B08892:15
A sermon preached at the election of the Governor, at Boston in New-England, May…A sermon preach'd at the election of the Governour, at Boston in New-England, May…
A sermon preached at the election of the Governor, at Boston in New-England, May 19th 1669. by John Davenport.A sermon preach'd at the election of the Governour, at Boston in New-England, May 19th 1669. by John Davenport.
Cambridge, Mass. : s.n., printed in the year, 1670
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.
1. It is from the Light and Law of Nature, and the Law of Nature is God's Law.
2. The orderly ruling of men over men, in general, is from God, in its root, though voluntary in the manner of coalescing: It being supposed that men be combined in Family-Society, it is necessary that they be joined in a Civil-Society; that union being made, the power of Civil-Government, and of making Laws, followeth naturally, though the manner of union, in a Political Body, is voluntary. That we defend our selves from violence and wrong, is a consequent of pure Nature: but that we do it by devolving our Power into the hands of Civil Rulers, this seems to be rather positively moral, than natural.
2. The orderly ruling of men over men, in general, is from God, in its root, though voluntary in the manner of coalescing: It being supposed that men be combined in Family-Society, it is necessary that they be joyned in a Civil-Society; that union being made, the power of Civil-Government, and of making Laws, followeth naturally, though the manner of union, in a Political Body, is voluntary. That we defend our selves from violence and wrong, is a consequent of pure Nature: but that we do it by devolving our Power into the hands of Civil Rulers, this seems to be rather positively moral, than natural.
3. Because this special Form of Civil Government of Commonweals, by men orderly chosen, the Scripture ascribes unto God; and also Civil Government, administered by Judges and Magistrates, as Christ spake concerning Pilate, Joh. 19.11. Jesus answered, Thou couldst have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: and they are said to judge not for man, but for the Lord,