IN compliance with the laudable example of our pious Anceſtors, on ſuch joyful anniverſary occaſions as this day preſents us with—we have aſſembled in the Houſe of GOD, to offer our devout praiſes to him for what he has done for them, and for us, their children; to ſeek his direction and bleſſing upon our Political Fathers here preſent, in the diſcharge of the important truſt repoſed in them, and his ſmiles on this confederated riſing Republic.

AND as it has fallen to one of the leaſt of the Ambaſſadors of CHRIST, to perform ſo eſſential a part of the exerciſe of the day, it will not be expected that he turn Stateſman in this ſacred place, or wander into all the affairs of government: But, in compliance with his character as a Miniſter, make ſuch obſervations from the ſacred text, as may be profitable for direction and encouragement, that the men of GOD here preſent, may be furniſhed to every good work.

THIS book was pen'd by King Solomon—a man famed for wiſdom and underſtanding throughout all the Eaſt.

THAT BEING who has an eaſy acceſs to the human mind, appeared to him in Gibeon, in a viſion of the night; and GOD ſaid, aſk what I ſhall give thee? And his requeſt, "give therefore thy ſervant an underſtanding heart," was ſo acceptable, that GOD gave him wiſdom above all that were before him in Jeruſalem; for the people ſoon perceived "that the wiſdom of GOD was in him to do judgment."

IN theſe Proverbs of the wiſe man, we have the comprehenſive duties we owe to GOD, and the world, made plain and eaſy, and enforced with the moſt powerful motives. By folly, the Preacher would be underſtood to mean vice and wickedneſs—and by wiſdom, grace and CHRIST.

IN the text, the perſon ſpeaking is doubtleſs JESUS CHRIST, who by the Apoſtle, is called "the wiſdom of GOD, and the power of GOD." "By me Princes rule, and Nobles, even all the Judges of the earth:" That is, by my Providence and appointment, they are advanced to rule and govern; and their government is merciful and righteous, happy and proſperous, by my council and aſſiſtance.

EVER ſince the apoſtacy, the bleſſed GOD, has purſued an uniform plan of grace, and government with the church, and the world. The merciful deſign of which, is to reduce to order, peace and happineſs, his intelligent offspring.—To proſecute this deſign, he has ſent into the world the "PRINCE of PEACE," and given him a commiſſion for acts of miniſtry and grace—magiſtracy and government.

THE intervention of the new covenant, and the advent of JESUS its Mediator, gave birth to order and ſubordination in Heaven, and upon Earth.

IN Heaven there are thrones, dominions, principalities and powers, angels and arch-angels; and upon earth, princes, nobles, and judges—and CHRIST is Head over them all.

THE text leads us to ſpeak of civil government, as ordained of GOD, in the hands of the Mediator; of civil rulers, as holding their commiſſion and authority under CHRIST; of their duty and dignity as his Miniſters, and of the duty and privilege of the people under their adminiſtration.

I. THAT civil government is ordained of GOD in the hands of the Mediator, the abſolute neceſſity of order and government, for the exiſtence and happineſs of ſociety, pleads its divine original: For without it; the affairs of mankind would fall into the utmoſt confuſion and diſorder.

THE nature of man, as a ſociable creature, would no doubt, have led him to ſome ſort of government, had ſin never entered the world. But ſince ſin has debaſed the noble nature of man, and ſpread itſelf through the whole world—both reaſon and revelation plead for government.

IT is not a matter of human prudence only, but of neceſſity and moral obligation: And being enjoined by him who rules in the kingdoms of mortal men, it is an important mean of delivering us from the evils of the apoſtacy; and deſigned to prepare us for the more encouraging reſtraints the goſpel enjoins.

CIVIL government, then, is a branch of the tree of life, and founded in, and built upon that covenant, ſealed in Heaven by the oath of GOD, and upon earth by the blood of CHRIST.

HE being commiſſioned by the Father to manage the great affairs of Empire, as well as of Zion.

"YET have I ſet my King upon my holy Hill of Zion."—"The government ſhall be upon his ſhoulders."

