N00581:59
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.
To this end, be entreated to take care that Religion may Flourish; the True Fear of GOD, and Right Administration of His Ordinances may be Promoted and Secured: that Righteousness may be done for men, and that Iniquity which defiles a Land, and pulls down Wrath, may be Purged away: that Drunkenness, and Swearing, Fornication, and Sabbath-Profanation, and whatsoever hastens the Calamity of a Professing People, may be duly born Witness against. Let this be your Sincere Unbiased Aim in all that you do.
To this end, be entreated to take care that Religion may Flourish; the True Fear of GOD, and Right Administration of His Ordinances may be Promoted and Secured: that Righteousness may be done for men, and that Iniquity which defiles a Land, and pulls down Wrath, may be Purged away: that Drunkenness, and Swearing, Fornication, and Sabbath-Prephanation, and whatsoever hastens the Calamity of a Professing People, may be duely born Witness against. Let this be your Sincere Unbiassed Aim in all that you do.
Carry this with you, & let it Rule in the making of Laws: let the Word of GOD be consulted, and the Common Utility of the Subject be designed: For, though there be not a Body of Civil Laws drawn up in the Scriptures, to which every Polity is to be confined, yet there are sufficient general directions, & Rules, to be gathered from thence; which may Regulate in this Affair.
Carry this with you, & let it Rule in the making of Laws: let the Word of GOD be consulted, and the Common Utility of the Subject be designed: For, though there be not a Body of Civil Laws drawn up in the Scriptures, to which every Pollity is to be confined, yet there are sufficient general directions, & Rules, to be gathered from thence; which may Regulate in this Affair.
Take heed of any Sinister Aims in whatsoever Laws do pass: Laws made to strengthen a particular separate Interest, never did Good, but Hurt to a Body-Politic: that which may serve the present turn, may in a little time prove more Mischievous, than ever it was Advantageous. Remember, you cannot Repeal such Laws, when you will, or when you have advanced a design with them. Look then forward to the after Issues. It will be no small Aggravation of our Trouble, to be Wounded with a Shaft of our own making. Look for Changes in a World of Mutability, and lay in, as far as innocent Prudence may direct, for your Own, and your Peoples Safety.