God's providence in placing men in their respective stations & conditions asserted & shewed. A sermon preached before the General Assembly of the colony of Connecticut, at Hartford, May, 10. 1722. The day for electing the Honourable the governour, the deputy-governour, & the worshipful assistants there. / By William Burnham M.A. Pastor of the church in Kensington. ; Published by order of authority.

God's providence in placing men in their respective stations & conditions asserted & shewed. A sermon preached before the General Assembly of the colony of Connecticut, at Hartford, May, 10. 1722. The day for electing the Honourable the governour, the deputy-governour, & the worshipful assistants there. / By William Burnham M.A. Pastor of the church in Kensington. ; Published by order of authority.

Table of contents

Title page

An Election SERMON.

APPLICATION.

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GOD's Providence IN PLACING MEN

In their Respective Stations & Conditions ASSERTED & SHEWED.

A SERMON Preached before the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the Colony of Connecticut, at Hartford, May, 10. 1722.

The Day for Electing the Honourable the GOVERNOUR, the DEPUTY Governour, & the Worshipful ASSISTANTS there.

By William Burnham M. A. Pastor of the Church in Kensington.

Published by Order of Authority.

NEW-LONDON: Printed & Sold by T. Green, Printer to his Honour the GOVERNOUR & COMPANY. 1722.

An Election SERMON.

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PSALM LXXV. 7.‘But GOD is the Judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.’

ONE Objection made against the goodness of divine Providence which a late Learned Writer* takes notice of, is, God's Partial & unequal Care of his creatures; the foundation of which Objection is; that there are various Ranks & Conditions of men in the world; Rich and Poor, High and Low, Princes and Subjects, &c. But however atheistical wits may argue from the variety of mens Conditions, certain it is that the various Ranks and degrees of men are for the advantage and benefit of mankind in General, in as much as without this variety, & [...]f all mens Conditions were alike, men would want some Motives and Encouragements to [Page] Vertue & Restraint from Vice, that now they have; and there could be no such thing as Government in the world, which is a thing so necessary to the well-being of it, that any thing conducive hereunto Rather argues a good Providence over the world, than the Contrary.

Government is a great Blessing to this Sinful & Miserable world, & if it should be destitute thereof, it would soon become a heap of Confusion, a stage of mournful Tragedies, a Theater of woful Spectacles; the whole world might fitly be called, Aceldama, a field of Blood; or Golgotha, a place of a Scull. One man would be as a wolf to another, the wicked would devour the man that is more Righteous than he, men would be as the fishes of the Sea, & as the creeping things, that have no Ruler over them, as the Prophet speaks▪ Hab. 1▪ 13. What God saith of the old world. Gen. 6▪ 13▪ The Earth is filled with violence▪ would soon become true of the world now if destitute of Government.

Government being so great a Blessing, and consequently the variety of mens conditions in the world, and their subordination one to another, which is necessary to the very being of it; The most High God, who will not give his glory to another, nor his praise to graven Images, Isa. 42. 8. hath sufficiently taught us in his [Page] word, to whom we are beholding for it; & that it hath an higher & more Excellent Original, than only the pride, ambition, & Crafty designs of some aspiring mortals, that affect a Superiority over others and can bear to be second to none in honour and power; Even his own wise and gracious providence over the world.

To this End we are Taught, that there [...] no power but of God, that the powers that be are ordained of God. Rom. 13. 1. That by him Kings Reign, and princes decree justice. That by him princes Rule & nobles, Even all the Judges of the Earth▪ Prov. 8. 15, 16. That he removeth Kings and setteth up Kings. Dan. 2. 21. And besides many other places that might be mentioned, we are Taught this Lesson in our Text and Context▪ viz. that promotion cometh not from the East, nor from the West, nor from the South; but God is the Judge he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Concerning the Penman and occasion of this psalm wherein our Text is, there is variety of opinions amongst Expositors, (as may be seen by Mr Pool's Collections in his Critica Sacra, and his English Annotations▪) Some being of opinion that it was composed in the Babylonish Captivity & written in form of a Dialogue, tho' there be no mention made of the persons speaking therein. Others that i [...] [Page] was composed by Asaph in Davids time, and in his name and person, as it is not unusual for poets to bring in princes speaking in their poems. Others that it was composed by David himself, and with this opinion the Learned Ames* concurs.

The Psalm seems to Relate to the time when Saul & other of Davids Enemies were overthrown, and he had Entered upon the Kingdom of Israel, altho' he had not Gotten full possession of it. And herein David in the name of other pious persons professeth his Thankfulness unto God for his wonderful providence over all things, and in special towards himself v. 1. Unto thee, O God do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near, thy wondrous works do declare. And then he makes a promise agreeable to such a frame of spirit, Even that he would do the duty of a Just & pious Ruler. v. 2. When I shall receive the Congregation, I will Judge uprightly. This general Promise he seems more particularly to Explain, in the following verses, in that he Promises to Endeavour to Restore the Decayed state of Things in his Kingdom v. 3. The Earth and all the Inhabitants of it are Dissolved: I bear up the Pillars of it, Selah. or—I will bear up &c. as Tremellius & Junius Render [Page] it. And as a means to this Restitution of things in his Kingdom, that he would suppress the Madness & Haughtiness of the wicked. v. 4, 5. I said unto the fools deal not so foolishly; & to the wicked, lift not up the horn Lift [...]ot up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. And the more Effectually to Suppress their haughtiness, he refutes & condemns one great Errour of theirs, about the Exaltation or depression of this or that man. Shewing that it is not to be ascribed to chance, or humane policy & power, but to that wise & powerful providence which God Exerciseth over the world. v. 6, 7 For promotion cometh neither from the East, nor from the West, nor from the South. But God is the Judge: he putteth down one, & setteth up another.

