S E 11 M O 
 
 DELIVERED BEFORE 
 
 HIS EXCELI<ENCY JONAS GALUSHA ESQUIRE, 
 GOYEIINOR, 
 
 HIS HONOR PAUL BRIGHAM ESQUIRE, 
 
 LIEUT. GOYERXOR, , 
 THK }10^0RABLE COUNCIL, 
 
 ASD 
 
 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 
 
 OF THE 
 
 STATE OF VKR^^ION T- 
 MONTPELIF/R, 
 
 ON THK 
 
 DAY or GENERAL ELECTION, OCT. 8, 1SI2. 
 
 BY ISAAC BEALL, , 
 
 PASTOR oy THE bAtTIST CUVRCii OT CUKISJ IN T/IJyjr.T. 
 
 Published by order of the Legislature. 
 
 MONTPEHER, VERMONT. 
 rP.INTED BY WRIGHT AND SIB7..EY. 
 
 1812. 
 
In General Assembly, Oct. 9, 1812. 
 
 RejioLrED, that a committee be appointed confifting of three 
 members from this houfe, to wait on the Rev. Isaac Beall, 
 and return him the thanks of the hOufe, for his fermon delivered 
 before his excellency' the governor, ' his honor the lieutenant 
 governor, the honorabll council and houfe of reprefentatives ; 
 on the 8th inft/ being the day of eleSiion : and requeft a oopy 
 for the prefs. 
 
 JVTr. King, T 
 
 Mr. B. KiNNE, ^ Commit^ 
 
 Mr. Bailey, J 
 
 Atteft, " Wm. D. smith, Ciekk. 
 
SERMON. 
 
 .^FsoFESBS- XXIX. 2. When the righteous are in au- 
 thority, the people rejoice .- but lafien the wicked bear- 
 eth rule, the people mourn. 
 
 CjIVIL government is one of thofe bkflings 
 which a kind God has feen fit to beftow upon the 
 lapfed family of Adam. In this prefent imperfed 
 flate, a people could not long remain happy, with- 
 out civil government : to remain in fuch a ftate of 
 anarchy, would be to remain in a ftate of perpetu- 
 al war. To prevent fuch a dire calamity, God in- 
 ftituted this ordinance. Rom. xiii. . -^ 
 
 But as important as civil government is, to the 
 happinefs of man ; yet, li% all other gifts of prov- 
 idence its bleffings can never be enjoyed, but 
 through a juft and wife adminiflration, God has 
 ordained fummer and winter, feed-time and har- 
 veft ; but fliould we negleft our relative duties, we 
 fhould neither be fed nor clothed. 
 
 Though God has Ordained civil government for 
 the good of man, he has not inftituted any particu- 
 lar mode or form of go\'^i!i|ment ; but this he has 
 left to human wifdom, accwding to the different 
 circumftances, cuftoms and habits of different na- 
 tions. 
 
 A good and well adapted conftitution is to be 
 preferred ; neverthelefs, a defective conftitution, 
 wifely adminiftered, would be productive of gr6at- 
 
er good to thg community, than a gpod conftitu- 
 tion in the bands of unrighteous adminiftratoirs. 
 
 There may be futh ignorance, negled or injuf- 
 tice in the rulers on. the one hand ; and fucK want 
 of attention and fubmiffion (not to fay oppofition) 
 among the ruled on the other hand, as tp render 
 dvil governitieijt rather a curfe than a blefling. 
 
 ITiat civil power and authority might be vefted 
 in flich. men, under v?hofe adminiliration the peo- 
 ple might be rendered happy, feems to be the lead- 
 ing idea in the paffage read for confideration. 
 
 In adverting to this fubj eft, I fiiall endeaii^br to 
 give a fhort defcriptioii of thofe rulers, under whofe 
 aldminiftration the people rejoice. Secondly, reverfe 
 the fubjeft. Thirdly, a fhort imprpvement of the 
 ivhole. Then clofe with cuftontiary addireflies. 
 
 Agreeably to the propofed method, our atten- 
 tion is caUed, 
 
 I. To the charactei: of thofe rulers, under whofe 
 admiriiftration the people will rejoice. 
 
 Righteoufnefs is the only qualification of a civil 
 ruler, mentioned by the infpired penman in our 
 text. There are fon^^ who ftrenuoufly contend, 
 that a perfon muft be made righteous, by the impu- 
 tation of the righteoufi^ of the Lord Jefus Chrift ; 
 or .which is the fame thing, he mufl be poffeffed of 
 chriftianity, or he is not fuitably qualified for civil 
 office. Should this be granted',, in order to be con- 
 flftent, another thing muft be granted (viz.) that it 
 
is the only neceffary qualification : for when the right- 
 eous are in authority, the people rejoice That religion 
 would be of great utility to a civil ruler, will be 
 granted ; but that this is the only, or even an effen- 
 tial qualification, cannot be fo eafily admitted. For 
 according to this fehtiment, any man, giving good 
 evidence that he is a chriftian, 'how^ever weak his 
 intelleft, might with fafety be eledted governor o^ 
 the ftate, or prefident of the nation, ^ A fentiment 
 fo weak and glaringly inconfiftent, as to peed no 
 refutation. 
 