THE kingdom of CHRIST, where he rules by his word and ſpirit, is his Church, a ſpiritual kingdom. But his commiſſion extends to the utmoſt ends of the earth.

"FOR the ſtone cut out of the mountain without hands, is to break in pieces all other kingdoms, and fill the earth."

HIS kingdom will outlive all other kingdoms, and ſwallow them up; for he muſt reign till he hath "put down all rule and all authority and power."

THIS implies that rule and authority among men, or which is the ſame thing, civil government, is a divine appointment, and that it is put into the hands of the Mediator to rule and govern the world. For when the great and important ends for which he received his mediatorial kingdom, ſhall be accompliſhed▪ he will put down both miniſtry and magiſtracy.

II. THAT civil rulers hold their commiſſion and authority under CHRIST.

NOT that CHRIST has pointed out the form of government, or the perſons to rule and govern; in this ſenſe his "kingdom is not of this world." But chriſtianity enforces the law of nature; and has confirmed the ſeveral conſtitutions of ſtates and kingdoms, and called our obedience to the higher powers, as the goſpel finds them.

THE mode of government, and perſons to govern, are ſubmitted to the wiſdom of men, in purſuance of a divine ordinance, that ſecond cauſes might operate. It being the method of GOD to carry on the deſigns of his government in this world, by the inſtrumentality of ſubordinate Agents. When therefore, a people unite in a form of government, and chooſe perſons to rule and govern them, and pledge their faith to be obedient to, and ſupport the government, "though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man diſannulleth or addeth thereunto▪"

THE Magiſtrate then, called to office by the voice of the people, and ſolemnly ſworn, becomes an ordinance of GOD, and receives his authority from him, "by whom Princes rule, and Nobles, even all the Judges of the earth."

AND the Apoſtle, when he enjoins obedience to civil rulers, "becauſe the powers that be, are ordained of GOD," means to include in his idea, the methods by which they become poſſeſſed of their power, and likewiſe the uſe and improvement they make of it: If they rule for GOD, and for good to the people, they are to be ſubjected to, otherwiſe, "we ought to obey GOD, rather than men."

III. WE come to ſpeak of the duty and dignity of civil rulers, as the miniſters of CHRIST.

1ſt. IT is their duty to uphold the kingdom of CHRIST, which conſiſts in "righteouſneſs, and peace, and joy in the HOLY GHOST."

RELIGION is, and ever has been, conſidered the glory of a people; as it inſures the favour and protection of Heaven.

UNDER the former diſpenſation, the Ark of GOD, which contained his laws, was a token of his preſence and defence. Governour Eli, whoſe heart trembled for it, ſuſtained the tidings of the of the death of his two Sons with fortitude; but when it was told him that the Ark of GOD was taken, he fell and died, and his Daughter refuſed to be comforted, though a Son was born; becauſe the glory was departed from Iſrael, and the Ark of GOD was taken.

UNDER this diſpenſation, the goſpel and its ordinances, are our glory and defence. And as magiſtrates are honoured by CHRIST, and act under his banner, they ſhould be careful to be his glory, and ſupport his religion in the world.

ALL men ſhould be poſſeſſed of a principle of piety and virtue; but none ſtand in greater need of it than thoſe who are called to rule and govern.

RELIGION dignifies and enobles the mind—refines and purifies the heart—fits men to act worthily their part on the ſtage of life, and ſhines with a peculiar luſtre in the chriſtian magiſtrate▪ This will procure for them honour in the ſight of all men; "for thoſe that honour m • , I will honour."

SAUL was deſtitute of this principle; but deſirous of its fruits and effects. Therefore he preſſed the man of GOD, and laid hold on the ſkirt of his mantle, and it rent; ſaying "honour me now I pray thee, before the Elders of my people."

THIS is the way to have the preſence, and bleſſing of GOD with them, and upon their adminiſtration.

THE ſeat of the magiſtrate is called the throne of GOD; "and he was caught up unto GOD, and into his throne." As they have the image of GOD upon them as his Miniſters, and act by his authority, it ſhould be their care to have the image of GOD within them as men.

