THIS anniverſary Day which is now return'd upon us, may very well be call'd A Day which the Pſal. 118. 24. Lord hath made; inaſmuch as He has given us the happy Occaſion of it, by putting our Fathers, and continuing us in the Poſſeſſion of thoſe invaluable Privileges, the Exerciſe whereof is the proper Buſineſs of the Day: And if we, and our People, do not rejoyce and ſhew ourſelves glad in it, with a religious as well as civil Joy, our Stupidity and Ingratitude will be an Evidence, how unworthy we are of the Favours of Heaven wherewith we are diſtinguiſh'd.

WE again ſee the Princes, the Legiſlators of the People, even the People of the God of Abraham, gathered together; not only in the State-Houſe to diſpatch the publick Buſineſs, but in the Lord's-Houſe to pay Him their publick Homage, and to learn their Duty to Him by inquiring in his Temple: Pſal. 47, 9. And ſince the Shields of the Earth do belong unto God, it is fit He ſhould in this Way be exalted by them.

OUR preſent Rulers deſire this publick Day may continue to wear the Garb of Religion, not only out of Cuſtom, and in Conformity to the Practice of their Anceſtors; but, we truſt, from a Senſe of Duty, and becauſe they inherit a good Meaſure of the ſame Spirit of Piety and Devotion, which was the diſtinguiſhing Glory of the Fathers of our Country.

I know your Excellency, and the honourable Counſellers, who have order'd me into the ſacred Desk on this great Occaſion, don't expect from me, either an Addreſs of Compliment, or a Lecture in Politicks; both of which are as diſtant from my Genius, as they would be diſagreable to my Character. That which you have called me to is, as a Goſpel Miniſter, to direct you from the Word of God, and remember you of your Duty as Chriſtian Magiſtrates; which I ſhall accordingly endeavour, by divine Help, with all Fidelity, and a proper Deference: And I don't know how I can better do this, than from the ſolemn Paſſage I have juſt read.

IF then you are come together to hear what God the Lord has to ſay unto you, the Meſſage bro't you in his Name, by the unworthieſt of his Miniſters, is this, Serve the LORD with Fear, and rejoyce with Trembling. Kiſs the SON left He be angry, &c.

THE Pſalm of which our Text is the Cloſe, is a prophetick Diſcourſe of the Kingdom of the Meſſiah. It foretells the Oppoſition which would be given to that Kingdom, when it ſhould be ſet up in the World. Tho' the Laws of this Kingdom, and the Adminiſtration of it, are every way ſuited to make the Subjects thereof eaſy and happy; and the Nature of it is ſuch, that if it did univerſally obtain, it would make the Kingdoms of this World reſemble the Kingdom of Heaven; for it conſiſts in Righteouſneſs,Rom. 14. 7 and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghoſt; yet ſuch are the Prejudices of Men, that they not only refuſe to become the Subjects of this Kingdom themſelves, but do their utmoſt to prevent its Eſtabliſhment and Spread in the World. And this Oppoſition is general, made by all ſorts of Perſons; not only the common Rout, from whom little better is to be expected, but the Kings and Rulers are engag'd in it; as if they tho't the Reign of Chriſt would eclipſe their Glory, and diminiſh their Authority. Theſe back their Strength and Power with Policy and Counſel. The Kings of the Earth ſet themſelves, ver. 2, 3. and the Rulers take Counſel together, againſt the Lord, and againſt his Anointed, ſaying, Let us break their Bands aſunder, and caſt away their Cords from us.

BUT for the Comfort of all thoſe who have heartily eſpous'd the Intereſts of Chriſt, and are the faithful Subjects of his Kingdom, the Vanity and Unſucceſsfulneſs of this Oppoſition follow. Their Attempts will certainly be defeated, and their Counſels baffled, however confident they may be of carrying their Point. The moſt High controls their Rage, and derides their Folly. Why do the Heathen rage, 1. & 4. v. and the People imagine a vain Thing? He that ſitteth in the Heaven▪ ſhall laugh, the Lord ſhall have them in Deriſion. For the Thing they attempt is not only unlikely, but impoſſible. The Kingdom of Chriſt is better eſtabliſh'd than any of the Monarchies of the World. It is founded upon an irrevocable Decree of God the Father, from which he cannot recede in Point of Honour. This eternal Purpoſe and Reſolve, which lay hid in the divine Counſels from the Days of Eternity, is publiſh'd with Solemnity:6, 7, 8. v. Yet have I ſet my King upon my holy Hill of Zion. I will declare the Decree; the Lord hath ſaid unto me, Thou art my Son, this Day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I ſhall give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance, and the utmoſt Parts of the Earth for thy Poſſeſſion. Nay; The Oppoſition will iſſue not only in a vexatious and ſhameful Diſappointment, but in the dreadful, utter and irrecoverable Ruin of all that are in the curſed Confederacy. The Honours of this divine King will be ſufficiently vindicated; and they who would not ſubmit to his gracious Sceptre, ſhall be broken with his iron Rod.v. 9. Thou ſhalt break them with a Rod of Iron, thou ſhalt daſh them in Pieces like a Potters Veſſel; ſo ſuddenly, eaſily, and irreparably.

Now our Text is the Application of all this, by way of Counſel and Admonition, to Perſons of the higheſt Rank and Order in the World, as more eſpecially concerned in it. And here we may obſerve, 1, The Perſons to whom the Counſel is addreſs'd. 2, The Counſel that is given them. And 3, The Arguments and Motives with which it is enforc'd. Theſe three Diviſions of the Text may be the general Heads of our Diſcourſe: And, if I miſtake not, they will furniſh us with Matter proper for this Occaſion; and naturally ſuggeſt to us ſuch weighty Things, as will concern every Perſon of whatever Degree or Station, in this large Aſſembly.

I. THE firſt Thing then that falls under our Obſervation is, The Perſons to whom the Counſel in our Text is addreſs'd: And theſe are the Kings and Judges of the Earth. That is, Sovereign Princes and their Under-Officers; all Magiſtrates, both the ſupream and the ſubordinate; thoſe that have the legiſlative, and thoſe that have the executive Power, in the Government of any People.

THE Office of the Magiſtracy is here ſuppos'd at leaſt; the Inſtitution of Government conc •• ed to if not aſſerted: For ſome Perſons are here addreſs'd as veſted with Authority and Rule.

NOTHING in the World is plainer than this, That it is the Mind and Will of God that there ſhould be Magiſtracy in the World; that Men ſhould be govern'd by Laws and Polity, and kept in Order by this Means.

SURELY no one can doubt whether the Foundation of civil Government is laid in divine Inſtitution, who but reads, without a Comment, ſuch Texts as theſe. Prov. 8. 15. By me Kings reign, and Princes decree Juſtice: By me Princes rule, and Nobles, even all the Judges of the Earth. Rom. 13. 1, 2. Let every Soul be ſubject unto the higher Powers. For there is no Power but of God: The Powers that be are ordained of God. Whoſoever therefore reſiſteth, reſiſteth the Ordinance of God. 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14. Submit your ſelves to every Ordinance of Man for the Lord's ſake. Whether it be to the King as ſupream, or to Governors as ſent by him; for the Puniſhment of Evil Doers, and for the Praiſe of them that do well. For ſo is the Will of God—

AND this is the Dictate of Reaſon, as well as the Voice of Scripture. The very Light of Nature gives a ſufficient Indication of the Mind of God in this Matter: For all Nations, how barbarous ſoever, have united in ſome Kind of Government or other, for their common Peace and Safety; nor can any Number of Men continue any Time, without ſomething of Law and Rule; which ſhews that Government is from God as the Author of Nature.

IT is as truly as commonly ſaid, Nothing is more unequal than Equality. Neither the Beauty nor Benefit of the World will allow it. The Notion of Leveliſm has as little Foundation in Nature as in Scripture.1 Cor. 15 41. If we look up to the Heavens, there is one Glory of the Sun, and another Glory of the Moon, and another Glory of the Stars; neither are theſe of the ſame Magnitude and Luſtre, but one Star differeth from another Star in Glory. And if we look round the Earth, we ſee it is not caſt into a Level; it has Mountains and Plains, Hills and Vallies. Even ſo in the political World, there are the Diſtinctions of Superiours and Inferiours, Rulers and Ruled, publick and private Orders of Men: Some ſit on the Throne of Majeſty, ſome at the Council Table, and ſome on the Bench of Juſtice; and ſome hold ſubordinate Places of Power; while others ſerve their Generation only in a private Capacity.

