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SERMON, \\ .

DELIVERED ON THE DAY OF GENERAL

ELEcrrlON ~

~.qT ,AIO.lV'TPELIER, OCTOBER 9; 1823.

BEFORE THE HONORABLE

BY JOSEPH ,V. SA'VYER, A. 1\1:. PA.STOR OF THE CHURCH A.ND CONGREGA.TION IN WH.ITIl\''''G.

II What ll. compendium or body of laws is the decalogue 01' Ten Cont­mandments! A body of laws not to be equalled by the wisest legisla­tors of Greece and Rome, Minos, Lycurgus, Zaleucus and Numa, nor the

-laws of the twelve Roman 'rabIes, for order and regularity, for cleu­Dess and perspicuity., for comprehensiveness and brevity."­

l\fONTPELIER, VT.

PRINTED BY F. P. WALTO~.

1823.

..

SERMON.~

MATTHEW XXII. 21~ .

. 'Render therefore 'Unto Cresar the things which ar~ Co}sars;' -pnd unto Ood the thf,ngs thlft are Q-od'ft."

THE history of .our Lord, in evel\Y "ie,,,, is re­

v1ete with wondel's. Throughout his life we trace

a mixture of dignity and abasement. Though he was

God, man, mediator; yet was he 'crucifi~d through

weakness... , ;

\

I,n perusing the history of anc~ent her.oe~, we ofte,n

admire their skill and valor, and at the same time

are shocked at the means they used to exalt and ag,..

grandize themselves. When we behold them procur­

ing for th.emselv~s tr()phies from the louin of, slaughter,.

ed millions, and the destruction of nations and their

kings, ~e are induced to consider them scourges to ,

mankin~. Most of the foats, vroposed for our.A(h .

6

miration, serve ollly to evince the depravity of- hu man nature, and are calculated to excite. in mind

'Yell instructed, horror and disgust. But- far dift4~IM""

will be our sensations, when we read the life

Christ. Here we meet with nothing unpleasant

,the· benevolent mind. Should we trace him in his :course through the whole of his ministry, we shall

.once behold displayed the benevolence of as Never has the \vorld witnessed so glorious a disp

.of real magnanimity_ Like the sun in llis orbit,

was steady and unifornl in bis course, and like

bright luminray, he diffused the l~ichest blessi

,vherever he came. Through the whole of his Ii he was the most illustrious pattern of condesCeDs­

t(} man, and fidelity to God. An example, wo . the imitation of all,. was his regard to pa'rentd thority. What reverence for their persons, obedie tQ their requirements: and whatever else is com

llended in the whole circle of filial duty, was III . .

fested by ll~m without intermission, ,vithout alloy.

That religion too, which h~ came from Heave earth to reveal, of which be is the author, tealCl'IUWI~1

due re~ard to civil go'tJernment, as being of _.

appointment, aud essential to the happiness, as

as tending to pl"Ornote the good of the human fami

It "Tas a remarkable trait in the cllaracter 01

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Saviour, that he turned aU his discourse~ to the exaltc

ed purpose of piety towards God; full of wisdom

• and goodness, and, in the highest degree, calculated

to promote the best spiritual and temporal interest of

mankind. .

What sentiment more sublime and magnanimous,

more just and benevolent, more patriotic, ana at the

same time mOl-e pious, and, \vortby of the supreme

regard of men in every condition, and in every sta­

tion and office to be filled either in church or state,.

as rulers or subjects! This is the grand compendi­

um of the whole duty of man. It marks the path of ,rectitude for every grade of men, from the king on

the throne tothe lowest subject of his realm. It marks,

witbout exception, the relation in which we stand to,

our Creator; and involves all the duties we owe to

him, and the duties of all the social relations in life;

and enjoins obedience to the law _of God, and to the

laws of the laod in which we dwell.

Thus our blessed Saviour, insteafl of absolving men­

from the restrain.ts of law, either civil or divine, gives­the fullest sanction to its claims, without which soci­

ety could not exist in this apostate world.

Subjection to the civil authority is by no means· in­

consistent with the reverence and fear of God; and

each demand their proper, their respective clat•.

To Cresar we are to render that tribute, custom,·re .

honor and obedience, which· are his due;' an(1 "hi

may be done without int~rfe'ring with the honor

God, or prejudicing his interest and giory; for the 'worship and obedieuce due to God must be re dered to him. And each of these respective. dn are to be rendered without intrenching one upon

~Jher. '1'0 f;fEsar the things which are 'Cmsti~

and unto Got! the things that are God'$.

In illustrating these worcl~, 'oli this occasion, it

be proper to notice our respective obligations. to

1noral Govern01~ of the 'tCorld; as also to cil'il

•thority.

God is' the moral .go,·ernol' ot the univerSe.

kingdom is everlasting, and his dominion ove

Nations are not so mighty as to supercede the·n

sity of his. superlntellding' care. . TIJe various re lutions of kingdoms, ho\v casual and contioge,nt

ever they may appear, are aU ro..eord~ined io the scrutable counsels or the Deity; and made sUlMN!ftI.!'O ..

ent to the accomplishment of the eternal purposes

Him who workcth all things after the counsel" of! own will.

"

.

rrhe. kingdoms of this \yorhl have fallen, and .b

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flU. nor can the best established go\~ernments m.ain~

l\. 'their stabili6" hc~rond the time atidtted them in~ laiR. . . the l1h'ine economy. But the kingdom of Jehoval1

-win- stand forever; hi~ po,ver sha!l never be b-ans~

lerre(l to other hands, 001- shall any revolutions shake

the foundations of h~s throne. 'rhe time is at haotl

"hen he will put do\\'u all rule and authority ao(1

power, and his enemies will be~ot11e his footstool.

This dreadful God is ours; and we are under sol­

emn obligations.to bim ;-to make his law our ruIe ;...:...

IllS service our deli~ht ;~his honor our aim ;-his glo­

ry the chief object of our pursui.t.

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f. "'...e ate unuer obligation to tnake the Ittw of God I

our. only rule.

, Oltr iost estate aOf} our consequent need of·. a Sav­

iour, can never be truly kno\vn, unless we co~pare

otir lives with tbat universal rule~tbe law of God.

St. Paul took this method of proving that both Jews

and Genti1e~ were urider sin; and asserts that they

were transgressors against the- dh'ine la\v. "'Va know that 'vhatsoever the la\v saith, it saUh to

them that are under the la\v, that every mouth may

be stoPlled and all the worhl become guilty before

God." From ",hence it is evident that the la'w, of whic-h he 'is speaking, is the· moralla"·-that same

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Ia\v? \vhich,vas originally engl'aven .in ~he b~,art

Adam; nnd- afterwal'ds· ptlhlislted, .on mount S·

to the worhf. ""or,. Ute Gentiles,. bavin~, neve...

subJect to, the ccrem<JniaI or Judicial la\v? it can \Mt ~thel' than the tnoral la\v which condemns, and.

