Sermon Preached before the Governor of Massachusetts, Sermon

Sermon Preached before the Governor of Massachusetts · Sermon

A SERMON Preached before His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOUR, the Honourable COUNCIL, and Repreſentatives of the Province of the Maſſachuſetts-Bay in New-England: On May 29. 1706.

Which was the Day for ELECTION of Her Majeſties COUNCIL for that Province.

By John Rogers A.M. & Paſtor of Ipſwich.

Deut. 4.7, 8.

What Nation is there ſo great, who hath God ſo nigh unto them as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what Nation is there ſo great, that hath Statutes & Judgments ſo righteous, as all this law which I ſet before you this day?

Deut. 5.29.

Oh that there were ſuch an Heart in them, that they would Fear me, and Keep all my Commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their Children for ever,

Certum eſt Nos facere quod facimus, ſed Deus facit ut faciamus.

Aug.

Boſton: Printed by B. Green: Sold by Benj. Eliot under the Weſt end of the Town-Houſe. 1706.

PUbliſhed at the deſire of the Houſe of Repreſentatives,

Tho. Oakes, Speaker. BOSTON, June 18th. 1706.

p. 1A SERMON Preached at the ELECTION. May 29. 1706

I. Kings VIII. 57, 58.

The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our Fathers: let him not leave us, nor forſake us: That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his Commandments, and his Statutes, and his Judgments, which he Commanded our Fathers.

THESE Words now read in your Chriſtian Audience, [Much Honoured, Reverend, and Beloved,] are a part of that Royal Bleſſing wherewith King Solomon bleſſed the Congregation of Iſrael, after an Elaborate p. 2and Affectionate Prayer for them, at the Solemn Dedication of the Temple, which he had build and finiſhed for Gods Honour and Worſhip: Supplicating the Divine Preſence and Favour as the Fountain of all bleſſings, with the Signal Manifeſtation thereof in ſome ſpecial Acts of Grace and Mercy: that the God of their Fathers would own them, and be with them ſtill; not leave or forſake them: and that He would manifeſt this, not only by giving them outward Proſperity, but bleſſing them with Spiritual Bleſſings. Particularly, that as he had given them his Word and Statutes to teach and direct them in the way that they ſhould walk; ſo he would by his Holy Spirit Effectually incline and engage their hearts to Keep and Obey them.

It is juſtly to be eſteemed the Higheſt Honour and Happineſs of a People, to have the Lord JEHOVAH for their God, Pſal. 144.15. David pronounces the People happy that were in ſuch a caſe, as is before deſcribed, when their Sons [which be the Strength, Safety and Hopes of a Nation] are as Flouriſhing Plants grown up in their Youth: Their Daughters [on whom the Hope of Poſterity depends] as Corner-Stones poliſht after the ſimilitude of a Palace; Strong and Beautiful, Adorned with all the Ornaments proper to their Sex: When their Garners are full, affording all manner of Stones, their Sheep bringing forth Thouſands and ten Thouſands, their Oxen ſtrong to Labour, no breaking p. 3in of the Enemy, nor going out againſt them, nor with them into Captivity, no Complaining in their Streets, no Out-Cry or Howling for any ſad Tidings, Publick grievances or Calamities. Happy is the People enjoying ſuch Plenty and Peace, ſaith the Pſalmiſt: Yet immediately thereupon, not in way of Compariſon herewith, but Correction of himſelf, He cryes out, Yea Happy is the People whoſe God is the LORD. The former was a very Deſirable Eſtate in it ſelf, but comparatively it is nothing. The true and chief Happineſs of Iſrael does not conſiſt in theſe things, which are common to others with us, but in this Peculiar Priviledge, That the true & Bleſſed God is our God by Covenant, and ſpecial Relation.

Nextly, In having his Laws, Statutes and Judgments for the Rule of our Life and Walk, with an Heart inclined to Obſerve and Keep them. This alſo was Iſraels peculiar Priviledge at firſt, To have the Revelation of Gods Mind and Will in his Word, Pſal. 147.19, 20. With which Arguments Moſes the Servant of the Lord, by whom the Law was firſt given, urges the People to Obedience, Deut. 4.6, 7, 8. Hereupon the People generally Promiſe Obedience; All that the Lord our God ſhall ſpeak unto us by thee, We will hear & do it. Which Proteſtation of theirs God himſelf takes notice of and accepts as to the Matter of it: commanding them for it ſo far, Saying to Moſes, p. 4I have heard the Voice of the Words of this People, which they have ſpoken unto thee, and they have well ſaid all that they have ſpoken. But then, (after the manner of men) expreſſes an holy jealouſy or ſuſpicion of the Truth and Sincerity of their Profeſſion, Deut. 5.28, 29. Oh that there were ſuch an Heart in them, thus to Fear me always, and Keep all my Commandments, &c. It was queſtionable as to Man, tho' not as to God, whether there were ſuch a Principle of Obedience in them as was like to be laſting, or without which they would ſurely fail as to the performance.

The Thing it ſelf was greatly to be wiſhed by them, and for them, from the great Advantages that would accrue unto them and their Poſterity therefrom: But who ſhall give them ſuch an Heart? (as the Hebrew Words may be rendred) Who but God himſelf can confer this Grace and Bleſſing on any People? If theſe Words were ſpoken by Moſes (as ſome think) they are his Option or Prayer to God for Iſrael: that as he had newly delivered to them the great things of his Law, and they had engaged to Obſerve and Do all, their Hearts might be rightly framed to ſuch an Obedience, as was required of them, and now promiſed by them. Who will give them ſuch an Heart, or who will give their Heart to be ſuch in them? Tis certain that God alone can do this; therefore it implies an Addreſs to Him for it. Now from the ſame ſence … Spirit p. 5it is, that Solomon makes this Requeſt, or Pronounces this Bleſſing in our Text. The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our Fathers, let him not leave us, nor forsake us: That He may incline our Hearts unto Him, to keep his Commandments, &c.

The DOCTRINAL Concluſion hence is this.

That the moſt Deſirable Bleſſing which can be asked or wiſhed for, and pronounced upon any People under Heaven [as a Fruit and Evidence of the Divine Preſence with, and Favour towards them] is, That the God of Heaven would incline their Hearts to Himſelf, to Walk in all his Ways, to Keep his Commandments, his Statutes and his Judgments.

Or more briefly thus,

That the Choiceſt Mercy which any People have to deſire for Themſelves and Poſterity, or that God has to beſtow upon them in this Life, is to make them a Religious, and an Obedient People.

This is the ſumm of Solomons comprehenſive Bleſſing here, and it is indeed the comprehenſe of all Bleſſings. Thus bleſt was Iſrael in the pious Reign of his immediate Predeceſſor: The Heart of his Royal Father was fully inclined to the Lord, and to his Teſtimonies, Act. 13.22. concerning whom the Lord himſelf thus reſtifyed p. 6and ſaid; I have found David the Son of Jeſſe, a man after mine own heart, who ſhall fulfil all my will, [that is in Governing his People.] This was the chief Qualification which God reſpected in his Choice of him to be King over Iſrael, 1 Sam. 16.7. Looking, not as man, to the outward Appearance, but judging by the Heart; Calling him from a mean Employment, to the higheſt Seat in the Government; from following the Ewes great with young, he brought him to feed Jacob his People, and Iſrael his Inheritance: So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skilfulneſs of his Hands. This is the Teſtimonial which God has left upon Record for him, Pſal. 78.72. Wherein are commended two neceſſary Qualifications of a good Prince or Chief Ruler in David. Integrity, whereby he ſincerely ſought the Good and Welfare of his People, avoiding and abhorring thoſe; Counſels and Courſes which were contrary thereunto. Skilfulneſs, whereby he managed all Affairs of the Publick with ſingular Prudence: which is here aſcribed to his Hands, not as if ſeated in them, but becauſe acted and diſcovered by them, as appeared in all his Actions and Adminiſtrations. It is ſad with a People when their Chief Ruler wants either of theſe, Skilfulneſs or Faithfulneſs; and 'tis hard to ſay which of theſe can be worſt ſpared. King David was eminently accompliſhed with both, and the p. 7People extraordinarily Happy under a Perſon of ſuch a Spirit and Accompliſhment. The Holy Spirit of God improving his Prudent Counſel, and Pious Example to be influential, as a means to make them in love with the ways of Holineſs, Obedience, and Inſtituted Religion.

Now this Devout Prince being about to Demiſe his Crown and Government, gave with it this ſolemn Charge to Solomon his Son, that he ſhould Know and Serve the God of his Father, with a perfect heart and a willing mind, 1 Chron. 28.9 Keep cloſe to his Laws & Ordinances, aſſuring him of Gods Preſence and Bleſſing, in caſe he did ſo: Otherwiſe, if he forſook God, that he might expect to be forſaken of him: to all which, Solomon ſays Amen; imploring the Divine Help for himſelf and People, ſues for a double Portion of Davids Spirit, Wiſdom and Piety, with an Entailment of all Happineſs to Poſterity in the Cauſes of it: The Lord God of our Fathers be with us as he was with them, let him not leave us, nor forſake us, but incline our Hearts to Himſelf and Ways, that ſo it may go well with us, and with our Children for ever.

