The Anniversary Election Sermon

Mr. Dickinson's Election SERMON.

THAT ANDREW BURR Esq and Mr. JAMES FITCH, Return the Thanks of this Assembly, to the Reverend Mr. MOSES DICKINSON, for his Sermon Delivered before the Assembly on the 8th Instant, and Desire a Copy thereof that it may be Printed.

George Wyllys Secr.

AN Election SERMON.

I exhort therefore, that first of all; Supplications, Prayers, Intercessions, and Giving of Thanks, be made for all Men: For Kings, and for all that are in Authority; that we may lead a quiet, and peaceable Life, in all Godliness and Honesty.

THE End of the Commandment is Charity out of a pure Heart. And Acts of Kindness, and Good-Will to Men as the Off-spring of GOD, are the proper Fruits of Charity. When therefore our Minds are effectually Influenced by this God-like Vertue, instead of saying, go, be warmed, be filled; we shall sincerely Endeavour as we have Opportunity, to do good to all Men. But in as much as we p. 2ha'n't the same Advantages, to shew the Effects of our Charity to some, as to others, (for some are raised to such a Pitch of Grandure, and Dignity, that they are above our Reach; others are at such a Distance from us; that we don't so much as know them, or the Nation they belong to; and our Enemies by their Perverseness, and ill Nature, may render themselves uncapable to receive Benefit by us;) the only way therefore for us to shew our Christian Temper in such Cases, is by our fervent Addresses at the Throne of Grace on their Behalf. But whether we can actually do good to Men, or no; the great Duty of Intercession for others is not to be neglected; for the most that we (or indeed the very Angels themselves,) can do for them, is just nothing at all, in Comparison of that great Good, that GOD may bestow upon them, in Answer to our Prayers. We need not marvel therefore, that the Apostle speaks of this, as a Duty of such great Importance. I exhort therefore, that first of all, Supplications, Prayers, Intercessions, & giving of Thanks, be made for all Men. We must pray for all Men, Friends, and Enemies, Relations and Strangers, Bond and Free. But as our own Peace, the civil and religious Interests of the Community, and the best good of Rulers themselves, depend p. 3upon their Conduct; therefore we are especially to pray for Kings, and for all that are in Authority. And we are directed what to pray for on their Account; viz. That they may be Influenced by GOD's Grace, and have his Blessing upon their Persons, and Administrations, that under their Protection we may lead quiet and peaceable Lives, in all Godliness and Honesty.

p. 3There are sundry things of very great Importance, that we may observe from these Words. Particularly,

That civil Government is a divine Institution, and therefore we must pray for GOD's Blessing upon all that are in Authority, as being GOD's Ministers.

That the Work of Rulers is of great Concernment, and attended with peculiar Difficulties, and accordingly they stand in need of the Prayers of good Men.

That good Rulers are a great Blessing to a People, since under their Influence, and Protection, their civil and religious Interests are Secure; so that they may lead quiet and peaceable Lives, in all Godliness and Honesty.

That the People owe Obedience, and Subjection to then Rulers; without which they can have no Peace, Godliness, for Honesty.

That Subjects ought not only to acquiesce in, but be thankful for, the good Offices of p. 4their Rulers; for Thanksgiving is to be joyned with Supplications, Prayers, and Intercessions.

That People are not animated with a christian Spirit, nor truly sensible of their own Interest, when they neglect to pray for their Rulers.

And that all Men ought to Improve the Advantages they enjoy under a good Government, by leading a quiet and peaceable Life, in all Godliness and Honesty.

Each of these Observations might be improved as a p◊oper Entertainment, for such an Occasion as this; yet I shall not expatiate upon either of them: But what I have chiefly in View as the Subject of my Discourse, is this;—

That when civil Rulers are influenced by the Grace of GOD, they will sincerely endeavour to promote not only the Peace, and outward Prosperity; but likewise the religigious Interests of the People under their Government.

The Rulers of the World, when this Epistle was Written, were Heathen; and the great Thing that their Subjects were to pray for on their Behalf was, that they might be Converted, and so become sincere Christians, and then it would follow, that under their Government they might lead a quiet, and p. 5peaceable Life, in all Godliness and Honesty. And we must now pray for them that rule over Men, that they may be just, ruling in the fear of God; for if this be their true Character, we may rest Satisfied that their Endeavours will not be wanting, to secure to us our just Rights, Civil, and Religious.

p. 5But that I may express my Sentiments upon this Subject, with as much Clearness, and Brevity as I can; I shall endeavour to show,

I. That the good of Society in this present State, (next to the Glory of GOD,) is the direct End of civil Government.

II. Althô Religion is not the direct, and immediate Object, of the Concern of civil Rulers in their political Capacity; yet the good of Society can never be effectually promoted by them, unless they are sincerely concerned for the Interest of Religion.

And therefore,

III. When civil Rulers are influenced by the Grace of GOD, to do their Duty; they will sincerely endeavour to promote Religion; as there is such a necessary Connexion, between this, and the good of Society.

I. That the good of Society in this present State, (next to the Glory of GOD,) is the direct End of civil Government. Government p. 6was not appointed, that some Men might enjoy Riches, Dignity, and Power above others, exclusive of the good of the Public …