In the verse now Read, we may Observe

1. The person spoken of, the Most High God.

2. The Relation he stands in to his creatures▪ he is the Judge. The Judge by way of Eminency. It is the work of a Judge to Determine matters of Right. To Distribute Rewards and Punishments. To Determine Controversies Relating to Commutative Justice. In these Respects God may be Called the Judge. He determines the Eternal state of men. Rom. 2. 16. And also he determines what their Condition in this world shall be, [Page] whether high or low, whether they shall be Rich or poor, the men of the world are as so many Rivals, Competitors or Candidates for Riches & honours, & God as Judge, doth by his all governing providence, pass Sentence, who shall have them & who shall go without them. Again a Judge Sometimes in Scripture Signifies the chief Ruler in a state. So in Israel before Saul's Reign the Chief Rulers were called Judges. Ruth. 1. 1. Now it came to pass in the dayes when the Judges Ruled. God may be Called the Judge in this sense. Because the whole world is governed by him.

3. We may herein observe those works that are ascribed to God, that are agreeable to such a Relation. He putteth down one & setteth up another. He disposeth of men to their Several Ranks & posts, as the chief Ruler of a state conferreth offices and places of trust on some, and degrades others, So the most High depresseth and Exalteth whom he pleaseth. Dan▪ 4. 17.

DOCT. That God is the Supreme Ruler of the world, and he placeth all persons in their Several Stations and Conditions.

The Doctrine may be branched into two Particulars.

I. That God is the Supreme Ruler of the world.

[Page] II. That he placeth all persons in their Several Stations and Conditions.

I. God is the Supreme Ruler of the world. He governs the world, & not in Subordination to any Superiour power. All other beings that are in power in the universe are subject to him, but he is subject to none. That God is the Supreme Ruler of the world appears.

1. From that wisdom and power that is discovered in the Government of the world. Infinite wisdom and Infinite power are peculiar to & Inseperable from Gods works. Prov. 8. 30 Psal. 111. 7. This wisdom & power appears in the government of the world. And consequently God is the Ruler of it. This wisdom & power appears in Gods common Government: what Less than Infinite wisdom and power could make the Luminaries of heaven, by an uniform & steady motion to Describe to men the times & seasons, like some publick Clock or Dial. as Psal. 104. 19 He appointeth the moon for seasons; the Sun Knoweth his going down. It is beyond finite power & wisdom to make the Thunder & Lightning, a thing so powerful and ungovernable by man, to help Gods People & punish their Enemies, & yet it doth this. Psal. 18. 13, 14. Or to make the fire, hail, snow and vapour, and stormy wind to fulfil his word▪ as Psal. 148. 8. To [Page] make the Frogs, Lice, Flies, and Locusts to punish the Egyptians. The Quails to come in such vast numbers and at set times to the Camp of the Israelites to feed them; the Ravens to feed Elijah, or the worms to Destroy Herod when he gave not God the Glory. It's from this Infinite Wisdom & Power that the Stork in the heavens Knows he [...] appointed times, and the Turtle Crane and Swallow the Time of her Coming. Jer. 8. 7. That the ants prepare their meat in Summer, the Conies make their houses in the Rocks, and the Locusts go forth by bands. Prov. 30. 25, 26, 27. Yea from this wisdom and power it is that wicked men are made to serve the Great Ends of Providence, to Punish one another, and to Chastise Gods People. Isai. 10. 5, 6, 7. O Assyrian the Rod of mine anger, and the Staff in their hand is mine Indignation. I will send him against an Hypocritical Nation; and against the people of my wrath will I give him a Charge to take the Spoil, & to take the Prey, & to tread them Down like the mire of the streets. Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so, but it is in his heart to Cut off & Destroy Nations not a few. Further such a wisdom & such a power appear in Special Government. The Redemption of mankind & Gods great works relating to his Church belong to This, and herein a wisdom above that which is finite is [Page] conspicuous not only to men but Even to Angels. Eph 3. 10. To the intent that now unto the principalities & powers in heavenly places might be Known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God. And such a Power is manifested by the Resurrection of Christ from the Dead, by the Preservation of Gods church in the world, & by the Conversion of Sinners. Eph. 1▪ 19. And what is the Exceeding greatness of his power to us ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power.

2. That God is the Supreme Ruler of the world appears, from his foretelling future Events, & his Exact & Infallible accomplishment of them. God foretels things that are contingent as to Second Causes, a great while beforehand, and Exactly accomplisheth them. Thus he foretold to Abraham the affliction of his posterity in Egypt & their Deliverance. Gen. 15. 13, 14. The Babylonish Captivity of Seventy years, & their Deliverance by Cyrus who is mentioned by name a long while before he was born. Isa. 44. 28 & 45. 1. Likewise the great power of the Grecian and Roman Monarchs before they appeared in the world. By the Prophet Daniel. And also many circumstances of the Incarnation and Sufferings of Christ, as they were afterward accomplished. Now seeing God foretels such things as they come to pass, it is Evident that he is the chief ruler [Page] of the world, and that there is not any other being, that is Equal with, or superiour to him, to frustrate his Designs. God himself useth this argument with his people to convince them that he alone is God. Isa. 46. 9, 10. Remember the former things of old, for I am God, & there is none Else, I am God & there is none like me▪ Declaring the End from the Beginning, & from Ancient times the things that are not yet done, Saying, My Counsel shall stand. & I will do all my Pleasure. Now he that is God alone without any Superiour or Equal, must be Supreme Ruler of the world.

3. This is Evident, because all things are subject to Gods Government. Psal. 103. 19. The Lord hath prepared his Throne in the heavens: and his Kingdom Ruleth over all Great and Potent Creatures are Governed by him. He Ruleth the Raging of the Sea. Psal. 89▪ 9. The Winds and the Sea Obey him. Mat. 8. 27. Earthly Rulers are subject to his government. Prov. 21. 1. The Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord as the Rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Yea Even the angels that Excel in strength are governed by God. They do his commandments, hearken to his word, and are ministers of his that do his pleasure. Psal. 103. 20, 21. And God is said to Rule in the armies of heaven as well as among the Inhabitants of the Earth. Dan. 4. 35 Yea [Page] Weak small & minute beings are not Exempted from his Government; for Even a sparrow doth not fall to the Ground without our heavenly Father. Now he that hath all things under his Government must needs be the Supreme Ruler of the world.

