Election Sermon

COMMONWEALTH of MASSACHUSETTS. In the House of Represensatives, May 28, 1788.

Attest.

GEORGE R. MINOT, Clerk.

p. 5AN Election SERMON.

PROVERBS, CHAP. XXIV. VERSE 2.

WHEN THE RIGHTEOUS ARE IN AUTHORITY, THE PEOPLE REJOICE; BUT WHEN THE WICKED BEARETH RULE, THE PEOPLE MOURN.

THE preacher considers it to be the special design of our present meeting in this place (according to common usage, and the laudable example of our pious Ancestors) to seek the divine influence and direction in the important concerns of the day—to express our grateful and devout praises for the inestimable blessings of government—to implore the divine blessing upon our civil magistrates in the discharge of the duties of their several departments—and to meditate on such suggestions from the oracles of truth, as may be pertinent to such an occasion.

THEREFORE he shall hope to have acquitted himself to the satisfaction of this numerous and respectable assembly in the part assigned him, if pursuant to the line of his own ministerial character, p. 6he shall offer such religious considerations, as may be thought proper for the business of the day; though he should avoid political disquisitions—though he should not decide in matters of controversy; or dictate in matters of state, or attempt to give instructions to politicians who are furnished with much better means of knowledge, and must be presumed to be already well informed, respecting the proper duties of their station.

WAVING therefore whatever might savour of impertinency upon such subjecis, I would observe, that the sentiment contained in the words under consideration, is clearly this, that the subjects of every government, however depraved, or insensible they may be to some purposes, have usually an ability to discern the virtues or defects of their rulers—that they quickly feel the advantages or embarrassments of a virtuous or vicious administration, and usually discover their internal sentiments, by exhibiting external demonstrations of sorrow or joy.

THE Words seem also to carry with them this further implication, that righteousness (which in the scriptures is used to signify sincere piety, or the fear of God) makes an important part of p. 7the character of a ruler. Yet there are many professors of christianity, who, (not much to the honour of their profession) will strenuously maintain, that between religion and politicks, there ought to be little or no connection—that an Infidel or an Atheist ought to stand as fair a candidate for the suffrages of a people, as the pious man, or the exemplary christian. Indeed it must not be disputed that persons of ability and accomplishments, who act from no higher motives than those of honour, popularity or ambition, are often improved by Divine Providence, to render very essential services to a community. But after all, must it not be allowed, that sincere piety, the true fear of God, refines and exalts the character of the ruler? Doth not this firm and unshaken principle which ever directs his actions, give him a better foundation for the people's confidence? He acts from the purest motives—he meditates the noblest actions —prompted by so divine a principle, his salutary influence, like the beams of the morning sun, disperseth the gloomy horrours of vice, tyranny and oppression; and diffuseth over the whole community, the blessings of light, joy, liberty and peace. Thus are the words of inspiration, "the spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue; p. 8the God of Israel said; the rock of Israel spake to me, he that ruleth over men, must be just, ruling in the fear of God; and he shall be like the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain."

p. 8OUR subject naturally resolves itself into the two following propositions by way of enquiry, viz.

I. What evidence may be reasonably expected from rulers, that they possess those virtues which are the source of joy to the people?

II. When a people may reasonably express their grief on account of the corruption or ill administration of rulers?

JOY and grief are human passsions, which are readily excited, and often very srongly expressed: and they are to be commended or blamed, according to the various causes whereby they are produced, and the measure to which they extend. The body of a people, may not always judge right respecting the qualifications of their rulers; yet with proper means of information, they generally form a just opinion: and the opinion p. 9which they form, is not to be holden in contempt: For no wise and good magistrate will wish to hide his character from the view of the people, or refuse to give them the best possible evidence of his integrity and virtue.

RULERS therefore in the legislative department, ought to enact laws which are well calculated to suppress vice, and punish the transgressor. The laws of men have often a more immediate influence upon mankind, than the laws of God; because human penalties, though not more certain, yet are expected to be more immediately inflicted. This makes it necessary that rulers should pay the utmost attention to the enacting good laws; for without these the community can never be safe; vice must reign and triumph, virtue be unprotected and depressed.

RULERS in the executive department, ought to see that good laws be well executed; for to what purpose doth it prove to enact the most excellent laws, with the proper penalties, when these penalties are never to be inflicted, nor the laws carried into execution? When the boldest transgressors may bid defiance to the laws of justice, p. 10and flatter themselves with impunity? To indulge the violators of law, with frequent instances of impunity—to make it easy for them to evade public justice, has always a tendency to destroy the influence of the magistrate, and bring government itself, into a state of contempt. When the guilty escape, the number of offenders is quickly found to increase: But when the laws are held sacred, and their penalties inflicted, the authority of the magistrate is established, his person respected, and the government severed.