THE GIFT OF 
 .jK^sd^..^.,J[1^...q^ 
 
 Ps,.k.kz.n.i „ ^.^.ly.3.± 
 
 ■3i 
 
Mr. MELLEiTi 
 ELfeCTfON SERMON. 
 
 MAY 31, i797# 
 
o 
 
 tdMMONWEALTlt OF MASSAC HUSEftS. 
 
 In Senate, May 31ft, J797. 
 
 RDEREDiThat PfiLEC CoFFiM, Thomas DaweS 
 and Isaac Thompson, Efq'rs. be a Committee to wait upon the 
 Rev. Mr. Mellen, and, in the naiWe of the Senate, to thank him 
 for the Se RMO N delivered by liim, this day, before His Excellency 
 the Governor, His Honor the Lieutenant Gdvernor, the Honor- 
 "able Council, and the two Branches of the General Court, and ire- 
 ^ueft a dopy for the prefs. , 
 
 True copy of Record, s 
 
 EDWARD McLANE, Ckrk ef the Senate, 
 
S ' E R M O N, 
 
 SBLIVXRED SEfORS 
 
 His Excellency the GOVERNOR, 
 
 AUD 
 
 The Hpnourable LEGISLATURE, 
 
 , or THS 
 
 COMMONWEALTH of MASSACHUSETTS, 
 
 ON TH9 
 
 MAX 31, 1797. 
 
 .,0"..0""0""«"''0'"'«"-»"4'-0""9"-'«""<>"»«"..«>.i..«.. 
 
 py JOHN ^ELLEN, jun. 
 
 OHE OF THE MINISTERS OF Bamfiabh. 
 
 ^ „0,...<|imiO,...0««0....«"<Ji"«".'0""«i'"«""0.i"0> ..«« 
 
 miKTED AT BOSTOH, 
 
 By YOUNG (3 MJNNSf 
 
 f aiWTE >S TO THE STAT't 
 
 1797- 
 
A. t t>S5.7' 
 
AN 
 
 ELECTION SERMON. 
 
 Ift. PETER, 2d.-^xv, 
 
 *' FOR SO IS THE Win OF GOD, THAT WITH WELt DOING YJ 
 MAY PUT TO SILENCE THE ICHOR.ANCE OF FOOLISH MEN," 
 
 X HIS declaration of the apoftle, direaed to 
 chriftians, and defigned, to inftruft and caution them, 
 while under the government of heathen rulers, may, it 
 is prefumed, without impropriety, be retoramended to 
 the confideration both of rulers and ruled, now that 
 chriftianity is their common religion. As the circum- 
 ilance no longer exifts, which direfled the obfervations 
 and counfels of th^ apoftles, relative to civil govern- 
 ment, principally to fubjeSs and their duties ; and as 
 being mifreprefented by ignorance, and flandered by 
 folly are evils to which fubjefts are by no means ex- 
 pofed alone, may I not well be juftified in giving to tbp 
 text fuch a latitude of application, as has been fug- 
 gefted ? 
 
 A VIEW of the words in their connexion, may lead 
 to fome previous obfervations on the origin and de- 
 sign of CIVIL GOVERNMENT, and the afjpeft of Chris- 
 tianity upon it. "StfBMiT 
 
6 jELECTION SERMON, 
 
 « Submit yourfelves, faith the apoftle, to every of* 
 dinance of man, for "the Lord> fake: whether it bp 
 Xo, the king as fupreme ; or unto governours, as unto 
 them that are fent by him, for the punifliment of evi\ 
 ^oers, and for thepraife of them that do well. For fo 
 is the >YiH of God, that with well doing ye may put to 
 filence the ignorance of foqjiijx men." 
 
 It is of little importance whether we allow, to th^ 
 firft quoted words, the 'fconftruftion which our tranfla' 
 tion%ives them, or, with fome learned divines, inftead 
 of every ordinance ofman^ read every human creature j 
 that is, every perfon in authority ; cjvil rulers of eveify 
 rank at\d defcription. If civil government be confid^rn 
 ed by this apoftle, as an ordinance of man, be doe« 
 not in thus reprefenting it, contradift another apoftle, 
 ■whp fays, ?' the powers that be are ordaiped of God," 
 He has ordained them, becaufe they are agreeable t<^ 
 the coijftitution of the world, whicl^ he haseftablifhed, 
 |t is evidently his will that civil . government Qioul(| 
 exift, becaufe he is a Go,d of qrder and not of confu^ 
 fion ; becaufe the riature of mankind, their focial, difpo- 
 fition, their wants, their paffions, their irregularities and 
 their vices clearly indicate its expediency and jmpor. 
 tance. We are by no means obliged tp conclude, from a 
 command, to be in fubjeftion tP the exifting powers, 
 becaufe they are orda^nei o/God : or tofubniit to eve-t 
 ry pej-fon in civil authority, of whatever nam?, rank o? 
 degree of power,/or tjie LoRp'sJakf, thai; all rulers de- 
 rive their authority immediately from God. We may 
 not infer that he has fo pointed out the particular man- 
 ner in which we fliould be governed, or the degree of 
 power which every ruler ought to poffefs, that civil goy« 
 
 ernmcnt, 
 
Election serMonj 7 
 
 4tttmentj ^s to its form, and mode of adrairiiftrdtioB, 
 may not be properly ftyled an ordinance of man. 
 
 Government has itsr remote origin in the nature of 
 mankind: Or, the ruler's power is indireftly derived 
 from HIM who is the author of that nature. lis imme- 
 diate origin, as relative to j)articular nations and com- 
 munities of men, has been far from uniform. The only 
 proper fource of the ruler's power, atleaft,when extend- 
 ed farther than that of a parent over his family, isy un- 
 der GoDi the people or community, who are the fub- 
 
 1 jeSs of his governmenti We believe that the people 
 only have the right to determine the nature and form 
 of their political conftitution. But we readily allow 
 
 ^that faSs are, in many indances, at variance with right; 
 and that the theory which fuppofes the obligatiqn to 
 
 'civil obedience derived from an original focial com- 
 paQ, is not univerfally, or in general, fupported by the 
 hiftory of nations. Many, if not moft of the govern- 
 ments now exifting in the World, prpbably originated 
 in conqueft. Or, however their foundations were at 
 firft laid, they have, through various changes, been ma- 
 tured to what they now are. And it. is far from true, 
 
 ji that -their prefent forms are the refult of a generfil com- 
 pa£l among th? people, or are a juft expreifion of their 
 -will, unlefs their fubmiffion to them be confidered as 
 implicit confent. The inftance^of a numerous people, 
 unawed by any foreign power, uncontroled by ^ in- 
 ternal oppreflbr, calmly coUefting the wiCdom: and the 
 will of the whole community ;. coolly examining firft 
 principles J freely difcuffin^ and. declaring their natural 
 rights, and on fuch a firm ' and rational bafis> deliber- 
 ately erasing a conftitution of g;overnment for tbera- 
 
 felves 
 
felveis, is a fpeQatrle not lefs fingular than augoft, evefl 
 in modern, more enlightened times. Nor "wiH itj I truft» 
 bfe confidered ds favouring of national pfi^e, rathet 
 than as expfd&vt df juft gratitude to heaven j if I add, 
 ifliat to n6 inftance amOngthe few which modetn rimes 
 have exhibited, claiming any title to the above de- 
 fcifiption, is it To fully applicable, as to that of oar own 
 highly favoured country. 
 
