Sermon on Peace and Quietness of Civil Rulers, Sermon
A SERMON Shewing that the Peace and Quietneſs Of a people Is a main part of the Work of CIVIL RULERS, AND That it is the Duty of all to PRAY For Them.
Deliver'd at Hartford May the 8th. 1718. being the Day for the Election of the Honourable the GOVERNOUR, Lieutenant Governour, and the Worſhipful Aſſiſtants, for the Government of CONNECTICƲT.
By Samuel Eſtabrook, Paſtor of the Church in Canterbury.
Publiſh'd by Order of Authority.
NEW-LONDON: Printed & Sold by Timothy Green, Printer to his Honour the GOV. and COUNCIL. 1718.
An Election SERMON.
I. TIMOTHY II. 2.
For Kings, and for all that are in Authority;—
WHO ever rightly Conſiders the ſtate of mankind ſince the Apoſtaſy, the Univerſal depravity & Corruption of humane Nature occaſion'd thereby; the Diſorders, Diſquiets and Confuſions which ariſe therefrom; will readily grant the neceſſity not only of Government in the world and of Perſons of Eminency and every way fitted for the management of it; but alſo and eſpecially of the Concurrence of the Spirit and Bleſſing of the Moſt High GOD, whoſe Thro…e is eſtabliſhed in the Heavens and whoſe Kingdom ruleth over all Creatures, to inſpire ſuch with needful Qualifications, and to give Succeſs to their Meaſures for the ſuppreſſing Diſorder, and the reſtoration & preſervation of Peace and Quietneſs among men: for which all Chriſtians ought to Pray earneſtly unto God; which is the Duty the Apoſtle exhorts to in our Text.
The Exhortation is, 1. General, Expreſs'd in the preceding Verſe; I exhort therefore, that firſt of all, Supplications, Prayers, Interceſſions, & giving of Thanks be made for all men: Prayer is the Duty here Exhorted to; and I conceive the Variety of Phraſes by which the Apoſtle expreſſes it, is not Needleſs or Superfluous, but that it has its Significancy, and intimates to us at leaſt the Neceſſity and Importance of the Duty; and the Fervency wherewith it is to be performed: The Apoſtle adds giving of Thanks, which though it be not Eſſential to Prayer, yet by Divine Order it is to be inſerted into all our Prayers: Phil. 4. 6. But in every thing by Prayer and Supplication with Thankſgiving, let your Requeſts be made known unto God: And indeed it is highly Reaſonable ſeeing God continually Adminiſters to us Matter and Occaſions of Thankſgiving; and as we ought to Pray for Mercy for all Men, which is the firſt Branch of the Exhortation (except it be for ſuch as are Guilty of the Sin, for which the Apoſtle would not ſay that Chriſtians ought to Pray, which Exception is to be underſtood in the Apoſtles Exhortation) ſo we ought in our Prayers for them to offer Thankſgiving to God on their behalf, for the Bounties and Bleſſings He is continually beſtowing upon them.
2. Particular, As in the Text; where we may obſerve two things.
(1.) The Perſons we are Exhorted to Pray for, viz. For Kings, & for all in Authority; or all that are in Eminent Place, as it might have been rendered: Which intends thoſe that have Supreme Authority & all that are Commiſſionated by them, and Govern under them; thus the Apoſtle Phraſeth it under another Head, 1Pet. 2. 13, 14. Whether it be to the King, as Supreme; Or unto Governours, as unto thoſe that are ſent by him. Which intends the Supreme and all Inferiour Magiſtrates; which in thoſe times were Heathens, Diſcountenancers of and Enemies to the Chriſtian Religion; nevertheleſs it was the will of the Inſpired Apoſtle not only that their Authority ſhould be Subjected to; but alſo that they ſhould be Prayed for in all Chriſtian Congregations.
