A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency Francis Bernard

Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, In COUNCIL, May 29. 1766.

Attest. A. OLIVER, Secr.

p. 5An ELECTION SERMON.

THINK upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.

AN acquaintance with the history of past ages will lead us to observe, that a common method of the exaltation of a people, hath been by a succession of men of eminent abilities and influence. A great genius appears at their head, and forms a general scheme of institutions and laws. This being adopted, active spirits follow, who carry it into execution, and the community swiftly ascends to the height of prosperity.

p. 6EVEN Israel taken under the peculiar tutelage of Jehovah thus arose to a flourishing state. Moses, by divine direction, gave them the rudiments of civil and ecclesiastical polity.Joshua, by the same influence, led them over Jordan, and fixed them in the destin'd inheritance.

IN a way somewhat similar may we well suppose a people emerging from the depths of distress to regain their national character. Patriots, perhaps of different qualities, exert themselves in turn, agreable to their circumstances, 'till they make a respectable figure as in the former period of their existence.

An illustration of this we have in the case of Judah restored to Palestine and the rights and privileges of their fathers, after their residence in a strange land, and subjection to a foreign yoke, for seventy years.

DURING so long a term, when the public offices of religion could not be regularly performed, when they were conversant with the superstitions of Gentilism, and the manners of masters upon whom they were entirely p. 7dependant, it is scarce possible but that the knowledge of divine truth must be greatly lost, the ardor of devotion cool'd with many, their spirits broken, and a generous public temper well nigh extinguished.

LET us view these exiles going to a desolate country, and a capital in ruins, with intention to possess and improve their ancient patrimony, rebuild their city, set up the worship of God upon the Hebrew ritual, and settle the civil administration to advantage; at the same time despis'd and hated by their neighbours, and retarded as much as possible in every salutary projection.

p. 7THESE things considered, nothing can be clearer than the vast importance that they should have wise men for pilots to direct them, men of goodness and intrepidity, to animate them to every arduous undertaking.

ACCORDINGLY a gracious God not only favored them with his prophets to instruct and support them, but rulers to lead and protect them, and forward the enterprises to which they were called—first p. 8Zerubbabel and Joshua, under whom the temple was built, and altar for daily sacrifice; then Ezra a scribe well instructed to the kingdom of heaven, who restored the scripture to its primitive purity, and dissolv'd those interdicted alliances which weakened their attachment to their religion and country.

BUT Jerusalem yet laid defenceless, enormities in part remained.

THE full accomplishment of the merciful intention of heaven towards that afflicted people was reserved for Nehemiah.

THIS man held a lucrative post [Prid. Connect. Vol. 2.] in a court the center of the wealth and glory of Asia, and had an intimate access to the mightiest monarch then living. But surrounded with affluence and honor, he mourned for Zion. His countenance betrayed a troubled soul to his master, who understanding the cause, gave him liberty of absence for a term, invested him with a public character in Judea, and sent mandatory letters to his officers bordering thereupon to assist him.

p. 9His arrival to Jerusalem was like the light of the morning which dissipates the incumbent gloom, and invigorates nature. Every heart was revived, every hand employed. Present with them the walls went up, and the city filled with inhabitants. By his incessant care and labours grievances were redressed, and all things regulated in such a manner as to render them easy and happy.

THIS is the lover of his nation, whose words I have read. Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.

LANGUAGE this consonant to the principles of reason and revelation. Natural religion dictates that God is good, and a lover of righteousness. The sacrifical services of the temple as instituted for particular cases, or pointing to the promised Saviour, while they imply'd guilt, gave assurance that it was consistent with the rectoral holiness of God to have respect to imperfect virtue. Nothing therefore is here expressed but what is agreable to a justness of tho't, to a due humility of mind.

p. 10THIS passage as uttered by a ruler in Israel, suggests to us some things of importance, suitable to the occasion of our present assembling.

I. WE may take notice of the ground of this request in the text to God.

II. THE request itself as connected with it.

WE are in the first place to take notice of the ground of this request to God.—According to all that I have done for this people.

THIS naturally leads us into some reflections upon civil government, it's design, and the proper steps whereby it is pursued. But the subjects have been handled with so much copiousness and accuracy in this desk, that they must be but transiently touch'd upon.

IT hath pleased the creator of all things to implant in mankind a desire of happiness in the continuance of being, and accessions to their enjoyments. This may be deem'd a kind of instinct, which urges them without p. 11any rational arguments to ward off an injury, or take hold of an offered advantage; and is an engine of providence, whereby they are impelled to action, and the human species is preserved. To this the Father of spirits hath super-added reason, to direct it in it's operations into a track consistent with the welfare of others, and most adapted to a proper end.

IN the present state this principle gaining an undue ascendancy over the intelligent powers is apt to excite men to the impetuous pursuit of personal interest, to the oppression of the weaker. The proportion of an attainable good is moreover as the means of arriving to it. Many can effect more than one.