 As to the defign or final caufe of gt^Vernnteitt, Mfc 
 feel no more doubt than with regard to its legitimate^ 
 origin, or the proper fource of the ruler's power. That 
 is the gieneral good of the people, as this is their gener- 
 al-will. I fhould bltifli for my country, or for myfelf, 
 did I hefitate to fay, that we are agreed in exploding 
 the abfurd idea of the many being made for the few; 
 and of rulers, as fuch, 'not living for the people, rather 
 than the people for them : or did I fuppofe that it 
 could be felt as any difparagement by thelatterj 
 to be ftyled the ferVants of the public. Their ufefiil- 
 ^lefsis their honour J and they are great in proportion a& 
 they minifter to the general good. This, how- 
 ever, does by no means fuggeft'that a confcioufnefs of 
 their being benefaftors, ought to be their only ^ward.— ^ 
 While afting in charafter, they merit not only the ef- 
 teem and refpea of the peopte, but have a right to find 
 their own interefts promoted by their exertions for the 
 benefit of others. If they are fervants, they are by no 
 means flaves. They are not bound to giv« their labors 
 to the public, without an honourable compenfation j 
 though in common with others, they ought to be under 
 the influence of thofe fublime principles of patriotifni| 
 and religion, which may induce them, when peculiar 
 
 q|canon 
 
ELECTION SERMON. § 
 
 ticcafion calls, to make'fuch faQrifices for their coun- 
 try's welfare, as nothing but the grsltitude and affec- 
 tion of their country can repay. 
 
 This reprefenlation of the defign of governntierit 
 and the ruler's power is not lefs agreeable to fcripture, 
 than it is. to enlightened reafon jarid is indeed, fuggefted 
 by the apoftle in the words preceding the text. He 
 fpeaks of governors as fent " for the punifliment of 
 evil-doers, and for the praife of them that do well.", 
 The office of the ruler or maoiftrate is not lefs honora^ 
 Ble or necelTary Secaufe apart, and no fmall part, of 
 the good which it produces is of the negative kind, or 
 confifts in preventing evil. Arid if the piinifhing or 
 preventing of evil feem, according to the apoftle'sre- 
 prefentationj to be the objeft of govet-nment and its laws, 
 father than recompencing fiich as do well : or we be 
 ready to alkwhy praife is the only recompenfe allotted 
 to well-doing, whili; piinifHment is the portion of thofe 
 who do evil ; we Qiail neverthelefs find his minner of 
 dxpreffiori fuffieiently accurate, if we confider that 
 ■well-doing, in the fenfe here made ufe of, is its own re- 
 ward. He who carefully obferves the laws of fociety ; 
 whoisjtift, faithful, fober and temperate, and wifely 
 purfuesthe pathof horieft induftry, finds his advantage 
 info doing, without any dire£t reward from the govern- 
 rhent under which he lives. Virtue tends to happinefs* 
 Such is the conftitution of heaven. This tendency, in- 
 deed, is often counteraflied by the folliesf and vices of 
 men. A virtuous individual might be happy in the 
 ftate of nature ; at lead he might be free from thofe 
 evils and injuries againd which government is calcu- 
 lated to proteft him, if all aroul^ were as innocent and 
 B ' virtuous 
 
10 ELECTION SERMON. 
 
 virtuous as he. The primary defign of government, 
 thereforeis, notfo much to render the fubjefts of it pof* 
 itively happy, as to prevent their being rendered mifer- 
 able by the violence, injuftice, fraud or negligence of 
 tlieir fellow men. This appears to be in perfeft con-; 
 formity to the apoftle Pau l's ideas, when he exhorts that 
 *« fupplications, prayers, interceffions and giving of 
 thanks be made for all men ; for kings, and for all that 
 are in authority, thai we may lead a quiei and peaceable 
 lifef inallgodlinefs and honejiy" 
 
 It is to be obferved, however, that all laws are not of 
 the penal kind, or defigned to deter from the commif- 
 fionofcrimes. Some propofe rewards^ Their imme- 
 diate objeft is to encourage exertions, in a particular 
 line. Calculated to promote the general good. And 
 many others, though neither direftly penal, nor df the 
 kind laft mentioned, are profeffedly defigned to increafe 
 the public emolument, ftrength and profperity, while 
 they fecure the peace and liberty of virtuous individu-, 
 als. In a word, civil government, when wifely and 
 faithfully adminiftered, is as really calculated as it is de- 
 figned to improve the condition of mankind, and to 
 widen the fphere of their enjoyments, as well as to reg- 
 ulate and ptoteO; them. A very extenfive fenfe may, 
 therefore, be juftly given to the Apoftle's expreffion, 
 when fpeaking of the civil ruler : « He is the minifter 
 of God to thee for good." 
 
 No man who impartially reads the exhortations of St. 
 Peter in the context, with thofe of St. Paul in his 
 epiftle to the Romans, and in his charge to Titus, 
 relative to civil obedience and fubjeftion ; and recol- 
 leQs the language of our SAViouRjon which his conduft 
 
 was 
 
ELECTION SERMON. li 
 
 was fo juft a comment, with refetence to the fame fub- 
 jeft, can refufe to acknowledge that the Chriftian relig- 
 ion fufficientiy inculcates fubmilfion to government, 
 and looks with a very friendly afpeft on civil order and 
 fubordination. 
 
 Indeed, fo ftrongly and with fo little limitation has 
 chriftianity enjoined fubmiffion to the ruling powers^ 
 as to give fome degree of pliufibility to the charge of 
 its being unfriendly to the liberty of the fubje£l, and 
 the unalienable rights of men. The doQrine of paffive 
 obedience and non-refiftance, fo favourable to the felfilh 
 views and ambition of tyrants, andfo degrading to the 
 human charafter in general, has prefumed to derive its 
 origin from this religionj or at leaft, with confidence 
 appealed to it for fupport. It is prefumed, however, 
 that the expreffions in the New Teftamentj which feem 
 moft to favour the beloved doClrine of tyrants, may be 
 fairiyi^xplained and accounted for, in fuch a manner 
 that they will appear to give no real countenance to 
 fuch a do^rine ; and further, that upon an impartial 
 view of the Chriftian religion, we ftiall find abundant 
 reafon to acknowledge that it is moft friendly to rational 
 liberty,' and that the fpirit of it is moft congenial to that 
 of free governments. 
 
 There is good reafon for fuppofing that the exhorta- 
 tions of the Apoftles, recommending quiet fubmiffion to 
 the ruling powers, were bccafioned, efpecially by, and 
 had a particular reference to a prejudice which then 
 exifted in the minds of the Gentiles, and was taken ad- 
 vantage of by the Jews, againft the Chriftians, as though 
 they were' enemies to all government, and thought 
 themfelves on account of their relation to Christ, 
 
 freed 
 
«i? ELECTION. SERMpHr 
 
 freed froi|i all fubjeftion to any earthly powei:. This 
 prejqdice probably arofe from confounding Chriftian? 
 with Jews ; and knowing that principles of a very fe- 
 4itious nature, crin^inal ^o the Roqan, and. indeed to 
 all civil government, Were really held by a fe£i aniong 
 the latter, originated by Judas of Galilee, and on that 
 account, called, Galilea.ns, a name which, by the Hea^, 
 thens, was indifcrin^inately given to the Chriftians, i^l 
 the early days of our religion. 
 
