Rule & Government among us. It cannot be denied, the holy God has many ways weakened our hands, and has made breach upon breach, as was said, Job. 16. 14. And we have been ready to say, Our breaches are wide even as the Sea, who can heal us, Lam. 2. 16. And that our wounds were even incurable.

The People over whom you Rule, are many of them Giddy and Head-strong, and a Levelling Spirit prevails among us. Therefore your Province will be difficult, your Work and Business great, which will be enough to fill Heart, Head and Hands too. This will be discouraging; let it not be sinking. Your Honors know the near affinity between Honos and Onus. Honor has its burden. Antonius would say, Imperium est Oceanum malorum, He that Ruleth is in a Sea of Evils. But we trust you will never have reason to say, as one did, Felix si non imperitassem, Happy had I been had I never been a Ruler. Be on the side of God, and He will be with you, 2 Chron. 15. 2. And he can make Mountains to become Plains before you. And suffer us, much Honoured, to tell you, that we cannot but conceive Light arising out of thick Darkness, & that our joy must supersede our well nigh overwhelming Sorrow & Fear, when we see your Honors at Helm in our lacerated and distracted Government, & in the midst of our intricate Affairs. We come not to Salute your Honors, Dictis Phe • eratis, &c. and with gaudy Elecutions and fulsome Hyperbolies & Flatteries; remembering what's written▪ Joh 17. 5. & 22, 21, 22. But with all Plainness and no less heartiness & integrity, we congratulate your Honors, (we'll adventure to say) Happy Advancement: And we are big with hopes of seeing you, in a comfortable measure, the Repairers of our Breaches, and trust that under the conduct of your Wisdom, we shall • ear no complaint of Arbitrary Power & Desp •• ick Proceedings among us. Sirs, You are under great and deep Obligations to Faithfulness. The Eyes of God and man are upon you. Suffer not your Friends of raised Expectations, to be shamed. There's a Day of Account for the God's of the Earth; a Day when the Highest, must stand upon a Level with the meanest▪ Page, the Prince on the 〈◊〉 with a Beggar on the Dunghil • : The King must be divested of his Royal Robe • ▪ 〈◊〉 by his distinguishing Characters, & stand at the Bar with the meanest Beggar, Psal. 82. 6, 7. Death i • a great Leveller. If, much Honoured, you are found Faithful to God & man, a massy Crown will make you forget all your Pains here. And 'tis what we humbly bow before our LORD & JUDGE for, & beg that though' our Gold be changed, it may not become Dim, nor our Salt loose its savor. Amen.

The Exhortation follows to such as shall be our Rulers in Civil Place, the Year ensuing; particularly, the Members of our Great & General Assembly, Honorable, Worthy & highly Respected, Suffer the Exhortation which firstly appertains to you, Labor to approve yourselves good Rulers over this the Lord's Heritage in your respective Places & Capacities: Such as shall be Blessings to them; such who shall give them abundant cause to Bless God for you. And here, though' much has been handed down from this awful Desk, by better heads & hands, on like Opportunities, yet I may not be wholly Silent, & beg leave with freedom & Liberty, to offer a few things.

1. Let Reformation-work be one of the main Articles in your Consultations. (And, Oh! that it might lie with due weight upon you) It is, I hope, beyond Controversy, to many, (would to God, I might say, to all) that the Holy and Jealous God has a Controversy with this Land; God is writing bitter things against us in such fiery Characters, as methinks, should make them Legible & Obvious to all. Our Righteous God is many ways testifying his Displeasure against us & we cannot expect the removal of God's Anger without Repentance & Reformation. see Josh. 7. 12. Hos. 5. 12, 14, 15. And 'tis the important Duty & Interest of everyone to say as they, Lam. • . 40. Let us search our ways & turn to the Lord our God. But no small Article in our Malady, is a Spirit of Insensibility. Some are so Sottish as to own no great reason for Reformation: They think it fares as well with us now, as Forty or Fifty Years ago; and that there's as much Religion now as then, in Proportion to the Number of the People. They are ignorant men and objects of Pity. But among such as own the great need of Reformation, there is a great deal of Division: They are not agreed what 'tis that is the Achan & Troubler of our Peace, or what Sins are the incendiaries, and that blow up the sparks of God's Anger into so high a Flame. Sirs, It is by so much the more your Work & Business, to study and consult where and how to begin & push forward a Reformation. It is the important Duty of Magistrates & Ministers jointly to Engage themselves in this important Affair. And, Oh! That our Civil Rulers would in their respective Capacities, seriously and solemnly Consider what might and ought be done in this our Day • ▪ I am persuaded great things might be done. Good Rulers when in good earnest, have oft done great & good Services. Hezekiah, Josiah & others are Instances of it. Tho' they cannot change the Heart, yet they may and can reform the Life. They cannot Mortify, yet they can Curb & Restrain the Corruption and ill-manners of a People in good measure and degree. Sirs, Your Cries to God for us & a distinguishing Zeal, becoming your Character, might have glorious Effects. If the People Perish, let not the fault lie at your Doors. And know that God looks on you as Guardians to His and his Peoples interest, and expects much from you.

