N00581:57
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.
2 Let me humbly offer this as a Copy for all that either are, or may be in place of Rule, to Write after, Allow me the Liberty ⟨p. 25⟩to say this from GOD; that by whatsoever Titles of, Excellent, Honourable, or Worshipful, you are known; you not only Rule under such as are your Superiors on Earth, unto whom you are accountable for what you do; but under GOD also, who is your Great SOVEREIGN. Your Authority is from Him, and ought therefore to be for Him, else will you be found false to your Trust. You Rule over His Subjects, and that not only upon a common account, as the whole World is His Kingdom, but one more Special, as the People under your Watch, are the Subjects of His GOSPEL KINGDOM: if you do that which is Right to them, He will be Pleased▪ but if you should do otherwise, their APPEAL is open to Him, and there is a COURT that will be called, wherein their CAUSE shall be Heard, and Adjusted.
2 Let me humbly offer this as a Copy for all that either are, or may be in place of Rule, to Write after, Allow me the Liberty ⟨p. 25⟩to say this from GOD; that by whatsoever Titles of, Excellent, Honourable, or Worshipful, you are known; you not only Rule under such as are your Superiors on Earth, unto whom you are accountable for what you do; but under GOD also, who is your Great SOVERAIGN. Your Authority is from Him, and ought therefore to be for Him, else will you be found false to your Trust. You Rule over His Subjects, and that not only upon a common account, as the whole World is His Kingdom, but one more Special, as the People under your Watch, are the Subjects of His GOSPEL KINGDOM: if you do that which is Right to them, He will be Pleased▪ but if you should do otherwise, their APPEAL is open to Him, and there is a COURT that will be called, wherein their CAUSE shall be Heard, and Adjusted.
Be you entreated, to measure all your administration by this Rule: Do all justly and in the fear of God. This is the way to be Blessings in your places, and to be the Blessed of the Lord. By this course you will make your people an happy people, and you your selves shall be Established. Thus shall you pull down a blessing on your own