Magistracy an Institution of Christ Upon the Throne

Mr. ALLEN'S ELECTION SERMON.

At a Council held at the Council-Chamber in BOSTON, upon Thursday the Thirty-first of May, 1744.

Copy Examin'd,

per J. WILLARD, Secr.

MAGISTRACY An Institution of CHRIST Upon the Throne.

In the Year that King Uzziah died, I saw the LORD sitting upon a Throne, high and lifted up.—

'TIS the just observation of the contemplative Psalmist, that the heavens declare the glory of GOD, and the firmament sheweth his handy-work; and that the earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof, he hath founded it upon the seas and established it upon the floods. Now if GOD had wisdom to contrive, and power to effect these beautiful globes, he has an indisputable right to p. 6the government of them, and is certainly qualified for it: Nor may it be thought, that it does not comport with his majesty, or is an obstruction to his quiet and happiness to concern himself in the government of the world. The notion of Lucretius is contradictory to that idea of the divine being, the oracles of truth furnish us with. To suppose, that, when he had made the world, he took no further thought or care, but left it to shift for itself, implies one or other of these absurdities, that he either made it for no wise design, or through some mistake in its formation it did not answer his original purpose; like an unskilful artificer, not having framed his work according to the model of it in his own mind, throws it by, and does not care what becomes of it: But as it is a most wise production, that has no blotches or blunders in it, but in all its parts exquisitely done, and every way correspondent to the design in the eternal mind, there can be no reason upon this account why he should not govern it. And then, as he is a most wise agent, and all his works the effects of counsel, and consequently had some wise design in making it, 'tis absolutely necessary for him to govern it, in order to accomplish that design; and how can he act more like himself, and display the glory of his perfections better, than by preserving the several ranks of beings, in that harmonious and admirable order they were placed in at first? or why should it be thought below his dignity to regard the works of his own hands? or can it be any difficulty to an omniscient and omnipotent being to attend such a number of things as the government of the world includes? To imagine this is to p. 7limit the most high, debase his excellencies, and bring him down upon a level with his creatures, and to think that because we find our minds and powers so narrow and limited, that a small number of objects bound our thoughts and cares, therefore the inspection of so many must be a burden to GOD himself. It becomes us better to confess and adore with the psalmist, than to object against providence, The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty.—he is the king of all the earth. But then, as to the form of that government which he exercises, it is a subject so sublime and mysterious that we can say but little of it; and therefore having asserted that the LORD reigns, he presently adds, that clouds and darkness are round about him. His way is in the sea, his path in the mighty waters, and his footsteps are not known. But tho', the arcana imperii are an height we can't reach, a depth we can't fathom, yet we must think there is a great deal of reason and righteousness in them; and that a most beautiful scene would open to us, if we were let into all the secret springs of the divine government, and could trace the various steps and gradation by which every design in accomplished.

p. 7Good men, in all ages, have been so well satisfied with the wisdom, goodness and equity of providence, that they have acquiesced in it, rejoiced in tribulation, triumphed when surrounded with greatest dangers, and thick and black clouds have impended over the church or state, and threatned its subversion.

It is from our professed belief of his all-disposing providence, and just sense of our absolute dependance upon it, and of our duty to acknowledge GOD in all p. 8our ways, and implore his direction in an affair of the highest importance, and wherein the interest of the province, both civil and religious, is so nearly concerned, that we are now assembled in this house of worship.

Thanks be to the LORD upon the throne, that our civil liberties granted by the ROYAL CHARTER are continued, under the auspicious reign of king GEORGE the IId; and that this day is again revolved upon us, wherein the heads of our tribes, are met together to select and constitute, by the consent of the governour, one main branch of our legislature.

And whereas your Excellency and the honourable Board have called me, however unworthy, to declare the counsels of heaven to you, upon this occasion; stirring up your pure minds, by way of remembrance, I desire to speak with humility and fear, as becomes the oracles of GOD, and with fidelity to my great LORD and MASTER, knowing that I must give an account.

When the angel of the LORD appeared unto Moses in a flame of fire, out of the midst of a Bush, he said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight; so let us all now turn aside, for a while, and lift up our eyes above the hills, above the firmament, and behold with the wondring prophet the LORD sitting upon a throne high and lifted up.

The prophet Isaiah was of noble birth, of the royal family, and nephew to king Uzziah he here speaks of, as the Jews relate. And he was of a noble spirit, and not exceeeded by any that prophesied before, or after him in clearness and abundance of p. 9visions, and revelations, especially concerning the MESSIAH; and in a curious and polite, lofty and majestick stile.