(2.) The reaſon of it; That we may lead a Quiet and Peaceable Life in all Godlineſs and Honeſty: There is a Threefold Peace; Peace with God; In our own Conſciences; And with Men or in Societies, It is this latter that is particularly meant in the words; and I take the other Term, viz. Quiet, to be Synonimous and to mean the ſame thing: and theſe are abſolutely Neceſſary to the comfort of Life: for though we have a Confluence of all other good things yet if we have not Peace & Quietneſs in the Fruition of them; we ſhall want much of their Comfort, and their Sweetneſs will be very much diminiſhed: the Apoſtle adds, In all Godlineſs and Honeſty, which ſeems to Limit Peace and Quietneſs to things Sacred, as to the Worſhip of God and the Exerciſe of Religion which are intended in theſe Phraſes, 9. d. That we may Worſhip God according to the mind of Chriſt in the Goſpel, and Practice the other Duties of Religion without Moleſtation, which they often met with from their Heathen Rulers and from the Jews by their allowance; and doubtleſs the Apoſtle had a particular aim at this and deſired it above all other things: But yet we may ſuppoſe that the general meaning of the Apoſtle in this expreſſion was, that they might not be Diſturbed or Diſquieted in any of their Injoyments, and in this Latitude I ſhall take the words.
The Matter of our Prayers for Kings, and thoſe in Authority is not to be Limited by this clauſe in the Text, for then we ſhould Pray for our ſelves rather than for them, but our Prayers for them ought to be Directed by their Circumſtances and Conditions: The Apoſtle is ſilent as to the Petitions which they were to offer unto God for their Rulers; but we may conclude, that, they being Heathens and Enemies to the Chriſtian Religion, one main & principal thing which they were to Petition for, was, that they might be Converted to the Chriſtian Faith, and be made Defenders, Countenancers and Incouragers of their Religion: but we living under a Chriſtian Government, and being under Chriſtian Rulers, our Prayers for them muſt be Varied accordingly: but more may be ſaid of this afterwards.
The Text is Copious and affords Inſtructions to all Orders and Degrees of Men.
1. Civil Rulers are here Inſtructed in one great End and Deſign of Government, which is the Peace and Quietneſs of thoſe over whom they Rule, and alſo in their Work and Duty; which is the Procurement & Maintenance of their Peace & Quietneſs, that they may lead a Peaceable and Quiet Life under their Government, this is Plainly Suggeſted in the Text.
2. The Ruled are here Inſtructed in their Duty, particularly and expreſly in the great Duty of Prayer to God for their Rulers, that they may be furniſhed to their Work, and be made Inſtrumental in bringing about this great end & deſign of Government the Peace & Quietneſs of thoſe over whom they Rule: Theſe are the two Heads which by Divine Aſſiſtance, I ſhall ſpeak to at this Time.
1. Peace and Quietneſs among Men and in Societies, is one end and deſign of Civil Government, and it is the Work and Duty of all that are Inveſted with Civil Power and Authority to endeavour that all that Live under their Government may have Peace and Quietneſs in all their Injoyments. This is ſo Plain and Evident that I need not inlarge upon the Proof of it: two things are included in it.
1. Peace and Quietneſs among Men and in Societies is one end and deſign of Government: And one of the Principal ends and deſigns of it next unto the Glory of God, which is the ultimate End and Deſign of all things. The Supreme Lord hath Ordained Government and given Kings and Rulers their Offices and their Dignity for this end; that they being Armed with Power and Authority they may Preſerve Publick Peace and Order in the World: and herein it is that they are Miniſters of God for our good.
For the Proof of this I ſhall only Inſtance in ſome of the main parts of Government, and ſhew that this is their Principal deſign, which will ſufficiently Evince that it is one main end and deſign of the whole.
(1.) This is the deſign of all Humane Laws which contain the Rules of Government, and it ought to be in the Intention of thoſe that have the Power of making them, and alſo of them that are appointed for the Execution of them; they are for the Protection of the Subjects in a Quiet and Peaceable Poſſeſſion of all that God and Nature hath Beſtowed upon them; and they ought to be framed accordingly and ſo Executed: That this end may be attained; that every man may ſit Quietly under his Vine & be undiſturbed in their Injoyments of what kind ſo ever they be.
