HAPPINESS is what all Mankind are in an eager purſuit of, in this there is an unanimous agreement: But where it is to be found, wherein it conſiſts, and by what Methods to be obtained; has been a controverſy agitated by thoſe, who have been under the ſole conduct of the dim light of Nature. The greateſt Sages in the Rolls of Antiquity, the brighteſt Philoſophers (however ſucceſsful in their enquiries after and diſcoveries of Nature) here have been various and perplexed in their Schemes, for want of that additional light of Revelation, which we thro' the diſtinguiſhing Goodneſs of GOD enjoy. This is our great advantage that unto us are committed the Oracles of God. Rom. 3. 1, 2. The ſacred Volumes wherein are contained the Writings of the Inſpired Pen-men, ſet this matter in a clear and ſhining light, this not only informs what and where it is, but how we may attain to it, directs to the meaſures by which we may, and without which we can't arrive to the enjoyment thereof. This happineſs and Bleſſedneſs is to be found in GOD alone, agreable to that of the PſalmiſtPſal. 144. 15., Happy is that people whoſe God is the Lord. For there is no other Object that has that durable and ſubſtantial Goodneſs, as to be able to ſatisfy the deſires of a Rational and Immortal Being; and in this doth true happineſs conſiſt, viz. in the acquieſcence of the Soul in ſuch an Object. Thoſe that have ſought after it elſe-where have or will find their miſtake, and in the end ſubſcribe Solomons concluſionEccl. 1. 1., Vanity of vanities, vanity of vanities, all is vanity.

The acquiring of this Happineſs, is what every Rational Being will endeavour, unleſs he renounces his reaſon, and ſubmitteth to the conduct of a vitiated will, and corrupted affections.

There is another deſire (beſides that of their own happineſs) in which Men almoſt univerſally agree; ſoil the Good and Welfare of their Poſterity. This ſeems to be an Impreſſion ſtamped on the whole Rational World; yea and in ſome degree on the Brutal too, by the GOD of Nature: and the want of this Natural Affection in any, is by the Apoſtle rank'd with the moſt odious and deteſtable VicesRom. 1. 31. Such Monſters in humane Shape Nature has ſometimes produced; & whoſe deteſtable Names are upon record to their eternal infamy: ſuch an One was Liberius whoſe common ſaying wasDion. Lib. 57. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . When I am dead let heaven and earth be all in flames, I regard it not: but Nero that blemiſh and ſcandal to humane Nature mends it with, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . Yea while I live, let it be ſo Sueton. But theſe are exceptions and their ſayings were a renunciation of humanity, whoſe Names ought not to be mentioned but with abhorrence; nor written except to render them odious. But this is a truth that for the general is undeniable, That Men have a concern for the good, and proſperity of the ſucceeding Generations. They do not only enquire after, and ſeek for their own perſonal felicity, but are deſirous to lay a foundation for Poſterity to be happy upon; that it may be well with their Children after them. So that it is a matter of importance, & that which concerns us all, what ſteps to take, what methods to purſue, that we may ſecure to our ſelves & to Poſterity, a durable and permanent happineſs.

Now this is what our Text directs to, viz. To fear God and keep all his Commandments always'. This we are told if we do, (which GOD of His infinite Grace grant we may do) it ſhall be well with us and our Children for ever.

The words in our Text may be conſidered, 〈◊〉 • ther,

1. As expreſive of the gracious deſires of a bountiful and merciful GOD; for the happineſs and welfare of the Children of Men. O! that there were ſuch an heart in them, &c. The manner of Speech plainly denoteth the greatneſs of his concern for the Obedience and Happineſs of His People, and their Poſterity. The Grace and Goodneſs of GOD terminates not on the preſent, but extends to ſucceeding Generations; and his deſires are not only that they would ſerve Him, fear Him, and keep His Commandments; but that it might be well with them for ever. And GOD doth not abſolutely and unconditionally will their perpetual felicity, but that they may arrive to it in the ways of his appointment, by an univerſal & conſtant Obedience to His Commands, which are Holy, Juſt and Good▪ There is an inſeparable connection between theſe, ſo that whoever aſpires after happineſs by any other Methods than that of Obedience, will aſſuredly meet with diſappointments, and miſs of the end propoſed; and on the other hand, whoſoever ſerveth the LORD with a perfect heart and a willing mind, and perſevereth therein to the end, ſhall moſt certainly obtain that bliſs and happineſs, which GOD of His infinite Grace hath promiſed to reward His faithful Servants & Followers with. Thus GOD was graciouſly concerned for His people of old, and no leſs are His regards to His Covenant-people now; and herein appears that Grace, that Goodneſs, that Condeſcention, as gives us juſt cauſe to ſay, Lord what is Man, that thou takeſt knowledge of him? or the ſon of Man that thou makeſt account of him? Man who is like to vanity, whoſe days are as a ſhadow that paſſeth away, Pſal. 144. 3, 4.

2. Theſe words may be conſidered as expreſive of the duty of GOD's People, viz. To fear God and keep his Commandments all, and always, and as a Motive to urge and conſtrain to the practiſe of their Duty, viz. That it may be well with them, and their Children for ever. So holy are the Commands, ſo perverſe the Wills, and corrupt the Hearts of the Children of Men, that renders neceſſary the moſt powerful perſwaſives, the moſt alluring motives, and moſt forcible arguments, to bring them to Obedience, and to yield an entire ſubmiſſion to the Will of their moſt Rightful Lord and Sovereign: who might have exacted homage of His Creatures, without promiſing of any Reward; but He is nevertheleſs from the plinitude of His goodneſs, encouraging them to their Duty, by the gracious offers of peace and proſperity, both in the preſent & future world▪ and agreeably we generally find His holy Commands and gracious Promiſes together in His Bleſſed Goſpel: and thus He chooſes to draw us as with the cords of a man, and the hands of love, Hoſ. 11. 4. None ſhall ſerve the LORD for nought, but He will be a bountiful rewarder of them that ſeek HimHeb. 11. 6., which ſhould ſtop thoſe vicious and blaſphemous Mouths who ſay, What is the Almighty that we ſhould ſerve Him, and what profit: ſhould we have if we pray unto Him? Job 21. 15. Tho' ſome may ſay, We have laboured in vain, and ſpent our ſtrength for nought and in vain. This is only with reference to Men. They may alſo further ſay, My judgment is with the Lord, and my work or reward is with my God, Iſa. 49. 4.

As to the Duty in our Text preſſed upon Men, and the reward promiſed, both as to the Nature of it, and its extenſiveneſs; they ſhall be conſidered hereafter. And from the words as expreſſive of GOD's gracious Deſires concerning us, and our Children: And of our Duty which we owe to GOD, in order to ſecure to our ſelves and Poſterity a laſting and abiding Happineſs, I ſhall make theſe two Obſervations, which are propoſed to be the ſubject of our enſuing Diſcourſe.

We ſhall begin with the firſt of theſe Obſervations which is,

THAT GOD is not only deſirous to be Honoured by the Service and Obedience of his People, but of the Welfare & Happineſs of them and their Poſterity.

This ſhall be ſpoken to under theſe following Poſitions.