 As the principle attributed, though unjuftly, to thp 
 Chriftians, o,r at leaft to Chriftianity, was fo fubverfive 
 of all ordef and government, it was of great importance 
 that they fhould carefully guard againft every thing iii 
 their language and conduQ, ^«fhich might tend, in the 
 Ipaft to juftify their enemies in fixing it upon them„ 
 This may well account for the Apoftle's urging obedi, 
 ence to the ruling powers, in terms fo ftrong and abfo.-; 
 lute ; and explains their giving the following or aifimi- 
 lar reafon for their thus preffipg it upon their Chriftian 
 brethren, — " That the word of God be not blafphem7 
 ed." It fliews alfo, that their objeft was not to define 
 the limits of fubmiffion, but to evince the obligation to 
 fubmiffion in general. Can it then be fairly inferred 
 from any thing which they have written, that our relig- 
 ion may be juftly charged with being unfriendly to lib- 
 erty, or giving any countenance to oppreffive and ty- 
 rannical goivernment ? Would the charge be juft, 
 though we fhould allow that it was the defign of the 
 Apoftles to recommend to their Chriftian brethren, in 
 exifting circumftances, an unreferved obedience to the 
 ruling powers j pot merely to fuch as were good and 
 juft, but to all 'vyithput exception, to the rulers of that 
 
 day, 
 
ELECTION $E.RMON, ,3 
 
 day, who, it is well known, were fuflRciently defpotiq 
 »nd oppreflive ? Certain it is, that had they undertaken 
 to qualify the obedience of the fubjeO:, the end of their 
 exhortations would haye been fruftrated ; for they 
 would by no means have vindicated themftlves, in the 
 eye? of the government, fpin tjhe fcgindail to whiphthey 
 were expofed. 
 
 I AM fenfible that our religion has been thought fufr 
 ciently deferifible againft the imputation of teaching 
 the flavilh doQrine of unlimited obedience and paffive 
 fubmiifion, upon the idea that the facred writers, when 
 they inculcate fubjeQion, in the ftrongeft and moft un- 
 qualified terms, ftill difcover, by the arguments which 
 they make ufe of to inforce it, that tkey confider gov- 
 vernment and ruling powers as what they ought to be, 
 notregarding what they really were : That they urge 
 obedience upon the principle that the: civil magiftrate 
 js the minifter of God for good, unto the people, and 
 therefore that their obligation to obedience cannot be 
 inferred, when he ceafes to maintain this charafler, and 
 becomes their fcourge and oppreljbr. 3ut ifthiscon- 
 ftruflion of the apoftolic writings, and particularly of 
 St, Paul's reafoning in the 13th chapter of /2owan5, be 
 juft, which, however, is not iiindifputed, there appears 
 to be no occa{ion for having recourfe to it. 
 
 Nevertheless, though it is allowed that chrif- 
 tianty does not profefs to define the refpeftive pow- 
 ,ers and rights of rulers and fubjefts, it is ftill contend- 
 ed that the fpirit of it is moft congenial to that of free 
 governtpentjS, and evidendy favourable to rational llbr 
 
 We 
 
14 ELECTION SERMON. 
 
 We readily aflent to our Saviour's declaration, 
 when he faid, « my kingdom is not of this world." His 
 immediate objeS was to improve the hearts, arid mend 
 the morals of mankind : To reconcile thena to the 
 Deity, and thus train them up as fubje&s of a fpiritual 
 and eternal kingdom. This object however, is in pef- 
 feEi confiftency with that of rendering ihem wifer, bet- 
 ter and happier, in every earthly relation, and of pro- 
 moting the prefent welfare, both of individuals and fo- 
 cieties. It is manifeftly, the tendency, and we need 
 not hefitate to coniider it as the defign, of his religion, 
 to render men better citizens of the. world as well as to 
 make them meet for an heavenly inheritance'; to give 
 them more juft idsasof, and difpofe them more faithfully 
 to difchargc, their refpeftive duties, whatever their 
 rank, ftation or condition in life. It is, doubilefs, a- 
 greeable to his will, and in perfeft conformity to the 
 defign of his fpiritual kingdom, that mankind Ihould 
 avail themfelves of every inftruftion which may be de., 
 duced from his religion, for fecuring liberty, peace and 
 pofperity, and enhancing thofe advantages which are. 
 derived from civil government, and the laws of fociety. 
 The fpirit of Chriftianity ought to be carried into 
 the adminiftration of every kind of government, and to 
 regulate the condu6t of all clafles of men, from the 
 higheft to the lowcft, but it does not thence follow that 
 genius and principles of fome kinds of government are 
 not more nearly allied to the fpirit of this religion than 
 others ; or that it does not point to the elefiion of one 
 form, rather than another. And if there beany one 
 form on which it looks with peculiar approbation^ can 
 we hefitate to fay, it is the Republican. 
 
 When 
 
Election SERNioN. t^ 
 
 Wmem bur SaviourTaid to his difciples, " All ye 
 are brethren^" did he not recognise or clearly counte- 
 nance that fundamental principle of republicanifmj the 
 natural equality of meti. I mean an equality with re- 
 gard to certain natdral and inherent rights ; the only 
 one which reafon can fuccefsfully undertake to defend^ 
 and which is in perfeEl confiftency with that difference 
 and almoft endlefs variety which is found among them, 
 with refpeft to original capacity, aptitude to goveirn, 
 education, riches, and influence derived from any of 
 thefe fources, or from all combined. 
 
 It was not neceflary that the author of our religion 
 fliould more fully avow that important maxim of all free 
 government, th^ rulers are inverted with power not 
 principally, for their own fakes, but for the good of the 
 community j or that he fhould more clearly difcounte- 
 nance the idea of hereditary power, and greatnefs deriv-* 
 ed from titles and diftinftions, not founded on merit, 
 than he did, when he faid to hijs followers, " Ye know 
 that the princes of the Gentiles exercife dominion over 
 them, and they that are great exercife authority upon 
 them ;' but fo it fliall not be among you : But whofoevr 
 er would be great among you, let him be your minif- 
 ter, and whofoever willTje chief among you, let him be 
 your fervant." 
 
 He did not fay, rejefi thofe kinds of government 
 which cherifh fentiments tending to deprefs, ?ind hold 
 in vafTalage the great mafs of the fieople ; in which ■ 
 numbers of the community live in idlenefs and luxury* 
 upon the labours of the reft, and enjoy privileges and 
 exemptions, greatly oppreflive to the degraded multi- 
 tude : But he faid by his Apoftles, « Be ye, all of you 
 
 fubjeS 
 
i6 ELECTION SERMON. 
 
 fu'bjeO: one to another — Bear ye one another's burden^ 
 •^— And, ferve one another in loVe." And he difcover- 
 €d in a {iriking manner, an impartial cohcerri for all his' 
 brethren, when reprefented as faying, " Inafmuch as 
 ye did it to the lead of thefe, ye did it unto me." 
 
 He has not faid that governments, in order to their 
 being free, muft be eleftive ; that all the members of 
 Che community are entitled to a voice, mediately or im- 
 mediately, in chboffng their rulertf, and making the laws' 
 by which tihey are governerl; or to' a degteb of weight 
 in the general fcale. But he has, by his Apoftle, com- 
 Aianded us to hoiiour all men ; and has compared the 
 Chriftian fociety to the htfman body; reprefenling all 
 flie members of'it as c^dnneQeJ with, and mutually de- 
 pendent on each other; fo that " the eye cannot fay to 
 the hand, I ha\^e no need of thee; nb'r, again, the head 
 to the feet, I ha^^e rio need of you." W'e are taught that 
 ** God hath tempered' the body together, fo that there 
 Ihoiild be no fchififl therefh, but that* the members 
 Ihould have the fartie care one of another; and whether 
 One meniber fiiffer, all the members fufFer with it ; or 
 one tAenifaer be honoured, alh tb'e meiiibers rejoice with: 
 it."' 
 
