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Transcript of Rev. Mr. Sage's SERMoN. › documents › digital › sermons › SageSylve… · In...
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"Rev. Mr. Sage's
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ELECTION SERMoN.
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A
S E R M 0 N,~EL1Y~~ED 6EFOll~ QIS EZCELLBNCr
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AND.
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THE HONOB.ABLE
THE GOVERNOR,
By SYLVESTER SAGE, A. M.P':JIOr of the jVfl Church in J1T!flmi'!fler.
WESTMINSTER,.I ' ".. ~ • , ...
A~TJ~ ~y _~,..,-tt~.
~NNIVERS~R¥ £LE,CT·ltON,
OB:o~~ 11th., 18°3.'
WINDSOR:
UIN'J:ED BY ALDEN SPOONI.L
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In GENERA~ ASSEMBL,Y"O?t•. I4th.. 1,803..... ~. . (~. . .. _...... .
Refol~ed, irhat ~~CDm.m/ttee ~f three be ~pp~i".tedto wa.it on th~ R~~. Mr. SAGE~ an.d ref-'peel/ufly prtftni him with 0 the 'thaitlu of the Gentra/ Affim!JIJ, {or' hz's Eletlion Sermon, deliveredy¢erdlJ}, and rtfJuefJ a Copy thereof fir the-prefi.'
Members -~ho(en~ - " - ,- ... ./ .
. Mcff'r~. L"EALAN'O: BUTLER and OLD5.
E~tralJ·f':'011Z'the Jou;'izall~ , ~ ", '.... /
Atteft, ANTHONY HASWE~L,Clerl.
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ELECTION SERlvfO/'{..... ~ • ; .' _. II> ,
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.JGHTEOUSNUS £XALTETH £ -NATION: BUT SIN IS A 11.!--
;."': - . -< PllOACH TO' ANT PItOP·Llt. ' ,
THE p~nman ofth~(e words was jufi.y repUted, the' wifell: king who-ever fat On thetbrone of Ifrael. .·~is· perceptions of thingS'wereclear; 'hi.s o~fervatio'O$ juLi. on every fuPject; andhis maxims, co~cerning CW'jJ go~efnment, (orrett.,He wei. knew; ,tbn, as civil government-was adivine· appointment, righteou(nH~,or the praCticeof true religion and ~irtue;,was every way calcu':'hted to pr0f1.1a~a natlon's digJ:lity al~d hll:ppine[s~
He confid-ered religioR l as the 'greateft nationalfecuTity and brighteft ornament : as laying themoft fu re -bafis for peace. at home and harmony,with otae, -nations: and one ()f the molt impregnable bulwarks 'of a people. ;
, IN'contraft: with this', he viewed' fin, as havingadirelt and certain tendency to rui!"J" The prev':'alence of vice and irreligion among any peopleWat, in l1is'eftimation, their lhame'; and, wouldeventually prove their deftruchon: that,' by I hepr.aaice of fin, GOD was provoked to, anger againft. them; and that they might re:lfollablytear hIs frown.s, and expect to be vi{i~ed. with the
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dire tokens of his juft di1plea[ure. The profane-:nefs. dilhonefty. inju~ice. idolatry. infidelity an~
blafphe~3 of.3 ,peap.le..ar.e .t.he4~ewo~c~. 3n<lwhat would expo(e ~h.e~·,o t1.l.~ n;i:oft bitter ca...lamities. .
; '" ; . -SOLOMON:. being a wife and an underllanding.
"dng. had, no. 40~qtl cr~~ica!ly AA~~ved what wa~for th,e a.dva,ntage. of meI;l: as individuals and as:(Q~~ jnto"Jg>~~i~s.;~Q~,wbjlt <WP9.W !~ i9~·their diIad.van~g~. ~~h~~.~roRrP.Fedopp01:tunities. to obJervc:; the differentcondi~ionsof nationsaround hirn~ as well as, that of h:is OWl). ..{Ie notic~~(t.h~~~n 4u.ro~~;~~ 'Pf~'~tY:. ;@lfo in fea-.,Jo"scpt ,eljffi~~lt.y AJ,ld. !~~rad~,~on.. •Pop'~~ll=(s.be ex~~,'lle.d inrto,t~,~~~leBpi thip'~; ,-fl!1.d,•. ~$.~ll.:y:[~,~~d-il)il~iqn~ll·tq~ re(uJt .o~ b~~r~f~1j~1)~eSt wr. ~~~t.o ,he. l~QeQ;Ji,g~~~OAfQ~fs,. j\lJtlc~d:~QUitY'1~Q~ a.,ftri~ ~d~e~c.(MP,thel~~ ~b,.e~VT"~~ '~c;r~ ,wili~t~·ll11d ,aql~g ~1\~I~),.·~~y>~p~ifu"r~~!. [~d.;wefe .\>1e.~4 w~tb tJiiJ.nq,uj.J~ty ~t bqllM:~ndf~Rr~d.:~b\l.~ WP~~ lu~uryJ ~pj~lti~, pr~'"~n~~~ ~9dlineHgiop. p~e,vailed, tIDPY ;~~:~ ~f~_jjeted ..~ith gr.iMVO~~ ·t;iltls !ln~ Ipet:.pl~xi~g ~i(~~~il:c;~.. 9p· obf.C!f;'{i~g7t~~{e .~~ing~.lh~ ,YVaJi i~•.t\\l~e~,.J~Y Yle fpir.~tIPl ~,qI.lt ·co !~c:ite ~ pr.01"".verbial laying ~~f=h}i, QPr .tel(t. .'
I:r., ptten happens,. Vlcit~. people., i~ s\~is wodd•.~cq:)fding to thc;k,~atiqQ~llch!U"atler.. If J~e:Yl~~~iJ;tuou$~(ld piol1~.,the(miles of ~iv~pe\ptQvj~~qce.
Attet1d ~h~m:. b~t jf th~y J>e.vicious flnplung~ly •..~hey .exp~ri~nce an H-"profp,e{~us J~te,9f ~tfa.rs.):'his is .nQl an i~le <he~m; it is a .~rllth -AA1.Jght.~ b<?th,. in tlcred and profane :tli~ory. .
'Eaa reign of. iufticc -and -equity. in' a>nati<;)D, .
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imakes it refpetled and Bonared by'others:' Awifeadmin;Llration ofthe govemment;~im'~:tial- equity between man and man i-the {upportof religion ;-"the univerfal prattite of. h~>Deftyand virtue i-the protetl:ion and approbation ofvirtuous-men and meafures ;.o:......cba~ity, or univerfal benevolence and'campaffion ;-thefe «!xalta,na"tion ;-uphold govetnment ;-elevate the mind.,of people,.and qualify them for the favour ofGOD.
VICE triumphant, in any commUnity, tendersit reproachful. Sin fs a reproach to' any people~
It makes them' defpfcable, in the view of furtounding nations'. The people ollfrael were of..;ten inltaoce-s of both Pat'tS of tne text. Theywere great and ,exalted, when they were right..;CallS :~--but. when they forfook their GOD, andturned afide afrer idols,- their'neighbors trampledon and infulted them., .IN the proverb before· us, we are taught whatis out greatefi: or~ament; happinefs and fecurity. ,as a people. We are alfo inftrud:ed. what is our'greareft fbame ami difgrace; md what will fX
pore us,- as individuals and as a nation, to the jua:judgments of heaven. '
U PO'N thefe two general ideas contained inthe teXt, it may not be nnfuitable, on this anniverfary occafion, fot a few moments to fil our attention. And if upon thefe common topicks Ican fUlgefi rrothing that is new, yet, may I notho~e, ~Y the bldIing ef GOD. to encourage thatwhich IS right as well as excite to a reformationof what is amif~•
• THERE are various interpretation's of the wort!nzhttoufntft, as it is uft!d, in the facred fcrjpture-.
