Government the Pillar of the Earth, Sermon

Government the Pillar of the Earth · Sermon

Mr. Colman's Lecture SERMON upon the Arrival of His Excellency the GOVERNOUR. 13 august 1730

GOVERNMENT the Pillar of the Earth. A SERMON Preached at the Lecture in BOSTON, Before His EXCELLENCY JONATHAN BELCHER, Eſq Captain General and Commander in Chief, &c. Auguſt 13th 1730.

By Benjamin Colman.

Iſai. xxxiii. 6. Wiſdom and Knowledge ſhall be the Stability of thy Times, and ſtrength of Salvation.

BOSTON, in New-England: Printed for T. Hancock, at the Bible and Three Crowns near the Town-Dock. 1730.

GOVERNMENT the Pillar of the Earth.

1. Sam. ii. 8.

—FOR the Pillars of the Earth are the LORD's, and He hath ſet the World upon them.

THE Words are part of a raptrous and heavenly Song, utter'd by a devout, inſpir'd and tranſported Mother in Iſrael, upon a great and joyful Occaſion. If the DIVINE ETERNAL SPIRIT pleaſe to inſpire and ſpeak by a gracious Woman, it is the ſame thing to us, and requires our reverend Attention as much, as if he raiſe up a Moſes or an Elias, or make His Revelations by a Paul or John.

p. 2Samuel, the rare and wonderful Son of inſpir'd Hannah, never outſpake his lovely Mother in any of his Prayers or Acts of Praiſe. Eli would have ſat at her Feet, and laid himſelf in the Duſt, at the hearing of this flowing Torrent of fervent Devotion from her beauteous Lips; And Saints thro' all Ages hang on the heavenly Muſic of her Tongue.

Great things are here ſaid of GOD, and of His Government, in the Families and Kingdoms of Men; and ſuch wiſe and juſt Obſervations are made, as are worthy of deep Contemplation by the greateſt and beſt of Men. Had She like Deborah been the Princeſs of the Tribes of Iſrael, She could not have ſpoken with more Loftineſs and Majeſty, with more Authority and Command; nor better have addreſs'd the Nobles and Rulers, the Captains and the Mighty Men; to humble and lay 'em low before GOD.

She celebrates the LORD GOD of Iſrael ‖‖Henry in loc., his unſpotted Purity, his Almighty Power, his unſearchable Wiſdom, and his unerring Juſtice:

In the Praiſes of Theſe She joys and triumphs, her Heart was exalted and her Mouth enlarged.

She adores the DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY in its Diſpoſals of the Affairs of the Children of Men; in the ſtrange and ſudden Turns given to them; in the Riſe & Fall of Perſons, Families & Countries.

She obſerves how the Strong are ſoon weakned, and the Weak are ſoon ſtrengthned, when GOD pleaſes: How the Rich are ſoon impoveriſh'd, and the Poor inriched on a ſudden: How empty Families are repleniſh'd, and numerous Families diminiſhed: All this is of the LORD; He maketh poor and maketh rich, He bringeth low and lifteth up: He raiſeth up the poor out of Duſt, and lifteth up the Beggar from the Dunghill; to ſet them among Princes, and make them inherit the Throne of Glory; "For the Pillars of the Earth are the LORD's, and He hath ſet the World upon them.

p. 3Thus my Text is introduced as a Reaſon for thoſe Diſpenſations of GOD towards a Perſon, a Family, or a People, which at any time are to us moſt ſurpriſing and admirable.

1. The things ſpoken of are great and mighty; The Pillars of the Earth. The Earth is a vaſt Fabrick▪ and in Proportion to its mighty Bulk muſt its Pillars be.

The Metaphor is plainly taken from Architecture; as in ſtately, ſpacious and magnificent Structures we often ſee Rows of Pillars, to ſuſtain the Roof and lofty Towers. But whether we apply this manner of Expreſſion to the natural or moral Earth, it is figurative and not literal.

The natural Earth has no Pillar. The Will and Word of GOD is its only Baſis. It ſeems to us who dwell on it fix'd and immoveable in the Air. It keeps it's Place and Line there, as if it were ſet on ſome laſting ſolid Pillars, and never mov'd at all.

