The Rulers Highest Dignity and the People's Truest Glory

Province of the Massachusetts-Bay In the House of Representatives, Jovis 31. Die Maij, A. D. 1739.

J. Quincy, Speaker.

p. 1An Election SERMON.

HOSEA XI. 12. Latter Clause.

—But Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the Saints.

'TIS a very high Character and Commendation that is given in these Words of the Kingdom of Judah, both of Prince and People, on the Account of their steady Adherence to the divine Constitution of their Government, and to the Purity of sacred Institutions, when the ten Tribes had for a long Time apostatiz'd to idolatrous Worship. And a brighter Representation could scarce be given in so few Words, of the true Interest and Glory of a professing People. If therefore the opening of this Character, and displaying some of the Beauties and Advantages of it, according to the Measure of the Gift I have received, may be of Use to excite a pious Emulation in the Rulers and People of this Land, and the p. 2various Orders and Degrees of Men, that compose this great Audience, it will sufficiently answer the Design I had in view in the Choice of my Subject.

Concerning this Prophet Hosea, whose Words I have read, we may observe, That it appears from the Date of his Prophecy, that he was one of the ancientest of the Prophets who penn'd their Prophecies, and continued longest in the Discharge of the prophetical Function, during the successive Reigns of several Kings; for the Word of the Lord came unto him in the Days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, Kings of Judah; and in the Days of Jeroboam, the Son of Joash, King of Israel: (Chap. 1. 1.) The Prophecy consists of Reproofs, and Convictions of Sin, and Comminations of divine Judgments for the awakening a secure People, and serious and urgent Exhortations to Repentance, address'd both to the Kingdom of Israel and Judah.

I shall not spend Time on the Context, the Connection of the Verse of our Text, being variously understood by Interpreters; some making it the Close of the eleventh Chapter; others, [Vide Rivet: Comment: in Hosea • : Pol: Synops: in Loc.] with greater Probability, understand it as the Beginning of a new Discourse, which the Prophet continues in the following Chapter, upbraiding the apostate Israelites, with their Defection from the true Worship of GOD, and the Faith and Piety of their Ancestors, and with their vain Confidence in an Arm of Flesh; and upon Conviction thereof, exhorting them to Amendment, and a penitent Return to the Lord their GOD. But it may p. 3conduce not a little to the clearing of the Words, to take some Notice of the opposite Clause of the Verse, Ephraim compasseth me about with Lies, and the House of Israel with Deceit. Ephraim put in Distribution with Israel, as here, is commonly used to denote the House of the King, the Princes and Rulers of Israel; Jeroboam, who headed the Revolt from the House of David, and the Defection from the instituted Worship of GOD at Jerusalem, being a Man of that Tribe. And by the House of Israel is meant the Body of the ten Tribes. That which they are charged with, is, That they compassed GOD about with Lies, and with Deceit. In which Words the Prophet taxes the Perfidiousness, Hypocrisy, and Idolatry of the Israelites; they pretended a mighty Veneration for the GOD of Israel, and Zeal for his Service; yet having deserted his own Institutions, and set up their Calves at Dan and Bethel, and worshipping him by Images and Rites of their own Invention, it was all, in GOD's Account, Deceit and a Lye.

p. 3Perfidy, and Hypocrisy in Religion, is, in Scripture, called Lying to God. Psal. 78. 36. They flattered him with their Mouth, and they lyed to him with their Tongues. So likewise is Idolatry and False-worship; it being familiar in Scripture to term Idols, Vanities, and Lies, a Work of Errors, and Teachers of Lies. [Jer. 16. 19. Psal. 40. 4. Rom. 1. 25 Jer. 20. 15. Hab. 2. 18.] They are lying Representations of the true GOD, who is a glorious incomprehensible Spirit, deceive their Worshippers, and frustrate the Confidence they repose in them.

To aggravate this Perfidiousness of Israel, the Prophet sets before them the Example of Judah, (comprehending the Tribe of Benjamin, and other p. 4pious Israelites, who adhered to the House of David, and the true Worship of GOD, after the Revolt of the ten Tribes) with an high Encomium of their Stedfastness and Integrity. But Judah yet ruleth with GOD, and is faithful with the Saint◊. It is a Description of the State of Judah, in it's best and purest Times. Here are two signal Instances of the Integrity of the two Tribes, mention'd to their Commendation.

1. That Judah ruled with GOD. This has a direct Aspect on the Princes and Rulers of Judah, who were peculiarly design'd by GOD to the Government of the Kingdom: They ruled with GOD, as his Delegates, executing their Commission for his Honour and Interest, and according to the Direction of his Laws. Some indeed give us this general Meaning of the Words, Judah persisted faithfully in the Service of GOD, following him as their Guide and Ruler: for to serve GOD, is to rule with him. The Gloss, I confess, seems rather ingenious than solid; for, however true it be (and a great Truth doubtless it is, tho' a Paradox to the World) that

The Service of GOD is not only true Liberty and Freedom, but Dignity and Dominion.

Yet that Ruling here is to be understood in its proper Signification, appears from the tacit Opposition between Ephraim and the House of Israel on the one Hand, and Judah on the other. Ephraim, the royal Tribe, that is, the Rulers of Israel, are suppos'd to rule without GOD, when they fell to Idolatry …