CIVIL Government is the Life of Publick Society; a Conſtitution of Government formed to the juſt Liberties, and beſt Intereſts of human Nature, in Civil & Religious Affairs; and animated by a wiſe & juſt Adminiſtration is the Strength of that Life: And the Agency of Sovereign Divine Grace, in giving it to his Own People, ſpreads an incomparable Glory upon the whole; and makes a moſt powerful Motive of ſolemn Praiſe.

The latter part of this Pſalm opens to us, with a Divine Eloquence, the Glory & Majeſty of the GOD of Iſrael, in that Series of Wonders; Iſrael's Redemption out of Egypt: Verſe 15th, Thou haſt with thine Arm redeemed thy People—: And concludes with the Excellency of their Government, and Leaders, Thou leddeſt thy People, &c.

In the Words obſerve the following things,

1. GOD Himſelf was Iſrael's Leader: Thou leddeſt thy People Their Civil Conſtitution (as well as Eccleſiaſtical) was Extraordinary: There was a more immediate Interpoſition of GOD himſelf; in their Laws & Adminiſtration: therefore uſually denominated a Theocraſy. GOD by Himſelf broke the Iron Yoke; Formed their Government for them, Executed & Adminiſtred it when Formed.

2. The Manner of the Adminiſtration: Thy People, as a Flock. GOD the Shepherd; Iſrael his Flock: This carrys an happy mixture of Tenderneſs & Authority; Power & Care; Protection & Diſcipline: Acted by the neareſt Relations, ſpecial Propriety, and deareſt Affection.

3. The illuſtrious Inſtruments uſed by Him; Moſes & Aaron. Tho' their Government was a Theocraſy: it did not exclude Inſtruments: But then the Inſtruments firſt employed in this ſingular Government were agreable to it: Extraordinary and very Excellent Ones: Extraordinarily Called, Furniſhed Aſſiſted & Supported by GOD. Moſes & Aaron were the Two firſt Inſtruments uſed by GOD: the renowned Heads of the Two Orders, Civil & Religious. GOD raiſed them, furniſhed them, veſted them with Power; and by his ſpecial, conſtant Preſence with them, made them both, but Moſes more remarkably, the moſt ſignal Bleſſings to their People, and Examples to all future Rulers.

How properly ſoever my Text would lead to it▪ as one ſpecial Branch of GOD's Government, to conſider Iſrael's Conſtitution, and Rulers in Church, as well as State, I paſs it; and ſhall be govern'd by the occaſion; and confine my ſelf to the Civil Conſtitution & Rulers, as a fruit of GOD's merciful Government, and give you a few tho'ts upon the Bleſſing of that, when wiſely and juſtly managed. I will give you my Subject in the following

DOCTRINE. IT is to be Notic'd & Celebrated, as an high Favour of GOD to his People; when He leads them like a Flock, by the hand of Moſes and Aaron; or Wiſe & Good Civil Rulers.

Indeed the principal Bleſſing of GOD, and a People's moſt vital & fundamental Diſtinction, Honour & Happineſs conſiſts in their Excellent Conſtitution of church-Government formed upon the revealed Plan, the holy Scriptures; and wiſe & faithful Guides to adminiſter it: Churches formed by CHRIST himſelf, with an exact agreableneſs to his own moſt wiſe & perfect Rules, filled with Ordinances, and all Inſtituted Officers; and very particularly a learned and faithful Mininiſtry: Theſe are a People's Glory and Safety, (Pſal 147 20.) what they ſhould eſpecially value, be thankful for, be concern'd to ſecure & improve. But the Occaſion leads me to the Civil; and that too is a very illuſtrious Favour of GOD. I will give you my thot's upon the important Things contained in this General Propoſition; under the following Heads.

PROP. I. GOD is in an appropriate manner the Leader of a Profeſſing People.

PROP. I. GOD is, in an appropriate manner, the Leader of a Profeſſing People. He was Iſrael's Leader; and he is the leader of every profeſſing People. Every profeſſing People is his peculiar People; and he leads them as ſuch. Indeed they are not led by the ſame extraordinary, miraculous, immediate hand of GOD, that Iſrael was in their Redemption from Egypt, Conduct thro' the Wilderneſs, and their being put into Poſſeſſion of Canaan. This is Celebrated, & Confined to to them: Deut. 4. 32, 33, 34. Ask now of the Days, that are paſt, from the Day that God created Man upon the earth—Did ever People hear God ſpeaking out of the midſt of Fire? Or hath God eſſayed to take him a nation out of the midſt of a nation, by temptations, by ſigns, by wonders, and by a mighty hand, &c. But yet in every other profeſſing People, there's the ſame Relation of GOD to them, as to Iſrael; the ſame Grounds & Principles of Acting towards & for them: and they expreſs themſelves in the ſame happy Fruits; tho' working after a diverſe manner, viz. By ſecond Cauſes. But here I will give you my tho'ts under two Heads, diſtinctly. (1) GOD is the ſupreme, abſolute Lord of all Creatures. (2.) In a peculiar manner, he is the Leader of a profeſſſing People.