2. Let us have Laws Necessary, well Explained and Enforced.

(1.) Sharpen the Sword of Justice as there shall be occasion. Let Penalties affixed be proportioned to the Offence & the Aggravations thereof. It is a great blemish to a Christian Common-wealth, when lesser Crimes are more severely Punished, than higher and greater Offences. I fear, that in some cases wherein the Name of God & the Interest of Religion are more especially concerned, there wants greater acumen and keeness: The penalty which may be Sufficient to restrain a Vice in one Age, may be much too Low in another.

(2.) It might be well if some especially, of our Laws were mended and Explicated, and it might hopefully be done to good Purpose in many Instances. 'It is much to be feared that many Officers, Grand-jurors & Justices too, are many times wretchedly short in their Duty. And when we Consider the Solemn Ty's of the Oath of God upon them, we are Loth to account for their gross Defects in any other way than this, of assigning for the grand Cause thereof, their Unacquaintedness with the Nature, Sense and Meaning of the Laws. 'It is pity but that they might be helped.

(3.) Let me humbly recommend to your Serious Consideration, whether some more Effectual method ought not to be taken to give Force to the Laws and invigorate the just Execution of them, at Least, in many Instances. May not a Severer Penalty for the Neglect of Inferior Officers be of great Service? 'It is beyond Contradiction, that Vice grows, notwithstanding our good and wholesome Laws; the Laws Slighted, Baffled and Neglected. Intemperance, Tavern-haunting, Sabbath-breaking and Uncleanness are very Common. Sailing & Travelling upon the Lord's Day, too much connived & winked at, which Crimes are worthy your Notice, & if not obviated & reformed, 'tis more than feared a Fire will be enkindled that will not be quenched, as we may see by Jeremiah 17. ult.

3. Then let me entreat that Care be Conscientiously taken, that such and only such be Invested with the Executive Power, who are most likely well and vigorously to put the just Laws in Execution, according to the true intent & meaning of them. Suffer not such to be Commissionated and Betrusted with a Business of such importance, who have shewn themselves but as Cyphers, or who have been Unskilful, or proved themselves as Unfaithful in times past, till amended. 'It is a great & unknown Injury when men Unqualified are Exalted. A Secular Ruler (says How ) in his Living Temple, pag. mihi, 262, 3. is set up and established purposely for the Good of the Community, as the more Principal End of his Constitution. The People are not formed for him, but he for them. And the Administration of Justice is a Public & Common Right wherewith he is entrusted. And his Neglect is a Violation of Public Justice. 'It is a wrong done to the Community and will be of ill-Consequence. Let such as are likely to answer the End of such a Post be Advanced, & always Encouraged.

3. Study Unity and Peace. Let there be Peace, as much as Possible, among yourselves. Good Agreement in the Court is a good Sign, and the contrary bad. I remember Excellent Mr Henry says, Ill Practices in the Country, will never be Suppressed there, while they are Supported in the Court. Study Peace at home and then endeavor it, what you may among your People. Divisions, Animosities in Courts, Prove costly to them & the People too: A Kingdom divided, &c. cannot stand. Mat. 12. 25.

