Election Sermon

STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS-BAY. COUNCIL-CHAMBER, MAY 28, 1778.

JOHN AVERY, D. Sec'y.

AN ELECTION-SERMON.

But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. So then, Brethren, we are not children of the bond woman but of the free.

IT is common for the inspired writers to speak of the gospel dispensation in terms applicable to the present world, especially when they view it in comparison with the law of Moses. In this light, they consider the church of God, and good men upon earth, as members of the church and family of God above, and liken the liberty of christians, to that of the citizens of the heavenly Zion.

p. 6WE doubt not, but the Jerusalem above, the heavenly society, possesses the noblest liberty to a degree of perfection, of which, the human mind can have no adequate conception, in the present state. The want of that knowledge and rectitude they are endowed with above, renders liberty and government so imperfect here below.

NEXT to the liberty of Heaven, is that which the sons of God, the heirs of glory possess in this life, in which they are freed from the bondage of corruption, the tyranny of evil lusts and passions, described by the apostle, by being made free from sin, and becoming the servants of God. These kinds of liberty are so nearly related, that the latter is considered as a sure pledge of the former, and therefore, all good men, all true believers, in a special sense are children of the free woman, heirs of the promise. This religious or spiritual liberty must be accounted the greatest happiness of man, considered in a private capacity.

BUT considering ourselves here, as connected in civil society, and members one of another, we must in this view, esteem civil liberty as the greatest of all human blessings. p. 7This admits of different degrees, nearly proportioned to the morals, capacity, and principles of a people, and the mode of government they adopt. For like the enjoyment of other blessings, it supposes an aptitude, or taste in the possessor. Hence, a people formed upon the morals and principles of the gospel are capacitated to enjoy the highest degree of civil liberty, and will really enjoy it, unless prevented by force or fraud.

p. 7MUCH depends upon the mode and administration of civil government, to complete the blessing of liberty; for altho' the best possible plan of government, never can give an ignorant and vicious people, the true enjoyment of liberty, yet a State may be enslaved, tho' its inhabitants in general, may be knowing, virtuous and heroic.

THE voice of reason, and the voice of God, both teach us, that the great object, or end of government, is, the public good. Nor is there less certainty in determining, that a free and righteous government originates from the people and is under their direction and controul, and therefore a free popular model of government, of the republican kind, may be judged the most friendly p. 8to the rights and liberties of the people, and the 〈…〉 conducive to the public welfare.

ON account of the infinite diversity of opinions, and interests, as well as for other weighty reasons, a government altogether popular, so as to have the decision of cases by assemblies of the body of the people, cannot be thought so eligible; nor yet, that a people should delegate their power and authority to one single man, or to one body of men, or indeed to any hands whatever, excepting for a short term of time.

A FORM of government may be so constituted, as to have useful checks in the legislature, and yet capable of acting with union, vigour and dispatch, with a representation equally proportioned, preserving the legislative and executive branches distinct, and the great essentials of liberty be preserved and secured. To adjust such a model, [THE form or constitution of government, that has been submitted to the people of this State, so amply secures the essentials of liberty, places and keeps the power so intirely in the hands of the people, is so concise and explicit, and makes such an easy step from the old to the new form, that it may justly be considered as a high evidence of the abilities of its compilers, and if it should not be complied with, it is very probable we never shall obtain a better] is acknowledged to be a nice and p. 9difficult matter: and when adjusted, to render it respectable, permanent and quiet, the circumstances of the State, and the capacities and morals both of rulers and people, are not only of high importance but of absolute necessity.

p. 9IT by no means becomes me to assume the airs of a dictator, by deliniating a model of government; but shall ask the candid attention of this Assembly, to some things respecting a State, its rulers and inhabitants, of high importance and necessity to the being and continuance of such a free and righteous government as we wish for ourselves and posterity, and hope by the blessing of God to have e'er long established.

IN this view, it is obvious to observe, that a spirit of liberty should in general prevail among a people: Their minds should be possessed with a sense of its worth and nature.

FACTS and observation abundantly teach us, that the minds of a community, as well as of individuals, are subject to different and various casts and impressions. The inhabitants of large and opulent empires p. 10and kingdoms, are often intirely lost to a sense of liberty; in which case they become an easy prey to usurpers and tyrants.

WHERE the spirit of liberty is found in its genuine vigour, it produces its genuine effects, urging to the greatest vigilance and exertions, it will surmount great difficulties; that it is no easy matter to deceive or conquer a people determined to be free. The exertions and effects of this great spirit in our land, have already been such as may well astonish the world. And so long as it generally prevails, it will be quiet with no species of government, but what befriends and protects it. Its jealousy for its safety, may sometimes appear as if verging to faction; but it means well, and can never endanger a state, unless its root and source is corrupted.