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Sometime"s, it is expreffive of that equity" w~idi
Chrift Jefus obferveth in all his.managements ; _c~ parricularly bis complete fulfilment of the precepts. aDd fatlsfatlion of the penalty. of the.brok..en covenant in our fread." Sometimes,:.it is ufed{"Ir the di\'ine attribute. of Jlljiice. .It.is alfo ex-"preffive of thatjuftice. and' hfJnej/y which individ.,uais of: mankind are bound to obferveltowardi~ch other" in. all their intercourfe.. By rightc.oufnef~, is expre{fed~ the Wh9le.of religion. .Ittflcludes fupre~e love, te? .GoP, and univer:.fal be.n~voience to men.· Without tbef,e, a nation ora.n ind~ri.d~al,. car:ulot ,be can~d righteo~s~' .
. ,T~ u~ teligion confifteth, in that inward pietyof tQc heart, by, which ,GoD is truly ackr.owl;~dged;· feared and loved; .and. which, inclintthperrons, to perform ,all duties of charity and J>e~
nevolence to their fdlow creatures,' according totheir al)ilities and opportunities." ." ; .
.TH E, righteoufnef~ of a nation confi6~th, ill;~ts being .,honeft, juft, and religious'; .or, in theimprdfive langu;lge of the holy fcriptures. in ren....~ering. to.all, . their dues :7"""to GODj·tlIatrever.enee, love and obedience which he requires :-:.t~::t juft.ice•.,equity an~ benevol~nce which ,i~ isb9UnJ :to el(~lclletowatds others; and ir. obfecvf.
; iog that tt.'_uiperance and [obriety it owes to' ~tfe1f.:
INSTEAD of finding indi.viduals of mankind~r nations generally 'd~fpofed.,to ,aa up to thefclimportant rules. we Cannot but fee'them purfu...ing a different line of conduct. 'And when w~
confider mankind" as beings who have re'noun~~dtheir allegiance ;to 9o~;. re~el1e4 agai~ft ,h.im;; re·{lolled ob::dience to his law; we are not furprifed at
-,~rdirobedicn~to b~manlaws. ThisrebeJl!ou~di(pc»filiolt."as exhibited itfelf, among mankmd,il! every pttion. .~ in every age ?f the world."he,,,n&9v~n.ccll\11\8~Ikl the uilbndled 'paillonspi.~p; h'Yt; hurried them to the commJ1I~onof
~ cfy iq.~e6'.. ". .I' -·To·opiratC:.~~ teftraint ~poil'the{~ lufts .and~OIJ~. whkh are·native re6d~~s in the human~artJ and:to reoder "eni Cerhceable to one anptJle~ 'in this .or~ci, OOD. w~s 'pleafed to in~itUte~i"i1 per~an~t; withoQt which,' in fome onefol'lQ 91'.8flo~•.!ma-.in every age'of the world,.wpuid have PlIrfu;.d t~~ 'injury.and dtO:ruClion of~.~her;, :. NQ.:~eablc intCrc~urfe or (ociery.JOr. any c~li4~bIc 1engt.h of time, could :h~ve
exU\c¢;ticnv.up.thtm~ The .more feeble mu~ ~ha.ve f~~mitte~. t.o. the: a(~itrary ¢)andates of ~be . \ it qqmt:~4 ~plete:aDafc~~would ha.ve been,be; cqn~1!eP.c~. :~~,. liberty and property~01Jt4'M": ~J't_~he difPQfal of f~mepowerful.~4 ~ti9qs tYr~,.. Men., free from the re;.{II • t .t.. "W'.' .aiqg the. p~rt C?f unrighteousCalli- W~~d.pfe.·:Ji~ murderous ruffians. and~rF~~~vq~a~dDaugluer among oneanother.
~...-:t!o~dCk·~be{e. cYit.s, and promotC the betternt! a~' _nd tempe~l bappinef$ of manki~d.~-Ippointeacivil gowrnment. To promote80\'.." '~ejr temperal, but eternal good. he gavelawl to:hi. people, for their rule of proceedure.Got> was t~eir king. Altho' MoCes was ~alled
ling in Jelhurun, he had no powe'r any furtherthan t? ~ec~te the la",:s which GOD ha~ given~~Y Unm' aud Thummtm: by prophets and viCJODI, Wall JhcdiVinc JDind. at that ~ar.yperiod. made
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lCl,lQwn to. Mo{es,i ,a~~ ij~~ a.t-ai~t.u.l, (¢ry~_it~4i1igently. exe~uted t~c; \v,ijl' ~t ~eay~.. : ." I, . .
TH E forms..a,f oi~) government .whiCh lh.vee"iftcd ill ancie·nt· and -moJ6f.h times, h8\ie' b~ii'nrious :' b.....h9WeYeri dtYerfmed; none' eflhemafford fatisfaCtion to thofe lawlefs, reftle6( d'ifOr';ga.oizjA~ fRici,~ wb~ lwoW ~9. ba?Pi:"cUi.~~pt ..tlat ~hlCQ .arifea. Jrplll' c(Jl)tlf~~al. i~w>l)lt'0nat!
~·o.nfQfiQ~ ~qlDe:cl13r?4tertS -pi)th~t de{(u:i ption.,arc; founq j~ QVer.y M~iQn-;.. a(li1. it would :b~ well!t the~ num~r were·d~rej(~d . O{~bate\le.rfomi~ove.rnment 4lCl.Y be, it is b.et~ d\ac none:. With~
(~ijt. any go;v~r,nm~nt-i tin: .}\\:Q.Jld, wQwfl be.fille<fwith confuf~ ~nd wrtC~<;heiipef'$ Ifjl1l:Y' gOM..·trnmenJ; b~ duly; adsnjni(l~e~iit9:' pi:a£e.alHe.,.{ulJ.;..ieCts,m.ay el~jQY ag~~ de&f" oli. happincf~-=Udtranquilli.~y. '. I ., ,- t.:. . ...
WfT1WuT.'3!tem~tlng:,?~1CIe~!, 'ili&f~~(pent and ammdbatiOnDtelvll governm'eJl~~J)er4
it me to .obferve! tha-t, ~.o&ririHu~l.~ e~i~?~r. we are permuted to }lYel(m~er.dt1'e·~~tI~mJld and gentle. Tht·nattonalaftclf\ate'C "nftiy_u~ioils w.ere ffA;med by'. the;:umfe4' ',~ift(~m V(
OVl:' moll: able F.Q!ir.icians., Our· gover'n'mebniW~ee.n and ftill is..amninjL\er~'i .b¥, m;en- ot;~t;Q.wn:diooung._ To fuppofe ~b.ey arc p'ef~a~W~~ttribu~i.ng to ~.el1. tha~ whiJftl dQes, not~·b.elDlftt
~o .iliort fight~d cre~tufi(S .<?f a dayll Y{.h.Qfe kwJlda~{Ion IS in.tjlc; dlJ1t: butfrpm Ih~t proc,;:rit)e·.•·~ave many years enj9yed.. w~li\l"a~·.be,aifur;Ji<tWt,he admiqiftration ha,s b!=cn wife" "(~e"Un-jted
Slates of Am¢rlc.a now hold aVe. ilJJpQ{J~i.t ranlt!ib. the f€;a,le of nations. ,Fl;om -the dQpr~~f:n,
tjonal p.Qvcr:tyt and w.he.n the; feeds,ofd.\fcj>rd W-fftl
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Fr-~"'! ~bc~Jpr-illgillgupwjiih <I he dire tymptomsotciv~J waf ; fbi$. ~at.wn hath rikn. ·in rhe fuortpenod ofabo~ l f~rtecn .Y~,,", tQaQ exalted ·pitchPi~B.t.wea1~b. ~d .-bappine{s. No hift~r-yoJlf~nh can I'if~rd a pafilJe1 ~here any'natldn~h ~ bus fuddeDly riltm. trom dte -depths of\Y.t1?-=hedocfs•.~ {h~ ver:y pinhacle of:profperity.~ ~t is, greaalyi.mpo~tan-t, tbat, by ..nion andv~r~~~ongGu1felves, and by honefty ana righte~~ tqwards. all other nations, we carefuJly~ai9.~ ()~:acqui~ dign~ty. '..:VA~lo'O'~~ng$-mnft:concur, to pf(~mote this"PRaM' tmd deitablc()1>jea. ·No goternniedtqri~xiA withoUt lawl. Laws, without annex~ed ,.rtal(;iers, i8'te"blWa~ead letter. fftltey bothesi4. aJ&tt 'fher~f~e'i1dt a dUe e"ectuisn 'of them,~bey,u,e.'a '81ere:oo-1lity; and.the grCit purpores.~lwove;hment· wilt he fruftrated. '
, -~~'t'N anali~~)s ~leYated in .tbe ellimatiofl~.o~~~t·tu'ti9ns s, when her conftitution o¥ gOY"';'
cmmentalid !rer-laws arc confidered as excellent,iIlla the 'is under t . C( Sdminiftration Of wife and11J04 .inen; nothin:1{ is w:anting to mainiain her(fjg~i(y arid ieput811pn, in the yie,,! of others,'an a facred regard tooooWR welfare, and a ftria:oDtervance of honelly. j~lt'ice and 114elity to allwitb whQm the is in any way connetled or alliell. To obram,this impbrtant and defirable obje&, as we have-juft hitued, {everai things are reqnifite. Good laws ;..-.their due or proper ex-'~ution; aDd a fuitable difpofition ofbbedience"JIi all°'the members of the community: Ali thefe~uft conenr and be united, that a nation may belliglm:ous. dignified and happy". .
