Election Sermon

A SERMON, DELIVERED BEFORE HIS EXCELLENCT THE GOVERNOR, ain aiacksane COUNCIL, “Bouse OF REPRESENTATIVES \ OF THE STATE OF: VERMONT, ar WESTMINSTER, | ON TRE PAY OF THE. ANNIVERSARY ELECTION, 4 | Oéober x gth, 1803. Br SYLVESTER SAGE, A. M. Pastor of the first Church in Wefiminfler. WINDSOR: PRINTED BY ALDEN SPOONER. ~ pte In Se ASSEMBLY, O&.. 14th, 1803. Resolved, That a “Committee of three be appointed to wait on the Rev. Mr. Sacer, and ref~ pet fully present him with ‘the thanks of the General Assembly, for his Ele&tion Sermon, delivered yesterday, and. reguep a Copy, thereof, Ie. re frst : . Members chofen, _ Messrs. LEALAND, BUTLER and OLDS. . Extratt from the Fournals, Attest, ANTHONY HasweEtt, Clerk. AN ELECTION SERMON. ~ PROVERBS, xiv. 34. RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTETH 4 NATION? BUT SIN IS A REsil 2. @ ppoacH To’ ANY PEOPLE. ; ‘Tue penman of these words was justly reputed, the wifest king who’ever fat on the diccit of Ifrael. His-perceptions of things were clear; his obfervations just,on every fubje&t; and his maxims, concerning civil government, correct. He well knew, ‘that, as civil government-was a divine appointment, righteousness, or the practice of true religion and virtue, was every way calcuJated to promote a nation’s dignity and happiness. He confidered religion’ as the greatest national fecurity and brightest ornament : as laying the most fure bafis for peace at home and harmony with other nations : and one of the most impregnable bulwarks ‘of a people. , In ‘contrast with this, he viewed fin, as having a dire& and certain tendency toruin.’ The prevalence of vice and irreligion among any people was, in his 'estimation, their shame ; and would eventually prove their destruction: that, by the practice of fin, Gop was provoked to anger againit them ; and that they might reafonable fear his frowns, and expeét to be vilited. with the 5¢ ¥. VERMONT HISTORICAL socsst (Gi SS~ . ’ ' MH tire nol Lyree bE, acasenee b onctee? ncuse3 boul J) 4 t ‘ ’ ‘ piel a & 4a7 ty hist tA 4 diverrt vy Pa 7, poosilers Ee a ee ce =a dire tokens of his just difpleafure. The profane= nels, difhonesty, injastice, idolatry, infidelity and blafphemy of .a.people, are their reproach, and what would expose them to the most bitter ca~ lamities. 4 Sotomon, being a wife and an understanding — king, had, no doubt, critically obferved what was for the advantage of men as individuals and as. formed into. communities,.and what would be for their difadvantage. _He,hadimproved opportuni- — ties, to obferve the different conditions of nations around him, as well as that of his own... He notic-~ ed them, .in affluence;and profperity: allo in feafans of difficulty and.degradation. Deubtlets; he examined into.the,cautes of things ; and, as they .re{pected. nations, the refult of his refearch es, we fiad.to be, when righteoufnels, jpstice,.eguity, and. a stri@ adherence to;the laws of heave en were maintained among them, they flourithed, and. were,blefled with, tranquility, at, hame and,abroad :—bu: when luxury, injustice, profaneness and ,irreligion prevailed, they were atAlicted .with grievous .tsials and perplexing distrefles, On obferying thele things, |he was induced,,by the spirit,ot Gop, to write she proverbial faying which.is our text. : Ir often happens, with people, ia this, wold, according to their.national,charaéter. If they be. virtuous and pious, the smiles of divine pravidence attend them: butif,they bewicious and ungodly, they experience an unprofperous ,state.of affairs. This isnot an idle dieam; it is a truth taught us both in f@cred and profane jhistory. Tx reign of justice and equity, in a-nation, Se =a ee ke a miakes it refpeted and Honored by others: A wile administration of the government ;—1™ par~ tial equity between man and man ;—the fupport of religion ;—the univerfal practice of honesty ahd virtue ;—the protection and approbation of virtuous men and meafures ;—charity, or univerfal benevolence and'campafiion ;—these exalta na< tion ;—uphold government ;—elevate the minds of people,and qualify them for the favour of Gop.

Vice triumphant, in any community, renders it reproachful. Sin is a reproach’ to’ any people. It makes them’ defpicable, in the view of furrounding’ nations. The'people of Mrael were often instances of both parts of the text. They were great and exalted, when they were right~ eous :---but, when they forfook their Gop, and turned afide after idols, theit neighbors trampled on and infulted them: In the proverb before us, we are taught what is out gteatest ornament, happiness and fecurity, asa people. We dre also instructed, what is our greatest shame and difgrace ; and what will expose us, a8 individuals and as 2 nation, to the just judgments of heaven. Upon these two general ideas contained in the text, it may not be unfnitable, on this anniverfary occasion, fot a few moments to fix our attention. And if upon these common topicks I can fuggest nothing that is new, yet, may I not _hope, by the blessing ef Gon, to encourage that which is right as well as excite to a reférmation of what is amifé. : THERE are various interpretations of the word righteoufne/s, as it is ufed, in the sacred feripture: Sometimés, it is expressive of that equity which Christ Jesus obferveth in all his managements ;--+ “« particularly his complete fulfilment of the precepts, and fatisfaction of the penalty- of the broks, em covenantin our stead.”” Sometimes, it is ufed) fer the dwine attribute of Fufice. Ist is also ex: preflive of that yufiice and bonessy which individuals of smankind are bound to obferve towards) each other, in. all their intercourfe. » By right-) coufness, is expressed, the whole of religion. -It includes fupreme love to Gop, and univerfal be. nevolence.to men, Without these, a nation or an individual, cannot be called righteous. | a ~ True teligion confisteth, in that inward piety. of the heart, by, which Gop is truly ackrowledged; feared and loved ;.and. which. …