 It remains therefore, to be afcertsined, what that 
 righteoufnels is, which is a characleriftic of a good 
 ruler. i 
 
 , As civil government is alluded to in the text, it 
 is juft and reafpnable to conclude that the righteouf- 
 nefs, there fpoken of, is a political righteoufnefs, that 
 is, a rightepus adjniniftration jof the government 
 with which they are entrufted. To which feveral 
 things are neceffary. As 
 
 1. They muft be men of good natural abifities, 
 men of penetrating mind and foujid judgment. For 
 fiiould there be a defeat in their intelleft (however 
 btherwife qualified) they would never be able to look 
 through the intricate,, affairs of ftate j or attain to, a 
 qpnfiftent fcheme of adminifl;ration, which the good 
 and fafety of the public calls for. Therefore, men 
 of weak minds fliould never be chofen iiito office by 
 the freemen ; and in cafe of election, they ought 
 not to accept : for though they may be men who 
 poffefs honeft difpofitions of mind, yet the great af- 
 
fairs of ftate, exceeding their natural abilities, ren- 
 ders it utterly impoffible for them to adminifter the 
 government in righteoufnefs. In fuch a cafe, it 
 would be more honorable in a man to decline, than 
 ^ to accept of a place in civil government. *■ 
 
 2. In order to a righteous admlniftration of gov- 
 ernment^ rulers muft not only have good heads, but 
 they muft have good hearts. They fliould poffefs a~ 
 large portion of philanthropy, an ardent love for 
 their people. Love is the mainfpring of every inter- 
 ' ch ange of kind oiEces among men. In no cafe has this 
 divine principle a more efficacious operation, than 
 when the ruler's heart is infpired with a paternal af- 
 feftion towards his fubjefts. To be the father of his 
 people, is the magiftrate's dignity. . This cOnftitutes 
 his neareft conformity to our univerfal Parent. This 
 will ftimulate rulers topurfue the common hajipi- 
 niefs, under the greateft difficulties and moft preffing 
 trials. It was this, that animated a Mofes, infpired 
 a David, and fortified a Nehemiah, under the moft 
 alarniing trials, perplexities and dangers, while man- 
 aging the great affairs of ftate. And this will give 
 energy to the exertions of our rulersj for the prof- 
 perity and happinefe of their brethren ; and make 
 thejn efteerft the moft affiduous painful labors, but 
 reafonabl^ and pleafant fervices, for the public good. 
 That they may adminifter in righteoufnefs, civil ru- 
 lers muft poffefs a kincSand benevolent aflFeftion for 
 their people. ^ ' 
 
 S. In order to a righteous adminiftrationy rulers 
 muft be men of knowledge. Ignorant and unin- 
 formed ftatefmen, however ftrong their heads,- or 
 
afFedionate their hearts, can do but very Htjtle for 
 the good and happinefs of community. Their lim- 
 ited views will create local prejudices, and fubjecl 
 them t(f the artifices of interefted politicians. While 
 part of the community take undue advantages of 
 their ignorant mifmanagement of the affairs of ftate, 
 the body languifties and dwindles away for want of 
 counfel and energy in their adminiftration. It is a 
 matter of great importance, that rulers become ac- 
 quainted with the tempers, capacities, views and in- 
 terefts of the citizens, in every part of the govern- 
 ment, that they may adapt their adminiftration to 
 the advantage of the whole, without any material 
 injury to individuals. Rulers, unacquainted with 
 the interefts of the feveral profeffions ; and the rep- 
 utation and capacities of the principal characters, 
 will be likely to make grievous miftakes in govern- 
 ment, by confining their labors to a fmall circle j 
 and by lofing the fervices of the beft qualified men 
 in the ftate. What is more grepofterous, than for 
 rulers to exert their authority and influence for the 
 partial intereft of the territory in their own vicini- 
 ty, and to make the intereft of one party in the 
 community give way to the avarice and ambition of 
 another party. Rulers ihould have enlarged hearts 
 and well inftrufted minds, capable of comprehend- 
 ing the characters and interefts of the citizens ; and 
 with a generous impartiality, to feek the good of 
 the whole. 
 
