in the heavens Lam. 3. 39 40 41 42. Set a mark upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof Ezek. 9. 4. I sought for a man among them who should make up the hedg and stand in the gap before me for the land that I should not destroy it but I found none Ezek. 22. 30 Daniel in the captivity confesseth and prayeth Dan. 9. 3 4 c. God calls upon Israel to sanctifie a fast and to cry unto the Lord Joel 1. 13 14. Zeph. 2. 1 2 3. Turn to me with all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning and rent your heart and not your garments and turn unto the Lord c. Who knoweth if he will return and repent and leave a blessing behind him c Blow the trumpet in Zion sanctifie a fast Joel 2. 12 13 14 15 16 17. Because I will do this prepare to meet thy God O Israel Amos 4. 11 12. The prudent shall keep silent in that time for it is an evil time Amos 5. 13 c. Wo to them who are at ease in Zion c. but are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph Amos 6. 1 3 6. The people of Nineveh upon a threatning fast pray and return from their evil Jonah 3. 5 6 c. Though there be no ox in the stall c. yet I will rejoyce in the Lord I will joy in the God c. Hab. 3. 17 18 19. Is this a time for you to dwell in your cieled houses and this house lie waste Haggai 1. 4 5. When ye fasted and mourned did ye at all fast unto me c Execute true judgment c. Zech. 7. 5 9 10. Jesus said unto them Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans because they suffered such things I tell you nay but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloe fell and slew them think ye that they were sinners above all men who dwelt in Jerusalem I tell you nay but except ye repent c. Luk. 13. 1 2 3 4 5. CHAP. XXIV Of Magistrates and Magistracy First That Magistracy is an Ordinance of God That by him are Magistrates advanced to Offices c. The Titles given them THE kingdom is the Lords and he is the governour among the nations Psal. 22. 28. Dan. 4. 17. Against all the gods or Princes of Egypt I will execute judgment c. Exod. 12. 12. And the Lord said to Moses Gather unto me seventy of the Elders of Israel c. and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee and will put it upon them and they shall bear the burthen of the people with thee c. Numb 11. 16 17 25. Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates which the Lord thy God giveth thee throughout all thy tribes and they shall judg the people Deut. 16. 18. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust lifteth the beggar from the dunghil to sit among Princes and to make them inherit the throne of glory 1 Sam. 2. 8. When the people asked a king the Lord said to Samuel c. For they have not rejected thee but they have rejected me that I should not reign over them 1 Sam. 8. 5 6 7. The Kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins also they have dominion over our bodies c. our cattel c. Nehem. 9. 37. Promotion cometh neither from the east nor from the west c. but God is the judg he putteth down one and setteth up another Psal. 75. 5 6 7. God c. judgeth among the gods c. I have said Ye are gods c. Psal. 82. 1 6. By me kings reign and princes decree justice by me princes rule and nobles even all the judges of the earth Prov. 8. 15 16. For the transgression of a land many are the Princes thereof Prov. 28. 2. And that day shall the Lord of Hosts be c. for a spirit of judgment unto him who sitteth in judgment Isa. 28. 5 6. I have made the earth c. and have given it unto whom it seemeth meet unto me And now have I given c. to Nebuchadnezzar Jer. 27. 5 6 7. Blessed be the name of God c. he changeth the times and seasons he removeth kings and setteth up kings c. he is a God of gods and Lord of kings Dan. 2. 20 21 47. To the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will and setteth up over it the basest of men c. And they shall drive thee from men c. until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whom he will Dan. 4. 17 32. O thou king the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom and majesty and glory and honour and for the majesty he gave him all c. trembled c. Dan. 5. 18 19. There is no power but of God the powers which be are ordained or ordered of God whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God Rulers are not a terror c. for he is the minister of God to thee for good Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4. 2dly What they are in the sight of God and considered as men Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment I am the Lord Exod. 12. 12. He leadeth away counsellors spoiled and maketh the Judges fools he looseth the bonds of kings and girdeth their loins with a girdle he leadeth Princes away spoiled and overthroweth the mighty c. he poureth contempt upon Princes and weakneth the strength c. Job 12. 17 18 19 20 21. Accepteth not the person of Princes nor regardeth the rich c. for they all are the work of his hands in a moment shall they dye Job 34. 18 19 20. Be wise now therefore O ye kings be instructed ye Judges of the eath serve the Lord with fear and rejoyce with trembling kiss the son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled Psal. 2. 2 10 11 12. I have said Ye are gods c. but ye shall dye like men and fall like one of the Princes Psal. 82. 6 7. The kings heart is in the hand of the Lord as the rivers of water he turneth it whither he will Prov. 21. 1. If thou seest the oppression of the poor and violent perverting of judgment and justice c. he who is higher than the highest regardeth and there is a higher than they Eccles. 5. 8. Ye scornful men who rule this people c. because ye have said We have made a covenant with death c. thus saith the Lord c. Your covenant with death shall be disanulled c. when the overflowing scourge shall pass thorow then ye shall
