under the Command Conduct of such Rulers God hath wayes enough to discharge them to take them from such a People or iâ—â—he doth not so yet to cause that they shall not profit them For the Prevention of which I have but these few words to offer and so shall close Are Able and Faithful Rulers such Rich Blessings and would we contribute to this our Happiness then 1. Let us be thankful to God for such Mercies When the Lord gives Kings to be Nursing Fathers to his People as he promiseth Isa 49 23. Should not the Praises of the Lord resound throughout all the Gates of the â—ughter of Zion Do we also see such advanced to â—bordinate Places of Power Let us remember that 〈◊〉 Promotion is from God It is He that sets them up â—d 756 7. They are of Him Râ—m 13.1 And by Him â—y Rule Prov. 8.16 We cast the Lot but the Lord that 〈◊〉 on High hath the whole disposing of it Prov. 16 33. 〈◊〉 that our Choice is also of Gods Appointment If â—ey be of our desiring they are of His giving And as â—hen others bear rule over a People it is a Signal of â—ods Displeasure under which they ought to Mourn 〈◊〉 when our Rods are Strong it is a Fruit of the Lord's â—avour and He ought to have the Praise In Psal 72. â—fter the Psalmist had in a Prophetical Contemplation â—lebrated the happy State of the Common-Weal of â—rael in a Day when they enjoyed the Blessing which â—e Doctrine speaks of for the Glory of which Felicity â— is considered as a Type of Christ's Kingdom closeth â—l with Repeated Acclamations of Praise and Honour 〈◊〉 God as the Authour of it at v 18.19 Blessed be the â—ord God the God of Israel who only doth wondrous things â—nd blessed be his glorious Name for ever and let the whole â—arth be filled with his Glory Amen Amen 2. Let us highly Prize and Honour them That Preâ—ept of the Apostle with Reference to Rulers Ecclesiastiâ—al is of as great Force in this case 1 Thes 5.13 Where â—e chargeth us to esteem them that are over us very â—ighly and undervalued Mercies are not like to be long continued Consider it and be Wise We have not many such to spare certainly then it is our Prudence â—nd Interest not to provoke the Lord to remove them Again let our high Esteem of them be testifyed by an honourable Deference towards them The Apostle Paul â—aith concerning them Rom. 13.7 That Honour is to be rendred them They are Gods Psal 82.6 And as such there is a Civil Worship and Reverence due to them both in Word Action Speak no Evil of Dignities Abhor that Unchristian way of Detraction Backbiting and Slander If they are God's Vicegerents certainly it must be a Crying Sin and Shame for us thus to treat them Do our Enemiâ—s charge us that this is the way wherein we have been used to requite those that with greatest Pains have travailed for the Publick good Let us refute this Slander and if we can do no more yet at least Let us Love Honour such as have Rule over us 3. Take we Care that we don't make them or provoke them to be other wise As they are sometimes Accessory to our Sins when they either connive at us doing them allow us in them or indulge us afterwards so shall we be to their Male-Administrations if we seek to corrupt discourage pervert and disbhearten or any way weaken them There was a very Laudible Spirit in the People when they said to Ezra Chap. 10.4 Arise This matter belengeth unto thee we also will be with thee be of good Courage do it And that matter did accordingly Succeed very happily But when there is a perverse Spirit of Dislike and Contradiction in us to thwart the Counsels and controul the Methods of such as are intrusted with the Care of the Publick if those Counsels prove abortive and those Methods vain it is no more than may reasonably be expected and we may thank our selves for it 4. I shall not exceed the Bounds of my Commission and I hope neither those of your Patience if I put you in Remembrance That you be Subject to those that are set over you St Paul left this in Charge with Titus respecting his Cretians Tit. 3 1. And it is a Duty as Obvious to the light of Nature so also positively enjoyned us in the Word of God Eccl. 8 2. I Counsel thee to keep the Kings Commandment and that in regard of the Oath of What can be more Express than that of the Aâ—le Peter 1 Pet. 2.13 14 Submit your selves to every â—inance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the â—g as Supreme or unto Governours as unto them that sent by them The General Precept of Obedience Apostle doth here particularly apply with Respect â—ll Degrees of Authority both Supreme Subordinate 〈◊〉 so plainly declareth it to be the Mind of God v. 15. so is the Will of God That a man must Violate Reaâ— Conscience to gain say it The Apostle Paul urgâ— the same Duty in his Epistle to the Romans Chap. 1. Let every Soul be subject unto the higher Powers And â—weth that the Christians Obligation thereunto hath its â—ginal from a Power which no man can dispute but is utmost Peril v. 2. Whosoever therefore resisteth the â—er resisteth the Ordinance of God and they that resist 〈◊〉 receive to themselves Damnation We might argue 〈◊〉 as the Apostle doth in the Context v. 4. From the â—mon good which shall then flourish when there is â—irit of Wisdom Prudence Judgment in those that 〈◊〉 