Bounces guilty heffwe G',od'. This law is an inv

hIe' rule of' human contIuet,. 'au{l an infallible' t

right- and wrong, anti h~· it ,ve are under' ebr

to obey all the req,uirenlen~s of tl~e Gospel.,

The olledience, which the raw of' God re

tbis,- U'that we: love the' Lord OUl~ God witb

lleart,. soul, mind and strength;' and our neig

ourselves.'" It is the great rule of God's , ­

ment, and is the itnage of bis D\oral cbaracier.

The' oBligatIon on us to ~ome to Christ ariseJ

, the 1l1oral law., All obligation arises frOlD so ..Sin is a tra-n-sgress-ion oj the la1J)~ By whic~

to understand,. not' the law of' man, unless it is. . .

.ed upon, and agre'cs" l'Vith, the law of G~d..

sometimes- a transgre,ssion~ of the laws of mao

De' no sin; and· abedience to,them \vould OO,._.1~.,

at N or are' \ve ~o understand: the Apostle

iug or the ceremonial law', ''''bich wa's indeed a"."· ow of good' things to come by Christ, but was

abrogated, nnd was then allulished, and therefon

be neglected. ,To' go contrary to it, therefore, w not attach criminalitv.

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if

'The .ceremoo1al1a,v ~pointed out the pollution of 1111­

Ilature·, and :tbe :guilt and .punishment of sin.1Il!11' .

It was a tJpe Rud s11adow :of ,deli\'e:raDce by C,bnis~.;

but could neVel" impart that .gracew h.ich it shadow,ed

forth. But sin is a tran.~gl'e-s~io.n .of tL~ 111ol'al law, ....and' c,"ery precept of it whicb re-quires Jove to our ,

neilPhbor antI our God. A compliance, ~th.erefol'e, o ,

-with the gospel, is what the la\v l'equil'es.; ~nd a l1on­

,compliance \\Jith it, it condemns>. .

Were the gospel a new s~1siem o'f gover'nment,

taking p~ace of the mo-ral. la W', there would be. no

further ueed.of the latte.l"~ lV here.as, Christ, in his

iermon an tlle· mount, maintains its :perpetui~y; nnd

lal"gely .explained .and tOOfurced its ~precepts. ," Do

we then make -void .the la'w :through- faith,? :God fOl".. ,. J

bid,yea, we .e,sJablish the .hlW/'

'1'0 love tbe "Lo,"d our Goc.1 with all fhe heart, aud

with all the und.erstanding, is ·e·mbraced among the

duties of rende.ring unto God the .things tJlat :ar.e

God's. It is more than .all lvhole bUl'.nto1fedngsand

sacrifices. Notwithstanding aU the evidence attend­

ing the justice of His flaims, in reference to :the ex­

ercise of our affections toward our ~Iaker; and not­

"withst~~ndhlg He possesses every :adOI"able pe.rfectioo,

Bod is the centre of pure deligh"t au(l )Iappiuess; it I

has nevertheless been the .characteristic of natur~t

J

men to be lover~ of l)leasure ~Ol'~ q)a~

God.

But God is to be loved ,vUlt aU the powers

faculties of the soul; and in - tb.e 'lJl()st sincere,

right and p.el'fec~ PlaDner~without di$simulaf

~yithout hypoc..i~y~an,d ~bo\'e every other object

ever; for this the lalY ~equit·e~. 1.'be l'eqQire'

of the law, lJlan in innocen~e ~vas papable Qf o~

ing, and consequently of eDjo~'illg his Creator.

,¢tpostacy and disqualification to ke.ep t~e }a\v,

from e~teJl,uating, ,are the cause of his g~ilt~

,vith~t~Ddi.ng all 4is' ,mQral indisposition t9 !pv

,and p~rist an.<J. bol~ness; a,nd notwithstandip§ .

~ive depravity ~f his heart, ,~n~ t~e influence. or Jlal min,d, w}lich is enmity agaill~t ,G'od; he is

love and ~:vertheless, hound to . obedience..~ . .

'man }ll·oc.eed.ed fro,Ol ,the ~Dl'ming hand of his C f). pUl~e ~nd :sincere a~e,ction for God al)(}. h p'pgh~ to haye b.e~[) .t~e ;b;.a~ and uninten·1).

.~rfjs~ f}l1g ;enrp!oyment of every subject of mo

ferp~~J}t,~ Jiis re.volt Las nClel' ~di.~sol\'etl aD~

Flai~,~ pf l ello'7~h( to our hj,ghe~,t a~~ctiou

piencc,- Still oUi5,h.t w.e to 1~ende.r un/,a (Jod

that are God'so ().: \,.;. t,ol'·~. - ,'" 'ot I.:· t

pp.4 f.~ Hlp 'lrindple object of Inve.~

~'Hh ~jl~} Hl~ :s.oul .clevat~s ;tself by em,oti~ns of l , .

as the supreme Ijerfectioll ;~by

f3

emotions or desire,

to the supreme good of a creatilre ;-hy emotions ofas . ~f!.titude, as the only source of all the blessin~s ,vhich

:.e eojoy ;~by ,c~otions of jilial tenderness and fil­

ial sympatky ;~y emotio.ns.of acquiescence and joy

.for the possession 0'£ -communion ,wit~him ;-an(l by

emotiQDS .of ~eal jn. his .service, and for his' glory;

.since God is oU~'last end, to whom all that we 'are,

and ~ll that we can do ought to be dedicated.

When we love the .cl:eatur.e, and 'withdra\v OU1- af­

j fectioDS from the Creator; it is an ,act. of, injustice to

GurselYes, and an insult to the Dei~y.· It robs him of

. bi$ own ~ight. It iDj.ure~ ,ourselves, by depriv.ing us

of a glory, for \v hich we were created; and after

which we migh.t lawfully have aspired. TllUS '\ve

are d.Qu~ly unjus.t and ou~rageous before God. In ef­

fect, all our .offences, as well against the first, as the

aecond table of the la.w, proceed either from the want

or imperfection oC this virtue S for dill we love God

Ind Qur neighbor as we ougbt, wesbould neit~er of­

fend .~he divine Majesty, no~· our b·ret~lren. On th~s

account, .th.e Apostle calls love' the ·hondo! pe'l;lect­. . 1l.eSjJ; for it is 3 4lerlect bond, w'hich unites us to God

an~ ,9116 another; JNitbout allowing any thing to sepa­

rate us, 01- suffering any ·thin~ co.ntrary to such tln P9~

Jy ,COlU mu.nio.n~ I. !.