AMONG the native Spirits of Heaven, the holy Angels, who have their abode in the Realms of Light and Purity above, where there are no Luſts to be reſtrain'd, it is ſuppos'd there are not only different Degrees of Excellence, but different Offices and Employments. It has been tho't a ſufficient Foundation for this Conjecture, that we read of Thrones, Col. 1. 16. Dominions, Principalities and Powers, in the heavenly Places. And if Man had retain'd his primitive Holineſs, and his Nature not been ſtain'd with Sin as now it is, there would doubtleſs have been Government in this lower World, and within the Circle of Paradiſe it ſelf; not coercive or punitive, for there could then be no "Occaſion for that; but directive, and conſervative" of Superiority and Inferiority, ſuch as will be in the heavenly State after our Saviour ſhall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father.

BUT how neceſſary is Government, even in the ſeverer Reſtraints of it, for Man in his preſent fallen and corrupt State? To how much greater a Height wou'd Wickedneſs riſe, if there were none to be a Terror to evil Doers? If all Men were left to their unreſtrain'd Liberty, what an uncomfortable and dangerous Place would this World be? What vexatious and uneaſy Companions wou'd Men be to one another? And how wou'd this Earth reſemble the Hell of the Damned? They that now enjoy the Pleaſures and Advantages of Society, wou'd be ready to wiſh they could dwell ſolitary in the Wilderneſs. And good Men more eſpecially wou'd have Reaſon to utter David's Complaint, with a heavy Accent, Wo is me, that I ſojourn in Meſech,Pſa. 120. 5. that I dwell in the Tents of Kedar! Among a People rude and barbarous, hateful and hating; govern'd not by Reaſon and Religion, but only by Will and Luſt.

THEREFORE God's good Will to Men, and Concern for their Happineſs, appears next to the Goſpel and the Miniſtry of it, in the Inſtitution of Magiſtracy; his appointing that Men, in their preſent State, ſhou'd be govern'd by Men. If the World was to be conſtantly govern'd by God in a more immediate way, by a Voice from Heaven, and ſuch awful Appearances of the divine Majeſty as thoſe on Mount Sinai, when he delivered his Law to his People Iſrael; as this would not ſo well agree with that State of Probation the World is now in, in which Men are to walk by Faith and not by Sight, 2 Cor. 5. 7. ſo it would not ſuit the preſent Frailty of our Nature.

THE People of Iſrael found this by Experience, in the Day when God promulg'd his Law to them, in a way ſuited to his own Majeſty and Greatneſs. They could not bear it. They were ſtruck into ſuch Amazement and Terror, as to make it their humble Requeſt that he would pleaſe to go into a Method of Government more ſuted to Spirits in Fleſh;Exod. 20. 19. and that they might no more hear the Voice of the Lord, leaſt they ſhou'd die: And God granted their Requeſt, and in Condeſention to their Weakneſs and Infirmity, when the Government over Iſrael was a Theocracy, he uſed the Miniſtry of Men in the Management of it. Truly, the accurate Wiſdom and compaſſionate Goodneſs of God are ſeen, in governing as well as teaching us by Men like our ſelves.

THIS does not indeed leſſen the Obligations to Obedience; for he that deſpiſeth, deſpiſeth not Man but God: But it is a very good Reaſon why we ſhou'd make favourable Allowances for the Defects and Failings of Rulers. They are but Men; of the ſame Make and Conſtitution with Others, of like Paſſions and Appetites, under all the Weakneſſes and Corruptions of human Nature ſince the Fall, and beſet with the like and with ſome peculiar Temptations. We ſhould not therefore place an undue Confidence in them, nor expect too much from them. To be ſure, a perfect Conduct and Adminiſtration we muſt not look for. And their Miſtakes and Miſmanagement, whether in private or publick Life, ſhou'd not be too ſeverely cenſur'd. To pray more for Rulers, and talk leſs againſt them, wou'd many Times be a better Way to get ſome Things amended.

I don't mean that out of Reverence to Authority, we ſhou'd reſign common Underſtanding, and the publick Intereſt, to Men in Power: Nor wou'd I be tho't to deny the Right which every private Man, as he is a Member of the Body, and his Intereſt is involv'd in that of the Publick, has to judge of the Conduct of publick Affairs. No; I am too deep in the Principles of Liberty, to mean any thing like this. But this I ſay, the Cenſure of Rulers ſhould be in matters of which we are able in ſome good Meaſure to form a Judgment, upon Things apparent, and where Facts may be compar'd together; and always manag'd with Decency, and temper'd with Charity.—Nor ſhou'd we preſently vote thoſe to be ill Men, Enemies of their Country, regardleſs of its Intereſts, or deſigning its Ruin, who don't judge with the Populace, or go into the Meaſures which others think beſt. For Perſons equal in Integrity and Love to their Country, may judge very differently about the publick Intereſts.

WHAT we have ſpoken of the divine Inſtitution of Government, you all underſtand to be meant of Government it ſelf, and not of any particular Form or Model of it: For one is no more appointed by God than another; but every People are left to judge for themſelves, to frame ſuch a Conſtitution as may beſt anſwer the Ends of Government for them, and to alter and change that too at Diſcretion, and by common Conſent.

THE Kingly Government is mentioned in our Text; but is not to be underſtood excluſive of other Forms. And all Perſons are for Conſcience ſake to yield Obedience to the Laws and Magiſtrates under which they live, and from which they receive the Benefit of Protection; whether in Kingdoms or Common Wealths; and whether the Government does or does not deſcend by hereditary Right.

The ſame Model of Government would not ſuit every People; their Genius, Scituation, and other Circumſtances are ſo •• rious. It is therefore an Inſtance of the Kindneſs of God that he has not preſcrib'd one for all Nations. And by the various Forms of civil Government, which there are among the Nations of the Earth, the Wiſdom of God in the Government of the World in general, is rendred the more illuſtrious and admirable.

OF the various Forms of civil Government which are in the World, ſome are undoubtedly much better than others, and it is a greater Happineſs to live under one than another of them. The Conſideration of this ſhou'd make us thankful for our Privilege as ENGLISH-MEN; which is to live under the happieſt Conſtitution in the World, if compar'd in its proper Lineaments with other Governments. For as was juſtly obſerv'd by a noble Patriot of the laſt AgeLord Delamere. This Government has as it were extracted the Good of all other Conſtitutions, having avoided the two Extreams of Tyranny and an unbounded Liberty; no Government under the Sun being ſo exact a piece of Symetry, having ſo nicely pois'd the Prerogative and Property that they are mutually aſſiſtant of each other.

AND if we conſider our ſelves as NEW-ENGLISH MEN, our Obligation to Thankfulneſs riſes ſtill higher: For we enjoy not only the Immunities and Liberties of natural Subjects born in the Realm of England, but have ſome additional ones granted and affirmed to us by a Royal Charter, which is as a Hedge about our deareſt and moſt valuable Intereſts: So that none can with more Juſtneſs, and greater Propriety than our ſelves, uſe thoſe thankful Words of the Pſalmiſt,Pſal. 16. 6. The Lines are fallen to us in pleaſant Places, yea we have a goodly Heritage. May there never be among the Sons of New-England, Heb. 12. 16. any ſuch profane Perſon as Eſau, who deſpiſed and ſold his Birth-right!

WE have been ſaying, GOD has in Kindneſs to Men appointed that they ſhou'd be govern'd by Men; yet, He has been too good and kind to leave them to be govern'd by Men according to their arbritrary Will and Pleaſure. The End of Government is the publick Peace and Safety; when therefore this is neglected, and the Ordinance of Government only made an Engine of Tyranny and Oppreſſion; when the Conſtitution is ſubverted, the Liberties and Properties of the People invaded, their Religion and Laws made a Sacrifice to the Superſtition, Ambition, or Covetouſneſs of the Prince that is over them; when this is really the Caſe, as it has been in our own Nation, doubtleſs the Remedy is left in their own Hands, and every Man is under higher and earlier Engagements to the Community in general, than he is to the ſupream Magiſtrate.

HE that has freed his People from their ſpiritual Task-maſters, has not left them under the Power of earthly Tyrants. The Rules of Obedience laid down in the Goſpel oblige none to ſubmit to unlawful Impoſitions. It is mention'd to the Reproach of Iſſachar, that the Men of that Tribe wanted the true Spirit of Liberty;Gen. 49. 14, 15. Iſſachar is a ſtrong Aſs, couching down between two Burdens: He bowed his Shoulder to bear, and became a Servant unto Tribute.