4. Let me humbly Pray that due Care be taken of the Gospel Ministry. When I came to this Topic, I was brought to a stand, and Considering how invidious a Theam 'tis to many, and how Neglected and Censured Discourses of this Nature have been before, Little good Notice taken, but many Malignant Reflections made. I was at a Loss, whether it would not be for Edification wholly to pass it by: But Considering that I Suffer less, than it may be, some of my Reverend Fathers & Brethren do, and that I may never have the Honor of such Like Opportunity of putting in a Plea for the Gospel Ministry, I shall therefore take the greater freedom and adventure, Sirs, We Look to you as Guarantees for the Ministers Maintenance, entreating you to take Care that they be duly Encouraged and Supported. Verily, it will not in the Eyes of JESUS CHRIST, be too low a stoop for you, or beyond the Line of your Business to make Enquiry into the Circumstances of our Ministers▪ Say not, Honoured and Respected, That it will be time enough to take Cognizance of their Low and mean State, when Complaint is made to you by them. 'It is out of tender regard to Souls; And fear lest such Applications to you, should disaffect many of their Hearers & so render their Ministry among them in vain, that many suffer greatly; rather than adventure. Surely, our Leaders, cannot be such Strangers in our Israel, as not to know there is in many Places too great a Neglect as to the Maintenance and Support of such as Represent Jesus Christ and are Ambassadors of Peace. Their Work is great, Honorable and Laborious, their Encouragement ignoble slender and much too short. I must take leave to say, There are few and but few if any that can live upon their Salaries. The Credit of that Little Paper they come at, is sunk wretchedly Low and is now of little Value: Their Wages not paid in due season; and tis easy for the Fathers of our Commonwealth to remedy the latter Effectually, & in some Measure the former inconvenience, & why may we not humbly Expect it? Neh. 13. 10, 11, 12. 2 Chron 30. 22. And even in many Places where there are the most bright and acceptable Preachers, there the love of many waxeth Cold; and there anit such frequent Gratuities given as in former Days, which were wont to be a great help for the Support of the Ministry. And there will be such a Neglect in a declining Time, when the sword of the Spirit, is sheathed in the bowels of men's beloved Lusts and the line of Discipline duly drawn over them, many will soon become Dis-affected & abate in their Ministerial Zeal and Charity. The great Apostle Paul, complains of it, Gal. 4. 11, 15, 16. It was a say of an Eminent, Reverend, I earned and Faithful Minister of Jesus Christ, That let a Minister approve himself Faithful but Eight or Ten Years, and he shall loose the hearts of many of his Hearers, if not the most of them; and that it will be time for him to remove. May we not fear that tis too lamentably true? Consider, Sirs, The Care & Charge of Gospel Ministers is solemn & awful. 1 Tim. 4. 15. Give thyself Wholly to thy work. And how is it possible for some to devote themselves to the care of poor Souls? And how can they expect success, when they are forced out of their Studies into the Fields or Shops, for the necessary Support of themselves and Families. There is no need of a spirit of Prophecy to 〈◊〉 that little of 〈…〉 like to •• rive in such Cases and Places.

Learning will fail and sink in that Order of man in an Age or two at most, here and there one excepted. And Ministers will not be able to Vindicate the Truth and convince Gainsayers, as they should. Tit. 1, 9. How shall they be able to save their Flocks from the Cunning Craft and Subtilty of Learned Seducers? Verily, Luther was in the right, when he said, That the Flourishing of a Christian Common-wealth depended much upon it's being Furnished with worthy, Able and Learned Men, particularly in the Ministry. Religion never did nor can Flourish Long in a Land without a Learned Ministry. 'It is sad that there should be any amongst us (who yet are loath to be thought tinged with Enthusiasm or Quakei • m) decry Learning in the Ministry. But, Honoured and Respected, may we not hope for better Principles in you?

Error and Ignorance will prevail in a Neglected Ministry. Ignorance is said to be the Mother of Devotion, but it may with greater verity be said to be the Mother of Error and Superstition. Many an honest and well-meaning man will imbibe gross & dangerous Errors, even ere he's aware; Not being able to distinguish between Truth & Error; and like them, Isa. 5. 20. Will take Evil for Good, or Good for Evil, and put Darkness for Light, 〈◊〉

The People will be trained up in Error, and be in great Hazard of starving for lack of Knowlege and Understanding. The Blind will Lead the Blind. It was a sad time with them of old, when their Leaders & Teachers caused them to Err. Isa. 3. 12. C •• p. 9. 16. Jer. 23. 13, 3 • Mic. 3, 5,

Starving of the Ministry, will at best bring in Hierarchy into the Church, as might easily be made to appear, had we a • it Place and Season for it. In a word, Religion will die, and little of the Life & Power of Godliness, be maintained and kept up in the midst of such a People.

Let a good Understanding be Cultivated between Moses and Aaron. This is requisite in order to a mutual Servicableness in the Support of each others Dignity and Honor. It's no way so likely that their Honors should be maintained, agreeable to their Character, by any means whatsoever, without this. One observes, that when Saul fends to the People, 2 Sam. 11. 7. He joins Samuel with him; and notes, That in the Execution of the Office of a King, he would not do it without due Regard to the Prophet of the Lord; and while Saul kept in with Samuel, things went pretty well in Israel.