All the virtues, which the particular articles or. . moral law require of us, are only'so man~ branches

love. ~his is the general virtue,-the parent,

protector of all the rest;-:-& virtae diffused throB , all, giving them their value., It is motion and aeti

for love only makes us truly religious towards G and just towards man; and which rendClas dear to

the interests of both.

A heart, devoid of love, is incapable of serving

.or man. Any c.ombination, civil or religiou~ 4letltl.-:

tute of this. divine principle, is only the shadow

ciety. '.rhey are actually at war lvitb eacb 0lIl.

and, like the Midianitish army, turning e,·ery 0

sword against his companion. "The spirit

world is rather that of dispersion than of ass •

A union, founded on error, cannot continue; ant. it continues to approximate towards error, thus

is its approach to dissolution. Different interes,..........._,

,'ersities of sentiment~, varieties of opinions, e:ODllrMU

l'ieties of passit~ns, ma~e a perpetual divisioD;

the fruits of this .division are ~nso1ts and iDju • Concei'ning the members in such societies, it

8aid, as of Ishmael in the prophecy, "their b od .

against every maD, and every man's hand ape them." But the whole la\v is fulfilled in love·

love to God,-to Christt-to holiness,:-to gove

ment,-to the pure principles ()f henevolence,-to r

to

.. . to all divine requirements, as faith in the b~lOn,- .. . Lord Jesus Christ, wblCh co~~nsts, not only In the be;.

lief of the gospel revelation of -redemption and salva..

tion by Christ alone; but also in an entire trust and

dependance upon Christ and the ,vord 9£ his grace (o~ eternal life. It is a confidence in Jesus Christ as

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the LORD JEHOVAH, with a fu 11 persua~ion of his pos­

sessing EVERLASTING STRENGTH.

Without this faith it is impossible to please God,

and equally impossible to be saved. '"rhe promise of

sahYatioll accompanies this duty; and such is the in­

8ep~rable relation between faitlrand salvation, that,

without the performance of the one, the other can nev­

er be enj~yed.

]~epentance, too, is the requirement of. God; which , .

supposes man to have transgressed his holy la\y.

That this is a <1octrine fully established by the au­

thority of God's',vord, "for all have sin!1ed and come

sbort of the glory of God." Saith the Apostle, "\\'e

have before proved, both .Tews and Gentiles, that they

are all nUtler sin."

The nature and extent of human (lepravity is a POWA

errul argument to prove the necessity of repentance

towar(ls God. The duty .of repentance is universal,

since none can be saved without it; and God corn.,

mandet~ all',nen every where to' 1"epent.

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But we will only a~ld, and proce.ell; a lam .. \

precept e?fdrCed with sanctions.: Such is 'he ~

It is a prec-ept, I J ohn~ iii, 2-3. ~!lnd this is'the

mandment, that we should belie1)e on the name.oJ

Son Jesus Clirist, and love one another, as he 'us commandment. ­

It is en~orcetl \vith the most encoU'rag11lg- and

Jul sanctions, Mark xvi, 16. lIe , that believeth 4

baptized, shall be saved; but he that belie'Detl

shall be dal1tned.

80 that this law prescrihes the only Jlossible

od of salvation; and enjoins us to embrace it peril of our souls.

2. Our obligations to GOD' embrace his our deligh t.

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So infinitely important IS the service of God, '\ ­

nothing can justify the ,vithdrawing ourselves fj

it; or the relaxing of our diligence in the disC.ruu. of this duty. However innoceQlany eartbly e p

ment may be ;-however decorous, and ~ecel

in its place; it must, bS no lneans, .preclude, "I~

tention to that pr~ise, \vhich is pleasant-is com

It has pleased God to unite man's

, ,1'''''

. 1 ty· anfl to onlain, 'tha.t the paths of righteous­hlS l ll, ~

alone shoultl be the paths of pleasantness and ness, '

peace-

Love, whatever he its object, implies such an es­

teem for .that'" object,-such a desire after itj-and

such a delight in it, as the object deserves. 'Vbat

would be no idolatrous foncIness, ""hen pla.cell on one

ohjeet, ,vould fall very far short or the affection that

might be justly claimed by another. Christ being in­

comparatively more \vorthy of our 10\'e, than any cre­

ated being; our love to hini should be unrivalled ttud

supreme. 'ro compliment hin1 with honorable titles,

while we feel no real regard for him in OUl- souls, is·

bo better than impiolis mockery. 'Ve must entertain

J)igh and exalted 'thoughts of him as the Saviour of

the ,vorl~; atf(], with the Apostle, count all things

but dross, ill compal'is'on to the excellency of the

knowledge of Christ Jesus OUl' Lord. "re 'must feel

such a need of hhn in his mediatoria~ office and char­

acter, as to exclaim with the Psalmist, "As the hal't

panteth after the watel' brooks, so panteth my soul

after thee, 0 God"-" Whom have I in heaven but

thee; and there is none on earth that I desit~e besides

lhee." Our fellowship \vith Ilim must be s,veet,

while we find a pleaslU'c in doing his wBI) au(l ClljOY

iog his presence.

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'Vhe'rever n" Supel'iGl" Being IS ackuowled

there a tribute of pl'ayer and llra,.ise is consi.ure ~

his due. TIle light of divine revelation 'con·_'-.....::...,. this general sentinlent; and explicitl~r inculcates . au uni"ersal, and indisllensable duty. Praise

sarily presupposes ~n elevatetl state of mind;. a

only the external eXI}l'essiou, whereby a soul,

witb ~ratrtude, ~i\'es '''ent to its feelings.. It is

ercise" of whicb ihe glorified saints and angel _ never' weary; and in \vhich 'we enjoy a fOlreJ"b~

heaven itselt: '

To vie wful angels round the throne, in ascri

of praise to the Lamb, who is worthy to receive

, er, and ri'ches, and ,v,isdom, and strength, and

,and glory, and bI'~ssing" should be otUr constan

Hon. To worship Him, who is the Lord our

in the beaut.y 0(/ bolines~, is guod', and pleasa

comely.,

3. Onr dnfy to GOD embraces his, h~nor,

aim; his glor~f, as the chi'ef object of our pun •

].'he honor and glory of God are proposed

object worthy out supreme regal'~.' Says J8 i' he tIlat honoreth me, I wnl honor; and he t

~pise.th 'me, shall be ljghtly esteemed. He ev

teems himself , '

,glorified by our services, Ps. 1.

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"Whoso oft"ereth praise glorifiet1) me; anll to him

that ordereth his conversation aright wHl I ~ho,v the

ealvation of .Ooti."