IT is an honourable account we have of Judah, in a time of general revolt, the ten tribes went after Jeroboam; "but Judah yet ruleth with GOD, and is faithful with the ſaints."

IF religion is not honoured and ſupported by men in places of public truſt, the glory of the LORD will ſoon depart, and the fire of GOD be ſcattered over the city.

RULERS are called "the ſhields of the earth;" they are to protect the people from injuries among men, and likewiſe from the judgments of GOD. When GOD's wrath was kindled againſt Iſrael, for their idolatry at the foot of the mount, we find Moſes, that pious ruler, pleading the cauſe of the people, and he founds his plea upon GOD's covenant, and reminds him of his oath. And David, that man after GOD's own heart, when he ſaw the Angel that ſmote the people, ſaid, but theſe ſheep, what have they done? "And the LORD ſaid unto the Angel, it is enough, ſtay now thine hand."

THE attention chriſtian rulers pay to religion in their hearts, and in their government, will be their ſupport when they are called to lay down their commiſſion, and their lives; it will brighten the ſcene before them, and embalm their memories when they are dead.

2d. IT is the duty of chriſtian rulers, to preſerve and ſecure to the people, their liberties and properties.

THE end and deſign of civil government is to ſecure the happineſs of the whole community. For this, rulers are appointed; "he is the Miniſter of GOD to thee for good."

THE liberties of mankind have ever been held dear, for they are given by GOD and nature. "With a great ſum, obtained I this freedom," ſays the chief Captain to Paul, who replied, "but I was born free."

THIS has been and ſtill is the voice of Americans; and our attention to this voice, which is from Heaven, has brought us into poſſeſſion of the liberties and privileges, we this day enjoy.

AN infringement on theſe, has ever awakened the fears, and kindled the reſentment of an enlightened people!—It has overturned empires and kingdoms—cauſed the ſtars to fall from Heaven, and princes to walk, as at this day, like ſervants on the earth!

IN order to ſecure the liberties and privileges of the people, righteous and equitable laws ſhould be made, and preſerved.—"That which is altogether juſt ſhall ye follow," is an injunction from the Firſt Magiſtrate in the univerſe.

WE plead for a government of laws, not of men. The law is a rule to try all cauſes between man and man by; and it is a rule between the magiſtrate and ſubject—it teaches the one how to rule, and the other how to obey.

THEY are the pillars on which the Commonwealth ſtands; to them we appeal for a redreſs of grievances, and into their hands we are willing to fall; but not into the hands of men. They are in ſcripture, called the foundations of the earth; and ſaid to be out of courſe, when the magiſtrate is either ignorant of them, or neglects to ſupport his authority in their execution.

3d. THE chriſtian ruler will hear the complaints, and redreſs the grievances of the people he governs.

HE will not with Rehoboam, reject the voice of the old men whoſe years have taught them wiſdom, and apply to young men for counſel; anſwer the people with grievous words, and cauſe them to ſay in the bitterneſs of their ſouls, "what portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the ſon of Jeſſe." But he will enlighten the ignorant; and thoſe that are out of the way, he will reduce to order and obedience, with the cords of law and love. He will follow the example of him by whom he rules, whoſe work and glory it is, to make peace and bind up the wounds of the people.

CHRISTIAN rulers will conſider the infancy of the people, and the burdens laid upon them, and be careful leſt they over-drive, and ſo deſtroy the flock of GOD.

THEY will leſſen the charges of government, and lighten every burden, as much as is conſiſtent with the honour and well-being of government.

THE cauſe of the widow, the fatherleſs, the orphan, the ſoldier, and him that has loaned his money for the help of government, will come with peculiar grace before chriſtian rulers; who will hold themſelves Heaven's clients to vindicate their righteous claims, and plead their cauſe.

THE credit of the Commonwealth, at home and abroad, is a matter that requires particular attention: In many inſtances its faith has been pledged. But chriſtian rulers will remember, that our father Abraham, was not juſtified by faith only; and add energy to our faith, that we may as a people, be juſtified in the ſight of GOD, and the world.