of Subjection in others upon this Account must needs be Subject as the Apostle adds v. 5 â—mly for wrath but for Conscience sake There are but â— things that can rationally be pretended to dispense 〈◊〉 this Obligation The First is when the Commands â—â—en do cross the Will of God And the Second is â—n the Authority commanding is not Legal As to First It is a ruled Case Act. 5.29 God is to be obeyed or than men Active Obedience is due where it may with a safe Conscience else not yet here All enâ—ours are to be carefully used to assure our selves â—he Repugnancy which we conceive to be between â—s Divine Humane be not onely in our Imaginaâ— for otherwise while we pretend to obey the Lord â—efusing Obedience unto men we shall be found which without doubt is the unhappy Condition of some disobedient both to God man As to the latter viz. The Illegality of the Authority Commanding I shall only say That whatever disputes there may be about the various Methods that are in use among men for the Designation of Persons to Places of Authority or about those that are Vested with Authority whether they came righâ—fully by it or no certainly they that have the Liberty or Electing their own Rulers have the least Reason to insist upon this
Blessings and condemn others as the Causes of a Peoples ruine What an honourable Character doth the Spirit of God give us of Moses Joshua and Samuel among the Judges Of David Solomon Jehosaphat and some others among the Kings And what an everlasting Brand of Infamy the Scripture hath set upon those Kings of Judah and Israel that were not so qualified as you have heard is obvious to every one that reads the Chronicles of those times with Observation To this therefore I shall add only these two or three Particulars wherein you may see the Lord commending able and faithful Rulers to us as rich Blessings and condemning others as ruinous 1. It is recommended in Deut. 1.13 and Exod. 18.21 to all that have the liberty and power of Electing Civil Rulers that in their designation of Persons to Places of Authority they should have special regard to their being so qualified And that which then contributed to the happiness of a People cannot now be thought to cross it 2. The Lord gives such Rulers in Mercy to a People In 2 Chron 9.8 It is said concerning Solomon Because thy God Loved Israel to establish them for ever therefore made he thee King over them to do Judgment and Justice It was a blessed Promise that God supported his people with when they were languishing under the miseries of a Government not regarding the Administration of Justice That he would restore them Judges as at the first and Counsellers as at the Beginning Isa 1.26 i. e. such as Moses and Joshua David and Solomon And when such as these are removed from a People their case is awful and God threatens it as a sore Judgment Isa 3.1 2. 3. God sends other Rulers in wrath to a People I gave thee a King in mine anger saith the Lord concerning Saul Hos 13.11 And again Isa 3.4 God threatens that People with this Curse I will give Children to be their Princes and Babes shall rule over them Dreadful are the consequents of this mentioned in the next verse The people shall be oppressed every one by another and every one by his neighbour The Child shall behave himself proudly against the Ancient and the base against the honourable In a word Violence and Insolence will bear down all before them 4. Able and Faithful Rulers have the Promise of God's Presence and Blessing Prov. 29.14 The King that faithfully judgeth the Poor his Throne shall be established for ever 2 Chron 19 ult Deal Couragiously and the Lord shall be with the good And God in blessing them blesseth the whole People When their methods are Prudent their aimes Right their endeavours Vigorous their hearts Valiant their hands Strong and God is pleased to be Crowning them with Success the Publick will reap the benefit It is said Judges 2.7 The People served the Lord all the days of Joshua Joshua faithfully endeavoured it and God smiled upon his endeavours God was with him and the People flourished in Piety and Prosperity but it was not long after Joshua's Head was laid in the Grave before they knew the difference The APPLICATION of the Doctrine may be USE 1. By way of INSTRUCTION Learn hence 1. That it is a signal token of the Divine Favour to a People when they have such men to rule over them Their Promotion cometh not from the East or from the West c. Psal 75.6 7. 