Mr. Edwards's SERMON On the Death Of the Honourable John Stoddard, Esq
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.
BOSTON: Printed by Rogers and Fowle for J. Edwards in Cornhill. 1748.
GOD's awful Judgment in the breaking and withering of the STRONG RODS of a Community.
IN Order to a right understanding and improving these Words, these four Things must be observed and understood concerning them.
1. Who she is that is here represented as having had strong Rods, viz. The Jewish Community, here as often elsewhere, is called the People's Mother. She is here compared to a Vine planted in a very fruitful Soil, v. 10. The Jewish Church and State is often elsewhere compared to a Vine; as Psal. lxxx. 8, &c. Isa. v. 2. Jer. ii. 21. Ezek. xv. and Chap. xvii. 6.
2. What is meant by her strong Rods, viz. Her wise, able and well qualified Magistrates or Rulers. That the Rulers or Magistrates are intended is manifest by ver. 11. And she had strong Rods for the Scepters of them that bear [Page 6] Rule. And by Rods that were STRONG must be meant such Rulers as were well qualified for Magistracy, such as had great Abilities and other Qualifications fitting them for the Business of Rule. They were wont to chuse a Rod or Staff of the strongest and hardest Sort of Wood that could be found, for the Mace or Scepter of a Prince; such an one only being counted fit for such an Use; and this generally was overlaid with Gold.
It is very remarkable that such a strong Rod should grow out of a weak Vine: But so it had been in Israel,through GOD's extraordinary Blessing, in Times past. Though the Nation is spoken of here, and frequently elsewhere, as weak and helpless in itself, and intirely dependent as a Vine, that is the weakest of all Trees, that can't support it self by its own Strength, and never stands but as it leans on or hangs by something else that is stronger than itself; yet GOD had caused many of her Sons to be strong Rods fit for Scepters; he had raised up in Israel many able and excellent Princes and Magistrates in Days past, that had done worthily in their Day.
3. It should be understood and observed what is meant by these strong Rods being broken and withered, viz. These able and excellent Rulers being removed by Death: Men's dying is often compared in Scripture to the withering of the Growth of the Earth.
4. It should be observed after what Manner, the breaking and withering of these strong Rods is here spoken of, viz. as a great and awful Calamity, that GOD had bro't upon that People: 'Tis spoken of as one of the chief Effects of GOD's Fury and dreadful Displeasure against them; But she was plucked up in Fury, she was cast down to the Ground, and the East Wind dried up her Fruit, her [Page 7] strong Rods were broken and withered; the Fire hath consumed them. The great Benefits she enjoyed while her strong Rods remained, are represented in the preceeding Verse; And she had strong Rods for the Scepters of them that bear Rule, and her Stature was exalted among the thick Branches; and she appeared in her Height with the Multitude of her Branches. And the terrible Calamities that attended the breaking and withering of her strong Rods, are represented in the two Verses next following the Text; And now she is planted in the Wilderness, in a dry and thirsty Ground; and Fire is gone out of a Rod of her Branches, which hath devoured her Fruit. And in the Conclusion in the next Words, is very emphatically declared the Worthiness of such a Dispensation to be greatly lamented; So that she hath no strong Rod to be a Scepter to rule; this is a Lamentation, and shall be for a Lamentation.
That which I therefore observe from the Words of the Text, to be the Subject of Discourse at this Time, is this,
When GOD by Death removes from a People those in Place of publick Authority and Rule that have been as strong Rods, 'tis as awful Judgment of GOD on that People, and worthy of great Lamentation.
In discoursing on this Proposition, I would
1. Shew what Kind of Rulers may fitly be called strong Rods.
2. Shew why the Removal of such Rulers from a People by Death is to be looked upon as an awful Judgment of GOD on that People, and is greatly to be lamented.
1. I would observe what Qualifications of those who are in publick Authority and Rule may properly give 'em the Denomination of strong Rods.