1. GOD is the ſupreme, abſolute Lord of all Creatures. He is the univerſal Firſt Cauſe; infinitely & abſolutely Perfect; and therefore muſt have an unlimited, unalienable, perpetual and univerſal Dominion over all Creatures; particularly over all his reaſonable Creatures; Perſonally, or Relatively: Singly, or in Society. No Authority can poſſibly be, but from GOD. All Power is limited by his moſt perfect Will, duely notified. No Power can be againſt him. Theſe are all Truths moſt evident to Reaſon; and their Contraries draw after them the moſt abſurd Conſequences; nay flat Contradictions. And the Scriptures clearly exhibit them as ſuch to us, Dan. 4. 24. Till thou knoweſt that the moſt high ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomſoever he will. Pſal. 145. 13. Thy kingdom is an everlaſting kingdom; and thy dominion thro' out all generations. Pſal. 135. 5. I know, that the Lord is great above all gods; whatſoever the Lord pleaſed; that did he, in heaven, earth, ſeas, &c. The univerſal Influence & Agency of GOD, here affirmed, includes a Moral, as well as a Natural or Phyſical Power; Right, as well as Strength. Once more, That celebrated, but very much vexed and abuſed Text is very clear & full Proof Rom. 13. 1.—No power but of God: the powers that be, are ordained of God. 'Tis not poſſible there ſhould be any, but what flows from this only Fountain of Being & Power: And it's equally impoſſible for GOD to deny himſelf, and give any Creature a Power againſt himſelf.

But I proceed,

2. GOD is in a peculiar manner the Leader of his Own People. Here I will mention to you, ſome of the Diſtinctions & Characters of this peculiar Government.

1. It's founded in ſpecial Relations, and peculiar Works of GOD. Iſrael became his Subjects, and he their Leader; by new, near & endearing Relations & peculiar diſplays of his Wiſdom, Power & ſovereign Bounty. And thus it is in a Degree with reſpect to every profeſſing People.

They are formed, redeemed, ſeparated to GOD, by ſpecial diſplays of Divine Perfections: New and very near Relations between GOD & them ariſe from theſe ſpecial Operations. His Providence works very gloriouſly & diſtinguiſhingly, in preparing them for the honourable & happy Station: He ſo becomes their Father; and they his Children, in an uncommon manner. They his Servants, and he their Lord, by a new & moſt endearing Claim: Deut. 32. 6. Do ye thus requite The Lord; O fooliſh people & unwiſe? Is he not thy 〈◊〉 that hath bought thee? Hath he not made thee, & eſtabliſhed thee? My narrow bounds won't allow me to go into the delightful particulars.

But again, His Condeſcentions are very wonderful, in his moſt free & gracious binding himſelf to them, by Word, Oath▪ moſt ſignificant Covenant Rites & Seals, which contain the moſt precious Good, made over to them upon the beſt Te • ms. And they 〈◊〉 deliberately bound themſelves to a conſtant, faithful Compliance with theſe Terms. Iſa. 43. 21. This People have I formed for my ſelf. Deut. 26. 17, 18. Thou haſt avouched the Lord to be thy God, and he hath avouched thee to be his People. This Covenant is the ſpecial, formal ground & reaſon of the ſpecial Relation, and that peculiar Government here treated of. And this is diſcourſed of, & deſcribed under the Metaphor of the martial Authority and Marriage Union; which is the cloſeſt of any we know of among Men, between Two Perſons. Jer. 2.2. Go, and cry in the ears of Jeruſalem, ſaying, I remember thee the kindneſs of thy youth; the love of thine Eſpouſals.

