An Election Sermon

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. In the HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES, June 20th, 1786.

Sent up for CONCURRENCE,

JOHN SPARHAWK, Speaker P. T.

Mr. WENTWORTH and Mr. ATKINSON joined.

JOSEPH PEARSON, Secretary.

A true Copy, Attest,

JOSEPH PEARSON, Secretary.

INTRODUCTION.

WE are assembled on this joyful anniversay of our public liberty:—liberty obtained at the expence of much blood and treasure; with decency becoming a christian state, we now appear in this sacred place, first to pay our religious acknowledgements to the SUPREME RULER, and to collect some instruction from the oracles of truth: that special providence which prevents the worthy reverend brother [The Rev. Dr. Langdon, of Hampton-Falls, confined with a broken bone, but a short time before the general election in this State.] appointed to have led in the public devotions of this day, and a very late call on me to stand in his place, from his Excellency the PRESIDENT and the honorable COUNCIL, must be my apology for the following hasty composition.

LET this honorable COURT then, and this respectable ASSEMBLY permit me to expect their kind candor, while I attempt a few important thoughts on this great occasion, suggested by the words of our LORD, recorded in the gospel according to p. 4MATTHEW, xxiv.—45, 46, 47, ver.

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh, shall find so doing: Verily I say unto you he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

MY RESPECTED HEARERS,

AMONG the many metaphors used in sacred scripture, expressive of the duty and subjection we owe to God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ; that of a servant is perhaps the most frequent. It is used with the highest propriety; for it is just in its self, and adapted to convey ideas of the highest importance to us. For he who made us, he who provides for us, supporting both soul and body in all their noble powers and organs, has surely an unlimitted right to our services. He, who has redeemed us unto God with his own most precious blood, that we might be to him a peculiar people, zealous of good works, has the highest claims upon us, and may justly expect we should glorify him in our bodies & in our souls which are the Lords. In a word, he may justly expect, that, in our respective stations and characters, we should yield all ready obedience p. 5and subjection to him, who has laid down his precious life for us.

AND indeed, my friends, the true servants of Jesus Christ glory in their character: they esteem it their highest dignity, that they are now no longer servants and slaves, to the prince of the power of this world; nor to their own vile lusts: but that the blessed son of God hath made them free: though other Lords have had dominion over them, yet henceforth they will make mention only of his name.

SERVANTS must do their masters work, and keep ever in view, as their rule and guide his commands and will: they must do their work with cheerfulness,—with singleness of heart,—and good fidelity; though their master may appoint to some more work, to others less, according to their several abilities; yet all have something on their hands by his appointment of importance to be done. Nor does the subordination of labourers, or that of their work, at all prevent their holding one common title, under their great Lord: they are all his servants, and blessed be his name, if they are faithful, however they may rank among themselves, they shall all in the last day, p. 6receive a most gracious reward from their divine master, in the presence of attending angels, and an assembled world.

p. 6THE servant mentioned in the text, seems to have been one greatly honored with peculiar talents and entrustments; he is made ruler over his masters household, his character and post are applicable, with some special propriety, to Magistrates and Ministers.

MAGISTRATES are appointed, by the wise and good providence of heaven, to rule among men, in subordination to, and in immitation of him, "who himself rules the world in righteousness, and judges the people with equity." The holy Apostle Paul accordingly roundly asserts, that the powers that be, are ordained of God. They are, in this sense even under the present dispensation, the Lord's annointed, appointed by him ministers of God for good. They have in their exalted stations, the solemn oath and charge of God imposed upon them, to regard supremely his honor, to promote the great end of their delegated power, and the public good. They are commanded to be just, to fear God, to hate coveteousness, and ever to bear in mind that God is with them in the judgment.

p. 7THESE are his honored servants in the State,—the earthly political household of the Lord: they are appointed to do his work, to promote the happiness of the Commonwealth, which is the great end of all political government;—to give to every one his meat in due season, and advance, to their utmost, the great designs of God's moral government in the world: Happy are these his honored servants, whom when their Lord cometh, he shall find so doing: Verily I say unto you, he shall make them rulers over all his goods; their stations shall be marked with distinguished honor in the world of supreme glory.

MINISTERS must consider themselves under the character of servants in the church of the living God: their work is spiritual, their charge is great, and their account will be most solemn. By the great head of the church they are made rulers in his spiritual household, which is the church of the living God; they are appointed to this office, not to Lord it over mens faith, or consciences; but to be helpers of their joy; and to give to every one his portion of meat in due season.