A Sermon Preached at Cambridge

RESOLVED, That Col. Gerrish, Mr. Hobson and Mr. Lothrop, be and hereby are appointed a Committee to wait on the Rev'd Mr. Moses Parsons, of Newbury, with the Thanks of this House for the Sermon delivered by him Yesterday before the General Assembly; and to desire of him a Copy thereof for the Press.

Attest▪

Samuel Adams, Clerk,

AN ELECTION-SERMON.

PROVERBS XXI. 1.

The King's heart is in the hand of the Lord, a◊ the rivers of water: be turneth it whithersoever be will.

ALL nature through all her works proclaims a Deity. Inspiration confirms this point;—For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things which are made, even his eternal p. 6power and Godhead: [Rom. 1. •• .] they must then be without excuse, who say there is no God; for verily there is a God who judgeth in the earth.

As we acknowledge the being and perfections of God; so we receive the doctrine of a universal providence—that the Lord reigneth—that his providential kingdom ruleth over all—and that he worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will. [Eph. 1. 11.]

IF a sparrow falls not to the ground without his providence; we may conclude, those more important changes which pass over men, are under his ordering and direction.

'TIS the instruction of wisdom, that we should acknowledge God in all our ways; that our steps may be directed by him. [Prov. 3. 6.]

THE right management of the important concerns of this day,—reminds us of our duty in this respect.—And a blessed privilege it is, that we may have access through a Mediator, to that glorious Being who is the fountain of knowledge; and humbly ask for; and believingly expect the bestowment of,—that wisdom which is profitable to p. 7direct—even that wisdom of the prudent, which is to understand his way—that our public affairs being under divine▪ direction, may be crowned with desired success.

IF the sun of prosperity has been made to shine upon us—or the day is become gloomy and dark—we are to consider these events, as taking place, under the providential government of the supreme Ruler of the world; who wills many changes for us, tho' he is himself unchangeable.

IN the words before us, we are taught, that, The King's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the Rivers of water—He setteth up Kings, who formed the Rivers, and directed what courses the water should run in—Not, that the hearts of subordinate Rulers, or of all men, are not in his hands; but, that those who are exalted as gods among men, who are seated at the upper end of the world; are yet under the government of the Most High.

p. 7HE makes use of men as instruments in his hands, to execute the purposes of his providence and grace.—Men may be set up by him as Kings, advanced to the chief seat of government, under the influence and direction of his providence—And the blessings p. 8of their administration, may be as useful and beneficial as Rivers of water.

As the heart of the King is in the hand of the Lord, as the Rivers of water—so 'tis added—He turneth it whithersoever he will—that is—He turneth the King's heart as he pleaseth—'Tis more under his direction and controul, than the Rivers of water are under the power of men, which may be turned into different channels by them.

Now, as a King implies a kingdom and subjects, government and the administration of it—And as Rivers of water have their important use and end in the kingdom of nature;—And as both of these are said to be in the hand of the Lord, given by him for valuable purposes—I hope the Metaphors will not be overstrained, if we allow the words to suggest to us the following truths.

THE universal dominion of God, that all hearts, times, seasons, changes and events are in his hands, or under his direction and controul.—The origin, design, importance, necessity and advantage of good civil government—The happy case of a people, who are thus favoured of God, for they are as a land well watered with rivers, and enjoy privileges which are p. 9great and invaluable.—A good civil government may be altered, the Rivers of water may be turned into other channels, or may become bitter; or the administration of government may become injurious and oppressive to the subject—And in both these cases—either when we enjoy the advantages of good civil government, or find that it is altered and become grievous—we are to acknowledge the righteous and supreme Ruler and Governor of the world, who orders prosperity and adversity for us; and can turn the rivers of water into their right channels, when they have been diverted from their proper courses; or remove all our public difficulties, and make us a happy people.

p. 9I WOULD take some notice of each o◊ these.

IN the first place. The words suggest to us—The universal dominion of God, that all hearts, times, seasons, changes and events, an◊ in his hands, or under his direction and controul.

THE King's heart is in the hand of the Lord. By the heart here, is intended, the mind, will and affections—the King himself▪ p. 10with all his secret springs of action, with all his arcana imperii, or secrets of government, whatever he is—whatever he has—whatever he does. The royal preacher indeed says—The heart of Kings is unsearchable. [Prov. 25▪ 3.] They may have their secrets of government—"designs which are kept private, and reasons of state (as One has it) which private persons are not competent judges of, and therefore ought not to pry into." But the hearts of earthly Kings "notwithstanding their powers and prerogatives, as much as the hearts of common persons, are in the hands of the King of Kings. Those that are most absolute are under his government.—They may have the prerogatives of their crown, but the great God has them not only in his eye but in his hand."