A66096:39
[The character] of a good ruler as it was recommended in a sermon [preached…
[The character] of a good ruler as it was recommended in a sermon [preached before] His Excellency the Governor, and the honoura[ble] counsellors, and assembly of the representatives of the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New-England : [on] May 30. 1694 : [which was the day] for election of [counsellors] for that province / by Samuel [Willard] ...[The character] of a good ruler as it was recommended in a sermon [preached before] His Excellency the Governour, and the honoura[ble] counsellors, and assembly of the representatives of the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New-England : [on] May 30. 1694 : [which was the day] for election of [counsellors] for that province / by Samuel [Willard] ...
Boston: printed by Benjamin Harris for Michael Perry, 1694
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
It then follows that we enquire of what great moment or consequence it is that these should be such: and there is a threefold respect in which the high importance of it is •o be discovered by us.
I. In respect to the Glory of God.
Civil Rulers are Gods Vi•egerents here upon earth; hence they are sometimes honoured with the ti•le of Gods, Psal. 82 6. I have said ye are Gods. Government is Gods Ordinance; and those that are Vested with it, however mediately▪ introduced into it, have their rightful authority from him, 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, and they that are from him, should be for him, and ought to seek the Honour of him who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords: which they only then do, when they manage their whole Interest and ⟨p. 14⟩Power with a Design for his Glory; & accordingly manage themselves in all their Ministrations by the Statutes of his Kingdom; which none will ever do, but they that are Just, Ruling in the Fear of God. Righteousness and Religion flourishing in these, will be as a Torch on an Hill, whose Light and Influence will be vastly extensive: every one will be advantaged to see their good works, and to Glorify God for and in them. Their very Example will have the force of a Law in it, and win many by a powerful Attraction, to the avoiding of sin, and practising of Righteousness. They will be a good Copy, that many will be ambitious to write after: and their faithful Administrations will render them a Terror o Evil Doers, and an Encouragement to them that do well; which will advance the very nd of Government. Whereas the Evil Deportment, and Ill Management of Rulers, who are unjust, and void of the Fear of God, is an open scandal, and of a more pernicious tendency than the wickedness of others; inasmuch as their Example is a discouragement to them that are well disposed, and animates those that are set in their heats for iniquity, and they are thereby emboldened to show their heads and to declare their sin as Sodom: hence