(2.) This is the end and deſign of all Adminiſtrations of Juſtice in Civil Courts: they are appointed for the Deciſion of Controverſies among Men: The true Ground or Foundation of Differences and Contentions among Men: or Wrong done either real or ſuppoſed and imaginary: now Civil Courts are appointed to Inquire into all Wrongs and Injuries, and to give Judgment according as they appear, which is to Determine and Iſſue the Controverſies that ariſe there from: So that Peace and Quietneſs is the end and deſign of the Adminiſtration of Juſtice in Civil Courts.
(3.) This is the Deſign and Intention of many of the Offices that are Conferred in Government; which may be Termed Offices or Commiſſions of the Peace: which Offices do particularly oblige thoſe that ſuſtain them to take care of the Peace & to Improve their Power and Authority, for the Defence and Preſervation of it: and unto ſuch, Perſons are Directed to go for Relief when Unjuſtly Moleſted and Injured: theſe things Argue that this is one of the main ends and deſigns of Government. And we are not to think this too mean to be the deſign of ſo Honourable a Calling and Imployment: for Peace and Quietneſs or Undiſturbed Injoyment of our Bleſſings whether Spiritual or Temporal, is the very Life of our Injoyments, and the want of it renders every thing Uncomfortable and Unpleaſant: it is more Eligible to want many other Bleſſings than that of Peace and Quietneſs: Prov. 17. 1. Better is a dry Morſel, and Quietneſs therewith, than a Houſe full of Sacrifices with Strife.
But I Proceed:
2. It is therefore the Work and Duty of all that are Inveſted with Civil Power & Authority to endeavour after the Attainment of this good and great end of Government: And all that are Imployed in Government, ought to make ſuch an Improvement of their Authority in their reſpective Poſts, as that thoſe that are under their Government may lead a Quiet and a Peaceable Life: this neceſſarily follows, for ſurely if this be one end of Government, then thoſe that are Imployed in Government ought to look at this and to endeavour after it: But this is evident to all and I need not offer any further Proof of it. I proceed to The APPLICATION of this Head.
1. Hence whatſoever in any Government whether it be Perſon, Office or Law, or any other thing, that croſſes & obſtructs this deſign of Government, it is & muſt be accounted an Evil, and ought to be Suppreſſed. The Law accounts them ſuch, ſtyling them common Nuſances; and ſuch there are in every Government; and doubtleſs were Strict Inquiſition made, there might be many ſuch things found in this Government, which have hither unto Obſtructed our Peace and Quietneſs, and Fruſtrated the Attempts that have been made for the Procurement thereof: and ſo long as ſuch things are allowed and connived at Peace can't be expected.
2. Hence Peaceable men, being otherways Qualified, are the moſt fit for Office in Government. Men of Peaceable and Quiet Tempers and Spirits; Men that are Zealous for Peace; & are willing to forego their own Intereſt, for the Peace and Tranquility of the whole: theſe are the men fit for Offices in Government; for theſe are the moſt likely to attain this end of Government and to Procure and Maintain the Peace and Quietneſs of the People: and this may ſerve for a Direction unto thoſe who have the Privilege of deſigning Perſons for Offices, and have Power of Conferring Offices upon Perſons in this Government; this ought to be Regarded eſpecially at this time, when Diviſions and Animoſities abound in the Government.