 The Apoftle enjoins ohedieiice arid fidelity to their 
 own mailers, on all in a ftate of fervitude ; biit adds,' 
 " if thoii mayeft be free, choofe it rattier," that we 
 might not be left in doubt, which of thofe two ftates' 
 Bad the preference in his mind. 
 
 If it be thought of peculiar importance, in order t'o 
 detei'mihe what kind of government is moft agreeable 
 to the fpirit and principles of Chriftiariity, to en- 
 quire what form the Authoi of it inftituted irt his 
 
 church ; 
 
^LECTION SERMON. 1 7 
 
 fehuTch ; may I be permitted, without feemitlg to wan- 
 der too far from the prefent occafion, or to enter too 
 deeply into a difpu'ted queftion, to obferve, concifely— ^ 
 that if we except what may. be called Theocratic in 
 this government, particularly the appointment of its 
 firft officers, by Christ himfelf, and the escttaordinary 
 powers, with which thefe officers were invefted, for the 
 purpofe of fuCcefsfuUy propagiating a religion, foftrongr 
 ly oppofed by the lufts, paffions and prejudices of the 
 world : If we attend to the direO: evidence which we 
 have from the New Teftament, that one fpecies of offi- 
 cers was eleQed by the brethren : If we confider J;hat 
 the Apoftles do not appear to have had any proper fuc- 
 cefTors, the end of their office being anfwered in the 
 witnefs which they gave to the refurreftion of Christ, 
 and the foundation which they laid for tranfmitting his 
 religion to future generaiiona: If we recolleft that, by 
 Apoftolic direftion, cenfure was to be inflifted on an 
 offending brother, in an affembly of the wHole church ; 
 that no brother was forbidden to fpeak and exhort in 
 their religious airemiWies ; and, to mention no more, 
 that there was, for a time, , a community of goods, 
 among the early Chriftians-^he conclufion appears to 
 be juft and obvious, that, fo far as Christ has inftitut- 
 ed any particular kind of lafting government for his 
 church ; and fo far as this is pointed out to lis, by the 
 authority or example of the New Teftament writers, it 
 partakes largely and moll ftrongly of the Republican 
 and Elective form. ' : 
 
 I ONLY add, that the friendly afpeft of our religion 
 
 on thecaufe of liberty in, general, and of confequence, 
 
 on the moft free governments, is clearly vifible in the 
 
 C whole 
 
tS ELECTION SERMQM. 
 
 tenor ahci tendeiicy of its precepts, which is to proraote^ 
 not only the divine, but all the benevolent and focial 
 virtues j to cherifh that charity which worketh no ill to 
 his neighbour, and to deter men from every a£l of injuf- 
 tice, treachery or linkindnefs, whereby the rights and 
 liberties of any of tWr brethren might be violated ; in 
 the exhoitatitins which arc given to chriftiariSj to ftand 
 faft in the liberty wherewith they are made free ; not to 
 be the febvarits of men ; not to call any man matter on 
 earth ; not to aiFeO; being called Rabbi, and not to ex- 
 ercife loi?dly dominion over each other. 
 
 Perhaps I ought to apoldgife for dwelling fo long 
 upon a. point, on which this refpeftable audience may 
 be fuppofed to have felt themfelves previoufly agreed. 
 It is hoped, however, that an attempt to illuftrate the 
 indired: tellimony which the beft of religions furniflies, 
 in favour of our own conftitutions of government, will 
 not be deemed an improper dne, by the friendsj either 
 of repubUcanifm or chriftianity. 
 
 Wh At has been already faid, is t truft, more than fuf- 
 ficient to explain the occafion of the apoftles words, in 
 the text, and their meaning as they relate to that occa- 
 fion. This appears to be, that it was the will of God, 
 with refpeft to the chriftians to whom he wrote, that 
 they fhould with due fubje£lion to the civil powers, 
 filence the ignorance of foolilh men j or the obje6Uons 
 and complaints of all, who, through prejudice, or want 
 of acquaintance with them, and their religion, accufed 
 them of principles or pra£lices unfriendly to govern- 
 ment. Such fubjeSion, we have reafon to conclude, 
 was the well diotng efpecially intended. But taking the 
 words in a more general fenfe, though ftill as relating 
 
 to 
 
ELECTION 3ERM0N. ig 
 
 to government^ and tbc'dyities cpnnefted with it, may 
 they riot, with proprietyj b4 recominended to |he at- 
 tention both of rulers aridAibjeSs, eij^Bciailly at a time 
 when.paisty fpirit is fo prevalent, that not a few of hoih: 
 find themfelvcs expofed to cenfures which they ought 
 not to defervcj and which tHey raiift naturally wilh to 
 ^cnce? 
 
 • Box it may be alkedj will not ignorance : and foUy 
 be foreveir clamorous? Muft not he ^fi^ho attempts to 
 iilence them, underi;ak£ an kelplefs taik ? Can it be the 
 will of Gob thatwe ftould perform impoflibilities ?,Is it 
 not enough that we (hould be required to prevent or 
 filence the complaints of the candid and judieiou^? To 
 the following cokftruHion, which is prefumed to be the 
 true one, there ?an be po difficulty in aiTegting : That 
 it is^ the duty of all to. endeavour,^by well doing, in their 
 tefpeSive ftations and relations, to prevent every jufl: 
 ground of complaint againft them ; and to conduft in 
 fuch a manner as will have the moft probable tendency 
 to put to filence ?ven the ignorant and fooliih. 
 
 Permit me now to fuggeft, that if ^ulerf would con- 
 form to the will of God, and the fpirit of what is rec- 
 ommende^^ in the text, they will feel themfelVes obliged, 
 praQically to remember the origin of gOTiernment, and 
 the fource of their authority and power. ; If they duly 
 confider that civil government is the ordinance of Godj 
 they wiii view themfelves as his minifte^Sj and ^barged 
 with an important gommiffion from him whoi '^ ftandeth 
 in the congregation of the mightyj and jud^eth among 
 the Gods." They will feel an elevation calculated, not 
 to fofter pridcj but to inifpire noble fentiments, and the 
 ftioft generous and laudable kind of ambition; jt-nd cher- 
 
 ilh 
 
so ELECTION SERMON. 
 
 ifli that felfrefpeft 'which will render them cautious 
 and circuoi^ed in > their deportment, and fearful of 
 finking the dignity of the ruler in the vices or follies of 
 the man.- They will temerober the charafter of him 
 whofe minifters and reprefentatives they are ; they will 
 take heed that they da not, by unfaithfulnefs, negligence, 
 felfifhnefs, or any bafenefs of behaviour, mifreprefcnt 
 and diflionorHiM who has put ftich honor upon them; 
 and carefully endeavour to mariifefl unto all who witne{s 
 their adminiftratibn, that they:know him who exercifeth 
 loving kindn&fs, and judgment and righteoufiiefs, in the 
 eatth. They will not forget that being raifed above 
 their brethren, in aiithority, does not render them left 
 accountable to him who is the judge of all the earth,; 
 but rather, will be ferioufly impreffed with the intereftT 
 ing importance of that divine maxim, unto whom much 
 is given, of him wUl much be required. 
 
