of_o scorner_n iii_o and_o last_o how_o be_v we_o to_o understand_v the_o prohibition_n when_o it_o be_v say_v reprove_v not_o a_o scorner_n lest_o he_o hate_v thou_o this_o may_v be_v take_v either_o absolute_o or_o comparative_o absolute_o and_o so_o we_o be_v to_o let_v he_o alone_o and_o as_o to_o what_o respect_v this_o way_n of_o deal_n with_o he_o to_o leave_v he_o whole_o to_o himself_o 1._o it_o suppose_v some_o former_a trial_n either_o by_o ourselves_o or_o other_o and_o that_o there_o be_v the_o full_a proof_n of_o his_o obstinacy_n and_o incorrigibleness_n which_o be_v so_o we_o be_v not_o to_o spend_v any_o further_a time_n and_o pain_n to_o no_o purpose_n upon_o he_o but_o pass_v he_o by_o as_o a_o desperate_a wretch_n with_o who_o other_o kind_n of_o method_n must_v be_v take_v 2._o it_o may_v be_v take_v in_o a_o comparative_a sense_n which_o be_v frequent_o to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o hebrew_n where_o the_o negative_a adverb_n be_v common_o put_v for_o the_o particle_n of_o comparison_n as_o chap._n 8.10_o receive_v my_o instruction_n and_o not_o silver_n i._n e._n rather_o than_o silver_n it_o immediate_o follow_v and_o knowledge_n rather_o than_o choice_n gold_n so_o joel_n 2.5_o 13._o rend_v your_o heart_n and_o not_o your_o garment_n i._n e._n rather_o rend_v your_o heart_n than_o your_o garment_n and_o so_o may_v we_o not_o accommodate_v this_o hebraism_n to_o the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n reprove_v not_o a_o scorner_n lest_o he_o hate_v thou_o but_o as_o be_v immediate_o subjoin_v rebuke_v a_o wise_a man_n and_o he_o will_v love_v thou_o that_o be_v reprove_v not_o a_o scorner_n but_o rather_o bestow_v your_o reproof_n upon_o those_o who_o will_v receive_v good_a by_o they_o and_o hearty_o thank_v you_o for_o they_o we_o shall_v much_o soon_o turn_v to_o a_o wise_a man_n one_o that_o will_v hear_v reason_n and_o think_v upon_o what_o we_o say_v than_o one_o where_o all_o our_o counsel_n will_v be_v reject_v not_o but_o that_o such_o emergence_n and_o circumstance_n may_v happen_v wherein_o it_o may_v be_v our_o duty_n to_o reprove_v the_o worst_a of_o scorner_n to_o testify_v our_o abhorrence_n of_o the_o sin_n even_o when_o we_o can_v not_o better_o the_o man._n but_o usual_o and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n we_o shall_v apply_v ourselves_o to_o those_o who_o will_v hear_v we_o where_o there_o be_v the_o great_a likely_a hood_n of_o do_v good_a with_o the_o least_o damage_n at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o ourselves_o and_o so_o the_o word_n teach_v we_o to_o make_v a_o wise_a and_o discreet_a choice_n of_o the_o person_n we_o will_v admonish_v and_o not_o heedless_o to_o expose_v ourselves_o to_o the_o contempt_n and_o obloquy_n of_o scornful_a man_n but_o when_o all_o circumstance_n consider_v there_o be_v the_o great_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o we_o shall_v neither_o do_v good_a to_o the_o person_n we_o reprove_v nor_o to_o other_o nor_o bring_v any_o glory_n to_o god_n but_o only_o draw_v down_o a_o inconvenience_n upon_o ourselves_o in_o such_o a_o case_n we_o be_v to_o forbear_v our_o reproof_n and_o thus_o it_o must_v common_o happen_v with_o reference_n to_o the_o open_o profane_a and_o wicked_a such_o general_o do_v but_o make_v a_o mock_n of_o sin_n and_o deride_v every_o thing_n that_o carry_v the_o face_n of_o seriousness_n with_o it_o to_o tell_v such_o of_o their_o sin_n do_v but_o exasperate_v they_o the_o more_o to_o check_v they_o in_o their_o career_n be_v to_o make_v they_o fly_v out_o with_o the_o great_a violence_n and_o to_o offer_v to_o control_v they_o be_v to_o inflame_v their_o wrath_n and_o increase_v their_o hatred_n against_o we_o here_o than_o it_o be_v fit_v we_o shall_v desist_v and_o hold_v our_o hand_n because_o when_o we_o can_v do_v no_o