Religion and Government Subsisting Together in Society

George Wyllys Secr.

An Election SERMON.

Whither the Tribes go up, tbe Tribes of the Lord, unto the Testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord. For there are set Thrones of Judgment: the Thrones of the House of David.

THE great Author of Nature, hath form'd and design'd his Creature Man for Society, both Civil and Religious; which, as it is agreeable to his very Make, and necessary to his present State; so, is adapted to his multifarious Advantage: Insomuch, that any manner of Conduct, which expresseth a Man's mind to live by himself, abstract from any Relation to Society; or to Worship only by himself and not with others; or that shews a thought, as if he could be safe and happy alone, Independant on Community; is a Contradiction to the design of the Creator in ranking him with the humane Species, & p. 2to the Constitution & Wants of such a kind of Creature. For, the Foundation laid in our Nature for Society, together with the mutual Dependance we have on one another, especially in the present fallen State, do all point out our Duty to dwell together as Brethren in Unity, as Members of Society, compacted and cemented by all the Bonds of Union, which fitly frame and build up Individuals into a Body politic for the Good of the whole.

VERY evident then, it is; that Men were not design'd for an Unsocial Life, and especially with their present depraved Powers, are by no means, to remain in a State of Nature; each one to possess by himself, and use for himself his natural Rights & Liberties, without any borrowed Strength and Advantage from others by Compact: i. e. without Incorporating into Society, or having any known established Laws and Rules agreed upon, as a common Standard to govern the whole; or any supream Head or known acknowleged Rulers and Officers to keep the whole in a just Decorum; and that for the general Peace and Safety of them all.—

BUT they are rather design'd by God to be, to Subsist, and Act in a State of Community, United and Strengthned by certain Bonds, for the Preservation of the Lives & Fortunes p. 3of each Individual; and even from all Mischievous Assaults by their Fellows. — And, as it is fitting; so, indeed necessary now, that Men's natural Rights be given up to Community, whereby, those may be exercised for the Good of every one; as they cannot be, while in the Hands of Individuals themselves; for, the Strength of each particular Person being giv'n up to Society and lodg'd with this collective Body, for common Benefit: Every Member may have the Strength of the whole employed for the Security of his own Life and Property. And also rejoyce in his Neighbours having the same Protection and Advantage with himself: So that, the Privileges of Society must be vastly greater than all the Rights of Nature separately Consider'd and Used. This, (it seems) is very plain.

p. 3AND, as evident it is, that nothing Argues and Represents a People more truly great; or, Renders them more Safe and Happy; than their firm Union in these two Important Interests, Civil and Religious; (these always Implying the divine Presence and Protection) these then, are the two grand things necessary to the well being of Society, (viz.) RELIGION AND GOVERNMENT; firmly Establish'd, duly Exercised, and well United; as Subsisting together in the same p. 4Community; rendring it, whether considered as Church or State: An harmonious Polity. And happy, (I say) by virtue of this Union in what is their true and common Interest.—Which, was indeed the View here taken, of Jerusalem of old; when said to be Builded as a City, that is Compact together. For, however Populous that City, and Contiguous their Buildings; the main Excellence & Advantage of this Union, and the chief Glory intended by it's being thus Compacted; lay in this, that there,was the Testimony of Israel, and there, the set Thrones of Judgment. Thus Situated near one to the other, that they might Befriend each other: And both together serve the best Good of the Community, so Distinguished and Dignified by them. which, was no small Motive (it seems) to invite the People up to Jerusalem, in a collective Body at certain Seasons, that there they might'nt only join in Social Worship according to the divine Institution; but also, there receive the signal Benefit of a civil Administration of God's Appointing likewise — As it is elegantly expressed in the Text, Whither the Tribes go up, the Tribes of the Lord, Unto the Testimony of Israel, to give Thanks unto the Name of the Lord, for there are set Thrones of Judgment, the Thrones of the House of David. Which would be p. 5an Advantage to them, not only when they were Together at Jerusalem on public Occasions; but also when Dispersed again to their several Districts, and in their private Habitations: As, such a Unity contributed to the common Safety & Interest of the Whole at all Times.

p. 5Now, this whole Psalm, was Written by David, to promote the Peoples Unity in the Worship of God, and Subjection to Government; and so to Answer the Design of their common Good and Prosperity. And here. Observe,

1. The ancient Practice of Israel, by God's Appointment, (viz.) Their Assembling together, at Jerusalem, three times a Year to Worship God in the most public Manner, at these fixed Periods and appointed Solemn Feasts, which the better part of the People greatly Rejoiced in; a delightful Token this! of their great and beneficial Unity. V. 1—3. I was glad, when they said unto me, Let us go into the House of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy Gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a City that is Compact together. And Observe,

2. The Recommendation of this Practice, and of the Excellence of Society, and of Unity therein, &c. Carrying therein, an Invitation to all the tribes of Israel to continue p. 6in their Assembling at Jerusalem to Worship God together, and there, to receive the Benefit of the best civil Administration: for there, were the set Thrones of Judgment, the Thrones of the House of David, as well as the Testimony of Israel: which, contains Arguments to press upon the People all that Conduct in a Community which becomes those that would be Safe and Happy: As, their Agreeing well in their Religion and in their Regard to the Government which God had set over them: Let all the Tribes, (the Tribes of the Lord thus dignified with that Character) Agree to meet one another at Jerusalem: For there's the Testimony of Israel and the set Thrones of Judgment: How grand the Expressions, full of Majesty, answerable to the great Ideas and Richness of tho't Express'd by them.—