4th. WE come as propoſed, to ſpeak of the duty and privilege of the people under the adminiſtration of chriſtian rulers. And

1ſt. IT is their duty to pray for them.

GOVERNMENT is an important truſt, and though it be limitted by righteous and equitable laws; yet ſuch is the condition of human nature in this world, that the greateſt and beſt of men are liable to err, and are inſufficient to manage the great affairs of ſtate, without direction and influence from Heaven.

GOD is the bleſſed and only potentate—his eſſential perfections are his bleſſedneſs, and enable him to manage an univerſal Empire! He ſtands in no need of his creatures' wealth to maintain his crown, their power to effect his deſigns, or their wiſdom to direct his counſels. But it is far otherwiſe with his vicegerents here on earth; though they are called Gods, and clothed with authority from CHRIST and the people—yet they are but men.

THE affairs of government are often intricate and perplexing, and dangers eminent and threatning, ſo that rulers find occaſion to adopt the language of the pious king of Judah, "neither know we what to do."

WE are divinely bound to pray "for all in authority," that government might be equal and righteous, and that we might "lead a peaceable and quiet life, in all godlineſs and honeſty."

IT is the bleſſing of GOD, that makes government ſteady and effectual, and gives peace and quietneſs to the Commonwealth; and GOD will be ſaught unto, for ſuch an ineſtimable bleſſing.

WHEN we pray for them, we pray for the advancement of peace, and godlineſs, this being the end for which government is inſtituted.

2d. IT is the duty of the people, to ſupport their rulers.—That authority by which they govern; injoins obedience from the people to all their righteous laws.

AND as they have a painful pre-eminence above their fellow mortals, and an arduous and important truſt committed to them by God, and the people; they ſhould be freed from cares and troubles about the affairs of the world.—"For this cauſe, pay you tribute alſo; for they are GOD's Miniſters, attending continually upon this very thing."—The advantages we enjoy under a righteous adminiſtration, intitle thoſe who govern to large returns. Our perſons and properties are ſecured, and we ſet under our own vine and fig-tree, being protected, by a government merciful and righteous.

WHEN taxes are made for the ſupport of government, there is a moral obligation on the people, to diſcharge them; for government which is an ordinance of GOD, could not ſubſiſt without ſuch ſupport.

OUR bleſſed LORD ſet us an example worthy of imitation, when he ſent Peter to the mouth of the fiſh, that he might receive money to pay their tribute—And injoined upon us to "render to Caeſar, the things that be Caeſars."—A ſupport, honor, love and obedience, are injoined through the whole book of GOD, upon the people, as a juſt tribute due to thoſe who govern.

IT is the privilege of the people granted them by GOD and nature, to chooſe their own rulers.

KINGLY government was never of divine appointment; but added, as the law was, "by reaſon of tranſgreſſion."

THE government, early eſtabliſhed in the world among the ancient Hebrews, was a free republic like ours, the ſovereignty reſided in the body of the people.

THEY were to chooſe able men; and they were called to give their aſſent to the laws given from Heaven, before they were put into execution.

WHEN government is thus founded, according to the divine mind, and rulers choſen, they become repreſentatives of the power and majeſty of GOD; and important inſtruments employed by his providence and grace, in the adminiſtration of affairs in this lower world.

THEY are intruſted with the lives, liberties and properties of the people, For them prayer ſhould be continually made, and to them obedience given, as GOD's vicegerents, when they rule for him, and for good to the people.

PEOPLE ſhould be careful of cenſuring them, and encreaſing their burden and concern, leſt they be reproved by him, who has forbid our "reviling the Gods, or ſpeaking evil of the rulers of the people."

BUT when rulers neglect the great affairs of government—when they break not every yoke—plead not the cauſe of the injured and innocent, the widow and fatherleſs, the poor and needy—when they do not ſupport religion, liberty, the arts and literature; the pillars of government will fall, and ſociety throw off its pleaſing apparel: "The ſword ſhall be upon the arm, and upon the right eye of the magiſtrate"—he ſhall loſe his diſcernment in public meaſures, and his authority ſhall be taken away.

