N00957:52
The way for a people to live long in the land that God hath…
The way for a people to live long in the land that God hath given them. A sermon preached before His Excellency, the governor, the Honoured Council and Assembly of the province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New-England, on the 26. of May 1703. At the election of Her Majesties Council there. / By Solomon Stoddard, A.M. and Pastor of Northampton.The way for a people to live long in the land that God hath given them. A sermon preached before His Excellency, the governour, the Honoured Council and Assembly of the province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New-England, on the 26. of May 1703. At the election of Her Majesties Council there. / By Solomon Stoddard, A.M. and Pastor of Northampton.
Boston: printed by Bartholomew Green and John Allen for Benj. Eliot, 1703
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.
1. Be good Examples. You must be Examples of Piety, Humility, Sobriety, Chastity, and all virtuous carriages. Good Examples teach men their duty, good examples stir up those sparks of light that are in the Consciences of other men, good examples provoke to emulation; and it is especially needful for Rulers to give good examples. Holiness in Rulers is like a precious stone set in gold, their Dignity sets it off with greater lustre: Holy Carriages in Rulers make the people honour them; they can't but honour such in their hearts: Holy Carriages in Rulers make the people fear them: Holy Carriages in Rulers have a magnetic virtue to draw others to do the like. People will follow their example, that they may be like them, and ⟨p. 15⟩that they may be liked by them. When Rulers give good examples, men cannot make their carriages to be an argument for the lawfulness of their sinful ways; they cannot take occasion from their carriages to be bold to sin. Good Examples in Rulers bring good carriages into credit & into fashion: Good Examples in Rulers are a comfort & confirmation to them that are good, and a bridle to them that are evil: Holy Examples in Rulers prevent their reproach; when others carry badly, men can't say their Rulers harden them; when men commend you for your skill and knowledge, they will have no occasion to say, what pity is it, that you don't carry well; when you punish other men, they can't say, you have more need to look at home.
1. Be good Examples. You must be Examples of Piety, Humility, Sobriety, Chastity, and all vertuous carriages. Good Examples teach men their duty, good examples stir up those sparks of light that are in the Consciences of other men, good examples provoke to emulation; and it is especially needful for Rulers to give good examples. Holiness in Rulers is like a precious stone set in gold, their Dignity sets it off with greater lustre: Holy Carriages in Rulers make the people honour them; they can't but honour such in their hearts: Holy Carriages in Rulers make the people fear them: Holy Carriages in Rulers have a magnetick vertue to draw others to do the like. People will follow their example, that they may be like them, and ⟨p. 15⟩that they may be liked by them. When Rulers give good examples, men cannot make their carriages to be an argument for the lawfulness of their sinful ways; they cannot take occasion from their carriages to be bold to sin. Good Examples in Rulers bring good carriages into credit & into fashion: Good Examples in Rulers are a comfort & confirmation to them that are good, and a bridle to them that are evil: Holy Examples in Rulers prevent their reproach; when others carry badly, men can't say their Rulers harden them; when men commend you for your skill and knowledge, they will have no occasion to say, what pitty is it, that you don't carry well; when you punish other men, they can't say, you have more need to look at home.