 But this is not all the knowledge which is necef- 
 fary and effential to a righteous and faithful ruler. 
 But, 
 
4thly. They muft be well inftriifted' in the politi- 
 cals nuxims and laws of the ftate in which they are 
 to govern* The fafety of a republic depends much 
 upon a facred regard to the original principles of 
 their government. When thofe principles aredifre- 
 garded, every right and privilege is endangered ; 
 and the adaninifttatioh degenerates into tyraiiny and 
 oppreffion. It was a peculiar qualification in Solo* 
 man for civil government, that God gave him^ mfe 
 and underjianding heart. Rulers fhould under&nd 
 the fyftem of laws, and thofe forms of adminiftra- 
 tion, to which the people are accuftomed ; and con. 
 form themfelves to Ae original principles of thieii^ 
 government : this will form fuch a line of < cdndudi 
 in, their adminiftration, that the people may knQ^ 
 what to expeft itam. them. Thus, by wifdom and 
 underftanding the go«p^ernment is eftablrfhed j the ex^ 
 pe6:ations of the commumty anfwered, and thdr 
 hearts made to rgoioe. y 
 
 5thly. In order to a good adminiftration of gov- 
 ernment, rulers m^ft be controlled in all their meajQ 
 ures, by truth an4, integrity. For wi£dqm without 
 integrity, will foon degenerate into cunning and ar- 
 tifi(;e ; by which the ig.tereft of the community will 
 fall a prey to thofe who fhould be their protedlors. 
 A magiftrate devoid of truth and fincerity, is. the 
 fnare and perdition of his fubjeds. All power, 
 therefore, fhould be founded in truth, botl^ in the 
 attainment and exercife of ,lt. The Up of truth Jhall 
 he ejiahlljhed forever : but a lying tongue is but for a 
 moment. Excellent Jpeech becdmethnot •a fool, mut/h lefs 
 do lying lips a prime. 
 
An adminiftration founded in truth and rights 
 eoufnefs, will bear the teft of fcrutiny, aiid prbve 
 advantageous in the end : while the duplicity of de- 
 ceitful politicians will involve both rulers and ruled 
 in perplexity and general ruin* All leading meii 
 ought to adopt righteous meafures, and profecute 
 them with fiaiple uniformity and honelt finceritVi 
 Jt fliould be the firft obje^ of them who role over men, 
 to be juji, to be true in their adminiftration ; not 
 having a myfterious fyftem of delufion, to deceive 
 others into their fraudulent intentions. 
 
 In order to gain the confidence of the people, 
 and caufe them to rejoice in their adminiftration, ru- 
 lers aiuft be men upon whom they may fafely de^ 
 pend. Without this confidence, fubjeds can derive 
 very little happinefs ot advantage f^-om civil govern- 
 ment, _ / 
 
 6thly. Prudence is another trait in the cliarader 
 of a righteous ruler : neceflary at all times ; but of 
 infinite importance in our prcfent circumftances. 
 Knowing that a kingdom divided dgainji itfelf cannot 
 Jiand, their councils will be ^cific, and their meaf- 
 ures conciliatory, being the ttioft likely way to prcr 
 ferve and cement the general union. The advice of 
 Jofeph to his brethren, is very, fuitable at this tittie, 
 and claims the particular attention of thofe who are 
 at the head of our public affiiirs '.fee that ye fall not 
 out by the way. tiappy would it be fOr the commu- 
 fiity, fhould their rulers, fupreme and fubordinate^ 
 be direded by the maxims of prudence and difcre*- 
 tion, in the things of our political peace. 
 
 The light of nature and fcripture, condeinn fuch 
 B 
 
10 
 
 a confidence in God, as hinders the prudent and in- 
 duftrious ufe of means for fafety. At the fame 
 time, the fuccefs of the moft.appofite means and 
 beft concerted meafures, always fuppofes the divine 
 concurrence. Jehovah has air times arid all hearts 
 in his h^nd, and can fo influence our public coun- 
 cils, as to fl:reiigtheri and perpetuate the union, even 
 as he bowed the' hearts of all the men of Judah to Da- 
 vid, as the heart of one man. 
 
 As in a good conftitution of government, there 
 is no abfolute power but that of the laws, a rever- 
 ential re^ltf to the divine approbation, will have a 
 mighty influerice in maldng and executing fuch as 
 are prudent arid falutary. The great Ruler of the 
 univerfe has noMmpofed his la\<rs upon^men, mere- 
 ly ias a teft of' their obedience ; but as lefloBfs to 
 prevent their ruiri, and teach them how to be hap- 
 py. A model, wlwch eternalizes the benignity of 
 thofe human laws which are fuggefted by prevenr 
 tive prudence : a fiandard of benevolence, from 
 which fubordinate leg||4tOrs fliould never deviate. 
 Aftingiti charafter as;the ffz?KJ/?^rj of God, fof good to 
 the people, thej will eftlfm it more eligible to prevent 
 crimes than to punilh them. 
 
