The Presence of the Great God in the Assembly of Political Rulers

Mr. Barnard's Election-SERMON.

At a Council held at the Council-Chamber in Boston, on Thursday the Twenty-ninth of May 1746.

Copy Examin'd,

per J. WILLARD, Secr.

AN Election-SERMON.

PSALM LXXXII. 1. First Clause.

GOD standeth in the Congregation of the Mighty.—

IT was a very foolish Assertion, and grosly reproachful to the infinite GOD, which was uttered by the Ancients of Israel, That the Lord hath forsaken the Earth. [Ezek 8. 11.]

Such a Conclusion, as it is highly blasphemous, so it subverts the Foundation of religious Duties resulting from the Circumstances of particular Persons, and Condition of Societies. It destroys Affiance in the Almighty, utterly p. 6discourages Prayer to Him for temporal Mercies, leaves no Place for the Exercise of Repentance and Submission to His Will, in a Day of Adversity; nor for devout and holy Joy and Gratitude, in a Time of Prosperity. It rob◊ every sober and considering Mind of the Comfort and Satisfaction among from an Apprehension of GOD's universal Presidency over His Creatures. How much soever the abandon'd Sons of Vice might be gratified with a Persuasion, that the Deity is confin'd to the Third Heaven, and not concern'd about Persons and Things in this lower World: It is certain, this Thought would overspread the Souls of the wise and serious Part of Mankind with Clouds and Darkness.

But Thanks be to GOD; notwithstanding the many and great Apostacies of this Land, our Degeneracy hath not proceeded to this Degree and Pitch of Atheism: We yet believe there is a glorious Providence managed by the sovereign, unerring, powerful, righteous, faithfull and merciful Hand of the Most High.

What but the Consideration of this induceth us religiously to assemble in this sacred Place, upon the joyful Return of our Anniversary Solemnities? Is not a Sense of our Dependance upon GOD, the great Motive of our coming into His House, this Morning? Is not the Belief, that He interests Himself in the Concerns of Men on Earth; that it is with Him graciously to continue us in the Enjoyment of the invaluable Privileges, which He hath given us; to direct and influence in the momentous Transactions of this Day, and the Affairs of Government the Year ensuing: Is not this Belief the Reason of the 〈…〉 Supplications we present unto Him, and the Oblation of Praise we pay Him, for publick Blessings?

p. 7The inspired Book of Psalms, out of which I have chosen the Passage, now read in your Audience, abounds in a peculiar Manner, in the Displays of the matchless Glory and Grandeur of the blessed GOD, as the supream Ruler and Governour of the World; it is fruitful in the Exhibitions of His boundless and everlasting Dominion and Kingdom; gives us Assurance, that His Angels, those Ministers whom He hath made Flames of Fire, do His Commandment, and hearken to the Voice of His Word [Psal 10 • . • 0] . That He doth what He pleaseth in the Realms of Light above, and Governs in the inferior Heavens [Psal, 148. 8] . That His Footstool is not below His Cognizance and Concern; but that He extends His Inspection and providential Influences to all Parts of this lower Creation [Psal. 135. 6.] .—And, that the Legions of Darkness are under His Government [Psal. 78. 49.] .

But not to be too general, I shall contract and confine my Thoughts to one particular Branch of Divine Providence, plainly directed to in the Words of the Psalmist, GOD standeth in the Congregation of the Mighty.

The heavenly Intelligencies have the Stile Mighty given them in the sacred Oracles. The great Apostle declares, That the Lord Jesus Christ will be revealed from Heaven with His Mighty Angels [2 Thess. 1: 7.] : And St. John in his Visions, saw a mighty Angel make his Descent from the upper World [Rev. 10. 1.] : But the Mighty, whom the sacred Penman speaks of, are, in the Context, charged with judging unjustly, and accepting Persons, are exhorted to defend the Poor and Fatherless, and do Justice to the Afflicted and Needy; and tho' they are called Gods, yet were obliged to die like Men: Characters utterly incompatible to those spotless and immortal Creatures who surround the Throne of GOD.

p. 8It is evident then, That by the Mighty, in the Congregation of whom GOD is said to stand, we are to understand Men that are concerned in the Government of a People, those that sustain high Posts, who have the Legislative Power in their Hands, who assemble and sit to consider, determine and resolve upon what will be for the Relief and Good of particular Persons, and Bodies and Societies of Men under their Jurisdiction; and the Defence, Peace and Happiness of the People in general, committed to their Charge: These are the Persons, I conceive, whom the Psalmist means, when he says, GOD standeth in the Congregation of the Mighty.

p. 8In this great Congregation GOD standeth: I suppose every one will easily conceive, that bodily Parts and Postures are by no means strictly and properly to be ascribed unto Him, who is an immense Spirit; but without any Difficulty will see a Figure in the Word. Should we take it strictly and literally it would be to debase the Godhead, and make Him such an one as ourselves [Psalm 50. 21.] : When it is said then, GOD standeth in the Congregation of the Mighty, we are to understand (as I apprehend) His inspecting and affording this honourable and important Assembly His protecting Presence and gracious Influence.

I shall endeavour to discourse upon the Words under the two following PROPOSITIONS.

I. IT is most fit and suitable, that there should be a Number concern'd in the Civil Government of a People.

II. THE great GOD is present in the Assembly of Political Rulers.

p. 9I. It is most fit and suitable, that there should be a Number concer◊◊d in the Civil Government of a People.

The Congregation of the Mighty, says the Text, implying there was a Number invested with Power and Authority convened for the Exercise thereof. Now that it is most fit and suitable it should be, will appear from the three following Things.