,,'e Rre requ"ired to g1ol'ifYOllf Ii-ather who is hi - .

tll~aven, Matt. v. 16, ana" \vhelher we eat, o(drink, or

_whatsoever we do{), do all Ito the gl'ory of God;'" 1 Cor.

". 3f. Goa's glory is the end of all his \\'orks a.nd

~ctions, in creation, provi(Ience and gr-ace. So in

election,-in the co\"enant of 'redemption,- in all the

blessings aRtl promises of it,~in effectual vf)cation,~

ADll in bringing men final'ly to glot·y. - The same 'is

tbe end of all of Chtist;s actions, as j\'.lan· arid Media­

tor,-in bis dtlctrine and ~iracles,----"ill his obedience,

death anti sufferings in this 'lvorld,-in his .interced­

ing life in I.eaven, who, as'he lives to intercede, live$

unto God, to the glor~ of :God,.

The glory of Go<t should be the end of an Ol1T ac" tions; without which, no' action can be' consid'cl'ed

truly good. If a Rlao seeks his 0"'11 gli)I'~", and pop­

ular ap{tlaus~, or has any selfish and siniste.· consid·

eration in view in "'hat he does, it cannot ~e said,

Reither will it be accollnted by tile D~ity hinlself as a

lood action. Actions, performed to the di vine accept~

anee, l'equire that" they be done acc;ot'diag to the will

of God ;-that they spring from ·love to nod ;~that

they be done in faith-to the glory of God~

20

.We glol'if~' God, lvhen a11 the perfections, ol~'

divine nature are astl'ilJed to him, ;-when J.he w of our sah'ation is ath'ibuted to him ;-wben'we I unto, receive, trust in, and depend upon Christ as

• saviour ;-when every favor is consid~red aO#l

kno\vletlged as comIng from him ;-\\'hen we c

ourseh'eSl unworthy of the least regard ;-whe

ascri.be all to the free and unmerited' gO~lle

God ;-enjoy, all blessings as the fl~uit of the ·

. father's love, and as a h~essin.; of the covenaDt,

, as coming to us through the blood of Christ:t':1·~""'I

tbe gospel is embraced, professed and maintai.__.. _

fore Dlell ;-when all dh'ine requiremenls are , ,

unto ;,,-whe.n we are contented and satisfi

what Providen,ce bcst(nys ;-act faith'in all

form ;-when in the common actions of life,

in ,'ie,v the promotion of the best good, as it

ourselves or our neighbor ;-01' when wha~ever is

in a' natural, civil or religious respect, in the

or in the world; in private, or p~blic, is (lone ·

pure ,r~gard to GOll arul his cause. " '

An in\'iolahle attachment to the pure lll'iooipl

religion distinguished a cel~brated ruler-:-a rna

ter God's own heal~t, who swayed a sceptre" and,1»

the ensigns of political' ~overeignty; as well- a

m~lrks of external grandeur, aod made a splendid

pearance in the J ewi~b theocracy. "If I for~et til

o Jerusalem, let my tight hand forget her cunning.

If I do not remember thee, let my tongu~ cleave to the

f of my nlouth; if prefer not Jerusalenl above myroO hief joy." 'l'lhe higbly exalted king of Israel ,va.sc .

not the less amiable in his characte-r, because he ,vas

thus solemnly devoted to God and his cause. l\nd

kings of tbe earth, and all people, p·ri.nces and an judges, young lnen and maidens, old &lien and chil..

dren, nre called upon to praise the Lord. ,)

In so doing, \ve 'foende'P to God the things that are 6od~s.

II. I aID to notice OUl" respective obligations to civ~'

if rulel"s, and civil gov~rnmeut.

It is a plain injunction of sacred writ, that much is

flue from us to the constituted authority. " Render

therefore unto C;.esar the things \vhich are Cresars."

OUi" ulessedLord, 'in reasoning with the Herodians,

"incu1cates the duty of subjection

be. as ordained of God. I

to the powers that

'file question proposed was, "Tell us therefore,

what thinkest thou? is it lawful to gh'e tribute unto

Cresar, or not?" Is it in consistency with the laws of

God? This, appears to have been a question among

the Jews. The Herodians \Vere favourable t~

sentiment, \vhile the Pharisees were at least secr

opposed to it, as was the nation in genet-al, who 10 ed upon themselves as b~ing, and of 1~igltt oughf

be free; as they ,,'ere the children of God, the . scendants of Abraham, and urged, that, accordin . " e

their la,v, none but one of their own nation and

gion was to be set as king over. them. Whe

this imperiuus Cresar, the emperor of Rome, __.....

stranger, one of another nation, and an idolater." A

of all the Jews none were m~re averse to tile J .ment of tri&ute to the Roman magistracy than the G li1eans. This, too, being the name by \vhich Christ I.is followers were commonly .called, might se

strengthen" a sllspicion of their being unfrie:Il4U,'f:

Cresar's jurisdiction, and opposed to heathen

it-ates, since they \vere ~enerally wicked meo, au

olent against christianity. And nothing eould

been more gratifying to such cavillers, than· to

dra.wn from the lips of Christ a sentiment unla

hIe to the established form of civil go\?ernment, or

.supreme magist~ate of the realm~

But mark the wis£lom of the Saviour, \vbo percei

ed their wickedness, and interrogated them, "

tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? shew me the tri

money. _ And they brought bim a penny. Thea II

lle unto them, \vhose ~ this im3ge an!l superscriptio \

23 /'

They say unto him Cresar:;. rrhen saith he unto ~heDl

render tb~refore unto Cresar the things which are Cre­

.aars. "

'fhis penny having Cresar's inscription upon it, our

L01'd, tacitly suggests, they ought to pay tribute to

him, which is 'in effect acknowledging him king, a

minister of God, who bore the civil sward.

Christ, and his apostles, llaid tribute to Cresar, even

Peter, pat'ticularly; 'whose successor the Pope of

Bome pretends to be.

The inspired apostle of the Gentiles, has given us

tbis excellent direction, "Let every soul be subject

to the higher powers. For there is no power but of

God; U~e powers that be are ordained of God: Who~

soever, therefore, resisteth the po\ver, resistetb the ur­

dinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to

tbemselves damnation. For rulers are· no't a terror

to good works, but to the eviL Wilt' thou then not

be afraid of the power? Do that which is good.and

thou shalt have praise of the same. For he is the

minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that

which is evil, be afraid, fOl· he beareth llot the sword

in yain. For he is the minister of God, a revenger

to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil: Where­

fore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath"

I

in admiring the vl

For, for this cause

llender ther

"

to ~f)hom honor." Rom. t 3.

but also for conscience sake. •

ye triIJute ~lso: for they are God's minist~rs, at

ing continually on this very thing.

to all thei'r dues: tribute to whom tribute is

custoln to whom custom, fear to who1n fea.,.,

. Do any enquire after the 'civil and religiouS'

ments of an apostle? In a preceding chapter We

his christian e'thics, and in this his christian

And Pliny bears record of the christians in

ond century, that they did all things in conf~

the laws.

