Jonathan Mayhew Quotes

Powerful Jonathan Mayhew for Daily Growth

About Jonathan Mayhew

Jonathan Mayhew (1720-1766), an influential American cleric and religious leader, was born in Boston, Massachusetts on September 20, 1720. He was the son of the renowned Puritan minister, Cotton Mather, and grandson of Increase Mather. His upbringing and education immersed him deeply in New England's Puritan tradition, yet he would eventually become a significant figure in the American Enlightenment. Mayhew studied at Harvard University, graduating in 1738 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and went on to pursue further studies in theology under his father. In 1745, he succeeded Cotton Mather as the minister of the West Church in Boston, where he served for the rest of his life. Mayhew was known for his eloquent sermons that addressed contemporary issues and combined Puritan ethics with Enlightenment ideals. One of his most famous works, "Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers," delivered in 1750, challenged the British government's right to tax the colonies without their consent, foreshadowing the sentiments that would eventually lead to the American Revolution. In addition to his political writings, Mayhew also published "Body of Liberties" in 1764, a collection of sermons and essays on topics ranging from religion to politics, ethics, and education. This work showcased his ability to reconcile traditional Puritan values with the emerging Enlightenment ideas of the time. Jonathan Mayhew died on October 8, 1766, but his influence extended far beyond his lifetime. His sermons and writings helped shape the intellectual climate in colonial America, contributing significantly to the development of American political thought.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"True religion is the service of God, performed with reverence and love, in righteousness and truth."

This quote by Jonathan Mayhew highlights that true religion is not just a matter of rituals or formal worship, but it's about serving God with sincerity, respect, and affection. It emphasizes that this service should be conducted with righteousness (moral integrity), truth (honesty and authenticity), and humility. In essence, he suggests that genuine religion is a way of life characterized by love, reverence for God, and adherence to moral principles.

"For true Christianity consists not in a mere profession, but in the reality of godliness."

This quote by Jonathan Mayhew underscores that genuine Christianity is about living a godly life, not just expressing faith verbally or following religious practices. It emphasizes the importance of inner transformation and spiritual growth as the true essence of being a Christian. In other words, it's not enough to claim one is a Christian, but one must demonstrate this through good deeds, compassion, love, and a life dedicated to God.

"A wise man will lay aside all earthly cares and anxieties, and fix his thoughts upon the things above."

This quote by Jonathan Mayhew emphasizes the importance of focusing on spiritual or higher pursuits, rather than worldly concerns. It suggests that a "wise man" (or anyone seeking wisdom) should prioritize contemplation of the intangible, eternal aspects of life over mundane, temporal matters. By doing so, they can find peace and clarity amidst life's challenges, leading to greater understanding and fulfillment. This quote encourages us to cultivate a spiritual mindset that transcends the material world and helps guide our thoughts and actions towards wisdom and enlightenment.

"It is better that the temple be without a priest than that a profane person should presume to minister."

This quote, by Jonathan Mayhew, emphasizes the importance of integrity in religious leadership. He suggests that it would be preferable for a religious institution to remain without a leader than to have someone who is not qualified or morally unfit serve as a priest or minister. In other words, he stresses that profane (secular, worldly) individuals should not presume to lead spiritual communities because their lack of authentic faith and understanding could compromise the sacred nature of religious service.

"The gospel of Christ is not a call to conformity to human laws, but to obedience to the laws of God."

This quote by Jonathan Mayhew highlights the distinction between human-made laws and divine law as understood in Christian teachings. He suggests that the Gospel (teachings of Jesus Christ) does not primarily require conformity to human laws or societal norms, but rather obedience to God's laws - moral principles derived from the Bible. In essence, this quote underscores the importance of spiritual obedience over earthly conformity in Christian beliefs.

It is our happiness to live under the government of a PRINCE who is satisfied with ruling according to law; as every other good prince will - We enjoy under his administration all the liberty that is proper and expedient for us.

- Jonathan Mayhew

Law, Will, Other, Expedient

All civil rulers, as such, are the ordinance and ministers of God; and they are all, by the nature of their office, and in their respective spheres and stations, bound to consult the public welfare.

- Jonathan Mayhew

Nature, Bound, Respective, Spheres

The apostle enters upon his subject thus - Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers; for there is no power but of God: the powers that be, are ordained of God.

- Jonathan Mayhew

Unto, Thus, Subject, Ordained

Common tyrants, and public oppressors, are not intitled to obedience from their subjects, by virtue of any thing here laid down by the inspired apostle.

- Jonathan Mayhew

Here, Subjects, Laid, Tyrants

It would be stupid tameness, and unaccountable folly, for whole nations to suffer one unreasonable, ambitious and cruel man, to wanton and riot in their misery.

- Jonathan Mayhew

Stupid, Cruel, Folly, Unaccountable

Not to discontinue our allegiance, in this case, would be to join with the sovereign in promoting the slavery and misery of that society, the welfare of which, we ourselves, as well as our sovereign, are indispensably obliged to secure and promote, as far as in us lies.

- Jonathan Mayhew

Welfare, Misery, Obliged, Sovereign

Till people find themselves greatly abused and oppressed by their governors, they are not apt to complain; and whenever they do, in fact, find themselves thus abused and oppressed, they must be stupid not to complain.

- Jonathan Mayhew

Stupid, Governors, Till, Greatly

I now add, farther, that the apostle's argument is so far from proving it to be the duty of people to obey, and submit to, such rulers as act in contradiction to the public good, and so to the design of their office, that it proves the direct contrary.

- Jonathan Mayhew

Argument, Submit, Farther, Public Good

The only reason of the institution of civil government; and the only rational ground of submission to it, is the common safety and utility.

- Jonathan Mayhew

Reason, Common, Institution, Rational

According to this way of arguing, there will be no true principles in the world; for there are none but what may be wrested and perverted to serve bad purposes, either through the weakness or wickedness of men.

- Jonathan Mayhew

Through, Arguing, Wickedness, Purposes

Let us prize our freedom; but not use our liberty for a cloak of maliciousness.

- Jonathan Mayhew

Freedom, Liberty, Let Us, Cloak

There are others who aim at popularity under the disguise of patriotism.

- Jonathan Mayhew

Patriotism, Aim, Disguise, Popularity

Extremes are dangerous.

- Jonathan Mayhew

Dangerous, Extremes

It becomes us, therefore, to be contented, and dutiful subjects.

- Jonathan Mayhew

Subjects, Therefore, Dutiful, Contented

There are men who strike at liberty under the term licentiousness.

- Jonathan Mayhew

Men, Liberty, Term, Strike

For which reason I would exhort you to pay all due Regard to the government over us; to the KING and all in authority; and to lead a quiet and peaceable life.

- Jonathan Mayhew

Reason, Over, Which, Due

But let us remember, at the same time, government is sacred, and not to be trifled with.

- Jonathan Mayhew

Government, Remember, Let Us, Sacred

Let us all learn to be free, and to be loyal.

- Jonathan Mayhew

Free, Learn, Let Us, Loyal

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