We darkly Philoſophiſe upon the Point, and talk of the Poles of Heaven; which are more unintelligible to a common Audience than the Pillars of it. We ſpeak obſcurely of the Earth's being fixed on it's own Center. And we diſcourſe more intelligibly of the ſecret Power of Magnetiſm which is in Matter; whereby Bodies mutually attract or gravitate toward each other; By which the mighty Globes of the Univerſe preſerve their Diſtance, Motion and Order.

This ſeems to be the only natural Pillar of the Earth: The amazing Work and Power of GOD. And the Planets which roll in the ſame Circle with us, have all of 'em the ſame Pillars. That is to ſay, "All Bodies thro' the whole Solar Syſtem attract or gravitate toward each other, with Forces according to their Quantities of Matter.

But after all this fine Doctrine in our New Philoſophy, concerning the Centripetal Forces of the Sun p. 4and Planets; a plain Chriſtian is much more edified by the ſimple and vulgar Account which the ſacred Pages give us of this myſterious Thing**Job xxvi. 7. Pſalm xxiv. 2.Job 26:7Ps 24:2: "He ſtretcheth out the North over the empty ſpace, and hangeth the Earth upon nothing! He hath founded it upon the Seas, and eſtabliſhed it upon the Floods. Which is to ſay, "No Man knows how or where, this vaſt material Frame finds it's Baſis and Station.

Let us hear GOD again on the point, and ſay no more upon it; Job xxxviii. Who is this that darkneth Counſel by Words without Knowledge? Gird up now thy Loins like a Man; for I will demand of thee, and anſwer thou Me. Where waſt thou when I laid the Foundations of the Earth? Declare if thou haſt Underſtanding. Who hath laid the Meaſures thereof, if thou knoweſt? Or who hath ſtretched the Line upon it? Whereupon are the Foundations thereof faſtned? or who laid the Corner-ſtone thereof?

We ſee then that the natural Earth has no Pillars, in any proper Senſe; Neither has the moral Earth, (i. e. The Inhabitants of it) any, but in a Metaphorical Senſe: And ſo the Princes and Rulers of it are called it's Pillars; becauſe the Affairs of the World ly upon their Shoulders, and turn upon their Conduct and Management, in a very great Degree.

And thus the Text explains it ſelf, and is to be interpreted from the ſcope of our Context; which ſpeaks of the Bows of the mighty Men, and of the Thrones of Princes, and then adds—the Pillars of the Earth. So that by PILLARS we are to underſtand Governours and Rulers among Men; but not the Perſons that bear Rule, ſo much as the Order it ſelf, Government and Magiſtracy. For the Perſons may be weak and ſlender Reeds, little able of themſelves to bear up any thing; and here and there they may fall; but the Order ſtands and doth indeed uphold the World.

p. 52. The things ſaid of theſe Pillars of the Earth are alſo very great: "They are the LORD's, and "He has ſet the World upon them. That is to ſay, The Order and Happineſs of this lower World, the Peace and Weal of it, depend on the Civil Government which GOD has ordained in it. All this is very elegant and rhetorical, a high and noble Strain of Speech, upon the higheſt Subject that belongs to this our Earth.

DOCT. THE Great GOD has made the Governments and Rulers of the Earth it's Pillars, and has ſet the World upon them.

1. The Governments and Rulers of the Earth are it's Pillars.

2. Theſe Pillars of the Earth are the LORD's.

3. He has ſet the World upon them.

I. The Governments and Rulers of the Earth are it's Pillars.

The Pillar is a Part of great Uſe and Honour in the Building: So is Magiſtracy in the World. One Style in Scripture for it is, Foundations and Corner-ſtones. Where we read of the Chief **Judges xx. 2.Judg 20:2of the People, in the Hebrew it is the Corners. We read alſo of the‖‖Pſal. lxxxii.Ps 82 Foundations of the Earth being out of Courſe. The meaning is, the Government of it was ſo. Kings bear up and ſupport the Inferior Pillars of Government, and a righteous Adminiſtration reſtores a diſſolving State: Pſal. lxxv. 3. The Earth and all the Inhabitants thereof are diſſolved: I bear up the 'Pillars of it.