2. He leads ſuch a People, by a ſpecial Providence, regulated by the Covenant between GOD and them: In that they Promiſe to him an univerſal willing Obedience, according to his own revealed Will; and he binds himſelf, to beſtow upon them, in that way, all the Bleſſings of the Covenant. He makes over himſelf, and all his Stores & Riches; and they are as ſure of them, as if actually Poſſeſſed. 2 Cor. 6. 16, 18. I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they ſhall be my People: and I will be a father unto you, and you ſhall be my ſons and daughters, ſaith the Lord. But he threatens the contrary Evils, if they are falſe to him. Deut. 23. thro' out. Now GOD's Providence, in all it's ſmiles & frowns, is regulated by this Covenant: He diſpenſeth to them, agreably to his Promiſes and Threatnings; with due Reſerves for the exerciſe of his Patience, Sovereignty & Grace; which Reſerves are fully provided for in this Covenant.

3. He feeds them by his Word and Ordinances. It was Iſrael's peculiar Privilege, as GOD's People, That GOD committed his Oracles to them; gave them his Statutes, Judgments and Ordinances, Pſal. 147. 19, 20. Rom. 3. 2.

And this Diſtinction & Privilege deſcends to every profeſſing People. The Word & Ordinances are the Inſtruments eſpecially wherein, and whereby GOD exhibits the Directions, Authority, Bleſſings & Advantages of that peculiar Relation and Government, which he hath taken upon himſelf, towards them.

4. He leads them by the Hand of a Mediator. The great Mediator between GOD & Sinners, is the appointed, univerſal Lord over all things. Matth. 28. 18. All power is given unto me, in heaven, & in earth. And it's a moſt joyful and endearing Character of this univerſal Empire, that it's given, received & exerciſed in it's whole vaſt Extent with a ſpecial Eye to his Peoples univerſal, & beſt Good, Eph.1.22. Put all things under him; and given him, to be head, over all things to the Church.

But that which I am eſpecially concerned here, to obſerve to you is this, viz. That the Redeemer is in a moſt glorious & delightful manner his Father's King in & over his Church, Pſal. 2. 6. Yet have I ſet my king upon my holy hill of zion. All Government in & over the Church, whether Providential, formally & properly Eccleſiaſtical or Spiritual, is Chriſt's Government: The Church is his Seed, Family, Spouſe, nay Body: And their whole Direction & Diſpoſe belongs to him. He is moſt authentickly, effectively & ſolemnly veſted in it; Pſal. 2. 7. Thou art my ſon, this Day have I begotten thee. GOD is in the midſt of his Church, and his Reſt there will be eternal & glorious: But he exerciſeth this Sovereignty by that moſt excellent & lovely Delegate his own only Son, his own Image & Brightneſs, (and by his own free Conſent) our Surety. This moſt wonderful & glorious Perſon, aſſumed our Nature; and in this Nature Travelled & Dyed in our ſtead, and for our higheſt Good: And in this Nature, with all it's eſſential Affections, he Reigns in & over his Church. He, or the Father by him, manageth the Kingdom of Providence and Grace to them. And how many delightful things doth this Contemplation ſuggeſt to us: Moſt certainly, This Adminiſtrator makes it a peculiar Government, and exhibits it ſuch. GOD hath peculiar Deſigns with regard to them: A peculiar Treaſure in them. He hath put them into the wiſeſt & kindeſt hand, to Protect, Order, and to make them Happy; moſt ſafely to ſecure his Treaſure, and exactly & fully reach his deſigns.

Thus I have given you ſome Tho'ts on the Firſt Propoſition, and proceed to the Second.

PROP. II. GOD leads his People like a Flock. This Propoſition is but a farther Proſecution of the foregoing; a going into a particular diſplay of the excellent Characters & Glories of God's appropriate Government. Here I ſhall not oblige my ſelf to the Metaphor, with any critical Sollicitude; only keep the general Idea, conveyed by it in ſight, as I paſs along.

This of a Shepherd, is an Alluſion which ancient Writers, Sacred & Common, have very much delighted in: They have ſet it in the moſt beautiful & advantageous Lights, to repreſent a well-regulated, wiſe & happy Government by; and to give the beſt Inſtructions to the Conduct of Rulers. 'Tis a very lively & natural Emblem; and we find the ſupreme Ruler himſelf uſing it, to give us the juſt & honourable Ideas of his own Government.

In general, I have already obſerved to you, That the Metaphor of a Shepherd carrys an happy mixture of Tenderneſs & Authority, Power & Care, Protection & Diſcipline.