But to come to a more diſtinct Conſideration of what is contained in the Doctrine, I ſhall lay down theſe three Propoſitions.

p. 8PROPOSITION I.

That Gods Preſence and Favour, or His Favourable Preſence? is the ſupream Cauſe, Original, Author, Spring and Fountain of all Bleſſings (to a Perſon or People) Temporal, Spiritual and Eternal.

There is a threefold Preſence of God mentioned in the Scripture. As,

I. God is Naturally and Eſſentially Preſent with all his Creatures. He is an Immenſe Being, and no Creature poſſibly could Act, Subſiſt or Be without him. Thus Paul argued in the Court of Athens, Act. 17.27, 28. God is not far from every one of us, for in him we live, move and have our being. He is near us all, he is with us all. Thus the Gentiles owned, and one of their Poets ſaid, Jovis omnia plena.

2. God is Gloriouſly Preſent with the Inhabitants of the Third Heavens. The Heaven of Heavens has in it moſt marvellous manifeſtations of God. There the Bleſſed Ones have God ſo with them, as always to behold his Face: As Hell is ſet forth by a ſeparation from the Preſence of the Lord, & from the Glory of his Power, 2 Theſ. 1.9 So Heaven, by a Dwelling with him, 1 Theſ. 4 17. For as there the Saints are ever with the Lord, ſo the Lord is with them for ever.

3. God is Graciouſly Preſent with his People p. 9here, by being favourable, kind and good unto them; Externally, in the ways of his Special Providence: Internally, by ſpecial Influences, Gifts, Motions and Operations of Grace. Indeed, there is a common Providence of God, which Coextends it ſelf as far as the Creation; whereby he Upholds the things which he has made, and Governs them all to their deſigned end: In reſpect whereof, God is equally preſent with all perſons and people, good & bad. But this ſpecial Preſence of God, he affords only to his Redeemed, Choſen and Called, who are not only under the Government of his Providence, but the Dominion of Grace, and influence of the Spirit. This is that Gracious Preſence of God which we ought to be ſolicitous for, and concerned to get and keep the abiding ſence and tokens thereof.

It conſiſts, (I ſay) Firſt, In the Engagement of Divine Providence for our Welfare: Or, God is with us, when he is for us. To particularize, Gods favourable Preſence with any People, is manifeſt in theſe Effects.

(I.) In giving them Conduct and Direction in the way that they ſhould walk. Every man has a Way to walk in, either Private or Publick; In both which he needs a Counſellor and Guide, Jer. 10.23. The way of man is not in himſelf, neither is it in men that walketh, to direct his own ſteps. Thro' the darkneſs of the Way, and p. 10ſhort-ſightedneſs of the Underſtanding, man is ever in danger of being bewildered & loſt if left to himſelf. He cannot rightly enter upon, much leſs proceed and proſper in his way, that wants a true light. Now this light flows from the Preſence of the Lord: as David acknowledges upon experience, Pſal. 118.27. It is the Lord that ſheweth me light. Hence Solomon gave this caution and counſel to man in general, Prov. 3.5, 6. Truſt in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thine own underſtanding; in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths. Thoſe that make their own boſome their Oracle, God is diſengaged from being their Guide; they need him not: but the ſnares they run into will ſoon ſhew them how much they need him. Yea, not only our own reaſon, but the counſel and example of others will eaſily miſguide us; whereas the more men depend on God, the more he will undertake to teach and lead them. This is eſpecially neceſſary for a man in publick Place; more eſpecially if he Sit as Chief in the Land, Country or Province, and be to Chooſe out the Peoples Way for them, as well as his own. From an high ſence hereof, Moſes the Servant of the Lord being called to take the Conduct of his People Iſrael, & lead them from Egypt into Canaan, makes his Addreſs to God for this inſtance of his Grace and Favour, Exod. 33.13. If I have found grace in thy ſight, ſhew me now p. 11thy Way: For wherein ſhall it be known that I and thy People have found grace in thy ſight, Is it not in this, that thou goeſt with us? Gods Servants and People are often brought into a Wilderneſs of Difficulties and Emergencies; but if God himſelf be with them, he guides them to a good iſſue of them all. And thus his Gracious Preſence appears in directing and inclining them to ſuch a courſe of actions, and method of managing Affairs, as makes for his Honour, and their own Safety.

(2.) In affording them Protection againſt all threatning Evils or Dangers. As he guides them with his Eye, ſo he guards them with his Arm. Such as have the Almighty Jehovah with them, need not fear who is or can be againſt them, Rom. 8.31. Gods Preſence is a Defence to his Servants, and an Offence to their Enemies, Gen. 28.15. Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goeſt, ſaith the Lord to Jacob; and ſo to David, 2 Sam. 7.9. I was with thee, and have cut off all thine Enemies. The Secrecy of his Preſence is the Saints Pavilion, Pſal. 4, laſt. Herein they may lye down in peace, and reſt ſecurely, becauſe the Keeper of Iſrael watches over them day and night, that nothing hurt them. Yea if God be with them, they may paſs through the Fire, and not be burned, through the Water, and not be drowned, Iſa. 43.2.

(3.) In granting Aſſiſtance and ſucceſs in p. 12their Affairs. To proſper in our Way requires Strength as well as Light. Not only do our Underſtandings want illumination, but our Executive Powers help or aſſiſtance from God, to perform what is incumbent on their part: without this the Wiſeſt of men wont be able to accompliſh what they undertake. But if God be preſent, he girdeth his Servants with Strength to perform their Work, ſo maketh their Way perfect. Yea do we not Read, That out of the Mouth of Babes & Sucklings God has Ordained Strength and Praiſe, Pſal. 8.2. That is, Has ſetled a firm Foundation for his own Honour in Accompliſhing great things by weak and fooliſh inſtruments. As in Spiritual Matters, or in Working out our Souls Salvation, We have an entire Dependance on Him, Who worketh in us both to Will and to Do of his good pleaſure, Phil. 2.12, 13. So in all Secular Affairs, we depend on the ſame Power and Goodneſs. What thro' Weakneſs or Wilfulneſs, the impotence of Mans Mind, or Diſorder of his Paſſions, and what thro' the difficult circumſtances that attend his Affairs in this World of Mutability, Nothing can be done to purpoſe, unleſs God be his Preſent Help. In a word, There is no part of the Work & Buſineſs that Providence calls us to, either in our General or Particular Callings, but what is above, or beyond our ſingle Strength: But if God be with us, his Grace ſhall be ſufficient to carry thro' the moſt Arduous and p. 13Hazardous Enterprizes in the World, and that with good Succeſs. The Almighty God thinks it enough to ſay to any Servant of his whom he calls to the moſt difficult Adventures, Certainly, I will be with thee. As when Moſes was ſent to Deliver Iſrael from their Egyptian Servitude, Exod. 3.11, 12. Moſes ſaid to God, Who am I, that I ſhould go unto Pharaoh, and that I ſhould bring forth the Children of Iſrael out of Egypt? And God ſaid, Certainly, I will be with thee. The like was promiſed to Joſhua, whom the Lord appointed to Succeed Moſes as Captain General to lead the Hoſt into Canaan, Joſh. 1.5. Be ſtrong and of a good Courage, for as I was with Moſes, ſo I will be with thee, I will not fail thee, nor forſake thee. All their Victories and Succeſſes were owing to this Supreme Cauſe, viz. The Favourable Preſence of God with them, As is acknowledged, Pſal. 44.3. For they got not the Land into Poſſeſſion by their own Sword, neither did their own Arm ſave them; but thy Right Hand and thine Arm, and the light of thy Countenance, becauſe thou hadſt a Favour unto them. True and Real Proſperity in every Undertaking, Buſineſs and Affair depends on this Preſence and Favour of God. The Beſt Humane Policy and Induſtry will fail without it. Holy David retiring off the Stage of this World left this Bleſſing with his Advice to Solomon, 1 Chron. 22.11. And now my Son, The Lord be with thee, and Proſper thou.

Theſe are ſome of the more ordinary Benefits p. 14of Gods Providential Preſence with a Perſon or People in way of Favour to them.