1. That GOD deſires and ſeeks his own Glory. For this He ſpoke a World into Being, and by His Almighty Power & Reſiſtleſs Arm, doth ſo rule & govern all the things contained, and all the actions by His Creatures done therein, as to ſhew forth the honour and magnify the power, and wiſdom of their Creator. The things which He hath made ſhew forth His Eternal Power and Godhead Rom. 1. 21., and all things ſhew forth the Praiſes of the moſt High. For this end, the Lord, agreable to the ſaying of the wiſe ManProv 16 4., Made all things for himſelf, i. e. The ultimate and ſupream end and deſign of GOD in making of them, was the advancement of His own Glory: And indeed it would be below and inconſiſtent with a Perfect Being, to have any other than this, as His principal aim & end. The moſt Perfect Being will have the moſt perfect End and Deſigns in all His Actions. And it is incompatible with the Divine Nature, to do any thing, that ſhall derogate from His moſt Glorious Perfections; ſo is it likewiſe to Him to form any other principal End in His Actions, than His own Glory. That which was in appearance, a diſhonour done to the Divine Nature; (I mean its union to the Humane Nature in the perſon of our bleſſed Lord, Who appeared in the form of a ſervant) was in reality the greateſt and brighteſt manifeſtation of the Glory of GOD that ever was made to a ſinful world. So many times in the Divine Actions, tho' we don't ſee how GOD conſults His own Glory; for Clouds and Darkneſs are round about His Throne: Yet in the Event it ſhall be made apparent, that nothing ſhort of an Infinite Wiſdom could ſo have ordered and diſpoſed of all things and actions, for the accompliſhing of that great & glorious end. 'Tis true that ſome of His Rebellious and perverſe Creatures refuſe to give Him Glory Actively, but GOD will make their perverſeneſs and Rebellion to ſerve the ſame great Deſign, and will Glorify Himſelf upon them paſſively, who refuſe to give that Tribute of Honour and Praiſe to Him, to whom its due.

2. That GOD is honoured and glorified by the ſervice and obedience of His People.

As we have ſaid before, for this end they were made to Glorify GOD; ſo this is the way by which they do Him Honour. Not that there can be any addition made to His Eſſential Glory, for that is Infinite: but by the Obedience of His People, the Divine Honour & Glory is declared in the World. Tho' this Eſſential Glory can't admit of or ſuffer diminution, yet His Declaritive may; with reſpect to the former, it may be ſaid, that neither our Obedience nor Diſobedience can't affect it. It is as high as heaven what canſt thou do? Conſonant to what Elihu ſaithJob 35. 6,7,8. If thou ſinneſt what doſt thou againſt him; or if thy Tranſgreſſions be multiplied what doſt thou unto Him? Or if thou be Righteous what giveſt thou him; and what receiveth he at thy hand? Thy wickedneſs may hurt a man as thou art, and thy righteouſneſs may profit the ſon of man. But altho' it cannot be diminiſhed as to its Eſſence, yet as to its Manifeſtation, it may ſuffer an Eclipſe. As the light of the Sun, is not leſſened by the interpoſition of the Moon between us and that, where by its rays are intercepted; yet the manifeſtation of that light to us, is. When we by a conſtant courſe of Obedience have our light to ſhine before men: They by that light have manifeſtations of the Divine Glory, and will glorify our Father which is in Heaven Mat. 5. 16. And indeed the way of Obedience, is the only way by which we can give an Active Glory to GOD, and for this end He gave us Being; and ſuch a ſervice and obedience are His juſt and righteous expectations from us: and which we can't deny, without laying our ſelves open to the ſevere rebukes and hot diſpleaſure, of an injured & incenſed Deity.

If any ſhould Object, That ſince our ſervices and our iniquities can't really make any additions to, nor abridge, his Glory and Happineſs; wherefore ſhould He be deſirous of our Obedience, or reſent our tranſgreſſions of His laws?

To which this may be replied, That notwithſtanding the making GOD more or leſs Glorious or Happy, be out of the reach of any created Being: yea, and in its own nature an Impoſſibility, and therefore not to be effected by OMNIPOTENCY it ſelf. Yet there may be reaſons aſſigned. why GOD ſhould take complacency and ſatisfaction in the faithful & ſincere endeavours of His People to ſerve and honour Him; and to have a holy fire of reſentments enkindled in His breaſt (tho' not to the diſturbance of the divine Calm, or the diſcompoſure of His ſerene Mind, as it too frequently on ſuch occaſions diſcovered in His Creatures, in their ſtate of imperfection) at the tranſgreſſors of His Holy & Righteous Laws. For the true and juſt cauſe of Love & Hatred, is not for any benefit received, or injury done, but the account & intention where with ſuch Actions are done, which deſerve love & reſpect, or anger and diſpleaſure. For a perſon may accidentally and fortuitouſly do another a ſervice and benefit, which had it been done willingly and with a deſign, had merited his eſteem and favour, but the want of this circumſtance entitles him to neither. So alſo on the other hand, a Perſon that miſtakenly or by a meer chance injures another in his Intereſts, deſerveth not his Anger, which had been otherwiſe, had there been deſign in it. He deſerved no thanks who by ſtabbing gave vent to an Impoſtume, and thereby ſaved a Life, which was his Intention by that act to have deſtroyed; and to bring this to the preſent caſe: GOD is not deſirous of the Obedience of his Servants, becauſe of any Advantage acruing to Him, nor diſpleaſed with the Sins of his People, becauſe of any real diſſervice done him: but He eyes the Intention and Deſign of the Agents, and accordingly will graciouſly Reward thoſe that deſign his Honour, and aim at his Glory: While he will expreſs his Reſentments and terrible Indignation, againſt thoſe that pour Contempt on his Holy and Righteous Laws, by living in an avowed and open Tranſgreſſion of them, tho' neither really is GOD made more or leſs happy by them, but He is the ſame Unchangeable GOD in his Eſſence and Glory, Yeſterday to day and for ever Jam 1.17.

3. That GOD is deſirous of the Welfare and Happineſs of his people and their Poſterity. GOD hath given the cleareſt Demonſtration that can be, that he has our Proſperity & Felicity at Heart. But before we proceed to enumerate thoſe Inſtances, by which GOD has manifeſted this gracious define concerning us, it will be neceſſary to enquire in what ſenſe Deſires are imputed to GOD. For it will come near the borders of Blaſphemy in thought, and is a giving into, the pernicious Principles of a Sect unworthy of the Chriſtian Name Socinians. to aſcribe literally and without a Figure thoſe Paſſion, which are Incident to imperfect Creatures, to GOD, who is a pure and ſimple Being Raco •• s & Buddles Catech. which far be it from us, to entertain a tho't, ſo derogatory to the Glory, and ſo inconſiſtent with and deſtructive to the Idea impreſſed on our Minds. It is not to be admired that theſe who aſcribe human Shape and Figure to the glorious GOD, if they aſſign humane Paſſions too, but it would be a wild imagination in ſuch as have formed an Idea of GOD, as an infinitely Perfect Being, compleatly and perfectly Bleſſed in himſelf, to attribute humane Paſſions or Affections, ſuch as Fear, Hope, Anger, Deſire, &c. to a Being thus infinitely Bleſſed in himſelf, in the ſame ſenſe as they are in Man; No, tho' theſe are ſpoken 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , yet when they occur in holy Writ, they are to be taken figuratively, only in reference to His outward Works and Diſpenſations, correſpondent and anſwerable to the Actings of Men, in whom ſuch Affections are, and under the power whereof they are, in theſe Actings. And ſo here Deſire as it denotes a Paſſion is to be taken metaphorically, and denotes as ſuch, when aſcribed to GOD, that his outward Diſpenſation towards his People, are correſpondent to what Men are wont to do when this Affection is working within them for the accompliſhment of that which their Deſires carry them after; but it muſt be granted that this particular Paſſion of Deſire, may be more ſtrictly than many of the Affections attributed to GOD, for frequently it denotes GOD's Eſſential Goodneſs and Kindneſs, which is ſecondarily manifeſted by the Effects thereof on the Children of Men, the ſame may be ſaid of Love, Joy, &c.

