"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"

This quote by Jonathan Mayhew suggests that all civil rulers, no matter their position, are ordained by God and are responsible for the general public well-being. This indicates that civil rulers have a moral responsibility to act in the best interests of individuals they serve. Mayhew is recommending that civil rulers should not be encouraged by individual gain or aspiration, but rather by a sense of duty to the public. He is likewise indicating that civil rulers should be held responsible for their actions and ought to be held to a higher standard than the typical resident. This quote acts as a tip that civil rulers ought to constantly aim to do what is finest for individuals they serve, and not just what is best for themselves.