1. One Qualification of Rulers whence they may properly be denominated strong Rods, is great Ability for the Management of publick Affairs. When they that stand in Place of publick Authority are Men of great natural Abilities, when they are Men of uncommon Strength of Reason and Largeness of Understanding; especially when they have remarkably a Genius for Government, a peculiar Turn of Mind fitting them to gain an extraordinary Understanding in Things of that Nature, giving Ability, in an especial Manner, for Insight into the Mysteries of Government, and discerning those Things wherein the publick Welfare or Calamity consists, and the proper Means to avoid the one and promote the other; an extraordinary Talent at distinguishing what is right and just, from that which is wrong and unequal, and to see thro' the false Colours with which Injustice is often disguised, and unravel the false and subtil Arguments and cunning Sophistry that is often made Use of to defend Iniquity; and when they have not only great natural Abilities in these Respects, but when their Abilities and Talents have been improved by Study, Learning, Observation and Experience; and when by these Means they have obtained great actual Knowledge; when they have acquired great Skill in publick Affairs, and Things requisite to be known, in Order to their wise prudent and effectual Management; when they have obtain'd a great Understanding of Men and Things, a great Knowledge of human Nature, and of the Way of accommodating themselves to it, so as most effectually to influence it to wise Purposes; when they have obtained a very extensive Knowledge of Men with whom they are concerned in [Page 9] the Management of publick Affairs, either those that have a joint Concern in Government, or those that are to be governed; and when they have also obtain'd a very full and particular Understanding of the State and Circumstances of the Country of People that they have the Case of, and know well their Laws and Constitution; and what their Circumstances require; and likewise have a great Knowledge of the People of Neighbour Nations, States, or Provinces, with whom they have Occasion to be concerned in the Management of publick Affairs committed to them; these Things all contribute to the rendring those that are in Authority fit to be denominated strong Rods.
2. When they have not only great Understanding, but Largeness of Heart, and a Greatness and Nobleness of Disposition, this is another Qualification that belongs to the Character of a strong Rod.
Those that are by divine Providence set in Place of Publick Authority and Rule are called Gods, and Sons of the most High, Psal. lxxxii. 6. And therefore 'tis peculiarly unbecoming them to be of a mean Spirit, a Disposition that will admit of their doing those Things that are sordid and vile; as when they are Persons of a narrow, private Spirit, that may be found in little Tricks and Intrigues to promote their private Interest, will shamefully defile their Hands, to gain a few Pounds, are not ashamed to nip and bite others, grind the Faces of the Poor, and screw upon their Neighbours; and will take Advantage of their Authority or Commission to line their own Pockets with what is fraudulently taken or withheld from others. When a Man in Authority is of such a mean Spirit, it weakens his Authority, and makes him justly contemptible in the Eyes of Men, [Page 10] and is utterly inconsistent with his being a strong Rod.
But on the contrary, it greatly establishes his Authority, and causes others to stand in Awe of him, when they see him to be a Man of Greatness of Mind, one that abhors those Things that are mean and sordid, and not capable of a Compliance with them; one that is of a publick Spirit, and not of a private narrow Disposition; a Man of Honour, and not a Man of mean Artifice and clandestine Management, for filthy Lucre, and one that abhors Trifling and Impertinence, or to waste away his Time, that should be spent in the Service of GOD, his King, or his Country, in vain Amusements and Diversions, and in the Pursuit of the Gratifications of sensual Appetites; as GOD charges the Rulers in Israel, that pretended to be their great and mighty Men, with being mighty to drink Wine, and Men of Strength to mingle strong Drink. There don't seem to be any Reference to their being Men of strong Heads, and able to bear a great deal of strong Drink, as some have supposed: There is a severe Sarcasm in the Words; for the Prophet is speaking of the great Men, Princes and Judges in Israel (as appears by the Verse next following) which should be mighty Men, strong Rods, Men of eminent Qualifications, excelling in Nobleness of Spirit, of glorious Strength and Fortitude of Mind; but instead of that they were mighty or eminent for nothing but Gluttony and Drunkenness.