AND tho' GOD has not preſcrib'd any one Form of Government in Scripture, yet he has therein given general Rules to be obſerv'd by all that are in Government. The civil Magiſtrate's Commiſſion is thus limited by the great Monarch of the World,1 Sam. 23▪ 3. He that ruleth over Men muſt be juſt, ruling in the Fear of God.

AND that they may'nt be unmindful of the Duties of their Station, he has appointed another Order of Men to be their faithful and humble Monitors; I mean, the Miniſters of Religion. For Miniſters are as truly the Magiſtrates Teachers, as Magiſtrates are their Governours: And as we muſt put our People in Mind to be ſubject to Principalities and Powers, Tit. 3. 1. to obey Magiſtrates; ſo we muſt put Magiſtrates in Mind to be ſubject to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and uſe their Power in a Subſerviency to the Intereſts of His Kingdom.

THIS leads us to the ſecond Thing to be conſider'd in the Words, which is,

II. THE ſolemn Counſel here given to earthly Rulers of all Degrees: Serve the LORD; Kiſs the SON.

THE ſame Perſon is here meant by the Lord, and the Son; namely, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Godman, Mediator.

THE Duty requir'd is expreſs'd two Ways. They muſt ſerve him, as thoſe that are in Subjection to him, in all the Inſtances of Devotion and Obedience. They are to kiſs him; with a Kiſs of Adoration and Worſhip: They that worſhip'd Idols kiſs'd them;1 King. 19. 18 for we read of the People, their kiſſing of Baal, and kiſſing the Calves.—With a Kiſs of Allegiance and Loyalty: Hoſ. 13. 2. So when Samuel anointed Saul, he kiſsed him, and ſaid, It is becauſe the Lord hath anointed thee to be Captain over his Inheritance. 1 Sam. 10. 1. And with a Kiſs of Affection and Love: So 'tis a common Cuſtom in the World for Friends to ſalute one another: And the Uſage in ſome Courts, is to kiſs the Hand of the Prince, in token of Subjection to his Government, and Affection to his Perſon.

I take the Words to be comprehenſive of the Duty of Rulers in their double Capacity; the private and the publick; as Chriſtians and as Magiſtrates.

1. RULERS are, as Men and as Chriſtians, oblig'd to the general Service of Chriſt, in common with others. And the Service of Chriſt includes in it, real inward Religion, and practical Godlineſs in all the Parts of it.

HERE many Particulars offer themſelves to our Tho'ts, which are in themſelves worthy of Enlargement: But I muſt content my ſelf with a few comprehenſive Hints, in opening to you the Character of a Servant of Chriſt in his ſingle or private Capacity.

A Servant of Chriſt is one who has parted with his old Maſters; fallen off from his Allegiance to,Iſa. 26. 13. and renounc'd the Service of thoſe other Lords which have had Dominion over him; Satan and the World.

HE has actually ſubmitted to the Government of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt,Pſal. 119. 106. taken his Yoke upon him, and ſworn Allegiance to him.

AND now,

HE obeys all his Laws, and makes his Will the Rule of all his Actions; how contrary ſoever to his own Will or Humour, Eaſe or Intereſt. He ſits at the Feet of his divine Maſter, and makes that Inquiry,Acts 9. 6. with a ſincere Reſolution to obey, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Or,Luk. 14. 25. Good Maſter, what ſhall I do to inherit eternal Life?

HE therefore attends upon all his Inſtitutions, thoſe Ordinances which Chriſt has appointed to ſhew his Authority over, and Care for his Church. He religiouſly obſerves the Sabbaths of the Lord, conſtantly frequents the ſolemn Aſſemby, reverently hears his Word preach'd by his Miniſters, and devoutly attends upon the Adminiſtration of the holy Sacraments. 1 C • He will neglect none of theſe, leſt he ſhould ſeem to ſhew Contempt to him that has appointed them, or want the Badge and Livery of his great Lord and Maſter.

MOREOVER,

HE follows his divine Maſter's Example, and deſires to copy the Life of the holy Jeſus into his own; and will follow no Man, of what Name or Figure ſoever, any farther than he ſees him to follow Chriſt. • Cor • 1. 1

THE Servant of Chriſt does alſo reſign to his Conduct without Reſerve, and is determin'd to follow the Lamb whither ſoever he goes, and not to turn from following after him, • om. 14. 4. whatever Oppoſition and Danger may be in the Way.

ONCE more,

A true Servant of Chriſt makes the Glory of Chriſt his chief and governing Aim; and, both habitually and actually, directs his Actions, in the beſt Manner he can, towards this great End. It is his higheſt Ambition to pleaſe his Maſter in Heaven, and he will make all lower Deſigns give Place to this. He purſues his Honour and Approbation in every Relation wherein he ſtands, in every Station he fills, and with every Talent committed to him. And in this he labours, that whether preſent or abſent, • 〈◊〉 5.9. both in this World and the next, he may be accepted of Him; and then 'tis a ſmall Thing with him to be judged of Mans Judgment. 1 Cor. 4. • .

To this Service of Chriſt there are ſome ſpecial Adjuncts annex'd in our Text, Joy, Fear, and Truſt. Serve the Lord with Fear, and rejoice with Trembling: Bleſſed are they that truſt in him.

THE Service of Chriſt ſhould be accompanied with Rejoycing. Pſa. 149. 2. Let the Children of Zion be joyful in their King. They ſhould rejoyce that they have ſuch a Maſter to ſerve; and ſhew themſelves cheerful in his Service, as thoſe that chuſe it, and are not forc'd into it; as thoſe that like it, and would not go free from it. So the People of Judah in the Days of Aſa bound themſelves to the Service of GOD, not only with great Solemnity, but with great Cheerfulneſs, and all poſſible Expreſſions of Joy. They ſware unto the Lord with a loud Voice, 2 Chro. 15. 14, 15. and with Shouting, and with Trumpets, and with Cornets. And all Judah rejoyced at the Oath: for they had ſworn with all their Hearts, and ſought him with their whole Deſire.

BUT this rejoicing well conſiſts with Fear and Trembling, and ſhould be always temper'd therewith.Heb. 12. 28, 29. We ſhou'd ſerve the Lord with Fear, and rejoice with Trembling, becauſe as he is a gracious ſo he is a jealous GOD, who can't be deceiv'd and will not be mocked; who regards the Intention as well as the Action; who looks into the Heart, and ſees thro' all Diſguiſes. His Servants therefore ſhould always maintain a holy Jealouſie leſt they come ſhort of his Approbation and Acceptance; and at the ſame time that they rejoice in the Hopes of his Favour, ſhould tremble in the Tho'ts of ever falling under his Diſpleaſure. And while we thus ſubmit to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and ſerve him with holy Joy and Fear as our Sovereign, we muſt alſo truſt in him as our Saviour; and renouncing all other Dependance whatſoever, as ſatisfactory and meritorious, muſt repair to his Obedience and Atonement, as the only Refuge of guilty Souls, and Ground of a Sinners Acceptance with GOD: We muſt ſo truſt in Chriſt as to have no Confidence in the Fleſh; and never go about to eſtabliſh a Righteouſneſs of our own, but ſubmit our ſelves to the Righteouſneſs of God; Phil. 3. 3. deſiring to be found in Him, 9. v. not having on our own Righteouſneſs which is of the Law, but that which is thro' the Faith of Chriſt, the Righteouſneſs which is of God by Faith— This it is to ſerve the Lord: This is a brief general Account of perſonal Religion, and real Chriſtianity; which may be ſumm'd up in theſe two Words, Subjection to and Dependance on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

WE may collect from it, How great a Thing it is to be a Chriſtian indeed! And the Reaſon we have to fear that Chriſt has but few true and real Servants, among thoſe who wear the chriſtian Name, and take upon them the chriſtian Character.