 It being the grea^end of government, to fecure 
 the civil happinefs of the community, it is necelTa- 
 ry and proper, that tap laws by which they cOnfent 
 to be governed, flioul^ be as few, clear, and feafy 
 in their application aSipfjffible. For laws, , when 
 needlefsly multiplied, pecbme a vexatious and intol- 
 erable burthen. 
 
 The laws of Jehovah, %|ing a tranfcript of per- 
 feft redlitude, there can b^fto jifeafonable objection 
 
11 
 
 raifed againft their being executed.^ In like manner, 
 human laws ought to be fo righteous and mild, as 
 to intereft the community in their punctual execu- 
 tion, and in no inftance fail Of being enforced. It 
 is neceffary to civil happinefs that government be 
 fupported and refpefted. But this will not be the 
 cafe if good laws are evaded with impunity. What 
 has a greater tendency to weaken the authority of 
 a ftate, than to continue laws in exiftence which the 
 powers that be cannot or care not to execute ? " The 
 fcripture character of rulers, is that they are not a 
 terror to good works, but to the evil. Power is grofsly 
 abufed and perverted when wicked citizens are fof- 
 tered and protefted by authority. God has ordain- 
 ed rulers to avenge the wrongs vf injujiice and oppref- 
 Jion, and the violence of /edition and rebellion. No fa- 
 vor or friendfhip, no relation or connexion with 
 men in power, fliould fecure the wicked from pun- 
 ifhment. Righteous magiftrates will, by the fword 
 of juftice, fupprefs immorality and every tranfgref- 
 fion of relative juftice. God commands it, and 
 faithful fubjecis have a claim upon their rulers, to-be 
 protefted from fraud and qppreffion : to have the 
 laws executed, their perfohs, their liberty, and 
 their property protefted from the depredations of 
 la,wlefs and unprincipled men. 
 
 Such an adminiftration as this, would afford 
 abundant matter of rejoicing among the citizens, as 
 it would proteft their perfons and property, fecure 
 their rights and privileges ; and would render 
 them formidable to the nations of the earth. 
 
 Having thus defcribed thofe righteous rulers, 
 both as it refpefts their qualifications and adminif- ^ 
 
jtrations, which are calculated to lead the communU 
 ty to happinefs ; I proceed , 
 
 n. To contraft the fubjea, 
 
 If people have reafon to rejoice when they re- 
 ceive a juft, righteous, and prudent adminiftration 
 from the hands of their rulers, by which their in-, 
 dependence, rights, perfons, property and charac^ 
 ter are fecured ; they cannot forbear to njourn and 
 weep,'^ when they obferve in their rulers, a reverfe 
 of this excellent charafter, 
 
 Nothing occafions more grief to a people, than 
 to find their rulers fo devoid of aU fenfe of juftice, 
 equity and prudence, as to frame the. moft perni- 
 cious laws, which, in their operation, have been 
 produ<flive of infinite mifchiefs and the people en- 
 joined under fevere; penalties to enforce them ; and 
 which, with tolerable difcernment, might have; 
 been eafily forefeen. Should, therefore, a people 
 have the extreme misfojrtvfne to have rulers of fuch 
 a defcription, they could expedl nothing from them, 
 but fuch an,adminifl:ration, as would be the occafion 
 of perpetual forrow and mourping, as long as it 
 ihould continije. 
 
 And hence originates that di^onoF and con^ 
 tempt, in which the rulers of a people are fome- 
 times holden by their fubjeds. When a people def- 
 pife their m^giftrates, contemn their government, 
 profane the ordinance of God, and infult the min- 
 ifters of ftate, we are ready to confider, that fome- 
 times, fijch conduct may be the eSe6t pf ignorance 
 
IS 
 
 or unrighteoufiiefs in the adminiftrators. That ru- 
 lers fhould frame laws notorioufly unjuft, deprive 
 good citizens of their juft rights, and fubje(3s them 
 to fevere penalties, for no caufe but to gratify their 
 own evil paflions, is fuch a dire A violation of the 
 law of God, and rights of men, as muft fill every 
 fenfible heart with grief and horror^ 
 
 The people have equal caufe to mourn, when 
 ignorant and unrighteous men are preferred by their 
 rulers, and diftinguifhed by their fpecial favors. In 
 times of fuch degeneracy^, wicked and defigning 
 men obtain promotion: ; and fometimes fuch perfons 
 are entrufted with the more important concerns of 
 the public^ who never pofTeffed ability and economy 
 enough to manage their own. Hence the public are 
 deprived of the abilities of fuch, who are perfons of 
 the beft underftanding and judgment. Wken the 
 wicked are exakeda the right-eoui are hidden. Flatter- 
 ers and parafites are the men who find favor with a. 
 wicked adminiftration ;, but fuph as are jujffi and hon- 
 eft, are flighte.d and rejefted. Thofe who are loft 
 to all fcspfe of virtue, duty or, moral obligation, wiE 
 ufe their power to the worft of purpofes, and there- 
 by debafe their chara£ters in the eftimation of the 
 people,, who feel themfelves tf uly miferable under 
 their oppreflive adminiftration. They cannot but 
 mourn when they anticipate the event of fuch un- 
 righteous meafures, and- the fad confequences which 
 muft neceflarily be produ<:e,dj. 
 