 Remember'ing alfo that their power is not derived 
 immediately from God, but through the intervention of 
 thofe, over whom tKeir power is extended, they will feel 
 the propriety and importance of refpefting the people, 
 as well as themfelVeis. This caution is ufually applica- 
 ble to rulers, in all kinds of government, even the moft 
 defpotic : For, in all- ^' the phyfical ftrength refides in 
 the govierned; and 'this ftrength wants olily to be felt 
 and roufed, to lay proftrate the moft ancient and eon- 
 firmed dominion." But efpecially may it be recom- 
 mended to republican rufers, whofe authority, while in 
 common with that of others it derives its fupport froni 
 public opinion, is more fenlibly and immediately de- 
 pendent on the Suffrages and jgerieral will of the govern- 
 ed. We reprobate the inconfiftent idea of power, de- 
 legated 
 
ELECTION SERMON. si 
 
 legated to the rulers, remaining, at the fame time, in the 
 hands of the people: Yet,in governments like ours, where 
 all delegated power may be faid, by means of frequent 
 elefibions, to retufti, after (hort intervals, to thofe who 
 gave it ; and their right to change even the conftitution, 
 when the public good ipay require, is clearly acknQw- 
 ledged, there appears to be a peculiar propriety in rul- 
 ers treating the general opinion, and feelings of the 
 people^ with delidacy and refpe8:. And this, not mere- 
 ly for their own advantage, and with a view to the more 
 certain enjoyment of the public confidence and affec- 
 tion, but alfo from a patriotic regard to the general wel- 
 fare and tranquillity j that the people may, not be fur- 
 nilhed with a plea for attempting, or wifhing, frequently, 
 to fhake foundations, and make injudicious or dfinger- 
 ous changes in the conftitution. 
 
 It is a di&ate of found policy, as well as of chriftian 
 morality, that we fliould, not only endeavor to do that 
 >^ which is right and good, but, ifpoffible, to do it in luch a 
 manner (Aal our good may not he evilfpoken of. It is, by 
 no means, inconfiftent with that firmnefs, and refolute 
 adherence to what appears to be right, which charaQerizes 
 a good ruler, to aim, habitually, at providing things ho- 
 neji inthejight of men i and to ftrive hy manifefiation of 
 the truth, to commend himfelf to every man'i confcierxe, in 
 the fight of Govt. 
 
 Again, if rulers do what, is in their power to put to 
 filence the ignorance of foolilh men, they will praQieal- 
 ly remember the DESIGN of government, or the end 
 for which they are inverted with authority. In the whole 
 of their adminiftratioD^ they will direft their aim, and 
 
 point 
 
22 ELECTION SERMON. 
 
 ptMHt their endeavours to the general good. Whatevef 
 fphere they move in the fyftenj of government, this will 
 be the centre towards which their views and afitiofts will 
 tend. They- will diveft themfelves, as much as poffible 
 df felfifli, of local, and of party pre|u(Jices. If they are 
 legiflatorsj they will, in making laws, ever eonfiiH the 
 good of the whole community. A^4 though it may be 
 often proper to make fuch, as are de%ned. to benefit,, 
 more immediately, a part, yet they will confenttpnope, 
 which, in their view, will operate in|urioufl,y with re-i 
 fpeQ: to the whole, And if their office be to execute the 
 laws, they will be guided by the fanse principle. They 
 will .view all claffes and, conditions of men with an e(|ual 
 eye. They will not ei;pploy their power and influence 
 to opprefs the poor,, in judgmeat j or fcreen the 
 guilty from deferved punjfhment, on account of tlieir 
 riches or honors. They will not bear the fword in vain, 
 by negleQing the duties required of them ; or from 
 iinifter motives, overlooking crixnes which they ought 
 to punifti ; but in fuch a manner as ijo be a terrof to evil 
 doers, while they are a praife to them who do well. 
 
 FuRTH jR, if rulers would, as much as poflibje, fccure 
 themfelves from cenfure, by conforming to the will of 
 God, it highly concerns them to confider the influence 
 -of religion upon , the preffcqt happinefs of mankind. 
 Upon the acknowledged principle, that religion, if not 
 abfolutely neceflary to the exiftence, is greatly condu- 
 cive to the order, peace and welfare of civil fociety, 
 they will feel themfelves bound to make all that provi- 
 fion for diffeminating the knowledge, and enforcing 
 the praClice of it, among the people, which is oonfiftent 
 with the rights of confcience ; rights which they will 
 
 ever 
 
feL^CTlON 'SERMO>J. 43 
 
 ^^er hold facred, and never prefume to violate, even 
 Vrlth a view to promoting what they may efteem the 
 greateft good of the community ; fenfible that they, 
 equally with others, ate bound by the prohibition, noi 
 io da evil tkui gedd maji came. They will, upon the 
 fame principle, and under the c6nvi£lion, that it does 
 not appertain to theni to de(iree articles df faith or 
 modes of vorlhip, prote^i all denomiijations in the 
 peaceable exercife of their religiort, and in worfhipping 
 God according to the dilates of their confciences. 
 Confiftently, however, with the above mentioned coa- 
 vi£lion J and that fuch protection may b6 effeftually 
 grahted, they will, not pnlyfeel themfelyes at liberty. 
 But under obligation to reftrain the liceotioufnefs of 
 thofe, whO) regardlefs of all religitjus inftitutions, would 
 throw down the barriers, defigned to feparate from oth- 
 ers, that day which is peculiarly devoted to the public 
 worfliip of God. 
 
 The ruler's refpeS for religion may, and ought to be 
 difcovered alfo by diftinguifhing thofe who appear to 
 reverence its laws, in the di^ribution of public offices ; 
 fo far, at leaft, as a due regard to other qualiEcations 
 will permit. If they would filence the ignorance cS the 
 Ibolifli, or give no occaBon to the judicious and well 
 difpofedto cenfure their conduft, they will follow the di- 
 reftion given to the Ifraelites, refpeQing the choice of 
 their rulers ^nd judges — provide jfwcA as fear God, as 
 well as able men, and haters of covetoufaefs. Their eyes 
 will be upon the faithful of the la»dj to honor and pro- 
 mote them ; ' nor will they fuffibr 'epnfiderations of 
 friendihip, aiinity, or fclf intereft. to' outweigh tiiofe #f 
 perfonal charaQer. 
 
 But 
 
24 ELECTION SERMON. 
 
 But theire is yet another way in which their regard 
 forreligidn may be moft effeQually exprelTed, and this 
 is, exhibiting iii their own charaQers, that which it is 
 theirduty to honour in others. It is poffible that men 
 may refpeft religion in others, who do not habitually 
 feel its influence themfelves ; at leaft, they may occa- 
 fionally diftinguifli and honor it, when their own au- 
 thority, intereft, or favorite fcbemes may be protridted 
 by fo doing. It would, however, be with faint hopes of 
 fiiccefs, -{hould we tecommend to men deftitute of reli- 
 gious principle, the making of fuch principle an objeft 
 in the appointment of others to places of power and 
 triift. And indeed, with refpe£l to their own fidelity, 
 and uniform attention to the duties of their office, we 
 c&nnot feel that confidence in men, %ho profefs not to 
 be; governed by higher motives than thofe of honour, 
 civil virtue or regard to reputation, which we cheerful- 
 ly repofe in fuch as give us the additional fecurity, 
 which is derived from thdfe fublime principles by which 
 religion) and efpecially the chriftian religon, awes, coh- 
 trouls, direfts and animates its votaries. 
 