It must, hO\VeVel", be acknowledged, that ci 'Criginated from the depra\1ity and fall of

cording to t Tim.. 1., ix, ,x. When God made

llaY~ dominion oyer the works' of his hands, ;,

put 'aU things under his feet, and cro\vned. hhd'

glory aDd honor, they filled up each bappy

evidencing theil-love to Him, and to each other,

spent their golden moments

anll beauty of his ,vQrks, fin(1iog out the divitl8'.·,_~i

tures impressed upon them, swaying their mild 8Oel1tWl

over the obedient creation, llnd enjoying the rich i~nv:'

'ruptible fruits \vbich the earth spontaneously

ed, in the gl'eatest. variety and abundance.

25 ,

Thd~ their pieasnre was WithO~lt idleness or paill, - d their employment without toil ot V\reariness. ButaD ' no sooner did disobedience open the floodgates l of nat­

oral evil, than arduous labour came, in ftdl tide, Up·

on mankind, and a thousari(l painful arts were invent]

ed to mitigate the manifold curse w hicb sin. ha.d

brought upon him. Disorder and injustice; gav~ --rise

to civil government; politics, an(l ~ multitude of laws, - '.

iild these employ officers, magistrates, and rulers.

And

t. Reverence is due to civil goveromcntj as' it is an

jnstitution of God.

God is the fountaIn of all power and authority.

The Bu-eams of'power among creatures flow fr~m

bim. The dominion that man ba8 over .the creatures

'8f God, is originally of God; and by grant from him. ,

The exercise of authority in the se\"etal relations in

which men stand to eacli other, is of God; as the

power of parents over their children, masteri over

their servants, and the higher power that rulers have

'ver their subjects. By me, (says J ebovah,) kings

reign and princes decree justice. From him they de­

rive their authority, their right or government,. and

all necessary qualifications to the discharge of such

,duties. There are different forms of government, as

monarchy, which is the government of one man; ar~

D

isiocl'acy, which is the government of the. chief.

Ilrincipal persons in th-e nation; and delDue

.which lies in the people;. and though the seve

forms are of human will an~ pleasu~e, yet go\'!' ment itself is an ordinance of God.

We render to governmenf its just claim when

evince· suit-able submission, antI yield obedience to laws that are established.

In all civil communities, states and repubr ,

dienee -is the preservative of good order, aud

the strength of government. Civil rulers

reverenced, when the subjects of government ....'.',.....

voted to the laws established for the regnlati8D

ciety•. There can be no greater evidence of w· virtuous rulers·, than the sentiment of a:treetioa

ll·ressed in their favor by the people; and in all _elective governments,. where the rulers are the

of the'people, they are· to be res'pected as the mu·1M

of 6od~

~ .. The utility of civil government makes'

for our veneration.

B)r government, we undel'stand an universal

!i-act, the object of whi'ch, is, tbe happiness and lee l'ity of the state for \VhOHl it was formed.

Whenever the object IS not promoted, it is natural,

it is right, that the system be &0 far altered as that

the effect may be pl~odl~ced '; and the on1¥ 'corolle­teot jndges in these cases, aloe tbe people, who, w~lile

they enjoJ' plenty, security al~d freedom, will neces':'

sarily support the system \vhich insures to them those

blessings; otherwise they win compla.in, and at length. resist, when they fi·nd themselves opp,ressed by sump­

tuaryand sanguinary laws, and borne down baY the

1Veight of taxation, \\'hich .renders all their industr'y.,

and labors fruitless..

Economy is one or the wisest llrillciples of all v'ir..

tuons governments. Wllerever a departure from this

principle is perceived, and a state luooviding luxurious­

ly for exorbitant salal'iest and the indulgence of the

dissipated in the courses of dissipation and ,prodigali:­

ty, when we hear those minions assert.in~ theit- claims,

ftltbougb it be from tll()se by \VllOm they hold their

respective offices, even an industrious people, and not

the overllowing of princes, that' the pa.yment is extort­

ed, a kingdom, a nation, a state, and especially a l'e~

• public, has reason to fea....

Evil governments corrupt the morals of the peu­

pIe, and, when the wicked are ill authority, the people

mourn.

I

~8

Fl'om the time of Nimrod, (the reputed fuuUfU~

Babylon, 'and the nrst king of wbOpl we baveauy

count,) to t~e prese~t age, s~ular empire~ have •

ell, ~n4 though it has becolQ.e ~ co~mon .ma¥iQl, '

th~ 'Worst of gQvernme4ts is Iiet~r t~an DQoe," 1 · to.o DlaU! instaDr~, ther have or~giD.,.ted ~n tIte

passions of tb~ir foundel's. Avarice and pr~d~,

bition ~nd lus~ of dom~nio!), ~~y~ ~een PO~spwqoq . .

llu~ the virtQou~ of al1 ~ge~ have pJid a prQper

er~nc~ tp the ~onstituted ~l~thority. Saicl a wise

lator, ',~ ~~bo~ S~la~t not speak evil of the ruler$ of t

peopJ~ ;" ~n~ one of tl16 ~iviDe ipjunctions is,"

~~a1t not r~yH~ ~~e so4'~ ~o~ ~~rse ~~e rulers. . .

reo~le/~

. rrh~ 4~n~ne ~ft.P~, in !1 time of extre~e ~,

llealell fQ C~ar, ~~~ ..~Wle~ged l.i$ auth~fitl,

~lai~e4.Jl~~ pl'otectioq~ when otherwi8~ h~ misb~

.been ~et at llbef~Y. Acts x~v, to, fi. ~ • , ....... r • ..... ,# "- • • • '" • •

<

There is ~. ~.nd ~~ vanity in ~eD, whic~ incli

the~ t~ ~atter the goYer~D1eDt un4e~ wllicb they -re bo~n~ M 9d~rq ~om~n~ are prou(1 of St. Peters Chu~~b, all~ ~f Ule~r antique ~recia~ statues, whi ~et it ~ou14 ~e ~~tte~ for the. people tha~ their sup

,nonnm~llt~ l\'ere an heap ~f ruins; if, therehs', t~

lvere to be better fed. anll b~tter clothed. .. . ", • ... • . ~ I .. , I

Divide and conquer, was the maxim of C~sal', and. . ht of the stroll~est, \ve have heard triumphant':tbe I'lg " ~'" .

