The Divine Original and Dignity of Government Asserted

p. 1An Election SERMON.

I have said, Ye are Gods: and all of you are Children of the most High: But ye shall Die like Men,—

IT is a divine as well as wise & just Remark, made by [Monsieur Paschal.] One of the greatest Masters of Thought in the Last Age, that Persons of Quality and Character ought to have two Sets of thoughts, by which to regulate their Conduct: by the One they are to view themselves in their State of distinguishing Elevation, which is not from Nature, but Arbitrary Establishment; by the Other they are to take a prospect of themselves p. 2in their Natural Condition of Infirmity, and Equality with the rest of Mankind. The bright Idea of their Dignity & Power must be temper'd with the more cloudy Idea of their Frailty: A Seperation of these will lead into gross Illusions, and betray into Errors fatal to themselves, and their Dependents: But an happy Union of these will afford light to direct them in the bright tracts of Substantial Glory; and forcible arguments to engage them to such a management, as shall be glorious to themselves, and happy to the World. The former prospect will take them off from the false scent of honour, and inspire them with inflaming Incentives to the most noble Actions, which will adorn their Character; without the latter view they will be in the nearest danger of being dazled with the Glare of Grandeur, and growing giddy by looking down from their State of Eminence upon those beneath them: If the Great forget their Dignity they will under-act the vertues becoming their Figure; if they reflect not steadily on their Infirmity, they will over-act the powers of their Elevation.—Know thy self is the p. 3first Lesson in the School of Wisdom, which becomes the Great and Honourable, as well as others, to learn: and these just Reflections both on their Excellency, and Frailty, will be found the first Elements of this Prudence. These will prompt them so to act the part assigned them on the Stage of Life, that their External Condition may be found in Conjunction with the more valuable inherent Dignity of a vertuous Mind; that when Death shall shut up the present scene, a brighter scene of Glory may open upon them; and they appear with Superiour Characters on the Stage of true Glory and Immortality.

p. 3And these thoughts are not only proper for Men of Name & Power themselves; but are instructive to such as are under their Government: These must view their Superiors in the Excellency of their Station, that they may pay them those Regards due to the Impressions of Divine Majesty, which they bear; yet they must behold them but as Gods, whose Dwelling is in flesh, whose breath is in their Nostrils, and may be soon Stopt; which will give check to a Spirit of flattery, regulate their Expectations p. 4from them, and make them disclaim all undue confidences in the most dignify'd Wisdom and Power on Earth.

Now, these two Set of Thoughts are in the most lively colours represented in the Words of our Text. I have said ye are Gods, &c. but ye shall dy like men. Which, if I mistake not, will afford us Reflections proper to the work of this Day; and in which every part of this Audience may have their Portion.

I hope there are none so vain as to imagine, that I appear this Day in this Awful Desk, only to beat the Air, & play the Orator in an Artful Address to our Rulers, either by way of Unmannerly Satyr, or fulsome Panegyrick; This would not well become the Solemnity of this Place, nor the Gravity of my Audience; and much less would it Suit my own Character; Nor may it be supposed that I am called forth to read a Lecture in Politicks before our Venerable Senators; for thus I should go beyond my own Line, and boast of a false Gift. I desire to keep in Mind what Place I stand in, In whose Name I Speak, what Critical Inspection I am under, and what an Awful p. 5Account I must give in of my present Performance to our COMMON LORD and JUDGE; and under the commanding Awe of these thoughts, I shall endeavour to Speak; and must intreat my AUDIENCE, under the same Awe, to hear.

This Psalm, of which our Text is part, is stiled a Psalm of Asaph: Not because it was directed to Asaph the Levite and Singer, which lived in the dayes of David, but as I apprehend because it was penn'd by Asaph, the Seer, who lived about the dayes of Hezekiah: The Rulers of which Day are Stigmatized by the Prophet Isaiah, [Isaiah 1, 10.] as Rulers of Sodom. And this Conjecture is strengthen'd by the judgment of [Dr. Pa •• ick.] a Great Master of Jewish Learning. The Psalm is a warm Address to those that filled the Seats of Judgment; and is a loud Cry for Publick Justice; that truth and unbribed Judgment might Establish their Tribunals: Here are administred the most pungent Rebukes for their Corruption, Male-Administrations, and Criminal Disorders, whereby the foundations of the State were put out of course; and the p. 6main Pillars of Government sapt; and Rulers are faithfully admonished of the Duties of their Post, which God & Men expect of them. To render this address the more forcible it is introduced with the Solemn thoughts of the Presence, Presidency, and Inspection of the Great God over such, as are Exalted to Place of Rule over men. v. 1. God standeth in the Congregation of the Mighty; He Judgeth among the Gods: And that the Impression of their Duty might be deep and durable, the blessed God who is the Only, and Supream Potentate of Heaven and Earth, is brought in as representing to them, the beauty, lustre and glory of their Character; so, giving them a dark Prospect of the Land of Darkness to which they are hastning, in a Solemn Memento of their Mortality, and that State Consequent hereon, which certainly Expects them. I said ye are Gods, &c. but ye shall dye like Men. In which we have a Concession, and a serious Correction, or just Qualification of this Concession.