N00581:22
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 Honourable 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 councillors for that province. / By Samuel Willard, teacher of a church in Boston.The character of a good ruler. As it was recommended in a sermon preached before His Excellency the governour, and the Honourable 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 councellors for that province. / By Samuel Willard, teacher of a church in Boston.
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.
Over men] the word [Adam] is frequently used to express the Commonalty, or ⟨p. 7⟩People that are to be Governed: but however, there is or ought to be a vast difference between the Government of Men and Beasts; though some Brutish men may deserve to be treated as Brutes. Man is a Reasonable Creature, and of the same order of being with them that Govern him, and ought to be managed accordingly.
2. The Duty incumbent on such an one: He must be Just, Ruling in the Fear of God. Some suppose that the double Office of the Civil Magistrate is here pointed at, who is Custos utriusque Tabulae, who is to maintain Justice towards men, & Piety towards, God. Others suppose the latter Expression to be Exegetical to the former.
2. The Duty incumbent on such an one: He must be Just, Ruling in the Fear of God. Some suppose that the double Office of the Civil Magistrate is here pointed at, who is Cusros utriusque Tabulae, who is to maintain Justice towards men, & Piety towards, God. Others suppose the latter Expression to be Exegetical to the former.
[Just] i. e. One that makes Conscience to observe and keep to the Rule of Righteousness in all his Administrations, he ought not to Exert his Power Illimitedly, and Arbitrarily, but in Conformity to the Law of God, and the Light of Nature, for Gods Honour, and the promoting of the common benefit of those over whom he bears Authority. And hence,