 In connexion with what has been now faidjit is nat- 
 ural to obferve^ that if rulers would hope to avoid," hot 
 merely the clamours of ignorance and folly, but the 
 frowns of knowledge and virtue, they muft be exempla- 
 ry in their own refpeft for, and obedience to thofe laws 
 by which they are inftrumental in binding their breth- 
 ren. If they treat their own inftitutions with prafilical 
 contempt, they will be juftly chargeable with the abfur- 
 dity of pulling down with one hand, what they build 
 with the other. It is of as real importance that they 
 fhould govern, as that the minifters of religion fhould 
 inftruft and purfuade, by example. The 
 
ELECTION SERMON. 25 
 
 TkE inquiry, how the fubjeSs of government ought 
 l6 conduOy that they may comply with the fpifit of the 
 inftruftion given in' the text, now demands our attention. 
 The fum of the anfwer we may find in the words imme- 
 diately following. « As free, and not :ufing your liberty 
 as a cloke of malicicnifnefs, but as the fervantis of 
 God." 
 
 ^As HIS fervants, it becometh tkem^to reimcmber that 
 fubmiffioH to government is a duty^ than which fcarcely 
 any one appears to be more clearly enjoined by him. 
 Reafon teaches us that whatever tends to promote the 
 happinefs of mankind, is agreeable to the benevolent 
 author of our beiflgs. For the neceffity, importance 
 and falutary tendency of government, of laws and 
 magiftrate?, to be a terror to evil doers, and aprotefltion, 
 as well as praife to them that dt> well, we need .not ap- 
 peal merely to the feelings of thofe who have fuffered 
 in their perfons, their property or their coimexionsj by 
 the audacious wickednefs of the high-way robber, or 
 the infidious, and even mora alarming vlllany of the 
 midnight thief, incendiary and aflaffin. On this point 
 geaeral experience abundantly confirms the decifioh of 
 reafisn; The conclufion is obviou^. « The voice of 
 revelation, alfo, is dear and decifive upon our obliga- 
 tion to civil obedience : So clear, that we may fafely 
 pronounce real enemies to government, to civil order 
 and fubordination, praQical enemies, at leaft, to our 
 holy religion. Whatever they may be in name, they 
 are not chrillians in fpirit and in truth. To declare 
 any one, an enemy to government.in general, is there- 
 fore a high and grievous charge. It maybe, and, no 
 doubt, often is mifapplied. This may bd the language 
 D of 
 
26 ELECTION SERMON. 
 
 of ignorance, of folly, of prejudice or malice, as well a9 
 the complaints which are too often uttered againft thofe 
 by whom government is adminiftered. Nothing which 
 fober reafon diftate?, or which Christ, or his apoftles 
 have taught, on this fubjefl, furniflies any juft ground 
 for the pretence^ that refiftahce to the ruling powers is^ 
 in all cafes, contrary to the will of God, and the fpirit 
 of our religion : Much lefs, that all difapprobation ofi 
 or fpeaking againft the meafures of thofe in authorityi 
 is criminal. We have not fo learned Christ, nor the 
 principles of civil fubjeftion. In this refpeft we may, 
 and ought to condufl: as free. But. if we would do 
 what we ought to prevent or filence complaints, with 
 regard to the ufe which we make of our liberty, we 
 muft confider the ill confequences of a groundlefs 
 diminution of the public confidence, in our civil rulers^ 
 We muft remember that although they may not intro- 
 duce more of myftery into their adminifttation, than 
 particular circumftarices, or the general natui'e of gov- 
 ernment may require, yiet we are not dapable of know-i 
 ing, in all cafes, at ledft, immediately^ the motives 
 which influence their condu6l. Their means df infor- 
 mation are mofe perfe£l, and their field of vifion more 
 extenfive than thofe of private individuals. Thefe con- 
 (iderations will diQate candour and tenderfiefs, in the 
 judgments which we form of their public condu£l, in 
 thofe inftances which appear moft doubtful, or liable to 
 fufpicion ; and are calculated to produce a habit of 
 manly and generous, though iiot of blind and implicit 
 confidence, in the uprightnefs of their views, and the 
 wifdom of their meafures. The fame confi derations 
 fhouldalfo infpire us with the truly patriotic refolution, 
 
 of 
 
ELECTION SERMON. 27 
 
 of (landing forth in the defence of our rulers, when we 
 conceive them-to have done wellj and their meafures 
 to be unjuftly attacked ; and induce us, by enlighten- 
 ing, according to our ability, the ignorant, to filence, 
 if polfible, their groundlcfs com plaints. Permit me to 
 obferve, that fuch a kind of confidence, as has been rec- 
 ommended, may, with peculiar juftice, be expeSed of 
 the fubjeQs of fuch a government as our own, in which 
 all the rulers are, either direftly or indireftly, appoint- 
 ed by the people : Since, in cenfuring them we do,, in 
 fome meafure, caft a reflexion on our own, or at leaft, 
 the public wifdom or integrity. 
 
 While we hold faft the liberty of private judgment^ 
 and aflert our right to inveftigate and difcufs the mea- 
 fUres of government, if we would give no juft occalion 
 of offence, we fliall exercife this right with prudence 
 and decency. W? fhall appeal to difpaffionate reafon 
 and argument ; and not have recourfe to reviling, fcur- 
 rility and abufe. Thofe do but injure a good caufe, 
 while they render a doubtful one, ftill more fufpicious. 
 Need I add, that falfehood and deception, however they 
 may be viewed by the optics of corrupt policy, or 
 violent party zealj area kind of weapons which will be 
 rejeQed with abhorrence, by every true friend of liber- 
 ty, of government, and his country, 
 
 The man to whom this chara£ler belongs, whatever 
 his fentiments may be on difputed political queftions, 
 will, we may expeQ, quietly yield up private opinion to 
 that of the pubic, as expreffed by the conftituted or- 
 gans of the general voice ; fo far at leaft, as to fubmit, 
 without diffieulity pr oppofition, to its eftablilhed effefts. 
 ^e will rejoice ip the profperity of his country, wheth, 
 
 er 
 
a& ELECTION SERMON. 
 
 er it were produped by the means which he pipigfewed* 
 or not And' with refpeB to meafure& which involve 
 o»ly.the queftion. of ejcpediencyj not that of juftice and 
 right, will feel willing that-events fbould detefmine their 
 wifdom or impropriety. 
 
 I ONLY obferve further, that a due.regard tothewill 
 of God, and the peace, order and' welfare of fociety^ 
 will deter him, from imputing to thofe who differ from.' 
 hiln, in fonie 'of their fentiments, on public meafures,; 
 worfe motives and; intentions than their condu6l clearly 
 indicates; and from exafperating the fpirit of party, 
 when already too violent, for the health of l)he. political 
 Jjodyi 
 
 From what has been faid of.the friendly afpeS of the 
 chriftian religion on ciVil liberty, and the congeniality 
 of its fpirit to that of the moft free governmentSj we may 
 infer, that as conformity to its principles and obedience, 
 to its precepts prevail, the rights of men will be more 
 thoroughly underftood^ and more facredly regarded. 
 
 And may we not view it, at leaft, as probable, that 
 theextenfion of republican principles and forms ofigov- 
 ernment will accompany that fpreading of the- gofpel, 
 in its power and purity, which the fcripture prophe- 
 cies reprefent' as oonftituting the glory of' the latter- 
 days ? The furprifing changes and revolutions which 
 have taken, and are taking place in Eutape, loudly 
 pronounce the prefent an eventful- period. Whether 
 they be not the wheelsj in the grand- machinery of 
 provi(Jence, which are to have a diftinguifhed efficien- 
 cy in hafteningthe fulfilment of ancient predifilibnsj re- 
 lative to the downfal of anti^chriftian and tyrannical 
 power, and thus introducingthe reign of truth> of peace, 
 
 and 
 
ELECTION SERMON, 9^ 
 
 and' equal liberty, is an inquiry which may well arreffi 
 the attention of every ferious and enlightened believcj* 
 in revelation. 
 