I have oft thought of what is storied of Famous Queen Elisabeth, who was said to be a great Favourer of the Clergy; That when at a 〈◊〉 Visiting the County of Suffolk, where all the Justices of the Peace met Her Majesty, each one having his Minister to attend him, and next to his Body; the Queen taking notice of it, I have oft, said She, demanded of my privy Council, why this County is better Govern'd than other Places but never understood the Sea on till now; but it must be so, replied the Queen, Where the Word and the Sword go together. These two Orders of Dignified & Priviledged men, conjoint in Zeal, may do great things. Amen.

Let me once more proceed and earnestly Sollicit your Serious Consideration whether the multiplying Societies for Pretended Conveniences o • attending God's Public Worship, anit of dark Aspect & likely to prove baneful to Religion among us. I know the great Plea made for it, is Religion; the Plea is plausible: Would to God, we had no reason to fear that many times, some of the Principal Promoters of Divisions are acted by nothing less than such a Principle: They have other things in view and we cannot find, but many of them, are as seldom at Church, as when Living at a greater distance. Nor was the old Proverb altogether without ground, The nearer the Church, the farther from Heaven. We shall find these very men that Complain most of the Burthen of Maintaining the Ministry, where their Tax a mounted, it may be, but to Two-pence on the Pound, are the most Zealous Sticklers for Separate Societies, where their Charge must be greatly inhansed and increased. This will be the fruit, Young, Raw, Unqualified men will be Imployed in the most Sacred Work; and it will be as in Jer • b ••• 's Days. 1 King 12. 31. The meaner of the People will become Priests, and then farewell Religion. It is well known, that too too many their Enquiry • anit concerning a man whether he be an Able, Learned Man, an holy Spiritual Preacher▪ But what his Demands are. A cheap Minister is the great Article in desire of too many. In a word, Were there more of Zeal for God and Love to his Ordinances, there would be a great deal less of a restless Spirit after Divisions and crumbling into small Societies.

The next Branch of Exhortation, has a particular Reference to the Free-men of this Corporation. See to it that in the improvement of the Privileges you are indulged the Enjoyment of, you Faithfully Endeavor the choice of such for Rulers, as shall approve themselves Faithful and good Rulers. To Enforce this, Brethren and Respected, let me Beseech you,

1. To Consider the Oath of God is upon you: And you are therefore under Awful, Sacred and Solemn Bonds to Faithfulness and Conscientiousness; And yet 'tis much to be feared, many donit keep their Oath▪ 'It is hard to imagine how they can be Conscientious, and do as many do; when many are governed by unreasonable Fear, guided by Affection, Party, Interest or Envy. When men in Choosing Rulers regard not those Qualifications necessary to their answering the End of their Office and the main Duties of that Relation. Such cannot be justified and esteemed Conscientious and Faithful to God and Man, who by a careless or worse Violation of the Bonds of a Sacred Oath, they lay themselves under the Dreadful Curse of Heaven, Neh. 10. 29.

2. When you thus neglect Duty, you make your Selves Partakers of their Sin, and share in the Guilt of their Male-administrations. Therefore know assuredly, that

3. If Mischief be brought upon the Common-wealth by such, the Fault will be Charged upon you, and God will require it at your Hands as well as the Rulers. Let me beseech you to lay these things to heart, and the Lord give you Wisdom and Understanding.

(1.) Beware of men of a Temporizing Spirit: Such as easily swim down the Stream and Currant of the Times and Places in which they live: Such who easily Conform themselves to almost anything, to serve a turn. Men who can shift their Sails to suit the wind of Temptation of Self-interest. Rulers should be men of steady Principles, and such as would not readily warp. I remember I have read of my Lord Paulet, who under various changes of Government & Interest, changed his Profession oft, and being asked the reason of His unsteadiness, Replied, Because, Ex Salice non ex quereu natus sum▪ That he was made of the tender and pliable Willow; not of the sturdy and stiff Oak▪ Men of such Reuben- like Tempers and Principles, anit fit to bear Rule.

(2.) I cannot Recommend to your Choice, men that are ambitious of Honor and greedy of Preferment. Such men are seldom able to bear Sail▪ You may read their Character & what they are like to prove in a day of Temptation, in that Instance of Absalom, recorded in that 2 Sam. 15. chap. throughout. Such men are prone to take ill-measures to ascend the stair of Preferment and gain the Chair. Jehu- like, they can appear Zealous for God and Religion, when its in the way to Honor; and as readily prove Lax and appear Lukewarm under the Plea of Charity and Moderation & a Catholic Spirit, when it better serves their turn. They'll be very slow in doing Justice or bearing Witness against Transgressors, if they are those on whom they depend for Promotion. These are dangerous men Humble and Meek spirited men, are more likely to do God and their Country Service. Such are most worthy of Honor, who esteem that the greatest Honor, viz. to deserve it in doing most Service.