GODs ſpecial Government includes all theſe, we are ſure it muſt. We ſee all theſe things in the brighteſt light, when we conſider & contemplate it, in what we have already heard of it under the Firſt Propoſition, viz. It's ſpecial Foundations; ſublime Rules; peculiar Providences; and moſt glorious Adminiſtrator: Where theſe meet, there muſt be Tenderneſs & Authority, Power & Care, Protection & Diſcipline, moſt Perfect and Divine: There muſt be all the Qualities & Affections of a Shepherd exerciſed in Perfection, in all the proper Buſineſs, Offices & Work of a Shepherd.

And if we add to this, An Enquiry into Fact; as upon infallible Scripture Record, we ſhall find GOD exerciſing this Tenderneſs & Authority all along, in his Dealings with his People.

Here it may be proper to go a little into particulars.

1. GOD Directs & Preſcribes to his People, in a very peculiar manner. He ſhines to his own People, in the ſtrongeſt Light, as abſolutely Sovereign, and infinitely Wiſe & Good; in the Perfection of his Laws, which in the beſt manner poſſible, anſwer the great End of his Glory, and his People's Happineſs. Micah 6.8. He hath ſhewed thee, O Man, what is good, &c. Pſal. 19. 11. Moreover by them is thy ſervant warned; and in keeping of them there is great Reward.

2 He Corrects & Restores them, when they do amiſs & wander. The Tenderneſs & Wiſdom of his Love won't ſuffer him to let their Sins paſs, without proper Frowns; but then they direct the Corrections to the fi • teſt Seaſons; beſt manner & meaſure. He adjuſts all their Troubles in the beſt manner, to their being humbled, purged, made wiſer & better; and to their being reſtored to their former Station with advantage. He Acts towards them, with the Temper & Intentions of a Shepherd; and his ways are Analogous to the Shepherd's wiſeſt & kindeſt Actions towards this beloved Charge. GOD don't grieve & wound willingly, and with Pleaſure; but for neceſſary great & good Purpoſes, which they themſelves will be Thankful for, when GOD's Diſpenſations are opened fully to them. Read, Deut. 8. 2. And thou ſhalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God hath led thee, to prove thee, &c.

3. GOD bears with them, with a ſovereign, but wiſe, Patience. He don't immediately ſtrike upon every Offence. Involuntary Offences, ariſing from I firmity, are covered with the Tenderneſs of a Parent. GOD ſpeaks, convinces, warns, uſeth the moſt rational, gentle Applications, when theſe prevail, to bring back his People to themſelves & Duty: He repents, & forbears the threatned & impending Evil. However, He glorifys his Patience, and proclaims his Name, Longſuffering, before he proceeds to his heavier ſtrokes: Eſpecially, before he puts the laſt hand of Vengeance to his ſtrange Work. They are great Sins, and obſtinately continued in, that draw down Vengeance. The Publick is concerned by a Publick & heavy Guilt, where the Puniſhment is publick & heavy. Rom. 19. 21. But to Iſrael he ſaith, All the day long have I ſtretched out my hand unto a diſobedient & gainſaying People. Hoſ. 11. 8.—How ſhall I give thee up, &c. Jer. 7. 13. I ſpake unto thee, riſing early.

4. He Protects from Evils & Enemies; with Infinite Concerns, Watchfulneſs, Power & Goodneſs. GOD's People are extremely hated. In proportion to the purity of their Principles, and excellency of their Manners, is the united Rage of Earth & Hell ſet upon it, to do all they can to Vex & Deſtroy them. And if the utmoſt ſtretch of their Wits & Powers, in the deepeſt Plots, and ſtrongeſt Combinations can undo them, they ſhall be undone. That's the Cry of the Churches Enemies. Pſal. 83 thro'out, particularly, Ver. 4, 7, 8. ▪ Come & let us cut them off.

But their Deſigns & Attempts are entirely under the Government of Iſrael's Shepherd; ſhall accompliſh his Deſigns, and go no farther. He can by no means leave the beloved of his Soul, to the blind Rage of their implacable Enemies. He reſtrains and bounds the Enemies Rage, and ſecures His own; and ſo far, they are intirely ſafe: No evil can poſſibly come without his Knowledge; none poſſibly againſt his Will. Conſider the following Texts, Pſal 2.1,2,3,4. Why do the Heathen rage, the People imagine a vain thing? Pſal. 76. 10. Surely the wrath of man ſhall praiſe thee, &c. Iſai. 27 2, 3.—A Vineyard of red Wine. I the Lord do keep it, &c.