Secondly, There are yet more ſpecial Fruits of his Spiritual Preſence in his Word and Ordinances, Making them Effectual means of Enlightning, Converting, Sanctifying and Comforting the Souls of men. But not to inſiſt on theſe here: I would only ſay, That all Spiritual Bleſſings depend more abſolutely upon, and flow more immediately from the Preſence of the Lord. Having it helps men to Live Holily, and Knowing it to Dy Comfortably. If God be with us His Goodneſs ſhall lead us to Repentance, His Correction be for our Profit, in bringing us to partake of His Holineſs: and All his Diſpenſations work Spiritual Good in us and for us, as a pledge of and Preparatory to that which is Eternal. Yea, His Rod and His Staff Comfort the Saints both Living & Dying. Whom the Shepherd of Iſrael takes the Care of, he not only ſhews to them the Path of Life, but will certainly bring them thro' Death to Life. He leads by Counſil, till he receives to Glory, Pſal. 73.24. Making them full of Joy from his Countenance, Act. 2.28. Darting One Beam of light on their Way, Another of Joy on their Hearts, Both together rendring their walk thro' the darkeſt Valley of the Shadow of Death to be Safe, and Comfortable to them that have this Preſence of God with them, and the ſenſible Apprehenſion, or Experimental Feelings p. 15thereof, as David had, Pſal. 23.4. This is the Life of our Life, yea, 'tis Life in Death, and Life after Death, even Eternal Life. Moreover, The Preſence of God makes Heaven: To have God with us is a Heaven upon Earth: and our Being with him is the Heaven of Heaven. To Dwell for ever with that Bleſſed God in whose Preſence is Fulneſs of Joy, and at whoſe right hand are pleasures evermore, Pſal. 16.11.

PROPOSITION II.

It is a Signal Manifeſtation, or Token of the Abiding Preſence of God with any People, [and gracious Anſwer of Prayer,] when He does incline their Hearts, and the Hearts of their Children to Himſelf, and to the Obſervance of his Laws. That is, in a Word, To be Religious,

The Sum of all Religion Natural and Inſtituted, may be lookt upon as Comprehended under theſe Expreſſions in our Text; and when the Heart of Man, (whereby the whole Soul is meant) Underſtanding, Will and Affections are ſo directed and inclined, as to make choice of God himſelf for their laſt End and chief Good, the Object of their Faith and Love, Reverence and Obedience; and his Word as the Rule of All, then may they be ſaid to be Religious.

p. 16There are many Religions ſo called, as there are God's many, and Lord's many: but there being but One true God, there is and can be but One true Religion, which is his Revealed Will concerning our Service to him, and Communion with him. There is a Religion if there be a God, and but One Religion, if but One God, whoſe Will is Uniform. For our Help and Guidance herein, God has not only left us the Book of the Creature, wherein much of Himſelf and his Perfections may be read: But alſo has given us the Book of Scripture, inſpired by his own Spirit, wherein is the Revelation of his Mind & Will; teaching us more perfectly what he would have us to Know and Believe of him, and how we ſhould live in Obedience to him. Here are the Decrees, the Statutes and Ordinances of the King of Heaven: Rules to guide us in our whole Courſe to our laſt End.

God has put a certain Law into the Creatures, which we call the Law of Nature, in the due obſervance of which they attain their End, & glorify God. As the Sun runs his Race like a Gyant, yet keeps his Track to an hairs breadth. But to Man who is a Voluntary Agent, God gives his Commands by his Word, and expects a Voluntary Obedience thereunto, as the Way to his own Honour, and our Good. Now our plenary and full Conformity or Subjection unto theſe in our whole Man, This is to be Religious, to be Godly, p. 17to live unto God: & when it is ſo, God is with us of a Truth. This is a ſpecial Fruit and Evidence of it. The Truth in this Propoſition may be illuſtrated by a few Particulars. Briefly,

I. That it was Neceſſary, for God to preſcribe a Law unto us, Or, to give us his Commandments, his Statutes and his Judgments. Whether we are conſidered Apart, or with Reſpect to Community. Conſidered Apart, As a Creature, Man is ſubject to the Direction of Gods Providence; but as a Reaſonable Creature, he is capable of Moral Government: This Law was at firſt Written on Man's Nature, and that was ſufficient while he ſtood in his Integrity to guide him, and enable him to Serve and Pleaſe God in all things propounded to him. The Law Written on the Heart of Man was both his Principle and his Rule: but that being obliterated by the Fall, it becomes needful that God ſhould give a New Law to guide Man to his own Bleſſedneſs, and to keep him from Erring. Eſpecially if Conſidered in a Community. All Societies of men from the beginning of the World have found the Eſtabliſhing of Laws the only Means to preſerve themſelves from Ruin; there is no other way to prevent Confuſion: and would God leave that Society which is of his own Inſtitution, and of which He is the Head, without Laws and Ordinances? No ſurely, Deut. 32.9. The Lords Portion is his People, therefore He will take ſpecial Care p. 18of them, and give unto them ſuch Statutes and Judgments, as may preſerve his own Authority & Intereſt among them, according to which he will reckon with them hereafter: Iſa. 33.22. The Lord is our Law giver and our Judge.

2. In thoſe Statutes and Commandments of the Law which God has given us, we have not only a Direction ſet before us, but an Obligation laid upon us. The Word of God is not only a Rule (for Information) but a Law (for Injunction.) 'Tis not only the Reſult of God's Wiſdom, but the Effect of his Legiſlative Will; He would not only inſtruct us in our Duty, but oblige us to perform it, by the One ſhewing the Equity, by the Other the Neceſſity of our Obedience. He has not left us at liberty to comply with his Counſels; but has left the Charge of his Commandments upon us.

The Moral Obligation of the Law ſtill lies on thoſe that are taken under the Covenant of Grace. [There is an Eternal Obligation on the Creature to Love and Serve the Creator, which cannot be diſſolved:] We are not Redeemed from the Service of the Law by Chriſt, but the Curſe of the Law, Luk. 1.74, 75. The End of our Re…tion was not to deſtroy our Service according to the Law; but to fit and inable us to perform it according to the Image of God renewed in us, Eph. 4.24. And becauſe our Law is broader, and takes in the Goſpel too (which is the Law p. 19of Faith) We are bound to take care of all that God has given us in Charge, even all that is Adopted into our Rule of Faith & Repentance, as well as Moral Duties. Again, The Statutes and Commandments of the Law are immutably, and indiſpenſibly binding to All Men without Diſtinction. No Man beggeth Exemption here, becauſe of his Condition, High or Low, Rich or Poor, Prince or Peaſant. God does not exempt any Creature from Duty to Him, but ſpeaks impartially to All. Hear O Kings, Give ear O Princes, Potentates and Rulers of the World, as well as Subjects and mean People. Yea, the higher men's Station the greater their Obligation in many Reſpects. God's Law is a Royal Law, His Statutes and His Judgments ſo Noble and Excellent in themſelves, that we need not be aſhamed to ſpeak of them before Kings, Pſal. 119.46. Or to Commend the Wayes of the Lord to the greateſt Perſonages in the World. But yet,

3. The Hearts of All Men are naturally Uninclined to Obedience. Since the firſt man proved a Rebel againſt his Maker, All his Poſterity (by ordinary Generation) are become Children of Diſobedience: Are become naked and deſtitute of the Image of God, not only indiſpoſed but averſe to that which is good, Rom. 8.7. The carnal mind is Enmity againſt God, for it is not Subject to the Law of God, nor indeed can be: it cannot becauſe it will not. Fallen man has neither Power p. 20nor Will to Obey God. There is both Weakneſs and Wilfulneſs in Humane Nature, that it is not ſubject to the Divine Will: I mean not Created but Corrupted Nature, qua talis, as ſuch it cannot be reconciled to God, or perfectly ſubject to his Law. It may be as to the outward material part, but not as to the Spiritual and true intendment of it, till it be renewed. There muſt be a change of Nature to bring Sinful Man into a State of Reconciliation and Friendſhip with God, and to Walk in Ways of Obedience unto him, and his Commandments, not only becauſe injoined, but inclined, Amos 3.3.

4. This is God's Work: or tis He alone can change the Hearts of Men, turn them from their natural Bent and Byaſs to the World & Sin, and incline them to Himſelf and his Ways, Remove the Averſion and Prejudice of the Old Corrupt Mind & Will, Create new light and likeing in the Soul, new Principles, Diſpoſitions, and Affections. This is an Effect of Almighty Power and Soveraign Grace: of Enemies & Rebels to make Willing Obedient Subjects to the Lord. Its called, A Day of his Glorious and Gracious Power, Pſal. 110.3. When the Heart of Man does Surrender, and the Everlaſting Doors are ſet open to the King of Glory, and All the Powers within offer themſelves as Voluntiers, or Voluntarineſſes in his Service.