3. And Laſtly, I ſhall Conclude with a word of Exhortation unto thoſe that are or are to be our Rulers for the Enſuing Year; There are many things which Diſturb our Peace; and becauſe of our Diviſions there are great thoughts of Heart. It is fitting, Honourable, Worſhipful, and Highly Eſteemed, that under this Head I ſhould make my Humble Addreſs unto you particularly, for the Healing of our Differences and the Recovery of our Peace and Quietneſs: The Addreſs has been already made by a better Hand upon the laſt occaſion of this Nature: but in as much as our Diviſions and Animoſities ſtill remain, and I fear Increaſe. I muſt beg leave to Re-aſſume the Exhortation; and in Meekneſs and with all due Reſpect I Intreat that you ſtill uſe your utmoſt endeavours that our Jeruſalem may be Built a City Compact, and that it may be a Quiet and Peaceable Habitation: This is peculiarly your Province, and our Eyes are upon you under God for it. It is the Expectation of God whom you Repreſent, and Serve; and of the People over whom you Rule; that you exert all your Power, and Improve all your Wiſdom and Dexterity, your Policy and Prudence for to Reduce us to good Order; that we may be favoured with the Invaluable Bleſſing of Peace and Quietneſs in all our Enjoyments Sacred & Civil. Herein you will Act like Him whom you Repreſent, who has ſtiled Himſelf the God of Peace; and is ſo not only as He is the Author of Peace, but alſo as He Loves & Delights in it; and as He has beſtowed His Honourable Name & Character upon you; ſo it becomes you to Anſwer it in your Reſpective Places and according to the Talents Committed to your Truſt. And in ſo doing you will Anſwer one main end of your Offices, keep a good Conſcience, and Inherit the Bleſſing our Lord has Intailed upon Peace Makers, mentioned in Mat. 5. 9.
As to our Churches and the Exerciſe of our Religion; we have reaſon to Bow down and to Adore God for the Liberty and Freedom the Peace & Quietneſs we are Indulged with, and in that our Rulers are Chriſtians; Countenancers and Incouragers of Religion; and have made good Laws for the Preſervation of our Peace in the Worſhip of God; and in that the ways to our Solemn Aſſemblies don't Mourn: But yet we have reaſon to be Humbled that there has been ſo many Diviſions in ſome of our Churches to the great Detriment of Religion and Hindrance to the Work of God in them; and if there might be ſomething farther done for the Preventing of Feuds and Schiſms in our Churches, it would be very Acceptable unto God and Serviceable to the Intereſt of Chriſt. I ſhall not undertake to Determine the Extent of the Civil Magiſtrates Power in Matters Eccleſiaſtical: it is Evident that there is a care Incumbent upon Civil Rulers of Churches and of Church Matters, and in many Caſes they ought to Exert their Authority: …. e. particularly in matters of Order where there are no particular Rules in the Word of God to Oblige the Conſciences of Men to the contrary; and in things that are left to the Judgment, Prudence and Conduct of Church Officers and Churches. I conceive that the Rules drawn up and agreed upon by them, whether they be for the more Regular and Decent Worſhipping of God or the Exerciſe of Diſcipline, ought to be Eſtabliſhed by the Civil Magiſtrates Authority, and their Sanction ought to be Binding to all; for in ſuch things all ought to Acquieſce in the Judgment of the Churches; and thoſe who Refuſe ought to be Compelled, which would very much Conduce to Peace and Quietneſs in our Churches; which would very much Advantage Religion in them.
But as to our Civil Affairs; I Preſume that if Property was ſetled upon a better Foundation, it would Contribute much to our Peace and Quietneſs: for many of our Differences, eſpecially in our New Towns, ariſe from the Various Sentiments, and Different Opinions there are about it: and it Creates many Uncomfortable Law-Suits, which Excites the Paſſions of men, begets Prejudices in them, and Ingenders Striles and Contentions, which brings with them Confuſion and every Evil Work. Hereby our Peace is very much Diſturbed and Religion is very much Hurt.
I ſpeak Feelingly, for Divine Providence has caſt my Habitation in the very midſt of them; not that I am Perſonally Injured or Moleſted; but my meaning is, that I Feel the Hurt that our Contentions does Religion and the Intereſt of Men: and I ſhould exceedingly Rejoyce could there …e found a Remedy to prevent thoſe intolerable Moleſtations which ſome men meet with, and the Litigious and Vexatious Law Suits that are Commenced and Carried on to the great Diſturbance of our Peace.