But we ſhall proceed to ſhow that our bountiful and gracious GOD hath in many ways and inſtances innumerable, diſcovered a tender concern for the welfare of His People, in all Ages of the World.

1. GOD when He created Man diſcovered this concern in the great & noble entertainment He made for him: A Paradiſe abounding with Delights; and in every thing that had any tendency to render a perſon happy. He was made Lord of the World, and all things therein, the Birds in the Air, the Beaſts on the Earth, and the Fiſhes in the Sea, paid Him homage; all which he might have held to Eternity, had he not by a fatal miſtake hearkened to the deluſion of a wily Serpent, rather than to his great and bountiful Creator, which procured his Exile from that happy Station, and was juſtly turn'd into a maroon'd World overun with thorns & thiſtles, with the ſweat of his brows to earn his bread, and in ſorrow to eat thereof all the days of his Life; Gen. 3. 17, 18. and this horrible Ingratitude to his bountiful Benefactor, and vile Contempt of his Righteous Sovereign, laid the fatal foundation for that Deluge of calamitous Woes & Miſeries which hereupon broke in upon a ſinful World, which his wretched Poſterity this day, and ſhall to the end of time, labour under, and muſt have done to Eternity, had not the ſame gracious Deſires in the Divine Being of the Welfare of Mankind, interpoſed, and infinite Wiſdom contrived a way for their recovery from that horrible pit, into which the ſin of their prime Anceſtor had caſt them. But this leads to another inſtance of the ſame gracious deſires in GOD, of the welfare of His Creatures.

2. GOD has further manifeſted the ſame gracious and merciful Diſpoſition, in the Methods He took for the delivery of miſerable Man out of his loſt and undone eſtate, by ſending His Only Begotten Son, to undertake their Redemption, and deliverance there-from. Never was there ſuch a demonſtration given, of the intenſsneſs of the divine deſires of Man's Happineſs, as in this: the love of GOD herein manifeſted paſſeth Knowledge: the length, the breadth, the heighth, the depth thereof is incomprehenſible Eph. 3. 18, 19.. When there remained nothing for forlorn Man to look for but the dreadful frowns & fiery indignation of the Almighty GOD, who is a Conſuming fire. Then even then, was a time of love: He ſpread his skirt over them, and covered their nakedneſs; ſware unto them, and entred into Covenant with them, Ezek. 16. 8.. Nothing leſs than a Love as ſtrong as Death, which many waters can't quench, nor flouds drown; was evidenced by this Undertaking of the Son of GOD, for the reſtoring of Mankind to his primitive, or rather a ſuperior happineſs, to that which he had by ſin made a forfeiture of. And if we ſhould enter upon a retail of the particulars and overt acts, by which he gave manifeſtations of his gracious Affections towards us, Time would fail, and Eternity not be too long to enumerate them. But let this in general ſuffice And we paſs to a third,

3. GOD's gracious dealings with his Ancient People the Seed of Abraham, whom GOD graces with the honourable title of His Friends. There are amazing inſtances of the admirable Patience, Forbearance, and long-Suffering of GOD, towards that ſtiff-necked and perverſe People, which are clear and ſhining evidences of GOD's gracious deſires towards them; and that there is nothing more agreable to Him than to ſhow and exerciſe his loving kindneſs and tender compaſſions, to promote and further their happineſs, and to make his People a bleſſed People. If we trace them thro' the Wilderneſs, where they had ſo many ſigns of GOD's immediate preſence with them by going before them in a Pillar of fire by Night and of ſmoke by Day; (for this I muſt look upon as miraculous notwithſtanding what has been offered by a late numouriſt to the contraryToland.) His giving them food from Heaven, and ſprings of water from the Rock, and innumerable other inſtances of His goodneſs with them; we ſhall ſee ſo much of the Divine Grace, as will fully diſcover the merciful regards of a compaſſionate GOD. And if we on the other hand conſider the behaviour of that People under ſo many tokens of his favour and immediate preſence, it will greatly enhance the Divine Benignity, and fill us with admiration, that their Idolatry, their Murmuring their tempting of GOD; their vile Adulteries &c. It boredoms, had not provoked a Holy and Jealous GOD, to have deemed them to Cor •• and his Comrades fate, to be ſwallowed up they and theirs. That rebellious People are a ſtanding Monument of the unbounded Patience of a Righteous GOD. And after their ſettlement in the Land of Canaan, notwithſtanding their repeated aggravated provocations, in worſhipping of ſtrange gods; the gods of the Nations round about them; and the major part of the Tribes for many Generations ſucceſſively, going a whoring after the Calves of Dan & Bethel; and the abounding of the moſt deteſtable and abominable Wickedneſſes among them; yet GOD of his infinite Grace and Mercy had Compaſſion on them, his bowels yearned towards them, and he expreſſeth himſelf infinitely concerned for their Welfare: He mourns over them, and ſhews the greateſt lothneſs to part with them. What could be ſpoken with a greater Pathos than he utters himſelf in? Hoſ. 11. 8. How ſhall I give thee up Ephraim? How ſhall I deliver thee Iſrael? How ſhall I make thee as Ad • a • ? How ſhall I ſet thee as Zeboim? My heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. And when the Iniquities of the Jews had arrived to that height, that Divine Juſtice would bear no longer, and no other Method but that of Severity would take; GOD ſcatters them among the Nations, but ſtill has them in his gracious Remembrance, and at the expiration of ſeventy Years, raiſes them up a Deliverer, who ſends them away in Peace to their own Land; and they are again received into Favour. And further, though for their final obſtinate rejecting of the Meſſiah, and the barbarous Crucifixion of the Lord of Life and Glory, they were caſt off▪ and at this Day are labouring under the Curſe imprecated, His Blood be upon us and our Children Mat. 27. 25.; I ſay altho' they were thus broken off, yet it ſeems as if that People were not forgotten, but that there is a time approaching, when they ſhall be again ingrafted in. When all Iſrael ſhall be ſaved. Of this the Prophets and the Apoſtle Paul gave abundant Confirmation. Beſides which their continuing even to this Day a ſeparate People, not mingling themſelves with other Nations, altho' diſperſed over the face of the whole Earth, ſeems plainly to point out a Deſign in Providence for their Reſtoration. All which ſerves to demonſtrate the Goodneſs and Grace of our GOD, and that he will not hold and retain his Wrath for ever; Such are his deſires of the Welfare of his People,