In like manner, Wiſe and faithful Miniſters are Pillars in the Church: Which is built on the Prophets and Apoſtles, JESUS CHRIST being the chief Cornerſtone, Eph. ii. 20. The Prophet Jeremiah was made by GOD an Iron Pillar: And of Peter, James and John we read, that they ſeemed to be Pillars: Gal. ii. 9. They were deſervedly ſo reputed, and truly ſo in the Church of CHRIST. Famous are the LORD's Words p. 6to Peter, Matth. xvi. 18. Thou art PETER, and on this Rock will I build my Church. And when John had the Viſion of the New-Jeruſalem, deſcending out of Heaven from GOD, it is ſaid that the Wall of the City had twelve Foundations, and in them the Names of the twelve Apoſtles of the Lamb.

Now the Deſign and Uſe of Pillars in a Building is one of theſe two, or both together: 1. For Strength to uphold it, or 2. For Beauty to adorn it.

1. The Governments and Rulers of the Earth are its Pillars in reſpect of Strength to uphold and ſupport the Virtue, Order and Peace of it. Pillars ſhould be made ſtrong, and commonly are ſo; of Stone and Marble, Iron and Braſs. And it had need be a ſtrong Rod to be a Sceptre to Rule, Ezek. xix. 14. Magiſtrates need be ſtrong, for Government is a great Weight; and it is laid upon their Shoulders. Moſes felt the Weight and ſaid, I am not able to bear this People alone.

2. The Governments and Rulers of the Earth are it's Pillars for Ornament, to adorn it. Pillars in a fine Building are made as beautiful as may be; They are plan'd and poliſh'd, wrought and carv'd with much Art and Coſt, painted and gilded, for Sight▪ as well as Uſe. As the Legs are to a Body, comely in it's goings: Such are Pillars in a ſtately Structure for Beauty to the Eye. It is the alluſion of the Spouſe, recounting the Beauties of her BELOVED, Cant. v. 15. His Legs are as Pillars of Marble, ſet upon Sockets of fine Gold. A bold and elegant Compariſon, becoming the Pen of Solomon, who had built the Temple of GOD with all it's Pillars. They repreſented the Strength of CHRIST and his Stability, to bear the Weight of the Government laid upon Him; and alſo the Magnificence of the Goings of GOD our King in the Sanctuary: Likewiſe the Steadineſs of the Divine Adminiſtration. So Thoſe in power and Magiſtracy are to be ſuppoſed, Men adorn'd with ſuperior Gifts, Powers and Beauties of Mind: Men that adorn the World wherein they Live, and the Offices which they ſuſtain. And then their p. 7Office adorns them alſo, and ſets them in conſpicuous Places, where what is great and good in them is ſeen of all.—To be ſure, Government and Magiſtracy adorn the World as well as preſerve it.

1. Magiſtrates uphold and adorn the World, as Pillars do a Fabrick, by employing their ſuperior Wiſdom and Knowledge, Skill and Prudence, Diſcretion and Judgment for the publick Good. Theſe Accompliſhments are to be ſuppoſed in the Civil Order, and they render 'em the Pillars of the Earth.

Wiſdom is both Strength and Beauty, a Defence and Ornament. So Solomon ſhines among Kings, for the Wiſdom of GOD was in Him. GOD gave him Wiſdom and Knowledge exceeding much, and Largeneſs of Heart even as the Sand upon the Sea-ſhore. Angels excel in Strength, and Rulers ſhould be wiſe as the Angels of GOD. The Government is laid on CHRIST becauſe in Him are hid all the Treaſures of Wiſdom and Knowledge. He is the Wiſdom of GOD and the Power of GOD. As GOD at firſt founded the Earth by his Wiſdom, and by his Underſtanding eſtabliſhed the Heavens; ſo by the Communication of Wiſdom and Underſtanding to ſome, He preſerves the Order and Happineſs of Others on it. What is ſaid of a Houſe is true of a State, "Thro' Wiſdom it is builded, and by Underſtanding it is eſtabliſhed, and by Knowledge ſhall the Chambers be filled with all precious and pleaſant Riches: A wiſe Man is ſtrong, yea a Man of Knowledge increaſeth Strength **Prov. xxiv 3, 4, 5. 1 Cor. i. 24. Col. ii 3. 2 Sam. xiv.Prov 24:3Prov 24:4Prov 24:51 Cor 1:24Col 2:32 Sam 14.

