An Election Sermon

Mr. GROSS’ g io) vie Tom axe Set ripe oie agatatioas SERMON, DELIVERED BEFORE HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, THE ; LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, ( THE COUNCIL, \ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF VERMONT, AT WOODSTOCK, OCTOBER 8, 1807; BEING THE pay oF GENERAL ELECTION. BY THOMAS GROSS, A. M. PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN HARTFORD, c Fuflis hominibus pofitis in aussoritate, Refpublica in tranquilwe | state servetbitur. —======eiai"”xa""=#”uoocoqo>*”o== RANDOLPH: PRINTED BY SERENO WRIGHT. e SOHHESSO OST ETHOSOLSSSIPOS SSO TESISOOOOSOT IE CORO 0007 In General Assembly, O04. to, 18074) RESOLVED, That Mefis. 8. Driver, E. BuTLer, am 3B. GARDNER bea Cy lh to watt on the Rev. THOMA the thanks of ibis House for his Sermag fore his Excellency the Creern net, the Honorable Coum Gross, and return bi il, ona 1 Has ue of Reprefentatives, and request a copy for the prefi, eee a ’ GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE, ? fc aVEe jurny Ibed a copy AGREEABLE ‘to your reqey ’ the thanks of the Heouse, it jor ihe prefs: wf st , . ~ would he rls, tnd tomy feelings ; bul, fenfib fs of its imperfecs , - :. Lis 'i0%, ai your que > i fi ubout to have the fame appear in puciive ELECTION SERMON. @ SAMUEL, XXIII. Q, 4. “ The Ged of Trael said, the Rock of Jjrae! spake to me, He that ruleth over men mufl be jufl, ruling inthe fear of God, And he shall be as the light of the morning, nvhen the fun rijeth, even a morning without clouds : as the tender grafs pringing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain.” HEN we attend <o the vicious difpofitions of men, and to the evil prattices, from which they refult : we are univerially convinced of the neceflity of government. Under such a conviction, government will appear to be necessary for that fecurity and fafety, which could neither be expected nor enjoyed, where it is wanting. ‘This necessiry will appear so great, that a preference will be given to a bad government, rather than to a state in which there is none, Yet the fame reafons, which would convince the mind of the neceflity of government for the promotion of good in any degree, would equally or more fully convince the mind of the neceflity of that, which should promote good in a greater degree.

There have been many kinds of governments in the world, and feveral have had their ill properties ; they have been arbitrary and cruel s yet as they have prevented more evils, will @epend on this, that it have just men in authority, why shall rule inthe fear of God. We may fafely agree in this, as a very great and important truth ; and find it to be did: t. ed by-reafon, realized by experience, and confirmed by diving - revelation. In illufirating this propofition, swe shall take into con eration the idea of a just man ruling in the fear of God. Then shew that as to the happiness and glory of a nation very, much will depend on rulers of the above defcription. I. We shall take into confideration the idea of a just man ruling in the fear of God. By a just man, we are undouby edly to underfiand a man, who is virtuoufly inclined ; whol aim, desire and determination isto do right. The divine per fections are the eternal rule of justice : the divine law, pe feétly agreeing with those perfections, is given, that justice as our rule, may be the more visibleA conformity to the law is equally a conformity to the d vine perfections, and such a conformity is termed justicé But as we are incapable of judging, ad/elutely, the hearts @ men, the idea, therefore, of justice, is fixed upon the exten nal. behavior. ‘Thus, in regard to the divine law, an extei adherence only, entitles a perfon, in the judgment of cha ty, to the character of a justman. Thus likewise, as hu man laws are neceflary, for the regulation and good goverg ment of mankind ; it hence is evident, that those laws the rule of public justice, and that an adherence to these, en titles a'perfon likewise to the charatter of a just man. J there be a constitution and laws to regulate the adminif tion of the roler: he is a jut man, whose adminifiration correfponds with those laws ; and the citizen is just, when he obeys them. In regard to our intercourfe and society with men 5 a regard to the good name, to the interest and convenjence of our neighbors, equally to that of our own, is an act of justice ; and for this reafon, because it is an adherence to this just rule, that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. Justice, in man, shuts out the idea and even the poflibility of partiality. A just man is not partial : and equally true it is, that @ partial man is not just. Notwithstanding, a man may have a greater esteem and regard for one than for another, and yet be a just man; yea, further than this, justice itself requires this of men 5 that we should render to all their dues ; tribute to whom tribute is due ; custom to whom custom ; fear to whom fear. Thus, although there be a difference of esteem and affection, in regard to different men ; it is just, notwithstanding, if it be apportioned according to merit.

Having spoken of a just man, we will now confider him as a Ruler, and connec the idea of the fear of God in his administration. Ruling in the fear of God. There is a fear of God, which is unconneéted with reverence and affection ; it is destitute of love and esteem. It is not constant, its duration is short, and the intervals, between the times of its existence, are filled with impiety. …