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IF laws be not good. but are, unjuA: and tt-'ta.nnical, 'the mOre rigol"ouUy they 'are:executed;the lefs will they advance the dignity'and happi;"nels of the community. Their ~ffetls :will bedireCl:ly the revetfe~' For this; reafoii, at well a.'others which might be mlntioned', were it' ne-'ce1fary. it is ofincakulablc'inip<irtaDCe~ tha~ .laWs;framed for the well ordering'o~ lociety t be co.a.formtble to the law of the 'Sopreirle LegUlator.AU human ·Iaws, whidl. in their' own 'oatu'rf: ofin their operation,- are inrolififtent with, oreon;:'tradiClory to the· law of. GOD, ate ',wrong, amiought to have no bin'ding -force-e' .. Mankind.arcfufficiently ind' oed to v~o1ate l·he rul'C~'of right...·4oufners, without eftablilhing: ini'luity. t>y:law.It i~ univerfaIlY'and' uudel1ial>ly true, ·where taws;In any community; are incpnfi.fi:ent with- ·tbc-'di.,vine law~ infi:ead o( .promoting, ·,be" "iii co~rl..·bute to the deltruCtion of .pu~1ic bappiliefs.~
Laws; calculated :to infurc: itillice. ~equit1 and:tighteoufnefs towards all accOrding 'to ule.ii-reJa':'tions. approxitn"3te' towards rhe .ivioe rule';. andin 'their execution wit! n:3tii f
oally 'pr~ut'e order
and happine1s. Without' la~s~. 10' foine gooct~.eafur'e conformable to the ntles- of rig~t~ur..nefs•.in vain, will a nation look for aliy coiilidcr~able degree bf peace 'and pl'ofperity. .:. '..
. To the righteoufueis and happin~'fs ofa natiQlla.another thing equally imp()rt~l)t, is; good andvirtuous rulers..H~~ever weI.1 adapt~d laws~ibe, to promote IndiVldual and pubhc good, Jr.:~y wicked, and unprincipled rulers, t~cy be pe~yerted and mifapplied, the good they w()~ld 011\eOrwifc prod.uce. ~uA: be prevented. We read.
~~-'n t\lat book ~ which all men ofc.very, rank a~~condition arc folemnly bound to pay an un~evia.
JiDg rcgar~. ~. IJe who ruletb ~~e,r men muft h,e.j~~.~~lipg io:*fcar of GOD. _ Although our,rul • be of our 'owa choofing. and t:le¥aled ,tolcais of 'eminence and power, by the fulfrages of.t~c ~pJ~,:s :y~.t, they ale c~~r t~' re~~~.t~eir,i1i~~~,ty l;S.derlvecl (roa:n h,lm,~~o 1$ g~e~ter di~,lilt lOng. '~'the carib... Mag\ftracy 16 an ordlD~~ Q(-~;D • and qaigiftratcs are Gp:D·~'mini~feri for 'goOd to m~Ii:, If to be ~ terror ~o, eVil,c1bCr.s;':andaptaifc'C6thofe who do weIJ.'~.· '.. . . i. ~ : \. .' . i .: ." l
WUEJI .oar rulers are wife and rigbteous; feeltheir accc;untabilityto GOD as king OVef lllI the~c81't'b, andfro'm whom they have received 'theirtutbority. 'their dtfitc inuil: be in all' their olfie'ialduties, to promote the glory of 001:) and the heft',good'·of the community over which they prefide~
Whea thefe a~e their .g.ove,rning l)bieas~ theirfil6jcds Will experience the' happifying frllits oftheir adminiftration~ Rulers. govcme4 by a 1a-ered'regard 10 the law' of GO&. ana having ate8lizing belief that 'th~ are his civil miniftersfpr goOd-to their people. will alway'S, endeavor toIte faithful 'to their Lord and beneficial to theirconftit1ients. Such virtuous charaaers will bediligent in enforcing all the falutary laws of thecommonwealth; in doing which their wife andjudidous adminiftration will prom()te Ihe peace·a!,d happinefs of all thofe citizens who arc good,'Vtrtuou"~ and amicably difpofed. In the faithful~ wifeexecurion t)ftheir refpetl:ive duties, good;ru.lers. u!1derthe bteffing of the KING of kings~willlJe mftrumcntal of ,promoting the virtue.
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cll-gnj~y.ai¥J~~RP~ft~fspnhe'~rnmqnltyin V1thof~(~r:~~·£b~y are empl~ed. . . ',. , .. .ANoTHER thing in'which' 'ibe' rig1itetSUnlet~and drgnity .of a natiol'l d~s fcotdjft. i.~:.· fuiG!~caifpoiition to obed~encl(il1~'tbe ~e~rsijfth~commlltii(y:~ . :' • /.,: .... 'J- .~" r;, ') " ....
