THESE words were spoken by the Queen of Sheba, of whom honourable mention is made by our Saviour, in that she came from a far country to hear the wisdom of Solomon; who, when she had come and proved him with hard questions, declares, that although the report she had heard of his wisdom and grandeur did far exceed her belief; yet having heard his wisdom, and seen the grandeur and magnificence of his kingdom and attendance, she finds reason to acknowledge that the half was not told her. And upon a view and reflection on these things, she, with wonder and admiration, breaks forth in the language recorded in my text: ‘Blessed be the Lord thy God which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the Lord thy God; because thy God loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice’.

THESE expressions discover an excellent spirit of discernment, wisdom and understanding in this royal female. Although a heathen, yet she acknowledgeth the true God, and expresseth her belief of his governing providence in the affairs of this world, and in disposing of men to places of public trust, power and authority; and with devout acknowledgments ascribes glory to him, saying "Blessed be the Lord thy God," &c.—

[Page]THE dignified character of the civil ruler is here also exhibited in its proper light. They sit upon God's throne, and are vested with their authority for the Lord their God. All power is of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Their authority is deri­ved from him, and is to be used for him: they are his vicegerents, acting by delegated authority from him; for which cause they are some times stiled Gods. Thus she observes to Solomon, that he was seated upon God's throne, ^* and was made king for the Lord his God.

WE may here also observe the accurate penetration and judg­ment of this dignified female, in that she not only traceth civil government from its true source, as it is derived from God; but also wisely observes the great ends and purposes to be served by the exercise of that power which particular persons, by the allot­ments of divine providence, are vested with; which is to do good by the exercise of their authority to those over whom they govern. Men are vested with civil power, not for their own sake; but for the benefit of those among whom they are to exercise their autho­rity. For thus she observes to Solomon, "that it was because God loved Israel, to establish them forever, that he had made him king over Israel, to do judgment and justice." Those two expressions, "judgment and justice," are expressive of the whole exercise of civil government. Civil rulers are to do judgment, that they may discountenance and restrain all manner of sin and wickedness, by inflicting a proper punishment upon offenders; and they are to do justice by an equitable decision of all contro­versies which arise between a man and his neighbour.

THUS we have the remarks of a female upon the nature, ends and purposes of civil government: and what pity is it that any who value themselves upon being called men, should come behind her in the knowledge of these things; or if vested with any branch of authority, should so fail in the exercise of it, as to fall under the reproof of an old woman!

IT is not necessary to suppose this Gentile queen was directed [Page 7] by inspiration when she uttered these words: it is sufficient to give a divine sanction to my text, that it here stands recorded by an in­spired pen-man for our instruction and admonition; wherein we not only find the dignity and duty of civil rulers pointed out; but also many motives briefly touched, to excite them to the prac­tice of it. Their duty is to do judgment and justice. They must do judgment by punishing the vicious, therein rendering them­selves a terror to evil-doers. As a man can have no right to hurt his neighbour; so neither to hurt himself: whence it appears to belong to the civil magistrate to punish personal as well as relative offences. And they must also do justice, by making equitable decisions between contending parties.

IT must be confessed that the power of legislation is not here so directly spoken of; but yet, as doing judgment and justice is the great and important service which civil rulers are to perform for the community, therefore when they are acting in a legislative capacity, it must be their special care to enact such laws, that the executive authority may be rendered blessings to a people by the due exercises of judgment and justice upon all occasions. Indeed, the kings of Israel seem to have been vested with little or nothing of that power which is of the legislative kind. God himself had framed their laws by the ministry of Moses, not only for their edification as a religious society, or visible church; but also for their good government as a civil state. We have there given us an excellent and truly divine model of civil government, worthy to be imitated by all nations. There laws are but few; expressed in few, but plain terms, easy to be understood. They are for the most part, general rules of equity; and but few special statutes for particular cases. Some few particular statutes in certain cases are given, which might serve as a pattern for the instruction of ex­ecutive authority, to direct them to the righteous application of the more general rules of government in all particular cases that might arise; which men of interity might easily apply, so as to execute good judgment, and true equity among a people. When legisla­tive powers essay to frame particular statutes that may be a rule for the executive authority in every case that shall arise, it is necessary that their statutes should be very numerous; which not only makes it more difficult to find men sufficiently acquainted with the law to put it in execution; but also, many times wicked, [Page 8] designing and crafty men invent ways to shelter evil actions under the letter of the law; or to screen themselves from justice, because the judges are obliged to proceed according to the express terms of particular statutes. Indeed, where civil justice is to be admi­nistred not by particular statutes, but by the application of general rules of equity, much will depend upon the wisdom and integrity of the judges; which would make it peculiarly necessary in the ap­pointment of executive authority to practise upon the advice of Jethro to Moses, "To provide out of all the people able men such as fear God, men of truth hating covetousness". Might we de­pend upon having men of this character for the administration of justice, we might be safe in our persons and properties without such a multiplicity of particular statutes. For a man of an honest heart will, for the most part, readily see how to apply general rules of righteousness to particular cases, so as to do judgment and jus­tice, without being confined to the express terms of particular statutes.