II. God placeth all persons in their respective Stations & Conditions; As the place of mens abode is ordered by God▪ Act. 17. 26. So is their Rank, condition and Quality, as in the verse of our Text.

1. Persons of Low degree have their condition assigned them by God. Whether men are brought Low as a punishment for Sin or for any other wise & holy End, Gods providence is to be acknowleged therein Job 1. 21—The Lord Gave, & the Lord hath Taken away.—Men may sometimes be said to bring themselves Low. Hos. 14. 1. O Israel return thou unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine Iniquities. Sin in General is a lowering, sinking thing Prov. 14. 24 But some Sins are peculiarly so. Some Sins are dishonouring & disgraceful. As whoredom & adultery. Prov. 6 33. A wound & dishonour shall he Get. Theft. Jer. 2. 26. A Thief is ashamed when he is found—Lying. Prov. 19. 22. A poor man is better than a Liar. Some Sins are Impoverishing. As Uncleanness. Prov. 6. 26. By means of a whorish [Page]woman a man is brought to a piece of bread. Intemperance. Prov. 23. 21. The Drunkard & the Glutton shall come to poverty—Injustice is also Impoverishing. Prov. 11. 24.—There is that witholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. So is Idleness. Prov. 23. 21—Drowsiness shall clothe a man with Rags. The like may be said of Keeping bad Company. Prov▪ 28. 19—He that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty Enough. But although men may by Sin Bring themselves low, yet Gods Providence is not to be Excluded, upon this account; although he is Righteous in all his ways & holy in all his works; yet some things are said to be done by him which are brought about by Sinful means. Thus God is said to send Joseph into Egypt. Gen. 45. 5 And to Exalt Baasha 1 Kings. 16 2 When as both were brought about by Sinful means Hence God is said to make poor. 1 Sam 2. 7. And to pour contempt upon princes. Psal▪ 107. 40.

2. Persons of high Degree are Exalted by God.

(1.) He Exalteth those that are above others in wealth & Riches. Tho' God hath Given the Earth to the Sons of men. Psal. 115 16 Yet all have not an Equal share in it. And this difference is not to be Imputed only to mens prudence & diligence. But a higher hand is to be acknowledged in the matter Deut. 8. 17, 18. And thou say in thine heart, my power & [Page] the might of mine hand hath Gotten me all this wealth. But thou shalt Remember the Lord thy God, for it is he that giveth thee power to Get wealth—Mens prudence & diligence may be Instrumental to advance their Estates, and Encrease their Substance. But without Gods Blessing this will not Avail. Psal. 127. 2. It is vain for you to Rise up Early, to Sit up Late to Eat the Bread of Sorrows. Therefore Gods Blessing is said to make Rich as well as the Diligent Hand. Prov. 10. 22. And God is said to be the maker of the Rich and Poor▪ Prov. 22. 2. The Rich & Poor meet together, the Lord is the maker of them all.

(2.) God Exalteth those that are above others in Gifts and parts. As it is God that makes men in General Wiser than the fowls of heaven Job. 35. 11. So it is he that distinguisheth persons of Great Gifts and Parts from others. Mens Gifts & abilities are the manifestation of the Spirit, and are wrought by that one & the self same Spirit that divides to Every one severally as he will. 1 Cor 12. 7, 11. God is the father of Lights & from him Every good Gift & Every perfect Gift comes. Jam. 1. 17. It was God that Gave to Solomon wisdom and Largeness of heart as the sand upon the Sea shore. 1 King. 4. 29.

(3.) God Exalteth those that are above others in places of trust. Civil Rulers are advanced by [Page] him. Judg. 2. 16. The Lord raised them up Judges which delivered them. Godly Rulers are promoted by God. David Stiles himself the man that was raised up on high. 2 Sam. 23. 1. And acknowledges that it was God that so advanced him. Psal. 78. 70. 71. He chose David also his Servant and took him from the Sheepfolds: from following the Ews great with young, he brought him to feed Jacob his people & Israel his Inheritance. Yea wicked Rulers are beholding to the most high for their Exaltation. 1 Sam. 15. 1. 1 King. 16. 2. Likewise church officers are promoted by God. So the Priests & Levites were under the Law▪ Deut. 10. 8. At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day. And thus also the ministers under the Gospel are advanced. They Receive their ministry of the Lord, Col. 4. 17. And are made overseers over their flocks by the holy Ghost. Act. 20. 28.

But I shall be thought to forget my self & to abuse this honourable Audience if I Insist upon a truth so plain & so generally professed amongst us▪ I proceed to make some Improvement of it.

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APPLICATION.

USE, I. What we have heard may be of use to teach us, that a people that have good Rulers, have great cause of thankfulness to God upon that account. Tho' all Rulers are set up by God, yet they are not all alike, God sometimes gives such to a people in anger, and to be punishments to them. Hos. 13. 11. I gave them a King in mine anger and took him away in my wrath. Some Rulers want ability for their work, others are unfaithful therein. Some that stand in the place of shepherds feed themselves but not the flock Ezek 24. 8. A people sometimes have princes that are as Roring lions, and Judges that are as Evening wolves. Zeph. 3. 3. Temporal Dominion is not founded in Grace And the most high is pleased sometimes to set up the basest of men over a People Dan. 4 17 Some that are Enemies to religion are in places of power. Psal. 2. 2. The Kings of the Earth set themselves, & the Rulers took counsel together▪ against the Lord and against his anointed Sometimes they are in Places of power that pervert Justice▪ Isai. 5. 23. Which Justifie the wicked for a Reward and take away the Righteousness of the Righteous from him. And such as set a sad Example before their People, as Manasseh, and Ah [...]b who sold himself to work Wickedness▪ 1 King. 21. 25.