5. GOD as their ſpecial Governour Preſerves and Feeds them. GOD Preſerves and Continues his Profeſſing People, his Church, in that diſtinguiſh'd excellent State of Being He gave them, when he made them his People. He maintains that Life, and ſupplies them with all that Good, which that Life demands. The Purchaſe of Chriſt, and the Promiſe of GOD, determines what that Good is: And their moſt faithful Shepherd ſupplys & diſpenſeth to them, agreably to that Purchaſe & Promiſe. And this comprehends all the Good that Societies are capable of; Spiritual & Outward, Civil & Religious. Read, Pſal. 23d. and you'l ſee the proper Office of a Shepherd; and the Paternal Wiſdom & Authority, with which GOD exhibits; and in the preſent Inſtance particularly.

But I come to the Third Propoſition.

PROP. III. GOD ſometimes leads his People, by the hand of Moſes & Aaron; or of Wiſe and Good Civil Rulers. This Head is one very weighty Arti • le, wherein, both the tender Care & ſovereign Power of Iſraels good Shepherd diſcover themſelves.

Here I will obſerve the following Order; (1.) Offer ſome general Explanation or Illuſtration. (2.) An Hint in Proof very briefly. (3.) Conclude it with the Character of a good Ruler.

1 I will offer ſome general Explanation. Whenſoever a People enjoy an excellent Form of Government & good Rulers, it's GOD's Gift. His Power & Favour are very remarkable in it. The Agency of the Sovereign GOD in this Affair, may be diſtinguiſhed into Extraordinary and Ordinary. GOD gives as really & truly, when a People are in Poſſeſſion of theſe Bleſſings, in the Ordinary Methods of Providence, as in the Extraordinary.

When the Underſtandings of a People are enlightned and directed to Contrive ſuch a Scheme of Government, as beſt anſwers all the great Ends of Society & Government: And withal there's ſuch a Concurrence of Circumſtances and Inclinations, as to bring it in, & eſtabliſh it; GOD is as truely the Author of that Scheme & Form, as if declared by a voice from Heaven, and received & eſtabliſhed by the moſt miraculous Operations & Appearances.

Again, When in the Ordinary ways of Education, Experience, &c. Men are qualified for, ſpirited to, and introduced into the proper Stations & Opportunities to employ them for the publick Good; it is as really GOD's Work as if they were Inſpired, and called out extraordinarily, by Name, to the honourable Buſineſs.

Once more, When the Deſigns of ſubtle & powerful Tyrants againſt a People's juſt Liberties are daſhed, and their valuable Rights are preſerved or reſtored, it • s GOD's glorious Work and precious Gifts when done by Ordinary, as well as Extraordinary Methods.

In theſe mentioned Inſtances, there's GOD's ſtamp: they are eſtabliſhed by his Approbation and Authority, as well as bro't to paſs by his Providence; not only the Agency of the firſt univerſal Cauſe, but the Authority of the ſupreme Lord & Lawgiver. The renowned David is an Inſtance of both the Ordinary & Extraordinary manner of Introduction. GOD furniſhed and ſpirited him to Government, by Extraordinary & Immediate Impreſſions; but withal he formed him to it, by bringing him into the King's Service; and accuſtoming him to War, & publick Buſineſs. GOD appointed him King by an immediate Deſignation; but yet the Tribes Choſe him. This is the Excellent Man of whom GOD ſays, Pſal. 78. 71, 72. He choſe David, &c. He bro't Jacob to feed his people.

2. I come in a word to the Proof. You obſerve I expreſs my ſelf in a reſtrained manner; viz. GOD ſometimes leads, &c. And I ſpeak in this manner, becauſe there's the exerciſe of Sovereignty in this, as in all other temporal & outward Bleſſings. But tho' I thus Guard; yet I ſuppoſe upon the ſtricteſt ſearch & the beſt Judgment, it will be found, that generally, and for the moſt part, theſe Bleſſings are given, when a People in Covenant, are Upright & Faithful in it. Were it at all needful here, I could for Proof draw together very many Inſtances, from the moſt unqueſtionable Records, Sacred & Common. Particularly, It would be eaſy to fill up the Proof from the holy Scriptures; and mention to you Moſes, Joſhua, Samuel, David, Aſa, Jehoſhaphat, Hezekiah & Joſiah; all illuſtrious Inſtruments in GOD's hands of very peculiar Bleſſings. But there being no neceſſity at all to Labour this Point, I come to the Third, which my Subject eſpecially requires.