Now, Kings and Judges are as ſtrictly bound to ſerve the Lord in all the Inſtances of perſonal Religion, and practical Godlineſs, as any of their People. Rom. 10. 12. For there is the ſame Lord over all; who ſtands in the ſame Relations to them that he does to others; as Creator, Lawgiver and Judge. There is the ſame infinite Diſtance between Him and them, that there is between Him and the loweſt of their Subjects. They are under the common Obligations of Chriſtians, by their Birth in and Baptiſm into the chriſtian Church, and their Profeſſion of the chriſtian Religion. They muſt be ſav'd, if ever they are ſo, upon the ſame Terms, and in the ſame Way, that others are. In Matters of Religion, in the Concerns of Salvation, they are without Priviledge or Diſpenſation. The Goſpel makes no Diſtinction between them and others in theſe Things; but the Commands of it are addreſs'd to them in common with Perſons of lower Degrees in Life. Pſal. 49. 1, 2. Hear this all ye People; give ear, all ye Inhabitants of the World: Both Low and High, Rich and Poor together. Pſal. 148. 11, 12. Kings of the Earth, and all People; Princes and all Judges of the Earth. Both young Men and Maidens, old Men and Children; let them praiſe the Name of the Lord.

IF there is any Difference, theſe are more ſtrictly bound to obſerve the Laws of Chriſt than others; becauſe the Eminency of their Station, will make their Converſation to be the more obſerv'd; and their Example will be like to have the greater Influence upon Inferiours. A City ſet upon a Hill cannot be hid; was our Saviour's Obſervation: And he made it for the ſake of that Exhortation and Charge which follows,Mat. 5. 14, 12. Let your Light ſo ſhine before Men, that they may ſee your good Works, and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven.

2. RULERS are to ſerve the Lord Jeſus Chriſt in their publick Capacity, and in the Exerciſe of their Office as Magiſtrates. And it is in this Capacity more eſpecially that our Text addreſſes them.

AND ſo they are to conſider themſelves as Chriſt's Miniſters and Stewards, plac'd in their Stations to ſerve him and his Intereſts.

THEREFORE,

THEY muſt not ſeek Themſelves, and their own Things, Phil. 2. 21. to the Neglect of the Things of Jeſus Chriſt. If they are covetous and Self ſeeking, and aim at Nothing but gratifying their own Ambition, raiſing Themſelves and Families, enlarging their Honours and Eſtates, this is not to ſerve Chriſt, but to ſerve themſelves of him; and to proſtitute their high Office to low Ends.

MUCH leſs muſt they carry on any croſs Deſigns, or do any thing in Oppoſition to his Kingdom, or that may damage his Intereſts. They muſt not therefore perſecute his Saints, ſilence his Miniſters, hinder the free Exerciſe of his holy Religion, or do any Thing that may obſtruct the Work of the Goſpel; as the Rulers of the Jews did when they impriſon'd the Profeſſors of Chriſtianity, and forbad the Apoſtles to preach in the Name of Jeſus.

THEY muſt make no Laws that are repugnant to, or inconſiſtent with the ſettled Laws of Chriſt's Kingdom. For altho' GOD has given this Power to all Kingdoms and Nations to make Laws for the better Support and Government of themſelves, yet he has not given them Leave to repeal any of his own Laws, nor to enact any Thing contrary to them. It is uſual for a Prince, when he grants a Charter to a City or Company within his Dominions & to give Power therein to make By-Laws for the Management of the Affairs of that Community, provided they be no way repugnant to his own or the common Laws of his Kingdom; if they be, they are null from the beginning. And ſo are thoſe Laws made in any particular Kingdom of the World, if they be in the leſt contrary to any of the common Laws of the World, thoſe which the King of Kings hath made for all Mankind, both Kings and People to obſerve. In ſuch a Caſe,Acts 5. 29. the general Law is, that we muſt obey GOD rather than Man.

THE BIBLE therefore, which is the great Statute Book of Heaven, muſt be conſulted by the Rulers of a People, and they muſt frame their Adminiſtration by the general Laws there laid down. The Kings of Iſrael were commanded by GOD to write for themſelves a Copy of the Law, and to read therein all the Days of their Lives, Deut. 17, 18, 19. that they might learn to fear the Lord their God, and to keep all the Words of his Law. And Jehojada gave to Joaſh the Teſtimony with the Crown, 2 Kings, 11. 12. when he anointed him King. Which carries this Inſtruction in it, That thoſe in Government over GOD'S People, ſhou'd acquaint themſelves well with his holy Word, and ſhou'd have an inviolable Regard to the Laws of Chriſt in the whole of their Adminiſtration.

MOREOVER,

CHRISTIAN Magiſtrates muſt employ their Power for the Advancement of Chriſt's Kingdom▪ They are in a Lieutenancy to Chriſt; and ſo they are to concur with Him in carrying on the ſame Deſign for which all Power is given to Him, Matt. 28. 18. both in Heaven and in Earth.

TRUE indeed, the Care of Souls is not committed to the civil Magiſtrate; nor may he extend his Power to force Articles of Faith, or Modes of Worſhip, on the Conſciences of Men: For Conſcience is exempt from every Juriſdiction but Chriſt's; and He alone muſt reign there. Yet we muſt not run into the other Extream, and ſay that the Magiſtrate has nothing to do in Matters of Religion.

AS they rule by Chriſt, ſo they are oblig'd to rule for Him; and therefore to protect and encourage the Practice of his holy Religion; to guard and defend GOD'S ſacred Name, Day and Inſtitutions, from the Inſults of thoſe who wou'd openly profane and trample upon them; and to reſtrain and puniſh thoſe Vices and Immoralities, which are as contrary to the Laws of Chriſt as they are to the Welfare of Societies: For the very End of their Office is, the Puniſhment of evil Doers, 1 P •• . 2. 14. and the Praiſe of them that do well; and this is the Deſign of their Inſtitution,1 Tim 2. 2. that under them we may lead quiet and peaceable Lives in all Godlineſs and Honeſty.

IN a word,

THEY ſhou'd openly profeſs the Religion of Chriſt, publickly eſpouſe his Cauſe, and zealouſly promote it as far as ever their Authority and Influence will reach; and ſhould ſtrenuouſly ſet themſelves againſt every thing that is oppoſite to his Intereſt, againſt the Works and Kingdom of the Devil which our bleſſed Saviour came into the World to deſtroy. 1 Joh. 3. 8.

THERE is a War carried on in this World, between the rightful King and the uſurping God of it; between Chriſt and Satan; and whoever ſtands neuter, Magiſtrates, who are Chriſt's Officers, muſt not: If they do, they are Traitors to his Crown and Government, and muſt expect from him the higheſt Reſentment, and the ſevereſt Puniſhment. Which leads us the third and laſt thing obſerv'd in the Words.

III. THE Arguments and Motives with which the divine Counſel here given to the Kings and Judges of the Earth is enforc'd.

AND the

1ſt REASON or Argument may be taken from the Wiſdom of ſuch a Conduct. Be wiſe now therefore, O ye Kings: be inſtructed ye Judges of the Earth. Serve the Lord, &c.

WISDOM is a very requiſite Qualification in Rulers. Without this they will make but a poor Figure, and both their Perſons and Authority fall into Contempt. Now, to ſerve the Lord, Behold! this is Wiſdom. When Rulers do this, they engroſs all the Rules of Policy into one.

FOR,

THIS is the way to have the Preſence of Chriſt with them in their Adminiſtration, to direct their Counſels, and ſucceed their Endeavours for the publick Good; without which their own Policy and Power will be in vain; the wiſeſt Schemes will be baffled, and the moſt promiſing Enterprizes defeated. Whatever the wiſe Men after the Fleſh may think, the Rules of Religion ſteadily purſu'd by thoſe entruſted with the publick Affairs of a People, will be found to conduce more to the true Ends of Government, than all the Maxims of carnal Policy. 1 Sam. 23. 3, 4. He that ruleth over Men muſt be juſt, ruling in the Fear of God: And he ſhall be as the Light of the Morning, when the Sun riſeth, even a Morning without Clouds; as the tender Graſs ſpringing out of the Earth by clear ſhining after Rain. i. e. The religious Ruler will be a great common and extenſive Bleſſing, like the Light and Rain of Heaven.

THIS is alſo the beſt way to ſecure and exalt their own Character. For, if a ſerious and ſtrict Regard to Religion runs thro' their Conduct, both in private and publick Life; if they appear to act in the Fear of God, and with a governing View to the Honour of Chriſt, this will certainly make them look more great and venerable in the Eyes of the People, than any ſhining Titles or glittering Badges of Honour which they wear: This will procure them not only outward but inward Reverence. When Piety is found in Conjunction with Greatneſs, the Perſon ſhines with a diviner Luſtre, and the Authority wherewith he is veſted ſtrikes into a greater Awe, and more powerfully conſtrains Submiſſion and Obedience. So Joſhua was magnified in the fight of all Iſrael.Joſh. 4. 14.