(3.) Be not fond of men whose Zeal anit Uniform and of a piece; and such whose Zeal anit proportionable to the Cause. Some men are great Sticklers in lesser Matters, are cold or lukewarm a • best, in matters of greater Weight and Consequence. You read of such, Mat. 23. 23, 24. Men whose Zeal will rise high in a breach of a mere penal Human Law, yet will scarce be moved at the Violation of God's Law. Little concerned in a case where the Honor of God and the Interest of Religion lies a • • take▪ But red hot, if their own carnal temporal Interest be touched. There are too many such, who can hear the Name of the Poly God lacerated & torn, by the worse than iron Teeth of the proud Swearer and profane Sinner: see their Neighbors wallowing in their Filth; the Sabbath profaned, & yet make light of these things, and not look at themselves concerned to take notice thereof; contrary to express charge, Lev. 19. 17. Such men are altogether unfit for Government & Places of Honor: Notwithstanding they are of an ancient Family, & you may trace their Pedegree up as high as Cain, of whom you read, Gen. 4 9.

To Conclude, in a word. Make not Choice of men in whom you have no good ground to hope for Soundness in Religion. Men would not make Choice of Timber for Props and Pillars in Edifices, if they Suspect it to be rotten at heart. 'It is the greatest Solecism in Christian Politicks & Absurdity, to make Choice of such men to become Pillars in a Christian Common-wealth▪ Put Honor upon such men whom God will Honor, and they are such who Honor God, 1 Sam, 2. 20: You may oftentimes discover men's Unsoundness, by their partial Obedience, or observance of the law of God. Some men are careful of the External Duties of the First Table but regard little Second Table Duties. They can Cheat and Couzen, Over reach & Defraud their Neibours, make no Conscience of speaking the Truth, &c. Others are Moral Honest Men, Just in their Dealings, and no man can Charge them with Fraud or Deceit. But their rottenness, is discovered in their Laxness wi • h Reference to the First Table; they slight the Name & Worship of God, have little regard for the Sanctification of the Lord's Day. They are Anti-ministerial men, that beg • utch duly to Support and Honourably Maintain the Ordinances of Jesus Christ. By these & such like Marks you may sometimes discover the false Pretender. Some men prove them • elves Hypocrites, in the First Table by being wicked in the Second Table, says Dr Tilli • son▪ & by their Unrighteousness, discover their Ungodliness.

Let me Conclude, with a word to this August and great Assembly, the Body of the People here present in common Capacity.

Sirs, It may be there are many of you Present that look on yourselves little Concerned in what you have this • ay heard: And how many there are of you of whose Presence in God's House no Religious Reason can be assigned, the Lord knows.

Suffer me a word to you; it may be, you may never Live to another such like Opportunity, as many have Died since the 〈◊〉 so may you ere another Annual Revolution.

Are good Rulers a great Blessing? &c. Then take heed, Sirs, that you have no hand in bringing in Rulers of another stamp. See to it, you donit provoke an Holy & a Jealous God to Set over you such whose Character will be Reverse to that of a good Ruler; and give you cause to Lament & Complain of Oppression, and the whole Land to Mourn.

1. Beware of a Discontented Murmuring Spirit under such a Government, for which you have great reason to Bless God. Remember such a Spirit was highly Displeasing and Provoking to God in his Professing People of old, & cost that People dear. See Numb. 14.11, 27. Chap. 16 21,- In case of Oppression, tis sometimes not only lawful but a duty to Complain; but a Sin to Murmur. And is highly Unreasonable, especially among a People who have the liberty and Privilege of choosing their own Rulers. Take heed, lest a wicked Spirit make you restless after Changes and Novelty's, lest you and yours Repent it too late. Let not a spirit of Error intoxicate you and make you Dream of that which will never come to pass. The little Finger of such a Governor and Government, as some hanker after, will prove thicker than the Loins of that more easy Government, you now Enjoy.