This is not brought about by Moral perſwaſions meerly, much leſs by Coaction or Violence; p. 21but Efficacious Working of the Spirit of Grace, in a manner ſuitable to the Nature and Diſpoſition of the Will, which is not deſtroyed, but perfected by Grace. Now,

5. This is a Signal Manifeſtation of the ſpecial Preſence of God with any Perſon or People, when he does thus incline their Hearts unto Himſelf, and his Ways. Or, A general Diſpoſition to an Obediential Walking with God in the way of his Commandments is a good Argument that God is and will be graciouſly Preſent with ſuch a People, and walk in Ways of Mercy and Loving kindneſs towards them: or in a word, to Bleſs & Proſper them. Converſion & Reformation are Effects and ſo Real Evidences of the Divine Preſence and Grace, (as the Cauſe is argued by the Effect:) Indeed Repentance & New-Obedience are put into the Precept as Conditions of God's Favour and Bleſſing: and tis certain, that God will be with us, but as we are with him, and walk in his Ways. What more evident then this from the Promiſe and Threatning Conjunct, declared by a Prophet of the Lord before the chief Ruler and People together, 2 Chron. 15.2. Hear ye me Aſa and all Judah and Benjamin, The Lord is with you while ye be with him, and if ye ſeek him he will be found of you, — Yet not as if our ſeeking God were firſt, or our walking in Ways of Obedience muſt neceſſarily precede as a procuring cauſe of his Bleſſing. Alas, ſo Fooliſh & Wicked is Fallen p. 22Man, that if God ſhould not begin with him, he would never begin with God. Men are ſo Dead in Treſpaſſes & Sins they cannot, ſo habituated and inclined to Evil, that they will not return to God & his Ways, till he is afore-hand with them. If therefore Religion be Propagated, or Reformation brought on in the World, or any part thereof lying in Wickedneſs, God is found of thoſe that ſeek him not: our ſeeking him is a Fruit of his firſt ſeeking us: and when the Hearts of a People are ſet to Serve and Obey him by keeping his Commandments &c. its an evidence that He both is and will be with them. When the Body of a People, eſpecially a conſiderable Part of the Riſing Generation in any Place, are diſpoſed to be Obedient and Religious, its a manifeſt Token of Gods abiding Preſence there. If a Peoples walking with God, Keeping cloſe to his Word and Ordinances, be a means to retain his Favourable Preſence among them, then the inclining of their Childrens Hearts thereunto, is the moſt encouraging Token that he intends to take up his Abode in ſuch a Place; It ſpeaks well concerning them for a long time to come. That the God of their Fathers will not leave or forſake them. On the other Hand, There is not a more Awful Token of Gods Departure from a Land, or leaving a People quite, then when their Children are Corrupt, and a Degenerate Offspring, that regard not their Fathers God, nor have any Heart to his Covenant p. 23and Ways. Paſs we now to the Third Propoſition which follows as an Inference from the two former. Viz.

PROPOSITION III.

That the moſt Deſirable Bleſſing which can be asked or wiſhed for, and pronounced upon any People under Heaven (as a Fruit and Evidence of the Divine Preſence with, and Favour towards them) is, that the God of Heaven would incline their Hearts, and the Hearts of their Children to Himſelf, to Walk in his Ways, to Keep his Commandments, his Statutes, and his Judgments.

As it is the cleareſt and ſureſt Evidence of Gods Preſence, ſo it is the choiceſt and beſt inſtance of his Favour. Tis an eminent Fruit of Election, and actual Fulfilling of the Covenant of Grace: Jer. 31.33. Ezek. 36.26. They that find the Law written in their Hearts, may conclude their Names are written in Heaven, and that they are ſome of Gods peculiar Favourites. Outward Proſperity is no ſign of ſpecial Favour. Indeed, tis no certain ſign at all that God is with a People in Way of Favour, meerly becauſe he makes them Proſperous in Outward things, giveth them Power to get Wealth, and heap up Riches or Earthly Treaſure in Abundance, Suffereth to live at Eaſe & Enjoy temporal Felicity; There may p. 24be a Woe belonging to them, and coming upon them for all this. But when he inclines them to be Religious, directs them in his ways, gives Power and Will to Obey him in all things. This argues not only a Providential, but Spiritual Preſence of God with ſuch a People. Tis an infallible Evidence of his ſpecial love and good will towards them. For, As the inclination of the Heart is neceſſary to Obedience, ſo is Hearty Obedience unto Happineſs, Temporal & Eternal. Not only the Heart, but an inclined Heart is neceſſary to true and acceptable Obedience to God. The Heart muſt be framed and ſet Godward, or it will be impoſſible to yield a cheerful, uniform & conſtant Obedience to him: But that being once well inclined twill influence and draw the whole Man after it; For the Heart is the Spring of motion that ſets all the wheels a working: If God has that, he will have all. Thus the New Heart proves the greateſt Bleſſing of the New Covenant, as a Fruit of Grace and Fountain of Obedience.

Moreover, Thus to Obey God from the Heart, is the only way to pleaſe him, and what ſurer way to proſper in every thing, ſince that wholly depends on his good will and pleaſure. The obſervance of Gods Laws, Counſels & Commands as the Rules of our living, is undoubtedly the way to live well and fare well in this World and the next. Hence, All the Remaining Proof of the Doctrine, may be had from Conſideration of the p. 25manifold great Advantages and Benefits of walking with God, in a Religious Obſervance of his holy Laws and Commands, with the manifold great Miſchiefs & Miſeries of the contrary courſe conſidered as we go along.

Firſt, If we conſider Man ſingly and in a Private Capacity, The Religious Obſervance of Gods Laws and Commandments, conduces much to the Happineſs of every One, even in this Life, & that both as to the Inward and Outward Man: In the light and enlargment of their Underſtanding, Peace of their Minds and Conſciences, Bodily Health, Honour, and Eſtate. The contrary tends as much to their Hurt in all theſe. How much it concerns Private Perſons to be Religious and Obedient, The Wiſe Preacher has told us in a Word; when he ſays, Tis the whole of Man, Eccl. 12.13. This is as much a Truth now as it was then, that to fear God and keep his Commandments is the All, the whole of Man; The whole of his Duty and the whole of his Felicity.

Secondly, The Laws, Statutes and Judgments of God are wonderfully fitted for the benefit of Humane Society: And the obſervance of them every way neceſſary and advantagious to the Publick Happineſs and Proſperity of Nations, as well as of private Perſons.

I. The Matter of theſe Commandments reſpects either Law or Goſpel. That which is ſtrictly p. 26called the Moral Law or Decalogue is a fit Rule for a wiſe God to give, and a Rational Creature to receive: A juſt Admeaſurement of our Duty to God and man. The World cannot be without it. To God, that we ſhould love Him, ſerve Him, depend upon Him, and delight in Him, worſhiping of Him at the Time, in the ways and manner appointed by Himſelf. To Man, Juſtice and Charity, or Mercy, Mic. 6.8. In the Goſpel, we have likewiſe, this excellent Abridgment of our duty by the Apoſtle, Tit. 2.12. Which teaches, That denying Ungodlineſs & Worldly Luſts, we ſhould live Soberly, Righteouſly and Godly in this preſent World. Now, both the moral and Evangelical Precepts of Gods Word are ſuited to promote the Publick intereſt of Nations as well as the Private intereſt of ſingle Perſons. This would moſt evidently appear by a Suppoſition of the contrary. Suppoſe a Reverſe of all that God has commanded concerning the imbracing of Virtue & Shunning of Vice: if he ſhould free men from thoſe Laws which himſelf has moſt Solemnly Enacted, leave them to their own choice: or ſuppoſe Eſtabliſh the contrary, Forbid us all Reſpect to himſelf, Commanding us to Worſhip falſe Gods, Transform, and miſrepreſent his Glory by Images, Fall down before Stocks & Stones, Blaſpheme his Name continually, and Deſpiſe all thoſe glorious Attributes which do ſo clearly ſhine forth in the Creation; If he had p. 27Commanded us to be impious to our Parents, to fill the World with Murders, Adulteries, Robberies, to purſue others with Slanders and falſe Witneſſes, to court and take away what is another mans, Wife, Ox, or Aſs, Houſe or Land, Servant or Child, ſurely the Heart of Man cannot allow ſuch a Conceit. Nay the fierceſt Beaſts would abhor it if capable of ſuch an impreſſion; If Luſts and Intemperance, Fraud, Rapine, and Violence were enjoyned or but Tolerated, what a World would it ſoon be? Humane Societies would preſently fly in pieces, and all Mankind neceſſarily fall into a ſtate of War and Confuſion; But now our Wiſe and Good God has taken care to prevent theſe miſchievous evils to Men, by interdicting all manner of Sin and Vice on the ſevereſt Penalty, Eſtabliſhing the contrary practice of Piety & Virtue by a Law. Yea all things required herein, are at leaſt, materially fitted for the good of Humane Societies.

II. The actual Obſervance of theſe good Laws, Statutes & Commands, is both neceſſary & effectual to the Publick Welfare of Mankind. Tis not enough to have them and know them; but tis the doing of Gods will therein which makes bleſſed. Bleſſed Nations or Societies of People, as well as Happy Souls of particular Perſons. The Decrees and Ordinances of Heaven were made and Publiſhed for this end to be obſerved; not only p. 28to be heard and contemplated but reduced unto Practice. And tis practical Obedience which makes way for the Bleſſing of Heaven to any perſons or people upon Earth.