, I~ is'ah ldlt (Jrta whiEh 1t~als 'iii ~~lie' 3i(ordered '~a~a:tioii .of ce~tain' cparalt~~s, 'tli~~" t~e.leiS 're~r'arnC?d-1ne'n ire•.b'y:Jtaws" t!ie:s;n:~r~ .per~fe~ will 'be "their, eni9Yqten'rs~ For't'h'is u.n~~~~r~ineti.frt~dd~ to gra~ityt~:Hr corru.~,p'r0J.'~~'-:6tles cont'l'!ry to the la:ws of ~OD: and [oclet,.~h:y W:ill often,plead:; 4.!ld ~re it ill theirrpo.w-·cr,_ w()~14!educe civ.iI-i~.ed c~mmu,llities to favage~r?ar!tV,; and t~ ~he[u,ll indutgence ofall theit'Vlile lulls: an,d paJfiol1s But t~is 'i~ nottbe.,road.to, genuipe liberty ·aI).d,b.pin~(s. The iciea tha~
~appiners w:ill ipae.1re ill pt.o,portion:as:reftraint~~e ~emovedr, is cODtradiCl:eo by cxperi~. Gbfet:;'v.atioa. and the word of Go)).. We 'haTe exam..pIes recorded of thl fatal efFettB of'unrcarainepaffians.both am~ng angels· and men. And ,by.(ad experiellce, w~' ar~ taQght the difmal: corifequences of rebellion. It is well know~ by 'ev·ery one acqu~n.tedwith (acred hiftory t rt~at wileR!GOD'S people of old were obedient to the laws 'a('heave~, they were profperous and h~y J bllt,when, t~ey rebelled, tlley. were IQrelyaffi;Cled.---:'rIley could not find calm a'nd rational enjoymell~:inany of th:eir ways ofdifobedience. It has beent,he fa~e, in eyery.age of the world:,· and 'it will'eternally remain the fame. Wher~ l&.ws, in,an,:community, are generally dlfregarded and open.ly violated, that fociety muft"expeti.ence the matt
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b.pp,-dT. "Fhan, is Do foundaiiOlJi.OR_c:h.at1y oatiOB can rationally. expea' J~hJlg'~~ pr.rpv,l'y. Qlwrtofyielding.' obed}en£~'~Q dl~"",.oEG~~an<t tht>, wl:'olefome )aw-S offoaiflY.l And Jel it be rememberu, t.hat ruters~tl~~ a.tf p.riV8ttt. GitifleIJs,. ate ame~ble to tb~IalN.;.. Tbey·are.not~bovetbereach· cfla~, how.~tt.a~ tJW:ftalions. Where there is adi{po~;pt{, both illlruJcrS .and,nilcd. '''-pay -an.Ufldcri..ring· r.egw to' all thofe.laws_ae~ ·fortb~ ~lJ:ouJ.iBg of: fOc:ii!ty, ~lch a commtmityIDAlArbc rafp4cfto:lt it wiHkhappy. BUt-in anypftrn~t~ .bem:ruler".in theIr own conceit,1))1•••0 I~., OpeD arid bold tianfg~.e1Tots_o~
thawflf)!·Jawa.they'have..ma~thei,·ex3mplc will·~tl"uragc;diJobedicQceiri others; and.lhu~, bytioiQ1n,"~ wJrighteou.& cOlldtJtt, they pr~~kan!:,
d,ftt~ ..arkafrdreJr. o)o\'n hands•.WRen they·thUl.teatemn and.tnmple upon t.hei~·owh'laWs.
anditMwtui t!Ky.~ w.ell tU'ppbfo odlers:wiU'~jn.thelr)w~cked·;ae~s.· . ~ ~J~IlS. ~~e n~ j.!1~:'t~dO.cxp«t an_obedieAeelto fh6J~ llWsW'om'~hO~'liious mcmb6l!s..of.· th-ei comtn .amj'~' wberttiM, ~l"es pri6tieaJIy dedare: the laws un"- .wJUib"oflr.egardt. ·.Na.ti~ns might.as wcl1 exiffi"·\lItit' luvs. as'.with, ptovlrled. they i,e nc\'eroItt.fAJ.,~ It is eaetnially·· noceffary.thai all rankiOftpeDp.le.. 'from die higheft to tbC.)owdl~Daex....aGI~o~oJ>tliien~; tbatthe.dignity:ofthe natjo-.16t..~6Idl they. are rnem.bers.; 0l3~ be'mai~taihed ..~··~~!Y~ llting.: p~ "e.qu~ y~oi'gl~~teli -im..·
pg.r.t~cv ~o.: tbe . J&Q~.uWe!s-~P:d,digoity of a'"~"! J~n .wpfetal1~y. ~dt.is au undS~g ¥-u~tion and chec:~f.ulQbedi~eto ~::.Jaws and mfilturions of the {acred fcriptures~
,
16-. ! ' OUR exiftence, with thofe powers and f.cnl~t~es of which we are polfelfed, was not given u.,merely for o~r. aql~(e~ent ; .but ~or purpof~inore .noble.and Important.! Formed by t~c fle.il~fplhand of. Gel) : -rende.r~d ,capable of'..contemplating him In his, works·and.'in his word~by beif)g .~ndowed with ~he noble fac.ulties.ofQli~d,~rft.aridii1g., tafteand.will :__nvored with a revelation ~t .the divine mind, lin which all necefIaiy,tnith- and: duty,~ clearly.eXhibited.;.we a~~nder every po~blc ()bligation to be, uOlverfally~~dient to all the diClates of this divine .r~veIa-r
!ion~, RcafoD itfelf teaches the prop~iety ot f~~9bccli~i1ce.-~ If ,that. fyft~~ of ~_orals containedit) the facrc:Q f~riptures, were nO~ frolA divine au; :~hority.. luch ii its excellency.aQd reafonab.Jenefs ;~o.bappily c~l~ul~ted t.o pr.oOloi. the glory,~
~,OD ~nd the well being of man; he m\1ft:;ld ..~very .unreafQnabl~ part, who fhould,; refQ'~' o))e~jenco to.its commands. But when we con6d~':
~ th~ fcriptQres. as ~bey ~re. indeed;' the.'Word .~f G.~~,give~.s • ~ule by .which we.ar~tb g~'~
erp ,oqr bciiits and lives ; enforced by di~ioe·8U ..· •ilio.rity ; to. which j~ft and' awful JaJlCl:ion••I'i·8on'eze4.J cQmm~ni~ies; .•s welt &5 indivicluall~":." ., . , . • t •
are fo~mQly bo:und to regar,d Jaem accordin,~tu··
~~-:' .. impOl1ance. ;. This. is their. !Jidifpenf~1)l;.'duJY i. a{til acomplian~e ~ith it woUld -add tp ..:a~d greatly. pr.omote their dignity and ltappineti", .:
, ..SA~iED hi~~ij informs' us. wh~i'GOD~~. tt2 'penfa,tions were ofold. towards nationi ~t'hat_el-tobedient:to his' tliv;i.-and towards tb9fe'thiat:WtoHdifobedlent. It was -unifOnrily true that dioa.·nations, whore adminiftrations oflove~~i .
~ . ... ..
-17-were conformable (0 hIS law, txpenenced his!miles j and thofe t~at difregardtd the diYj~e·a~..,~prity· ab~ w~rrl J:l0t aim at the· promotion ofG<?D'S ki~gd~~ of rj~teoufnefst were. awfully,but julljy:puriiDn:d. .This trurh you may learnfrobl" Go])~. cohc!uGt tOwards ihe:Iflae1ites vn&tel; rhegovc;rpment .of ;.their fuceeffive kings.~cn.the 8ovei1;tment ,w~s ildin1niftete~. ~ccord;lng to th~divi?e ~illt the natio~,tlo.urilh~d:w~~r.I~ was o~cr'Wlfet It' faW days of trouble and grICV'p.~ perple~ity.~ t~~ fame, was, .the. cafe witho~er:.n~t\onl.'. ,T.~ :. !iew of the mighty..em:~~~r Chatdri :-loOk at. the Ablmonites :-at~bfl~d Sei~. with.many .ol;hers, and you ~n'!'
Nt~o~ ~bft1r~! the JQdptents' of. ~?I) agamtl:m.. f(fr ~~eu- .~o.~'Uempt· of the: ~tvme law:......
ike. tau(es'generally produ~ like ~1fetb. He.relht'Q.18 a gla.fS held up to· vrew:; and .let it. be~~~elDbe~l ~~ is~he1d in .theqand of qOD .himr~lf. ~ti ~~~h .al~ ~tlfDan.goVernments may read~d OJ,ltJetftaQd 'theirc~n deftiny; lfthey be_~ !~ql. ,to ~he di,me-law a.nd ~e their. ~n~ea~i.o ·jtr.mdte the cau(e and ktngdom of rtgbt~DrDeb; they IwaYC reafooable groQnds to expetl:the loteaiJig _ilea. of GOD 'j and that he will~(olb.. to·eap=cuce prof~ity. ahd happi..;• r .: but:ihhqr dif~gardhis word; trample ~ii
. . tbority, and eodeavor to pJcventthe build..~.up:Of his kingd,om :of j>ea~e .and righteouf••they. may be aB"wed ofJus difpleafute, and....to.fc:el the power of.hisangcr. 'l;'llatGoD"U: is goverlljJr.Ul9Jlg the natiqns j who lifre tliup and ~utt~th down whom he pleafes, will.