THUS they will be likely to ſit eaſy in their Poſts of Honour; not only from the Conſciouſneſs of their own Integrity, which will always give them inward Peace, and raiſe their Minds above the Cenſures and Clamours of ignorant and diſaffected Perſons; but alſo from the Acceptance which their faithful Endeavours will find among the Generality of their People. For as bad as the World is, when the Righteous are in Authority, Prov. 29. 2. the People rejoice. Common People, and even vicious People, are under ſuch a Conviction of the Excellency of Virtue and Religion, that they can't but take Satisfaction when they ſee it exalted to great Dignity.

MOREOVER,

THIS is the moſt likely way for them to be eſtabliſh'd and continued in their Authority, and to have their publick Opportunities and Advantages lengthned out by that GOD in whoſe hand their Times are. For it ſtands in the Book of GOD as an Argument why the King ſhould above all Things mind Religion, To the end that he may prolong his Days in his Kingdom. Deut. 17. 20. Agreeably (as one obſerves) we find in the Hiſtory of the Kings of Judah, that generally the beſt Reigns were the longeſt, except when GOD ſhortned them for the Puniſhment of the People, as Joſiahs. Or, this will miniſter pleaſing Reflections to them, and give them a Satisfaction divinely calm, if they ſee Others fill the Stations they have held; or in the near Approach of Death, and Proſpect of their final Account to GOD the Judge of all. Be wiſe now therefore, O ye Kings; be inſtructed ye Judges of the Earth: Serve the Lord, &c.

2. IF we conſider the Dignity of this glorious Perſon whom the Kings and Judges of the Earth are commanded to ſerve, there will appear the higheſt Reaſon why they ſhou'd obey the Command: He is the LORD; the SON.

CHRIST is here ſpoken of both with Reſpect to his eternal Deity, and his Office of Mediator. He is the Son of GOD by eternal Generation; and he is the Son of Man, i. e. God-man, Mediator: And all Men are bound to ſerve him, not only on Account of his eternal Deity, but his Office as Mediator. His Supremacy over the World, is a Prerogative annex'd to his being Head of the Church. For GOD hath now ſet him at his own right Hand, Eph. 1. 21. far above all Principality, and Power, and Might, and Dominion, and every Name that is named, not only in this World, but in that which is to come; and hath put all things under his Feet, and given him to be Head over all Things to the Church, which is his Body. So that he is Lord Paramount of the whole Creation. He has a Title both by Inheritance and by Appointment. A natural and delegated right. A natural one, as he is the true GOD,John 1. 3. by whom were all things made that are made; and a delegated one, as he is Mediator: So he is inveſted by the Father, who is the Fountain of Power, with the ſole Adminiſtration of Government, in the Kingdom of Providence as well as of Grace. Thus he is the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Pſal 72 11 the bleſſed and the only Potentate: All Kings ſhall how down before him, and all Nations ſhall ſerve him.

THE Title and Character of Lord given to Chriſt in the Text, ſuggeſts to us theſe following Reaſons why the Kings and Judges of the Earth, Rulers of all Degrees, ſhould ſerve him.

1. HE is the LORD, and ſo their Authority is deriv'd from him. It is ſo with reſpect to the Conſtitution of Government it ſelf: for Dominion and Rule are his Appointment in the World; the Original of Power is from Heaven, as has been ſhewn already.—And it is ſo with reſpect to the Deſignation of the Perſons cloathed with it. In whatever Way, by whatever Means and Methods, Men are advanc'd to their ſeveral Stations, the Providence of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is to be acknowledg'd and ador'd therein. For both Riches and Honour come of thee; 1 Chron. 29. 12. and in thy band it is to make great, and to give ſtrength unto all. We many times ſee ſtrange and unexpected Turns, and are ſurpriz'd at the ſudden Diſgrace of ſome," and Elevation of others: But we ſhould conſider" that the moſt high ruleth in the Kingdom of Men, Dan. 4. 12. and giveth it to whomſoever he will. Preferments depend not on the Will of the People when they chuſe, nor on the Will of the Prince when he appoints; but on the Will of GOD who has all Hearts in his Hand. This is a great Truth reſpecting GOD's providential Government of the World, which the Pſalmiſt has inſtructed us in, Pſal. 75. 6, 7. Promotion cometh neither from the Eaſt, nor from the Weſt, nor from the South; but God is the Judge: He putteth down one, & ſetteth up another. When there are Candidates for an Election into a Poſt of Government, and a Struggle among the Electors, the King of the World ſits Umpire, and in a powerful tho' inviſible Way, determines the matter, ſo as to bring about his own Counſels, and ſerve his own Purpoſe. The Lot is caſt into the Lap, Pro. 16. 33. but the whole diſpoſing thereof is of the Lord. This is a good Reaſon why they who are in publick Stations ſhou'd ſerve Chriſt in them, becauſe He has plac'd them where they are▪ Since of him, and thro' him, are all things, as the Fountain and Conveyance; all things ſhou'd be to him, Rom. 11. 36. as the ultimate End. So the Rivers pay a conſtant Tribute to the Sea, whence they all come.

2. HE is the LORD, and ſo their Authority is dependant on him. They are dependant on him as to the Exerciſe of their Rule. He has not given them an abſolute Power, but reſtrain'd and limited them by certain general Rules and Inſtructions, to which they muſt conform. The Glory of his Supremacy he will not give to another—And they are alſo dependant on him as to their Continuance in their Authority. They hold their Places only during Pleaſure. He that gave them their Commiſſion, can revoke or ſuperceed it whenever he pleaſes.

IT was an Inſtance of the papal Pride and Arrogance, when the Pope after he had crown'd an Emperor kneeling, immediately with his Foot kick'd off his Crown again, as an emblematical Boaſt of his Power to make and unmake Kings at his Pleaſure. But this is a Right which belongs to, and is actually exercis'd by Chriſt the Lord, who is God over all bleſſed for ever: Rom. 9. 5. A Flower in his Crown, who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. He removeth Kings, Joel 2. 21. and ſetteth up Kings. Pſal. 76. 12 He cuteth off the Spirit of Princes, and is terrible to the Kings of the Earth.

Now Dependance is always reckn'd a very good Reaſon for Service and Obedience: When this is the Caſe, Duty and Intereſt unite to ſtrengthen the Obligation.

3. HE is the LORD, and ſo their Power is in Subſerviency and Subordination unto His. Rom. 13. 7▪ They are called his Miniſters. Whatever Power they have it is but miniſterial, and in order to Service. A Servant entruſted by his Lord may have many encouraging Priviledges and Advantages for himſelf; yet the great End of his Employment and Advancement is his Maſters Service and Profit. The Honour and Power of Rulers do not terminate in themſelves▪ as if the Deſign of GOD in the Inſtitution of Magiſtracy, was only to gratify a few particular Men, by raiſing them above the common Rank, and putting them into Authority for their Perſons Sake, and only to make them look great. No! His End is the Service that is expected from them to GOD and Man, the Church and the World: And the Dignity is affix'd to the Perſon, as an Encouragement to, and a neceſſary Means of doing that Service▪ Their Places and Offices are given them with Reference to the Duty expected from them. And he is an unworthy Servant who when his Maſter has put him into an honourable Office, and given him large Encouragement to be faithful in the Buſineſs of it, only grows proud and inſolent, and becomes regardleſs of his Maſters Honour, and negligent of his Service.

4. HE is the LORD, and ſo they are accountable to him for their Conduct. Every Maſter expects an Account from his Servants, what they have done in the Buſineſs he has employ'd them in; and will take a proper Seaſon to inquire into it.Matt. 25. The Lord of theſe Servants cometh, and will reckon with them, for the Improvement of their Power, Honour and Influence, which were Talents committed to them to occupy for Him.

RULERS, as well as others, muſt appear before the Judgment of Chriſt; to give an Account as well of their publick as of their private Life. I ſaw the Dead ſmall and great ſtand before God. Rev. 20. 12 And here ſurely is a powerful Reaſon why they ſhou'd endeavour to acquit themſelves as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of GOD, that ſo when they muſt give an Account of their Stewardſhip, they may do it with Joy and not with Grief, and may eſcape the Rebuke and Puniſhment of the wicked and unfaithful Servant. This brings me to a third Motive and Argument in the Text, which is taken from

3. THE high Diſpleaſure of Chriſt, and the utter Ruin conſequent thereupon, which thoſe Rulers who refuſe to comply with this Counſel, will bring upon themſelves. Be wiſe now therefore, O ye Kings; be inſtructed ye Judges of the Earth: Serve the Lord; Kiſs the Son; leſt He be ANGRY, and ye PERISH from the Way, when his Wrath is kindled but a little.