But then, Is the Pillar for Ornament? What is more beautiful than Knowledge and Wiſdom? What more adorns a Man, a Place, a Country? The Queen of Sheba came far to hear the Wiſdom of Solomon, and Huram was as much ſtruck as ſhe was: 2 Chron. ii. 12. Bleſſed be the LORD GOD of Iſrael, who hath given to David the King a wiſe Son, endued p. 8with Prudence and Underſtanding, who may build a Houſe for the LORD, and an Houſe for the Kingdom.

2. Integrity, Uprightneſs, Faithfulneſs added to Knowledge and Wiſdom, makes Men ſtrong and beautiful Pillars, whether in Church or State. Every Man is ready to pretend to a Competency of Wiſdom, and as ready to proclaim his own Goodneſs; but a faithful Man who can find? Prov. xx. 6. He is a rare and beauteous Spectacle, as Moſes, Joſhua, Samuel, Jehojada, Hezekiah and Nehemiah, in their Times, and to the End of Time. All that rule over Men ſhould be like to Theſe, juſt Men Ruling in the Fear of the LORD; and then they are to the World as the Light and Rain, without which the Earth muſt periſh. As Darkneſs vaniſhes before the Light, ſo a King that ſitteth upon the Throne of Judgment ſcattereth away all Evil with his Eyes. DAVID, that Pillar of Iſrael, came into the Government with that noble Purpoſe and Reſolution, Pſal. lxxv. 3. When I ſhall receive the Congregation, I will judge uprightly. So he fed Them in the Integrity of his Heart, and led them by the Skilfulneſs of his Hands. GOD's Righteouſneſs and Faithfulneſs, Juſtice and Judgment, are the Foundation of His everlaſting Government, the Habitation of His Throne. See the Pillars of the Divine Government, Pſal. xxxvi. 5, 6. Thy Faithfulneſs reacheth to the Clouds, thy Righteouſneſs is as the great Mountains. Nor can the Kingdoms and Provinces on the Earth ſtand, but on the like Baſis of a juſt and righteous Humane Government. Pſal. lxxii. 3. The Mountains ſhall bring Peace to the People, and the little Hills by Righteouſneſs. Both the Superior and Inferior Magiſtrates ſhall miniſter abundantly to the Stability and Tranquility of the State.

3. A publick and enlarged Spirit for the common Weal and a ſingle Regard thereunto, without ſuffering our ſelves to be miſled by private and ſelfiſh Views: This renders Men Pillars to the World, in the Places wherein Providence ſets 'em. And ſo,

p. 94. A Spirit of Peace and Love, Meekneſs and Humility, Candour and Gentleneſs; whereby Perſons are ready to unite their Counſels, and act in Concert with one another; paying a juſt Deference one to another and preferring one another in Honour; glad to receive Light from any one, and well pleaſed to reflect it from them; all purſuing one End, as the many Pillars in a great Houſe ſtand quietly near to one another, and all help to bear it up: This Spirit of Power, and of Love, and of a ſound Mind, render men ſtrong and beautiful Pillars of the Earth. But if the Peace of GOD rule not in Mens Hearts; if their Paſſions ſhake 'em and they claſh with one another; the Houſe totters, the high Arches above cleave aſunder, and the Roof falls in; as when Sampſon bow'd the Pillars of Dagons Houſe, and buried the lewd aſſembly in one vaſt Ruine.

5. A Pillar implies Fortitude and Patience; Reſolution, Firmneſs and Strength of Mind, under Weight and Burden: Not to be ſoon ſhaken in Mind, nor moved away from what is right and juſt; but giving our Reaſon in the Meekneſs of Wiſdom, and hearing the Reaſons of others in the ſame Spirit of Meekneſs, to form an impartial Judgment, and abide by it; But yet with Submiſſion to the publick Judgment and Determination. The unſtable are as Water, and more fitly likened to the Waves of the Sea, then to a Pillar on Shore. And the irreſolute, diſcouraged and ſinking Mind is at beſt but a Pillar built upon the Sand; which falls when the Wind blows and the Storm beats upon it, becauſe of its weak Foundation.