[Page] But there are some Rulers of another Spirit▪ that are as Nursing fathers to their people. Isai▪ 49. 23 That are seeking the wealth of their people Esth. 10. 3. That are a terrour to Evil wo [...]ks. Rom. 13. 3. As an hiding place from the wind a covert from the tempest: as Rivers of water in a dry place, & as the shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land. Isai▪ 32. 2 And that are Really ministers for the good of a people. Rom. 13. 3. And when this is the Case of a people, that they are favoured with such Rulers, they are highly priviledged and such a mercy should not be forgotten by them. This mercy to Israel Nehemiah takes notice of. chap. 9. 27. Thou Gavest them Saviours, who Saved them out of the hands of their Enemies.

USE, II. Hence Persons of a Lower Rank should not Envy those of a more Exalted Station. Places of honour and Eminence have their Burdens & Inconveniences attending them, so that they that are set in them, are not [...] much more happy than others, as many Imagine them to be. Its a great mistake (as a learned* writer observes) to think, that the Happiness of men differs as much as their fortunes [...]; that a prince is as much happier as he is greater[Page]than his subjects; for all the World knows, that Happiness is not Entailed on Riches, and Power, & secular honours; as they have their Advantages so they have very troublesome and sowre allays. Their happiness is not so great as it appears to be, & if it were they would not Enjoy it long for tho' some by office are Gods, yet they must Dye like men Psal. 82 6. Again if their happiness were as great as it appears to be, & much more lasting than it is, yet this is Enough to Quiet us & make our minds Easy, that this difference that is made in mens Condition is ordered by the alwise God, who is Righteous in all his ways & holy in all his works, & accountable to none, & that he ordereth such a variety in mens conditions for his own glory & the General good of mankind; & therefore Altho' we see some of our fellow mortals have more Riches, more Honour, greater Gifts and parts than our selves, we should not have our Eye Evil towards them, because God is good to them Mat. 20. 15. It becometh us to submit to, and acquiesce in Gods Providence in this matter, because he hath done it. Psal. 39. 9. He Knows how to Rule the world better than we do, and if he confers more favours upon others than he doth upon us, he doth us no wrong, we have still as much as we deserve and unspeakably more,

[Page] USE III. We may Hence Infer that Sins in Rulers are more Heinous in the sight of God, than the same for kind & degree would be, if committed by men of lower Rank. The sins of Rulers Dishonour God more than the sins of others; & are more Hurtful to men: & Rulers discover more Ingratitude & baseness of Spirit by their Sins, than persons of a lower Rank. And therefore we find that Eli's, David's Jeroboam's & Baasha's Sins are represented as the more odious because God had Exalted them 1 Sam. 2 28, 29. 2 Sam. 12 7, 8, 9. 1 King. 14 7 1 King 16. 2. And God shewed himself highly provoked by them, by that train of afflictions brought upon David himself. And the awful punishments brought upon the posterity of Jeroboam & Baasha. Whose Families are mentioned, as Examples of Divine vengeance 1 King 21 22. And in that God had sworn that the house of Eli should not be purged with Sacrifice and offering for Ever. 1 Sam. 3. 14.

USE. IV Hence persons of an Elevated Station should be Humble & Condescending to Inferiours, & ready to be serviceable & useful to them. This is the Direction that God gives to such as you. Rom. 12. 16. Mind not high things but Condescend to men of low Esta [...]e. It is the pleasure of God that persons in an high [Page] Station should remember that their Inferiours are their brethren and should treat them as such. Deut. 17. 20 That his heart be not Exalted above his Brethren.

In many things the Great & mean in this world are alike. The Rich & poor meet together in many Respects. They are the workmanship and offspring of the same God. Act. 17. 28. And made of one bloud. Ibid. v. 26. Men of highest advancement are formed out of the clay as well as the Lowest. Job. 33. 6. And men of Lowest Degree are created in Gods Image, & after his likeness as well as the Highest. Gen. 1. 26. The Highest and Lowest dwell in the same world, breath in the same air, tread upon the same Earth, and need the same Kind of supports for their outward man. Eccl. 5. 9. Moreover the profit of the Earth is for all & the King himself is served by the field. They are all under the same Law to God, are all alike mortal. Psal. 49. 10. & 82. 7. And must Rest in the grave together. Job. 3. 19. Psal. 49. 14. They are all Capable of the blessedness of the other life & obnoxious to Its punishments, for Riches will not profit in the day of wrath Prov▪ 11. 4 And they must all stand before the same Judgment seat. Rev. 20. 12. I saw the Dead small & great stand before God. A proud, lofty, scornful & disdainful carriage towards Inferiours is Exceeding [Page] unbecoming you, hereby You greatly abuse the savour of God to you, and act very contrary to what this Doctrine suggests If it be God that hath made you to differ from Inferiors, & you have nothing above them but what you have received, You should not pride your selves as if you had not Received it. 1 Cor. 4. 7.

Persons of Distinction & Quality should be willing to be serviceable & useful to those that are below them Your Enjoyments that you have above others, you have from God, and have not received them for your selves only. Are you accomplished above others in respect of Gifts, these are given for the good of others as well as your selves. 1 Cor 12. 7. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to Every man to profit withal. Are you Rich in this world God hath given you all these things Richly to enjoy & you must do good with them and be Ready to distribute them 1 Tim 6. 17, 18. Charge them that are Rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us all things richly to enjoy: that they do good, that they be rich in good work ready to distribute, willing to Communicate. Are you in place of Rule you are concerned to seek the good of your people. Rom. 13 4. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. Serviceableness is no degrading thing [Page] to great persons, the more Serviceable they are to others, the more honourable. Jehojada was buried in the city of David with the Kings because he had done good in Israel, both towards God and towards his house. 2 Chron. 24 16. The more good they do, the more they are like to the holy Angels, who are ministring Spirits sent forth to minister to the Heirs of Salvation. Heb. 1. ult. Yea hereby they are more like to the Holy God who is good and doeth good▪ Psal. 119. 68.