"THE SON can be angry, tho' he be the Saviour. Gracious and condeſcending as he is, he can be ſeverely angry. He has Jealouſy as well as Love; Wrath as well as Compaſſion and Grace. And if He be angry, who is the Mediator between GOD and Man, what will become of us? who then will interceed for us with a GOD already offended?

"CHRIST is call'd the Lamb; Rev. yet he is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah: and the Wrath of this King, of this King of Kings, is as the roaring of a Lion, and eno' to make the ſtouteſt Heart to tremble.

A little of his Wrath is eno' to be the Deſtruction of the Sinner. Leſt ye periſh in the way, in the Courſe of your Sin and Rebellion againſt him, when his Wrath is kindled but a little. How then can the proudeſt Sinner ſtand before his flaming Wrath, when his Jealouſie burns like Fire.

THE Kings and Judges of the Earth muſt not think themſelves above the Reſentment of Chriſt, or too big for him to deal with. He will be angry with them as ſoon as with others; and they will be as little able to ſtand before his Indignation. Whatever Prerogatives they may lay claim to here, they will be of no Service to them in the Day of Death,Iſa. 30. 33. and the Day of Judgment. Tophet is ordain'd of old, for the King it is prepared, that will not ſubmit to this King of Kings, and become his Servant.

NAY, he will get himſelf more Honour upon theſe, in the Execution of his righteous Diſpleaſure againſt them, if they refuſe to honour him now: For in Proportion to the Talents which Men have neglected or miſimprov'd in this World, will be the Degrees of Wrath inflicted on them in the next. And ſo we find the Kings of the Earth, and the great Men are the foremoſt of thoſe who in the great Day of the Wrath of the Lamb, will run to the Rocks and Mountains for Shelter,Rev. 6. 15. as if his Face carried more of Diſpleaſure in it towards them. Let the Rulers of the World then be ſo wiſe as to give their Power to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that they may not fall under his Diſpleaſure; that they may be accounted worthy to eſcape all theſe things which ſhall come to paſs, Luke 21. 36. and to ſtand before the Son of Man. This Counſel in our Text is inforc'd by one more Argument, which we may not quite paſs over; and this is

4. THE Happineſs of this Submiſſion: BLESSED are all they that put their truſt in him. That thus Submit to him as their Sovereign, and put their Truſt in him as their Saviour.

WHILE his Wrath burns againſt others, his Face will ſhine upon theſe. While his Appearance ſtrikes others into killing Terrors, it will fill theſe with warmeſt Tranſports of Joy. Inſtead of that dreadful Order, Take the wicked and unprofitable Servant, Mat. 25. 30. and caſt him into outer Darkneſs, they will hear that applauding commendation, Well done good and faithful Servant; Mat. 25. 21. and be bid to enter into the Joy of their Lord.

THEN ſubordinate Rulers who have well fill'd their lower Places, will have it ſaid to them, Thou has been faithful over a few things, 23. v. I will make the Ruler over many things.

THEN the Kings of the Earth who religiouſly and dutifully caſt their Crowns at the Feet of Chriſt, will have a weighter, brighter, and more durable one than that which they wore here, ſet upon their Heads; the heavenly Crown of Glory and Life, of which they will never be depriv'd.

IN a word,

ALL they who have rul'd for Chriſt, in their ſeveral Orders of Government, ſhall at the Conſummation of all Things, reign with Him for ever and ever; ſet down with him on his Throne, even as he is ſet down with his Father on his Throne. An Honour and Bleſſedneſs this, ineffable, inconceiveable! What an Incentive is this to the Men of Ambition, that ſeek and court Honour! But, Oh! where is the Faith of it?—The Thing is future and inviſible, therefore few believe it, and ſeek after it, tho' it be not the leſs real and certain.

THUS I have diſcours'd upon the Text in the ſeveral Diviſions of it; and muſt haſten to bring Home what has been ſaid in a diſtinct Application to the two Diviſions, of Rulers and Ruled, which take in this whole Aſſembly.

AND,

1. OUR honoured Rulers, of every Degree and Order in the Government, are taught what their Duty to Chriſt is, and what are His juſt Expectations from them. Since he is the ſupream Lord, and the Fountain of Power: Since the Inſtitution of Government is from Him, and your own Deſignation to your ſeveral Truſts and Offices is by him: Since you are employ'd in Subordination to him, and with a View to the ſame Deſign for which he has receiv'd all power in Heaven and Earth: Since you depend upon him, who is Lord both of the Dead and Living, for the Continuance of your Lives and publick Advantages: Since you are accountable to him, and muſt very quickly render up your Account: And ſince you will then, according as you acquit your ſelves now, either fall under his terrible Diſpleaſure which is worſe than Death, or receive the diſtinguiſhing Marks of his Favour, which is better than Life in all the Honours or Injoyments of it: Since it is thus, I ſay, Duty, Gratitude and Intereſt conſpire, all the Rules of Juſtice, Decency and Honour unite, to oblige you to act in your particular Poſts and Stations, according to his Will, and for his Glory.

BUT it may be this Meſſage of Heaven may the more awaken your thinking and active Powers, and come with a greater Force and Weight upon you, if it be more particularly applied.

WHEREFORE,

1. In the firſt place, let the Counſel of Heaven which has been given, be acceptable to your EXCELLENCY, to whom with a moſt dutiful Reſpect it is now addreſs'd.

AND it is our great Pleaſure and Happineſs this Day, that we can addreſs our Governour in Chief, as one who has openly choſen the LORD to ſerve him, and that in the Way of theſe Churches. Suffer me then, SIR, to remind you, That you publickly devoted your ſelf to the Service of the exalted Son of GOD, when you had juſt entred the World in ſuperiour outward Circumſtances and Advantages; and it was a great Pleaſure to your own and your Fathers Friends, and the Friends of Religion, then to obſerve it; from the Hopes it gave them that Chriſt and his People here would afterwards have much Service from you, by the Will of GOD: And doubtleſs you look upon your Covenant Obligations to be ſtrengthn'd, by the Honours to which Chriſt in his Providence has ſince advanc'd you.

A Servant of Jeſus Chriſt, is a Character which Kings and Governours have no reaſon to be aſham'd of; a Title which they ſhou'd be ambitious of: For it will be found their trueſt Honour, when all the Glory of this World ſhall vaniſh like a Blaze in Straw; and will turn to their greateſt Advantage, when all the Prerogatives they were poſſeſt of here, will be forgotten and uſeleſs.

THE Honour of Chriſt and his Intereſt are very much concern'd in your Excellency's Conduct and Adminiſtration. Religion is not in ſuch a State at this Day, but it needs the Example of the greateſt amongſt us to render it more reputable and honourable. But while your Excellency is ſeen to pay a ſolemn Regard to the Day of GOD, to attend with Reverence and Devotion upon his publick Worſhip, and to live in the Practice of thoſe private and publick Vertues which adorn the Chriſtian Character, this will go very far to prevent its falling into •• rther Contempt and Neglect.

ESPECIALLY if together with this the Honours of the Government, which are ſo much at your Excellency's Diſpoſal, are conferr'd on true Piety, and not given in Courſe or out of Compliment. I humbly conceive your Excellency cannot give a better Sanction and Security to the Religion that remains amongſt us, than by this wiſe Diſtinction in your Commiſſions—And here, I think we ſhou'd be ungrateful to GOD and your Excellency, if we did not acknowledge the Countenance and Encouragement which the Religion of the Country has receiv'd, under your Excellency's Adminiſtration, from your Example and Authority both.

PROVIDENCE has plac'd your Excellency over a People, who ſtand in a ſpecial Relation to Chriſt and are a diſtinguiſh'd Part of the Lot of his Inheritance: And all your faithful Services to them, He will accept as done to Him. For I truſt we are ſtill belov'd for our Father's Sake; and for the Sake of a precious Number thro' the Land, who are yet faithful with the Saints.

THEY are alſo your own People; and, as you have been pleas'd to ſay of them, Bone of your Bone, and Fleſh of your Fleſh. And we may ſuppoſe the Intenſeneſs of your native Affection is encreas'd, by the publick Relation in which you have ſo long ſtood to them.

AND ſuffer me to ſay, Sir, the diſtreſs'd State of this People at this Day, loudly calls for your paternal Compaſſions, your wiſe Councils, and beſt Endeavours for their Relief. Their Caſe reſembles that of the Jews in the Time of Nehemiah; and like them they look to their Governour for Help and Redreſs.

