Political Rulers Authorized and Influenced by God Our Saviour

S. Phips.

Copy examin'd, per

J. Willard, Secr.

AN Election SERMON.

By me Kings reign, and Princes decree Justice: By me Princes rule, and Nobles, even all the Judges of the Earth.

WE have very great Reason, Sirs, to give Thanks to Almighty GOD, that our civil Liberties, as granted by the Royal Charter, are still continued to us:—And that the Anniversary for the Election of his Majesty's COUNCIL for this Province is now revolv'd upon us:—Also, that we are invited by our Honourable Rulers on this weighty Occasion, to come up to the House of the LORD, and to enquire in his Temple; That is, in the most solemn manner to acknowledge HIM, first, by Prayer and Supplication with Thanksgiving: And then, by hearing what HE has to say unto us.

p. 2And O, that both You and I may be, by Him, enabled to speak, and hear, as it becometh the Gospel of CHRIST, and the Oracles of GOD!

The Words before us are the Words of Wisdom, who is no other but CHRIST, in whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge. 'Tis true indeed, by Wisdom we are sometimes, in Scripture, to understand an Attribute of the divine Nature; and sometimes Religion is hereby intended: But the Wisdom spoken of, or rather who speaketh, in my Text, is no other but the Second glorious Subsistence in the adorable Trinity: For, "personal Qualities and Properties, Affections and Effects are predicated of this Wisdom," as is obvious to any who will consult the Context, and the subsequent Chapter. As also Chap. 1. 20,—23. Where we read, not only of Wisdom's crying aloud to Sinners, and expostulating with them because of their Dilatoriness and Perverseness, and exhorting them to turn at his Reproof; but moreover, a Promise is added, that if they would indeed turn unto GOD, then, I (says Wisdom) will pour out my Spirit unto you, I will make known my Words (i. e.) more clearly and effectually, unto you.—Which promise of pouring out his Spirit, &c. sufficiently evinces the Personality of this Wisdom▪ Nor can this Person reasonably be tho't to be any other but the SON of GOD.

p. 2'Tis HE, I say, who tells us, as in the Text, by me Kings reign, and Princes decree Justice, &c.

Here we may take Notice of Three Things;

1. That the Words not only have respect to the King, who is supreme; but also to others who bear Rule under him; including, doubtless, the various Degrees and Orders of Men concern'd in the Civil Government, of what particular Title or Denomination soever; for, both the Legislative and the Executive Powers are here specify'd; Judges as well as Kings.—Yea, and the Words do most probably refer also to the various Forms of civil Government which are in the World; for the ◊anner of Expression is applicable to each of them.

p. 32. 'Tis plainly hinted to us, when the civil Powers may be said to Rule well, viz. when they decree Justice, that is, just and good Laws (the Abstract being put for the Concrete) and not only Decree, but also Execute the same: For otherwise, the Decrees wou'd be quite vain and insignificant. Kings and others in subordination to them are not exalted, meerly, that so they might be in a State of Superiority over their Fellow-Men: No, they are to Rule; but then their manner of Rule must be suited to the Ends of civil Society, and for the promoting of the public Good; which necessarily implys the Executing as well as the Decreeing of Justice.

3. and lastly; We are expressly told, by whom it is that Kings reign, and Princes decree Justice.—By Me, says the Wisdom of GOD, or the Son of GOD. Q. D. They derive their Authority from Me: And moreover, by Me, are they quickned and enabled, first, to Decree; and then, to Execute just and good Laws; and thereby to answer the great End of their exalted Station.

Some read it, For me; others, In me, Kings reign—But I shall consider the Text according to our Translation, which is the same with the Marginal reading.

So that, from the Words we may note this

DOCTRINE.

That it is from the LORD JESUS CHRIST that Kings and all other civil Rulers do derive their Authority: And it is by Him also, that they do exercise the same in a due manner.

p. 3This may be spoken to under two Propositions.

1. That Kings and all other civil Rulers derive their Authority from CHRIST. And 2. It is by him also, that they exercise the same in a due manner.

PROP. I. That Kings and all other civil Rulers do derive their Power and Authority from CHRIST.

By Me, says Wisdom, Kings reign—: And By Me, Princes rule, and Nobles, even all the Judges of the Earth.

This I shall, 1. In a more general Way (in some measure) evince the Truth of. And then, 2. For further Illustration, p. 4shall mention in what Respects, civil Rulers may be said to derive their Authority from CHRIST.

First; I am, in a more general Way (in some measure) to evince the Truth of this Proposition.

Here then let it be considered.

That all Power both in Heaven and on Earth is given unto CHRIST. True indeed; as he is GOD co-essential, and co-eternal with the Father, so, he is equal with him in Power and Glory: But as God-Man and Mediator, so all Power was given to him. This Doctrine was known and receiv'd under the old Testament; for it was not only Decreed, that the Messiah shou'd have the Kingdom, but also this Decree was published. Psal. 2. 6,—9. and Psal. 45. 6, 7. and to the same Purport, in many other Scriptures of the old Testament.—And agreeable hereto, our LORD JESUS himself told his Disciples, as in Mat. 28. 18. All Power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth. And John 5. 22. The Father judgeth no Man, but hath committed all Judgment unto the Son:—And this same Doctrine was afterwards taught by his Apostles; Thus Peter said, that JESUS CHRIST was LORD of all. Acts 10. 36. And the Apostle Paul says, as in Phil. 2. 9. 10, 11. GOD hath highly exalted him,—that at the Name of JESUS, every Knee should bow,—and and that every Tongue should confess, that JESUS CHRIST is LORD. And in Eph. 1. 20, 21, 22. And set him at his own right Hand—far above all Principality and Power—in this World, and that which is to come. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the Head over all things to the Church. i. e. for the Benefit of the same.