But whether the affairs of a people are to be administered by the application of general rules of righteousness or particular sta­tutes adapted to each several case; yet it is of singular moment that civil rulers, in every capacity, should consider themselves as being made rulers over a people for the Lord their God. The apostle Paul agrees with our text and speaks of civil rulers as mi­nisters of God for good. Rom. XIII 4. They are God's minis­ters, in that they are to serve him, acting as it were in God's stead, in doing both judgment and justice. It is a manifest inference from the divine perfections that sin shall not go unpunished: and these perfections of the Deity ought to be patterned after by all such as are stiled God's on earth, all such as bear rule among men; that it may be truly said, that they act as his servants, vicegerents, or representatives, in doing judgment upon transgressors. Every well regulated state will make laws to discountenance and restrain vice and immorality of every kind. To be sure this is the case with this state. We have reason to rejoice that our wise and good rulers have from time to time, made good and wholesome laws to restrain the vicious, to put wickedness to shame, and prevent the contagion of evil example from leading others astray. And it is the peculiar province of those who are authorized to put the laws in execution, to render themselves blessings, great and extensive blessings to the people in doing judgment.

[Page 9]INDEED, such civil officers will meet with many trying cases, in their putting the good and wholesome laws of the land into execution. If they are not men of virtue and integrity, the fear of offending on the one hand, or the hope of making friends on the other, to serve their own private interest, or ambitious views, may prove powerful temptations to connive at breaches of law, or to warp the law aside from its true intention, and frustrate the salutary purpose for which it was made, either by executing so small a punishment as not to render themselves terrors to evil­doers; or allowing some room for criminals to make their escape from punishment. Or if we allow the judges to be men of real integrity and uprightness, yet the tender feelings of humanity, especially in very criminal cases, may be great temptations to bear the sword in vain, not approving themselves the ministers of God, the avengers to execute wrath upon him that doth evil. But if they are ministers of God, act by authority derived from him, are to pattern after his perfections, and be finally accountable to him for the manner in which they conduct in their office; they ought and must execute the good and wholsome laws of the land in do­ing judgment and justice. It is true, that although several per­sons may be found guilty of transgressing the same statute, yet there may be great difference in the aggravating circumstances of the transgressions of different persons; which has given rise to that common proverb, "the severity of the law is cruelty," which may sometimes have too great an influence upon the tender feelings of the judge, inclining him to relax the punishment, to the detri­ment of the public, whose peace and prosperity often requires the faithful execution of judgment upon the transgressors. But such is our happy civil constitution, that our legislative authority always have a power to relax the penalty to particular persons, where the circumstances of the case, and the public good requires it; so that the executive authority may, with safety and righteousness, pro­ceed in the execution of the law, leaving all such relaxations of the punishment as any particular case may require, to the proper board.

THE civil peace and prosperity of a community require in the first place, that good and wholesome laws should be enacted, for the distribution of judgment and justice; but if the laws, when made, exist only on paper and ink, what benefit can a people de­rive [Page 10] from them! The divine law is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword; and surely, his ministers ought to make the laws which they execute, bear some resemblance to his, in these respects; which if done, the benefits to society cannot easily be reckoned up: But if those whose office it is to put the laws in execution, instead of giving vigor and efficacy to them, do suffer them to languish and die in their hands; it is not easy to count the evils which must necessarily follow from it.