'.tu~h.l~pJ.Ous cOJ:ltempt of his aurhority; c..':~tuaJly Ilve them over to. dcftruCli9o.
C
...
I '
18
," ~N.A:T.iONs,-ljke all die produai6nsln !"he n~ PJa~ ~orld•.have 'thtir ~eg~~ningl't.Jleir glo:w'i~~thetr decline" and thell; end. fr0!U fm~U a~'\ve:ak ~eginnings,.t~eY h~ve ati.~~. 1:0\ ~1~~t.neTsand {plendor. tfnder the kUla a~~ fofferlngcare of divine Previdence. th~y' h~ve, 6eet! .iaifedto renown, tq weal1h, and todlgnitj :. 'but ~heawaxen fat§ Qnder-the ~ultiplied bI~ngs of in<lu .gen)t b~~ye.n, .l~Tie~ Jelliuru~ of ala. they't(jive&~ne'ralIy,Kjcked" Whena nat.ion.lor any lengthof time, has enjoyed the lertilizing ,breezei titn-ninrerrupted profJ¥rity. it haa been ~pt 'tQ f.9!get and neglelt that Beil!g ,trorl:l \,Ybofe lienjg~r».its·afHuence was derived~ . Ip Imo·1ern~ime5 ..A':~ti~ns h~ve b'"een difp¥ed :t~ aaQpt the )~a~guigoffome In former g~n~ratlons; cc Our own haridtJtave gotten us thj's wealtb~" III pro·por~ion asi?en.igna.tlt heave~ ~~s proj>ered them j t~~y h~vc:~en regar.d~efs of .th.eir )~i~d ~enefaao.ft S;~keir practice, they hi\'ff (a1d to GOD, as the 1(raelites'did t.o Aaron. atthe ~cot ofS~nars ~o~(,·Ie As for thIs 'Mores, we wot Dot what hath ne-'~ome of him:" . 'J
I
" STHn criminal forgetfuln~&.'q{ Go> D; frOtD-whom all nationillls well' .iodividu. proTpc...,:ity is' derived, is-an unreafonidlle Violation ofJris'
"'Commands', an open "Contempt cf his -autbo~,-and will ripen a nati'on for d:dHuBien. ~~:(amples-reCorded in facmd hi£tOry. we ate afiin'red~ tb"tf moft "Ce~tain Oieth'Od rof-maiinaiDing--o,ur(lignitY'and happillefs, is, 1>y beillg-obedierit·"tO flll~.",'~ precepts' of· the tglifpel•. 'AMONG 'the various lriftitutidfts of the golpiJI;there is'no one'~mote'favoriibleto a::good civIl-go
~,~'eroment. thap t]le SabbatJl. He~~};en as ~'e!l~¢1:,tHze~r natiq~s. ~Ye ~a(r thoroog}1 c~~vJ~l~o',hfit they COl1~ D9t IQng be' \lnit~4 by clvll ties!.wftep all' ideas of futuri~ wei£dif'Car~cd~an~.a~l~~:9'mOraJobJigatiQij o,b~ter~!ed .. To mfltntfilil"3 (olemn fenfc;" of ~.oral ob~l~at)pn. and t?~rtitiit;uriq,ns of e,terllity. no inftitution is {i) h~p
J?!I(c:alfD~at~~,~st~at of t~~S~b~ath.' FOE thismRftdtron" (ci WJ~ty ~~ap~ed to p'~omote~tJonalgovernment a.a genume Ii!lerty among the greatbmlyof peoptl componog a communi'ty. we are~tl,iD~bttd to him who is Lord of the SabtadJ It lV84 not deftgned to promote the fpir~
itual gooct of men,' exdufiveJy ;. but to aid and,remote .their civil antJ political go,oo. Tho(e,therefOre, who difr.cgard and COOleU1n the Sabllath, are--blind to thW Q'N1l intercrft. both in ~
Ntilious and po~ca! point ofvic1'{. And it iswo,thy Of the feriQus conflderati9Jl. of our Legilatori, wJaether·lhe 'cxifting laWs. are a fufficicRCiddi:na: of tIiiJ lacfcd inftitution. ' ., 0 Jt own Qb(ervatio~ ~u~d ex~rien.ce teach
that in dtok fucietiet and nations where th~
b fh is r~8~rded,in the o:,dinan~es '?f l?~bE~plely, ther~,1S m~ true-freedom al)~ ,happl~F.f~fbtdng ~he great body of the peo~. 'In ruS~places people, are t~ught the adorable perfetlio~sof GOD» the obligations they are under to loveaD" ~bey him; he duties they owe to their fellow-men aDd thcmfelve,; they are taught fub:-·erdiRation to GOD as their lidt duty. anCi obedi~e -to ci~il magiftracy of his appoiruing. it belAg pecoltarly favorable to individual and national_"incfs. We~ it notEor the jnltitutionofthe
~o
S~bbath, and the advantages r:e(ulting from t~..{criptures 'of(li"vine truth; we"lliould, at this tim.;~as polit~cany and mo~al~y ~H~d,as t~c; numc~ious hordes of lavages 'are who·roam the' weftero',wild'S. ~ri~ 'piy thei~ wodhip to ~evil~.- . All wh~tire their lOftuence to dellroy this wife and uCefutinftitution. arc doing that which is direCl:ly oppci.{ .led>.to'the peace o~ the human' ~nd~ ~h~ PlJihtto be confidered as dangerous cha,racters. .~
R'ELlvI'~N and.civil,govern.rte~t ~ere not ,inftituted. as forne have' imagined. merely for: th':temporal good 'of men. ·11'1 their:appointmenttGOD had a higher objeCt: in yiew,'and One -of in;.;i;.nitely greatec importance. 'Btthem', 'he 'will,promctte his own' glory, in the confu-mmate hap.';pine[s of his mQ(ai kingdGm;~ For, thM reaRm.it-is e{f~ntially"nc:ee{fary,: every:·member of ·t.beCQmmunity '{hould ,feel himfelf bound not tG
eounter-a?\ oroppofe-, in any way, thole wife 'and'important'inftitutions. :,If an obedience- te, tho'eomm~nda of -G,OD ~e for-the pol,itical, and; fp~it-,aal.good 0.£ men. aQd none·will d:eny,it who'~any jufl: {el,lf~'of ,mo.ral'-Obligalion~f.he)l govun..'ment,~ o~ght to be cQuformed,. in.~e neareftpoffibleJl\an'nertQ tho[~ coin~ands; and e~ery meaJm~er of the community ihauld fe:el hiaif~lf b1:>oqfo"univer(dl and perlevering obedience. '. _.... t>N6 ~atiJn' can long maintain 'her djg~ity andhappiBef~ when reli'gionaod the' law of GoD.,thrl:lft intoacorner. by the triumph ofvice andimmorality.: " the unbridled 'lufts ot· men, 'withoaany immediate agency of Goo.'.wouid {OOIl d~roy.themoft happy and flourithingfoci~ty .•- .aothlOg.lhort of fupernatural energy, woUld ha
--
~f-jllcJ1 a~appy t~nd~ncy, ~o c!1rl> *e hiu!ist? ~a~-:liOns and render men. peaceable and ufeful CU1~e~s, as .thofe inftruction~ which are given unde~
goYer~in~n'l~ founde4. on, and ~dmin~l\ered ac~cording to, the immutable law of GOD."- When~ gov~meqtis f:o~nded on t~i~ u~~a~~m ~a~s,~n·ics general p~inciples, and IS ad.mlnt~~re4 ~~.D upright and wife manner, magi1l:ralcs. them-(elves ~g e~~p'lei ~f ~ri~ ~bedie~~ to th~Jaws, we may rationa,llyexp:~lts pfofp(ruy. In{~a~a~.. a n~ti~~s dilnity and bappi~ers,wil.~e promoted, fo far as IS .:.:onfifteqt with thatjmperfc~ion ~o w~ch thi~ worl~'is' fubjetled.. ~ikE "the'pr9dull:ions of nature, the .rife an4faJi o( empires have been vario~s.· 'Some haveezperie~C\C4 a rapid iro'w~b to maturity, decay~cd ana come to di1Tolution in a few generations~
Othca"s, ofa m9re gradual increafe, have rifen to~aturity',and'~ori~in~d ~nal~ 'i~eirqignityJplen-'aor aD.d g'ory. {Qr inantag~ •. ; founded on thelmm t~ i: b.~s of r~hteo\llnefs:and thier gov.;trn ~nt a~iniJii(tered on the fame wife princi-
ea nations are li~eJy to remain firm and unim~~_ wEIllt thofe, founded 'on injuftice andcur. cit w{t~ an iniquitous adminiftration, will'foon crumble into their.' merited infignificanceand deftlualont· '. ...