I. This is Neceſſary. And that both Ex Neceſſitate Praecepti, & Medji. (I) Praecepti, God has ſtrictly charged the people whom he has favoured with his word, that they diligently obſerve and do all things which he has Commanded, and abſtain from whatſoever he has forbidden, Deut. 5.1. (2) Medij, as a means to Happineſs. National as well as Perſonal, Prov. 14.34. Righteouſneſs Exalteth a Nation: But ſin is the Reproach of any People. Righteouſneſs taken in the Latitude of it, for the whole of Religion (as ſometimes in Scripture it is) comprehending all Divine Humane & Social Virtues, has a natural tendency to promote Publick Happineſs. On the contrary, Sin and Wickedneſs does in its own Nature produce many Publick miſchiefs & miſeries. But this will be further ſhown under the other branch of the particular.

2. There is a certain Efficacy as well as Neceſſity of walking in ways of Obedience to Gods holy Laws & Commands. Theſe are propounded in form of a Covenant, to which promiſes and threatnings are annexed: That it ſhall go well or ill with a people according as they Obſerve or Neglect theſe. It is a Doctrine not long ſince commended to us from this Desk on like Occaſion. That ſuch People p. 29and Places as profeſs Chriſtian Religion, may expect to be Happy or Miſerable according as it goes with them as to Holineſs and Righteouſneſs. That is, As to the obſervance of the Duties belonging to the Firſt or Second Table of Gods Law, or their Neglect of them. Thus it fared with the Nation and Church of Iſrael, whilſt they were with God in the ways of Duty, God was wont to be with them in the ways of Mercy, to bleſs and proſper them. But when they forſook God, and walkt contrary to him, his way was to forſake and walk contrary to them: when it was their Way to grieve him with their impieties and iniquities, it was his Way to vex them with Various adverſities. This the Scripture declares to be the ſettled courſe of Gods Providence, that a Righteous Nation ſhall be happy, & that a Wicked People ſhall be puniſhed even in this Life. The experience of all Ages has made it good. All along the Hiſtory of the Old Teſtament, we find the interchangeable Providences of God towards the People of Iſrael always ſuited to their manners. which things hapned to them for enſamples, and are recorded for our inſtruction on whom the Ends of the World are come, 1. Cor. 10.11. And tho' God in the Adminiſtrations of his juſtice be not tied up to Precedents, nor can we argue from Scripture examples that the Providences of God towards other Nations, ſhall in all Circumſtances be conformable to his dealings p. 30with the Jews: yet thus much may with great Probability be collected from them, that as He always bleſſed that People while they were obedient to him, & followed them with Judgments when they rebelled againſt him, ſo he will alſo deal with other Nations, Becauſe the reaſon of thoſe Diſpenſations as to the main and ſubſtance of them ſeems to be Perpetual and founded in that which can never change. viz. The invariable juſtice of the Divine Providence. Indeed as to particular Perſons, the Providences of God are Promiſcuouſly adminiſtred in this World. So that no man can certainly conclude His love or hatred by any thing that befals him in this life. But God does not deal thus with Nations, becauſe (as a late Learned PRIMATE of our Nation obſerves) Publick Bodies & Communities of men as ſuch can only be rewarded & puniſhed in this World; for in the Next, all thoſe Societies & combinations wherein Men are now linkt together under their ſeveral Governments ſhall be diſſolved. God will not reward or Puniſh Nations then as Nations, but every Man ſhall give an Account of himſelf to God, and receive his own Reward, or bear his own Burden: But this being the only Seaſon for National Rewards and Puniſhments, it ſeemeth Reaſonable and neceſſary in ſome degree, for a preſent Vindication of the Honour and Majeſty of the Divine Laws, that a People ſhould be proſperous or afflicted, according as p. 31their general Obedience or Diſobedience thereto appears.

III. A Cordial reſpect; to God & his Ways; that is, Godlineſs or true Religion in the Heart not only Obliges but Diſpoſes all ſorts of Perſons to an actual Obſervance of all ſuch things, as tend to the Publick Intereſt and Happineſs of the Communities which they belong unto, or to a Conſcientious diſcharge of the Duties belonging to them in their ſeveral Places & Relations. Whereever the Fear of God (which is the beginning of Wisdom, the Principle of all Religion) is truly Planted, that certainly lays the greateſt Obligation on Conſcience to all Civil Offices and Moral Duties: and likewiſe will have the greateſt influence on the whole Behaviour of Men one towards another, as well as towards GOD himſelf

Particularly,

I. Tis of great uſe in the Government of Humane Societies, by its influence both on Governours and Governed; Cauſing the One to Rule well, and the other to Obey for Conſcience ſake. This Diſtinction of Men is of Divine Ordination, Rom. 13.1. The Powers that be are Ordained of God. The Teſtimonies of the Lord preſcribe the Duty of both. (I.) Of Governours or Rulers, 2 Sam. 23.3. He that Ruleth over men muſt be juſt, Ruling in the fear God, Where is a Word belonging to either Table, Fear of God in the firſt; and Juſtice in the ſecond. The one influential p. 32to the other. Hence Joſeph aſſured his Brethren, he ſhould be juſt to them on this Argument, For I Fear God, Gen. 42.18. Nehemiah did not imbeazle or convert the Publick Treaſures to his private uſe (as ſome other Governours had done before,) Neh. 5.15 But ſo did not I, becauſe of the Fear of God. Yea this Principle ſetled in the Heart not only preſerves from any Wickedneſs againſt God, and Unrighteouſneſs againſt Men; but promotes all acts of Love & Charity towards Men, as well as Piety and Devotion towards God. (2.) For the Governed. The Word of God interpoſeth expreſs Rules for their Obedience, and true reſpect to God not only Obliges but Diſpoſeth to obſerve them. And alſo to Submit to every Ordinance of Man for the Lords ſake; whether it be to the King as Supreme, or unto Governours as thoſe that are ſent by him: For ſo is the Will of God, 1 Pet. 2.15. There are many Arguments why we ſhould Reverence & Obey Magiſtrates, but the Supreme reaſon is, The Will of God. The chief Ruler was then an Enemy to Religion when this Commandment was given forth, even then when that part of the World, in which the Church was Seated, was under the Command of Nero, whoſe univerſal Wickedneſs and particular cruelty againſt the Chriſtians might provoke them to diſobedience; yet then, God ſaid, Obey and that not for Wrath, or fear of the Rulers Power only, which is but a looſe p. 33Principle of Obedience, and will ceaſe when ever men can Rebel with ſafety and to advantage; But out of Conſcience, which is a firm, conſtant & laſting Principle, that will hold man faſt, when all other obligations will break. A true Chriſtian is not to be tempted from his Obedience and Subjection by any Worldly conſiderations, becauſe he believes, That whoſoever reſiſteth Authority reſiſteth the Ordinance of God, and that they who reſiſt ſhall receive to themſelves Damnation, Rom. 13.2.

Thus Religion or Godlineſs is the beſt Friend to Government, and when Governours & Governed are Faithful in obſerving and diſcharging their reſpective Duties, it is a conſiderable Evidence that God is with ſuch a People in a Way of Favour: That they ſhall live long in the Land which he has given them, & be proſperous, Exod. 20.12.

2. It tends to promote the Publick Happineſs and Welfare, as it obliges and diſpoſes Men carefully & conſcienciouſly to obſerve all the Rules of Civil Converſation, Society and Commerce together. To keep Truth inviolably in all their Words, Promiſes, and Contracts; To be juſt & honeſt in all their Dealings one with another; Peaceable & Loving one towards another: Avoiding all Strife & Contention, Seeking to Advance each others intereſt as their own, and preferring the Publick to a Private. Were Men once inclined to live as Religion does require the whole World would ſoon become a quiet p. 34Habitation, yea a moſt lovely and deſirable place to what now it is. Solomon having a true Comprehenſion of the vaſt benefit of a Religious Diſpoſition, Summed up all his Wiſhes for himſelf and People in this one: The Lord be with us, and incline our Hearts to Himſelf and His Ways. He knew full well, This was the ſureſt way for himſelf to be Happy in the Government of ſuch a People, whoſe Loyalty and Good Obedience to him was Secured by Principles of Conſcience, & for them to be Happy under the Reign of ſuch a Prince, in whoſe Heart the Fear of God bare the chiefeſt Sway.

APPLICATION.