SUCH officers cloud and darken their own reputation. It is truly an honour put upon a man, to be vested with any branch of civil authority; thereby an opportunity is put into his hands to do the more good in the world, to render himself a more extensive blessing, and merit the honorable esteem and regard of mankind. But yet, if a man doth not honor his office, his office will never honor him. The higher a man is raised in civil rank, the more contemptible will he be in the eye of mankind, if his conduct is not suitable to his station, so as to answer in some good measure, the just expectation of mankind from him, the solemn ties of the oath of God under which he is laid, and the important purposes for which he was dignified. Men may pity, but must despise those who thus betray the trust which the public have reposed in them.

NOR does the mischief flop here; but the law itself becomes de­spised and contemned, when men find they may transgress without fear of punishment. And while some few laws are thus suffered to be trodden under fear, it emboldens wicked and designing men to disregard all law, to despise government, and trample upon the authority; it opens a wide door to anarchy, confusion and every evil work. And in this case, tho'e become the greatest sufferers, who are most worthy, and most deserving of protection. Men of honestly and uprightness, who make conscience of their ways, are hereby laid open to insult and oppression; while the wicked are suffered to prosper in their wickedness. For if the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do.

AT some periods there is a much greater tendency to anarchy and licentiousness among a people, than at others; and never was there greater danger of these evils, in this land, since the first set­tlement of it, than now. While these American states were de­pendent on the British crown, such were the measures of admini­stration, adopted by the British ministry, and by the King himself, [Page 11] that it became necessary for us, in the defence of our just rights and privileges, to rise up in opposition to their proceedings. And although many of those measures taken in the land, were very jus­tifiable, in that case; yet some of them were not without their bad tendency and effects upon some people's minds. The less judicious part of mankind, who are not so discerning in the pro­per and necessary measures of civil government, have perhaps, been emboldened to find fault with, and oppose all government. And it is very obvious that one course to be taken, to prevent or remedy evils of this kind, is not to relax the laws; but to carry the reins of government with a steady hand; and that all the good and wholesome laws of the land should be diligently and carefully executed in doing judgment and justice among the people. Greater strictness and severity in the execution of the laws, seems necessary in the present times, to prevent the dangerous and growing evils with which we are threatned.

IT is the anxious apprehension of many, that at present, we have more reason to fear misery and distress arising from that spirit of licentiousness, and that tendency to anarchy and confusion, which seems to be working in the land, than we have from our open enemies. Therefore it concerns every one to guard against, and do what in us lies, to prevent such evils. But it especially concerns civil rulers, whose more immediate care it is to maintain peace and good order, to exert their authority in support of the law, which can be done only by their diligence and faithfulness in doing judgment and justice among the people; protecting, sup­porting and encouraging the virtuous; and frowning upon and punishing the vicious. The virtue of patriotism, at such a day as this especially, ought to meet with all countenance and respect; and on the other hand, the opposite vice of treachery calls aloud for the pursuit of vengeance. Our noble patriotic army, which under God, is our chief bulwark, and the support of every thing dear and valuable to us, ought by no means to be neglected; but should receive all possible support and encouragement. So like­wise all such friends to the state, which act in lesser circles, ought to meet with support and encouragement; while such as are ini­mical to our freedom and protection expose themselves to our just indignation. Such as are inimical and treacherous, have acted very different parts in the present day. Some have acted an open [Page 12] part, and have gone and joined the enemy; while others have chosen still to continue at home among us; who have been much more hurtful to us, and helpful to the enemy, than those who have gone off, and openly joined them. They, many of them, maintain a secret correspondence with the enemy, give them intel­ligence, carry on a clandestine trade with them; they lie as a dead weight, throwing every clog and hindrance in the way of all our movements and efforts for our own defence; to them it is princi­pally owing, that our paper currency has suffered such a great and rapid depreciation; and our land so exhausted of provisions to feed the enemy, as greatly to distress and discourage our own army. Every argument therefore, which will justify us in our opposition to Great Britain, strongly plead for our most vigorous efforts to detect, and make examples of such secret enemies as endeavour to conceal themselves among us. It cannot therefore surely, be sup­posed, that a civil officer, of whatever rank, whose duty it is to execute the law, should shew more lenity towards a tory, than to a friend of his country; or be, by any means, backward, or inti­midated from doing judgment and justice in that case, yea, or in any other, wherein the peace and good order of the state are inte­rested. Nor are there any weighty and powerful motives wanting, to quicken every one to diligence in the duties of his station. Our text suggests several considerations of great weight, to influ­ence those who are cloathed with authority, to exert themselves in their own stations, to preserve and promote the peace, good order, and prosperity of the people. As