3. I come now to the Character of the Good R •• er. My Text offers a very juſt & lively Pattern in Moſes. Well then enquire into his Character; and by that, Anſwer the Demands of this Head: And upon ſearch we find Moſes illuſtrious for the following excellent Things, viz. (1.) His governing Wiſdom & Skill. (2) His Meekneſs & Patience. (3) His Juſtice. (4.) His Publick Spirit & Paternal Tenderneſs. (5) Steady Authority▪ & Courage. (6.) GOD's Image, in an high & glorious Degree. (7.) Great Intereſt in GOD's Favour, and Power with GOD by Prayer

1. The Ruler muſt like Moſes, be furniſhed with Wiſdom & Skill in Government. Every Buſineſs hath i • 's eſſential Qualifications, for the effectual & ſufficient management of it. Governing Wiſdom & Prudence is ſuch, to the Conduct of Publick Affairs. This Wiſdom takes in a great Variety of Things; and I don't pretend here to a perfect account of them I will only hint in a word, That this Vertue is qualified for, conducted & actuated in Government, by an extended Knowlege of Men & Things; and particularly, the Methods of Government: And might I at all go into particulars, I would mention the Advantage of the diſtinct Knowlege of the People to be Govern'd, in their Hiſtory, their Conſtitution in Church & State, their Laws, Cuſtoms, Diſpoſitions, Manners & Circumſtances. And to add no more, There muſt be a Dexterity in the Application of this Knowledge to it's End. If you Enquire, You I find this one Remarkable in Moſes's Character: There's no queſtion to be made of it, but he had large meaſures of Prudence, by ſpecial Impreſſions from above. But beſides this, we find him trained to Government, by his Adoption & Education, by Pharaoh's Daughter; and his intimate Acquaintance with the Egyptian Learning. Read, Exod. 3. 11, 12. And he ſaid, who am I.—And be ſaid, Certainly, I will be with you. Exod. 4. 10, 11, 12. And Moſes ſaid, I am not Eloquent. And the Lord ſaid, Who hath made man's mouth; now therefore go, and I will be with thy Mouth. Once more, Acts 17. 21, 22. Pharaoh's Daughter took him up, and nouriſhed him for her own ſon, and Moſes was learned, in all the learning of the Egyptians.

2. He muſt like Moſes, be remarkable, for Meekneſs & Patience. Meekneſs & Patience are Qualifications eſſential to a wiſe & happy Adminiſtration. Among the beſt People, there's always enough to exerciſe theſe, in the Ruler.

But there are high Degrees, and a conſtant Exerciſe, neceſſary in the Government of ſome People, and in ſome Seaſons & Circumſtances. Moſes was bro't to the Government of an head-ſtrong People; very fordid & untaught in ſome regards: Accuſtomed to the Diſcipline of Slaves; who when bro't into the Condition of a Free People, hardly knew how to uſe their Freedom with moderation, and to bear the neceſſary Reſtraints. The wiſe Conduct of ſuch a People required an uncommon Meekneſs & Patience. Again, Moſes was to lead them thro Wants & Difficulties, and innumerable Hazards. Theſe to the low & animal▪ but eſpecially, the corrupt Inclinations, are ſtrong temptations to Diſcontents, Murmurings, Rebellions againſt Rulers; and muſt require an invincible Patience, and ſteady Calm in Rulers, to Maſter them, and to prevent the infinite Miſchiefs that ariſe from them.

GOD made and ſent them, a Moſes, the moſt ſignal ſtroke, and ſpecial Glory of whoſe Character, was his Meekneſs & Patience: Now the man Moſes was very meek, above all the men that were upon the face of the earth.

3. Like Moſes, he muſt be very Juſt. Juſtice is certainly eſſential to the grand Baſis of Government; one of the grand Pillars upon which it reſts; without which, Power degenerates into Tyranny and Self-Intereſt. Prov. 14. 34. Righteouſneſs, very particularly in it's Rulers, exalteth a Nation. Prov. 16. 4. The Throne is eſtabliſhed by Righteouſneſs. It's given us therefore among the moſt vital Parts of a Ruler's Duty, 2 Sam. 3▪ 23. The Rock of Iſrael ſpake to me; the God of Iſrael ſaid, He that Ruleth over men muſt be Juſt. This Vertue enobled & exalted by Grace, ſhone very bright among Moſes's Excellencies; and we find it very ſolemnly recommended in Jethro's Advice, Exod. 18. 14,—21. Moreover, Thou ſhalt provide Men of Truth.