USE. V. The truth that we have now heard Suggests that persons that are Concerned in the Choice of Rulers, should faithfully attend the directions of Gods word in that affair. The Reason is, because that in the Choice of Rulers they work with God, and for God.

They work with God. He is the principal agent or Efficient in Exalting & depressing men, & he honours you that have the Priviledge of chusing your own Rulers, by Implo [...]ing you in this work of his, & this should oblige you to faithfulness. Gospel ministers should be faithful in their work for this Reason among many others, because they are workers together with God. 2 Cor 6. 1. And Labourers together with him in his Husbandry. 1 Cor 3▪ 9 A like motive to this our freemen have, they are Imployed in the same work that he is, they work with God.

[Page] Again they work for God, and therefore this work should not be done deceitfully. God being the chief Ruler of the world, you that are concerned in this choice, are to pi [...]ch upon s [...]me, to be servants & officers under him; if but a Neighbour of yours wanted a servant & Imployed you to procure one for him, would you not endeavour for one according to his mind, & one that might be suitable for his work: what concernment then ought you to have upon your spirits, to be faithful in this matter, seing you are to chuse Servants for God, & such as are to be Imployed in a great & weighty work. As David faith of the house that Solomon was to build. 1 Chron. 29 1. The work is great, & the palace is not for man but for God So it may be here said to you; the work that you are concerned in is great, the officers that you are to chuse are not for man only but for God.

Hence you may not Chuse heedlesly and at Random; or pitch upon men for Publick places only because they have been kind and obliging to you; or because they are of such a faction or party; or because they are most likely to serve your own Private Interest: the men of Shechem had an Eye to this in the Choice of Abimelech. Judg 9 2, 3. And paid dear for it. Your priviledges, Sirs, are too sacred to be prostituted to serve such base [Page] designs as these: be governed in your choice, by a sincere aim at Gods glory, and the good of your people, which are the great Ends of Government.

To this End let the persons that from time to time you give in your Suffrage for be men of well-known ability and faithfulness Deut. 1 13. Take ye wise men & understanding & known among your tribes & I will make them Rulers over you. Let them be men of wisdom and good conduct, like the men of Issachar that had understanding in the times to Know what Israel ought to do. 1 Chron. 12 32. Men zealously bent for Justice. 2 Sam. 23. 3. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, he that Ruleth over men must be Just, ruling in the fear of God. Let them be men of activity and Industry, that will apply themselves to their work and Rule with Diligence as Rom. 12 8 Men of Courage and fortitude, that will not fear the faces of men or bear the Sword of Civil Justice in vain Deut. 1. 17. and Rom 13 4 Let them be pious Godly men. Exod. 18. 21. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God. Let them be men of a Generous Publick spirit, such as know how to Deny themselves for the publick good, and to look beyond their own private Interest. We need such amongst us now, as will be faithful to the Publick weal of the people, tho' the main requital [Page] that they can Expect from some, is Ill-will and reproach, a sort of pay for publick officers that passeth too currant amongst us.

The promoting such persons amongst us, is the way to preserve the honour, and attain the Ends of Government, to manifest our faithfulness in Gods work & love to our people; when a people have such to Rule them, it is to be accounted no small happiness. 1 King. 10. 8. Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants which stand continually before thee, & that hear thy wisdom▪ And it is for a Lamentation when they have not such strong Rods to Rule them. Eccl. 10. 16. 17. Wo to thee, O Land when thy king is a child, & thy princes Eat in the morning. Blessed art thou, O Land, when thy king is the son of Nobles, & thy princes Eat in due season, for strength and not for Drunkenness.

USE. VI The Doctrine we have now heard may be Improved to Exhort & perswade all persons in places of Civil power, so to conduct themselves in the whole of their Conversation, as if they had a powerful Impression of this truth upon their hearts. So live & act as if you had a lively sense of this upon your spirits, & were verily perswaded, that the most High governs the world, & setteth up & putteth down whom he pleaseth.

And I would Humbly direct it to such as now are or this day may be Elected thereto, [Page] whether in higher or Lower stations. And in particular I would (with all submission & a deep sense of my unfitness for the work I am Engaged in) Address the Honourable, The GOVERNOUR, The DEPUTY GOVERNOUR, The Worshipful ASSISTANTS & Worthy REPRESENTATIVES of this Colony. Honourable, Worshipful and highly Respected, You are men that are raised up on high, the Exalted of the God of Jacob: You are the men whom the Sovereign Lord of the Universe is pleased to set at the upper End of this our little world; be Entreated so to deport your selves, as to Express a spirit of obedience to your great Lord & sovereign, & of Gratitude to him, who is your glory, and the Lifter up of your Heads. Particularly

Be Entreated to honour God who thus puts honour upon you. You have the honour to be officers Subordinate to the Supreme Ruler of the world; to be the Servants of God in a peculiar Respect, as David stiles himself. Psal. 18. tit. Yea such as you are Termed the Children of the most high. Psal. 86. 6. And by these your Relations to God you are obliged to honour him. Mal. 1. 6. A son honoureth his father & a servant his master, Gods glory is the great End of your being & office Prov. 16. 4. The Lord hath made all thing for himself. Rulers then sadly forget themselves, if they have [Page] not an Eye to this, The Renowned Calvin* tells the king of France. Nec jam regnum Ille, sed Latrocinium Exercet, qui non in hoc Regnat ut Dei Gloriae Serviat▪ He Rather acts the part of a Robber than of a Ruler, that doth not Rule to Gods Glory.