I. LEt us ſee what cauſe of Thankfulneſs for what of this Bleſſing is enjoyed by our Nation and our Selves, or the People in this Land. God has bleſt the Nation with a Gracious QUEEN, whoſe Heart has not only been inclined to Favour Religion, but engaged to Defend and Promote the intereſt of it. Her Royal PROCLAMATION for Preventing and Puniſhing all Vice, Immorality and Prophaneſs, put forth ſoon after Her Acceſſion to the Throne, was a Publick Expreſſion of it: Wherein all ſorts of Perſons are Excited to the due Obſervance of all Divine (as well as Humane) Laws, Statutes, and Commands, as they tender God's Honour, the Queen's p. 35Favour, and their own Welfare: Beſides other gracious Acts of late. Likewiſe the Reforming Societies in our Nation, or the Combination of Chriſtians of every Rank, Quality, and Order, to Advance Piety and Virtue, and bear Teſtimony againſt all that is contrary thereunto in themſelves and others; the continuance of their Pious Reſolution, Succeſs of their Endeavours, and Progreſs in the Work of Reformation are hopeful ſigns (at leaſt) that God is not about to leave the Nation yet, wherein, notwithſtanding the Atheiſm, and Irreligion of ſome, the Apoſtacy and Declenſion of others, May it not (without Prejudice to Truth, and then why not without Offence to the World) be ſaid, That there is yet more of true Religion and Godlineſs [in that Land of our Fore-Fathers] than in any ſuch ſpot of Earth on the Globe beſides! And has not the God of Glory appeared Wonderfully with them and for them, in his Favourable Providences, tho' not without ſome ſore Rebukes thereof!

Indeed New-England has great Reaſon of Thanksgiving to God alſo: tho' none at all of Boaſting in her ſelf, for what of Religion is to be found here. It was a ſtrong inclination to God and his Ways in the Heart of our Fathers, and Predeceſſors that firſt drew them into this Wilderneſs: They were generally Men Eminent in Piety & Virtue, that Setled this Country, and Served their Generation here according to the Will of God, with much p. 36Faithfulneſs and Zeal for the Glory of God and good of Poſterity. God was wonderfully with them, in his Ordinances and in his Providences, Wrought wonderfully for them and by them, in laying of Foundations here: and with their immediate Succeſſors in carrying on the Work ſo happily begun in their Days. We are now for the greateſt Part of the Third and Fourth Generation of them that Loved God, and followed him into a Land that was not Sown: and tho' we have too generally left that Firſt Love, yet God has not left the Land, (Bleſſed be his Name,) But we ſtill ſee His goings among us, in ways of Mercy as well as Judgment: and cannot without Impiety and Ingratitude omit to mention in way of Thankfulneſs & Praiſe to God, what we now behold and enjoy of his Divine Preſence and Favour, both in Foro and in Templo, yea may I not add alſo in Campo.

This Land is yet bleſt with a Religious Magiſtracy and Zealous Miniſtry, and the body of the People may in the judgment of Charity be reckoned True Chriſtians, or ſuch in Reality as well as in Profeſſion. The Glory of all which as it is only owing, ſo ought to be aſcribed to the Riches of Divine Grace and Goodneſs; that notwithſtanding the great Decay of Piety, and Defect of good Manners among us, to be Confeſſed, Bewailed, and Mourned over: God has not left New-England (as in just judgment he p. 37might) to a general Violation of his Covenant, or Apoſtacy from his Ways. And tho' he has viſited our Tranſgreſſion of his Laws with a Rod, and our Iniquity with Stripes, yet we trust he has not taken away his Loving kindneſs from us, nor will ſuffer his Faithfulneſs to fail towards us. There is yet much of his Spiritual Preſence and influences of Grace afforded to ſome in every Order, Rank and Quality, both in Church and State. And likewiſe the Favourable Providence of God in many Publick inſtances thereof has been, and is yet extended to the Country in general; which calls for Publick and general Acknowledgments. As the Health, Plenty & Quiet of this laſt year in the Land; Freedom from Epidemical Diſeaſes, Pinching Neceſſities, & Outrage of barbarous Eenemies. The continuance of our Civil and Eccleſiaſtical Liberties, with abundance of other Mercies and Bleſſings. It is true our Civil Liberties and Priviledges are not juſt the ſame that ſometimes they have been; yet it is better with us on that Account than we deſerve, and than others no worſe deſerving than our ſelves Enjoy. Our Church State is the ſame as at firſt. We have never been interrupted, not impoſed upon as to Doctrine, Worship, or Diſcipline. Indeed our Uneaſineſs and Diſcontent under the beſt Civil Government is the likelieſt means to procure a Change for the worſe. Our Unthankfulneſs for, and Unfruitfulneſs under p. 38Goſpel Priviledges (ſo highly valued in our Fathers days,) do threaten us more than anything with the loſs thereof, or with a Curſe inſtead of a Bleſſing: Which calls to ſee and conſider,

II. What cauſe of Grief and Mourning on this Account, or for Want of this moſt deſireable and comfortable Fruit & Evidence of Gods Preſence & Favour. Is it not to be Confeſſed & Lamented that God is not ſo with us, as he was with our Fathers? And are there not too many fearful Symptoms of his further withdrawing, if not utterly leaving us? Among which this is none of the leaſt, That He ſeems to looſen the Reins of Government, and leave men to themſelves, their own Counſels and Ways: when inſtead of Converting Grace to incline them to all manner of Obedience, they have not ſo much as Reſtraining Grace to prevent any Sin and Wickedneſs, they have a mind to. Nay does not the Bent & Byas of this Generation ſeem to be much Set, not unto God, his Statutes, Ordinances and Ways, but ſome to one Vanity or way of Wickedneſs, and ſome to another, according to their different Conſtitutions, or Inclinations of corrupted Nature, Cuſtoms, Companions, and Temptations; ſo that there is ſcarce any ſort of impiety and iniquity but may be ſeen to Be and Abound in the midſt of us. Now what greater cauſe of Sorrow and Lamentation! If meer Unregeneracy, or want of an Hearty inclination to God & Godlineſs p. 39be ſo Lamentable a State, how much worſe is it, when the Hearts of the Children of men are fully let in them to do Wickedly! The more common this is in any Place, the more cauſe of Mourning.

III. The Doctrine calls upon us to do all we can in our ſeveral Stations and Capacities, to Retain what of this Bleſſing is Enjoyed, and to Obtain what is wanting.

Firſt, It earneſtly calls on thoſe that are now the Fathers of the Country, Political and Spiritual Fathers, to engage their Hearts in this Work. Both the Temporal and Spiritual Welfare and Proſperity of theſe their Children and People muſt needs lie very near the Hearts of all ſuch: Both Nature and Grace obliges ſuch to the utmoſt expreſſion of an affectionate concern for them, and exerciſe of their Paternal Care for their good on every account.

I. Our Political Fathers in the Commonwealth are hereby called upon, to do their utmoſt to engage the Preſence of God with themſelves & us, to maintain the honour of Religion, and promote the Obſervance of all his Laws, Statutes and Judgments among us, by their Example and Authority; as knowing how much their own and the Publick Happineſs depends thereon. Magiſtrates as men, are equally concerned with others to have reſpect to all Gods Commandments; for they ſtand on the ſame level p. 40before him who has no reſpect of Perſons in Commanding, Judging or Rewarding, Job 34.19. As men, they are as much concerned to underſtand the way of Pleaſing, Glorifying & Enjoying God, as their meaneſt Subjects: Yea, the higher their Station, the greater their obligation, even as men, 2 San. 12.7, 8, 9. As Magiſtrates and Rulers, they have great need to be acquainted with Gods Teſtimonies, that they may underſtand their Place and Duty, that they may be caried thro' their cares, fears & snares; that they may have ſucceſs, & find acceptance. The way for ſuch to Rule wiſely and proſperouſly, is in all their Government and Adminiſtrations, to have reſpect to Gods Word, and keep cloſe to that. This counſel and encouragement the Lord himſelf gives to Joſhua, Joſh. 1.8. The Book of the Law ſhall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou ſhalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayſt obſerve to do according to all that is written therein; For then ſhalt thou make thy way proſperous, and thou ſhalt then have good ſucceſs. So David to Solomon, 1 King. 2.3. Thus ſelf intereſt obliges Rulers as well as others to be Religious, and Obſervant of Gods Commands themſelves; But Duty obliges further, viz. to conſult the good of the People under them.

(I.) By being thus good Examples to them, both of Piety and Morality, or of all holy and vertuous carriages; this will have a mighty influence to draw others to the like practice.

p. 41(2.) By exerciſing their Authority; who are firſt Gods Subjects, then his Officers, Rom. 13.4. Miniſters of God for good to the people. Much good may a Godly Magiſtracy do to promote the religious intereſt of a people, as well as thoſe of a civil and ſecular nature and concern. By defending and maintaining their Spiritual Priviledges, ſpeaking comfortably to thoſe that teach the good Knowledge of the Lord (as good Hezekiah did) and providing ſuitable encouragement for thoſe that attend the Service of Gods Houſe. Alſo by Reſtraining, Suppreſſing and Puniſhing the Tranſgreſſors of his Law. Tho' the hearts of men are not in the hands of theſe Earthly Gods (as the Scripture ſtyles Magiſtrates) nor can they change their natural inclinations and wills; yet may do a great ſervice by correcting their manners and ways. And External Obedience or Conformity to Gods Law, is much better than none, eſpecially as to the Publick. Tho' Hypocriſy is a great wickedneſs; and in ſome ſenſe it is a truth, That Simulata ſanctites eſt duplex iniquitas: Diſſembled Holineſs is a double wickedneſs: Be ſure, it is very odious to God, yet not of ſo pernicious example to the World, as open Prophaneſs and Diſobedience. Hypocriſy (as one ſays) ſhows ſome Reverence to Religion and the Ways of God, does ſo far acknowledge the excellency hereof, as to own it deſerves to be counterfeited; whereas Prophaneſs p. 42and Immorality declare openly againſt it, and endeavour to make a Party to drive it out of the Land and World. Indeed, 'tis a matter of great difficulty to Reduce a Degenerate People, to bring them generally to outward Reformation; yet that is the leaſt which is neceſſary to ſave them from Publick Ruine, and the leaſt that Pious Rulers will deſign and endeavour to accompliſh. If ſuch would heartily join to do all they can, by their Laws & Examples, doubtleſs they would prevail much; and if they cannot effect all they would, God will take it well, that it was in their hearts, and likewiſe Reward their Endeavours.

