Jonas Clark (or Clarke) was the pastor of the long-time pastor of the Christ Church in Lexington Massachusetts during the Revolutionary period. His church played a significant role in the being of the American War for Independence as the town militia was primarily composed of the members of his congregation. During the battle, John Hancock was taking shelter at Clark’s house because the two men were cousins through Clark’s wife.
This sermon was given before the brand new government of Massachusetts after the first election under the recently formed 1780 constitution. Often during the early centuries of American history, government would request ministers to preach a sermon to the members after an election which would focus upon what the Bible had to say concerning proper government. These “Election Sermons” as they were called generally covered topics such as the balance of power, the role of natural law, and condemned practices such as bribery and corruption.
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