Again, be Entreated to take heart in your weighty work. There are no small difficulties in the Rulers Province & we are not, Honourable, Worshipful, and much Respected; altogether Insensible of the discouragement you meet with, by the Ingratitude, Jealousies, Murmurings, & discontentment of some of your people. It is our grief that the Archers of our time have shot at you, hated you, & are often doing much to Grieve you. It becometh us to Sympathize with you, & to pray, that your Bow may abide in strength, and that the Arms of your Hands may be made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob, that so you may be the shepherds & the stones of our Israel—But although your difficulties & discouragements are great, yet let not your hands hang down or your knees wax feeble; It is no new thing for faithful Rulers to be faulted by murmuring persons, yea even sometimes for those Evils which a people bring upon themselves [Page] by their own Sins: thus when Korah & his company perished in their Rebellion, the people say to Moses & Aaron where [...] have ye killed the people of the Lord. Luther Observed in his time* Qui regit Signum Est in quod Satan Omnia Jacula dirigit. Rulers are the mark▪ against which Satan shoots all his arrows. Let it not be forgotten that it is God which hath set you in this difficult post, & he is worthy of your service whether your people be or no. He is able to support you in it and reward you for it, & turn all your Sufferings to your own advantage; and seeing he hath made you Nursing fathers to your people, It will not become you to give over your care of these your children tho' they prove very froward and ungrateful.

Again, let the good & Welfare of this People be much at heart with you. God blesseth you in your advancement, & therefore you must be blessings; according as God speaks to Abraham▪ Gen. 12▪ 2. I will bless thee and make thy name Great, & thou shalt be a blessing. Let the Characters given of Nehemiah and Mordecai hold true of you; make it manifest that you seek the wealth of your people, and that you are men come to seek the good of our Israel. [Page] Let us see in you the life of those metaphors by which good Rulers are set forth in Scripture. They are heads of the people. 1 Chron. 12. 32. Be such to us, by seeing our way for us, and Leading us in paths of peace & safety. Rulers are pillars. 1 Sam 2. 8. Appear to be such, by standing upright by being united to Each other, & in bearing with a Christian fortitude the burdens & difficulties of your office, & by your Endeavours to support our sinking state. Good Rulers are Lights. 2 Sam. 21. 17. Yea they are compared to the Light of a Clear morning. 2 Sam. 23. 4. Manifest your selves to be lights, by being publick blessings as the Light is, & in being a Terrour to Evil persons, & a Comfort to the good: the morning light as it is pleasant to honest livers, so it is to the murderer▪ thief and adulterer as the shadow of Death▪ Job. 24. 14, 15, 16. Rulers are Gods. Exod. 22. 28. Psal. 82. 6. May we see that very worthy deeds are done from time to time to this people, by your providence. To use the words of Tertullus. Act. 24. 3. Shew your selves the children of the Most High in your care to be like him in his communicable perfections: let us behold in you not only power, but wisdom also, and a Godlike goodness. And in order to our good.

1. Let it be your care to promote & Encourage Religion amongst us. The Necessity of this in [Page] order to the well being of Societies hath been set before you in a clear light upon a like occasion to this some years since. It seems now to be much in Its wane among us, Endeavour to revive it. Encourage it by being patterns of holiness, heavenly mindedness, zeal for Gods glory, &c. And by promoting men of such a spirit to places of trust amongst us. Let it appear, that you have set your affection to the house of your God, by your care to support his worship; ordinances & ministry. May schools of Learning be Encouraged and supported amongst us. Is it not highly Reasonable that our children, that are given to God in Baptism, should be Educated for him? without which there is danger that our religion will soon sink into Paganism. It was signified on the Last Election Day to this Honourable assembly: That there needs something more to be done in scattered places to make the benefit of our schools more Extensive, without which they can't be Kept up with good agreement. &c. Our scattered place having felt by woful Experience the truth of this, & not Knowing of any thing done by the Legislative power for relief herein, I would now take the boldness again to Recommend this matter to this honourable Assembly, hoping that if something may be done in that affair for our relief, so much benefit will accrue to our children, and [Page] so much strife & other concomitant Sins will be prevented, that your pains herein will not be Lost.

2. Do what in you lies for the Reformation of this people. Reformation is very necessary for the good of a people: Their Iniquities separate between them and their God; and their sins hide away his face from them. Isai. 59. 2 And we are Encouraged from Gods word to look to you for something to be done in order to it. Inasmuch as we are told that Rulers are a terrour to Evil works. Rom. 13. 3▪ And are sent for the punishment of Evil doers & for the praise of them that do well. 1 Pet. 2. 14. Let this then be vigourously Endeavoured after by you: & be Entreated to be from time to time, swift witnesses against the Crying abominations of our Land. Is not the Neglect of Gods worship, profane cursing & Swearing, Sabbath breaking, whoredom, Drunkenness, Rioting, Idleness, fraud & Injustice, very growing & prevailing Sins amongst us? Let the sword of civil Justice be pointed against these. Say to these fools in our Israel (by the promulgation & Execution of suitable Laws against them) that they do no more so foolishly. Be such a terrour to these Evil workers, as that their Iniquity may stop Its mouth & hide its head. It will be sad if things come to that pass amongst us, that such sinners should lift up the [Page]horn on high, & speak with a stiff-neck. as Psal 75. 5

3. Let Justice have Its free course. You Judge not for man only but for God. Let Judgment Run down as waters and Righteousness as a mighty stream. Amos. 5. 24. Let the spoiler cease and oppressors be consumed out of the Land. Isa. 16. 4. To this End let Superiour and Inferiour courts of Judicature be filled up with such, as will Judge the people with Righteousness, and the poor with Judgment; according to Psal. 72. 2. Let Justices of the peace be such as are fit to bear that Title. And seing many complain that they fail of Justice by raw and unskilful jurors which know little of the nature of an Issue, or of the business they are called to, may something be done to remedy their Grievance Jurors giving Just verdicts, will have a tendency, to discourage the mischievous, who are now apt to look upon the Event of a Law-Suit a matter of meer contingency; a tendency to raise in the hearts of people a veneration for our Courts; & to make the sentence pronounced by our Judges appear more as a divine sentence.

4. Let nothing be wanting that tends to the Continuance of our Priviledges. Although there may be some unthinking or dissaffected persons among us, who like Esau despise their birthright, that make very light of them, & may be likely to give you very little thanks [Page] for your pains herein; yet it is to be hoped that there are many of another spirit, & we trust your concern for the welfare of this people will prompt you to Endeavours to Secure that which is so valuable & precious to us.