4. The gracious Calls, Invitations, Requeſts, Intreaties & Expoſtulations, made by GOD and his Servants the Holy Prophets and Bleſſed Apoſtles to his People, is yet a further illuſtration of the gracious Deſires in GOD for the Happineſs and Welfare of Man. Nay the Chaſtiſement & Correction which is beſtowed upon his Children flows from the ſame Fountain, and is the Fruit of Paternal Love, and evidenceth his tender concern for them. The very thought of approaching deſtruction to his People, ſo affected the tender Heart of the Bleſſed JESUS, as to cauſe the Tears to run down his Cheeks, and to break forth in doleful Accents, and in a Language inimitable: O Jeruſalem how often would I have gathered thee Matth 23. 37. And again, If thou hadst known, even thou, at leaſt in this thy day, the things which belong to thy Peace! Luke 19. 41,42. But there is thro' the whole ſacred Oracles ſuch plentiful diſcoveries of the good Will of GOD towards his People, as would be endleſs to come to particulars, and ſhould fill us with admiration, and cauſe us to cry out with the Pſalmiſt, What is Man that thou art mindful of him? and the ſon of Man that thou viſiteſt him.

And if it ſhould be enquired, Whence it is that GOD is thus deſirous of his People's Happineſs? Why ſuch low vile & ſinful Creatures, ſhould have ſo much room in GOD's Heart? compared with whom we are but 〈◊〉 the drops of the Bucket and the ſmall duſt of the Ballance. To which I can only reply 'tis from the Eſſential Goodneſs of his Nature. It is of the Eſſence of Goodneſs to be communicative. That which giveth Riſe to all GOD's Deſires and Actions, muſt be looked for within Himſelf. 'Tis nothing in the Creature, I mean no worth or dignity in them, that is the Cauſe. Had the Almighty when Man fell, turned him into the World to ſhift for himſelf, and taken no more thought and concern about him, he then had had as much and more than he deſerved. Neither is it any need that GOD has of us or our Services, that is the cauſe hereof; for Man can't be profitable to God, as • e that is wiſe may be profitable to himſelf Job 22. 2, 3. It is no Gain to him, tho' a Man maketh his ways perfect, but all muſt be referred to God who is eſſentially Good, and therefore communicative of his Goodneſs to his Creatures, who all drink at that Fountain of living Water.

But nevertheleſs, I know not why it may not be juſtly ſuppoſed, that one great motive with GOD thus to deſire and ſeek the recovery of Man from his fallen and miſerable State, was to fruſtrate & diſappoint the great Enemy of GOD and Man, the wicked and malicious Devil, who triumphed over the ruins of the Fall, and bleſſed himſelf in having been Inſtrumental to deface the Divine Image impreſſed on Man, and thereby gratified his accurſed Malice againſt GOD and his Creature made in his likeneſs, by which he imagined irrecoverably to have ruined, & thereby to have brought them in for ſharers with him in thoſe Eternal Flames of Vengeance prepared for the infernal Spirits, and to have robbed GOD of his Honour, and Man of his Happineſs; the very thought whereof gave Eaſe & Satisfaction in the midſt of that gloom and horror, that everlaſtingly adheres to the apoſtate Angels. Then theſe fallen Stars ſang together; and theſe Sons of Perdition ſhouted for joy. I ſay that this may be thought a motive with the Divine Being, to deſire, ſeek and accompliſh the reſtoration of Man, and thereby to fruſtrate the great Expectations the Devil had of the happy ſucceſs of his Temptation; and thereby alſo to add to the Puniſhment of His and our great Adverſary; For the reſcuing of Mankind out of their hands, created ſuch an uneaſineſs in them, as will not a little add to the torture, that is inſeparable from their malicious and envious breaſts: So that what they propoſed to themſelves as a Happineſs is by the juſt Judgment of GOD in the event made an addition to their Miſery; and ſuch an addition as their belying of GOD when they ſeduced our firſt Parents, juſtly deſerved. This Sin of the Deceiver, as well as of the Deceived, deſerves puniſhment. Whether a Creature in a full ſtate of puniſhment be under a Law that obliges to Obedience, & ſo whether capable of ſinning i. e of tranſgreſſing a Law, I ſhall not now determine; but by the by ſay, that there are (at leaſt in my apprehenſion) ſtronger Arguments to vindicate Divine Juſtice, in inflicting Eternal Puniſhment on Sinners, than thoſe built on this Hypotheſis, ſoil. Of their ſinning 〈…〉 . But I think it evident from the ſacred Scriptures, that the apoſtate Angels are not at preſent in the full Poſſeſſion of their demerited Puniſhment; for tho' they are ejected from their first habitation, and are reſerved in chains of darkneſs, yet 'tis to the Judgment of the great Day Jude. ver. 6. Which plainly intimates, that then they are to enter upon the full Poſſeſſion of their deſerved Torments. And the ſpeech of the Gadarene Devils, whoſe Names were Legion to our Lord when He came into that Coaſt, is a further confirmation, 〈◊〉 thou come hither to torment us before the time? Mat. 8 29.. And if ſo, they may juſtly fall under a law, and be obliged to Obedience; and for the tranſgreſſion thereof incur a greater Puniſhment. But I wave the further proſecution of this digreſſion, and together with it this Doctrine, when I have entered,

1. A Caution to all to beware that they do not preſume to continue in ſin, becauſe of the tender Mercies and gracious deſires that there are 〈◊〉 GOD, of our Welfare and Happineſs. It is to be feared that there is that baſeneſs in the hearts of many to take encouragement from the Grace of GOD to go on in the imagination of their own hearts, to add ſin to ſin, and to promiſe themſelves peace and happineſs, thro' a mad preſumption on the Divine Mercies, as tho' the Almighty had no other perfection to be glorified but this, and that this ſhall be magnified at the expence of the other glorious Attributes of the Divine Eſſence. Such Preſumers may without preſumption expect the ſword of Divine Juſtice; and that the Lord will not ſpare them, but his anger and jealouſy ſhall ſmoke against them; that all the curſes that are written in the Book of GOD ſhall lie on them, and that the Lord ſhall blot out their names from under heaven, Deut 29. 19, 20.

2. An Exhortation to the People of GOD herein to imitate their heavenly Father; like Him to be deſirous of, and endeavouring the welfare & happineſs of our fellow Creatures. If GOD who is infinitely above Man, is thus tho'tful of us; How much more ſhould we, ſeeing they are fleſh of our fleſh and bone of our bone. There is nothing renders a Man more unlike GOD, than a narrow contracted Spirit, whoſe views terminate on his own dear ſelf, and whoſe proper emblem is the Hedgehog, who wraps it ſelf up in its own ſoft down, and turns out brizzils to all the World beſide. The more communicative & diffuſive perſons are, the more noble and excellent they are, and the nearer approaches they make to the Divine Pattern; who cauſeth his Sun to ſhine, and his rain to fall both on the juſt and the unjuſt. To be deſirous of, to have an eye to, and in their ſphere to ſeek the welfare & proſperity of a People, is incumbent on all. But more eſpecially are thoſe that are titular GodsPſal. 82. 6., I mean the Rulers of a People: Their obligations are very ſingular, to conform and regulate themſelves, in all their Adminiſtrations, by the divine Standard, or Pattern; and this will diſcover that they do not only bear the Title of gods, but the Image alſo of Him that is the Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth, and who judgeth among the gods. But I muſt proceed to the ſecond Obſervation.

