THE Temper of this our present Assembly ought to be not only serious, but also mournful: For the occasion it hath reference to, is both very important, and most deplorable, and requires to be attended to, as with very intense Consideration, so with deep sor­row. Even Rivers of Tears running down our Eyes, as the words are, Psal. 119.136. could not more than equal the Sad­ness [Page 2] of the Case, i. e. the same there men­tioned; because Men (as is meant by the Indefinite they) kept not God's Law. That there should be such Disorders in the Intellectual World! That Reasona­ble Creatures should be so degenerate, that 'tis become hardly accountable why they are called so! They are said to be Constituted and Distinguish'd by Rea­son, but disdain to be govern'd by it, accounting their Senses and their Vices, their better and wiser Directors.

WITH us the Case is yet worse! that in a Christian City and Kingdom, the In­solencies of Wickedness are so high, tu­multuate at such a rate, and so daringly assault Heaven, that the Rigor of Laws, the Severity of Penalties, the Vigilancy and Justice of Magistrates, with the vi­gorous assisting Diligence of all Good Men, in their several Stations, are more necessary than sufficient to repress them.

THE same Considerations that should excite our Zeal, ought also to influence our Grief; and the more apparently ne­cessary it is, that all possible Endeavours be used for Redress, and the stronger and more convictive Arguments can be [Page 3] brought to evince it, the deeper sense we ought to have of the Evils that create this Necessity, and the more feelingly we should lament them.

AND if this be the Temper of this Assembly and of all other, upon this Oc­casion, this would give us Measures, and set us right, as to the whole Business of such a Season. No Body will then think it should be the Business of the Sermon, to please curious Ears, or of the Hearers to criticize upon the Sermon, or that it ought to be my present Business to com­plement the Worthy Persons that have Associated on this Account, how lauda­ble soever their Undertaking is. But it will be the common agreed Business of us all, to take to Heart the sad Exigency of the Case, to be suitably affected with it, and quickned to what shall appear to be our Duty in reference thereto.

AND tho the Words I have read do more directly respect the Part and Office of Rulers, yet since there is that Relati­on between them that Govern, and those that are under Government, that the Du­ty of the one, will plainly imply, and connote the Duty of the other. I shall [Page 4] so consider the Words, as they may have a direct, or collateral Reference to all sorts of Hearers; and do point out the Duty, as well of them that live under Government, as of them that Govern.

WE are therefore to take notice, that the Text admits, either of an Absolute Consideration, or a Relative.

ABSOLUTELY considered, 'tis an Assertion;

RELATIVELY, it is an Argument. As the Introductive Particle, for, shews.

1. FOR the Absolute Consideration of the Words, as they are an Assertion, we are to see what they assert. The Person spoken of under the Term He, is any Ruler, Supream or Subordinate, as in that parallel Text, which we may take for a Comment upon this, is exprest, 1 Pet. 2.13, 14. Submit your selves to every Ordinance of Man for the Lord's sake, whether to the King as Supream, or to Governours sent by him, for the Punish­ment of Evil Doers, and for the Praise of them that do well. The Words [...], [Page 5] and [...], used in this Context admit of the same extent. So among others, that great Man Grotius understands this place also, not only of Kings and Prin­ces, but whosoever are the Tutores status publici, (borrowing that Expression from Seneca) any that are to take care of the Publick State, by whatsoever Name they are designed. Indefinitely, any Magistrate whatsoever.

THAT which is said of such a one, contains an account of

THE Original, and

THE End of his Office and Power.

THE Original of it, that he is the Mi­nister of God, which signifies he is, as such, to act only by his Authority, de­riv'd from him, as V. 1. There is no Power but from God, and the Powers that be, are ordained of God. Which also implies, that such Power is to be used for God. And that consequently God is to be the Ruler's first and last: And he is to be Subordinate to God, both as his Principle and End. Acting by his Autho­rity, he is by consequence to act for his [Page 6] Interest. His Minister, or Servant is to serve him.

BUT besides what is thus imply'd of the General and Vltimate End of the Magistrates Power, in what is more di­rectly said of the Original of it; we have also a more explicit account of

THE End of it, viz. the next, and more particular End, which is twofold. The End for whom, indefinitely exprest. For thee, i. e. for every, or any one that lives under Government; and by conse­quence, the whole governed Communi­ty. For all the Parts make up the whole. And further we have

THE End for what, viz. for Good, the Good of each Individual, and of the whole Community, as comprehending all the Individuals. Thus we see what the Words contain absolutely considered, as they are an Assertion.

2. WE are to consider them relative­ly as they are an Argument. So the Par­ticle, for, shews their Relation, and di­rects us backward, where we shall see what they argue. And we find they are brought in to enforce the Duty before enjoyn'd, which is twofold.

[Page 7] PRIMARY, and more principal.

CONSEQVENTIAL, deduced from the former.

I. THE primary Duty is that V. 1. Let every Soul be subject to the higher Pow­ers, or to the Powers that are above us. Some blame the comparative Expression, sublimioribus, higher, for which there is no pretence, from the word [...], that only signifies the Powers mention'd, to be over us, whether in an higher or lower degree. Let them be less or more above us, we are to be subject to them.