'T is God that sets them up and His Love is to be seen in it and ought to be acknowledged 2. What matter of humbling it is to a People when such are either denied unto them or removed from them When the Elders were ceased from the Gate Lam. 5.14 The Prophet saith upon it v. 16. The Crown is fallen from our Heads when good men are taken away it is a sad Omen but when such good men thus removed were good Rulers too it 's much more ominous Such losses are hardly repaired therefore they are a Lamentation and shall be for a Lamentation 3. How much it concerns Rulers to be and approve themselves such men Strong Rods as they would not be charged with the Ruining of their People And that being themselves rich Blessings they themselves might be blessed both of God and men 4. That Those that are Professed Enemies to such a Government as hath Strong Rods to rule or to such Rulers as these are upon no Terms to be born withal But I may not enlarge on these Particulars the chief that I aim at in the Present Improvement of this Truth shall be in two words farther Of Direction and of Exhortation USE II. Of Direction This Doctrine affords Excellent Counsel to all such as have the Power of Choosing and Liberty by divine Providence and the Royal favour of Electing Persons into any Office of Civil Rule and Government among this People And it ought to be taken notice of by you as a necessary Direction in the work that is now before you It highly concerns you to be very careful of not abusing so great a Trust It is a piece of Service that requires your utmost Care and Conscience You are this day to transact a matter of great Importance to the Weal of this People and the Eyes of God and men is upon you Of God to observe your Sâ—iâ—its Designs and Ends in this Days work to bless you accordingly and the Eyes of Men are upon you some to rejoyce in all the happy effects that may follow your prudent choice others to take advantage of all the follies that you may this day be guilty of I may well conclude my self very much a Stranger to the particular Methods and Customs usual in the manner of your Elections But I suppose whatever sâ—epâ— have been already taken in other places of this Government there are many in this Assembly who are still to give in their Suffrage To whom therefore I would more particularly recommend this Rule that the Doctrine layes before 〈◊〉 and in them to all others that may hereafter be concerned in the same or like affâ—â—â— as that which you ought to attend to It you would not this day do that which will be for a Lamenâ—ation to this People and remain so â—et your Care then be to Elect such as may be Able for their Places and Faithful in them Don't think your Voices are so your own that you may bestow them upon whom you will meerly because you will Let not that Liberty you have be abused to an undoing Licentiousness Beware of those corrupt and sinister Ends which are too too apt to blind your Judgments and biass your Affections from the Rule thus set before you I shall but hint at some of them There are some of plausible pretences indeed but ungoverned Spirits who in Affairs of this nature consult only their own Humours and choose for such as they hope will most indulge them These had rather they should be in Authority then such as have Wisdom and Spirit to controul them if they have
Light that commends some Government as necessary condemns a bad one 2. Nor Secondly doth it mend the matter much if a People have such to rule them as are not suitably qualified Who have either no Wisdom to discern Time Judgment or if they have Wisdom that Wisdom is not regulated by Justice or that Justice not strengthened by Courage or this Courage not influenced by Piety but they are though ambitious of the Honour yet careless of the charge of Government impatient in Examination rash in Judging partial in their Sentence culpable in their Deportment Examples of that Impiety which they should suppress in others And what can be expected from such but the Ruin of a People They don't know or if they do they will not regard the Interest of the Publick and be sure will never Expose themselves in the Defence of it They have more advantage than others to wrong the Publick and as little conscience as any to restrain them These are they that will justify the wicked for a Reward and take away the Righteousness of the Righteous from him Isa 5.23 instead of righting those that are injured they will add to the wrong Religion suffers deeply by them and especially by their Immoralities the crafty Oppressor takes heart in his wickedness presuming either to escape their observance or to have their Connivance Whoever seek the Hurâ— of their People these will do little to purpose to prevent them but if a fair opportunity present they will become Parties in the Design and please themselves if they may have but the luck to build their own private Fortunes on the Publick Ruins Or at least if they do not thus of set purpose they 'l do the same out of ignorance sluggishness or cowardize that others do out of design and that 's every whit as mischievous to the Publick Solomon paints these men to the life Prov. 28.15 As a Roaring Lion and a Ranging Bear so is a Wicked Ruler over the poor People This is the character of Folly set in great Dignity Eccles 10.6 And these are some of the many miseries that flow from such a Conduct I shall not need to enlarge much in so plain a case Give me leave to add two or three Considerations further concerning those Rulers in special that have been characterized in this Discourse and I come to the Application 1. Consider Such Rulers will study and promote those things that make for the Weal of their People and in this regard are rich Blessings to them It was for their sake as well as his own that Solomon in 2 Chron. 