OBSER. II. To Fear GOD and keep his Commandments ought to be the great Concern, as it is the great Duty of his People; becauſe their own and Poſterity's Happineſs depends thereon.

Our GOD is a great, a glorious and an Almighty GOD, therefore to be feared; his Commandments Holy, Juſt and Good, therefore to be obeyed: and theſe two as the Wiſe Man ſaithEccl. 12. 13.. To Fear GOD and keep his Commandments are the whole Duty of Man. And 'tis an Act of Grace that GOD has made our Duty and Intereſt inſeparable the one from the other; ſo that by Obedience to the righteous Laws of our Sovereign, we do both Honour him, and conſult our own Welfare and Happineſs. While we are in the way of our Duty, we are in the way to Heaven. GOD as being our abſolute Sovereign might have exacted a Servitude of us, without promiſing or granting any Reward; and when we had accompliſhed the Buſineſs he had ſet us, have turned us into the dark and ſilent Grave, from whence there had been no Reſurrection; but thro' the Bounty of a good and gracious GOD, there are glorious Rewards for them that diligently ſeek and ſerve Him Heb. 11. 6.. But I ſpeak to this Doctrine under three following Heads.

1. To Fear GOD and keep his Commandments is Man's great Duty. All the bright and glorious Perfections of the Divine Eſſence, claim our Fear & Reverence, and his Sovereignty obligeth to Obedience. His giving to us Being, and by the word of His Power upholding us in Being, gives him a Right to Command, and bringeth us under an obligation to fear & obey. It was a proud and haughty Speech of obdurate and hard hearted Pharoah Exod. 5. 2., Who is the Lord that I ſhould obey his voice, I know not the Lord &c. But if we conſider a Circumſtance herein it will not appear ſo black and blaſphemous, as at firſt ſight. For when Moſes came to Pharaoh with his Meſſage, he delivereth himſelf as in the firſt Verſe; Thus ſaith Jehovah the GOD of Iſrael: which Name Jehovah we may juſtly ſuppoſe Pharaoh wholly unacquainted with, and might imagine it to be the Name of ſome petty Deity, to whom that enſlaved People paid Adoration; and therefore accordingly replies, Who is Jehovah? that I ſhould obey his Voice! I know not Jehovah neither will I let Iſrael go: which conſideration ſoftens the expreſſion. By the Fear of GOD in our Text we are to underſtand that gracious Habit or Principle in the Soul, whereby the Heart is inclined or diſpoſed to have an awful reverential regard to GOD, to his whole Will and all his ways; ſo as to fear to do what he forbids, or forbear what he preſcribes: Conſonant hereto GOD ſaith, I will put my fear in their hearts that they ſhall not depart from me: And this Affection is what a glorious GOD hath a juſt expectation of from his People; and it is the Principle from whence all ſincere and acceptable Obedience flows; and frequently in the Divine Writings theſe two are found together. Thou ſhalt fear the Lord thy God and ſerve him. Deut. 6. 13. And in many other Places too many to mention here, as well as in our Text.

And as to the keeping of the Commandments: We muſt have a Reſpect to them all, and perſevere therein to the end; agreable to our Text; All the Commandments. Which denotes the univerſality and conſtancy of our Obedience. There's no Command tho' never ſo ſmall muſt be left undone; for indeed GOD has by terrible and amazing Judgments teſtified His concern for ſome of the leſſer matters of his Law. A Fire from Heaven deſtroys Nada • & Abihu, becauſe of a failure in a Circumſtance, when in executing their Prieſtly Office. The Men of B •••••• meſh met with a terrible Deſtruction from the Lord, becauſe they looked into the Ark; and Uzzah was ſmote dead on the ſpot only becauſe he touched the Ark of the Lord. All which ſhould ſerve to inſtruct us, that we are to have a regard to all GOD's Commands, and not to leave undone the very leaſt of them.

2. The Happineſs of a People and their Poſterity, depends on the fearing of GOD, and keeping his Commands. The Happineſs which our Text ſpeaks of is, I preſume, a temporal Happineſs, as indeed are many of the Promiſes of the Old Teſtament: I ſay many of them; for I am far from the opinion of them, that would have us to believe, that the Mount Sinai Covenant had no other than temporal Sanctions, and that the Hopes of GOD's People extended no farther than the Enjoyment of a proſperous State in the earthly Canaan for a moderate Term of Years An Opinion fit for none but the Sadduces to embrace, who ſay there is no Reſurrection, Angel or Spirit Acts 23. 8.. But all the other Sects as well as the Phariſees, confeſs both. But this, I ſay, is a Promiſe of Temporal Felicity, as is evident from what follows in the Context, ver. 33. That ye may prolong your days in the Land, ye ſhall poſſeſs.