 But why need I confurae time in attempting to 
 prove that which is felf evid A ? 
 
 I have finiflied my daralnal obfervations : and 
 haften tp fome practical refledions. As I have in the 
 
14 
 
 former, fo in this part of the difcourfe, I wifh to 
 fpeak with that unfettered freedom, which becomes 
 a fervant of God. 
 
 From our fubjeft colleftively, we learn firft, that 
 the rights and privileges, the liberty and happinefs ; 
 yea, and the lives alfo, of the great body of the peo- 
 ple, are, under God, entrufted in the hands of their 
 rulers. A weighty charge ! 
 
 As a ftimulous to the important, I had almoft 
 faid, infinite truft repofed in them, rulers fliould 
 conftantly call to mind their own mortality and ac- 
 countability to that God, whofe minifters they are., 
 
 I have faid ye are gods ; and all of you are children 
 of the Moft High. But yejhall die like men. Like all 
 other men, they fliall defcend to the grave, the 
 houfe •appointed for all the li'Oing. To death, fucceeds 
 their folemn account at the tribunal of Jefm Chrifi, 
 who is appointedjthe decifivejW^^ of all men : be- 
 fore his impartial judgment feat, the rulers and 
 judges of the earth, will ftand upon a level with 
 their meaneft fubje6ls|% In that folemn moment, 
 when the opinions of*'^men will be lighter than van- 
 ity, the flattering tongiae fhall be put to everlafting 
 filence, when judgm6%t fliall be adminiftered with- 
 out refpe<5b of perfons, the inquiry will not be 
 whether they have been rulers and judges in the 
 earth, and exercifed authority over the fons of the 
 duft ; but whether they have fiUed their flations, 
 kept in view their lafl; account, and prepared mat- 
 ters for their acquittal- in that folemn trial : in order 
 to this, it will not be fiifficient merely to plead, that 
 they have been righteous in their adminiftration of 
 
15 
 
 civil government ; but that they alfo, by faith, have 
 become interefted in the juftifying righteoufnefs of 
 the Son of God. 
 
 Were this day of retribution, which will foon 
 commence, duly confidered by magiftrates, how 
 could they fail to difeharge with diligence and care, 
 their facred truft ; and to be in earneft to become 
 minijiers of God, for good to the people ? And how 
 could they be willing to remain ignorant of the re- 
 ligion of Jefus Chrift ; which could afford them fo 
 much affiftance in the faithful difcharging the duties 
 of their oiEce ; and the only thing by which they 
 can be acquitted, when they ftand before ^their final 
 judge ? 
 
 2. That as a faithful difeharge of that truft 
 which is repofed in civil rulers, is the jufl due of 
 the citizens ; even fo all good fidelity and reafona- 
 ble fubjeftion is due from the people to their rulers. 
 This is the requirement of God, idet every frul e 
 fubjeEt unto the higher powers : for the powers that be 
 are ordained of God. Whoever, therefore, refi/leth 
 the power, refijieth the ordinance of God : and they 
 that reftfi, ' fhall receive to themfelves damnation. Put 
 them in mind to be fubje£l to^^ncipalities and powers, 
 to obey magijirates. Submit yopfelves to every ordin- 
 ance of man for the Lord's fake ; whether it be to the 
 king asfupreme ; or unto governors, as unto them who 
 arefent by him for ^ the punijhment of Evildoers, and for 
 the praife of them who da well. For fo is the will 
 of God, that with well doing, "ye may put to filence the 
 ignorance of foolijh men. If Cpch fubmiffion is reqiiir- 
 ed to a kingly government, how much^to a repub- 
 lican government ? ^ '^ 
 
16 
 
 The obedience we o\ve to magiftrates eitentially 
 differs from the obedience we owe to God. Our 
 obedience to God ought to be free and implicit ; 
 refulting from a fenfe of the jfecftitude of his pre- 
 cepts. But fiach obedience to human laws is not al- 
 ways required ; for fometimes we may doubt of 
 the fitnefs, yea, of the equity of them. For con- 
 fidering civil rulers as imperfed, and liable to err, 
 though it be highly proper and neceffary, confidef- 
 ing ourfelves members of fociety, that we conform 
 our aflions to their laws ; yet it is not always our 
 duty to believe that their laws are moft falutary, be-' 
 caufe human laws may fometimes be otherwife. 
 But our fociaj obligations require us to be fubje£l to 
 laws, which we may think very inconvenient, provi- 
 ded they are not finful in themfelves. It were hap- 
 py if fubjefts would not employ themfelves too 
 much, in difputing the policy and prudence of 
 their rulers, andvthe propriety of their laws : He 
 who is ever ready on all occafions to. impeach the 
 conduft of rulers, and .reproach their adminiftra- 
 tion, and difpute th|er' wifdom and propriety oi 
 their laws, obftrufts their ufefulnefs, wesljsens their 
 influence, and doeth all in his power to bring gov- 
 ernment into contemp|,j and to plunge the ftate into 
 confufion and difordaj : and thereby, expofes him- 
 felf to the juft refentment of that God, whofe m;»- 
 i/iers they are. 
 