.~pw.a~.~ good a ~onfti~~ti'on ofgoyern:mentmay: be. if in its adminiftrati9.D, no regar:d be paidto ~or~l ~~l~~tion,aJiation will quickly lofe itS:~efll4!a:abilUy . and become contemptible. T~phtaiQ.aod VCl'petuate national dignity, governJDent muil be adminiftered by men, not only of&oowled&e and difcernmenr, but of unfhaken in-
~
J
-r.egrity and found wifdom. When rulers hav.ejuLt ieiife. :0£ mor~I'obligation, and govern ~it rea~imhgi fenfe of their :teco~otaJiility to tilgrea,t 'KjlJg of nations, tl,1e comm~nities' Oft~
yihich they prefide' are· ftgnal(y favored: b.U1when thech~ratler of rulers 18th\: re\'etfe, nation.bav.e canfeto lament, "Wheo'.the,righteouslU1ifn a,,~ohrit', .the peOple rejoice: but wlien tfi4'~:Ck.~d. ~eareth fa.le; J.h(:people monrn.", If~a..gJl1:rn~ feel. above law,land are regat.dlefs of th·rules'Bf mOr'al [eaitude~ in thelr'adminiftrationi),f goyernment. thenat~on will foon f~l1 int() ·C:iif.order and ru!n.. ',.:' '. I '
.. .. ."T~E fame unh;appy etfeas woul~ ar~r~, fro.
.. r~fltcfs, d1,(Organ~n~fpirit in the members ofacornmW1~ty, if perQliued
ji' f"l1.,an~ 'an Ut:lcoo
t~()lded exerci(e. Sll.ell is th~ natu~I difpofi~~
e,f de~e~era~e men th.u .r~fuaint of any 'kind ~!rkf~. Ti>. give up any part of liberty andj>ro~ity, fo~ vublic.g9Qd. to many is very ~npleafant; and (ubmipioo ~o conftiruted authorl.tfis a letton ha.rd for lJ1eo fO learD, and. {till ~ar~etopracli(e, altho' it be one the molt falutar)' ill:i.ts qat·ure. No community can t~.njoy~~
:When i,ts member.s are generally oppo(ed tP.@>~prdination. ,nd deterOl~d to do. th~~ wJUCfli Y.l:ight in thei.r own eyes. For na.tiPJJ.s to enjoltranquillity,_ there.mu~ be obedience to the lawsand af~brriiffion to the authority placed ovec them.
''INa free republican govern~ent-)ike()Dr~~.uo:ion among the gr.~a·t body of the pe<>ple is velimpor:tant : bllt when one is politically for Paul,and one for ApoUos, and one for Cephas•.~cbein£ inflexiBle in his attachment to the obJ .
2,1
Ijthi~ qefu'e, anti defti~le o(1ahy Condtfc~nfio~cannot btre-xpec1'ed 'bUt~ iIllt muc.h ri11rchltf winenfue. A iliveifity of fen't:rments on ptr~trr~aJfUHjeds.efpd:ia11y in e)ctlive go"ern~ents,'js always tobt'eip-edect 11r!~ illvHion, if kepfwith.In its 'pro~r ~imj[s, ,inftea'd ofb:ing det~rnental~r. 'gftfatJy' advart"tagt6'os. l·~t 'wdJ cpe~a~e as acheck upOn, and have a:f~ridtnc1to ptomo.te cirtum1peaion in, the rulersofa'nafion. But ~henIt 'arl~t'tb p1trryra'ge, a.nd· 'be:come's 11 war of 'Wi!!fot ·itJth anti not for 'Fight.. cairn' and lober. reafont>ei!1a~d aiftde i. u:n~efs die f~ul lpirit call be.de,;,lttb ~, 8ra~1eaft. ·Iulled 'fo .reft', evils ofa dlrelUI tote mttn be··th-e.r~{utt. . .. ' I~STEA~ ofap<Jing fuel a~ blcwingt~e,{park.of. pOli~ical dirren~ion. which already are Coo.act:·~ve a;non.g us. wifdom diCl:ates tha'[ we'ufe·alilawful endqvors to fQlOlhcf, or at lea11 to keepihem wi,l~I~~pei\- p~per bounds. 1"_0 ~oilcjJiate~d..~ II!-~!ie :p~ns ofmeo, and in~uce .t~e~toth ~~ty, c;pnverfe ~nd aCt ut-l0naJJy onfor iea ~~Bt .aiclorindlvidual and pobhcad-~an~ ~ .~.~nd,lt IS a ~Ut1 we owe t~e ...D~tio& of~ ~~ mem~~s.. ~!l converfatlon on·po-'ltl . tijetts, f9i'.per{ons'to be irritated, and endeavor. to. pl.'OVoke :eac1l oilier, is a fiJi reprOaclifUllQ ., people.. .. .' .