ON the other hand when thoſe in authority, move with dignity in their proper ſphere, are GOD's miniſters for good; and people are ſubject for conſcience ſake, what a pleaſing appearance does the Commonwealth put on! ſuch as once induced the prophet to exclaim "how goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles O Iſrael!"

FROM what has been ſaid we may infer.

1ſt. THAT GOD in the ſcheme of grace by CHRIST, provided for the happineſs of mankind in this world, as well as for their immortality and glory in the next. And foreſeeing to what endleſs confuſion and irregularity the world would tumble, without order and ſubordination: has with one ſtroke wrote himſelf, religion and government on the mind of man.—And has ſent his SON from Heaven to explain, and enforce, what, at firſt, he wrote on the mind of man, and to reign and govern in righteouſneſs.

CIVIL government is deſigned to ſubſerve the grace of the goſpel; and the happineſs it deffuſes through ſociety in this world, ſhould call forth our gratitude, and praiſe to GOD, its author.

IT ſmooths the rugged road of life, gives the quiet and peaceable enjoyment of every bleſſing, and raiſes in the mind, the moſt exalted conceptions of that bleſſed BEING, whoſe benevolent deſign, is to raiſe the virtuous among mankind, by ſmall gradations, to happineſs and perfection with himſelf.

GOVERNMENT is a link in the chain of everlaſting mercy; and thoſe who are obedient "for the LORDS ſake" who has appointed it, may expect that their path will ſhine more and more unto the perfect day.

2d. WE infer.—That days of greater peace and happineſs, then have ever dawn'd upon the church and world, are before us in America—This we argue from the ability of CHRIST's perſon, the extent of his commiſſion, his going forth of old with our fathers; and the deliverance he hath wrought for this generation.

THE kingdom of providence, and the kingdom of grace are his; and he manages the affairs of the one in ſubſerviency to the other.

IT has been the method of GOD from the beginning, to reveal the deſigns of his grace and mercy to the world by degrees.

HE promiſed one, mighty to ſave, and able to govern ſoon after the apoſtacy in the garden; but four thouſand years were numbered, before the deſire of all nations came.

SINCE he appeared on the theatre of life, the church and world have preſſed on for ages, thro' the fire of perſecution: Deluges of blood, oppreſſion and ſlaughter, but little benefited, to appearance, by his coming and death.

'TILL the Angel of the LORD pointed our fore-fathers to this Weſtern World; a land where he determined to unfold the plan of redemption and government. Here they found a ſafe retreat from perſecution and cruelty. Savage beaſts and men vaniſhed before them, like the dew before the riſing ſun.

HERE the church was founded upon the doctrines of CHRIST, and the Apoſtles—which put forth her branches like the palm-tree, and bid fair to eclipſe the glory of the world.

THIS awakened the fears of the country from whence they came, who were grieved at our greatneſs and envious at our riſing glory, and attempted to take from us, our liberty, and this land GOD gave to our fathers; prepared chains to bind us to paſſive obedience, and drag us to perdition. The great charter was violated, and the laws that were to protect this infant world, infringed upon. "The foundations were all deſtroyed, and what could the righteous do?"

IN that day of our diſtreſs, we appealed to the ſtrength of JEHOVAH, and the juſtice of our cauſe: "And GOD came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran"—he ſtood and meaſured the earth, and drove aſunder the nations, and confirmed us in the poſſeſſion of this goodly land.

UNDER the direction, and by the aſſiſtance of HIM, who adminiſters on Heaven's eternal plan, we are delivered from the horrors of war, and enjoy both civil and religious liberty!

WE have been led to frame and adopt a conſtitution of government that is the wonder of the world; reſembling that which GOD of old, gave the Iſraelites, the ſeed of Abraham his friend.

WE ſhouted with heart-felt joy, when the political ark was brought to its place. Sing O Heavens for the LORD hath redeemed New-England, and glorified himſelf in America!

WHEN we look over theſe great events, we are conſtrained to cry out with the Patriarch, "ſurely the LORD is in this place, and we know it not."