And if there might be a Cloſer Application made of the Laws of the Colony to the Troublers of our Iſrael, it might be very Subſervient to our Peace and Quietneſs: there are Achans among us, who by their Tranſgreſſions Moleſt us, Provoke God and bring down His heavy Judgments upon us to our Trouble and Confuſion: theſe Frequently eſcape due Puniſhment, whereby they are Emboldened in their Tranſgreſſions and proceed even to offer Contempt to our Authority and Laws; there are ſome of our Laws which in ſome Places are but rarely if ever put in Execution: the end of the Law which is the Peace and Safety of the Subject can't be Attained unleſs it be put in Execution.
And therefore if there might be great care taken in the Deſignation of Perſons for the Execution of the Laws of the Government; and if ſuch Perſons might be found in every Town, and Impowered for this Service, who are Conſcientious, Men of Courage, Zeal and Reſolution; who are Senſible of the Solemn Nature and Obligation of an Oath and Fear it; and had rather Hazard all, than Offend GOD or Wrong their own Conſciences, or be Unfaithful in their Places and Stations: it would with the Bleſſing of God Accompanying their endeavours, exceedingly Conduce to our Peace and Quietneſs.
And if more Care might be taken of our New Towns, it might be very Serviceable to them in their Beginning, and prevent their falling into Contentions.
But to draw to a Cloſe: Let Juſtice have free Courſe in the Government, and let Schools of Learning be Incouraged and Promoted; this is an Excellent means to Cultivate the rough Tempers of thoſe that are growing up, and to inure them to Civility & good Order; which will contribute to our future Peace and Quietneſs.
And above all things let Religion be Promoted, and endeavour that Godlineſs may be in the midſt of us in the Power of it, and that your Peoples Hearts may be ſeaſoned with the Fear of God and be Eſtabliſhed with the Peaceable Principles of Religion.
And for this end, Comfort and Incourage the Embaſſadours of Peace, who are Devoted to this Work; I Hope none of us are wanting in our Places, either to forward this work or to be helpful unto you in your endeavours for the Peace and Welfare of this People; by our Prayers, Counſels and Inſtructions; putting the People in mind to be Subject & Obedient to your Laws & Ordinances.
And finally, Let me commend to you Union among your ſelves, as that which will exceedingly ſtrengthen your Authority, and forward your endeavours & attempts for the attaining of our Peace and Quietneſs. Endeavour then to be of one Mind, and at Peace among your ſelves. I paſs on to
II. It is the Duty of Chriſtians to Pray for thoſe that have the Rule over them, that they may be Enabled ſo to manage Government, as that Publick Peace and Quietneſs may be Preſerved. And under this Head, I ſhall 1. Shew that it is a Duty: And 2. What we are to Pray for in order hereunto.
1. We may Argue this Duty from ſundry Heads, As,
(1.) From the Divine Original of Civil Government. It is not an Ordinance of Man, but of God's. The Powers that be, are of God; whoſoever therefore reſiſteth them, reſiſteth an Ordinance of God, Rom. 13. 1, 2. The Original of Government is in God; particular Forms or Modes of Government are of Mans Inventing; but the Subſtance of it came from God, and therefore it Depends upon Him for Support and Succeſs: Government can't be Maintained in the World without God who gave it its being; for the Firſt Cauſe of a thing is neceſſary to its Subſiſtance; neither can there be any good Succeſs of Government, or any of its good Ends attained unleſs its Author Smiles upon it, and His Bleſſing go with it; therefore we ought to Pray to God for thoſe that are Deſigned and Impowred for the Management of Government.
(2.) From the Station and Capacity in which Civil Rulers ſtand in Government. The Higheſt in Authority upon Earth are under God. He is the Supreme, and his Power is Unlimited, and he does whatſoever he Pleaſes and gives no Account of his Matters. Men are but Inſtruments in his Hands, and their Offices are only Miniſterial; hence called Miniſters of God, Rom. 1…. 4. Now Inſtruments depend upon their Efficient Cauſe for Power to Act in their Places and in the Work they are Imployed about. Men have no Power to Act in Government but what they Receive from God. Joh. 19. 11. Jeſus Anſwered, Thou couldeſt have no Power at all againſt me, except it were given thee from above. It is by Influence & Direction and Aſſiſtance from above that Kings Reign, Prov. 8. 15, 16. By me Kings Reign, and Princes Decree Juſtice. By me Princes Rule, and Nobles, even all the Judges of the Earth: They Rule their Kingdoms wiſely, juſtly & happily, by My Counſel and Aſſiſtance. Therefore we ought to Pray to God for them.
