N04899:27
A strong rod broken and withered. A sermon preached at Northampton, on the Lord's…A strong rod broken and withered. A sermon preach'd at Northampton, on the Lord's…
A strong rod broken and withered. A sermon preached at Northampton, on the Lord's Day, June 26. 1748. On the death of the Honourable John Stoddard, Esq; often a member of His Majesty's Council, for many years chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Hampshire, judge of the probate of wills, and chief colonel of the regiment, &c. : Who died at Boston June 19. 1748. in the 67th year of his age. / By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the First Church in Northampton. ; [Three lines from Daniel]A strong rod broken and withered. A sermon preach'd at Northampton, on the Lord's Day, June 26. 1748. On the death of the Honourable John Stoddard, Esq; often a member of His Majesty's Council, for many years chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Hampshire, judge of the probate of wills, and chief colonel of the regiment, &c. : Who died at Boston June 19. 1748. in the 67th year of his age. / By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the First Church in Northampton. ; [Three lines from Daniel]
Boston: printed by Rogers and Fowle for J. Edwards, 1748
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.
4. Stability and Firmness of Integrity, Fidelity and Piety, in the Exercise of Authority, is another Thing that greatly contributes to, and is very essential in the Character of a strong Rod.
When he that is in Authority is not only a Man of strong Reason and great Discerning to know what is just, but is a Man of strict Integrity and Righteousness, is firm and immovable in the Execution of Justice and Judgment; and when he is not only a Man of great Ability to bear down Vice and Immorality, but has a Disposition agreeable to such Ability; is one that has a strong Aversion to Wickedness, and is disposed to use the Power GOD has put into his Hands to suppress it; and is one that not only opposes Vice by his Authority, but by his Example; when he is one of inflexible Fidelity, will be ⟨p. 12⟩faithful to GOD whose Minister he is, to his People for Good, is immovable in his Regard to his supreme Authority, his Commands and his Glory; and will be faithful to his King and Country; will not be induced by the many Temptations that attend the Business of Men in public Authority, basely to betray his Trust; will not consent to what he thinks not to be for the public Good, for his own Gain or Advancement, or any private Interest; is one that is well principled, and is firm in acting agreeably to his Principles, and will not be prevailed with to do otherwise through Fear or Favour, to follow a Multitude, or to maintain his Interest in any on whom he depends for the Honour or Profit of his Place, whether it be Prince or People; and is also one of that Strength of Mind, whereby he rules his own Spirit. These Things do very eminently contribute to a Ruler's Title to the Denomination of a strong Rod.
When he that is in Authority is not only a Man of strong Reason and great Discerning to know what is just, but is a Man of strict Integrity and Righteousness, is firm and immoveable in the Execution of Justice and Judgment; and when he is not only a Man of great Ability to bear down Vice and Immorality, but has a Disposition agreeable to such Ability; is one that has a strong Aversion to Wickedness, and is disposed to use the Power GOD has put into his Hands to suppress it; and is one that not only opposes Vice by his Authority, but by his Example; when he is one of inflexible Fidelity, will be