 Civil government is of divine inftittition ; and 
 our minds are impreflfed at firft view, with the ne- 
 ceffity of it. Every oi^ mull feel and acknowledge 
 the propriety and utility of that fubordination in fo- 
 ciety which is required in the divine conftitution. 
 
17 
 
 Subjedion to laws ^being the firft duty o£ eyety 
 citizen, it ought, and will be cheerfully yielded by 
 every good fubjedt, though in fome cafes it may he 
 thought that the laws are not the beft caknilatedjor 
 theintereft of the community. Every individual 
 cannot be thought to be able to determjine with cer- 
 tainty on a fubjedl: of fuch importance. But it 
 muft be his duty to perfevere in his ob^ience, till 
 either the rulers are, convinced that their meafures 
 ought to be changed ; or the citizens, in a confti- 
 tutional way, fliall change the adminifirators. 
 
 May I be Indulged here, juft to obferve, that it 
 is poffible for the people, to have fuch an undue in- 
 fluence, even upon righteous rulers, as to procure 
 fuch meafures as would prove very niifchievous in 
 their operation. But this ought "not to be palmed 
 upon our rulers ; but we ought in fuch cafes, to 
 aft the part of honeft men, reprobate our own con- 
 duft, and in future,- keep within our own province. 
 There is not a greater evU which can befal a com- 
 iiiunity, than to be divided into fefts and parties, 
 refpefting their civil policy. The confequences (if 
 continued in) a.re fatal to our civil rights and priv- 
 ileges, our peace and independence ; and it is this, 
 which caufes our prefent :iituation to wear fuch a 
 gloomy and threatening afpeft I 
 
 May: I be indulged in intruding on your patience, 
 juft to add, that virtue and integrity in the great 
 body of the people, are as neceffary to our political 
 happinefs and profperity, as it is in thofe in author- 
 ity. Whenever we are tempted to cqmplain and 
 
 C: 
 
18 
 
 to entertain jealottfies, left dtir rijler^s ihould enflave 
 us, , deftroy our liberties and hstppinefs, let us con- 
 fole' ourfelves with this idea, that a virtuous pec^le 
 cannot be enflaVed ; and that it would be utterly 
 impoflible for rulers to ihvolve the community in 
 any great difficulty, fhould there not be a large por» 
 tion of unrighteous and evil men, to aid them ift 
 their bafe and evil defigns : and Ihould a people be 
 fo loft to all fenfe of virtue and intereft, arid fo re- 
 gardiefsf of their oMgations to God, and each oth- 
 €ir, as to wilfully expofe themfelves to fuch fatal 
 evils, the folly would be their own. 
 
 That our rulers may be minifters of God to us 
 fqr good, it is our duty to implore the prefence of 
 Gbd with them,; his fpkit to aid and aifift them ; 
 and his bleffing to crown their adminiftration with 
 fuccefs : and on our part to demean ourfelves as 
 good fubjefts j and remove all the embarraffmeiits 
 which may render it very difficulty if not totally 
 impoflible, for them to manage the great affairs of 
 govemttiefet in equal juftice. 
 
 Happy America;. If thofe who govern are in- 
 fpired with xvifdoiji and benevolence, prudence and 
 integrity for the public fafety : and the governed, 
 with worthy and good affedions, for the civil and 
 religious inftitutions of their country : we fhall then 
 unite in purfuing the things, of our peace : fociety 
 will be improved, our underftandings wijl be emlar-. 
 gedi our morals refined,^ afld the intei;efe of tim% 
 will not interfere with thof^ of eternity, Happy is 
 that people thai is in fuch a itsfe : jea^, happy, is th^i 
 people, whofeGod^is -the Ijtird./, 
 
19 
 
 It i§ time that I h^en to a conduiion in fuiteble 
 addrefTes. Our firft attention is due to our worthy 
 chief magiftrate, called of God and the people to 
 the chair of government. 
 