WE are reſpected abroad among the nations of the earth, and united at home. GOD has put this honour upon us, and ſpoke peace to our borders.

THE ſyſtem of national government we have ſettled, we hope, will ſecure to us, and hand down to the generations to come, the liberties and privileges we have procured by our toil, treaſures, and the blood of many of our virtuous ſons.

THE choiceſt bleſſings, religion, liberty and peace, were reſerved in the counſels of GOD, for thee, O America!

AND what GOD has done for our fathers, and for us of this generation, are but intimations of our future happineſs and glory; that he will have a light before him in this Jeruſalem, 'till the ſecond coming of HIM, who is the "light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of his people Iſrael." Here the empire of JESUS is founded, and theſe are the halcyon days diſcloſed to the pious Prophet, in a viſion of the night—

"AND behold! one like the Son of Man came to the ancient of days, and there was given him dominion, glory and a kingdom; and his dominion is an everlaſting dominion, which ſhall not paſs away; and his kingdom, that, which ſhall not be deſtroyed."

FROM the riſe and preſent exaltation of America, we conclude ſhe is to be the theatre, where the latter day glory ſhall be diſplayed; and the medium through which religion, liberty and learning, ſhall be handed round creation.

3d. WE infer—That CHRIST will vindicate the ſacred rights of his government, in the utter deſtruction of all that oppoſe his reign.

IT becomes rulers, miniſters and people, to be willing ſubjects of this kingdom, that they may be the glory of CHRIST its King.

THE impious and ungodly will be enſnared in their own plots and deviſes; and the Heavens will reveal their iniquity one day. "Kiſs the Son, leſs he be angry, and ye periſh from the way."

TRUE it is, GOD has done great things for us; he has delivered us from war, and invited us by the dawn of peace, to lay aſide the dread artillery of death; he has given us a land that flows with milk and honey, and ſettled both church and ſtate in peace.

BUT what is this to the ſinners of my people, who live in intemperance, debauchery, pride and luxury, fraud and deceit; who violate GOD's holy laws, neglect the duties of the goſpel covenant, caſt off fear, and reſtrain prayer before GOD.

JESUS, who is exalted at the head of the univerſal polity of Angels and men, when his wrath is kindled but a little, will daſh ſuch characters to pieces like a potter's earthern veſſel.

FROM the evil returns we have made to Heaven for paſt mercies, we have reaſon to fear the divine rebukes: "You only have I known of all the families of the earth, therefore I will puniſh you for your iniquities."

GOD brought his people of old to the borders of the promiſed land; but they murmured againſt Moſes and Aaron, and were for making a Captain and returning into Egypt. This provoked HIM who had done great things for them, to ſay "your carcaſſes ſhall fall in the wilderneſs, and ye ſhall know my breach of promiſe: But your little ones, them will I bring in, and they ſhall know the land which ye have diſpiſed."—So it will be with the wicked of this generation; with Balaam we behold the glory of America, but not nigh; we ſhall meet the grave, and the horrors of eternity; and our "ſons will come to honor, and we know it not."

WE have ſolemn tidings this day from the mount of GOD:—The children of New-England have forſaken my covenant: Do ye thus requite the LORD?—O fooliſh people and unwiſe!

HEAR with what irreſiſtable eloquence the prophet Iſaiah pleads againſt the impenitent of this age and country; "Hear O Heavens, and give ear O Earth, for I have nouriſhed and brought up children, and they have rebelled againſt me."

O THAT we may as a people, know in this our day, the things of our peace, repent, and do our firſt works; that GOD may heal us, and beſtow thoſe bleſſings, he has encouraged us to hope for, from paſt mercies. Then ſhall we find the grave in peace, and leave this inheritance to our children's children▪ who will read the hiſtory of our day, with amazement and veneration, and call us bleſſed, when we are ſleeping in the duſt!

BUT it is time that I cloſe the ſubject with particular attention to the important political characters that compoſe ſo great a part of this reſpectable aſſembly.