Iw,.ll,ptihlic batfies the majority muft .govern.Set ali4le thit:roJe. 8ftd it, will be -ilJ)pQIli~le to
~~,:~~e~ confuion Which mu~:~ ,.Vil~b]Y·
.p)Ut~y -~taclmJel\lfs JfJ\un net.bd'tdti .fhonglyvettkl'lR .h~ miner.: left ~~ey bre~ clie .'pf'ac;e f
fIltitty, Iud; ~ro*'the' f!eftr-tilaon i of that 'hippi-
2+-neCs which otber.wife might be enjoyed. _ Thent-~s ~o.calculating t~e.~Vils,which ,will at~ff f!~,a virulent, par~y fpint. If allowed togoyer~ in.the human brealt. lit will render its poff~ff9rsun..~appY'.. Its baneful influence will befch il1 fa~~lieS':'"7"jll.~Dci~iies~in. towns ;·:a'~d. i~s petl:ifet,o,US effluvia WI}; dartJiketheele~r)c fluId, fpreaa.;·~ng u~~appineG ,thro~ tP~ .'commo.nweaitJi., .1~in, any n~ti0!l' reafon ~~~ c~,ndid. inquiry are ke~un.de~ the liat~~es. and ~arty f~ir,lt is on ~ec~~Dd at. helm; mftrad ot, keeplOg the:intddl~1Vay.-.the .nat ional balIi.will cjther ~ ~ti\!en QIl~~e roclis~ o~ ~lit~d tf~dition3~Y : ~orrI;1S .. or)l:'c.ere4l,tlto the.whl~lpooI.of:bold ·.expef1mcrn~: :and,~~theoret~c f~culauon., When ieJfiflj am.b~uOAb~s.a ~o\re~niri'g inftu~ce over the I~~d,ing chC~j
iff.~r:s'·in. ~ !,at.ion. hav~ng ~iffe~ent ~n~~refi:s..8~~<?bJ~~s' In V1e~. no ~eant.~m.be"lef,t una~tf~p~~d to a~~oinpltfh thelt V~~lOu,S purpofes atl~ ,de..,~griS. 'The great body of the peop~.not havin
, ~ difiiria knowledge of their defigns, 3!t. di.yideinto patties. and _take fides' with the, di1Ferenleaders. -: When th.e gr~ body ,of the p.eol>I~ imade the. dOpes of a,mbitious and unpriA~ip\
l~ders, the. community caitnC!t enjb:fany.gr~td::gree'd~ peace. The jarr.ing pdncip)e~ ap'd ·.~~Ii.'fonable divifions which exift o-pen a door; and Ifac,ura.l1y inv!te fo~e enterprifing ne~~~! 'r~:eAdeaVor ttf ru1)Jugat)~n.. S~ long:as ~}j6re ~s analjC?UBding inattention and difregtl!d to the laws :and -i
.ftitutionS ofGOD, ~ndia hberalizingipirit 8mOftmen, end~vors will n9t be wanting to fptead ~
.fatal fe-~ds~of4iforgCJn\zatiqn ~ntO" other·~om~riities... Men .will ~ndeaV9r: t. blp\!.ithe ftame,~"'lT~p'~nJ t~ tbat hei,ht wqich will: b.- .fav '
25-.bte to their wifhes, an~ th~n bring the divided ri.~
tion under fevere ~d c~e1. va{f~age .., . .FI.O¥ t~c .e~~le: Qf.o~r n~io~s, fQrn. by
(,tUoDs~nvuJj,~~ bJ unfQundc;d JedQuuesdii~ by: ainbjti~o$ and UAPfincip~edd~ma
log~ lhiv:ing for ppw~r, a~d fQiDcd by wick~d~<t u,nt;dtrained .p;ylions.; ~t Q~o~c;th :Amen..cap&, ferioufiy to noti~t~e rc(ulf, ~nd take a Queand fea1ori~ble, W41"ning~.. ; .. ; .....:,.\ lit we ~ouW maiat.m our acquirtd dignityand bappinef~ as Clfree a~d ~n indepencl~Dt. nation,.it fhould.be th~,united cndeavor.ofalJ, .to extin~,
iuifh~ as far as· poffib~e: t·hat fa~c~rou. party,fpirit,. .hicll~ for •. confiderable time. has be~n
unhappily. working apIOng ou~ fellow-citizens,Jltd froJJl which, pemap•• we .ar' nQt altog~thet:#ftc. .W.c; lhoold guacd .againft undue prejljdicesand atJ,"hm~nt8 ; for :di~1' alwaJs lead allray"and.pIlIPF inen. iDto ~idr~ffing pirplexities.; ,As,,here·paI lJ. biaQ"cs give way. all~ th~ir violence~fid.. "'0 true l'Q3d .of;poJit.it!:al duty will;more_I,. appear.. The Ploft e~~ual meaD, underProvidtnu. of jeuri..g t~ ourfelves the c.ontinu~
anee of p~iQqal dignity! i~, fOJ cyeIj. o~e. ~o ad\,ptq the cllarad:eJ: ofan bone1l.JD"il, and never!¥#,u c)le j~dg~cnt to be uncJ,Jly b·~(f::d. nor ~nj~~r~a.'l4il:d gscafQres tp be adopted.to accomplilh f~)4ib pprpPks. .Wh~n du,y req~ires,pri':¥.atc: adval?ta~e. '!Vill ~e. facr.aficed f~i ,PR~Jic good~~~en 9J1f citizens fuall becom~ .1~(s felfith, and~ore attac4ed t.o. t}le fmb'ic in iere4; we may ~f
lure o~r~eIves of ~l~~tt:'r domd1:ic an4. p~tiona~tra!lqutlh.,y.. It. cc:rtamJy copccrns ~~, to..gjYe up.pal ty preJudiCes; and make the puJli, ;oid theP .
;26
,great Pole Star by which all cur political COD.dua (hall be direCted. Int'tead of being t a ·ri..gid and fanguine in oQr pal ticular notions'ofcivilgo.v~rnment. ev~ry?ne ought to" be inoQlged theP~lvl.1ege ~f thlnktn~, (peaking, and aCting forhim/elf; If by fo doing he do not difturb and injure the general peace. If there be a differencein political opinions, it is effemially wrong for
. each party to attribute to the other vile motivesand iniquitous defigns.: tor th's will have a direa'tendency to ktep up and increafe difunioniand lead on ta confufion and every vii \lI.olk........The peace, happinefs and dign;ty of a communi~ty cannot long continue, when the opiDi~nlf'
words and attions of its members arc attnbuteclto the worlt of motives. "
JT fo happens, under the wife government ofa holy Providence, that we live in a day whcftpolitical charity is very little known or exer cifCd :but the contrary vice abounds. Where thegrowing evil will ftop. it is impoffib!e to for~tell.
Ifeach perfon would be governed by that lovewhich think.eth no ill of otber:S, it, would readerthe mind calm, and fociety harmonious.
THE mott fure way to prevent thoLe evils whjc&a rancorous party fpirit would pr~du~e,. is', foreveryone to imbibe that gentle and peaceabletemper fo abundantly inculcated in the gofpelol
. Jefus Chrift. This would 'prevent mUlb bitter
. nefs, clamour and evil fpeaking.A CR IMINAL departure from the l,ws ofchrif
tianity. both among rulers and the great body ofthe people, is the fruitful {ouree of thole political diffenfions wliich have, for a few years patt"
ft.n ..'viIthefor10neeforves<Ji-ni
.......nl_ns,·teef'
ofen
ed :rhedl.DveJet
ichforbit:01:r-
27. -
cHllraEted our nation. GOD arrears fro b~ giv-Ing us up, to WOI k our own n2~i()n!l1 ddl rudion.as a juft punithment for our abl1fe ot his good.nef.~" as he did nations in tormer times': and.Jell we {hare the fame tate, it becomes us to rememb~r, with penitence. hom whence \'t'e havefallen., '
IF. we lhould took at other nations, who'fe~haraaers are recorded in facred fcrioture, for ourwarning, we might lee what we have to expect,jf we tread in thdr fteps. They forfcok··1 heJaw of 90D, and wue dell,loyed.: ~nd if we, asa n~i~n, or as a {late, <to the (arne, we {haH experience a fimiJar fate. Loo~ a.t So-do.m. and Go.morrah. and the'cities about them, well' watC:ledevery where, even as the garden ot the Lord.That f1U:tfuI land is made barren. andthoie populous cities are turned into alhei, tor the COil
~empt their inhabifanti manifeftcd towards GOD
and hi~ la w :---For which thing's fak~ the wrdd~
of GOD hath not only come, in former ages, .butwill frill come on the children of dirob~ditnce.
Pafs over to Babylon, that magnificentcitv whchfet calamity at defiance: how is the fallen !--_fwept with rhe berom of de!hudion, there is nota trace or footftep of her ~ncientglory to be feen.Th~{e things are recorded for our adm.oni\ion.By them we are taught ~hat national fins provokeGOD to inflict national calamities.