11 bo~sted, by the glorious repnb)ics of Greece. But wbat government must tbat be, which flrove Aristides

jato banishment, ~d which ~ondeDined Pbocio~ and~

Socrates to de'ath?' 'An,u yet .these loepublics, it must

be conf~ssed, ,vere cOlnparatively exceJIent, far'$liUpe ...

rior to th:e governOlent of the n,~ighboring luonarchies:

In our uniled government, we are apt t9 think that

the ancient republics did IlQt understand the represen­

tative system; It-o<J while many ha\'e pronounced in.

favor of mqnarchl", an4 oth~rs, on the contrary are fL~­

rious against kin~s, we, are partial to a forD) which is,

really a~d pr~cticall.y a). free ,gove,nD),ellt~

A go,,~rDm8Dt which originates on the principle~

pf freedom, of equal rjgbt and justice to all IDen. .L\. GoverDa:nent,· ponstitute4 Q~ the s~mlllest principles

pl nature. And the o~ly reason lY hy property has

been cOl)8idere4, in any period, 0.' con\?eying addi­

tional rights t~ the possessor, in Il)atters of govern­

ment' is, the sa~e tbllt b~s blinded tbe understand·.

iog of men rel_tjxe to the lvhQle ol'der of nature ill

societ~·. It .is qne of those appendages of monarchy

and oligarchy, Which tea~he$, tha.t the object of gov..

emm,ent i$ tp i~~,e~se the $plelldor of a few, and the

misfortunes of the many; and everJ· step that such

,9)\"ernments take, has a tendency to countep~.ct tl~~

30

equality of l'igbts, by destroying the equality of ~

joyments. •

And among the principle evils which we con • •

would be the result ()f monarchy, is, that of being

del' the influence of a weak, or a wicked man. W office is hereditary, it is scarcely to be expected

that this should be the case. Considering the b· and education of princes; the chance of finding

who is possessed of '1~eal integrity, is bardly

reckoned among the posiible events; nor is the

ability less strong against that ,visdom- requ.·..·a.. ~

guide the affairs of state. The temptations to edness, arising from their stituatio,n, are too pow

be resisted; the persuasive arts of all their fta

the companions of their youth, the ministers

pleasures, and every person with whom they are

versant, are necessarily employed to induce. th

increase' their salaries, by oppressing the -p

'whom they are taught from their cradle to cODsid

better than beasts of burden; and what m~8t

insure the triumph of wickedness in their tempers,

- the idea that they are totally, and forever, withAlft:'Ita:..~

straint.-.

This is an allurement to \?ice, that even m

sense can but hardly resist. Impress it on the

.of any man, that he cannot do wrong, and he

3-1

soon convince.us of OUl" mistake. But unde:r a govern...

riO'btly administered, and where rulers act inOlent 0 /

the Jear of the Lord, prosperity will attend the na·

. n and the cause of virtue will be promoted. Then t10 ,

our officers would be peace, an(l our ex.actors right­

eousness.

3. As all gOYel~nments are more or less expensive,

to contribute to its support, is a dietate of our holy

religion.

Whatever be the form of the government, custom

and tribute is due from the people.

I shall not consider it within· my province to die·

tate what mode of taxation is best, but suffice it to

say, in all communities, an equ'alizatioll of burdens,

according to the strength of the subjects, is a dictate

of the simplest principles of justice; and ~an but be

right. Custom and tribute, include all sorts of lev..

ies, taxes, subsidies, ~c.-\Vhat is laid on our per..

sons and eittates, as poll-money, land taxes, or what

arises from the exportation and importation of goods

to and fr~m foreign parts ;-all(l all this· is necessa­

. ry for the support of government, and its officers with

dignity. Nor is the payment of taxes ~ luere matter

of prudence, and to be done to a.void dangerous conse.­

quences, but is, and ought to be, a matter of consciuRce.

/

~~

'Yhatever is (lue, cons'cieoce dictates that it sh be paid; and, therefore, it tells us that whate\T

God's must be' l~Cl)(leted to him, and to Cresa'

'things which ate C~sar's. .A.ud' to do otherwise •

refuse to pay tribute,' or by any tl'&udulent mQflltl

deprive the civil magistrate, or the

due, is an inj lll'Y to the bodY' politico

. And if legislators ah~ chosen from dmong the

pIe, and are fello\v citi~ens with them, it \vin be

interest equally \vith the people, to- be 'guardiall8 their rights; as tlleh' own.' . .

\

It is at the same time proljer that the people It

aMye to' their public 'servants, and if the public . suffici6utly enlightened, aDd use the po,ver they

osess, it will be easy to'remedy defects in the ad...

,tralion of a partiCular set of rulers, by placing

'in their 'stead. This is one of the peculiar

tages of'a free~ eiective government. To jud

defects the people should possess much \\'isdom ,

hence the 'necessity, in a reiluhlican governmeo

the diffusion of light and Itoowled'ge-, and at tile g

time, of being under the influence of virtuous pri

pIes. And if a people are sufficiently attache

govel'nment, and are virtuous, the'y will freely

tyibute to its support. And \vhen they murmur.

del' the 'weight of taxation, it is to be attributed,

I

33

. to bad management, and a \vant of economy on the tIer part of the rulers, or the wickedness of the people.

4. Civil rulers, as the Dlinistcrs of God, are to be

respected fOl' the influence or theil' moral exampl~.

The force of example (l'oui those \vha are elevated

to exalted stations in the civil department, is great

upon the human mind. Nor can any doubt be enter­

lajn~d, but the moral example ot rulers, where sucb

is/the tact, does much towards giving a tone to the

tnannet's and habits of the people. 1.~be example of

men set in authority, clothed with au office of gov­

ernment, vested with the sword of justice, and the en­

signs of power, gding forward in tbe discharge of

official duties as one who fears the Lord, he bears

not the sword in vain. He not only aims, ,vhen fill­

ing the chair of state, or discharging official duties,

to administer aCCOf(!iog to the common maxims of ju~

risprudence antI civil policy, and thus secure to him­

self the name of a great statesman, an able judge, or

a wise politician; but it is his aim and ambition as a

cilizen ill common with others, to live above the cen­

sure of the world, as a man of moral example, conn­. .

teracting the inlluence of evil, and contributing aCCOf­

(ling to bis ability to the general stock of happiness iu

the world, by the promotion of virtue and l'eligiouo

8uch l'ulel's al'e a blessing to the nation, worthy min-

E

• 1

..

isters of G'od, and ..:lemand fear, custom, tribute, honor as their due.

