Election Sermon

COMMONWEALTH of MASSACHUSETTS. In the HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES, May 25, 1796.

Extract from the Journal.

Attest. HENRY WARREN, C. H. ◊.

p. 5AN Election SERMON.

WHEREFORE YE MUST NEEDS BE SUBJECT, NOT ONLY FOR WRATH, BUT FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE.

THE Apostle PAUL appears to have been an adept in philosophy, ethics and politics. In his acquaintance with human nature he was equalled by few. Knowing the will of his divine Teacher, and having imbibed his spirit, with irresistible arguments, enforced by a captivating address, and all the power of rhetoric, he inculcated the interesting doctrines and sacred maxims of christianity. Well versed in the principles of civil government, and knowing the importance of the influence of christianity upon the minds and conduct of men to the happiness of civil society, as well as to their preparation for another and more glorious state, with the authority of an Apostle inspired by the Holy Ghost and commissioned from the King of Kings, he solemnly exhorts, "let every soul be subject to the higher powers: For there is no power but of GOD: The powers that be, are ordained of GOD." The meaning undoubtedly is, that civil government, through the instrumentality of men, was instituted by the providence of God, for the benefit of mankind, On this principle, civil magistrates are appointed, not for their own honor, emolument or aggrandizement, but to promote and private and public peace and happiness, by discountenancing p. 6vice, and encouraging virtue and religion. To such a government, well administered, christianity requires peaceable and quiet subjection; and enforces it with this solemn denunciation against those, who resist such a government; they resist the ordinance of GOD, and shall receive to themselves damnation.—Such subjection is required not from a principle of fear only, but for conscience fake. The Apostle means a conscience enlightened by the principles of Christianity, and sanctified by the spirit of grace. We must therefore be subject, not for wrath only, but from a still higher motive, a sense of obligation to Deity and the indissoluble bonds of conscience.

p. 6THE words of the text may therefore properly stand as the head of the following discourse; in which a few thoughts may be suggested upon the necessity and importance of virtue and religion to the support and success of civil government.

THE Apostle does not prescribe any particular form of government: This is left to the wisdom and discretion of men; with which christianity never intermeddles. It is evident from the Apostle however; that government ought to be founded upon the just rights of mankind, and to be administered for the best interests of society. They greatly mistake the Apostle therefore, who suppose him to favor the horrid doctrine of passive obedience and non-resistance. Such language is fit only for a despot to an untaught, barbarous people. If this were the Apostle's meaning, no opposition ought to be made to the greatest tyranny on earth. No revolution might then take place; but men, like brutes, must submit to still more brutish men; patiently wear the galling yoke, and drag out the burden of life in miserable servitude without resistance.

THE Apostle teaches no such doctrine. Christianity in by no means adapted to encourage oppression and tyranny. No form of government yet constructed, p. 7ever was so congenial to christianity, as a well regulated Republic. No religion, ever yet known, is so conformable to the genius of a free government, as christianity.

WHOEVER critically attends to human nature, the design of civil government, and the influence of religious principles on the minds and conduct of men, will easily perceive how essential morality and religion are to the peace and happiness of civil society. There are in mankind a variety of desires and passions, whence all their actions proceed. In the present state of human depravity, unhappily for us, these desires and passions are frequently at variance with each other.—This circumstance, in spite of philosophy and natural religion, will create a clashing of interest, that will produce those different opinions and opposing actions, whence distressing evils may ensue. To prevent such mischiefs, the invention of civil government undoubtedly took its rise. If the desires and passions of men were duly regulated, civil government and penal laws would be unnecessary. Men would then never err, except through misapprehension, which information and the benevolent affections would always rectify.—But human nature is possessed of the passions of selfishness and ambition, envy and jealousy, which unrestrained would produce discord, strife, and every evil work.

p. 7CIVIL government is a kind of machine, which the necessities of mankind have compelled them to erect for the restraint of such desires and passions as, if let alone, would be ruinous to the public peace and happiness of society. These machines ought to be so constructed and managed, as in their operations to effect that public peace and happiness, which may be sensibly felt, and realized by the people. But these machines require something more, than the power and influence of penal laws, to preserve them in order, and promote their great and important uses. The great art of managing p. 8government well consists in laying the desires, the passions and lusts of men under proper restraint.—But how can this be done? The experience of ages decides that penal laws alone are inadequate to the purpose. Though in many instances they may be efficacious, yet in general they do not reform the depraved minds of the lawless, nor correct the vicious habits of the licentious. Fear of punishment may prevent many crimes; but, as it does not destroy the desires and passions which originate them, whenever this fear, through the hope or prospect of impunity, subsides, the same passions will again urge on to licentiousness and criminalty. Human reason and philosophy are not of themselves sufficient to secure the permanent peace and happiness of society from the depradations of licentious desires and passions. …