AND His Excellency the Governour and Commander in Chief of this Commonwealth, claims our firſt attention.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY,

WE rejoice to find, venerable ſir, that you are again, by the ſuffrages of a free and independent State, called to fill the firſt ſeat of government. You are the man on whom the eyes of this Iſrael are ſet, that you ſhould rule over us.

YOUR former ſervices for theſe States, in the day of ſmall things,—and your adminiſtration of government in this Commonwealth, are engraven on our hearts, as with the point of a diamond.

IT was under your preſidency and direction, that an ancient propheſy was literally accompliſhed, "a nation born in a day."—America declared free, ſovereign and independent!

YOUR ardent love to your country, your indefatigable labor on her behalf, and your alms which have been diſtributed to the poor and needy, render you dear to this, and will, to the generations to come.

TIME ſhall ſtop her courſe, and expire in eternity, before you will be forgotten. While religion, liberty, juſtice and benevolence, are counted valuable upon earth, your Excellency will have a name and praiſe in it.

AN holy GOD has deprived you of a promiſing ſon to bear up your name, when you become weak like other men, and are called to ſleep with your fathers, and by him, who for ſo many years, was your worthy and pious cotemporary in office:His Honour the late Lieutenant-GovernourBut he has left you a name better than that of many ſons; one that will live in the breaſts of virtuous Republicans, 'till our father Adam ſhall ſalute the arrival of his youngeſt ſon to the abodes of bliſs.

WE have not only a grateful remembrance of your paſt ſervices for America, and this Common wealth in particular, but we confide in your good diſpoſition, and uncommon abilities, to fill with dignity, the ſeat of government, where Divine Providence has placed you.

YOUR Excellency will pleaſe to remember, that your authority comes from CHRIST, tho' by the mediation of the people; whoſe religion you will imbibe in your heart, and ſupport in your government, that the people may take knowledge of you, that you have been with HIM, by whom you rule.

THE miniſters of CHRIST, who are commiſſioned by the ſame authority that inveſts you, will meet your countenance and protection, though they act in another appartment in the houſe of CHRIST.

THE Univerſity, that has given birth to ſo many important characters, both in church and ſtate, lean • forward, as it were, and whiſpers to you her ſon, to adminiſter to her neceſſities.

WE wiſh you the preſence and bleſſing of Heaven, to enable you to act in your whole adminiſtration, under the influence of a principle of juſtice and mercy: This will intitle you to the love and eſteem of a people you have made happy. This will yield you calmneſs of mind, under the bodily infirmaties, GOD is pl •••• d to inflict you with, and the cares and troubles of government—this will brighten the gloom of death, and give you boldneſs in the day of CHRIST.

MAY you long live to ſerve your GOD and generation; and when you are called to put off this mortal form, may your ſoul wing her way to yonder bright and intellectual world; where, from the mouth of your Divine Maſter, may you hear that bleſſed euge, "well done good and faithful ſervant, thou haſt been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy LORD."

HIS Honor the Lieutenant-Governour, claims our next reſpects, to whom the diſcourſe is now addreſſed:—

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOR,

IT has pleaſed GOD to ſpare your important life, to ſee the fruit of your labor and anxiety, in years paſt, and to awaken the attention of the people to call upon you, to exert your talents and abilities for the good of this Commonwealth, at a time when the voice of men, whoſe years have taught them, is needed.

YOUR integrity, patriotiſm and devotedneſs to the cauſe of your country, has given you favor, and kindled in the minds of the people, eſteem and veneration, that time will not obliterate.

THE Recording Angle will not ſilently paſs by your labor and attention, when we came over Jordan with our ſtaff.

THE laws of juſtice and gratitude, which are the laws of GOD, require that we accept it with thankfulneſs to you, and more eſpecially to that GOD, who has made you ſo inſtrumental in delivering us from tyranny and oppreſſive power.

WE have a recent remembrance of the critical day, when His Excellency and your Honor, were excluded a pardon, by thoſe who were bound to aſk pardon of GOD and America, for their inſults and cruelty.