There is a Paſſive Courage, ever neceſſary in an accompliſh'd Ruler, as much it may be as an Active. The Pillar ſtands regardleſs thro' the Weather beat on it, or tho' Dirt be caſt on it. True it will wear under the Injuries of Time, but it looks ſtill great, and ſtands while it wears away. The wiſe, the meek & ſtrong Moſes ſtood as many Shocks, as ever Man did from an impatient, murmuring, ungrateful People.

p. 10But this for the firſt Head; The Governments and Rulers of the Earth are its Pillars.

II. Theſe Pillars of the Earth are the LORD's.

The Earth is the LORD's and the Fulneſs thereof; the World and they that dwell therein. All are GOD's rightful Propriety & Dominion. The Shields of the Earth belong to Him. Theſe are the ſame with the Pillars of it.

1. The LORD makes theſe Pillars, forms faſhions 'em, poliſhes and adorns 'em. He gifts, qualifies and furniſhes all whom He calls out to public Service. He makes the more plain and rough, and He orders the carved Work and Gilding in his Houſe. He, the Father of Light & Glory, gives Men their natural Powers and Excellencies; and all their acquired Gifts are from Him. He looketh upon all the Inhabitants of the Earth, He faſhioneth their Hearts alike, He conſidereth all their Works. In the Hearts of all that are wiſe-hearted He putteth Wiſdom. Both Wiſdom and Might are His: Counſel is His and ſound Wiſdom; He is Underſtanding, He is Strength; by Him Kings rule and Princes decree Judgment ‖‖James i. 17. Pſalm xxxiii. 15. Exod. xxxi. 3. Dan. ii. 20. Prov. viii. 14.Jas 1:17Ps 33:15Exod 31:3Dan 2:20Prov 8:14. He gave to David Integrity, and to Solomon Wiſdom; and both were Pillars of His framing.

2. Both the Order & the Perſons are of the LORD's ordering, conſtituting and appointing. Civil Government is of Divine Inſtitution, and GOD commiſſions and entruſts with the Adminiſtration whom He pleaſes. The great King of the World has order'd a Government in it, and He raiſes up Governours, ſupream and ſubordinate. There is no Power but of GOD; the Powers that be are ordained of Him. He puts the Scepter into the Hand, and the Spirit of Government into the Heart.

p. 113. The Pillars are the LORD's, for He diſpoſes of them as he pleaſes; places and fixes them where He will; rears 'em when He ſees fit; and when He will removes, or takes 'em down: Or if He has no Pleaſure in them, breaks 'em to pieces and throws 'em away. He removeth Kings, and ſetteth up Kings: For Promotion cometh neither from the Eaſt, nor from the Weſt, nor from the South: But GOD is the Judge; He putteth down one and ſetteth up another: He leadeth Counſellors away ſpoiled & maketh the Judges fools: He looſeth the Bond of Kings, and girdeth their Loins with a Girdle: He leadeth Princes away ſpoiled, and overthroweth the Mighty **Dan ii, 21. Pſal. lxxv. 6, 7. Job xii. 17, 18.Dan 2:21Ps 75:6Ps 75:7Job 12:17Job 12:18.

Thus the Sovereign GOD forms the Pillars of the Earth, prepares 'em, ſets 'em up, ordains the Places and Times of their ſtanding; takes 'em down and puts others in their Room. He calls and uſes whom He will, inclines and ſpirits how He will, and improves to what Degree He will. They are His therefore, and His is the Greatneſs and the Glory and the Majeſty! And to Him it muſt be aſcribed both by the Perſons endowed and raiſed by Him, and by Others intereſted in Them: 1 Chron. xxix. 12, 13. Both Riches and Honour come of Thee, and in thy Hand is Power and Might, and in thy Hand it is to make Great; and to give Strength unto all: Now therefore, our GOD, we praiſe Thee, and bleſs thy Name for ever and ever.

But to do the utmoſt Honour to the Civil Order among Men, and to give yet greater Glory to GOD, let us come to the third and laſt Part of our Text.