4 Like Moſes, of a Publick Spirit & Paternal Tenderneſs The due & happy Exerciſe of the Publick Truſt requires an uncommon Generoſity and Largeneſs of Soul. Nothing ſo proper, ſo lovely, ſo God like. 'Tis the Expectation both of GOD and Man, that Rulers be Fathers and Benefactors to their People: put on the Tenderneſs of Fathers; and expreſs it, in their being governed by the Publick Good, in their whole Adminiſtration; and in their exquiſite ſenſe of the Publick Proſperity & Adverſity. A Private, narrow ſelfiſh Spirit in a Publick Perſon, is moſt loathſome to GOD & Man; brings Infamy, and a Curſe upon the Guilty, and innumerable Oppreſſions & Miſchiefs upon the People. GOD ſhews us the Good Ruler, in 〈◊〉 beautiful light, in thoſe Two 〈◊〉 Patriots Moſes and Nehemiah; the 〈◊〉 Iſrael's Founder the other his Reſtorer. Nehemiahs Tenderneſs to the Publick was truly great; and his Story fully makes out that Character, Neh. 2. 10. A man to ſeek the welfare of the Children of Iſrael. But Moſes was Extraordinary & Amazing: He entirely forgets himſelf & all his own Intereſts for them, their Safety & Good. Read, Exod. 32. 32. If not, I pray thee blot me out of thy book. And, Numb. 14. 12, 13, 14, 15.

5. Like Moſes, of ſteady Authority & Courage. Authority in a Ruler's management; I mean a due exerting the coercive Power lodged with him for the Publick Safety & Honour, is always neceſſary in ſome Degree, let the Times be never ſo Calm. Reſolution & Courage are the Guardians of this Authority and it's Life & Spirit; and a degree of theſe is always requiſite therefore in the ſmootheſt Time. But at ſometimes, and in ſome Circumſtances, which their People may be thrown into, they become peculiarly Neceſſary; and they muſt exert themſelves with Vigour. Without very reſolute Counſels & couragious Executions of them, all would be loſt in ſome Junctures. An happy Union, and prudent Exerciſe of theſe, are then a People's very Life.

Let us enquire, and we ſhall find Moſes the Meek & Tender Father of his People; to whom his People was dearer than himſelf; yet when the Honour of GOD, and the Publick Good required it, we then find him a Man of Majeſty, armed with Terrors.

Government can't be inſulted, & ſo weakned, without inexpreſſible Damage & Hazards to the People; (the great End of Government.) 'Tis for the People's ſake, not their own, that Rulers muſt exhibit this Coercive Power, and uſe the Sword of the Revenger; and not willingly ſuffer the Lawleſs at home, or Enemies abroad, to deſpiſe and trample on them. Look upon Moſes in that moſt ſeaſonable & holy Tranſport, Exod. 32. 26. And Moſes ſaid, Who is on the Lord's ſide, Who? And, Exod. 17. 9. And Moſes ſaid to Joſhua, and go fight with Amaleck.

6. It's very deſirable, that like Moſes, they have GOD's Image, and in it's moſt high & eminent Degrees to Sanctify them. This will Exalt all their Faculties & Qualifications for Government. This excellent Image crowns all other Qualifications; infuſeth an holy & excellent Ferment into all that directs & ſtimulates them to their great End.

Moſes was a renowned Man of GOD, for his uncommon meaſures of true ſanctifying Grace. And Rulers ſhould ſo Excel, as to be Examples to all about them, of every gracious Diſpoſition and Action to GOD & Man. You ſee Moſes's true Temper & Spirit, in his deep Concern for GOD • s Honour; the ſureſt Sign of Grace that can be Numb. 14. 13, 14. And Moſes ſaid, The Egyptians will hear it—.

7. Like him, Men of Prayer & Power with GOD. Moſes was ſo, very gloriouſly; and ſo ſhould all Rulers. Jer. 15. 1. Tho' Moſes and Samuel stood before me. Numb. 21. 7. And Moſes Prayed for the People. Thus they may do more for the Publick Good, than by all their Wiſdom, Authority, Courage, nay, than by the united Strength & Riches of their whole Government.

Thus I have finiſhed the Character; the thing principally in my Deſign, and will go more briefly thro' what remains.