3. When those that are in Authority are endowed with much of a Spirit of Government, this is another Thing that intitles them to the Denomination of strong Rods. When they not only are Men of great Understanding and Wisdom in Affairs that appertain to Government, but [Page 11] have also a peculiar Talent at using their Knowledge, and exerting themselves in this great and important Business, according to their great Understanding in it; when they are Men of eminent Fortitude, and are not afraid of the Faces of Men, are not afraid to do the Part that properly belongs to them as Rulers, though they meet with great Opposition, and the Spirits of Men are greatly irritated by it; when they have a Spirit of Resolution and Activity, so as to keep the Wheels of Government in proper Motion, and to cause Judgment and Justice to run down as a mighty Stream; when they have not only a great Knowledge of Government, and the Things that belong to it in the Theory, but it is as it were natural to them to apply the various Powers and Faculties with which GOD has endowed them, and the Knowledge they have obtain'd by Study and Observation, to that Business, so as to perform it most advantageously and effectually.
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 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 [Page 12] faithful to GOD whose Minister he is, to his People for Good, is immoveable 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 publick Authority, basely to betray his Trust; will not consent to what he thinks not to be for the publick 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.
5. And lastly, It also contributes to that Strength of a Man in Authority, by which he may be denominated a strong Rod, when he is in such Circumstances, as give him Advantage for the Exercise of his Strength for the publick Good; as his being a Person of honourable Descent, of a distinguish'd Education, his being a Man of Estate, one that is advanced in Years, one that has long been in Authority, so that it is become as it were natural for the People to pay him Deference, to reverence him, to be influenced and governed by him, and submit to his Authority; his being extensively known, and much honoured and regarded abroad; his being one of a good Presence, Majesty of Countenance, Decency of Behaviour, becoming one in Authority; of forceable Speech, &c. These Things add to his Strength and increase his Ability and Advantage to serve his Generation in the Place of a Ruler, and therefore in some Respect [Page 13] serve to render him one that is the more fitly and eminently called a strong Rod.
I now proceed
II. To shew that when such strong Rods are broken and withered by Death, 'tis an awful Judgment of GOD on the People that are deprived of them, and worthy of great Lamentation.
And that on two Accounts,
1. By Reason of the many positive Benefits and Blessings to a People that such Rulers are the Instruments of.
Almost all the Prosperity of a publick Society, and civil Community does, under GOD, depend on their Rulers. They are like the main Springs or Wheels in a Machine; that keep every Part in their due Motion, and are in the Body politick, as the Vitals in the Body natural, and as the Pillars and Foundation in a Building. Civil Rulers are called the Foundations of the Earth. Psal. 1xxxii. 5. and xi. 3.
The Prosperity of a People depends more on their Rulers than is commonly imagined. As they have the publick Society under their Care and Power, so they have Advantage to promote the publick Interest every Way; and if they are such Rulers as have been spoken of, they are some of the greatest Blessings to the Publick. Their Influences has a Tendency to promote their Wealth, and cause their temporal Possessions and Blessings to abound: And to promote Virtue amongst them, and so to unite them one to another in Peace and mutual Benevolence, [Page 14] and make them happy in Society, each one the Instrument of his Neighbours Quietness, Comfort and Prosperity; and by these Means to advance their Reputation and Honour in the World; and which is much more, to promote their spiritual and eternal Happiness. Therefore the wise Man says, Eccles. x. 17. Blessed art thou, O Land, when thy King is the Son of Nobles.
We have a remarkable Instance and Evidence of the happy and great Influence of such a strong Rod as has been described, to promote the universal Prosperity of a People, in the History of the Reign of Solomon, though many of the People were uneasy under his Government, and thought him too rigorous in his Administrations: (See I Kings xii. 4.) Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every Man under his Vine and under his Fig-Tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the Days of Solomon. (I Kings iv. 25) And he made Silver to be among them as Stones for Abundance. (Chap. x. 27) And Judah and Israel were many, eating and drinking and making merry. The Queen of Sheba admired, and was greatly affected with the Happiness of the People, under the Government of such a strong Rod, I Kings x. 8, 9. says she, Happy are thy Men, happy are these thy Servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy Wisdom! Blessed be the Lord thy GOD, which delighted in thee to set thee on the Throne of Israel: Because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee King, to do Judgment and Justice.