5. Endeavour to promote peace amongst us. That our Jerusalem may be as a city that is compacted together. Psal. 122. 2 This is a blessing we are Encouraged to look for from good Rulers under God. Psal. 72. 7. In his days shall the Righteous flourish, & abundance of peace so long as the moon Endureth. We are to pray for Rulers to this End, that we may lead a Quiet & peaceable life in all Godliness & honesty▪ 1 Tim. 2▪ 2. Let the mountains bring forth peace to us & the little hills by Righteousness. To this purpose let no Endeavours be wanting to preserve a good understanding between the members of this Honourable Assembly. It is a good & a pleasant thing for a people to see such Brethren in honour and power dwell together in unity. Psal. 133. 1. The want of this tends to Gods dishonour & opens a door to those Confusions and Evil works that accompany strife. The most High God is represented as peculiarly present in the assemblies of such as you are. Psal. 82. v▪ 1. God standeth in the Congregation of the mighty he Judgeth amongst the Gods And strifes and divisions amongst you must needs be provoking [Page] to him, who is the God of peace & hates those that sow discord among brethren. Prov. 6. 19. Moreover the want of such unity will greatly weaken your hands in Gods work: and may prove very Hurtful to your people; if our Fathers in the assembly Eat these sowre grapes, it is well if their Childrens teeth be not set on Edge, & contention like oil run down from the head to the skirt of the Garment. A great breach in the head hazards the whole body. Our own nation Experienced not a little of the sad tendency of this many years ago.

For motive Consider. 1. What a People. & 2. What a God you are Called to serve.

1. What a People you are Called to serve They are a people visibly near to God. His own people, not only by creation, but by covenant Engagements. They are the posterity of a choice set of men, collectively taken who ventured over into these American deserts for the sake of Religion. The Honourable Stoughton in his Election Sermon saith of them. God sifted a whole nation that he might send choice grain into this Wilderness. God then Honours you as he did David in that he takes you to feed Jacob his people, & Israel his Inheritance. As he speaks. Psal. 78. 71. Surely then in doing good to them your work will not want its reward▪ Seing God promises to [Page] bless them that bless his people. Gen. 12. v. 3 And I will bless them that bless thee and curse him that curseth thee.

They are your own people. People of your own Country, Nation and Profession. Your own Interest, and the Interest of your children and friends is Bound up with theirs. Seek then the Peace of our Jerusalem, for your Brethren & companions sake. Psal. 122. 8.

They are a very growing & increasing people. This vine that God hath brought over into this Wilderness, he hath Caused to take Deep Root, & it filleth the Land. as Psal. 80. 9 By promoting their Welfare you will then bec [...]me very diffusive Blessings; and many will share in the good that you do to them.

They are a people highly priviledged in civil and sacred respects. Our Charter priviledges are great. And Gods worship and ordinances in their purity are set up amongst us. A Ship so Richly Laden should not be neglected by those at Helm. Resolve then with David. Psal. 122. 9. that because of the house of your God that is in us, you will seek our good.

Moreover they are a people that lie open to Gods wrath. They have been highly favoured & priviledged, but they have abused the favours of God and Ill requited him for his distinguishing Kindness. Be Entreated then to be like Phineas zealous for your God [Page] that you may turn away his wrath from this his people. Numb. 25. 11.

2. Consider what a God you are called to serve And he is a God that searcheth all hearts 1 Chron. 28. 9. That takes notice how men carry themselves. He beholds the Evil & the good. He hath done much for you already to oblige you to faithfulness; and he is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love to us. Heb. 6. 10. He will honour those that honour him 1 Sam. 2. [...]0. And do good to those men that are good, and will think upon you for good, according to all that you shall do for this people.

USE, VII. I would now Address my self to my Reverend Fathers & Brethren in the MINISTRY. Let the Doctrine we have now heard be Improved to Excite us all to greater diligence, Earnestness and faithfulness in our great work. Reverend & Beloved Suffer this Exhortation from one in all respects unworthy, to be Reckoned of your order, & let Gods General providence over the world, & in particular his placing men in their several stations, be an argument to Excite us all hereto.

It should not seem a small thing to us, that the God of Israel hath separated us from the congregation, to bring us near to himself to do the Service of his tabernacle. As Moses speaks to Korah, Numb. 16. 9. And that he [Page] hath separated us, to minister unto himself, and to bless in his name▪ as Deut 10. 8. We having received this our ministry from the Lord, should take heed that we fulfil it. Let us then hold forth the word of life, by our doctrine & conversation. And Endeavour to be burning, as well as shining lights let us give our selves as much as may be to our work, the ministry of the word and prayer And not suffer our selves unnecessarily to be taken off from it. It will be very Inexcusable in us. Propter vitam vivendi perdere fin [...]m▪

A small measure of proficiency will not Excuse us. We live in a time & place where the church of Christ enjoyeth great peace & Rest, and we are not molested by persecutors and sectists, as many of Christs Servants are, who are obliged to work like Nehemiah's Builders, who with one hand held a weapon & with the other wrought in the work. Besides we are Entred into the Labours of some who have been Eminent in Gifts & Piety, & Zeal for the Interest of Christ. Not to mention the famous Worthies that the Neighbouring Province hath been blessed with Even in this Western Part of New England, there have shined Stars of the first magnitude, such as the Renowned Hooker, Stone, Davenport Fitch, with Others of the Like stamp, who are now shining in a better world; and what [Page] manner of persons should we be, if we would not give men occasion to take up that sad Lamentation concerning us, Lam. 4. 1. how is the Gold become dim, how is the fine Gold changed.