Mncl~ gooel, or much. evil may be done by tb

who-are raised to posts of ho~or -and trust, in the

.department, io proportion to the virtue or vice, w they llfactice, and the extent of their influence 0

, . ciety. " Good rulers, actuated by the purest .moti have eD3cted good laws, administeloed justice wi

impalotial hand, taken care t~ preserve the COO

froln domestic broils, or foreign io,·asions, and

far as \vas practicable, from a wise· preference or bl.essings of,peace, above the advantages arimo; the most splendid victories. They have relieVl

people from burdensome taxes, and defended .",1*...

from oppression, and the pious from persecuti'~I"""~

thus providing for the temporal welfare of the

.they have obtained the endearing title of "F of their people."

All the ministers of state, the members ot the.

lature, an(l magistrates, from the highest to the 10• . have a degree of power, authority, and influence YeI~

ed in them by the great Ruler and J ~dge or the.,or

and to him they must be a&countable for the ule

,nake of it~

Placec.l in a conspicuous station, multitudes serati

35

° their conduct, either to-censure or imitate it, and ~Jze °

consequently their example becomes prollOrtloDably

e important. This ",ill be an a(ldilional nlotiveWM . to a rigbteous ruler, to walk circumspectly, and aCCU­

rately, to show himself a pattel~n of a reverential reo'

gard to the name of God-his holy day-hi., word­

bis house and worship, and the ordinances of the gos~

pel. He will be an example of sobriety, temperance,

moderation and beneficence, in the use of outward

things; of equity, punctuality, sincerity and fidelity,

in all the transa.ctions of life; of meekness, conde­

scension, courteousne~s, kindness, and compassion in

all his deportment; and of attention to his domestics,

and to all the duties of relative life. He will endeav­

our to unite wisdom, firmness and justice, with can­

dor and clemency; in his public conduct, to manifest

a disinterested, impartial spirit, to be the patron of.

the poor, the opilloessed, the widow and the ot'phau ;

without respecting the persons, or fearing the unmer­

ited displeasure of the rich and powerful; and to

cleave to \vhat is right, without ,varping, even when

hi~ conduct excites the censures, and clamors, of an

ill judging multitude. His principles influence to lo~e

rigbteousness, and to hate iniquity, to promote to the

utmost the peace of nations, the good order of commu­

nity, and the temporal advantage of all ranks of men.

From principle; too, he. will aim "to adorn the

36 {

doctrine of God our Sa~iour in "nl~ things," to· 80

men's prejlldices, silence theh- clamQurs, and

their attention ~o it, hy making them f~el (

~1fects~ ·

He ~in not, indeed, attempt to co?npel by p

ptatute a~y man to asseqt to his creed, or conro~

his mode of wo~hip, but Qlany things may be

by those in authorit:r to promote r~ligjon, consiste~

with the J)l~st ~oD)plete tpleration.

J~.ulers may very prpperly repress by CO

means, v~rioqs kinds of vice and impi~ty:, and ~nd

our to e~~erminate the hauQts of profligacy and l '

ny, and tJl~ scllools of blasph~my and profane~ •

TJle~ may furnish the well endowed seats

iog, with teachers of sound principles, alul good " "­

nls, aQ(l co~nlenan~e every reasonable plan ~.

gool!' ed~cation of yQuth, and especiaU~"forinstroc

·the children of the poor. They may pfQtect from

suUs, and libefat~ from restraints, such Ininisten

the gospel, as H labour in the '''ord and doctrine,"

favor th~if bdng place(I in ~xtensively useful sit tions_

''rheJ-'' Dlay select ~roung men, who give evidence

J)iety, and abilit~r, and assist them in obtaining th

l~flr"ing, fro~l Wh~ch tbeir circutllstanc~s WQu!d other

· exclude them. They may render the ad mission WIse I

ioto the ministry, open to all conscientious men, and

close it against tbe vicious, the ignorant, and the

mercenary. They may show a decided regard to up­

right, diligent, and pious ministers, ,vho differ from

them in some forms, or sentiments; arid a marked

disapprobation of the negligent, and profligate, ,vho

pretend to be of their judgment.

Thus authority may be improved as a talent in

promoting the cause of truth and piety, in the relig­

ious instruction of the people at large; in preventing

the effects of indolence, carelessness, i~norance, and

vice of tbose, who ought ~ instruct th"em, and in co'un­

tenancing such as ,vould 40 ~ll in their po\ver for this

J>urpose.

Books may also be dispersed, and multitudes

taught to read. Attendance flll divine \vorship m.ay be encouraged, and every thiqg discountenanced that

tends to ~eep men from it•

.Prisons, lvork-houses, hospitals, 'an asylum for tha

deaf and dumb, the army and navy, all encouraged,

supported and sopplied, with diligent, able, and pious

teachers.

Various societies and plans may be formed ~nd

adopted, to promote this great end, b~T rulers and civil

38 .

-mao-istrates, w-ho' are zealous for -the honor of C ~ - .

and the interest of pure and undefiled reli§ion;

yet every man be' allowed to worship God aceo to 'the dictates of his' own conscience. 'And

• -care is to be taken not to allure mercenary lIlen

unprincipled conformity.

Thus the pious rulers of Judah, according, to

-dispensation under which they lived, restrained

-and idolatry, and supported the worship of Jeho

,from .1\'Joses, Joshua, Sam~el, and David, even to hemiah. And true religion uniformly flouris

proportion to their prudent and pious endeavou

The same talent ma.y be improved to simil~~j~

poses bJ christian rulers, according to the' •

; . the new dispensation, except it be thought, th

cause many have abused it by intollerance and , )ly, all the rest ought to bury it in the earth.

- But all judicious christians will nevertheless

tinue to beseech the Lord to make all rulers Ii hosophat, Hezekiah, and Josiah, -that they &'1 nursing fathers to the church,and

,

neitber spare p

nor expense, to dispense the knowledge of 6

,vord by able faithful men throughout the \vorld.,1

~ C 1 b' Q.L ....o um Ian .... :c.r.

)luch is therefore due from ·the people, .to their'

good. and v·irtuol1s rulers.

5. That our ·rolers may be the ministers of God to

.us for good, it is our duty. to implore the presence 01'

God with them, his s:pirit to ·aid them, and his bles-·

sing to crown their administration. with success.

It is to be lea·red that this tribute due to rulers,.

and which can ·be rendered in no other way than by

a constant remembeMDce ·of -them at the throne of'

grace, is too much withheld hy those \vhose duty it is

to pray for all men, aBd -for I'ulers in particular. Said,

the prophet to the rulers ~f bis people; " Moreover,

as for me, Go(l forbid that I should sin against the'

Lord in ceasing to pray for you."

Had the christian public such impressions on this

subject as they ought, the prayers of the church 'would

be heard, and our rulers \vould be aa unspeakable

blessing to us. Said king Solomon, " Now 0 'Lord­

60(1, let thy promise unto Davill my father be estab·

lished ; for thou hast made me ruler over a people'

like the dust of the earth In multitude. Give me now

wisdom an(l knowledge, that I may go out and!

come in befo~e this people, for who can judge this thy'

people which is so great."