 Nor am I deterred from offering the above fuggeft- 
 ion, by reflefling that the great and formidable Repub- 
 lic, which makes fo confpicuous a figure on the bloody 
 theatre, has, in the midft of revolutionary violence, and 
 their zeal fordeftroying the corrupt appendages of the 
 chriftian religion, made war upon chriftianity jtfelf : 
 Nor by a review of thofe attendant enormities, from 
 which humanity ever mufl, and, as we have reafoh 
 to hope, the nation among whom they were perpetrated 
 now generally does, turn away with abhorrence: Nor 
 by any thing which may bcjuftly thought equivocal, or 
 alarming in their prefent defigns or condufti relative tp 
 us, or to furrounding natidns. 
 
 To the prevalence of infidelity, and an unparalleled 
 proftration of chriftian principles and inftitiitions, may 
 be juflly attributed, in no fmall degree, thofe fhbcking 
 evils which tarnifhed th^ glory of their wonderful revo- 
 lution. Nor let us haftily conclude that the ftrange and 
 impious attempts to banifii chriftianity, in the days of 
 anarchy and confulion, will prove effefiual to hpld it 
 in lafting exile, ; — or prevent its return, in an improved 
 and^more rational form, to blefs the reign of order, 
 peace and fettled governmenti Beftdes, we acknowl- 
 edge that the power and wifdam of the Deity are often 
 exercifed in bringing good out of evil. He difappoint- 
 eth the devices of the crafty, carrieth headlong the coun- 
 fel of the frowardjand bringeth about the moft important 
 events, by the means which they make ufe of to defeat 
 them. We remember how the enemies of Christ 
 
 flattered 
 
30 ELECTION SERMON. 
 
 flattered themfelves that they had effeOiually cruflied; 
 his power and caufe, when they accomplifhed his deaths 
 thougtj that very event was the corner ftone on which, 
 his kingdom was erefled; We recoHeS that the Af- 
 fyrian monarch is called the rod- of" Go»'s anger ; and 
 that tlie righteous defigns of the Almighty Ruler were, 
 carried into effeft through his inftrumentality, though. 
 he meant noi fo^ neither iid his heart think fo ; but it 
 tuas in his heart to iejlrpy and cut off nations, not a/eto. 
 And we affent to. the fcripture declaration : " Surely, 
 the wrath of man ftiall praife t,hee. j the remainder o? 
 wrath (h,alt thou reftrain," 
 
 REFtECTiNGon the legitimate origiDji anddefign o£ 
 civil government} what abundant reafon have we to feli- 
 citate ourfelves ou being, the inhabitants of a country, 
 in which the former is fo clearly, and praftically recogn 
 sized, and the latter fo. rationally and happily purfued ! 
 It is our happy lot to live under civil conftitutions: 
 ** which unite, and by their union eftablifh, liberty with, 
 order j" the latter of which is not lefs elfential to oup 
 permanent welfare, than liberty itfelf. We are citizensi 
 not merely of a fiugle Commonwealth, but alfo, of a 
 Federal Republic, which unites, for general defence, 
 and many imporiant purpolea, under one common head, 
 a number of diiftinft States, poffeflcd of qualified fove- 
 reignty, fpread over an extenfiye country ; and thus, 
 without endangering freedom, or giving up. any thing 
 efiential to the republican form of government, in a, 
 great meafure, if not entirely, obviates the often repeat- 
 ed objeSion againft this form, as being compatible only 
 to a fmall extent of territory. 
 
 Nor are our religious rights lefs firmly fecured to us 
 
 than our cj^il. Not by legal eftablifhments. Not by 
 
 .-' any 
 
ELECTION SE^M6!^. ji 
 
 afty i^thefr alliance between the church and ftatej thsirt 
 Vhat confifts in that rational refp>e£t which eaCh entef- 
 tSiins for the othdr, founded on a cdnviSliort of the im- 
 portance, both of religioA and government, to the hap- 
 pinefs of fociety. While religion, and the cfiriftian te- 
 ligion is countenanced, if Aot diTeftly patronized by the 
 riiliiig powers, every man is at liberty to worlhip Goii 
 in the rnanner which his confcience diSates to fa'e right; 
 Thecitizens of the United States are highly favout- 
 ed, in as .much as they are riot (hackled in their inquirie'Sj 
 by the baneful influence of i powerful andbigbted hierar- 
 chy, on the one hand ; nor, with pleafing confidence*, I 
 add, taught by general infidelity and irreligiort, in their 
 civil rulers, to flight the inftitutions of Ghriftianityj or 
 to negle£l the fupport, Or defpife thS inftruftiotis of 
 their fpiritual teachers, on the others * 
 
 Th AT.the great body of th6 people are poflefled of an 
 uncommon degree of valuable knowledge, compared 
 with moft, if hot all Other nations, with whom we are 
 acquainted j that the arts and fciences are floufifliing ; 
 that themeafis of education are improving, as well as 
 increafing, and that religion is generally refpeftedj a- 
 Biongft us, are confiderations which tend to confirral the 
 pleafing hope, that the Temple of Liberty which 
 has been erefted in this Weftern world,, will be as re- 
 nowned for its juration, as it is for the harmony of its 
 proportions, and the finiple elegance of its ftru6kn:e. 
 
 Were we to take a r^iew, (which however, the time 
 willj not permit,): of the various fcenes through which 
 we have pafled, in our progrefs from a ftate of depen- 
 dence on a diftant power, whofe impolitic meafures- for 
 
 fe curing 
 
^a JELECTION SERMON. 
 
 feturing, more firmly, our fubje£lion, were the Means rff 
 loling it entirely, to our prefent ftate of independence, 
 ptofperiry, wealth and refpeaabilitVj the recolleaion 
 inight well excite a throng of emotions in our breafts, a- 
 tnong which, gratitude to heaven would juftly claim the 
 preeminence. Foif it was not our own arm that faved 
 us ; but the right hand of the Lord, and his arm,* and 
 the hght of his countenance. This pious afTeSion, 
 however by no means forbids, and, I iruft, will hot ex- 
 clude the gratitude fo juftly due .to diofe patriotic war- 
 riors and ftatefmen, whom heaven has honoured, irt 
 making them important inftruments of our poHticai fal- 
 vation and .national profperity. Among this band of 
 worthies, it Would be unnatural and unjuft, not to dif- 
 tingutfh the late illuftrious Prefidentof the United States. 
 Viewing him botn in his military and civil Ghaira8;ef , 
 and tracing him through the whole courfe of his patri- 
 otic and benevolent labours, who will deny that he has 
 well done, and deferved moft highly of his country ? 
 May that retirement, to which he has been followed by 
 an unparalleled fhare of the public applaufe, efteem and 
 gratitude, be as happy as it is dignified ; and the even' 
 ing of his life as peaceful and ferene, as its day has 
 been aQive and ufeful I 
 
 While we cheerfully paiy this tribute of refpefl: to 
 the diftinguilhed merits of the retired Prefident, we dif- 
 claim the idea, of our political falvation or profperity 
 depending on the name or the virtues of a , fingle citi- 
 zen, however illuftrious. Let the well known abilities, 
 the extenfive political knowledge, the integrity and pa- 
 triotifm of that highly refpfeftable charafter, who now 
 fills the firft feat in our national government, be our juf- 
 
 lification 
 
ELECTION SERMON. 3^ 
 
 .tificatiph in fo doing. And let th^e general fatisfaQion 
 Vith which the refult of a late inteireftirtg eleftion was re- 
 ceived ; and tile confidence, arid fpirit of conciliation 
 \vith which both the firft and fecohd in Command, ajj- 
 jjear to be viewed by the people at large, fufiice to 
 falfify the glo6my predifilionS, and difappoirit the fears 
 and hopes of fQch as have, either kindly trembled for 
 Our fafety, o'r viewed with ci jealous eye, our rifing great- 
 hefs and refpe£lability. 
 
