A sermon preached at the election of the governor, at Boston in New-England, May…A sermon preach'd at the election of the governour, at Boston in New-England, May…

2. That, as to the qualifications of Rulers over other men, it is God's Ordinance, that they be just, ruling in the fear of the Lord.

1. They must be just. They are to be termed just, in the sense of this Text, whose wills are sanctified and inclined by the Spirit of God, to perform to men whatsoever is due to them according to the Rules of the Word. 1. The principal and efficient hereof, is the sanctifying Spirit: therefore it is said,¹ the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness, and truth. 2. The proper subject recipient of this gift of Grace, is the sanctified will, into which it puts a bent and inclination unto righteousness. For the faculties of the Soul are not by nature bent to that which is good, but contrary; Gen. 4. But unto Cain and his Offering he had no regard, wherefore Cain was exceeding wroth, and his countenance fell down. There may be light in the understanding, showing what is good, but that which inclineth to good must be in the will, Rom. 7 18, 22. For to will is present with me, but I find no means to perform that which is good: for I delight in the Law of God concerning the inner-man. He is truly just, who acteth justly out of love to Righteousness; unjust men may do just actions, upon other motives, as Absalom pretended, 2 Sam. 15. 4. O that I were made Judge in the Land, that every man which hath any matter of Controversy might come to me, that I might do him right. And the unjust Judge acted in Luke 18. 4, 5. Though I neither fear God, nor love man, yet because this Widow troubleth me, I will do her right. 3. The effect of it is the performance of whatsoever is due to men. Hence Children doing their duties to their Parents, is said to be just,