2. Donit Rebel against the good and wholesome Laws of the Government, made to Curb and Restrain men's Exorbitances & Excentrick Motions. Take heed lest you give the Fathers of our Common-wealth reason, and constrain them to complain of you to God, that you are a Rebellious People, that your Necks are as lion sinews, and B • owes as Brass, Isa. 48 4. And to say as Moses of them of old, We're not able to bear this People; 'Twill be sad when it comes to that: And that they can say they have done all they can, yet you prove an Unreformed and Rebellious People.

3. Be much upon your Knees, Seeking to that▪ God by whom Princes Rule, and Plead hard for our Rulers, that God would set up and Continue such to Rule over us, that shall be rich Blessings to our Land. 'It is a Duty so to do See 1 Tim. 2 1, 2. God looks that you Pray for your Rulers. If some would do less at Complaining & Repining, and more at Praying, it might be better. Pray for the fulfilment of that, Isa. 60. 17. That for Brass, God would bring Gold, and for Iron, Silver, for wood, Brass, for Stones, Iron: Especially the latter part of the words which runs thus, I will make thy Officer • Peace and thy Exactors Righteousness.

4. Bow to the Scepter of Jesus Christ; that King of Glory, as he is styled, in Psal. XXIV. You'll never be good Subjects, till then. Take heed lest by standing out and Rebelling against His Kingly Government, you provoke the Lord to forsake you. 'It is much to be feared, there are many of you here present, that have not yet Cordially yielded up to CHRIST in His Kingly Office and Government.

Let me add two or three Words here.

(1.) If you will not Submit to the Laws, the mild and gracious Government of this Gracious and Glorious King, it will be just with God, to Punish you in Leaving and giving you over into the hands of wicked and ungodly Rulers, and such who shall Rule you with a Rod of Iron. Read & T • emble at what you Read: 1 Sam. 8. 7. They have not (so much) rejected thee as Me, that I should not Rule over them. Oh! Sinners, you have some of you Rejected Jesus Christ and his Government, Thousands of times, & practically said as they, Luk▪ 19 14. We will not have this Man to Rule over us. What if God should deal with you somewhat after the manner he dealt with them of old, in the above-cited, 1 Sam 8 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. And 'tis added, Ye shall Cry in that Day. God can give you over into the hands of Rulers of a Sauline and Reh •• oam- like Spirit. A People is oft times Punished with having bad Rulers, for not improving the Advantages and Blessings of good Ones. After Jehoshaphat came Jehoram.

(2.) Your Submission is of absolute Necessity, in order to your Salvation. There's no way possible for poor sinners to escape the Damnation of Hell, but this of Submission to Christ as their King to Rule and Govern them. Sinners must bow to his Golden Scepter, or be broken to pieces by his Iron Rod, Psal. 2. 9, 12, Obey CHRIST in the Government of His Grace, or you will be found at Last among the Number of those you Read of, in that Awful Place, 2 Thes. 1. 7, 8 9. For,

Finally. Unfaithfulness in Relative Duties, is an Evidence of an Unsound Heart and a Graceless state; no less than Unfaithfulness in Personal Duties. Grace disposes men for a discharge of both; it inclines men to keep all God's Commands, bows the Heart to the Yoke of Jesus Christ. A man's state may oft times be known by his deportment in Relative Capacities: And he anit a good Magistrate, a good Minister, good Parent, a good Subject, sustaining such a Cap • ci • y, if not a good Man; however he may Flatter himself, and his End will be sad.

The higher his Hopes and Expectations of future Felicity rise & prevail, the lower and deeper shall he sink in amazing Disappointment and Confusion at the Last.

You must answer for Sins of Omission, as well as Commission, and Omissions in Relative Duties in particular. 'It is observed, that in the heavy Charge and Indictment which shall be drawn up against Sinners at the Great Day of Assize, Omissions of Relative Duties are particularly mentioned, Mat. 25. from v. 41, to the end ver. 42, 34. 5 Their Sin, ver 41, The Heart-rending, Soul-confounding Sentence. In ver 46. The Dreadful Execution, They shall go away into everlasting Punishment.

Oh! my Hearers, as ever you will be Comfortable in the World to come, see to it that in every Station and Capacity, you approve yourselves unto God as Faithful, 2 Tim. 2. 15. begin. Study to approve yourselves unto GOD, then you are sure at the Last Day to have that Heart-cheering and Reviving, Blessed and Beatifying Welcome, mentioned, Mat. 25. 34. Then shall the King say unto them on His Right Hand, Come Ye Blessed of My Father, Inherit the Kingdom Prepared for You from the Foundation of the World. AMEN.

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• (1) A Discourse, Entituled▪ The Work of Ministers, rightly to divide the Word of Truth
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