..

Cei·taiuly, a civil rulel· needs-': another 1l,eart

lziln," a heart of wisdom and government. A

possess the spirit of a ruler, that he may fill the

ly responsibl~ station, and act for the glory of

and the good of the commonwealth. He most

fnen ,back from the paths of transgression and

Those, then, who have elevated him by their

ges to rule over them, must assist him by

prayers. And hence the divine injunction,

'first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessi

'giving of thanks be made for all men; for ki

all in autllority; that ,ve may lead a quiet and

able life, in all go~lliness and honesty; lor

good and acceptable in the sight of God our Sa

In a word, ,ve discover from the light

ject, the respectiv~ duties We o\ve to God, a

government, and the solemn responsibility th

on rulers.

Magistrates. are to pass such la\vs as are Cor good of the people. 'rhey arc to govern accorcJ­

those righteous and salutary laws. rrheya to countenance and suppress impiety and irreligion.

maxim of the Roman .orator should be their COD

motto.' Salus propuli supl'emalex esto. May

supreme ·law be the benefit of the people.

41

On the part bf the "people, as due froin therii to

their rulers, they are to show them all possible re-Ct bonor, and. reverence, speak respectfully of

.pe , . . them and their adminisb~atiOri, Sllpport them in tbeIl' government, use them with ca,ndour,. observe their

laws and injunctions, obeying all lawful colii~ands,

wbich do not Contradict the laws· of God, .D8.ture, and

right reason, and pray for them cqnstantly, earnestly, ..and trom the heart.

And God is to be loved supremeiy.

But it is time that I hasten to a concirision in ad­

dresses suited to the occasion•

•Hay it please your Exceliency,

""be bol)" religion I profess, dictates me to render

bonor to whom honor is due; and God ~n his provi­

dence h~ving raised you to be the first minister in .

this State, it becomes our duty, not only to congratu­

late you 00 your elevation, but on occasions like the

present, to render you that tribute, bonor, and respect,

which is y()ur due.

W6 venerate you as the ihioister of God to this

peopie. The repeated testimonials of your constitu..

en~ is an eyidence in y001- favol" of the high opinion

they have ever entertained of your qualitic,ations .tp

F

l'uIe over them;' nor can you el\tertain the least , but the same honors "'ould have been repeated

r ,

from ~'our own choice. It can but aWord yo

most pleasing sensations in reflecting that your re

ment to the more private concerns of life, is far

heing the result of faction, or the rage of poli

those scenes having p'assed by, and more pl~

(~a~,Ts, sllccee<1.erl. 1."hat you have lung been u

in the a:ffairs of'state, having filled conspicuou

tions,. and rendered. essential services, we bear grateful remembran~e. At the same time, s­

best interests of "the people of this commonwealth

.'not but be dear t~ J-·OU, and you feel a pleasure i fleeting on the ability of ~Tour worthy sucCe

tlirect its concerns_

Be assured you \viU still 1i\"e- in the hearts or people, and the prayers of the pious will eOlltin

ascend to the Father of all mercies, that lastios

il1gs attend ~To-t:l.

~lay JOU always possess a consciousness,of

vine approbation, bl'igtening evidences of &

world, and peace with God. 'l'hat wlien name. a

distinctions are lost in universal empire, you m

so unspeakably bappy as to ~xperience the felict-.;.

the saints, the jOJs of heaven.

48

aTo ctmclude; ftS YOUl worthy predecessor in hIS

IlS communication to the pUblic, solicited a personalt

ipte rrst in the prayers of the people that h.e might not

fail of bischarging the duties which he recommended

to others, and of partakiog of the gl'8ce of God ,vhich

bringeth sal \~ation, for your ExceHency we fervently

pra~', may the angel of the divine presence enlighten

and beautify your path, the finger of P.·ovidence'dic­

tate your sphere of future usefulness, and grace co"­

duct you finally. to a better world.

His llonor, the Lieutenant GoVet·n01', the Ilonou.1"a~

hIe Council, and House of Representatives,

'Vill receive our respectful congratulations upon

their appointments to the dignified stations they oc­

eopy.

As civil rulers you occupy highly responsihle stll.

Uons. To be the ministers of Go(1 for good to the

people over \vbich providence bas placed you; like

Moses, to stand as a ruler, a leader,. an example,

and in a certain sense, a mediator and saviour of the

people ;-as legislators; to make laws in cont;n-mity to the mind of Jehovah, ,vith immediate reference to

justice, equity, ·truth and peace ;-to execute those

laWI with firmness under the awful solelunity of the

oat~ of God ;-to do equal right and ,iustice to all

..

-men ;~to judge.and trallsact.;the ~tfairs of etate . . this reflection; that the whole of your administra •

must come befpre the legislature of heaven~ and

decided at that ~r frolp whence there' can, be "0 peal~where, not only the correctness of theory

practice win be decided; but the purity of mOll and the rectitude of int~ntion will be taken into

acconnt ;-.renders the r~BectiQn truly ,solemn. W David W;lS e~a.l~ed tQ th~ ~iqg<lom, aQl\ establis

~n the throne, he h~d such a view of the need in w •

\le stoQd of wi~dom, that he was led to exel •

~, WhQ am I~ Q Lord God, ao(1 what is my ho

that tbo~ ~a.~t brought me h~tl1erto ?" " ,

. /

B"t with all your pre~erments, and thou~1i repo~

ed as gods you must die like m·en. 1.... his yon are 801­

emnly to keep in mind while you act with an imm.e­

~1jate feferen~e tQ the station you occupy' in ~be cl liing40~ as (ipd's. m~Qisters, to execute tro'th .

l'ig~teo'.1sI1ess, to pr().mote tQe ~ause or virtue, D

bring qle~ bac~ from the P1\th$ of transgressio And renlelDb~r t09, ~hf:\t y~u must appea~ before

. . judgment $eat of Christ~ Goyern~ns, and councillon,

f~presentatives, judge~ aud officers of ever~ deserip

Hon, bigh and low, rich and poor, the IQrd and the

slave, court~ ~n(l criminals, and these receh"e ~.

tr-qc~ 9f ~on~~D;lq1\tiQ~ ~w acquittalo

45

,Vho among us ean endure so strict a s~ru-tiny ?

And are we all prepared for the event?

The only way to escape the divine displeasure, is,

to confess our sins, and plead the atonement offered

os by the Son of God.

Finally, §;entlemen, "Time flies, death urges,

knells call, hea\"en invites." " It is time to seek the

Lord till be come and rain righteousness upon you;"

to be observing all the divine requirements, and thus

to render unto God the things that are God's.

"

•