May it therefore Pleaſe Your Excellency!

The God of New-England, [Our Fathers God and Ours] We truſt had a Kindneſs and Favour for us, as well as Delight in You, SIR, When by His Providence he called Home, and Exalted a Perſon of ſuch ſingular Worth, Wiſdom and Goodneſs to the Place of Chief Rule and Government over us. Our Obſervation & Experience of the Good Hand of the Lord which has been with You hitherto, Protecting, Directing, Aſſiſting and Succeeding in the managing of our Publick Affairs, confirms that belief; calls for a moſt grateful Acknowledgment thereof; and encourages us to Hope as well as Pray, that God will be with you ſtill, that your Bow p. 43ſhall abide in ſtrength, againſt all oppoſition; and the Arms of Your Hands be made ſtronger and ſtronger, by the Hands of the mighty God of Jacob, who ſhall bleſs Your Perſon and Government, continue You as a Publick Bleſſing to theſe Provinces.

And will Your Excellency give us leave to expect, as from a Perſon ſo admirably accompliſhed for the exerciſe of Government in general, ſo familiarly acquainted with the circumſtances of our particular State, Humour and Intereſt, Duties, Dangers and Dependancies, ſo many ways Related to, and intereſted with us, a proportionable Zeal for the Honour of God and Religion; a greater forwardneſs to lay out ſuch excellent Talents, & improve ſuch ſingular Advantages for the Good of the Lords People, Temporal & Spiritual, than in reaſon we could expect from any other, not ſo qualified or obliged.

As for thoſe Honourable Perſons that are, or may be Choſen this Day, and called to Aſſiſt His Excellency in Council, or any other parts of Government; it is the juſt expectation of thoſe by whom ye are Choſen nextly or more remotely, that in all things you will ſincerely deſign and endeavour to promote their Safety and Welfare. And whereas the intereſt of this People is chiefly a Religious Intereſt; and it is likely to fare with us on other accounts as it goes p. 44with Religion among us. Our great dependance under God is upon your Honours Religious Care to ſee ſuch things as are provoking to him in the Land reformed; & that ſuch things as he requires in order to a being pleaſed with us; and proſpering of us, be obſerved. And if any thing further can be done to encourage & promote the liberal Education of the Youth in the Country, whereby Learning and good Manners may be upheld; it will be a very great Service to the Intereſt of Church and State, both in the Preſent and Succeeding Generation. We therefore beſeech your Honours in your Wiſdom to meditate it, and by your Authority to eſtabliſh a method for it.

Thoſe Worthy Gentlemen that Repreſent the People of this Province in a General Aſſembly, & who have called me (the unworthieſt and unfitteſt of all the Lords Servants in the Miniſtry) to ſpeak on ſuch an Occaſion as this, muſt bear with me, if now I take the freedom to ſay, you are indeed betruſted with a very great Power of Liberty and Priviledge from the People you repreſent, (as well as from GOD & the QUEEN) to have a Hand in Chuſing ſo many of their principal Rulers for them: To conſent & concur in the making of thoſe Laws by which they ſhall be Ruled; and to the laying of all Publick Taxes upon them. What you do in theſe matters, (which are all of very great concernment) p. 45the People are obliged to ſtand to. Are not you therefore obliged to uſe utmoſt Prudence and Conſcience in all? Your Wiſdom and Fidelity, both are conſided in, with reference to theſe things; That you Elect ſuch only into the Council, as upon good grounds you may judge to be Men that Fear GOD, and Honour the QUEEN, & will be true to the beſt intereſt of this People, both in Spirituals and in Temporals. That then you concur with them in any further Acts of Legiſlation neceſſary to promote the Intereſts of Holineſs, Juſtice and Peace in our Land. That you lay not unneceſſary Burdens of Charge on the People, conſidering their deep Poverty; Nor yet be unwilling to expend and lay out what is neceſſary to Defend the Country, this Principal Town, the Life, Liberties and Eſtates of the People in it: And likewiſe to ſupport the Government Honourably; I mean with the double Honour and due Reſpect, & Maintainance or Reward.

2. Our Spiritual Fathers in the Churches cannot chuſe but be Deſirous above all other things to ſee their Children Walking in the Truth, and Wayes of God, from a Hearty inclination thereunto. They greatly long for this Fruit of their Miniſterial Labours, and Prayers: and to leave this Pledge of the Lords Abiding Preſence with their Succeſſors. I preſume not to Direct or Counſel our Reverend Elders in any Caſe, but rather Intreat p. 46them as Fathers, and ask their Prayers and Bleſſings for my ſelf and Brethren of the Younger Generation: Particularly, This Bleſſing in our Text, That the God of our Fathers, even your God may be our God, and that he would be with us, as he has been and is with you, according to the Goſpel Charter, or ſpecial Promiſe of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Matt. 28.20. And help us to abide Faithful with Him both as Chriſtians & as Miniſters, Endeavouring to Keep the Truths of God inviolate, which we have received, and to hand them down along to Poſterity. To Keep the Worſhip of God and his Ordinances Pure and Incorrupt, and to promote the Sincere Converſion of Men as well as their outward Reformation. Reſtraining Grace is not ſufficient, but Regeneration is neneſſary to Salvation. This is Gods Work, but we may haply be inſtrumental to it: By Teaching the Nature and Neceſſity of CONVERSION, Making that the Principal Subject of our Miniſtry or Doctrine. By Being or Setting Examples of Holy and Righteous, Peaceable and Charitable Walking: By inceſſant Prayers to God for his Victorious Grace, to Change the Hearts of Men, and cauſe them to Walk in his Statutes. This is Gods Covenant with his People, and Miniſters as Advocates muſt put the Promiſe in ſuit for them.

Secondly, This Doctrine ſpeaks to the Body of the People. Several things,

p. 47I. It calls to the Hearty Exerciſe of the Forementioned Affections, Joy & Grief, or to Thankſgiving and Mourning, according to the different occaſſions for them.

(I.) New-England may yet Rejoyce in the Lord, and Joy in the God of her Salvation: He that is the God of Salvation is our God, and is in the midſt of us. Let us Admire & Adore his Goodneſs in not leaving of us after ſo many Days & Years of Provocation. Be exceeding Thankful for what of his Gracious Preſence and the Fruits of it is ſeen and enjoyed. Thankfulneſs for a Little, is the way to have More, at leaſt, to have that continued and Bleſt unto us. Were the People of the Country generally more ſenſible of and affected with the Goodneſs of God in reſpect of that Government we are under, and the Gracious Appearances of God with our Honourable GOVERNOUR & COUNCIL, in the good Conduct & Succesful Management of our Publick Affairs, Particularly, reſpecting the War; I ſay, were the Favour of Heaven in this regard more thankfully acknowledged, it would be a probable Means to have the Tranquility of our State Prolonged, and other Bleſſings added: Prov. 28.2. When as for the Tranſgreſſions of a Land, many are the Princes & Rulers thereof, (either together contending for Supremacy, or ſucceſſively by frequent Changes,) But by a man of Underſtanding & Knowledge, the State thereof ſhall be prolonged. Moreover, If the Churches p. 48and People of New-England were more Thankful for the Goſpel, & Kingdom of our Glorious LORD, that is yet Viſible therein, for the Liberty of their Religion and free Exerciſe of it, without Subſcribing to New Articles of Faith, Worſhip or Diſcipline, and had Wiſdom & Grace rightly to improve it, they would certainly ſee more of the bleſſed Fruits thereof. Bleſſed be God for what appearance there is of the Power of Godlineſs, for ſuch a Number of thoſe whoſe Hearts are towards Him, & whoſe endeavour is to Walk in his ways, to Keep his Commandments, his Statutes & his Judgments.

