The Election Sermon

GEORGE WYLLYS, Secr'y.

An Election SERMON.

FOR Mordecai the Jew, was next unto King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.

THE words now read, present to our view, true patriotism, and public happiness in the closest connection therewith; not in theory, but really existent, in the character and administration of Mordecai the Jew, under the king Ahasuerus.

LONG had the jews enjoyed peace and quiet, during the successive reigns of several Persian princes, who p. 6were as famous for their moderation, as for the successes of their arms, the extent of their empire, or the grandeur of their courts: when Haman, a descendant of Agag, a former devoted king of the curs'd Amalekites, by the united influence, of his riches, and his craft, became the favourite of the king Ahasuerus, and was promoted to be prime minister of state.

AMIDST all his glory, he had the mortification, to be treated with a conscientious neglect, and scorn, by Mordecai a Jew; whose highest employment, was that of a porter to the king's palace. This fill'd the haughty breast of Haman with the utmost indignation, and rais'd the old national enmity, of the Amalekite, against the Jew to its highest pitch.

NOT contented therefore, with the destruction of Mordecai, and scorning to reak his revenge on a single object, and of so low a character; he plots the utter extirpation of the Jews from the empire, to gratify his proud and malicious resentments: and abusing the confidence of his master, he obtain'd a decree for that purpose; which according to the laws of the empire, was irreversible.

SECURE of carrying his point, he pleased himself with the prospect of the cruel massacre designed. But it was not long before his cursed plot was defeated by the prudence and application of Mordecai, and his zeal for the safety and happiness of his people; together with the address and influence of p. 7Esther his kinswoman, whom he had educated as his child and whose tender mind he had formed, by the 〈…〉 of pure religion, and sincere benevolence to public usefulness; and who by her graceful and vertuous conduct, as well as singular beauty, had gained the favor of her prince, and was become his queen.

p. 7THE vertue of Mordecai had shone with an agreable lustre in private life, and in the lower offices of service to his master; who had received a special proof of his loyalty and fidelity, in the discovery of a treasonable design against his life. But now Providence was pleased on occasion of Haman's villany, to call him forth to more public and extensive usefulness; and give him an opportunity to display his capacity and his vertue in an exalted station.

IN Haman we see the tyrant in real life; no sooner raised to power, than his selfishness and ambition, cruelty and revenge burst forth, in spite of reason, honor and conscience, and in defiance of the most venerable rights, and the claims of equity and mercy; and he disposes of the liberty, property and lives of thousands, at pleasure, and in a wantonness of rage beyond description. But the vengeance of heaven soon awoke to vindicate his people's wrongs; and he fell a victim thereto, and to the just resentments of his abused prince; before whom his villany was exposed, by the prudence of the queen, under the direction of Mordecai. Thus he dropped into oblivion, like other tyrants, unregretted and his memory rots.

p. 8How strong, and beautiful is the contrast; when on the other hand we view the character of Mordecai! his capacity, wisdom, and vertue appear amiable in private, but much more in public life: in his most elevated station he is far from being elated in his mind above it; and notwithstanding all the temptations to avarice and ambition, cruelty and revenge, attending so great a transition and change, in his outward circumstances, the true patriot shines with distinguishing lustre, and discovers a greatness of soul, rising superior to all the influence of private and selfish passions. And the form of government, among the Persians, being monarchial, and become quite despotic, rendered the prudence, moderation and vertue of Mordecai the more conspicuous, and the more worthy of imitation.

BUT whatever forms of government different nations have been led into, from their differing genius and circumstances, by which they have consented to give up their natural rights, into the hands of one or more, it has been done in trust only: the sole original end and design of which, is therefore the public happiness. And perhaps each form is equally agreable to the will of God, and capable of securing this great design, provided it falls into the hands of a wise and vertuous administration; whereof methinks the instance of Mordecai is no small proof. Yet that form of government, in which the liberty, property and life of the subject, hath the strongest security, must be the most eligible, as it is the most perfect.

p. 9SUCH is the happy constitution of Britain and her Colonies, which God long preserve, against the secret machinations and open attempts of its enemies, domestic and foreign, who envy her, but especially their encreasing greatness, prosperity, and felicity.

THE character of a good ruler is to be drawn; and the qualifications for this office and trust, are to be determined, by the great end of government, the public good: and this is the standard, according to which, rulers are to form themselves to usefulness, in their advanced stations. And the influence of such a character and conduct, will be great, to secure the affection and loyalty of the subject; and to promote the felicity of the whole. My text very naturally leads us into, and confirms us in this thought.

SUCH was the character of Mordecai; who therefore, in the exercise of his high authority, not only rendered himself grateful to his prince; but perfectly ingratiated himself with his people; while he steadily pursued, this great end of government, the public weal. A character, and conduct like his, can hardly fail of commanding all that respect and obedience, which is a ruler's due.