The flourishing State of the Kingdom of Judah, while they had strong Rods for the Scepters of them that bare Rule, is taken Notice of in our Context; her Stature was exalted among the thick Branches, and she appear'd in her Height with the Multitude of her Branches.
Such Rulers are eminently the MINISTERS OF GOD to his People FOR GOOD: They are great Gifts of the most High to a People, and blessed Tokens of his Favour, and Vehicles of his Goodness to them, and therein Images of his own Son, the grand Medium of all GOD's Goodness to fallen Mankind; and therefore all of them are called, SONS OF THE MOST HIGH. All civil Rulers, if they are as they ought to be, such strong Rods as have been described, will be like THE SON of the Most High, Vehicles of Good to Mankind, and like him, will be as the Light of the Morning, when the Sun riseth, even a Morning without Clouds, as the tender Grass springing out of the Earth, by clear shining after Rain. And therefore when a People are bereaved of them they sustain an unspeakable Loss, and are the Subjects of a Judgment of GOD that is greatly to be lamented.
2. On Account of the great Calamities such Rulers are a Defence from. Innumerable are the grievous and fatal Calamities which publick Societies are exposed to in this evil World, which they can have no Defence from without Order and Authority. If a People are without Government, they are like a City broken down and without Walls, encompassed on every Side by Enemies, and become unavoidably subject to all Manner of Confusion and Misery.
Government is necessary to defend Communities from Miseries from within themselves; from the Prevalence of intestine Discord, mutual Injustice and Violence. The Members of the Society continually making a Prey one of another, without any Defence one from another. Rulers are the Heads of Union in publick Societies, that hold the Parts together; without which nothing else is [Page 16] to be expected than that the Members of the Society will be Continually divided against themselves, every one acting the Part of an Enemy to his Neighbour, every one's Hand against every Man, and every Man's Hand against him; going on in remediless and endless Broils and Jarring, 'till the Society be utterly dissolved and broken in Pieces, and Life it self, in the Neighbourhood of our Fellow-Creatures, becomes miserable and intolerable.
We may see the Need of Government in Societies by what is visible in Families, those lesser Societies, of which all publick Societies are constituted. How miserable would these little Societies be, if all left to themselves, without any Authority or Superiority in one above another, or any Head of Union and Influence among them? We may be convinced by what we see of the lamentable Consequences of the Want of a proper Exercise of Authority and Maintenance of Government in Families, that yet are not absolutely without all Authority. No less Need is there of Government in publick Societies, but much more, as they are larger, a very few may possibly, without any Government, act by Concern, so as to concur in what shall be for the Welfare of the Whole; but this is not to be expected among a Multitude, constituted of many Thousands, of a great Variety of Tempers and different Interests.
As Government is absolutely necessary, so there is a Necessity of strong Rods in Order to it: the Business being such as requires Persons so qualified; no other being sufficient for, or well capable of the Government of publick Societies: And therefore those publick Societies are miserable that have not such strong Rods for Scepters [Page 17] to rule; Eccles. x. 16. We to thee O Land, when thy King is a Child.
As Government, and strong Rods for the Exercise of it, are necessary to preserve publick Societies from dreadful and fatal Calamities arising from among themselves; so no less requisite are they to defend the Community from foreign Enemies. As they are like the Pillars of a Building, so they are also like the Walls and Bulwarks of a City: They are under GOD the main Strength of a People in a Time of War, and the chief Instruments of their Preservation, Safety and Rest. This is signified in a very lively Manner in the Words that are used by the Jewish Community in her Lamentations, to express the Expectations she had from her Princes, Lam. iv. 20. THE BREATH OF OUR NOSTRILS, The anointed of the LORD, was taken in their Pits, of whom we said, UNDER HIS SHADOW we shall live among the Heathen. In this Respect also such strong Rods are Sons of the most High, and Images or Resemblances of the SON of GOD, viz. as they are their SAVIOURS from their Enemies; as the Judges that GOD raised up of old in Israel are called, Nehem. ix. 27. Therefore thou deliveredst them into the Hand of their Enemies, who vexed them; and in the Time of their Trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardst them from Heaven; and according to thy manifold Mercies, thou gavest them SAVIOURS, who SAVED THEM OUT OF THE HAND OF THEIR ENEMIES.