(2.) But New-England ought alſo to Mourn for what is wanting of this Bleſſing. Does iniquity abound in the Country, and the Love of many (in the Churches) wax Cold, and Profeſſors of Chriſtianity allow themſelves in many great Immoralities? This argues Gods withdrawing, and may provoke to a leaving of us, unleſs it be generally lamented by us. This Duty indeed does chiefly concern Publick Perſons, tho' it lies upon all Chriſtians, Magiſtrates, Miniſters, & other Officers of Church, and State. Publick Perſons muſt have Publick Affections as well as Relations. They are more Reſponſible to God than others, and more concerned in the Sins of the Land and Places where they have a Charge than others. Among Private Perſons, a Houſholder is more Reſponſible than a Private Member of the Family for any Diſorders, and ſo proportionably in greater p. 49and more Publick Societies. Now this is the Diſpoſition as well as Duty of ſuch as are truly Godly, to grieve and mourn for the Sins of the Age, and Place they live in, and for the number of Tranſgreſſors: Pſal. 119.136. David ſays, I beheld the Tranſgreſſors, and was grieved, becauſe they kept not thy Word. So Jeremiah Weeps in Secret for the Pride and obſtinacy of that Generation. Fit inſtances for the Chriſtian Magiſtrate & Miniſter. But this is not enough: Except the Body of the People do lay to heart the Sins of the Times, there is little ground to expect better Times, or that they will continue as they are, but grow worſe and worſe, more Sinful, and more Miſerable ſtill.

2. As the Doctrine thus applied to our preſent mixt Condition, calls for the Exerciſe of theſe different Affections; So to ſtir up Our Selves to Take hold on God, that we may retain his Preſence, and receive his Bleſſings. The Prophet complains of an Univerſal Neglect hereof in his time, Iſa. 64.7. There is none that ſtirreth up himſelf to take hold on thee: The People were Pining away in their Sins and Miſery, by reaſon of the Lords Abſence, or Departure from them; the ground of his leaving them was their not laying hold of him, and want of ſtirring up themſelves the Cauſe of that Neglect. Is not this too much our Caſe? Indeed the Abounding of Sin is that which firſt provokes the Lord to take up thoughts of Departing; but tis for want of our Taking Hold of Him, that He p. 50actually leaves and goes away: Not that He is over-forward to take Occaſion for it. Tis ſaid, He does not willingly afflict or grieve the Children of men, Lam. 3.33. Much leſs leave and forſake his own Children & People. Nay, inſtead of this, There is great Backwardneſs, & Lothneſs in God, (ſpeaking after the manner of Men:) Hoſ. 11.8. He ſays, How ſhall I give thee up Ephraim? How ſhall I deliver thee O Iſrael? Yet the Lord expects to be invited and urged to carry, or return if going: that the Faithful among his People lay hold of Him, and not let him go quite. As the Spouſe did, Gant. 3.4. I held him, and would not let him go, till I brought him into my Mothers Houſe. God ſeemed to ſhake off Jacob as willing to be rid of him; but when he would not let him go, He ſtays to Bleſs him, Gen. 32.26. Afterwards the Lord was taking his final leave of Iſrael, if Moſes had not laid ſtrong Hands upon him, Exod. 32.10, 11. But that Prevented. Does the Lord threaten to leave New-England, to give over his Work here? and cannot She find her Hands at ſuch a time, or has She no Heart to lay hold on Him? This were a more fearful Symptom of being forſaken than any other. Oh! Let us ſtir up our ſelves and one another to take hold of the Lord our God! And what other Hold of God have we but his Covenant? what have we to do with him in any other way? or what Expectation from him? Is this Immanuels Land? Are we the People of the p. 51Lord? Has he any ſpecial right and intereſt in us? This is the ground of his Care for our Safety & Welfare, & chief Argument for us to plead with Him. Thus David Perſonally, Pſal. 119.94. I am thine, Save me. This the People of Iſrael inſiſted on, Iſa. 6.9. Behold, ſee we beſeech thee, We are all thy People. More Expreſsly ſtill, Jer. 14. O Lord, Though our iniquities Teſtify againſt us, and our Backſlidings are many: We have Sinned againſt thee, O thou Hope of Iſrael and Saviour thereof in times of Trouble, why ſhouldeſt thou be as a Stranger in our Land. Yet thou art in the midſt of us, and we are called by thy Name, leave us not, Remember & break not thy Covenant with us. Eſpecially when we ask for this peculiar Bleſſing thereof, Jer. 31.18. Turn us and we ſhall be turned, Convert us, and we ſhall be Converted; for thou art the Lord our God. But we muſt Repent of our Covenant breaking with him, Acknowledge our Unfaithfulneſs to the Lord, Renew Covenant again, and Return to our Duty and Fidelity. In order where-unto we muſt let goe our Idols. God never departs till there be another taken in with Him, or ſet up by him to croud him out: and God will not continue or ever return, unleſs theſe Idols be caſt away, Ezek. 14.3, 5. One of the chief of them is the World, or our great Heart Idolatry, is Coveteouſneſs, Iſa. 57.17. God. 3.5. But be it Pride, Senſuality, Intemperance, or whatever elſe, it muſt be put away, or tis in vain to Confeſs we have Sinned againſt God in p. 52vain to Cry, Lord Leave us not: Jacob took Effectual care to Purge his Family of their Idols, and buried them under an Oak which was by Shechem, when going up to Bethel to pay his former Vows to the Lord that appeared to him, anſwered him in his Diſtreſs, and was with him in the Way whither he went, Gen. 35. beginning.

3. This Doctrine calls us to Prayer, to be much in Prayer, (in our Courts & Church Aſſembles, in our Families and Cloſets;) and in our Prayers to make this our chief Requeſt, That God would incline our Hearts to Himſelf and his Ways. Is this the moſt Deſirable Bleſſing in it ſelf? Let us make it the chief Object of our Deſires, for our ſelves & ours. We ſhould not be content without this Evidence of Gods Preſence, and inſtance of his Favour, whatever external Symbols & Tokens of it we may enjoy, thro' his Merciful good Providence: But be urgent & inſtant in Asking for the Spirit of Grace, and influences thereof, to make us an humble and Obedient People: our Land an Habitation of Juſtice, and Mountain of Holineſs; that ſo our God may take Delight to dwell in the midſt of us. And would we have the Benefits of this Abiding Preſence of God Entailed to Poſterity, & our Children alſo to Keep his Commandments, his Statutes & his Judgments, We muſt Cry mightily to that God who performeth all things for us & …, and has Promiſed this in Anſwer to Prayer, as in Ezek. 36.26, 27, 37. Prayer indeed is the moſt p. 53approved Medium to obtain any Bleſſing from the Lord, and eſpecially in the Caſe before us. For, Except God make bare his Arm, and Exert the Power of Soveraign Grace, all means will be ineffectual here. LAWS of Magiſtrates, Counſel and Advice of Miniſters, Parents, Maſters, Tutors, all to no purpoſe without this. Nor will the Providences of God effect this change: Neither Mercies nor Judgments will bring an Unconverted People to Reformation. They will not ſo much as Frame their Doings to turn unto the Lord, much leſs will the Hearts of any be inclined and ingaged to his Service, without the effectual Working of his mighty Spirit, which alone ſubdueth all things to Himſelf.

4. Do we all or generally concur with this Pious Wiſh or Prayer of Solomon, That the God of our Fathers would be with us as he was with them, to the ſame End & Effect; Then let us concur in an Endeavourous Reſolution to Be with God, and Walk with him as our Fathers were & did. We muſt enclined our Ears to his Voice, that he may encline our Hearts unto his ways. Yea this alſo is our Duty, tho' it be Gods work. Hence Joſhua Exhorts the People thereto, Joſh. 24 23. Incline your Hearts to the Lord God of Iſrael. And David profeſſes thus of himſelf, Pſal. 119.112. I have inclined my Heart to perform thy Statutes always. This dont imply any Coordinate operation in us with God, in the Work of Grace; but only our Subſervient Endeavours in p. 54the purſuing of it. God begins with his preventing Grace, & the Soul follows the impreſſions left upon it. Turn me & I ſhall be turned, was the Prophet Jeremiahs Prayer; and agreeable hereto was the Apoſtle Paul's Exhortation, Work, for it is God that worketh in you, both the Will & the Deed, the firſt inclination, and the Actual Accompliſhment. Tis Certain that we Do what we Do, tho' God cauſeth us to Do it, according to that of Auſtin: Certum eſt nos facere quod facimus, ſed Deus facit ut faciamus.

Finally, Here is a Call to the Upriſing Generation. Whom I refer to thoſe Excellent Elaborate Treatiſes on that particular Subject Extant among you. Beſeeching you carefully to Obſerve the Rules & Motives commonly given in them: Only thus much in general. Be Exceeding careful to avoid every thing that may provoke God to Deny you his Preſence: and as careful to Do all that has any tendency to engage it with you. Truſting in the Mercy of God, Which is from Everlaſting to Everlaſting upon them that Fear him; and His Righteouſneſs which is unto Childrens Children, to ſuch as keep his Covenant, and Remember his Commandments to Do them, Pſal. 103.17, 18.

FINIS.

End of the text · John Rogers, Sermon Preached before the Governor of Massachusetts (1706)