persons of the wicked Selah Defend the poor and fatherless do justice to the afflicted and needy deliver the poor and needy rid them out of the hands of the wicked Psal. 82. 1 2 3 4. David said I will not know a wicked person whoso privily slandereth his neighbour him will I cut off him who hath a high look and a proud heart him will I not suffer mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land that they may dwell with me he who walketh in a perfect way shall serve me c. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land c. Psal. 101. 3 4 5 6 7 8. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness for the throne is established by righteousness righteous lips are the delight of kings and they love him who speaketh right Prov. 16. 12 13. It is not good to accept the person of the wicked to overthrow the righteous in judgment Prov. 18. 5. A king who sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes c. A wise king scattereth the wicked and bringeth the wheel over them c. Mercy and truth preserve the king and his throne is upholden by mercy Prov. 20. 8 26 28. To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice Prov. 21. 3. Take away the wicked from before the king and his throne shall be established in righteousness Prov. 25. 5. As a roaring lion c. so is a wicked ruler over the poor people a Prince who wanteth understanding c. Prov. 28. 15 16. When the righteous are in authority the people rejoyce but when the wicked beareth rule the people mourn c. The king by judgment stablisheth the land but he who receiveth gifts overthroweth it c. The king who faithfully judgeth the poor his throne shall be established for ever c. Many seek the rulers favour but every mans judgment is from the Lord Prov. 29. 2 3 14 26. It is not for kings to drink wine nor for Princes strong drink lest they drink and forget the law and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted Prov. 31. 4 5. Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king who will no more be admonished Eccles. 4. 13. If thou seest the oppression of the poor and violent perverting of judgment and justice c. he who is higher than the highest regardeth Eccles. 5. 8. Wo to thee O land when thy king is a child and thy Princes eat in a morning blessed thou O land when thy king is the son of Nobles and thy Princes eat in due season for strength and not for drunkenness Eccles. 10. 16 17. The Princes are rebellious and companions of thieves every one loveth gifts and followeth after rewards they judg not the fatherless neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them c. Ah I will ease me c. Isa. 1. 22 24. I will give children to be their Princes and babes shall rule over them and the people shall be oppressed every one by another Isa. 3. 4. Wo unto them who decree unrighteous decrees c. to turn aside the needy from judgment c. what will ye do in the day of visitation c Isa. 10. 1 2 3. In that day shall the Lord of Hosts c. for a spirit of judgment to him who sits in judgment Isa. 28. 5 6. He who despiseth the gain of oppressions who shaketh his hands from holding of bribes c. he shall dwell on high Isa. 33. 15 16. Is not this the fast that I have chosen To loose the bands of wickedness to undo the heavy burdens and to let the oppressed go free and that ye break every yoke Isa. 58. 6. Judgment is turned away backward and justice standeth afar off for truth it is fallen in the street and equity cannot enter Isa. 59. 14. Hear the word of the Lord O king of Judah c. Thus saith the Lord Execute ye judgment and righteousness and deliver ye the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor do no wrong do no violence to the stranger c. neither shed innocent blood in this place c. Shalt thou reign because thou closest thy self in Cedar Did not thy father eat and drink and do judgment and justice and it was well with him he judged the cause of the poor then it was well with him c. but thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness and for to shed innocent blood and for oppression and for violence c. Jer. 22. 1 2 3 15 16 17. Ezek. 22. 27. O Princes of Israel remove violence and spoil and execuue judgment and justice Take away your exactions from my people saith the Lord God Ezek. 45. 9. King Nebuchadnezzar for his great pride was driven from men to eat grass as an ox Dan. 4. 30 31 32 33. I hate I despise your feasts c. let judgment run down as waters c. Amos 5. 21 24. Hear this ye Princes c. who abhor judgment c. the heads thereof judg for reward Micah 3. 9 11. chap. 7. 3. Judg not according to the appearance but judg righteous judgment John 7. 24. Refrain your selves from these men c. for if this counsel or this work be of men it will come to nought but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it Acts 5. 34 35 36 37 38 39. Ye ought to c. do nothing rashly c. the law is open let them implead one another Acts 19. 36 38. It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any to die before he who is accused have the accusers face to face and have licence to answer for himself c. It seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and withal not to signifie the crime laid against him Act. 25. 16 27. Rulers are not a terror to good works but to the evil c. for he is the minister of God to thee for good c. a revenger to execute wrath upon him who doth evil c. Theyare Gods ministers attending continually upon this very thing Rom. 13. 3 4 16. Governours c. for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise of them who do well 1 Pet. 2. 14. The duties of subjects to their magistrates in respect both to their persons and decrees 1st What they may not do when and wherein they may not obey them Render to Cesar the things which are Cesars and to God the things which are Gods Mat. 22. 21. The king of Egypt commanded the midwives to kill the men-children of the Hebrews But they feared God and obeyed not the king And God took it well of them Exod. 1. 15 16 17 20 21. Saul said Jonathan should surely die c. And the people said c. As the Lord liveth there shall not one hair of his head fall c. So the people rescued Jonathan that he died not 1 Sam. 14.