Thus both the Prosperity and Safety of a People, under GOD, depends on such Rulers as are strong Rods. While they enjoy such Blessings, they are wont to be like a Vine planted in a fruitful Soil, with her Stature exalted among the thick Branches, appearing in her Height with [Page 18] the Multitude of her Branches; but when they have no strong Rod to be a Scepter to rule, they are like a Vine planted in a Wilderness, that is exposed to be plucked up, and cast down to the Ground, to have her Fruit dried up with the East Wind, and to have Fire coming out of her own Branches to devour her Fruit.
On these Accounts, when a People's strong Rods are broken and withered, 'tis an awful Judgment of GOD on that People, and worthy of great Lamentation: As when King Josiah (who was doubtless one of the strong Rods refer'd to in the Text) was dead, the People made great Lamentation for him, 2 Chron. xxxv. 24, 25. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in one of the Sepulchres of his Fathers, and all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah: And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah; And all the singing Men and singing Women spake of Josiah in their Lamentations, to this Day, and made them an Ordinance in Israel; and behold they are written in the Lamentations.
APPLICATION.
I come now to apply these Things to our own Case, under the late awful Frown of Divine Providence upon us, in removing by Death that honourable Person in publick Rule and Authority, an Inhabitant of this Town, and belonging to this Congregation and Church, who died at Boston the last Lord's Day.
He was eminently a strong Rod in the foremention'd Respects. As to his natural Abilities, Strength of Reason, Greatness and Clearness of discerning, and Depth of Penetration, he was one of the first Rank: It may be [Page 19] doubted whether he has left his Superior in these Respects, in these Parts of the World. He was a Man of a truly great Genius, and his Genius was peculiarly fitted for the understanding and managing of publick Affairs.
And as his natural Capacity was great, so was the Knowledge that he had acquired, his Understanding being greatly improved by close Application of Mind to those Things he was called to be concerned in, and by a very exact Observation of them, and long Experience in them. He had indeed a great Insight into the Nature of publick Societies, the Mysteries of Government, and the Affairs of Peace and War: He had a Discerning that very few have of the Things wherein the publick Weal consists, and what those Things are that do expose publick Societies, and of the proper Means to avoid the latter and promote the former. He was quick in his Discerning, in that in most Cases, especially such as belonged to his proper Business, he at first Sight would see further than most Men when they had done their best; but yet he had a wonderful Faculty of improving his own Thoughts by Meditation, and carrying his Views a greater and greater Length by long and close Application of Mind. He had an extraordinary Ability to distinguish Right and Wrong, in the Midst of Intricacies, and Circumstances that tended to perplex and darken the Case: He was able to weigh Things as it were in a Ballance, and to distinguish those Things that were solid and weighty from those that had only a fair Shew without Substance, which he evidently Discovered in his accurate, clear and plain Way of stating and committing Causes to a Jury, from the Bench (as by others hath been observ'd) he wonderfully distinguish'd Truth from Falshood, and the most labour'd Cases, seem'd always to lie [Page 20] clear in his Mind, his Ideas properly rang'd—and he had a Talent of communicating them to every ones Understanding, beyond almost any one, and if any were misguided it was not because Truth and Falshood, Right and Wrong were not well distinguish'd.
He was probably one of the ablest Politicians that ever New-England bred: He had a very uncommon Insight into human Nature, and a marvellous Ability to penetrate into the particular Tempers and Dispositions of such as he had to deal with, and to discern the fittest Way of treating them, so as most effectually to influence them to any good and wise Purpose.