(3) From the Abſolute Power and Dominion which God has over the hearts of all men. They are intirely in his Hands; even the hearts of the higheſt and greateſt upon Earth are at his Command; Prov. 21. 1. The kings heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whitherſoever he will. He influences and over-rules the very Inward Purpoſes, Inclinations and Counſels of their Hearts, which ſeem to be moſt in their own Power and out of the way of all others: God can give unto Rulers the Spirit of Government, as he gave unto Saul another Heart, a Spirit of & Qualification for Government, when He Deſigned and Appointed him for to Rule his People Iſrael; 1 Sam. 10. 9. Therefore God is to be ſought to for thoſe that Rule over us.
(4) From the Neceſſity of Government, and of Perſons very well Accompliſhed for to manage it. Were it not for Government, the World would ſoon run into all manner of diſorders and confuſions: mens Lives and Eſtates and Liberties would ſoon be a prey to the Covetous and the Cruel; and we can't expreſs the Ma…ice and Murder, the Rapine and Robberies, the Miſchiefs and Miſeries which would abound in the World were there no Government to Reſtrain men: One man would be Bread for another, and the World which is like the Sea for Storms & Tempeſts, would alſo Reſemble it in this, that the Inhabitants thereof would be as the Fiſhes of the Sea, the great would Devour the ſmall; Hab. 1. 14. As the Fiſhes of the Sea, who have no Rule over them. We may plainly ſee the Neceſſity of Government in the World, in the Inſtance of ſome, who have thrown off the Reins of Government; & what Uprores have they made? What Outrages and Depredations have they Committed? taking away the Lives and Eſtates of men at their Pleaſure: and merely for the gratification of their Curſed Luſts; and what the iſſue of this tragical deſign will be, God only knows! This is a convincing Argument of the Neceſſity of Government. There is alſo a Neceſſity of well Accompliſhed Perſons for the Management of it: The Weight of Government is too great to be laid upon the Shoulder of mean men; it is Rulers of the Earth, that under God, uphold it: They are therefore called, the Pillars of the Earth, Pſal. 73. 3. This argues, that it is a Duty to Pray for Civil Rulers.
(5) From the Difficulties which Attend Government, which ariſe principally from the reſtleſs Paſſions and ungoverned Spirits and Luſts of men: Theſe are the prime occaſion of all thoſe Diviſions and Clamours that are in the world; Jam. 4. 1: From whence come Wars and Fightings? Come they not hence, even of your Luſts, that War in your Members? This renders the Work of thoſe in Government very Difficult; yea Impoſſible for them of themſelves to Quiet and Still the Tumults that are in the world: and to Suppreſs the Diſorders that Sin and the Luſts of men bring into the world. Hence it is in Scripture Aſcribed to Him that has Power to Command the raging Sea and to ſtill the noiſe of its Waves, Pſal. 65. 7. Which ſtilleth the noiſe of their Waves, and the Tumult of the People. This argues that we ought to Pray to God for our Rulers.
2. To ſhew what we are to Pray for; or what is to be the Matter of our Prayers for our Rulers. This I ſhall diſpatch in theſe following particulars.
(1) We are to Pray for their Welfare, Spiritual and Temporal: That they may have all ſaving Grace and everlaſting Glory. For their Lives, and all thoſe Bleſſings which are neceſſary to their Comfort & Support; and for their Encouragement, that they may be in a Capacity to undergo and grapple with the Fatigues of Government: and to live anſwerable to the Dignity of their Place and Station in the world; as they are Diſtinguiſhed from & exalted above others by the Honour and Dignity that is Conferred upon them, ſo they ought to be in their living: and as their work and ſervice is arduous and difficult, ſo they ought to be Supported and Encouraged. Which we are to Pray for.
