A SERMON, PREACHED BEFORE HIS EXCELLENCY JAMES BOWDOIN, ESQ. GOVERNOUR; HIS HONOUR THOMAS CUSHING, ESQ. LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOUR; THE HONOURABLE THE COUNCIL, SENATE, AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, MAY 31, 1786: BEING THE DAY OF GENERAL ELECTION. BY...PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN NEEDHAM

Boston: Adams and Nourse, 1786. 4to. 32pp, with half title as issued. Stitched, untrimmed, and Very Good.

"To regulate this ruling passion" is a significant "design of the Christian institution." West reminds his audience that, "Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant."
"Civil government ought to be the result of mutual agreement, designed for the good of all." This principle is, "like the first principles of science in general, enstamped in human nature, written in the hearts of men, as by the finger of God."
West fears that "the ardour of public spirit" engendered by the Revolution has "seemed to subside," rendering the weaknesses of the government more evident. Our "newly erected and scarcely cemented civil structure was left, in a great measure, unguarded against the attacks of private adversaries."
Despite the importance of religion in forming a just society, "We wish not to see our civil rulers officially interfering in matters of religion. Sacred be the rights of conscience!"
Evans 20142. ESTC W3222.