N00532:38
The great blessing, of primitive counsellors. Discoursed in a sermon, preached in the audience…The great blessing, of primitive counsellours. Discoursed in a sermon, preached in the audience…
The great blessing, of primitive counsellors. Discoursed in a sermon, preached in the audience of the governor, Council, and representatives, of the province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New-England. May 31st. 1693. Being the day for the election of counsellors, in that province. / By Increase Mather. President of Harvard College in Cambridge, and teacher of a church at Boston, in New-England. ; [One line epigram in Latin]The great blessing, of primitive counsellours. Discoursed in a sermon, preached in the audience of the governour, Council, and representatives, of the province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New-England. May 31st. 1693. Being the day for the election of counsellours, in that province. / By Increase Mather. President of Harvard Colledge in Cambridge, and teacher of a church at Boston, in New-England. ; [One line epigram in Latin]
Boston, : Printed and sold, by Benjamin Harris, over-against the Old-Meeting-House., 1693
Title page typeset from the transcription.
PRIMITIVE COUNSELLORS, A Great BLESSING.PRIMITIVE COUNSELLOURS, A Great BLESSING.
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.
The first is Piety towards God. Counsellors ought to be, and Counsellors at the Beginning were Godly men. So it was when the Children of Israel first began to be a Common-wealth under Moses; and at their Beginning to be a Settled Kingdom under David. The Judges who were Governors, were Godly, and some of the Kings of Israel were Holy men, and then we may be sure their Counsellors were so too. Psal. 4.3. The Lord hath set apart him that is Godly for Himself. This was spoken concerning David's being set apart to be the chief Ruler over the People of God; so they that are set apart to assist him whom God has made Ruler and Governor in Chief ought to be Godly. The first Counsellor of State that we read of in the Scripture was Jethro, a very pious person. He advised Moses to choose some to assist him in Government, and showeth how they should be qualified. Provide (saith he) Such as Fear God. Exod. 18. 31. such as will by their Authority and Example Encourage others to Fear and Serve Him. That will make the Advancement of Gods Interest their chief Design. That will so act & so speak as men that really believe they must give an Account to the Great and Eternal God. That will often think with themselves, is this Counsel according to the approving Will of God, and that will not for the World advise to any thing which they believe is contrary thereunto.
The first is Piety towards God. Counsellers ought to be, and Counsellers at the Beginning were Godly men. So it was when the Children of Israel first began to be a Common-wealth under Moses; and at their Beginning to be a Settled Kingdom under David. The Judges who were Governours, were Godly, and some of the Kings of Israel were Holy men, and then we may be sure their Counsellers were so too. Psal. 4.3. The Lord hath set apart him that is Godly for Himself. This was spoken concerning David's being set apart to be the chief Ruler over the People of God; so they that are set apart to assist him whom God has made Ruler and Governour in Chief ought to be Godly. The first Counseller of State that we read of in the Scripture was Jethro, a very pious person. He advised Moses to chuse some to assist him in Government, and sheweth how they should be qualified. Provide (saith he) Such as Fear God. Exod. 18. 31. such as will by their Authority and Example Encourage others to Fear and Serve Him. That will make the Advancement of Gods Interest their chief Design. That will so act & so speak as men that really believe they must give an Account to the Great and Eternal God. That will often think with themselves, is this Counsil according to the approving Will of God, and that will not for the World advise to any thing which they believe is contrary thereunto.