PROP. IV. It is to be Notic'd & Celebrated as an high Favour of GOD to his People, when he leads them like a Flock, by the hand of Wiſe and Good Rulers GOD's taking upon himſelf the Relation of their Leader, in ſo peculiar a manner as you have heard; and his exerciſing that Government as a Shepherd, carrys moſt admirable Grace in every Article of it, as might be ſhown, would my Bounds allow it: But paſſing the Reſt, I ſhall conſider the peculiar Favour of His Government, which appears in excellent Civil Privileges & Rulers; and this under Two Heads. (1.) Theſe Privileges & Government are a moſt free & great Favour; even to the beſt People. (2) It is to be Noticed & Celebrated as ſuch by them.

1. It is a free & great Favour of GOD, even to the beſt People, to give them ſuch Privileges and Rulers. I muſt ſay a word or two to the Greatneſs, and then to the Divine Freedom and Sovereignty in them.

(1.) Civil Privileges, and a good Government, are very great Benefits to a People. Theſe very nearly & vitally affect all the Particulars of a People's Welfare. It might be Inſtanced at large, were it proper here; in their Religion & Morals; and in their external Order, Peace, univerſal Proſperity. The happy Fruits are Good Laws; prudent, ſteady, tender, but yet reſolute Execution of them: Learning & Arts flouriſh: Induſtry is encouraged: Trade, Husbandry, Manufactures encreaſe: The Publick Prudentials & Exigencies faithfully & wiſely Conducted. All theſe have a moſt direct & natural Influence upon their Honour & Safety. And to conclude, Such Rulers do abundance to engage the Divine moſt gracious Preſence with ſuch a People. Indeed their Prudence & Holineſs, and fervent Supplications won't do alone, without agreable Diſpoſitions & Department in the People; but they do a great deal with GOD, to keep off Judgments, and to procure Publick Bleſſings. They have great Power with GOD by their Prayers, to open his Infinite Stores. Deut. 9. 18, 19. Let me alone, that I may deſtroy them:—But the Lord hearkned to me at that time alſo. They do abundance by holy Examples, and powerful Influences, in their eminent Stations▪ to prepare the People for a Covenant-Enjoyment of theſe Bleſſings; as the Hiſtory of the reforming Kings of Jud •• aſſure us.

(2.) They are moſt Free & Sovereign Benefits, even to the beſt & pureſt People. No People can have any Claim to theſe Benefits, but by GOD's moſt ſovereign Promiſe. 1 Sam. 12. 22. For the Lord will not forſake his People, for his great Name ſake; becauſe it hath pleaſed the Lord to make you his People. And a People's Claim by a ſincere Performance of the Covenant-Terms, is the glorious work of ſovereign, irreſiſtible Grace. Jer. 31. 3. Yea. I have loved thee, with an everlaſting Love: Therefore with loving kindneſs have I drawn thee.

2. Theſe Free & Great 〈◊〉 muſt be Noticed & Acknowledged. I only juſt mention the Heads which might have been enlarged on, if the bounds of a ſingle Sermon would have allowed it. Duty, Gratitude, and Intereſt unite to preſs their Obligations, and ſet them in the ſtrongeſt Light.

A People's Notice & Acknowlegement is all the Return they can poſſibly make. GOD the Giver being Infinitely above them: They being entirely dependent on him: And He being abſolutely incapable of any real Addition & Benefit. 1 Cor. 4. 7. Who maketh thee to differ?

GOD will notwithſtanding graciouſly Accept, thro' Chriſt, His People's ſincere Acknowlegements. He graciouſly lets us know, He accounts himſelf Honoured by them, and is highly pleaſed with them, Pſal 50. 23. Whoſo offereth praiſe gloriſyeth me. And we are ſure he will Reward our grateful Offerings, with the Magnificence of the only & bleſſed Potentate▪ the King of Kings, in the moſt illuſtrious Benefits.

And now I ſhould have proceeded to have ſaid what theſe Returns are, which a People muſt make to GOD for theſe Benefits; and which muſt be agreable to the Perfection & Majeſty of GOD; and therefore ſuch as himſelf requires: And theſe might have been Deſcribed at large under the following Heads.

1. A People muſt offer ſolemn & hearty Praiſe for them, Pſal. 50. 23.

2. They muſt be wiſely improved to their Ends, viz GOD's Honour, the promoting our own Spiritual & Outward Good.

3. All wiſe Endeavours muſt be uſed for their Continuance. Particularly, Thoſe Iniquities muſt be Mourned for, Reformed & Watched againſt, which diſhonour & provoke the Sovereign GOD to Frown upon a People, and Remove them: What theſe are, it becomes all, both Rulers and People, diligently to ſearch out, and reſolutely deſtroy.