1.10 begg'd Wisdom of God Prudentiam Regitivam that he might know to go out and come in before his People They know that for this end God hath given them their Promotion with all the advantages that attend it and that unless they do accordingly improve it they shall never be able to yield an account of the Pâ—â—ce that is in their Hands they esteem the Salus Populi the Publick Good to be one of the Chief Subordinate Ends of Government and that whosever doth not faithfully endeavour the same can never attain the Ultimate And though the Lord hath advanced them above their Fellow Creatures and made them Gods among in a sence over men yet they will remember that they are Ministers for their Good Rom. 13 4. And accordingly do whatsoever lies in their Power that it may be advanced under their management that if God bless them therein they may live the Desire of their People their Deaths whether Civil or Natural be lamented or their Memories Blessed 2. Consider As they have the greatest Advantage to keep out and to keep off Evil from their People so they will diligently and vigorously improve it They may do much none more to shut the Door against approaching Evil. And they will do as much as they can especially the greatest Evil of Sin which opens the Door to all the rest they will conscientiously oppose not only by strict Laws and severe Punishments but also by labouring to be such a Pattern of Piety themselves as shall be a powerful Incentive to the well-minded and as great a dread to those that are otherwise And though when such Rulers have done their best there may be very heinous Transgressions among their People yet they will endeavour that those Transgressions shall remain personal and not amount to publick Crimes by being allowed of or winked at And when at any time the Wall of Gods Protection about a People is broken down these are the Men to Stand in the Gap to repair the Breach and they may by their Zeal for Gods Glory seasonably shewn in a suitable Witness-bearing against the crying Sins that kindled the Lord's Anger turn away his Wrath from such a People So did Phinehas Numb 25.7 8. 3. Consider The success of the most Excellent Forms of Government and most suitable Laws doth under God mainly depend upon the Ability and Fidelity of those that are in the Government Which further shews such as these to be exceeding great Blessings Though there are diverse Forms of Government lawful and many Laws just in themselves yet all are not equally expedient for every People As it is a great part of Prudence in Rulers to know and consider what is most fitting for and what manner of Goverment and Laws is most accomodable to the State and Condition of those that are under them so also it contributes not a little to the Happiness of a People when they are under such a Method of Government and under such Laws as suit them in regard of their proper Circumstances and Design But yet let all this be supposed of a People it is all nothing if such Rulers as these I am speaking of be wanting If they that have the Sword of Justice in their Hands want either Skill or Courage or Conscience to manage it a right the Government will soon become ineffectual and the Law be but a dead Letter which hath its Life and Power from an honest and vigorous Execution of it And whatever a Peoples Priviledges are though they have the best contrived Model of Government in the World and Laws as suitable as can be made for them yet if they that have the Rule of them are not men of such Principles as those that have been mentioned they will be miserable notwithstanding Lamentable Instances of which do abound in the Chronicles of the Monarchies of Israel and Judah which though they had a Body of Judicial Laws compiled for them by God himself yet never any Common Weal fuller of Fraud Oppression Injuries Violence and Wickedness of all sorts as the frequent complaints of the Prophets do testifie than these were when unable or unfaithful Rulers had the Administration of those Laws among them 4 Consider The Lord by whom Princes rule and Nobles even all the Judges of the Earth Prov. 8.16 Doth warrant able and faithful Rulers to us for Publick and great
in â—â—ain All others are more for shew than any â—â—od Service Be advised therefore in your â—hoice to avoid them Do you see any that â—ill be daunted with great words or sear the faâ—s of men that will tremble at the Frowns of 〈◊〉 me that can do them a diskindness or at the â—breats of one that can do them a Favour or â—â—at dare not with Phinehas shew themselves in â—e Front to make head against prevailing imâ—rious Wickedness Never expect much of such men A Sword will never do any Feats so long as it is in a Cowards hand And for them that hope for Desence and Protection by it to put it into such hand as these is to say no worse of it the greatest indiscretion 4. Direction Let the Fear of the Lord be deemed a principal Qualification of those that are to be entrusted with the Government Able men are men fâ—aâ—ing God Exod. 18.21 Those that are Ruled themselves by the fear of God will Rule others in his â—ear and that is the only Government which hath the promise of a Blessing You have been often assured and especially by those Servants of the Lord that have delivered his message to you upon the like Occasion with this of the present day that the maintaining of the Truths of Gods Word in Honour and Purity the promoting of Piety the Punishing Sâ—pprâ—ssing of all Wickedness are the grand Interest of a People professing the Name of the Lord and of your selves in Particular who have been so signally owned of God in the work of the Gospel Let me yet once more renew this Message to you in the words of the Prophet 2 Chron. 