 May it pleafe your Excellency, — God in , his wife 
 providence, hath cotvferred a fignal hotiOf ti^oii yoti, 
 in repeatedly placing you in the higheft feat of gov- 
 ernment, and entrufting you with fp important a 
 part of the managenlent of our public concerns. It 
 cannot, honored fir, but excite in your breaft, the 
 moft pleafing emotion of mind, to find your char- 
 after thus revered, and your perfon holden in fuch 
 high eftimation, by fo numerous and refpeftaible a 
 people, as compofe this ftate ; alnd to fee the evi- 
 dence which it exhibit^, that your f&rrher adminifr 
 tratiodi has been, ift fonie ftieafure, agreeable to 
 that mentioned in our text, which is a fource of 
 general joy. ? ' 
 
 With pleaiing anticipation, we behold your ex- 
 cellency, God's mimfier for good^ bearing the fwprd of 
 the ftate, not as a terror to good works, but to the evtl. 
 Pur eye with delight marks your path, w:hile you 
 lead us your children into the dutiies of relative and 
 chriftian life : and by your example, teach us that 
 felf-denial, frugality and indnftry, fo efiehtial to 
 fh^ happinefs of ' a free people. And , however 
 gloomy and difficuk the day in which you prefide, 
 your adminiftratioai, being of the defcription above, 
 you may l6ok for and expeft all needed aid" from 
 ■him, by ^hom kings reign, and princes decree jiijiice. 
 An uncommon degree of knowledge, prudence and 
 wifdom in a governor is neteffary, in fudi an ini- 
 
20 
 
 portant critical day as the puffent ; to fteer the helm 
 of government with difcretion,- reconcile contend- 
 ing parties, and protedting the rights and privileges 
 of the people, and giving fatisfaction to the citizens. 
 Our expm:ations from your excellency are, that 
 liberty fliall be maintained by law, and all citizens 
 be fecure in their poffeffions : that public faith and 
 dignity be preferved. May the inftitutions of lite- 
 rature flourifti under your friendly patronage ; ef- 
 pecially may the illuftrious univerfity oiF Vermont 
 be the objeft of your peculiar care, and by your 
 falutary influence, be protected in all its important 
 s rights and immunities. 
 
 As your excellency's character ftands high in 
 the efiimatioh of this people, it gives you a great 
 advantage, and fhould be no lefs a motive with you, 
 to ftudy, and invariably purfue their beft intereft. 
 In feeking the common good and welfare of your 
 people, ypu will fecure your intereft in their affec- 
 tions, and live in their hearts : which ihuft afford 
 the higheft fatisfaaion to a righteous magiftratel 
 We hope in the goodnefs of the tmiverfal Parent, 
 that by affording you his prefence and grace, h* 
 willfhew, that becaufe he loved this people. He 
 hath therefore, appointed you to rule oiver them. 
 
 May the angel of the divine prefence, enlighten 
 and beautify the path's of your adminiflration. In 
 your days, religion, truth and peace dwell on the 
 earth '. and when filled with days, and replete with 
 grace, you fhall be difcharged from further fervices 
 here, that you may Ihare the glories of the heaven- 
 ly world, will be the uncealing prayers of the 
 righteous and the good. 
 
21 
 
 Our refpeds are nov^« due to his honor the Heu- 
 tenant governors, the honorable council and houfe of 
 reprejintati'ves. 
 
 Fathers of ourfiate and elders of our tribes,— The 
 fovereign powers of this ftate veftedin you, by the 
 united voice of the freemen, give high importance 
 to your character, and entitle you to their refpecl 
 and confidence. And that you may not difappoint 
 their mpft fanguine expeftations, you will make 
 righteoiifnefs the bafis of your adminiftration and 
 rule of all your proceedings. 
 
 We do not alk you to affign us articles of chrif- 
 tian faith, to-eftablifli religion by law, enaft ftatutes 
 for the collection of our falaries, or to become the 
 bulwark of the religion we profefs ; but that yoti 
 maintain the laws of the ftate, and the facred prin- 
 ciples of our excellent canjiitution : a conftitutipn 
 which will prove z bulwark o£ our independence 
 and fovereignty, a fure protection of all good citi- 
 zens ; the fecurity of freedom, property and life ; 
 and a defence againft the rude encroachments of an- 
 archy and defpotifm. May a kind God influ^pce 
 you into a fyftem of' adminiftration which fhall de- 
 fend our eonftitution, render venerable our laws, 
 proteft from violence the feats of juftice, and th^ 
 thrones of judgment. 
 
 Our national concerns, as a confederated repub- 
 lic, are ferious concerns. Unlefs fome fpeedy and 
 effeftual meafures are invented and purfued, icha- 
 BOD will be written upon our nation. Be intreated, 
 venerable fathers, to lay afide limited views and lo- 
 cal prejudices, a,nd encompafs the Union in. the exer- 
 
22 
 
 tions of your patriotifm. A confiderable advantage 
 may be obtained, toward anfwering tlie end of your 
 appointment, by electing fuch men into office (which 
 comes within your province) as are men fearing 
 Godj, men of virtuous minds, fuperior io intrigues, 
 vvhofe CEfdumftances are not embarraffed, and who 
 love the people and will perfeveringly feek their hap- 
 pinefs. ' ' 
 
 A kgijlature thus conftitutedi and whjrt a larg^ 
 number of fuch worthy charaifters do I now behold ! 
 fuch a legiflature, will rejoice the hearts of their 
 citizens, and fliall, in the iffue, enjpy the bleffings of 
 their country, while wicked politicians fliaU fink in- 
 to their deferyed ignojniny. 
 