saviour the Lord Jesus Christ Phil. 3. 20. It pleased the father that in him all fulness should dwell c. By him to reconcile all things to himself c. Christ in or among you the hope of glory Col. 1. 19 20 27. Your life is hid with Christ in God When Christ who is our life shall c. Col. 3. 3 4. His son Jesus who delivered us from the wrath to come 1 Thes. 1. 10. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief 1 Tim. 1. 15. One mediatour between God and man the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransome for all to be testified in due time 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. Is now made manifest by the appearing of our saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light 2 Tim. 1. 10. Jesus Christ who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people c. Titus 2. 14. Ephes. 5. 2. His son c. When he had by himself purged our sins sate down c. Heb. 1. 3. Christ c. He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them c. Heb. 5. 5 9. Christ now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself c. Unto them who look for him he shall appear the second time without sin unto salvation Heb. 9. 24 26 28. We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Christ once for all c. By one offering he hath perfected for ever them who are sanctified c. Heb. 10. 10 14. Who hath begotten us again to a lively hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ c. The Prophets c. who prophesied of the grace c. Searching what c. The spirit of Christ which was in them did signifie before hand the sufferings of Christ and the glory which should follow c. Ye were not redeemed with silver and gold c. But with the precious blood of Christ c. Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world c. 1 Pet. 1. 3 10 11 18 19 20. Our Lord Jesus Christ c. He received from God the father honour and glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased 2 Pet. 1. 16 17. Jesus Christ c. He is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world c. Who is a lyer but he who denyeth that Jesus is the Christ 1 John 2. 2 22. For this purpose the son of God was manifest that he might destroy the works of the Devil 1 John 3. 8. God sent his only begotten son into the world that we might live through him c. We c. testify that the father sent the son the saviour of the world 1 John 4. 9 14. God hath given us eternal life and this life is in his son 1 John 5. 11 12. Unto him who hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood Rev. 1. 5. Col. 1. 14. They fell down before the lamb c. Saying thou art worthy c. For thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation and hast made us unto God c. Rev. 5. 8 9 10. The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world c. Rev. 13. 8. I Jesus have sent mine Angel to testify unto you these things c. I am the root and the off-spring of David and the bright and morning-star Rev. 22. 16. See pardon and reconciliation by Christ only Chap. 9. The excellency of this Saviour and his fulness and dignity In his person and authority Yet have I set my king or anointed upon my holy hill of Sion c. The Lord hath said thou my son this day have I begotten thee c. I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance c. Thou shalt break them with a rod of Iron c. Psal. 2. 6 7 8 9. Thou art fairer than the children of men grace is poured into thy lips c. Gird thy sword upon thy Thigh O Mighty with thy glory and thy majesty and in thy majesty ride c. Thine arrows sharp in the hearts of the kings enemies whereby the people shall fall under thee Thy throne O God for ever and ever The scepter of thy kingdom a right scepter c. God thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows c. The king c. He is thy Lord and worship thou him Psal. 45. 1 2 3 4 5 6 11. Thou hast ascended on high thou hast led captivity captive thou hast received gifts Psal. 68. 18. Ephes. 4. 8. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea and from the river unto the ends of the earth They c. shall bow before him and his enemies shall lick the dust c. All kings shall fall down before him all nations shall serve him c. His name shall endure for ever his name shall be continued as long as the sun or shall be as a son to continue his fathers name for ever c. And all nations shall call him blessed Psal. 72. 8 9 11 17 18. I will set his hand also in the sea and his right hand in the rivers c. Also I will make him first-born higher than the kings of the earth c. His Throne as the days of heaven c. As the sun before me Psal. 89. 25 27 29 36. The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool c. Rule thou in the middest of thine enemies Psal. 100. 1 2. The stone which the builders refused is become the head of the corner Psal. 118. 22. Act. 4. 11 12. Matt. 21. 42. Wisdom is better than rubies and all the things which may be desired are not to be compared unto it c. Counsel is mine and sound wisdom I understanding I strength by me kings reign and princes decree justice By me princes rule and nobles yea all the judges of the earth c. Riches and honour are with me yea durable riches and righteousness My fruit better than gold c. I may cause those who love me to inherit substance and I will fill their treasures c. The Lord possessed me in the beginning c. When he appointed the foundation of the earth then was I by him c. His delight whoso findeth me findeth life c. Prov. 8. 11 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 23 29 30 35. Thy name is as ointment poured out c. Cant. 1. 3. The beauty of his person described by the parts thereof and said in the close to be altogether
