Election Sermon

SERMON, E. DELIVERED ON THE DAY OF GENERAL ELECTION, AT MONTPELIER, OCTOBER 43, 4814, BEFORE THE HONORABLE BY ELIJAH LYMAN, A. M. PASTOR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BROOKFIELD. Published at the request of the Legislature. MONTPELIER, Vt. PRINTED BY WALTON AND GOSS, OCTOBER, 4814, — AN ELECTION SERMON. 4 E. PETER, 11. 13, 414, 45. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king as supreme; or, unto governors, as . unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Tue enemies of christianity have always sought occasion against its professors to bring their principles and practice into contempt. Christ himself was charged with being a seditious person. ‘We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Ceesar, saying that he himself is Christ a king.” Again, it was said, “He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry.” The same allegation was brought against his disciples. The unbelieving Jews at Thessalonica, said of Paul and Silas, “These, that have turned the world upside down, have come hither also.” By this it is evident, that they were desirous to prove that Christ and his apostles were opposed to their civil government, thereby to seeure its power to suppress them. And doubtless there was the same disposition in the hearts of un_ believers, when Peter wrote this epistles; therefore, he ey i his christian brethren, saying, “abstain from those fle Ne lusts, which war against the séul, having your conver honest among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak ag you as evil doers, they may, by your good works, whi i _ shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” ] la thus exhorted them to lead an honest and sober life an those who did not embrace christianity, the Apostle py ee to point them to some particular duties. He begins with duty to civil governors—“Sabmit yourselves to every | nance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether it be to a “as supreme, or unto governors, as unto them that are | him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the prais them that do well. For so is the will of God that wit h doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish In illustrating these words, on the present o¢casion, it ma age proper to consider, Bi I. The institution of civil government. h . IL. The daty of rulers in the administration of that g ment. a IIL. The duty of subjects under the administr ation | of government. I. I am to consider the institution of civil government i The Apostle observes, “Submit yourselves to every 6 nance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether it be to the ki as supreme, or unto governors, as unto them that are sen i him.” From this it appears that civil government is bo | institution of God and an ordinance of men. Here, then, would observe, aie First, Civil government is an institution of God. evident, in that God has ordered, in the course of his h of and wise providence, that men should be necessarily connee ed with, and dependant on each other. Man being fora for society, it was not good for him to be alone. The happi pis f his social natare can be effected only in society. Bat, do men dwell together in society, rnles and regulations must be formed to which they all might have due respect, that they might realize “how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” ‘This’is especially necessary, since mev have become selfish and depraved. Such is the depravity of men’s hearts, and so corrupt their practice, that it is absolutely necessary, Yhey should adopt certain Jaws by whieh to regulate and govern themselves. ‘They must enjoin ess 0 suitable precepts, and enforce them with proper penalties, that person and property may be secured. Their administation must be such as to punish the evil doer, and encourage them that do weil. Without such an institution of government, no society of men can exist; and as God, in his providence, has thus situated men. in this life, itis evident that eivil government is by his appointment. : Secondly. From God’s holy word, it appears, that civil goyernment is of his appointment. He directed his ancient. people, Israel, to ‘provide out of all the people, able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, and rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And to let them judge the people at all seasons.” But matters of greater concern were to be brought to Moses, their supreme magis~ trate. The king of Israel, speaking in the name of the Lord, says, “By me kings reign, and princes deeree justice.” This is the language of the old testament. And in the new, the Apostle speaks the same things. ‘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; whosoever, therefore, resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God, and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For he is the minister of God to thee for good.” And the Apostle Peter, in the text, observes, that kings and governors were sent by God “for the punishment of evil doers, and for ey of them that do well.” These make it evident that ¢ vernment is by the authority of God. Again. it is observed, that civil government is an org of men. …