III. GOD hath ſet the World upon the Governments and Rulers, whom He has made the Pillars of it.

The natural World is in the Hand of GOD, and is upheld in it's Being and Order by his Power. The moral World is moſt upon his Heart, and govern'd in a Way and Manner ſuted to the Nature and preſent p. 12State of Man. And as He governs the Spirits of Men when He pleaſes by immediate Impreſſions on them; ſo as more proper to the preſent Order and Happineſs of Mankind, He has appointed the Government of Men to be by Men. So the Peace, Tranquility and Flouriſhing of Places are made to depend on the Wiſdom and Fidelity of their Rulers, in the good Adminiſtration of the Government. While the utmoſt Miſery and Confuſion befals thoſe Places where the Government is ill adminiſtred. The Reaſon is given in the Text, "GOD has ſet the World on this Foot; it can't ſtand on any other Bottom. 'The Virtue and Religion of a People, their Riches and Trade, their Power, Honour and Reputation; and the Favour of GOD toward them, with his Bleſſing on them; do greatly depend on the pious, righteous and faithful Government which they are under.

GOD hath ſet: As well in the Nature of Things, as in his Word. Government is not a Creature of Man's Luſt and Will, but of Divine Conſtitution, and from a Neceſſity in the Nature of things. The very Being and Weal of Society depends thereon.

Government was not in the Original of it aſſumed or uſurped by any one Man. For Inſtance, Not by Lamech before the Flood, nor by Nimrod after it. Indeed the Spirit of Tyranny, and the Luſt of Dominion, ſeem to have began in them; but Order & Rule was before them. Mankind naturally went into That, and Theſe were the Men who made the firſt Breaches on it; the One being of the Race of Cain, the other of Ham; who have had ſome of their Likeneſs in every Place, and thro' all Generations; that would turn the World upſide down, and overthrow the Foundations which GOD has laid.

In a word, Magiſtracy, like the other Ordinances of Heaven, ſtands by the Power and Bleſſing of GOD; who effectually owns it and works by it, eſtabliſhes the Earth and it abideth. He has graven it deep in he Hearts of Men, even as the Deſire of Happineſs and p. 13Self-preſervation. He has as much ordained, that while the Earth remaineth Civil Order and Government ſhall not ceaſe; as He had ſworn that Seed Time and Harveſt, Cold and Heat, Summer and Winter, Day and Night, ſhall not. Both the One and the Other equally continue to the World's End, abſolutely neceſſary to the Life, Comfort and Welfare of Mankind.

USE. I ſhall now make a few Reflections, by way of practical Inference and Improvement.

1. See the Divine Wiſdom and Goodneſs in Ordaining and Eſtabliſhing a Magiſtracy and Government in the World. It is one of the many great Inſtances, wherein the SUPREAM GOVERNOUR of the World has taken Care for the univerſal and perpetual Weal of it. And they that would be lawleſs and ungoverned, deſpiſing Dominion and ſpeaking Evil of Dignity, Diſtinction, Authority and Rule among Men, act as madly and miſchievouſly as one would do, that ſhould go into a Houſe and ſap the Foundation of it, till it fall upon him and cruſh him to Death.

It is one evident Mark of the Romiſh Impoſture, and of the Spirit of Antichriſt, that it has invaded, uſurp'd upon and ſubverted the Authority of Kings and Princes, Governments and States, over their Subjects. The Popes Claim of Supremacy transfers the Allegiance of Subjects to a foreign Power, and abſolves 'em from their Oaths. This alone is a ſufficient Mark of the Beaſt and of the Man of Sin. What Confuſion and Vexation has the World ſuffered from this inſolent & monſtrous Doctrine! And how ſtrange is it that ſo many Kingdoms and Nations of Europe ſhould ſo long wander after it, to their infinite Miſrule & Diſtraction! But the Word & dreadful Judgment of GOD muſt be fulfilled on a wicked World.

The Reformed Churches took early Care to proteſt againſt this Doctrine of Devils. They declared for a "conſcientious Subjection and Obedience to the Laws and Magiſtrates under which they liv'd, and by whom they were protected & defended in their juſt Rights and Liberties.

p. 14Every Kind of Magiſtracy (ſay the Helvetian Churches) is inſtituted by GOD, for the Peace and Happineſs of Man, and all Subjects ſhould own the Goodneſs of GOD in the Inſtitution of a Magiſtrate, by honouring Him as the Miniſter of GOD.