Israel O my people what have I done unto thee and wherein have I wearied thee testifie against me for I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt c. There are yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked c. the rich men thereof are full of violence c. therefore also will I make thee sick c. Micah 6. 2 3 4 10 11 12 13 14 15. Several woes pronounced against persons for divers sins Habbak 2. 9 12 15 19. I will punish the Princes and the kings children and all such who are clothed with strange apparel c. all those who leap on the threshold who fill their masters house with violence and deceit c. I will punish the men who are setled on their lees and say in their heart The Lord will not do good neither will he do evil c. and I will bring distress upon men c. because they have sinned c. He shall make a speedy riddance of all them who dwell in the land Zeph. 1. 8 9 12 17 18. Is this a time for you to dwell in your seiled houses and this house lye waste c because of mine house that is waste and ye run every man to his own house therefore the heavens over you is stayed from dew and the earth is stayed from fruit and I called for a drought upon the land Haggai 1. 4 9 10 11. Cursed be the deceiver who hath in his flock a male and voweth and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing Mal. 1. 13 14. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against adulterers and against false-swearing and against those who oppress the hireling in his wages the widow and the fatherless that turn aside the stranger c. Ye are gone away from mine ordinances c. ye are cursed with a curse for ye have robbed me c. your words have been stout against me saith the Lord yet ye say What have we spoken so much against thee ye have said it is in vain to serve God c. Mal. 3. 5 9 10 13 14. Behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven and all the proud yea and all who do wickedly shall be stubble and the day which cometh shall burn them up saith the Lord of hosts that it shall leave them neither root nor branch Mal. 4. 1. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto your selves that ye are the children of them who killed the prophets fill ye up then the measure of your fathers Ye serpents ye generation of vipers how can ye escape the damnation of hell Wherefore behold I send to you prophets and wise men and scribes and some of them ye shall kill and crucifie and some of them ye shall scourge in your synagogues and persecute them from city to city that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood Zacharias c. whom ye slew between the temple and the altar Verily I say unto you All these things shall come upon this generation O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou who killest the prophets and stonest them who are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thy children together c. and ye would not behold your house is left to you desolate Mat. 23. 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38. Annanias and Sapphira for their lying to the Holy Ghost and Herod for pride slain Acts 5. 5 10. Acts 12. 21 22 23. Because when they knew God they glorified him not as God neither were thankful c. wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts to dishonour their own bodies between themselves who changed the truth of God into a lye c. for this cause God gave them up to vile affections c. God gave them over to a reprobate mind Rom. 1. 21 22 23 24 25 26 27. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep c. 1 Cor. 11. 29 30 31. The Apostle reckons up some of the sins and punishments of Israel and concludes Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come 1 Cor. 10. 5 6 7 8 9 10. Now the works of the flesh c. adultery c. they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God Gal. 5. 19 20 21. He who is unjust let him be unjust still and he who is filthy let him be filthy still c. behold I come quickly c. Rev. 22. 11. We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them who commit such things c. who will render to every man according to his deeds Rom. 2. 2 3 4 5 6. See more of mans sin and corrupt nature Chap. 5. The sad affects of such a state See the same Chapter See more of Gods punishing his own for sin Chap. 13. See pardon of sin Chap. 10. To own and profess the true God and our Lord Jesus Christ boldly before men and to wait for Christs second coming 1. To own and confess the true God and our Lord Jesus Christ before mâ—…n I know my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth c. Job 19. 25. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings and will not be ashamed c. I am a companion of all them who fear thee Psal. 119. 46 63. Psal. 16. 2 3. None call for justice nor any pleadeth for truth Isa. 59. 4. Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and he will deliver us out of thine hand O king but if not be it known unto thee O king that we will not serve thy gods Dan. 3. 17 18. When Daniel knew that the writing was signed he went into his house and his window being open in his chamber towards Jerusalem he kneeled upon his knees c. and prayed and gave thanks before his God Daniel 6. 10. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven but whosoever shall deny me before men him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven Mat. 10 32 33. Luke 12. 8 9. A damsel came unto Peter saying Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee but he denyed before them all saying I know not what thou sayest c. and again he denyed with an oath faying I do not know the man c. then began he to curse and to swear saying I know not the man Mat. 26. 69 70 72. 74. Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy Angels Mark 8. 38. The parenrs of the blind man durst not confess Christ but