And never, perhaps, was there a Person that had a more extensive and thorough Knowledge of the State of this Land, and its publick Affairs, and of Persons that were jointly concerned with him in them: He knew this People, and their Circumstances, and what their Circumstances required: He discerned the Diseases of this Body, and what were the proper Remedies, as an able and masterly Physician. He had a great Acquaintance with the neighbouring Colonies, and also the neighbour Nations on this Continent with whom we are concerned in our publick Affairs: He had a far greater Knowledge than any other Person in the Land of the several Nations of Indians in these Northern Parts of America, their Tempers, Manners and the proper Way of treating them, and was more extensively known by Them, than any other Person in the Country: And no other Person in Authority in this Province, had such an Acquaintance with the People and Country of Canada, the Land of our Enemies, as He.
He was exceeding far from a Disposition and Forwardness [Page 21] to intermeddle with other Folks Business; but as to what belonged to his proper Business, in the Offices he sustained, and the important Affairs that he had the Care of, he had a great Understanding of what belonged to them. I have often been surprized at the Length of his Reach, and what I have seen of his Ability to foresee and determine the Consequences of Things, even at a great Distance, and quite beyond the Sight of other Men. He was not wavering and unsteady in his Opinion: His Manner was never to pass a Judgment rashly, but was wont first thoroughly to deliberate and weigh an Affair; and in this, notwithstanding his great Abilities, he was glad to improve the Help of Conversation and Discourse with others (and often spake of the great Advantage he found by it) but when, on mature Consideration, he had settled his Judgment, he was not easily turned from it by false Colours and plausible Pretences and Appearances.
And besides his Knowledge of Things belonging to his particular Calling as a Ruler, he had also a great Degree of Understanding in Things belonging to his general Calling as a Christian: He was no inconsiderable. Divine: He was a wise Casuist, as I know by the great Help I have found from Time to Time, by his Judgment and Advice in Cases of Conscience, wherein I have consulted him: And indeed I scarce knew the Divine that I ever found more able to help and enlighten the Mind in such Cases than he. And he had no small Degree of Knowledge in Things pertaining to experimental Religion; but was wont to discourse on such Subjects, not only with accurate doctrinal Distinctions, but as one intimately and feelingly acquainted with these Things.
He was not only great in speculative Knowledge, but his Knowledge was practical, such as tended to a wise Conduct in the Affairs, Business and Duties of Life; so as properly to have the Denomination of Wisdom, and so as properly and eminently to invest him with the Character of a wise Man. And he was not only eminently wise and prudent in his own Conduct, but was one of the ablest and wisest Counsellors of others in any difficult Affair.
The Greatness and Honourableness of his Disposition, was answerable to the Largeness of his Understanding: He was naturally of a great Mind: In this Respect he was truly the Son of Nobles. He greatly abhor'd Things which were mean and sordid, and seem'd to be incapable of a Compliance with them. How far was he from Trifling and Impertinence in his Conversation? How far from a busy, meddling Disposition? How far from any sly and clandestine Management to fill his Pockets with what was fraudulently withheld, or violently squeezed from the Labourer, Soldier or inferior Officer? How far from taking Advantage from his Commission or Authority, or any superior Power he had in his Hands? Or the Ignorance, Dependence or Necessities of others to add to his own Gains with what Property belonged to them, and with what they might justly expect as a proper Reward for any of their Services? How far was he from secretly taking Bribes offered to induce him to favour any Man in his Cause, or by his Power or Interest to promote his being advanced to any Place of publick Trust, Honour or Profit? How greatly did he abhor Lying and Prevaricating? And how immoveably stedfast was he to exact Truth? His Hatred of those Things that were mean and sordid was so apparent and well known, that it was evident [Page 23] that Men dreaded to appear in any Thing of that Nature in his Presence.
He was a Man remarkably of a Publick Spirit, a true Lover of his Country, and greatly abhor'd the sacrificing the publick Welfare to private Interest.