good_a we_o ought_v not_o to_o administer_v a_o occasion_n of_o further_a evil_n and_o since_o we_o can_v suppress_v man_n wickedness_n we_o shall_v not_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v provoke_v it_o herein_o act_v consonant_o to_o those_o word_n of_o our_o bless_a lord_n who_o think_v fit_a to_o advise_v we_o not_o to_o give_v that_o which_o be_v holy_a unto_o dog_n nor_o to_o cast_v our_o pearl_n before_o swine_n lest_o they_o trample_v they_o under_o their_o foot_n and_o turn_v again_o and_o rend_v we_o matth._n 7.6_o but_o yet_o as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v this_o be_v not_o so_o absolute_a a_o rule_n but_o may_v upon_o some_o extraordinary_a emergency_n admit_v of_o a_o exception_n and_o it_o may_v so_o fall_v out_o that_o we_o shall_v find_v ourselves_o under_o a_o obligation_n to_o speak_v up_o bold_o for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n though_o we_o despair_v at_o the_o same_o time_n of_o any_o good_a to_o the_o sinner_n yea_o bystander_n by_o consider_v our_o place_n profession_n and_o character_n may_v expect_v something_o from_o we_o and_o to_o avoid_v be_v accuse_v of_o connivance_n or_o cowardice_n we_o may_v find_v ourselves_o bind_v to_o take_v some_o notice_n of_o scorner_n though_o to_o speak_v proper_o i_o think_v this_o be_v not_o so_o much_o a_o reprove_v of_o they_o as_o a_o clear_n of_o ourselves_o when_o this_o be_v to_o be_v do_v and_o how_o and_o what_o be_v those_o circumstance_n that_o must_v determine_v we_o as_o i_o have_v not_o time_n so_o neither_o do_v i_o judge_v it_o fit_a for_o i_o to_o assign_v this_o must_v be_v leave_v to_o a_o man_n be_v own_o conscience_n and_o prudence_n and_o it_o be_v a_o very_a nice_a and_o critical_a point_n he_o have_v the_o more_o reason_n to_o look_v up_o to_o god_n for_o his_o assistance_n and_o direction_n but_o set_v aside_o some_o rare_a and_o special_a emergence_n the_o instruction_n the_o word_n afford_v we_o be_v to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o conduct_n towards_o scor_n ner_z and_o wicked_a men._n and_o this_o lead_v i_o to_o a_o query_n which_o do_v natural_o result_v from_o hence_o which_o be_v the_o second_o thing_n propose_v in_o answer_v of_o which_o i_o shall_v not_o only_o remove_v the_o objection_n that_o have_v be_v start_v but_o make_v it_o undeniable_o appear_v that_o because_o we_o be_v forbid_v to_o reprove_v a_o scorner_n in_o the_o plain_a sense_n of_o our_o word_n for_o that_o very_a reason_n we_o be_v indispensible_o bind_v to_o reprove_v he_o in_o the_o sense_n that_o our_o adversary_n oppose_v the_o query_n then_o be_v this_o if_o we_o be_v express_o forbid_v to_o reprove_v scorner_n and_o wicked_a man_n in_o a_o way_n of_o counsel_n advice_n admonition_n and_o the_o like_a pray_v what_o must_v be_v do_v or_o what_o other_o course_n must_v be_v take_v with_o they_o in_o answer_v of_o this_o inquiry_n i_o shall_v undertake_v to_o evince_v these_o two_o thing_n i._o that_o they_o must_v not_o absolute_o be_v let_v alone_o that_o be_v be_v leave_v to_o pursue_v their_o hellish_a course_n with_o that_o full_a swinge_v and_o liberty_n as_o to_o be_v entire_o without_o all_o manner_n of_o control_v but_o ii_o that_o the_o supreme_a governor_n of_o all_o thing_n in_o his_o great_a wisdom_n and_o mercy_n to_o the_o world_n have_v appoint_v other_o method_n of_o deal_n with_o such_o irreprovable_a sinner_n i._o that_o they_o must_v not_o absolute_o be_v let_v alone_o so_o to_o pursue_v their_o hellish_a course_n as_o to_o be_v without_o all_o manner_n of_o control_v the_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v so_o strong_a and_o obvious_a and_o the_o absurdity_n of_o the_o contrary_a supposition_n so_o gross_a and_o palpable_a that_o there_o be_v none_o who_o do_v not_o wilful_o shut_v their_o eye_n but_o must_v ready_o assen_a