15.2 The Lord is with you while you be with him and if ye seek him he will be found of you but if ye forsake him he will forsake you Be assired that if this work dies we shall dye with it and that there is great danger of its dying if thâ—se that Rule us under God have not his Fear planted in their hearts but are wholly void of any thing within that may oblige them to be true to him Irreligious men will be no better Rulers He that is an Enemy to his own Soul and so is every one that doth not fear God He that hath no more Religion than what will serve to deceive others withal and is as all such are false to the Profession that he makes of Religion will be no better to his Countrey whenever he thinks he may be so to his Advantage Such as don't fear God will easily be vassalized to the Wills of any that are greater than themselves and can do them an Injury these would be very corrupt Judge in that case which the Apostles dared to refer to the Consciences of their own Judges Acts 4.14 viz. Whether it be better to obey God or men And it may be said to such as Tertullian of old objected to some among the Romans Majore formidine Caesarem observatis quam ipsum de Olympo Jovem But such as fear God will be afraid for that very reason of Injuring men They will as they are Custodes Tabularum not only command them to be kept and provide that due Testimony may be born against those that do not but also they will commend the Observation of them by a Pattern worthy of those whose eminency renders their Example more observable and more offectual In a word This fear will influence them to all Fidelity Diligence and Honesty Impartiality Pains and Equity They will remember that the Judgment is the Lords and if any thing be wrong done by any of his Vicegerents here below the meanest of his Subjects over whom they rule have a fair Plea and Prohibition lying against it in the Court of Heaven where it shall be called over again and Justice done them Such Rulers as these will be Nursing Fathers indeed and in Conscience towards God seek the good of their People advance the common Interest be zealous Promoters of Piety and all ungodliness they will reprove in the Gate These are the Strong Rods whereas from all others there will go out a Fire devouring all the fruit and destroying all the comforts of a People 5. I might add farther Put Honour upon such as will stand firm for the Common Interest and make the Weal of the Publick their chief Care Business In this case especially they that are given to Change are not to be medâ—ed with Prov. 24.21 In all Revolutions that are not absolutely necessary for the Preservation of Justice and Equity it is hazardable whether the Publick will not come by the loss and when it doth it doth not always recover it again that too for the most part a long time first and for this reason such as are so addicted are to be eschewed Yet beware of thinking that all that have been aspersed as Enemies to the Common Weal do deserve that Character which it may be is but the effect of some Secret Grudge of malignant men against them We shall be very unwise to deprive our selves of the benefit of those that can do God and their Country Service for the Calumnies Reproaches that they are laden withal by their Ignorant and Unthankful Neighbours 6. Again Respect such as will adorn their Authority with an Example worthy of the Dignity that they sustain Remember that great Examples if they be good will confirm the weak and it they be bad will enervate and weaken the Strongest Laws When it may be said to them that Rule as once Christ said in that case mentioned Joh. 8.7 He that is without sin among you let him cast the first Stone There will either be no Punishment of Wickedness or no Good will come of it They are very unfit to punish others who are themselves Transgressors But I omit what Particulars might be added as being comprised in the General Directions given and proceed to the last USE III. Of Exhortation In two Branches 1. To such as are or may this day be Elected and Established the Civil Rulers of this People You see Honoured and much Esteemed wherein you may be Rich Blessings As it is our duty incessantly to pray God that you may be so so also we submissively pâ—ay you that you would be so Be you therefore intreated whosoever you are upon whom the over ruling Hand of the Lord shall order the Lot to fall this day to approve your selves Strong Rods. Esteem this to be your greatest Glory the contrary to this will be both your our Ruin Let the Qualifications which have at this time been described to you be exemplified in all your managements that our own Experience may teach us the happiness of a People who are in such a case who have Strong Rods for a Scepter to rule them Your Ability is under God our strength your Fidelity our Security If these Foundations are destroyed what shall the Righteous do Psal 11.3 If these Foundations are out of course nothing