(2) We are to Pray for all good Qualifications for Government; as a right Heart and Spirit to rule over others, Knowlege and Wiſdom, Courage and Fortitude, Patience and the Fear of God, a ſincere & diſintereſted aim at the Glory of God, & the Peace, & Order, and Beauty of the world: Strength & Zeal, and Reſolution for the vigorous Proſecution of theſe ends: Theſe are the gifts of God, & are abſolutely neceſſary for Government: We are therefore to look to God for them: & particularly & eſpecially the Prayer which Solomon offered unto God for himſelf, 1 King. 3. 9. is very ſuitable for us to offer unto God for our Rulers, viz. That God would give them an underſtanding Heart, to Judge his People, that they may diſcern between good and evil. And alſo that Prayer which he offered unto God, in 2 Chron. 1. 10. Give me now Wiſdom and Knowlege, that I may go out and come in before this People.
(3) For the Preſence of God with them, the influences of his Spirit & Grace to aſſiſt and direct them, and his Bleſſing upon their Counſels, Deſigns and Undertakings, for the attainment of our Peace, that it may flow in as a River.
APPLICATION.
1. Two ſorts of Perſons are to be Reproved.
(1) Thoſe who inſtead of Praying for Civil Rulers, Revile 'em & ſpeak Contumeliouſly of them. This muſt needs be a very great evil, becauſe it is directly contrary to Praying for them: which the Apoſtle in our Text exhorts to, & we have ſhewed is a Chriſtian duty: Which we find alſo ſtrictly forbidden, in Exod. 22. 28. Thou ſhalt not revile the gods, nor curſe the ruler of thy people. Not gods falſly ſo called, as ſome wou'd have it, but Magiſtrates & Governours, as is evident in the next clauſe, Nor Curſe the Ruler of thy People. They are called gods, in Pſal. 82. 6. I have ſaid, Ye are gods,—It muſt needs therefore be a very great Sin to Revile them, & to ſpeak Evil of them, & an affront unto God whoſe Deputies they are, under whom they Govern, and whoſe Name they bear, which renders it odious & abominable. Hence the Apoſtle Jude animadverts upon it as ſuch, and that very ſharply; calling them filthy Dreamers who deſpiſe Dominion, and ſpeak evil of Dignities. And though Michael the Arch-Angel, when contending with the Devil, durſt not bring a railing accuſation againſt him, Jude 8, 9. Yet how many are there in theſe days who are hardy and impudent enough, to heap Reproaches and Contumelies on their Rulers, who utter their Reviling and ſcurrilous Speeches, more freely than they do their Prayers for their Rulers; and if they make any Prayers for them, their Practices contradict them, and render them ineffectual.
(2) Thoſe who hinder our Peace and Quietneſs, and promote Contentions, are alſo Reprehenſible: For they act contrary to the duty we have been inſiſting on: and contradict the reaſon of the Apoſtles exhortation in our Text. It is the work of our Rulers to preſerve Peace, and our Duty in the mean time to Pray for them, that they may be Aſſiſted & Directed, Counſelled and Adviſed in this work from above. They that obſtruct our Peace act directly contrary not only to their work, but to their own Duty; which muſt needs be a very great evil and very Offenſive unto God. This is one of the Six things which the Lord hates, yea it is the Seventh which is an Abomination to him, Prov. 6. 19.—And him that ſoweth Diſcord among Brethren
2. From hence we may alſo Infer, the Duties of Reverence, Subjection and Obedience which we owe to our Civil Rulers. For if we ought to Pray for them, then ſurely we ought to ſhew them the Reſpect and Reverence which the Word of God requires and their Station calls for: and alſo to Subject ourſelves to their Authority, and Obey all their lawful Commands. We are alſo here taught that it is our Duty to afford them all that Encouragement, and all that Help we can in their Work: and particularly we ought in our reſpective places to concur with and to forward their deſigns and endeavours for our Peace and Quietneſs: And if every one would be ready to this, it would make their work very eaſie and delightſom.