to_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o as_o for_o scorner_n themselves_o if_o we_o can_v as_o easy_o turn_v their_o will_n as_o convince_v their_o understanding_n of_o this_o we_o shall_v not_o only_o present_o put_v to_o silence_v all_o their_o objection_n but_o save_v they_o from_o those_o severity_n which_o otherwise_o they_o must_v short_o fall_v under_o and_o it_o may_v be_v before_o they_o be_v aware_a but_o to_o speak_v somewhat_o to_o this_o there_o need_v no_o more_o to_o prove_v it_o than_o to_o suppose_v the_o contrary_a suppose_v that_o scorner_n be_v to_o be_v whole_o uncontrolled_a to_o live_v as_o they_o please_v and_o do_v what_o they_o listen_v the_o consequence_n of_o this_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v such_o as_o must_v render_v it_o absolute_o necessary_a for_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n the_o defence_n of_o religion_n the_o maintain_v common_a order_n and_o the_o peace_n and_o welfare_n of_o humane_a society_n that_o some_o course_n be_v take_v at_o least_o to_o restrain_v and_o curb_v they_o for_o if_o no_o notice_n be_v to_o be_v take_v of_o they_o if_o man_n of_o profane_a and_o atheistical_a principle_n of_o unbridled_a lust_n and_o passion_n hater_n of_o all_o that_o be_v good_a and_o
open_a derider_n of_o god_n and_o godliness_n be_v to_o be_v let_v alone_o to_o follow_v the_o deprave_a bias_n of_o their_o wicked_a heart_n to_o what_o a_o pass_n must_v the_o world_n be_v reduce_v in_o a_o little_a time_n the_o vice_n of_o man_n will_v not_o only_o grow_v up_o to_o a_o excess_n of_o boldness_n and_o insolence_n but_o the_o infection_n will_v spread_v like_o a_o rage_a pestilence_n or_o like_o a_o devour_a fire_n which_o though_o at_o first_o it_o break_v out_o but_o in_o one_o house_n and_o may_v have_v be_v easy_o quench_v yet_o be_v let_v alone_o proceed_v far_a till_o it_o have_v turn_v the_o whole_a city_n into_o a_o ruinous_a heap_n sinner_n will_v hearten_v one_o another_o up_o and_o take_v courage_n other_o will_v be_v more_o easy_o induce_v to_o fall_v in_o with_o they_o their_o zeal_n for_o licentiousness_n o_o that_o we_o be_v as_o zealous_a against_o it_o will_v make_v they_o indefatigable_a in_o use_v all_o imaginable_a method_n to_o strengthen_v their_o party_n and_o increase_v the_o number_n of_o their_o proselyte_n and_o if_o now_o after_o all_o the_o endeavour_n the_o reform_a society_n have_v use_v to_o discourage_v they_o they_o swarm_v in_o such_o number_n among_o we_o how_o will_v they_o then_o overspread_v the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a earth_n and_o like_o a_o general_a deluge_n drown_v all_o mankind_n first_o in_o sin_n and_o then_o in_o perdition_n if_o man_n may_v be_v suffer_v not_o only_o to_o revile_v religion_n but_o open_o to_o renounce_v call_v upon_o god_n to_o profane_v his_o sabbath_n to_o curse_n and_o swear_v to_o blaspheme_n his_o holy_a name_n to_o commit_v all_o the_o outrage_n against_o heaven_n they_o be_v capable_a of_o and_o to_o be_v guilty_a of_o all_o manner_n of_o immorality_n what_o will_v become_v of_o religion_n the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o all_o that_o honour_n we_o owe_v to_o he_o and_o shall_v be_v so_o tender_a of_o if_o man_n may_v pursue_v their_o inordinate_a and_o beastly_a lust_n without_o interruption_n who_o will_v be_v safe_a either_o in_o the_o street_n or_o in_o their_o house_n and_o as_o we_o may_v suppose_v the_o number_n of_o the_o good_a at_o such_o a_o time_n to_o be_v very_o small_a so_o how_o will_v they_o be_v as_o so_o many_o lot_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o sodom_n who_o have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o a_o wonderful_a interposition_n of_o god_n can_v not_o have_v keep_v himself_o from_o the_o violence_n of_o those_o filthy_a wretch_n though_o in_o his_o own_o house_n gen._n 