I. THE hand of God is acknowledged, in putting men into their several ranks and offices, in a civil state. Thus faith the Queen to Solomon, "Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delight­eth in thee, to set thee on his throne." It is the Lord's doing, and his hand is to be acknowledged in it. "For promotion cometh not from the east, nor from the west; but God is the judge; he putteth down one, and setteth up another." Whatever methods are used in choosing men, and investing them with authority, yet all is under the controul of the wise and all-governing providence of God. For "the lot is cast into the lap, but the whole dispo­sing thereof is of the Lord." When therefore men are called into places of public trust and improvement, they are to remember, [Page 13] that the finger of God is in it. Which consideration, if duly at­tended to, plainly shows a special obligation hence arising, to quit themselves with diligence and faithfulness, in their public trust. Nor are they to look upon the call of God in his providence, which has seated them in places of public improvement, as im­posing a burthen, but as conferring a blessing, for which, accord­ing to the example of the queen in our text, God's name is to be blessed. For there is not only an honour thereby put upon a person, but also an advantage for more extensive good and useful­ness in our day and generation.

II. CIVIL rulers are likewise to consider that their power is the power of God. Our text represents them as seated on God's throne; and put into office for the Lord their God. And the apostle Paul tells us, "There is no power but of God; the pow­ers that be, are ordained of God." Rom. xiii. 1. God himself is the supreme Governor of the world. But it is his pleasure not to perform the whole of government immediately himself, but to im­prove his servants, as his instruments, in the exercise of some in­stances of it. Thus the apostle speaks of the angels of light, as ministring spirits, sent forth to minister unto them which shall be heirs or salvation. Heb. 1.14. That noble order of beings esteem it an honour to be employed in public services, even for the good of mankind who are so far below them. And they are faithful, zealous and very active in it. For we are told that "he maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire." And shall not men, when thus honored and authorised of God, feel them­selves animated to diligence and faithfulness? They are rulers un­der God, and are to act in God's stead in doing judgment and jus­tice in their several ranks and stations. Hence it is that they are stiled Gods. Psalm LXXXII 6. "I have said, ye are Gods, and all of you are children of the most high." If then, civil rulers are put into office that they might exercise this branch of divine au­thority, and make use of God's power in doing judgment and jus­tice among their fellow creatures; it surely ought to animate and influence them to diligence and faithfulness in it. And is it not a kind of sacrilege to pervert this divine prerogative to bad pur­poses? Or even not to improve it to the good ends for which it was conferred upon them?

[Page 14]III. ARE civil rulers God's ministers? Are they not then, ac­countable to him for their conduct in that station? Although they are Gods, they shall die like men. Death is the great leveller of mankind, which swallows up all distinctions which have taken place in this life, puts both rulers and ruled upon an equal foot­ing in the grave, that they may stand in an equal rank in the day of judgment. The great men of the earth will be treated with no more ceremony and respect in that day, by their judge, than the meanest beggar on the dunghill; but every one must give an ac­count of himself to God, for his improvement of the talents he has received. God's servants here in this life, receive their talents some more, some less; some receive ten, others one; and accord­ing to their receipts, must their account be. All the solemn scenes therefore, of the day of judgment, and all the rewards and punishments of an incomprehensible eternity, stand before every one, before rulers as well as ruled, as so many motives to diligence and faithfulness in the duties of their station.