HOWEVER lightly m~ny may think of nationaland individual impiety: of a tctal neglett andcontempt ~f GOD'S law, and gofpel infiitulions;·and at the mfluence fuch conduct has in pr'ocuring jUdgments upon a peopl~; GOD'S conduCt;
.~
towards olher nations gives us demonftrationwhat we'muft exp~itnce 'if we :'walk to tbeit'ways. of"·irrelilion. :. In vain caa '- we look for a~~ti~uahce ofthat.un~mpled'prof~rjtf ~bichGoD.:~hlS aufed our n,atton to· expe~e'lipclth~:declaracion .and acknowl~gemtnt -ot its inUependence-, unlefs we· peoitendyremember~·~dmina}.negl~ of his law, arid'ie,~Lir~ toa more~o~e .and p.mt'tic'al oliedieilce to' aU 'divirie: inllituriOns.. Should we :thus return to the' GOD' otour fathers, with a(uilabIe recoltettion of the, won..;'derful difpeBfations: of his Provid~nce in ;favor ofour' common :ct>uritry,' ill times 'cjf great J n'aliohardanger and ,p~i'plcxity, we :oiight humbly' hope~e wo~ld -yet ~ohtinue to attord ;Iijs liis graciousproteltipn., ~ :The 'only 'wlfln which Cve can expeCt: fu:efcape'tbeJudgments of J:teaven which arcthreatened to 'a 1;>ac'knid;ihg 'and~finftil ~pre, is,'"by returning to the ,ptatliceof t~t un'~i1TeriJbled
piety wlii£h ,lhorie,(o coilfpicndufiy ih the ~ives ofour'fathers,'tbe'fi,rft 'planters orour nation.· ~
. As righfeoufnfs eXalteth:a:"nation~ it is of greatlrnportance that :tho[e~ who {oftain .,he charac~ter pf rulers o.ver a pcQple, ,~~ {houl~ be juft" rul.ing in the fear of GOD:>;' Ifmagilkales' (uftain'the charader of jul};and right~ous':men, they willbe H a terror. to evil dQCrs, and a pr.tife ~o, thofew hO'do well." Their: e~amplcW!ll awe vice,.'andencoU rage virtue: and religiOri.' " They will .Dot,bear thefword in vain; -but:bc the civil miniftersofGOD for good 'to tltcir ,people." LET tanCe.. then, whpare catted by the fuffrage3 of the people~ to aCt as leginators, rerne~berthat they do, not, primari,1y, derive their power.
.)
c
aliontheitfor ..7hich,fipcI~s in-
OUtmor(finlliif ofon~
arrir~ohai'~ope'IOU$"
11 exIt arce. is,.~bJede's of
~eat
r&c~rule~ajn·
willlofe'andpotrers
ta~er
I"Gf
frOlib t~~ ptbp!t~' \t~bm:t~y'~~ tlea~, '~u~tl'oIi GOD J 'atrtl that to ifdn' they are 8CCOUlltal>Ie for; dnic uAt uf ft•. ~9 lthty ilte 'Clne~ toen'aA;}lavrs fortb'e ,..·tll~~ of fotilety, it i~
tmit iadUpeR'(gble ;41ury ·ro have their iltls eo~~fotmabte;to tlte law of GO]), and eal~t11ated; J1\
tlNit ftriddty,to fSiidmottb1S ;kingd6~ 'ofri~t-'.eom"t\efif ~lBoAg:'ihdn. :Tbofe 'whb fr~me law~~ot;.ll ftlC!n.. &fte fhe'R1ctft itlext(jr~blt', in breaking.them. : The good of 'fociety demands aft -exam-:e1aty co~~ud:. i antf-an obedien~ t{).he ·law of.GOD~ in all ·thofe' who are called to -filhhe .utftftations··in civil lIfe.:' When they aa Up' to the dig...ilit~ of their chara8ers,; t~eir goode~amplctwillhave a powerful influence on thofe ,'t1,ho move inthe more humble, though not in' the Ids ufeful.walks' of fociety. Maj. all who fullaih,impottant offices in civil government be enabled toaC\ up to the dig~hy oft~-eir elevated fiatjo~s.and faithfully endeavor fo promote the beft ]D..
teceft and 'bapp~ncfs o~o~r mitio~.": .
, -IT .js of equal 'importance, that all priva~'e citizens aid the. 'a~figns of good' iulers, in advandin~ the common '-benefit Of our Jand. It becomeS us to yield a eheerf u1 and cordial obedience ·to the whoJefome Jaws' of our wife rulers ;ahd efpeeially to' t'he law of GOD. ,Obedience isa duty· we owe to' magiftr-ates, as thc' civilminifters of Gbb, {or good' to' us: and obedi-''cnee to the divm'c Jaw, we owe to GOD, as kingof natious, and fovereign proprietor of all. ToJove GOD and, kEep his commandmentsj is .ourfirft duty: and when, from the heart, we dbthis, obedience to civil authority will be tafy and
a1rfiIIt~
1
~~'
cheedul. When genuine love tQ GQD and tru~
benevolence to me.n, finU take the pb~c,ofhatre~an i ~l1eYolence. In the human h~art, na:hns. a.(u::h.~ill ob~yJEHOV4H tbeirking.and befubmiffive and ~~edient t~ all civil and religious or4inallce> 01 his app:linting. At wll~t~~er peri~d of tiq1e thi~ £b.tH be our charaCter, ali a nation,~e may rationlily hope and expett, the Lordwill delight ~o d~ell among us, and Q,lake ~s highas a h~ly nation. '
LET us, my triends and fellow:-'citizen~, wh&hwe affenbleJ 01 this joyful annivedary, end :avor to embrace. cultivate and praCtiCe tha~
righteoufnefs which is {J effenti<sl to exalt a na~
lion; and d..:tdl: fill; in every form, wh,ich 'is ll:people's reproach. As, we val.ue the happjllefs and'dignity 'of OUf' common country, it becomes us
. to i at bibe th ~ "fpirit of I he gofpel~ and aCt according to its divin~ injunct:ions~ He,' w,hp is notf1Lldiou~ to conform his heart and life to the di'vin~ law, a'ld will not yield al1 obedience to thei:111irution~ and ordioan:ei of the gofpel, butlive~ in an open n~gleft and contempt of them.,wh Hever hjs pr~tences may be, muft be viewed.as a:l enemy b )th to th~ political and religioul.in:erell:; of {ocfe~y; and a~ {LJch, he,ought tob~ tr~ated. If we tluly love our country, wefh)11 manifell: it, by living in the praCtice of thai,ri~hteouf()ef= which, eXllteth a nation» and w.e111111 ftu·li.mOyav.Jld all th~fe practjce$ w.hichtend to it5deg a.la:ion.
GREAT have been. and £liB are,our privilegesan,:! advantages, as a people. We have h.ad larg~exp.:riel1c~ of the {miles of divine Pr.:>vldence c'
3', -
and it becomes us to acknowledge thtm with I
gia,jrude and anfwerable obfdience. It is bothour duty and intereft to improve, in a right nlanner, all our privileges, civil and religious.
LET rulers and ruled, miniftcrs and people;all be txl'ioned ftudioufiy to exemplify th-- purereligion of t:.e gofpel. This woul, cper'l thefaireft ptofpetts of individual a,d national hap.:.pinefs. amidft :he changes and re.volutions that at·~end all human and terreftrial things. ThiSwould fmooth the afperities of hl1man life, andbe a happy prefag¢ ofa fpeedy intI oduCtigll of the'millenial glory.
I T ought to be ihe immed'iate co"!cern of every one to potrefs that religion' which the gofpelreveals'; and to Jive in the continual praCtice ofthat ri~hteoufnefswhich leads to immortal hon()r. As time is ihort, and revolutions of variouskinds are taking place, it is bf eternal confe..quence' to us, as individuals. immediately to (ecure an' iotereft in that kingdom which 1ha:Ilnever be moved.
MAy the Spirit of GOD dwell and rule in aUeur hearts, arid influence our lives, whilft here00 earth; and when earthly kingdoms fuall beno more, may we all be inhabitants of that king~dom which is eternal: and thine,O EMMANU..
tL'! Ihall be the glory. AMI:'N•
D and tnJ~
:c,of hatredna:i:>ns. a;rod be fub~ligious Qr·te~er peri_lS a nation,the Lord
Ike~, high
)rivilegeshad largevidenct r'
'zen$, whe>:riary, en.'attire that:JCah ana..'vhich'is a~p.lne{s an<fecomes usact accOr..r,hp is notto the di:'Ice to the~fpeJ, butof them.be viewedrelig,ious,
ought toIntry, wece o-t that.
and w.e,.~ which,
.4-
.....J ~.
..
..
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