IT may be many think it is more in your Excellency's Power to gratifie and eaſe them, than it really is; and do not eno' conſider the Reſtrictions you are under.

BUT you will at leaſt diſcover your Tenderneſs for them in your Speeches from the Chair, and Repreſentations of their State to the Government at Home; and even become an Interceſſor for them, as in your Wiſdom you judge you can ſerve them: This cannot fail to engage them to you more and more in Duty and Affection.

IF now I have gone too far in what I have ſaid, I muſt rely on your condeſcending Goodneſs to forgive me. The Searcher of Hearts knows it proceeds, as from an ardent Affection to my dear Country, ſo from a ſincere perſonal Regard to your Excellency, and an unfeigned Deſire that your Excellency may long ſit eaſy in the Chair of Government, and this People ſit with Delight under your Shadow.

YOUR Power, Honour and Influence employ'd for Chriſt and for his People, this, SIR, will be a Crown which no Man can take from you: This will give you undiſturb'd Serenity in a Receſs from the Cares and Burthens of Government, and cauſe the Bleſſings of an obliged People to follow you into Retirement; or it will brighten the Shades of Death to you, and carry you from the Chair of Government, to the Sepulchre of your Fathers, with the publick Praiſes and Lamentations; and will finally give you a bleſſed Part in the noble Triumphs of the Saints of the moſt high, in the Fulfilment of that Word of our Saviour, If any Man ſerve me, John 12. 26. let him follow me: And where I am there ſhall alſo my Servant be. If any Man ſerve me, him will my Father honour.

2. LET this word of God be in the next Place addreſs'd, with all Decency to the honourable his MAJESTY's COUNCIL, and the honourable Houſe of REPRESENTATIVES, this Day in General Court Aſſembled. The Demand of the King of Heaven from you all is, That you ſerve Him, and ſhew your ſelves faithful to his Intereſts in your ſeveral publick Capacities, and this upon Pain of his higheſt Diſpleaſure.

AND here I would firſt of all apply my ſelf to you, as having the Power of Election to be exercis'd this Day. Herein you are entruſted with a ſingular Opportunity to ſerve Chriſt and this People: And He that ſtandeth in the Congregation of the mighty critically inſpects you in, and will call you to a ſtrict Account for the Management of this Day's Work.

IT is an Affair of no ſmall importance you are to tranſact this Afternoon; to elect his Majeſty's Council for the Province: Theſe, in the Frame of our Government, do, as it were, ſtand between the King and the People, both of which do in a Sort meet in them; and while they are to guard the Prerogative of the one, they are to preſerve the Privilege of the other: They are one Branch of the Legiſlature, and bear a diſtinct Part in the framing and enacting of our Laws: Without their Conſent on Civil Officers can be appointed in the Province; and the College, in which the Churches thro' the Land are ſo deeply concern'd, falls in Part under their Inſpection and Government. Theſe Things render it a Matter of no ſmall Moment, who that Board conſiſts of from Time to Time. And tho' they are choſen but for a Year, great may be the Benefit or Detriment of ſuch a Choice; for in one Year are often laid the Foundations of many Generations.

Let the Importance then of this Days Work lie with a due Weight upon the Mind of every one concern'd; and let none act in ſo weighty an Affair with a triffling, a partial, or a party Spirit. Let me tell you, Gentlemen, your Votes are not your own; you vote for Chriſt and for his People; and therefore muſt look to the Qualifications of thoſe you vote for. You know the Rules of Election into Poſts of Government preſcrib'd in the Oracles of GOD: Conſider them, and act under the Direction and Awe of them. The Advice of Moſes and Jethro are indeed the Charge of GOD to Electors from Time to Time. Deut. 1. 13. Take ye wiſe men, and underſtanding, and known among your Tribes. Exod 18 21. Thou ſhalt provide out of all the people, able men, ſuch as fear God, men of truth, hating covetouſneſs, and place ſuch to be Rulers. Men of a general Character for Capacity, Integrity, publick Spiritedneſs, and Piety. Men of a Genius for Government, and who underſtand the civil and religious Intereſts of their People: True Men, that will act upon Principle, and not be daunted by Frowns nor Clamours: Men not govern'd by narrow and ſelfeſh Views, but that can generouſly ſacrifice their private Intereſt to that of the publick, when they ſtand in Competition: And Men that appear to act in the Fear of GOD in their private Life; for only ſuch will act for his Glory in a publick Station; and they are the moſt likely to be favour'd with the divine Preſence and Bleſſing.

IT were ſad indeed, if among our Tribes, in the ſeveral Parts of our Land, there could not be found Perſons of theſe Characters, eno' to fill every Seat at the Council Table. Your Buſineſs is to look for them—And may He who ſits in the Heavens, and preſides over the Affairs of the Children of Men, lead you in your Choice, to his own Glory, and the Advantage of this People; and therein give us a happy Token that He is ſtill in the Midſt of us!

WHEN the Election of this Day is over, the three Parts of the Legiſlature will come to act in their legiſlative Capacity: and they that give Law to others, muſt conſider themſelves as under the Law to Chriſt.

VAST is the Truſt committed to you in this Capacity: The Vertue and Religion, the Liberties and Priviledges, the Trade and Riches, the Protection and Defence of this People, are very much in your Hands. And you muſt be entreated by the Honour you bear to Chriſt, and your Allegiance to Him, to ſerve this his People in theſe and all their Intereſts, to the utmoſt Reach of your Power.

AND I ſuppoſe never did the State of this People call for more conſummate Wiſdom, tender Compaſſion, inviolable Fidelity, and unceaſing Sollicitude for their Welfare, from their Fathers in the Government, than at this Day.

AN empty Treaſury, a defence leſs Country, and embarraſs'd Trade, are indeed melancholy Things. How to ſupply the one, fortify the other, and relieve the third, will to be ſure be the Matters of your Attention. But here you expect no Advice from the Pulpit. And indeed the Wiſdom of the wiſe ſeems to fail them, and humane Contrivance to be at a non plus. But when we know not what to do, our Eyes ſhou'd be unto the Lord: For he has ſaid,Prov. 8. 14. 20. Counſel is mine, and ſound wiſdom: I lead in the Way of Righteouſneſs, in the Midſt of the Paths of Judgment. And innumerable Ways are open to his View, when all are ſhut up to ours.

AMIDST theſe Cares which will now preſs upon you, you will not forget that you are the Guardians of Religion; but will do what you can to maintain the the Kingdom of Chriſt among us, in its Light, Purity and Glory. It is for the Sake of the Church that the World ſtands, and Chriſt is Head over all Things for the Church: Therefore they that rule by Him ſhou'd employ their Care and Power for that in the firſt and chief Place. So the Princes of Iſrael, in their March tho' the Wilderneſs, pitched their Standard, at the Commandment of God, Num. 2. 2 about the Tabernacle of the Congregation to ſecure it. You will therefore think it your Duty to ſtrengthen the Hands, and encourage the Hearts of the faithful Miniſters of Chriſt; and do your Part that there may be a Succeſſion of ſuch in Times to come, by ſupporting the Means of Education, and cheriſhing the College from whence the Churches look for their Supply: Your generous Smiles on that Society we thankfully acknowledge as an Inſtance of your juſt Care that Religion and Learning may ſtill flouriſh amongſt us.

WHETHER any new Laws need to be bro't forward, for the ſuppreſſing our growing immoralities, You, Gentlemen, who live in the ſeveral Parts of our Land, can beſt judge. But what will the beſt Laws ſignify without a vigorous Execution? Let • e therefore in the next Place apply my ſelf,

3. To the Executive Part of the Government over us; the Honourable Judges of our Courts, and Juſtices in our ſeveral Countys. Permit me to ſay to your Honours, You are Chriſt's Officers and Miniſters, and muſt act for Him in that Part of Government which his Providence has aſſign'd you.

LET your Courts therefore be always open'd in His Name: I mean that you pay Him your publick Homage, and adore him as the ſupream King, Lawgiver and Judge, by ſolemn and open Prayer. This is done, I ſuppoſe, in our ſeveral Courts of Juſtice thro' the Land: And I think that all the Officers of the Court, and thoſe who have Buſineſs at it, ſhould be order'd reverently to attend—Realiſe his Preſence, Preſidency and Inſpection, and act under the Awe and Influence thereof: For He ſtandeth in the Congregation of the mighty, and Pſal. 82. 1. judgeth among the Gods.—In diſpencing publick Juſtice endeavour a Conformity to His Adminiſtration.Pſal. 45. 6. 7. For the Sceptre of his Kingdom is a right Sceptre: He loveth Righteouſneſs, and hateth Iniquity.