The way to attain this Felicity is that preſcribed in our Text, which is abundantly confirmed in the ſacred Writings, in the Story of GOD's dealing with Iſrael, a ſtiff necked and perverſe Generation, who while they ſerved GOD, were a flouriſhing People, & GOD made their Enemies to be at Peace with them; No weapon formed againſt them proſpered: GOD frequently made bare his Arm and took Vengeance on their Adverſaries. When his People hearkened to him, and Iſrael walked in his ways, then • e ſubdued their Enemies and turned his hand againſt their Adverſaries, he fed them with the fineſt of the Wheat, and with Honey out of the Rock he ſatisfied them Pſal 81. 13, 14, 16.. And on the contrary, when they relinquiſhed their Rightful Lord, broke thro' his Righteous Laws, and went a whoring after other gods, they were expoſed to the rebukes of an incenſed Deity, and ſuffered the dreadful ſtrokes of Divine Wrath and Fury. GOD has literally fulfilled, what he expreſly threatned them with in caſe of Diſobedience, and as punctually performed all his Promiſes to them; when they hearkned diligently to his voice, and obſerved and did all his Commandments; then the Lord ſet them on high above all nations of the earth, and his Bleſſings came upon them and overtook them, when they they hearkned to the voice of the Lord their God Job 21. 7, 8, 9.. But whether GOD doth obſerve the ſame exactneſs in conferring temporal Bleſſings, and inflicting Puniſhment under the Goſpel, as of old under the Sinai Covenant Adminiſtration, may admit of Debate; and whether temporal Promiſes and Judgments were not more fulfilled in the Letter, in the times of the Old Teſtament, than in the Days of the Goſpel, wherein they are often exchanged into ſpiritual Bleſſings & Curſes. For how exactly ſoever they were then accompliſhed upon a People conſidered as a politick Body, there was not the like with reference to particular Perſons. Job takes notice of this, and expoſtulateth upon it; Wherefore do the Wicked live, become old, yea are mighty in Power? Their ſeed is eſtabliſhed in their ſight, and their off-ſpring before their eyes: Their Houſes are ſafe from fear, neither is the Rod of God upon them †. Aſaph likewiſe mentions this, as that which had ſtumbled him, and made him envious at the fooliſh, when he ſaw the Proſperity of the Wicked Pſal. 73. 2, 3.. There are Divines of great fame that ſuppoſe theſe Promiſes are now as punctually performed to a People, conſidered as embodied, or a Society, as then; but it may be queſtioned whether the Arguments, wherewith they endeavour to confirm their Opinion, be forcible, and whether it be a Truth that admits of no exception. As thoſe had drawn a falſe inference who had concluded that thoſe Galileans, whoſe blood Pilate had mingled with their ſacrifices, were greater Sinners than others Luke 13. 1, 3.; ſo to infer that a Town, Province or Nation when under heavy and diſtreſſing Judgments, are more Vicious than other Places whom GOD viſits not with the like Calamities, is unjuſt and uncharitable. No reaſon can be aſſigned why a Holy GOD for wiſe Ends may not bring great diſtreſſing Judgments on Ten Thouſand Good Men, tho' they are formed into Civil Society, as well as upon Job who was perfect and upright, by GOD's own acknowledgement. If GOD for the good of his own Children whom he loveth, doth ſometime chaſten them ſore, why not for the Good of a Society? Or is GOD more regardful of the Welfare of Particulars, than of a whole Kingdom or Nation. But this is what ſuffices to my preſent purpoſe, that this is the general way of GOD, in his Providence, to Honour thoſe that Honour Him, and to exalt a Righteous Nation. And further, the fear of GOD, and Obedience to his Commands not only renders a People Happy, but layeth a foundation for the Proſperity & Welfare of ſucceeding Generations.

The Virtue and Religion of Anceſtry has a great tendency to render their Poſterity virtuous and religious. The Examples of Parents have a wonderful Influence on Children; They work more efficaciouſly than their Precepts. Mankind are generally of a Temper to be led rather than drove. This is more plainly diſcovered in the evil Examples which they readily give into; as we find verified in the ſacred Story. So likewiſe hath a good Example and a religious Education a powerful Influence on Poſterity: They frequently inherit their Fathers Virtues, and in this way a foundation is laid for their happineſs. And again, GOD of His rich & boundleſs grace, extends His Patience and long-ſuffering to a corrupt Poſterity, for the ſake of their Religious and Vertuous Anceſtors: As GOD viſits the iniquities of Father upon Children to the third and fourth Generation, ſo likewiſe on the other hand. Thus GOD for faithful Abrahams ſake, ſhewed kindneſs to his Poſterity. As the vices of Fathers do bring down Judgments on their corrupt Off-spring, ſo their Faith, and other graces convey down Bleſſings of a Temporal nature: For as no Man ſhall ſuffer eternal Puniſhment for his Fathers ſins, ſo neither ſhall any inherit eternal Life for his Fathers Obedience Jeruſalem was ſaved by GOD, in the ſiege laid by Senacheri • for David his Servants ſake, many ages after his DeathIſai. 37. 35.: And the ſucceſſion of the Line of Jehu poſſeſſed the Crown of Iſrael for four Deſcents, for the zeal he exerted againſt the houſe of Ahab and Baals worſhippers. Thus we ſee Poſterity may fare the better for the vertues of their Anceſtors. Neither is there any room to charge GOD with partiality or reſpect of perſons, tho' He ſpares a corrupt Offspring from religious Anceſtors, and brings down heavy and ſpeedy Judgments o • a Generation but equally as corrupt, that are ſprung from vicious Predeceſſors. For none would bring the ſame charge againſt an earthly Sovereign, in the like caſe, ſhould he pardon a Treaſon committed againſt his Majeſty by one whoſe fore-fathers had been eminent for their loyalty to their Sovereign, tho' at the ſame time he ſhould order the execution of the Son of a treacherous Father, when but equally involved in 〈◊〉 ſame crime with the fore-mentioned. Thus we ſee, how the happineſs of the ſucceeding may be promoted by the Religion and Piety of the preceding Generation, and that the way to their happineſs is, to Fear God and Keep his Commandments.

3. That therefore it greatly concerns a People to fear GOD, and keep all his Commandment always. This concern David the beſt of Kings, and a holy Prophet of the Lord, had ſo much upon his heart, that when a Dying he gave it in charge to his People, that they ſhould keep and ſeek for all the Commandments of the Lord their God, that ſo they might poſſeſs their Land, and leave it for an inheritance to their Children after them for everI Chron. 28. 8.. The Man that is unconcerned about his own welfare, is ſtupid and tho'tleſs, and ſeems not only deſtitute of rational, but ſenſitive powers. If he that neglects to provide for his own houſe is worſe than an Infidel. He that is unconcerned about his own Welfare is worſe than a Brute, for theſe are leaving no eſſays, within the reach of their powers, unattempted, to promote their own comfortable Subſiſtence. The Law of Self Preſervation leads to it, which is not only impreſſed on the Rational but the Brutal World too.

And beſides this the Welfare of your Poſterity hath ſuch a dependency hereupon, as be ſpeaks your great Concern. Our Children which ſhall ſucceed us, when we paſs off the ſtage, will face the better for our Obedience and Fidelity to our GOD: a care and regard to their Young is diſcovered in the Brutal Herd, (which conſideration alone (by the way) muſt ſatisfy every Man of reaſon that they act from a Principle ſuperior to that of tho'tleſs and unactive Matter, and for ever baffle the notion that ſome of our modern Philoſophers have endeavoured to impoſe upon the World, of their being but meer Machines;) and ſhall not Man lay himſelf out, in proſecuting of all thoſe meaſures▪ whereby he may not only make himſelf Happy, but entail a Bleſſing on Generations to come. If we of this Land conſider the great Declenſions & Apoſtacies, whoſe black and diſmal Symptoms appear ſo freſh and lively upon us, we may, under GOD▪ impute the continuance of that degree of Proſperity which yet remains to us, to that life and power of Religion and Godlineſs, which ſhone forth in the Lives of our Fore-fathers who were planted in this Wilderneſs a noble Vine, and wholly a right Seed. Let us therefore know the Lord God of our Fathers and ſerve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind 1 Chron. 28 9.; for if 〈◊〉 ſeek and ſerve Him, he will be found of as, but if we forſake Him, he will caſt us off for ever. Tho' GOD remembers hitherto the kindneſs of our Youth, and the love of our eſpouſal, when our Fathers went after him in the Wilderneſs in a land not • o • n; when our Iſrael was Holineſs to the Lord, and the firſt fruits of his increaſe; and therefore hath hitherto extended his Favours, and dealt with us according to the multitude of his Compaſſions: yet ſeeing we have been a rebellions Houſe, and in ſome meaſure are turned into the degenerate plant of a ſtrange Vine, we can't expect that GOD will always bear with us. Tho' GOD exerciſed a long Patience towards Judah, for David his Servant's ſake, yet by their continual backſlidings, they ſtirred up his fiery indignation to lay Judgment to the line, and righteouſneſs to the plummet, diſannulled their covenant with Death and their agreement with Hell could not ſtand, when the overflowing ſcourge paſſ • d thro' he trod them down by it. The like Fate we may look for, ſeeing we have left our firſt Love, unleſs we remember from whence we are fallen, and repent and do our firſt works and are watchful, and ſtrengthen the things which remain and are ready to die. This is what behoves all Orders of Men, that have at Heart the Proſperity of our Sion, that by fearing GOD and keeping his Commandments, they lengthen out the Tranquillity of this Land. To this let us all ſtrenuouſly apply our ſelves, that our Glory may not depart from us, and that GOD write not an lchabod upon us. And unto this GOD by ſignal and amazing Providences in the Year paſt hath loudly call'd us; for GOD ſpeaketh by his Works, as well as by his Word. The melting Heat, the ſcorching Drought, the blazing Sky, the ſtor my Wind, the thundring Heavens, the pr ••• ing, trembling Earth, have lift up their V • ie • , and given an Alarm to a ſleepy, declining Generation. And let him that hath an ear, 〈◊〉 As it ought to be the great Concern of all ſo ſeek their own and their Poſterity's Happineſs, ſo more particularly, of our Political Fathers in the Common wealth, whoſe Authority and Abilities put them into a Capacity of being more ſerviceable than others. An affectionate and tender Concern for the Welfare of thoſe over whom they bear Rule, is what Nature & Grace calls for. What GOD from whom they derive their. Authority requires, and Man juſtly expects, and for to promote and further this, they are in many regards qualified above others, and have great Advantages put into their hands.