19.11_o in_o a_o word_n if_o wicked_a man_n be_v to_o pass_v on_o whole_o uncontrolled_a there_o will_v be_v in_o a_o little_a time_n no_o temperance_n no_o sobriety_n no_o chastity_n no_o truth_n no_o faith_n no_o justice_n no_o common_a honesty_n but_o beastliness_n and_o sensuality_n lewdness_n and_o debauchery_n injustice_n and_o all_o kind_n of_o immorality_n will_v take_v place_n of_o religion_n and_o banish_v all_o virtue_n out_o of_o the_o world_n the_o band_n of_o all_o humane_a society_n will_v be_v break_v and_o as_o man_n will_v daily_o grow_v worse_a and_o worse_o so_o they_o will_v not_o only_o bring_v ruin_n upon_o other_o but_o sudden_a destruction_n upon_o themselves_o not_o only_o as_o such_o extravagant_a wickedness_n will_v hasten_v down_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n as_o it_o do_v upon_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n but_o as_o there_o will_v need_v no_o more_o utter_o to_o destroy_v they_o than_o their_o own_o inordinate_a lust_n and_o outrageous_a passion_n and_o these_o be_v now_o the_o most_o certain_a natural_a and_o necessary_a consequence_n of_o man_n unrestrained_a vice_n and_o corruption_n as_o none_o will_v deny_v it_o do_v then_o most_o unquestionable_o follow_v that_o they_o must_v not_o be_v thus_o let_v alone_o but_o that_o some_o course_n or_o other_o must_v be_v take_v to_o repel_v and_o rebuke_v to_o conquer_v or_o at_o least_o to_o curb_v and_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o their_o prevail_a wickedness_n without_o which_o religion_n and_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n will_v soon_o fall_v to_o the_o ground_n and_o all_o the_o band_n of_o common_a order_n and_o government_n be_v break_v and_o tear_v to_o piece_n so_o that_o the_o world_n can_v not_o long_o subsist_v if_o vice_n be_v whole_o without_o a_o check_n but_o will_v of_o necessity_n soon_o perish_v by_o its_o own_o wickedness_n and_o therefore_o ii_o the_o supreme_a governor_n of_o all_o hang_v in_o his_o great_a wisdom_n and_o mercy_n to_o the_o world_n to_o prevent_v its_o speedy_a and_o hasty_a ruin_n have_v appoint_v other_o way_n and_o method_n of_o deal_n with_o scornful_a and_o incorrigible_a sinner_n who_o will_v not_o be_v reclaim_v by_o mild_a and_o gentle_a reproof_n he_o have_v appoint_v that_o which_o shall_v have_v more_o force_n upon_o they_o than_o the_o strong_a reason_n in_o the_o world_n they_o shall_v be_v constrain_v to_o do_v that_o which_o they_o can_v be_v persuade_v to_o they_o shall_v be_v force_v and_o drive_v to_o it_o even_o against_o their_o will_n when_o fair_a word_n and_o entreaty_n sober_a admonition_n and_o friendly_a advice_n will_v not_o prevail_v upon_o they_o but_o they_o persist_v to_o sin_v open_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o sun_n to_o the_o scandal_n of_o religion_n the_o contempt_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o dishonour_n of_o god_n they_o be_v to_o find_v that_o though_o god_n may_v have_v seal_v up_o our_o mouth_n he_o have_v not_o whole_o tie_v up_o our_o hand_n and_o we_o must_v make_v they_o do_v that_o by_o outward_a force_n and_o compulsion_n which_o they_o will_v not_o do_v by_o entreaty_n and_o persuasion_n the_o stripe_n and_o correction_n of_o the_o rod_n and_o other_o mulct_n and_o punishment_n must_v supply_v the_o defect_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o magistrate_n must_v compel_v they_o to_o that_o which_o minister_n and_o other_o good_a people_n can_v by_v soft_a method_n obtain_v from_o they_o therefore_o for_o this_o end_n god_n have_v invest_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n with_o power_n to_o restrain_v and_o punish_v such_o dare_a offender_n he_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o god_n a_o revenger_n to_o execute_v wrath_n upon_o he_o that_o do_v evil_a rom._n 13.4_o