The character of a good ruler. As it was recommended in a sermon preached…

I. Let me propose it to such in whose hands it is to Appoint the Persons that are to bear Rule over this People; whether for the making of Laws to Govern by, or the putting of such as are made into Execution: Whether Counsellors, Assembly-Men, or Justices of the Peace. Let this be your directory in exerting of this right. Civil Government is seated in no particular Persons or Families by a Natural right, neither hath the Light of Nature, nor the Word of GOD determined in particular, what Form of Government shall be Established among men, whether Monarchical Aristocratical, or Democratical: much less, who are individually to be acknowledged in Authority, and accordingly submitted to. Nevertheless the Holy Providence of God presides ⟨p. 21⟩in this matter; sometimes, by a more. Immediate, and Extraordinary pointing to the Persons and Families: when by Revelation he declares his pleasure in it. Thus was Saul set up over the Kingdom of Israel; and afterwards David was thus chosen of God, and an Entail made of the Crown on his Posterity: but this way hath long since ceased. Sometimes it is more mediate and ordinary, and that is, either Forcible, when God Judicially delivers a People up to the will of their enemies, and the Conqueror gives Laws to, and appoints Rulers over such a People at his pleasure, and they are compelled to accept of them, little to their content: which, as is not Eligible, so neither is it wont to be of duration: things violent use not to be Permanent. Or voluntary, which is by the free consent of a People, orderly, and without Compulsion establishing the Fundamentals of Government among themselves, and the methods of introducing Persons into authority: which Methods are not prescribed in Scripture, but remain points of Prudence, and may Lawfully be divers here and there. There are yet general Rules which both reason and Religion do point men to attend in this Case; and the weal or woe of a People do