'Tis a great Service ſuch may do to the Religious Intereſts of a People, by their Examples. There is nothing perhaps tends more to promote Religion among a People, or has a ſtronger influence on their Manners, than the vertuous Examples of the Great & Honourable. Regis ad Exemplum. And on the contrary nothing more debauches and corrupts a People, than the Precedents of thoſe who are by title Gods, and by practice Brutes. It has been remarked by ſome whoſe Hearts have been wiſe to diſcern Time and Judgment, that it was the Debauchery of a Court, that brought in ſuch a Deluge of Vice and Profaneſs upon our Nation, that neither a Succeſſion of Virtuous Princes, nor all their Societies for Reformation of Manners have been able to remove. We have abundant confirmation in the Hiſtory of the Kings of Judah & Iſrael, of the readineſs of a People to follow the Examples of their Sovereigns. The Magiſtrate never better conſults his own Honour and the People's Happineſs, than when he leads them by a vertuous and religious Example. And on the contrary, Diſſolute Rulers corrupt their Manners, and bring down Judgments upon them, (Delirant Reges, pi • ctuntur A •• i • i,) and fully thoſe Poſts of Honour which they ſuſtain.

And further, Civil Rulers may promote the Welfare of a People, by exerting the Powers which they have received from GOD, to reſtrain and ſuppreſs Tranſgreſſors, by being a terror to evil Doers and a praiſe to them that do well: And hereby they will aſſert the Dignity of their Character, and Generations to come ſhall call them Bleſſed; when by good Examples they draw, by Good Laws they bind their People, and by Executions ſtrike Terror to the bold & daring Tranſgreſſor. Such ſhow themſelves Fathers to their Country, and purſue the moſt natural Methods to eſtabliſh the Felicity of a People, and to convey it to their Poſterity, and procure to themſelves the Name of the Righteous, which ſhall be had in everlaſting remembrance.

BUT I would more particularly in the firſt place humbly Addreſs His Honour the LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUR and Commander in Chief, and the Honourable His Majeſty's COUNCIL for this Province, by whom I am this Day called to ſpeak in the Name of the LORD.

May it pleaſe your Honours,

We eſteem it as a Favour from GOD, and our Honour, that we ſee the firſt Chair of Dignity filled, and the Council Board ſurrounded with the Sons of our Sion, who are not only bound by Sacred, but alſo by the bonds of Nature to ſeek the Peace and Proſperity of all her Children. Our Hope is (and we bleſs GOD we have grounds for it,) That you your ſelves will fear GOD and keep all his Commandments always: And that you will improve the Powers that GOD, your KING and Country repoſe in you, that thoſe over whom you bare rule may do the ſame, and eſpecially thoſe that immediately derive their Power from you, I mean thoſe that Preſide in our Courts of Judicature; Our Judges and Juſtices that they he Men that fear GOD, and fear an Oath; that will ſee the good and wholeſome Laws made for the promoting of Religion duly executed; and whoſe Religion and Morals ſhall have a powerful influence on the Manners of the People; who ſhall be equal to the Truſt put into their hands, and ſhall dare to unſheath the Sword of Juſtice againſt the great and bold Tranſgreſſor; whom neither perſonal Reſpects, ſelf-Intereſt, Cowardice or Bribes can prevail with to pervert Juſtice, nor be impoſed on by the thin Sophiſtry and Quibbles of thoſe whoſe Intereſt it is to prolong it: Who can ſay with Job 29. 14. I put on Righteouſneſs and it cloathed me: My Judgment was as a Robe and a Diadem: Who will be Eyes to the blind, and Feet to the lame: A Father to the poor; and ſearch out the cauſe that he knew not: Break the Jaws of the wicked and pluck the ſpoil out of their Teeth.

Your Honours are betruſted with our Liberties and Privileges both Civil and Sacred, which were conferred on us by King WILLIAM and Queen MARY of immortal Memory; or rather by them reſtored to us; when they had been unjuſtly invaded in an arbitrary Reign▪ wherein almoſt all the Rights and Privileges of our Nation were ſacrificed. We truſt you will protect us in, and that you will ſpeak comfortably to our College. Churches and Miniſtry. We know that your Juſtice and Love to your Country, will make you tender of them, and we truſt that you will aſſert them, and not ſuffer our Rights to be trampled or broke in upon, by the Haughty and Inſolent; and do us Juſtice when any vile miſrepreſentations are made at Home againſt us, by thoſe who are the Enemies to our Conſtitution both in Church and State. For the Truth of it is, ſuch we have: We have nouriſhed up in our own Boſom, thoſe who ſeek the Ruin of both. Theſe with the greateſt Injuſtice as well as odious Ingratitude, have baſely repreſented us as tho' we neither feared GOD, nor honoured the KING: concerning ſome of whom we may ſay, as Julius Caeſar to Brutus, when together with others they were baſely murdering of him, Et tu quo que • i Fili. Tho' we have not ſtrained the Doctrine of Loyalty to that exceſſive heighth which ſome have done; nor been Debauched with their Notion of Indefeaſible Hereditary Right. Doctrines never deſigned for their own Practiſe, but to impoſe it as a burden on the Shoulders of others, and they not touch it with one of their Fingers: Principles that have been at the bottom and given life to thoſe unhappy Strifes and ſcandalous Diviſions that have plagued the Nations for a Century of Years. Yet we can vie with any for Loyalty to our PRINCE: At the Demiſe of our late moſt gracious SOVEREIGN of Bleſſed Memory, none paid a larger Tribute of Tears; and at the happy and Peaceable Acceſſion of his preſent ſacred MAJESTY to his Father's Throne, none more heartily rejoyced, (whom GOD long preſerve) which encourageth us to expect his Favour; and that you Great Sir, that have the Honour to repreſent Him, and thoſe Honourable Gentlemen that are or may be of His Council, will ſeek our peace and guard our Liberties.