and_o in_o another_o place_n be_v say_v to_o be_v send_v of_o god_n for_o a_o punishment_n of_o evil_a doer_n 1_o pet._n 2.14_o he_o have_v his_o authority_n from_o hence_o as_o though_o he_o be_v send_v down_o from_o thence_o to_o take_v cognizance_n of_o insolent_a rebel_n and_o it_o be_v god_n who_o smite_v though_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o indispensible_a duty_n of_o the_o magistrate_n to_o employ_v his_o power_n for_o god_n in_o punish_v the_o bold_a impiety_n of_o these_o man_n as_o he_o be_v not_o to_o bear_v the_o sword_n in_o vain_a but_o to_o use_v it_o in_o suppress_v their_o vice_n and_o reform_v their_o manner_n as_o well_o as_o for_o other_o end_n and_o purpose_n so_o it_o be_v no_o less_o the_o duty_n of_o every_o one_o in_o his_o private_a station_n and_o capacity_n to_o be_v assist_v to_o the_o magistrate_n in_o subserviency_n hereunto_o by_o discover_v offender_n and_o bring_v they_o to_o justice_n by_o take_v notice_n of_o those_o who_o break_v the_o law_n and_o proceed_v against_o they_o in_o order_n to_o legal_a conviction_n that_o so_o they_o may_v be_v just_o punish_v such_o as_o blasphemer_n sabbath-breaker_n drunkard_n whoremonger_n and_o the_o like_a profane_a and_o beastly_a sinner_n such_o as_o deride_v and_o scoff_n at_o religion_n who_o make_v a_o mock_n of_o sin_n and_o glory_n in_o their_o shame_n who_o hate_v the_o reproof_n of_o the_o mouth_n and_o despise_v all_o manner_n of_o instruction_n these_o be_v the_o scorner_n in_o my_o text_n and_o for_o these_o the_o law_n be_v make_v these_o be_v the_o proper_a object_n of_o punishment_n stripe_n be_v prepare_v for_o the_o back_n of_o such_o fool_n as_o these_o the_o sword_n be_v put_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o magistrate_n on_o purpose_n to_o be_v exercise_v upon_o these_o man_n because_o by_o no_o other_o mean_n or_o method_n be_v there_o any_o hope_n of_o bring_v they_o to_o term_n and_o therefore_o though_o we_o be_v forbid_v to_o reprove_v such_o yet_o we_o be_v not_o absolute_o to_o let_v they_o alone_o or_o to_o suffer_v they_o to_o go_v uncontrolled_a in_o their_o wickedness_n but_o to_o apply_v ourselves_o to_o those_o other_o method_n of_o deal_n with_o they_o which_o god_n have_v appoint_v that_o so_o hereby_o they_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o some_o amendment_n and_o if_o they_o can_v be_v reform_v in_o their_o principle_n they_o may_v in_o their_o manner_n and_o although_o there_o be_v no_o hope_n of_o better_v they_o there_o may_v be_v somewhat_o do_v to_o prevent_v their_o hurt_v of_o other_o as_o rude_a and_o savage_a beast_n which_o
have_v thus_o consider_v and_o open_v the_o text_n clear_v the_o sense_n and_o remove_v the_o difficulty_n which_o may_v seem_v to_o attend_v it_o and_o bring_v they_o to_o serve_v you_o purpose_v instead_o of_o make_v against_o they_o i_o now_o proceed_v to_o the_o applicatory_a part_n of_o my_o discourse_n and_o i._o by_o way_n of_o instruction_n in_o the_o follow_a reflection_n as_o here_o we_o may_v take_v notice_n 1._o of_o the_o precipitancy_n and_o imprudent_a rashness_n of_o some_o well_o mean_v people_n who_o will_v plentiful_o bestow_v their_o exhortation_n and_o good_a counsel_n where_o they_o may_v reasonable_o expect_v not_o only_o to_o be_v rude_o treat_v themselves_o but_o that_o religion_n also_o shall_v suffer_v upon_o their_o account_n they_o fall_v to_o the_o reprove_v of_o sin_n wherever_o they_o meet_v it_o without_o any_o consideration_n have_v of_o the_o person_n that_o commit_v it_o and_o so_o for_o want_v of_o observe_v the_o rule_n of_o my_o text_n have_v do_v disservice_n to_o religion_n and_o gain_v no_o credit_n to_o themselves_o it_o be_v good_a to_o be_v zealous_o affect_v in_o a_o good_a thing_n as_o some_o of_o you_o have_v hear_v in_o a_o worthy_a discourse_n from_o those_o