IN civil Cauſes let there be ſhewn the moſt ſteady Impartiality, and unreproachable Integrity. The Charge which King Jehoſhaphat gave to his Judges, is the Charge of the King of Heaven to you, Take heed what you do; 2 Chron. 19. 6, 7. for ye judge not for Man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the Judgment: Wherefore let the Fear of the Lord be upon you: For there is no Iniquity with the Lord our God, nor Reſpect of Perſons, nor taking of Gifts.—And in criminal Caſes, let the Edge of the Law be ſharpned in Proportion to the Nature of the Crime, and the Boldneſs of the Tranſgreſſor. While you ſit on the Seat of Judgment, Sinners ſhould behold your Face as the Face of God, which is ſet againſt them that do wickedly: And the Day of Aſſize ſhould be a little Image of that Day, when the Lord will come to judge the World in Righteouſneſs, and the People with his Truth; and ſhall render Indignation and Wrath, Tribulation and Anguiſh, to every Soul of Man that doth Evil. The Judge on the Bench ſhould be worthy of that Commendation, which Chriſt gave to the Angel of the Church of Epheſus, Rev. 22. I know thy Works: How thou canſt not bear them which are evil.

BUT as the wiſe Conſtitution of our Government has put the Execution of our Laws very much into the Hands of a ſingle Magiſtrate, ſo I would apply my ſelf here to thoſe who are in the Commiſſion of the Peace thro' the Province.

You, Gentlemen, may do much in your ſingle Capacity, to reſtrain the Sons of Wickedneſs; to ſtop the Mouths of profane Swearers and Curſers; to prevent Sabbath-breaking, Drunkenneſs and Idleneſs; and to break up ſuch Houſes as are Places of Debauchery, and Cages of unclean Birds. Courts can take Notice only of what is preſented to them; but you can ſearch out Iniquity, and follow it into its hiding Places. And let me beſeech you for Chriſt's Sake, and charge you in his Name, to ariſe and exert your ſelves. For, is there not Occaſion? Is not the preſent Generation looſe and diſſolute in Manners? Does not Iniquity come in upon us like a Flood? And Vice almoſt ride triumphant? Will you then let the Sword of Juſtice ruſt in your Hands? Shall our good Laws prove a dead Letter, and lie by as waſte Paper, only for want of a vigorous Execution? And ſhall the Enemies of GOD and Godlineſs, find Security under Chriſtian Magiſtrates?—Certainly they who receive ſuch an important Truſt as the Execution of our Laws, and accept of the Honour attending the Title of Magiſtrates, ſhould be faithfull in the Diſcharge of their Office.

THANKS be to GOD! We are bleſs'd under the preſent Adminiſtration with a Number of ſuch Magiſtrates. And the Zeal of ſome of them in this Town is truly laudable, and has had a viſible good Effect—Go on, Gentlemen, with new Reſolution and Vigour, in your pious Endeavours for the legal Suppreſſion of ſcandalous Wickedneſs. Deſpiſe the little Flirts of ſome, and fear not the big Looks of any. Still ſay to the fooliſh, Deal not fooliſhly; Pſal. 75. 4. and to the • icked, Lift not up the Horn.

YOU have the Law on your Side. Our Governour has lately call'd upon and charg'd you in a ſeaſonable Proclamation. Good People do bleſs you. And GOD will accept and reward you! So Jehoſhaphat encourag'd the Miniſters of Juſtice under his Government, to a reſolute Diſcharge of their Duty;2 Chron. 19. 11. Deal courageouſly, and the Lord will be with the good.

II. IT is now Time for me to haſten to apply my ſelf to the Body of the People, thoſe who are only in a private Capacity, and fall into the Diviſion of the Ruled.

AND here I can be ſpar'd only a few ſhort Hints.

LET me exhort you then to Thankfulneſs, that you live under Chriſtian Magiſtrates, who are a Terror not to good Works, but to the Evil; and who countenance Religion by their Example as well as Authority. To uſe the Words of an eminent Perſon of our Order on this Occaſion many Years ago,The late Rev. Mr. PEMBERTON, in his Election Sermon. Is it not a valuable Bleſſing, that we don't ſee ſuch Madneſs and Folly ſet in great Dignity over us, which would make Vice reputable? That we don't ſee the firſt Chair of Government, the Council Table, and Seats of Judgment, fill'd with Men of infamous Luſts, whoſe Lives are the laſt Defiance to all that is ſacred and divine, to Religion, common Honeſty and Sobriety; openly wallowing in the groſſeſt Pollutions of Senſuality? Ought not this to be eſteem'd a Favour of Heaven, which challenges a Tribute of Gratitude and Praiſe. For the Lives of ſuch Rulers would give a Sanction to Wickedneſs; and what a Torrent of it would then break in upon us, and bear away all Oppoſition before it? It is an ancient Obſervation, and will always be found true, The Wicked, walk on every Side, Pſal. 12. 8. when the vileſt Men are exalted.

LET me alſo exhort you to reverence Government as an Inſtitution of GOD and to treat Magiſtrates as Chriſt's Miniſters: And ſince the Honour of Chriſt, as well as the publick Weal, is ſo much concern'd in their Adminiſtration, make Conſcience of praying for them, conſtantly and fervently.—And alſo to be aſſiſting in your ſeveral Stations to the Magiſtrate, that ſo the great and good Ends of civil Government may be attained.

FINALLY,

I am to demand Subjection and Obedience to the LORD JESUS CHRIST, from every one of you all. If Kings and Judges of the Earth, are to kiſs the Son of GOD, and ſerve the Lord with Fear, Common People cannot be excus'd. Chriſt is your rightful Sovereign: But does he reign in your Hearts, and in your Lives? Are none of you in a foreign Service? He that hath your Obedience, the ſame is your Lord and King. To whom ye yield your ſelves Servants to obey, Rom 6 16 his Servants ye are to whom ye obey. To whom then do you yield the moſt chearful and conſtant Obedience? To the Commands of Chriſt, or the Solicitations of Satan, and your own Luſts?—The works of the Fleſh are manifeſt, which are theſe, Drunkenneſs, Uncleanneſs, Swearing, Sabbath-breaking, Wrath, Hatred, Variance, &c. How many by living in theſe Sins, and alſo in the Neglect of thoſe holy ſpiritual Duties of Religion which Chriſt requires, trample upon his Authority, and declare They will not have this Man to reign over them? This is the Language of Sinners, Let us break thoſe Bands aſunder which bind us to Chriſt, and caſt away his Cords from us!—But will You, O Sinner! perſiſt in this Rebellion? If you do ſo but a little longer, it will iſſue in your utter Ruin, and his Power and Righteouſneſs will raiſe Satisfaction and Glory to themſelves from your deſerved eternal Deſtruction. Luke 19. 27. But thoſe mine Enemies, that would not that I ſhould reign over them, bring hither, and ſlay them before me.

HEAR then the Counſel of Heaven, and obey the Command of the Goſpel this Day; every one of you without Exception. Kiſs the Son, with a Kiſs of Loyalty and Subjection; and henceforth ſerve in Holineſs and Righteouſneſs before him all the Days of your Life:Heb. 5. 9. For he is the Author of eternal Salvation, only to them that obey him.—Kiſs the Son with a Kiſs of Affection: 1 Cor. 16. 22. For if any Man love not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, let him be Anathema, Maran-atha!—Kiſs him in Token of Truſt and Dependence:Act. 4. 12. For there is Salvation in no other, nor any other Name given under Heaven, whereby Men can be ſaved.—This is the only Way of Safety and Bleſſedneſs: For his faithful Subjects ſhall be preferr'd and rewarded, when he will take Vengeance on his Adverſaries, and render Wrath to his Enemies.

BUT I muſt break off—: And I know not how to conclude better than with repeating the ſolemn Words of my Text, as addreſs'd to the whole Aſſembly. Be wiſe now therefore, O ye Rulers of all Degrees: Be inſtructed all ye People, high and low, rich and poor together, Serve the LORD with Fear, and rejoyce with Trembling: Kiſs the SON, leaſt He be angry, and ye periſh from the Way, when his Wrath is kindled but a little: Bleſſed are all they that put their Truſt in Him!