I would in the next place humbly Addreſs my ſelf to the Honourable and Worthy Gentlemen, that are veſted with the power of the Elections of this Day.

It is our juſt and reaſonable Expectation from You, that you faithfully diſcharge the truſt repoſed in you by GOD, your KING and Country; that you your ſelves ſeek the Proſperity of this People; and that you make Choice of ſuch to be of his Majeſty's Council, as ſhall be true to the Temporal and Religious Intereſts of this Land. That in your Elections you be not under the influence of any private or ſiniſter view: That you chooſe Men that Fear GOD and Honour the KING; Men of approved Fidelity to their Prince and Country; Men of Courage & Reſolution, that dare aſſert the Rights and Liberties of the People, and will give to Caeſar the things that are Caeſar's, and to GOD the things that are GOD's; and that will not give into any meaſures deſtructive to our true Intereſts Civil & Religious, tho' they ſhould miſs of popular Applauſe, and endanger a being dropt at the next Election: Men of Wiſdom and Skill, equal to the Province they undertake, and that know what Iſrael ought to do in ſuch a Day as this; who ſhall not tremble at the frowns of the Great, nor have a fondneſs for that inſignificant toy & trifle, popular Praiſe: That in your Choice you be not biaſſed by perſonal Reſpects, nor prejudiced by ſecret Suggeſtions: Nor ſuppoſe a Man qualified to ſet at the Honourable Board meerly becauſe he will be a Tool to promote ſome particular Deſign or Intereſt in view; but Men of known Character for Piety towards GOD, Loyalty to their Prince and Probity towards Men; Men who ſhall act up to their Dignity and ſcorn to be under the malign Influences of a Party Spirit, who ſhall always have the true Intereſt of their KING and Country in view, and ſteadily proſecute all meaſures conducive thereunto; whom neither Frowns nor Bribes can divert therefrom.

Your Wiſdom, Piety and Zeal for the Glory of GOD, and the Welfare of this his People are greatly relied upon; and a Unanimity in puſuing all proper Methods for the accompliſhing hereof is much deſired and wiſhed for. This will ſhow you to be Fathers to your Country, and will give us a joyful Proſpect that it ſhall be well with us and our Children for ever.

I would in the next place apply my ſelf to my Reverend Fathers and Brethren in the Miniſtry; not for their Information, but to excite and quicken them to the induſtrious Improvement of the Talents, Advantages and Opportunities put into their hands to promote the Intereſts of the People that the great Shepherd of the Sheep hath committed to their Charge. We of all Men are the moſt deeply obliged to Fear GOD and keep his Commandments, and to lay out ourſelves, that others may do ſo too; that we may be able, when the chief Shepherd ſhall appear, to give up a joyful Account of our ſelves and them that He hath committed to our Care; and may receive a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away. To promote practical Religion ſhould be the great end of our Miniſtry: This is what is worthy to expend our Zeal upon, and not in unhappy Jangles about ſpeculative Opinions that have no influence on our Morals. Though by the Deeds of the Law, ſhall no fleſh be juſtified, yet without the Deeds of the Law, can none be ſaved: Though a Man be a ſound Believer; (I mean Orthodox in the faith) unleſs he be a ſincere Convert, his Religion is as a ſounding Braſs and a tinkling Cymbal. I would not be underſtood to intimate as if Moral vertues, were to be i • ſiſted upon only or principally in our Preaching & inculcated upon our Auditory; No, Faith in JESUS CHRIST and Repentance unto Life are the great Doctrines of the Goſpel; and which when rightly underſtood, will be found to be the foundation of all true Obedience: and theſe only conduce to make us a Holy & Religions People. For this end CHRIST, when perſonally here preached them: and for this he gave Himſelf for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify to Himſelf a peculiar People zealous of good works. And to proſecute the ſame glorious End, & by the ſame Means, is incumbent on Goſpel Miniſters who will never more ſuccesfully promote the intereſts of Religion, than by Preaching the Doctrines of Faith and Repentance. In this let us labour, and be unwearied: Tho' the work be difficult in it ſelf, and many diſcouragements attending of it, ariſing from Hell beneath, and its children here on Earth; yet we have this to encourage us, that He that hath ſent us hath promiſed to be with us unto the End of the World. Our Work is great, our Strength is ſmall, our Time is ſhort, ſome of our beſt & moſt induſtrious Labourers in GOD's Vineyard, are called away to receive their Wages; & we are left to bear the heat & burden of the Day. All which Conſiderations ſhould make us more prayerful, more diligent, more laborious in our miniſterial Work, that we may approve ourſelves faithful to GOD, faithful to his People, faithful to our own Souls; and this will intitle us to an untarniſhed, unfading Crown of Glory when the chief Shepherd ſhall appear.

I ſhall Conclude when I have briefly addreſſed my ſelf to the People of this Land, that they would lay theſe things to Heart and ſtrenuouſly apply themſelves to ſeek their own and Poſterities Welfare and Happineſs in the way & method in our Text preſcribed. Without you, all that our Rulers in Civil and Sacred Orders can do, will not avail. Tho' our Legiſlators enact never ſo many good Laws for the regulation of the Morals of a People, unleſs You do your part, and improve the Power and Liberty you are inveſted with in your ſeveral Towns to make choice of ſuch for your Grand-jurors, Tything men, &c. as are Men fearing GOD, Men of Truth & Fidelity, Men of Wiſdom equal to the Truſt committed to them and have the intereſts of Religion at heart; who will carefully inſpect the Manners of the People, and bring the Tranſgreſſors to open ſhame and puniſhment. I ſay, unleſs you are careful and conſcientious in this, all our Laws for the reforming the Manners of a corrupt People, are inſignificant, and our Law-makers labour in vain. And tho' the Miniſters of the Everlaſting Goſpel ſhould ſet the Doctrines thereof in the cleareſt and brighteſt Light, and with the moſt cogent Arguments, and forcible Motives preſs practical Religion upon their People; unleſs you encourage their hearts & ſtrengthen their hands, and joyn with them in their endeavours to ſtem that torrent of Vice & Profaneneſs which has broke in upon us; They will take up that Melancholly complaint, we have laboured in vain, and ſpent our ſtrength for nought and in vain. Oh! that there were ſuch an heart in this People to Fear GOD and Keep His Commandments: And to exert themſelves in their ſeveral Capacities ſo to promote the Peace and Proſperity of our Church and State: to put up ſtrong Cries to our Fathers GOD, that He would pour out a Spirit of Repentance and Reformation on their degenerate Offspring. Then the LORD our GOD will be with us, as He was with our Fathers, and never leave us nor forſake us. This GOD of His Infinite Mercy grant for the ſake of His only SON our bleſſed Saviour, to whom be Glory & Praiſe for ever, AMEN.