Theſe are ſome of the juſt and true Principles of the Proteſtant Religion, according to the Oracles of GOD in this Matter: Rom. xiii. 1,—5. Let every Soul be ſubject unto the higher Powers: For there is no Power but of GOD; the Powers that be are ordained of GOD: Whoſoever therefore reſiſteth the Power, reſiſteth the Ordinance of GOD.—Wherefore ye muſt needs be ſubject, not only for Wrath (or fear of Puniſhment) but alſo for Conſcience ſake. Render therefore unto all their Dues, Tribute to whom Tribute is due, Cuſtom to whom Cuſtom, Fear to whom Fear, and Honour to whom Honour. Tit. iii. 1. Put them in mind to be ſubject to Principalities and Powers, to obey Magiſtrates. 1 Pet. ii. 13, 14, 15, 16, 16, 17. Submit your ſelves to every Ordinance of Man for the LORD's ſake; whether it be to the King as ſupream, or unto Governours as unto them that are ſent by Him: For ſo is the Will of GOD. Let us very gratefully obſerve theſe Precepts, for they are very graciouſly given us for the Good of the World.

2. Are Magiſtrates the Pillars of the Earth? Are they the LORD's? and has He ſet the World upon them? Let us then devoutly obſerve the Governing Providence of GOD in diſpoſing of Perſons and Offices, both with reſpect unto our Selves and Others.

As to our Selves, let GOD lead, and Providence open our Way, and let us follow humbly & obediently. Let us think ſoberly of our ſelves, and not vainly pine after Honour and Power, or wickedly puſh for it like Abſalom. But neither need we hide our ſelves like Saul, when the Divine Call is plain, nor inſiſt on Excuſes like the meek and accompliſhed Moſes. Or if again Providence lays us by, why ſhould we not retire with Samuel's Humility and Greatneſs of Soul.

And then as to Others, Let us not think our ſelves neglected or overlook'd, be envious and diſcontent, if GOD prefer them. Suffer the MOST HIGH to rule in the Kingdoms of Men, and to give the Provinces that belong p. 15to 'em to whomſoever He will. Let us know and keep our own Place, and do our Duty to Thoſe whom GOD ſets over us.

Let People reverence & honour their worthy Rulers, and let the Higheſt among Men be very humble before GOD. They are Pillars, but of the Earth. The Earth and its Pillars are diſſolving together. Government abides, in a Succeſſion of Men, while the Earth endures, but the Perſons, however good & great, muſt die like other Men. We muſt not look too much at the Loftineſs of any, nor lean too much on any earthly Pillar: Put not your Truſt in Princes, nor in the Son of Man in whom there is no Help: His Breath goeth forth, he returneth to his Duſt. Nor may the Higheſt among Mortals behold themſelves with Elation & Security, as the vain King of Babylon once; but let them fear and tremble before the GOD of Heaven, who inherits all Nations, and ſtands in the Congregation of the Mighty, and judgeth among the Gods.

3. Are Rulers the Pillars of the Earth; are They the LORD's? and has He ſet the World upon 'em? Let all that are in Public Offices conſider their Obligations to be PILLARS, in the Places wherein Providence hath ſet 'em.

Let Rulers conſider what they owe to GOD, who has rear'd and ſet 'em up; and to the Publick which GOD has ſet upon them. Let 'em ſeek Wiſdom & Strength, Grace and Conduct from GOD, that they may anſwer the Title given 'em in my Text. Let 'em ſtand, and bear, and act for GOD; whoſe they are, and who has ſet 'em where they are. Let the publick Good be their juſt Care; that it may be ſeen that GOD has ſet the World in their Heart, as well as laid it on their Shoulders. Let 'em act uprightly, that they may ſtand ſecure and ſtrong. Let 'em fear GOD, and rule by his Word, that they may be approved by GOD, and accepted always by Men with all Thankfulneſs.