There is a spirit of Jealousie & hatred too manifest in many of this Land against those of this order, & many reproaches are cast upon them, which will be best removed & Confuted by a vigorous prosecution of the great business of our Office. Moreover the declining state of religion amongst us, requires not a li [...]tle piety & painfulness in those of this order. And finally our time in the world will soon be run out. Our bodies are Earthen vessels, and we shall not be suffered long to Continue by reason of Death; let us then in all things shew our selves blameless & faithful as the Stewards of God, And do the work of him that sent us while it is day, because the night of Death is hastening upon us wherein we cannot work. John 9. 4.

Let us think seriously, how Invaluably precious the Souls of men are that we watch for, and what a doleful account we shall have to give, if they perish through our neglect, and how glorious their reward will be, who are faithful to Christ in this work to the death. Rev. 2. 10. Be thou faithful to the death and I will give thee a crown of life.

[Page] USE, VIII. Lastly. I would hence Exhort the whole body of this people so to Carry themselves towards Rulers as this doctrine Suggests. Particularly.

1. Put honour upon them. This is their due by the fifth Commandment, & we must not Deny it to them. Rom 13. 7. Render therefore to all their dues:—honour to whom honour. Honour Rulers by speaking well of them, and taking in good part their administrations. It was a good time in Israel when all that the king did pleased the people 2 Sam. 3. 36 Don't declaim against Rulers, like those Bruit Beasts (as such are called.) That are not afraid to speak Evil of dignities. Jude. 10. It would better become some of you, to pray more for them, & bless God for them, than to talk so much against them. Exod 22. 28. Thou shalt not revile the Gods, nor curse the Ruler of thy people. Be not ready to Credit Evil reports concerning them▪ Some speak against them out of malice, because they have born testimony against their Evil works. Others out of Envy, because they cannot bear to see them so great. Others that they may appear wiser & more understanding in state affairs than their neighbours, who cannot see them so faulty as they represent them▪ But Let your Countenances be [...]s the northwind to these back biting tongues. It is a fault to take up a reproach [Page] against any▪ Psal. 15. 3. Much more against these. It is not for nothing that it is said. 1 Tim. 5. 19. Against an Elder receive not an accusation but before two or three witnesses.

2. Pray for Rulers. They come in the name of the Lord. Are invested with his power & authority. And It becomes us to ask for them a blessing. A blessing upon their persons & administrations. Psal. 118. 26. We are Expresly commanded to pray for them. 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. I Exhort therefore that first of all Supplications, prayers, Intercessions & giving of thanks be made for all men: for kings and for all that are in authority.

3. Be Ready to Recompence them for their Service. By your choice of them you set them to a difficult, troublesome Imployment, & they spend their time for your benefit. And no small advantage accrues to you thereby. We may say without flattery, concerning them, as Tertullus to Felix. Act. 24. 2 That by them we Enjoy great quietness. Moreover the Supreme Lord of the world, whose you are, & all that you have, Expresly requires that you should recompence these his officers Rom 13. 6. 7. For, for this cause pay you tribute for they are Gods ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom.

[Page] 4. Lastly▪ Be Subject to & obey Rulers. Civil Rulers are to be obeyed in that which is Lawful, otherwise we must obey God rather than man. Act 5. 29▪ We are bound in conscience thus to obey them. Rom. 13 1. 2. Let Every soul be subject to the higher powers, for there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever▪ therefore Resisteth the power, Resisteth the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. v. 5. Wherefore ye must needs be Subject, not only for wrath but for conscience sake. 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14. Submit your selves to Every ordinance of man for the Lords sake: whether it be to the king as Supreme: or unto governours, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of Evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well. I likewise Ecclesiastical Rulers are thus to be submitted to. Heb. 13. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, & submit your selve [...]: for they much for your souls, as they that must give account: that they may do it with Joy, and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you This duty of submission to Rulers tho' very distastful & unpleas [...]t to Corrupt nature, should be sweetned to you in this Government, not only from the doctrine you have now heard, that it is God that placeth men in their Respective stations; but also because your Rulers in church and state are chosen by the people. Hushai's Resolution. [Page] 2 Sam. 16. 18. is very reasonable Whom the Lord and this people & all the men of Israel choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.

This is the way for a people to be happy. That commandment which requireth obedience to rulers is the first commandment with promise. Eph. 6. 2. If a people would prosper they should hearken to their prophets▪ 2 Chron. 20. 20. If they would live long in their own Land, and Eat the fruit of it they should be an obedient people Isai 1 19. If ye be willing and obedient ye shall Eat the good of the Land.

FINIS.

Notes

*

Dr. Sherlock's Discourse of the Divine Providence. Pag. 324. Edit. 4.

↵

*

Ames. Lectiones in Psalmes in Loc.

↵

*

Dr. Sherlock's Discourse of the Divine Providence. Pag. 325. Edit. 4.

↵

*

Calvin: Epistola ad Regem Galliae Institutionibus auteposita.

↵

*

See Mr. Hubbard of Ipswich's Election Sermon Pag. 48.

↵

Information about this book

Title statement

God's providence in placing men in their respective stations & conditions asserted & shewed. A sermon preached before the General Assembly of the colony of Connecticut, at Hartford, May, 10. 1722. The day for electing the Honourable the governour, the deputy-governour, & the worshipful assistants there. / By William Burnham M.A. Pastor of the church in Kensington. ; Published by order of authority.

Burnham, William, 1684-1750.

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Text Creation Partnership,

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2008-09.

ID [DLPS]

N01951

ID [TCP]

N01951

ID [STC]

Evans 2323

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APX1363

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2323

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99018027

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Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 ; no. 2323.

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— God's providence in placing men in their respective stations & conditions asserted & shewed. A sermon preached before the General Assembly of the colony of Connecticut, at Hartford, May, 10. 1722. The day for electing the Honourable the governour, the deputy-governour, & the worshipful assistants there. / By William Burnham M.A. Pastor of the church in Kensington. ; Published by order of authority., Burnham, William, 1684-1750., Connecticut. General Assembly..

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Printed & sold by T. Green, printer to His Honour the governour & Company,,. New-London [Conn.]: :: 1722..

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