 Among the public caufes of jby and gratitude, it is 
 far from the leaft, that we have been enabled to realize 
 the invaluable bleffing of peace, while other nations, 
 with whom we are conneded, have fo feVerely experi- 
 enced the calamities of war. Oiir joy has, however, 
 lately felt a check, and a cloud haSj in a degree, obfcur- 
 ed the face of our national profperity, in confequence 
 of the mifunderftanding which has taken place, between 
 our government ahd the Republic of France. Never- 
 thelefs, we truft that thofe ties which bind the two na- 
 tions to ea'ch other, will not be: lightly broken by either j 
 and that both underltand their honour and' intereft too 
 well, to widen, rather than atteihpt healing the unhappy 
 breach. With i-efpeft to our own gbvei'nment, we feel 
 full confidence that, fronl a conViQion of the lindimin- 
 iflied value of peace, ahd a due regard to the diQates 
 of general benevolence, they wiH' be induced, before art 
 Ji^peal is made to the fword, to purfue the expedient of 
 negociatiorij as far as national dignity will permit : Far- 
 ther than this, it is prefumed, no citizen of independent 
 America will wifh them to go ; or patiendy bear tbe 
 humiliating idea of bein^controuled, or diQated to, by 
 any foreign nation whatev^er. 
 
 E Th^ 
 
34 ELECTION SERMON. 
 
 The aged and venerable chief Magiftrate of this Ccrni- 
 monweal|;h5* now that he is retiring from dse chair 6f 
 government, to which he has been repeatedly raifed by 
 his fellow-citisiens, who have thus clearly expreffed theif 
 grateful fenfe of his paft exertions, in the caufe of free- 
 dom and his country, will be pleafed to accept our 
 warmeft wiflies for Ijis health and happiiiefs ; That peace 
 may crown his latter days ; that he may live to fecj and 
 rejoice in the increafing^rofperity of his country, and 
 finally realize the bleffednefs promiffed to the faithful 
 difciples of Christ. 
 
 When we extend our views forward, to a fucceflbr, 
 in this high and honorable office, it is with much fatif- 
 faftion that we obferve the prevailing fuffrages of the 
 people pointing us to a CHARACTER,t in whom we can 
 feel fo ftrong confidence, that he will faithfully and uni- 
 formly endeavour to promote the true intereft of this 
 Q^nimonwealth, in connexion^ and confiftency with that 
 of the United. States. 
 
 His Honor, the Lieutenant ^overnor.^ will accept 
 cur congratulations, on the rencived teftimony which 
 he has receivejd of the efteem and confidence of his fel- 
 low citizens. By ftill exerting himfelf to ferve them, in 
 that honorable ftation, to which their fo general fuffrages 
 have called him, may he enhance their efteem and ap- 
 probation, as well as the final rewards of fidelity. 
 
 May the -Honourable Senate^ and Hoiife of Repre- 
 fentatives, in the eleftions of this day, and all their fu- 
 ture deliberations and decifiom, be aftuated by the pu-. 
 reft of motives ; a regard to the honour of God, and,the 
 
 fM bappinefs 
 
 * His Excellency Samuel ApAMs, Efq. 
 
 t His Excellency Increase Sumnek, Erg. , 
 
 t His Honor Moses Gill, Efq. 
 
ELECTION SERMON. ^ 
 
 hkppjijefs of thofe who have placecj confidence in theif 
 vrifdomand Ihtegrity. We truft they will not forget th^ 
 falutary influence of religion) on the welfare of ipivil fo^^ 
 ciety, nor the peculiar importance of the general difTu-- 
 fion of knowledge, in a Republic. We therefore aHtic-» 
 ipate their fojiciiousj and unremitted concern, not om 
 ly for our Univerfity, and Academies, but for thofe fmalU 
 er and more common feminaries of learning, en which 
 Our dependence, for the gener^ diflemination oflthe 
 moft ufeful knowledge, and a great part pf the benefit of 
 public religious inftrujEtion, muft ultimately reft. Hap-- 
 py will it be for the people, and happier (till, in the end, 
 forthemfelves, iftheyconfcientioufty purfue the way of 
 well-doing : If, by their laws, their influence and exam- 
 ple, they endeavour to difcourage vice, and honour and 
 promote that righteoufnefs which eXalteth a nation, while 
 it lays the only fure foundation of faap^inefs to individu- 
 als, both temporal and eternal. For, if to the chara£ler 
 of goo^Tulers, they join„that of good men, though they 
 fhould not be able, at al!^mes, to filence the ignorant 
 and foolifh, they will fecure the approbation of the wife 
 and candid; and above all, they will be glorious in the 
 eyes of the Lord. ;^ 
 
 This whole aflembly is reminded «of the obligation 
 which lies upon them to do well, not merely by fubjfc- 
 tion to government, and giving honour, to ' all among 
 their fellow-men, to whom honour is due, but by uni- 
 form fubmiffion to the will, and impartial refpefl; to all 
 the co|nmandments of the supreme ruler of the 
 world. Let us rejoice that we are called unto liberty, 
 and that our fubmifllion to government is fo rational a fer- 
 Vice. But let us take ffeed that we do notufe our liber- 
 ty 
 
36 ELECTION SERMOM. 
 
 ty either civil or religious, as a cloke of jnalicioufnefsi 
 Let usrnot fhow ourfelves unworthy of the j^rgef , eith^ir 
 by linriafonable and gf oiindlefs complaints of our rulerS 
 on the one hand, oV blind and fetvile confidencejn thein 
 tin'the ether : ■ By rieglefting or abufing the "important 
 privilege of eleQionj which We fo freely enjoy ; nor 
 by lofing! fight bf*t^ principles and fpirit of thojTe excel- 
 lent confti|utions ctfgoverrtnient, under which we live^ 
 And let us not abiife the latter, by iiijuftice,' fraud and 
 Falfehood^ by luxury, intemperance and corrup|;tng diffi- 
 pation;.nor by infidelity, profanenefsi and contemptu- 
 ous difmpl^i of religious inftitiltions. But duly appEje- 
 tiating the^merifsvboth of the .government and the relig- 
 ion with which we are Weffed, let it be our gre^t con- 
 cern, tp crown the virtues of the citizen with thofe of 
 the chriftian :- Thus firmly laying the foundation of a 
 joyful hope, that when the folemn period Ihall arrive* 
 jvhich will level all diftinQions, but thofe of the nioral 
 kind, we iftay firv4 a place among thejuft made perfe£t j 
 and wfth all thofe, who^ by p^ent continuance' in ivell- 
 doing, have fought glory, honMr, immortality, enter on 
 the enjoyment of-eteiri^al Jife. 
 
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