indeed be his; but the blame will be yours; the loss and the punishment will be yours. We wish there may ever subsist between you and him those kind and mutual regards, which the relation demands. We pray he may long come to you in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ; and that ye may be each other's joy and comfort, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Finally, to this numerous assembly let me say-You are sensible, that the important duty of Christ's ministers, in watching for the souls committed to their charge; and the account which they must give of their fidelity herein, doth not supersede the obligations lying on every one, to care for his own soul, and to give account of himself to God. It becomes you all therefore, to watch for your own souls, as they that expect to give account. Now you enjoy a day of grace, and the means of grace : You do not forget, I hope, that the continuance hereof is very uncertain; that the date of life is short; that death is approaching, and that after death is the judgment. If you neglect the opportunities you now enjoy, of obtaining pardon of sin, peace with God, and purity of mind, through the merit of Christ's blood, and the power of his Spirit; the season of God's grace will soon be at an end, and the door of his mercy shut. Your guilt and folly, in neglecting the kind offers of grace in the gospel, and abusing your singular privileges, will set heavy on you at death, and fill you with unutterable confusion before your Judge. There will then remain no way of escaping that awful sentence; "Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire." O! let every one consider this, before it be too late. Submit, heartily submit to the methods of grace proposed to you in the gospel. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Improve all advantages to grow in the knowledge of God, and in a conformity to him; that at length you may be admitted into his blessed presence, to enjoy him for ever, in his glorious kingdom. AMEN.

SERMON

PREACHED BEFORE

HIS EXC. SIR FRANCIS BERNARD, BARONET,

GOVERNOR;

HIS HONOR THOMAS HUTCHINSON, ESQUIRE,

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR;

THE HON. HIS MAJESTY'S COUNCIL,

AND THE HON. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

OF THE

PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY,

IN NEW ENGLAND, MAY 31, 1769.

BEING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ELECTION OF HIS MAJESTY'S
COUNCIL FOR SAID PROVINCE.

Pens

BY JASON HAVEN, A. M.

PASTOR OF THE FIRST CHURCH IN DEDHAM.

BOSTON, N. E.:

PRINTED BY RICHARD DRAPER, PRINTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, AND THE HONORABLE HIS MAJESTY'S COUNCIL.

1769.

Ar a Council held at the Council-chamber in Boston, on Thursday, the first day of June, 1769,-present His Excellency the Governor in Council,

Advised and Ordered, That the thanks of the Governor and Council be given to the Rev. Mr. Jason Haven, for his Sermon preached yesterday, being the day appointed by the Royal Charter for the Election of Counsellors for the Province: and that Royall Tyler and Samuel Dexter, Esqrs. wait on him with the thanks of the Governor and Council accordingly, and in their name desire of him a copy of his said Sermon for the press.

A. OLIVER, Secretary.

SERMON.

PSALM 1XXV. 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, and setteth up another."

By the light of reason and nature, we are led to believe in, and adore God, not only as the maker, but also as the governor of all things. In the same way we may be satisfied that it is agreeable to the divine will, that civil government be established among men, on principles equitable in themselves, and conducive to the common good. But in these points, revelation comes in to the assistance of reason, and shows them to us in a clearer light than we could see them without its aid. This is done by many passages of sacred Scripture, and by that which I have now read in particular; which, without a critical examination of its connection, or any labored comment on it, may lead us to consider-God's approbation of civil government-His agency in putting men into, and removing them from places of power-What views persons should have in seeking and accepting a part in governmentWhat rules should be observed in introducing men into officeHow those that are promoted should behave towards the peopleAnd how the people should behave towards them. The two former of these heads of discourse lie plainly in the words of my text; the others are natural inferences from them.

The first thing to be considered, is God's approbation of civil government among mankind. This might be argued from the dispositions and capacities which he hath implanted in human nature. By these, men are adapted to society, and inclined to associate together; and by associating, the happiness of each individual may be greatly improved.