word_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o then_o our_o zeal_n shall_v be_v temper_v with_o discretion_n it_o be_v i_o must_v confess_v a_o most_o rare_a and_o commendable_a virtue_n yet_o through_o a_o imprudent_a misplace_n of_o it_o may_v issue_v in_o very_o bad_a effect_n but_o the_o instance_n of_o those_o who_o zeal_n do_v transport_v they_o beyond_o their_o knowledge_n in_o this_o particular_a be_v so_o few_o and_o of_o such_o who_o zeal_n do_v not_o keep_v pace_n with_o it_o so_o many_o that_o i_o think_v it_o not_o needful_a to_o enlarge_v 2._o we_o may_v observe_v the_o adorable_a goodness_n of_o god_n in_o prescribe_v this_o rule_n for_o our_o conduct_n towards_o scorner_n and_o wicked_a man_n such_o be_v his_o regard_n to_o our_o peace_n and_o quiet_a to_o our_o good_a name_n and_o reputation_n that_o he_o will_v not_o have_v we_o employ_v our_o pain_n where_o we_o may_v not_o reap_v the_o pleasant_a fruit_n of_o our_o labour_n nor_o expose_v our_o reputation_n where_o there_o be_v not_o a_o prospect_n of_o bring_v more_o glory_n to_o he_o by_o our_o reproof_n than_o shame_n to_o ourselves_o which_o one_o consideration_n shall_v methinks_v be_v a_o irresistible_a motive_n to_o induce_v we_o cheerful_o to_o comply_v with_o the_o duty_n of_o reprove_v since_o we_o be_v only_o oblige_v to_o it_o when_o the_o accrue_a benefit_n and_o reward_n will_v unspeakable_o countervail_v all_o the_o trouble_v hazard_n and_o difficulty_n which_o may_v attend_v the_o performance_n of_o it_o 3._o the_o word_n do_v also_o lead_v we_o to_o observe_v the_o most_o deplorable_a condition_n of_o scorner_n and_o wicked_a man_n how_o unconceivable_o sad_a their_o case_n must_v be_v in_o be_v thus_o leave_v of_o god_n and_o all_o good_a man_n in_o be_v deprive_v nay_o in_o deprive_v themselves_o of_o one_o of_o the_o great_a blessing_n under_o heaven_n for_o what_o a_o blessing_n be_v it_o to_o have_v a_o faithful_a friend_n who_o will_v admonish_v we_o of_o our_o fault_n that_o so_o iniquity_n may_v not_o prove_v our_o ruin_n to_o be_v deprive_v of_o this_o be_v to_o be_v deprive_v of_o one_o of_o the_o great_a mercy_n and_o of_o a_o most_o suitable_a and_o likely_a mean_n of_o our_o salvation_n yet_o this_o you_o see_v be_v the_o sad_a case_n of_o those_o who_o deride_v religion_n for_o not_o only_a solomon_n but_o a_o great_a than_o solomon_n our_o saviour_n christ_n himself_o have_v forbid_v we_o to_o misplace_v reproof_n upon_o those_o who_o be_v desperate_a 4._o the_o whole_a tenor_n and_o strain_n of_o what_o have_v be_v deliver_v do_v not_o only_o evince_v the_o necessity_n of_o civil_a magistracy_n and_o government_n in_o order_n to_o lay_v a_o restraint_n upon_o the_o corruption_n and_o reform_v the_o manner_n of_o those_o man_n in_o who_o no_o counsel_n or_o verbal_a reproof_n will_v produce_v the_o desire_a effect_n but_o show_v we_o also_o how_o great_a and_o public_a a_o mercy_n it_o be_v to_o enjoy_v such_o magistrate_n as_o will_v righteous_o execute_v the_o law_n upon_o these_o offender_n and_o who_o if_o there_o be_v any_o that_o will_v convict_v they_o will_v take_v care_n that_o they_o receive_v such_o punishment_n as_o their_o crime_n deserve_v such_o magistrate_n be_v public_a blessing_n indeed_o and_o as_o they_o be_v send_v of_o god_n be_v the_o instance_n of_o his_o good_a will_n to_o mankind_n vice_n run_v every_o thing_n into_o disorder_n and_o confusion_n whatever_o therefore_o restrain_v and_o keep_v this_o from_o break_v forth_o aught_o to_o be_v acknowledge_v as_o a_o great_a blessing_n as_o it_o be_v a_o bind_n up_o man_n hand_n to_o prevent_v their_o destroy_a themselves_o and_o hurt_v other_o and_o this_o again_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o magistracy_n be_v from_o god_n that_o it_o be_v not_o from_o the_o evil_a spirit_n who_o as_o he_o at_o first_o lose_v his_o own_o happiness_n by_o step_v