IV. GOOD and faithful rulers are represented as expressions of the love of God to a people. It was because God loved Israel to establish them forever, that he sat such a wise king over them to do judgment and justice. Good rulers are a great blessing, and the administration of judgment and justice will be of unspeakable advantage to a people. And when a people are favoured with such, they are to look upon it a token for good, an expression of divine love, and a reason to excite them to bless the Lord. The Queen of Sheba, in our text, though not interested in the prospe­rity of Israel, blessed God under a view of it. To be a blessing in the world, a blessing in our place, day and generation is a very de­sirable thing. Therefore when Abraham was sent abroad in the world, that he might be supported and encouraged to duty under all trials and difficulties, God promised to make him a blessing. Gen. XII.2. Those who are vested with civil authority are there­by put into a capacity to render themselves blessings, great and extensive blessings in the world: but then they are so, only in case of their due and faithful discharge of their public trust. And shall not this be attended to as an effectual argument, and prevail­ing motive to stir up such to diligence and faithfulness? Can any one bear the thought of being held up to view, and placed in a [Page 15] conspicuous station in civil life, that he may appear as an instance of God's anger against a people, rather than as an expression of his love? And be indeed a curse rather than a blessing? No, I would hope better things, though I thus speak.

V. IT is farther implied in our text, that such civil rulers as will do judgment and justice, are peculiarly necessary to the establishment of a state. It was because God loved Israel, to establish them forever, that he gave them such a wise ruler as Solomon was.

THE stability, strength and firmness of a state very much de­pend upon the skilfulness and faithfulness of its rulers. While good government is maintained, the State will flourish, and make a respectable figure in the world; but when civil rulers neglect their duty, slacken the reigns of government, and are not careful to maintain righteousness and equity; the State becomes fickly and will soon fall into decay. History will furnish us with many ex­amples of states that have flourished in the world, while regularity, order and good government were maintained in them; but have af­terwards fallen into disgrace, and crumbled into nothing, through the corruption and perversion of government.

THESE American states are now in their infancy, and but just rising up, and making their appearance in the world; much still remains to be done for their establishment. To this end the war must be vigorously prosecuted; the army be kept up, be suitably provided for, encouraged and rewarded; and our enemies counter­acted in all their plots and schemes. We have a very powerful enemy to oppose, aided and assisted by treacherous and secret ene­mies among ourselves; for whose detection and suppression the vigour of law and utmost vigilence and activity of our rulers, seem peculiarly necessary and important. Good government also must be kept up among ourselves; which is the most effectual method to obtain respect, credit and influence abroad. A well establish­ed state will be a terror to a foreign enemy, and be always ready to make a defence against every attack. There can be no better security against the approach of an enemy, than to be in a well­prepared state for a defence. And one principal thing in which preparedness for making a defence consists, is to be in a state of peace, regularity and good order among ourselves; which never [Page 16] can be the case, without the due exercise of civil government, in the faithful administration of judgment and justice among a peo­ple. Whether we regard the internal strength, peace and prospe­rity of the state, or its external honour, respect and influence; civil government must be maintained, good and wholesome laws must be enacted, and life and vigor given them by such as are authori­sed and betrusted with the care of putting the laws in execution. The safety of the whole state, and the good, the safety and interest of each individual of which the state is composed, loudly call for these things at the hand of civil rulers.

VI. ARE civil rulers God's ministers? Then surely, they may hope for his blessing on them, and presence with them, in the dis­charge of the duties of their station. Difficulties are to be expect­ed, and trying discouragements must be encountered and over­come; wherein we need to attend to every animating consideration; among which, this surely must be of great weight, that "God is with us." Civil rulers are cloathed with authority by God, they are seated on his throne, and employed in his service; and may therefore hope for his blessing to crown their faithful endeavours in the duties of their station. The encouraging hopes of civil ru­lers in this case are not only warranted from their being God's servants, but they are also much supported by experience, and the manifest tokens of the divine presence, in supporting the cause of truth and righteousness; and especially in the things which tend to the establishment of this, as well as of the other independent states of America. Time will not allow me to enumerate parti­cular instances; but the over-ruling hand of divine providence has been often so conspicuous in the events of the present war, as to extort a confession, even from infidelity itself, that it is God that fighteth for us; which tokens of the divine presence ought to have a very animating and quickening influence upon every rank and order in the civil state to exert themselves for the establishment, peace and prosperity of the state.

VII. CIVIL rulers have powerful motives to diligence and faithfulness in the duties of their station, from the prospect of a divine reward. Are civil rulers God's servants? Then to him they must look for their reward. No wonder, if in this life, they [Page 17] meet with unkind returns from an ungrateful world; but their labour is with the Lord, and their reward with their God. If they are truly faithful, yet a little while, and they shall receive that blessed euge, Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

AMEN.