He was very eminently endowed with a Spirit of Government. The GOD of Nature seem'd to have formed him for Government, as though he had been made on Purpose, and cast into a Mould, by which he should be every Way fitted for the Business of a Man in publick Authority. Such a Behaviour and Conduct was natural to him as tended to maintain his Authority, and possess others with Awe and Reverence, and to enforce and render effectual what he said and did, in the Exercise of his Authority. He did not bear the Sword in vain: He was truly a Terror to evil Doers. What I saw in him often put me in Mind of that Saying of the wise Man, Prov. xx. 8. The King that sitteth in the Throne of Judgment scattereth away all Evil with his Eyes. He was one that was not afraid of the Faces of Men; and every one knew that it was in vain to attempt to deter him from doing what, on mature Consideration, he had determined he ought to do.—Every Thing in him was great, and becoming a Man in his publick Station. Perhaps never was there a Man that appear'd in New-England, to whom the Denomination of a Great Man did more properly belong.
But though he was one that was great among Men, exalted above others in Abilities and Greatness of Mind, and in Place of Rule, and feared not the Faces of Men, yet he feared GOD. He was strictly conscientious in [Page 24] his Conduct, both in publick and private. I never knew the Man that seemed more stedfastly and immoveably to act by Principle, and according to Rules and Maxims, established and settled in his Mind by the Dictates of his Judgment and Conscience. He was a Man of strict Justice and Fidelity: Faithfulness was eminently his Character: Some of his greatest Opponents, that have been of the contrary Party to him in publick Affairs, yet have openly acknowledged this of him, That he was a faithful Man. He was remarkably faithful in his publick Trusts: He would not basely betray his Trust, from Fear or [...]: It was in vain to expect it; however Men might oppose him or neglect him, and how great soever they were: Nor would he neglect the publick Interest, wherein committed to him, for the Sake of his own Ease, but diligently and laboriously watched and laboured for it Night and Day. And he was faithful in private Affairs as well as publick: He was a most faithful Friend; faithful to any one that in any Case asked his Counsel: And his Fidelity might be depended on in whatever Affair he undertook for any of his Neighbours.
He was a noted Instance of the Vertue of Temperance, unalterable in it, in all Places, in all Companies, and in the midst of all Temptations.
Though he was a Man of a great Spirit, yet he had a remarkable Government of his Spirit; and excelled in the Government of his Tongue. In the midst of all Provocations he met with, with the Multitudes he had to deal with, and the great Multiplicity of perplexing Affairs in which he was concerned, and all the Opposition and Reproaches he was at any Time the Subject of; yet what was there that ever proceeded out of his Mouth [Page 25] that his Enemies could lay hold of? No profane Language, no vain, rash, unseemly and unchristian Speeches. If at any Time he expressed himself with great Warmth and Vigour, it seem'd to be from Principle and Determination of his Judgment, rather than from Passion: When he expressed himself strongly and with Vehemence, those that were acquainted with him and well observed him from Time to Time, might evidently see it was done in Consequence of Thought and Judgment, weighing the Circumstances and Consequences of Things.
The Calmness and Steadiness of his Behaviour in private, particularly in his Family, appeared remarkable and exemplary to those who had most Opportunity to observe.
He was thoroughly established in those religious Principles and Doctrines of the first Fathers of New-England, usually called the Doctrines of Grace, and had a great Detestation of the opposite Errors of the present fashionable Divinity, as very contrary to the Word of GOD, and the Experience of every true Christian. And as he was a Friend to Truth, so he was a Friend to vital Piety and the Power of Godliness, and ever countenanced and favoured it on all Occasions.
He abhor'd Profaness, and was a Person of a serious and decent Spirit, and ever treated sacred Things with Reverence. He was exemplary for his decent Attendance on the publick Worship of GOD. Who ever saw him irreverently and indecently lolling, and laying down his Head to sleep, or gazing and glaring about the Meeting-House in Time of divine Service? And as he was able (as was before observed) to discourse very understandingly [Page 26] of experimental Religion, so to some Persons with whom he was very intimate, he gave Intimations sufficiently plain, while conversing of these Things, that they were Matters of his own Experience. And some serious Persons in civil Authority, that have ordinarily differed from him in Matters of Government, yet on some occasional close Conversation with him on Things of Religion, have manifested an high Opinion of him as to real experimental Piety.