out_o of_o his_o proper_a place_n and_o rank_n will_v by_o introduce_v the_o same_o disorder_n ruin_v the_o world_n and_o destroy_v mankind_n by_o the_o same_o method_n whereby_o he_o undo_v himself_o the_o power_n that_o be_v be_v ordain_v of_o god_n rom._n 13.1_o and_o the_o magistrate_n as_o i_o have_v before_o observe_v be_v send_v of_o god_n that_o be_v though_o not_o the_o man_n yet_o the_o office_n and_o the_o power_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n and_o this_o in_o infinite_a mercy_n to_o a_o sinful_a world_n which_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o principle_n leave_v for_o its_o common_a preservation_n but_o if_o abandon_v to_o its_o own_o inclination_n will_v hurry_v into_o ruin_n 5._o and_o this_o far_a inform_v we_o of_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o what_o regard_v we_o be_v to_o bear_v to_o he_o even_o no_o less_o than_o to_o god_n vicegerent_n and_o the_o guardian_n of_o our_o law_n which_o shall_v strike_v we_o with_o awe_n and_o direct_v we_o to_o carry_v it_o towards_o he_o with_o the_o high_a respect_n and_o reverence_n such_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o god_n of_o the_o earth_n god_n in_o power_n as_o they_o shall_v be_v also_o in_o other_o godlike_a excellency_n how_o high_a a_o post_n how_o honourable_a a_o station_n then_o be_v they_o set_v in_o but_o which_o certain_o be_v then_o most_o honourable_a when_o they_o be_v most_o serviceable_a and_o do_v most_o thorough_o pursue_v and_o answer_v the_o end_n of_o their_o appointment_n and_o this_o again_o 6._o instruct_v those_o in_o their_o duty_n who_o have_v any_o concern_v or_o influence_n in_o the_o choice_n either_o of_o such_o person_n as_o be_v to_o concur_v in_o enact_v law_n for_o we_o or_o of_o such_o who_o place_n it_o be_v to_o see_v they_o execute_v it_o be_v most_o plain_a from_o all_o that_o have_v be_v hitherto_o say_v that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o be_v direct_v mere_o by_o a_o great_a estate_n or_o by_o regard_n to_o a_o party_n or_o biased_a by_o relation_n affection_n dependence_n private_a interest_n and_o such_o like_a mean_a selfish_n and_o mercenary_a motive_n but_o we_o be_v to_o take_v our_o measure_n from_o the_o nature_n and_o end_n of_o government_n and_o therefore_o lay_v aside_o all_o particular_a and_o by_o respect_n and_o have_v nothing_o but_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o good_a of_o the_o community_n in_o our_o eye_n we_o shall_v make_v choice_n of_o such_o magistrate_n as_o will_v diligent_o take_v care_n and_o see_v that_o the_o good_a law_n we_o have_v be_v due_o and_o impartial_o execute_v man_n as_o the_o holy_a scripture_n describe_v they_o fear_v god_n and_o hate_v covetousness_n who_o be_v no_o respecter_n of_o person_n who_o will_v not_o be_v warp_a by_o bribery_n fear_n or_o private_a regard_n man_n of_o real_a integrity_n and_o probity_n man_n of_o fidelity_n justice_n courage_n and_o boldness_n who_o will_v not_o fear_v the_o face_n of_o man_n in_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n who_o when_o offender_n be_v convict_v will_v be_v sure_a to_o punish_v they_o where_o such_o be_v to_o be_v find_v be_v not_o my_o place_n to_o direct_v but_o you_o to_o inquire_v and_o then_o again_o have_v choose_v such_o magistrate_n it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o obey_v they_o and_o in_o our_o several_a station_n and_o capacity_n to_o yield_v they_o all_o the_o assistance_n we_o can_v and_o not_o to_o render_v they_o so_o far_o as_o in_o we_o lie_v only_o great_a cipher_n in_o their_o office_n through_o the_o want_n of_o our_o help_n but_o that_o iniquity_n be_v find_v out_o it_o may_v be_v bring_v under_o the_o correction_n of_o justice_n as_o you_o can_v do_v nothing_o without_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o magistrate_n so_o