3. In the laſt Place, I ſhall Commend the Practice of the Duty we have been inſiſting on, 1. To thoſe that are in the Miniſtry. And, 2. To all the People in general.
[1] Let my Reverend Fathers and Brethren in the Miniſtry, ſuffer the word of Exhortation to the performance of this Duty. Unto thoſe of our Order, & unto us the Exhortation in the Text is particularly given; and it becomes us who ought to give our ſelves to Prayer, to be Earneſt & Importunate therein for all that are in Authority over us: That the Government that is Committed to them may be managed ſo Wiſely, Prudently and Faithfully, as that we and our People may lead a Quiet & Peaceable Life under it: This will very much Contribute to our Eaſe and Comfort; for all that are in the Miniſtry know by experience, that Diviſions among their People is a very great Obſtruction to their Work, and creates them a great deal of Trouble and Difficulty: This will alſo promote the Common Good, which we eſpecially ought to look at & endeavour after: it will prevent a great deal of Sin; for where there is Strife and Contention there is every Evil Work, and be a means to promote the Eternal Salvation and Happineſs of Souls: which above all things is incumbent upon us to Promote.
[2] Let all the People be Exhorted to the performance of the Duty of Prayer for their Rulers Prayer is a Duty incumbent on Private Chriſtians, as well as thoſe that are in Publick Poſts and Serve at the Altar; and every Chriſtian in his Place and Station, ought to have ſo much regard to their Rulers both in Church and State, and alſo to their own Peace and Quietneſs, and beſt Good, as to Pray to GOD earneſtly and frequently for them, that they may be enabled to diſcharge their Duty, and to preſerve Publick Peace and Order: in ſo doing you will Pray for the Peace of Jeruſalem, which all are Obliged to; Pſal. 122. 6. Pray for the Peace of Jeruſalem,—
But more Particularly.
1. Let us all be Exhorted to Pray for our Sovereign King GEORGE, the happy and bleſſed Inſtrument of the Peace and Tranquility of Great Britain, and this Land: That the Almighty would ſtill be with Him, Preſerve and Lengthen out His Life, Proſper and Succeed His Government over us; and Crown Him with the beſt of Bleſſings: ever remembring to offer unto God in our Prayers, the Sacrifice of Thankſgiving and Praiſe, for the rich Bleſſings of Peace and Order which under GOD, and by his Influences He has been the Author of. And here I might be large in recounting and diſcanting upon the Signal & Wonderful Providence of GOD, whereby He was brought to the Britiſh. Throne, at a juncture when both Religion and Civil Liberty were in imminent Danger; and Popery & Arbitrary Government ready to ſtep in,—Whereby He has been made Succeſsful & eminently Inſtrumental in quieting their Troubles, & healing the Diviſions of our Nation; ſetting both Religion & Government upon a better Foundation. Theſe things are moſt worthy of our Thankſgiving & Praiſe.
2 For all that are in Places of Authority there: That they may be well Spirited for the intereſt of Religion and the Liberties of the Nations: That they may be filled with Zeal and Fortitude, with Wiſdom and good Underſtanding: that they may be fitted to act aright in their reſpective Poſts: and to ſerve GOD according to his Will in their Generations: That GREAT BRITAIN may be Defended from all inteſtine and forein Enemies, and her Peace and Tranquility lengthened out.
3. For all thoſe that are or may be immediately over … Authority; The Honourable GOVERNOUR, the Lieutenant GOVERNOUR, the Worſhipful ASSISTANTS, the whole ASSEMBLY, and for all in Inferior Poſts, that the Preſence of GOD may be with them: Eſpecially with the Aſſembly in their Preſent Seſſion, that they may be aſſiſted and directed by Him: that they may have right apprehenſion of our Troubles and Difficulties, and afford us Relief: that there may be Union among them, and an Healing Spirit, that they may as one man ſeek the Peace and Welfare of this People. I Conclude with the words following the Text; For this is good and acceptable in the ſight of God our Saviour.
FINIS
End of the text · Samuel Estabrook, Sermon on Peace and Quietness of Civil Rulers (1718)