 However, refpe^tedy«/Aerj,it is not my province 
 to diflate to you any meafures of a civil or polatical 
 iiature ; your wifiiom and good fenfe do not re- 
 quire this of me/ We being- fenfible that your 
 work is difficult, aad that you have an arduous taik, 
 to cure all the diforders of the polt]X:al body, ref- 
 tore harmony and peace, and to unite the jarriag 
 iflterefts of parties, and fix them to one coimnou 
 centre, do heartily commend you to God, who is 
 able to furnifli you with all needed wifdom and 
 prudence. 
 
 Refpefted rulers, you cannot be infenfible, that 
 He who has dignified you, above your brethren, has 
 limited your powers by his holy wford. You are 
 not authorifed to obey the debates of in arbitrary 
 will ; but to aft agreeably to the revealed will of 
 God. Look thei^on the copy which is before you : 
 and as God's vicegerents on earth-, take your ditecJ 
 
23 
 
 tioivs from his word and imbibe his fpirit : acknotwl* 
 edge him in all your, ways^ and be will dire6i your paths. 
 And as a reward for your fervices, may you be hon- 
 ored as the political faviors of this people, and meet 
 their cordial approbation. And fronUi the faithful 
 difcharge of an earthly truft, may you in due time 
 be received into the joy of your Lordy with a well 
 done good and faithful ferVants. Such is the re-* 
 ward, which we pray, every member of our public 
 adminiftration inay now deferve, and in future ob- 
 tain, frotn the Judge of all. 
 
 Wilt this grave and venerable audienGe indulge 
 me a. few words in a general addrefe, — 
 
 Refpeded brethren and fellow citizens^ — Difiia- 
 guifliing have been the favot'^ off-l&ivine Providence, 
 by which we have become a great and eftabliflied 
 nation : but little inferior to thofe by which Ifrael 
 of c4d were brought from bondage in Egypt, and 
 planted ip the fat land of P^tleftine. Surprifing, I 
 had almoft faid miraculous, has been the chain of 
 events which- has marked our emancipation from 
 th.e iron, yoke, of bondage and oppreffion, and raifed 
 us to the important rank of power and indepen- 
 dence among the nations of the earth • eftablifhed 
 us under a federal conf^ffntion and republican form 
 ctf government : we fit in thfe AiFemblies of our ru- 
 lers, ; rulers of our own eledlion, and Judges ap-, 
 pointed fram among our brethren. Under fuch a 
 government, we enjoy all neceflary freedom and lib- 
 erty, rights and privileges, both civil and religious. 
 
 But though civil liberty and freedom are fo de- 
 iirable bleifings j and though it is our duty in all 
 
24 
 
 lawful ways to ftrive to fupport and maintain them, 
 yet it is of infinitely greater importance that we 
 fliould be delivered, by God's fpecial grace, from the 
 bondage of guilt and the flavery of fin and fatan, 
 and called effedtually to the fpiritual freedom of the 
 children of God. Little reafon fhall we have to 
 boaft of liberty and freedom, or to blefs onrfelves 
 on the account of pur external "privileges, if we 
 are the ignominious fervants of corruption.. This 
 fpiritual liberty Chrift hath obtained for all his 
 true difciples ; and it can no otherwife be enjoyed 
 by any of us, than by taking his yoke ttpon us, dnd 
 learning of hlhi i and continuing in his word.- Then 
 Jhall we khow the truth, and the truth Jball mak^us free 
 indeed. It is the true chriftian alone who is the Lord's 
 freeman, and a citizen of the NewJerufalem. An 
 honor and privilege to which we cannot maintain 
 our claim, unlefs we realize our profeffion of chrif- 
 tianity, by ferving the' Lord Chrift with all good 
 fidelity, and ferving one another in love. Be this 
 the object of our greateft care and attention : w^e 
 may then with hope and earneft expectation wait 
 for the day of our complete redemption. At length 
 the gxzndLJubilee will be proclaimed by the archangel's 
 trumpet, which will call the heirs of God to the 
 perfeft liberty of his everlaftiag^ kingaom and glory, 
 and to that inheritance which is incorruptible and that 
 fadeth not away. 
 
 To this exalted felicity, God grant, that we 
 may all be brought in due time, through Jefus 
 Chrift our Lord. Amen.