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Political Sermons of the American Founding Era: 1730-1805

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~Political Sermons of the American Founding Era: 1730-1805~ is an excellent source of political sermons from the American colonial and founding era. Themes cover everything from the Biblically-ordained role of civil authorities to patriotism to the dangers of prosperity to the sovereignty of God. Sermons in this anthology feature a cross-section of early American Christian denominations: including Congregationalist Puritans, Baptists, and High Anglicans like James Madison. Samuel Langdon's Sermon on the "Republic of the Israelites, An Example" is particularly intriguing and no doubt inspirational to all who heard his message. Issac Backus was a New England Baptist who also made an impassioned plea for religious liberties in 1773, echoing a theme of the founders that religion is the duty we owe are creator. John Adams once avowed our Constitution was for a religious and moral people. The reality that virtue is a prerequisite for a Republic is often forgotten. Most of the founding fathers believed that virtue was to be found in the tenets of Christianity. James Madison said it best, "We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."

This book has a perfect sample of religious thought during the American Revolution as expressed in sermons from both sides of the Atlantic. Great to read through or sample from. Well presented as well with readable typeface.