As Government is the Pillar of the Earth, ſo Religion is the Pillar of Government. Take away the Fear of GOD's Government & Judgment, and humane Rule utterly falls, or corrupts into Tyranny. But if Religion rule in the Hearts and Lives of Rulers, GOD will have Glory, and the People be made happy.

p. 16FATHERS of our Country, let me freely ſay to You, That the Devotion and Virtue of our humble, but illuſtrious ANCESTORS, (The firſt Planters of New-England,) laid the Foundation of our Greatneſs among the Provinces: And it is This that muſt continue and eſtabliſh it under the Divine Favour & Bleſſing. Emulate their Piety and Godlineſs, and generous Regards to the Publick, and be acknowledged the Pillars, the Strength and Ornament of your Country!

But let me move You by a greater Argument, even a far more exceeding and eternal Weight of Glory, which the HOLY GHOST has ſet before you in a moſt illuſtrious Promiſe; Rev. iii. 12. Him that over cometh will I make a PILLAR in the Temple of my GOD, and he ſhall go no more out: And I will write upon Him the Name of my GOD, and the Name of the CITY of my GOD, which is NEW-JERUSALEM; which cometh down out of Heaven from my GOD: And I will write upon Him my NEW-NAME.

CHRIST will erect a Monumental Pillar, that ſhall ſtand for ever, in Honour of all Them who in their Station here, be they high or low, faithfully endeavour to uphold His Church and Kingdom.

It is a triumphant Promiſe taken from the Roman manner of Pillars rear'd to the Memory of Illuſtrious Perſons and PATRIOTS, on which were inſcrib'd their Names and worthy Deeds; together with that of the Empire, City or Province, which they were ſo happy as to ſerve and help to ſave.

Infinitely more Glory and Honour ſhall be done to Him who ſerves the Lord CHRIST, his Kingdom, People and Intereſt, in his Life here on Earth: When he comes into his Temple above he ſhall have a Pillar of Celeſtial Glory rear'd to eternize his Name; And on it ſhall be written (O Divine Honour!) "THIS WAS A FAITHFUL SERVANT OF HIS GOD, AND SAVIOUR, AND OF THE CHURCH ON EARTH.

There let Him ſtand for ever, "A Monument of free Grace, never to be defaced or removed." While the Names of famous Emperors, Kings and Generals, graven in Braſs or cut in Marble, on ſtately Pillars and triumphant Arches, ſhall moulder into Duſt.

p. 17"So the Pillars in Solomon's Porch were broken down, and carried away by the Chaldeans: But He that is made a Pillar in the Celeſtial Temple ſhall go no more out. Yea the Pillars of the literal Earth and Heavens will ſhortly tremble, and be ſhaken out of their Place; but He that believes in CHRIST, and has His Glorious Name written on Him, ſhall remain unſhaken and immoveable; and remain, like his living SAVIOUR, ſtedfaſt for ever.

This infinite and eternal GLORY we wiſh to all in this worſhipping Aſſembly, the greater and the leſs, high and low, rich and poor together: As in the Act of Worſhip, we are all on a Level before the THRONE of GOD. And the loweſt in outward Condition may be the Higheſt in Grace, and in the Honours that come from above.

But in a more eſpecial manner we wiſh this Mercy and Bleſſing of our GOD and KING, out of His Houſe to YOUR EXCELLENCY our GOVERNOUR: Whoſe Return to your Country, and your Advancement to the Government of it, we cannot but Congratulate in the moſt publick manner, with Hearts full of Joy, and ſincere Thankfulneſs to GOD.

The LORD GOD of our Fathers, who hath ſpread our Heavens, and laid the Foundations of our Earth, make You a PILLAR to Us both in the State & Church.

As it hath pleaſed HIM to chuſe, adorn & ſet You up; ſo may He pleaſe to fix & eſtabliſh You, and long continue You a FATHER, and illuſtrious Bleſſing to Your People.

And may the Name of CHRIST, and of theſe Churches of our LORD JESUS, be graven deep upon Your Heart: And Your faithful Services to Them be an Everlaſting Name to You, which ſhall not be cut off.

So, not only erect Your Self a Pillar in every pious and grateful Heart, that loves our Civil and Religious Liberties; and let their Prayers and Bleſſings come upon You; but alſo lay a good Foundation againſt the World to come, for everlaſting Fame and Renown, and to be called GREAT in the Kingdom of Heaven.

FINIS.