As he was known to be a serious Person, and an Enemy to a profane or vain Conversation, so he was feared on that Account by great and small. When he was in the Room, only his Presence was sufficient to maintain Decency; though many were there that were accounted Gentlemen and great Men, who otherwise were dispos'd to take a much greater Freedom in their Talk and Behaviour, than they dared to do in his Presence.
He was not unmindful of Death, nor insensible of his own Frailty, nor did Death come unexpected to him. For some Years past he has spoken much to some Persons of dying, and going into the eternal World, signifying that he did not expect to continue long here.
Added to all these Things, that have been mention'd to render him eminently a strong Rod, he was attended with many Circumstances which tended to give him Advantage for the exerting of his Strength for the publick Good. He was honourably descended, was a Man of considerable Substance, had been long in Authority, was extensively known and honoured abroad, was high in the Esteem of the many Tribes of Indians in the Neighbourhood [Page 27] of the British Colonies, and so had great Influence upon them above any other Man in New-England; GOD had endowed him with a comely Presence, and Majesty of Countenance, becoming the great Qualities of his Mind, and the Place in which GOD had set him.
In the Exercise of these Qualities and Endowments, under these Advantages, he has been as it were a Father to this Part of the Land, on whom the whole County had, under GOD, its Dependence in all its public Affairs, and especially since the Beginning of the present War. How much the Weight of all the warlike Concerns of the County (which above any Part of the Land lies exposed to the Enemy) has lain on his Shoulders, and how he has been the Spring of all Motion, and the Doer of every Thing that has been done, and how wisely and faithfully he has conducted these Affairs, I need not inform this Congregation. You well know that he took Care of the County as a Father of a Family of Children, not neglecting Mens Lives, and making light of their Blood; but with great Diligence, Vigilance and Prudence, applying himself continually to the proper Means of our Safety and Welfare. And especially has this his native Town, where he has dwelt from his Infancy, reaped the Benefit of his happy Influence: His Wisdom has been, under GOD, very much our Guide, and his Authority our Support and Strength, and he has been a great Honour to Northampton, and Ornament to our Church.
He continued in full Capacity of Usefulness while he lived; he was indeed considerably advanced in Years, but his Powers of Mind were not sensibly abated, [...] his Strength of Body was not so impair'd, but that [Page 28] was able to go long Journeys, in extream Heat and Cold, and in a short Time.
But now this strong Rod is broken and withered, and surely the Judgment of GOD therein is very awful, and the Dispensation that which may well be for a Lamentation. Probably we shall be more sensible of the Worth and Importance of such a strong Rod by the Want of it. The awful Voice of GOD in this Providence is worthy to be attended to by this whole Province, and especially by the People of this County, but in a more peculiar Manner by us of this Town. We have now this Testimony of the divine Displeasure, added to all the other dark Clouds GOD has lately brought over us, and his awful Frowns upon us. 'Tis a Dispensation, on many Accounts, greatly calling for our Humiliation and Fear before GOD; an awful Manifestation of his supream, universal and absolute Dominion, calling us to adore the divine Sovereignty, and tremble at the Defence of this great GOD: And it is a lively Instance of human Frailty and Mortality: We see how that none are out of the Reach of Death, that no Greatness, no Authority, no Wisdom and Sagacity, no Honourableness of Person or Station, no Degree of Valuableness and Importance exempts from the Stroke of Death. This is therefore a loud and solemn Warning to all Sorts to prepare for their Departure hence.
And the Memory of this Person who is now gone, who was made so great a Blessing while he lived, should engage us to shew Respect and Kindness to his Family. This we should do both out of Respect to him and to his Father, your former eminent Pastor, who in his Day was in a remarkable Manner a Father to this [Page 29] Part of the Land in Spirituals, and especially to this Town, as this his Son has been in Temporals.—GOD greatly resented it, when the Children of Israel did not shew Kindness to the House of Jerubbaal that had been made an Instrument of so much Good to them, Judges viii. 35. Neither shewed they Kindness to the House of Jerubbaal, according to all the Good which he had shewed unto Israel.