YOU have lived to ſee your deſires accompliſhed; the Temple of Liberty raiſed—and the glory of America, ſounded through the world by the trump of Fame!—Now your eyes behold this, you are ready to adopt the words of Simeon, when he claſped the infant Saviour in his arms, "now letteſt thou thy ſervant depart in peace, for I have ſeen thy ſalvation."

WE look to you, honoured ſir, and expect that you conſpire with your beſt endeavours, to make eaſy and happy, this great people: And may a grateful people, by their returns of honor and juſtice, equal your paſt, and their expectations of your future ſervices.

MAY GOD have you in his holy keeping; make the remainder of your days comfortable and happy, and when he ſhall ſee fit to diſcharge you from further ſervices below, may you ſhine forth with reſplendent glory in the kingdom of the Redeemer above.

AND may the Honourable COUNCIL, ſo neceſſary and important a Branch in government, be counſelled and directed of GOD; and in all matters that come before them, act with ſtability and firmneſs, being influenced by that wiſdom which is from above.

MAY your piety and virtue, gentlemen, recommend you to the favour and protection of Heaven; and your integrity and uprightneſs of conduct, render you more and more objects of the love and confidence of your brethren. But if your labour and fidelity, ſhould not meet the approbation of the world, as it is often the caſe, you will have within you, conſcious worth—before you, an animating proſpect of the acceptance of GOD, and a reward in the world to come.

THE Honourable the SENATE, and the Honourable the HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES, claim the attention of the Preacher, and to whom he would now turn his diſcourſe.

YOU are this day, reſpectable gentlemen, conſtituted the ordinance of GOD, for good; and, having received authority from CHRIST, and the people, you have before you a very weighty concern, to promote the beſt intereſt of the people, and ſee that the Commonwealth receive no detriment.

THE miltitude of your brethren have put confidence in you, and made you the keepers of their vineyard. You will regard, gentlemen, the ſacred incloſure of CHRIST, and be nurſing fathers to his church, and people. We look to you for equal and righteous laws, and a pattern of every virtue.

You will remember, that government came into the world, on the ſame benevolent errand its Divine Author did, not to perplex and deſtroy men's lives, but to enlighten, reform and ſave them: And if there are any laws too ſanguine in the c • ſe of life and death, you will adopt ſome other puniſhment than that of ſending ſouls unprepared, to the tribunal of GOD.

BE not unmindful, ſirs, that the eyes of GOD are upon you in your public capacity: He obſerves what attention you pay to the concerns of the public—to the widow and fatherleſs, the poor and needy, and the cauſe of virtue and religion. To him you are accountable, and before his aweful tribunal you muſt ſoon ſtand, with the meaneſt of your brethren.

You are called Gods, let your compaſſion to the poor, reſemble that of the Father of Mercies.

GUARD againſt pride, coveteouſneſs, and a diſpoſition to bind heavy burdens on the people.

LAY aſide party conſiderations and private deſigns, and do that which you can anſwer to GOD, and the people. Then you will be bleſſed—and the bleſſings of many, ready to periſh, will come upon you. And in the laſt grand revolution, when all diſtinctions, but thoſe of a religious nature will be forever done away, you will meet the approbation of HIM, by whom you rule, and your reward will be great. We wiſh you divine direction, and a bleſſing, this day, •• t of the houſe of GOD.

LET this great and attentive Aſſembly, call to mind the duties they owe to GOD, and the world, and the obligations they are under to the faithful diſcharge of them.

OF infinite importance is it to us, chriſtian friends, that we are poſſeſſed of that faith in, and faithfulneſs to CHRIST, which the goſpel conſtitution makes neceſſary, in order for us to obtain eternal life. If we are the ſubjects of divine grace, and act worthily our part on the ſtage of life, we may meet adverſity with fortitude, and death with comfort—for it will reach us to a world, where GOD will be the ſun, in which he will run through our ſouls with a torrent of delight. On this pleaſing hope and joyful expectation, I will diſmiſs you, until that day, in which may the Preacher find mercy, and meet you all amongſt the redeemed of the LORD—and the glory ſhall be given to HIM, who ſitteth upon the throne, and to the LAMB, forever and ever; and let all the people ſay