II. THE Subsequent Duty is double,

1. THAT they are not to be resisted. A Doctrine which from the Terms of the Context is capable of being so stated, as neither to be just matter of Reproach or Scandal to the Wise and Good, nor of Sport and Laughter to another sort of Men. But that is not my present Busi­ness.

2. THAT they are not to be (unduly) dreaded, or apprehended as a Terrour, i.e. not otherwise, than (in the design of their appointment) they are so, viz. to [Page 8] Evil Works, and the Workers of them, not to the good, V. 3. A fear of Reverence is indeed due from all to their Character, and the Dignity of their Station: A filial fear, that of Children, for they are the Fathers of their Country; not a Servile, or that of Slaves, except from such as are so; Evil Doers, who are Slaves of the vilest and more ignoble sort; to their own Lusts, that inslave their Minds, which might otherwise enjoy the most Gene­rous Liberty, under the meanest and more oppressive external Servitude.

THE Text, according to its immedi­ate Reference, is but an amplification of the Reason alledg'd, Why the Magistrate is not to be look'd upon with Terrour and Affright, by any but such as resolve upon a profligately wicked course of Life, not by such as intend only a course of well-doing. For, if thou be such, he is the Minister of God to thee for good. His Sword is only formidable when it fetches its Blow from above, when it is bathed in Heaven, as we may borrow the words, Isa. 34.5. when it is weilded according to Divine Appointment, and God and he concur in the same stroak. [Page 9] When it is otherwise, 'tis true that the Fallible or Unrighteous Humane Ruler, may for well doing afflict thee, and there­in do thee wrong, but he can do thee no hurt, even tho the Stroak were Mortal, Luke 12.4. for our Lord forbids the fear of what is no worse. So said Socrates of them that Persecuted him to Death, They can kill me, but cannot hurt me. Who is it that can harm you (saith a great Apo­stle) if ye be Followers of that which is good, 1 Pet. 3.13. And 'tis added, V. 14. If ye suffer for Righteousness sake, happy are ye—And hath any Man reason to be a­fraid of being happy?

BUT tho this be the more immediate reference of these words [He is the Mi­nister of God to thee for good] and is therefore [not to be unduly feared,] they do yet ultimately and more principally respect the grand Precept first laid down, of being subject to the Powers over us. Which is evident, for that upon this ve­ry ground, and the intervening Conside­rations, which further illustrate it, this same Precept is resumed and prest upon Conscience, and a necessity is put upon it, on the same account, viz. that because the [Page 10] Magistrate, is the Minister of God for good; and is to be a Terror to Evil-doers, and hath a Sword put into his Hands for that purpose, which he is not to bear in vain, but must be the Minister of God in this kind, viz. as a Revenger, to exe­cute Wrath, upon such as do evil. That therefore we must needs be Subject, and that not only for Wrath, but also for Con­science sake.

THIS is therefore the principal relati­on of these words viz. as an Argument to prove that he, the Magistrate, is the Minister of God to us for good; that therefore we ought not only not to resist him, when he is doing his Duty, nor be afraid of him when we are but doing ours; but that we also ought to be subject to him; and that, not only that we may escape Wrath, but that we may satisfie Conscience.

THIS is therefore the Relation, ac­cording whereto we shall consider these words, viz.

AS they are an Argument to inforce the required Subjection.

[Page 11]WHICH Subjection that we may the more fully apprehend, 'twill be requisite with the more care, to consider the Pro­priety of the word, used to express it. It is a word that carries Order, [...], in the Bowels of it, [...], V. 1. and [...], V. 4. And with the Prepo­sition [...], it signifies Order under another, as of Inferiours under Superiours. It im­ports therefore not to be subject only, but Subordinate and Subservient. And the form wherein it is here used, admitting of its being taken not strictly in the Pas­sive sense, but in the middle, whereupon it may be indifferently capable of being render'd actively, viz. not only to be Subordinate, but by your own act, and with your own design, subordinate your selves to the Magistrate, come into or­der under him, as he is God's Minister in­vested by him with Power for such and such Purposes. This without straining, carries the sense yet higher.

AND whereas [...] is a word of known Military import, and signifies the Order of an Army formed for Battle, wherein every one knows his own Rank, Place and Station, 'tis as if it were said, Take [Page 12] your Place, come into Rank, that you may, under the Commander's Conduct, in acie stare, stand in Order of Battle; as the word [...] renderd to resist the Ruler, is ex adverso in acie stare, to stand in Rank, or in Battalia against him. You are not only not to resist, but you are to assist, and in your Place and Station stand by him, whom God hath de­puted to be his Minister, as he is to pro­mote Common Good, and be a Terrour to them that do evil. This was the just Claim and Demand of that excellent Prince, Psal. 94.16. Who will rise up for me against the Evil-doers, and stand up for me against the Workers of Iniquity?

THIS according to Lexicographers of good note, is the import of that word, which we lay such weight upon, and accordingly very valuable Expositors un­derstand this place.

BY this time therefore you may see what Place and Order these Words I pitch'd upon have in the Series of the A­postles Discourse; and thereupon what aspect they have upon the design for which we are met. Pursuant whereto, they admit of being thus Summ'd up.

[Page 13] THAT for this Reason, and under this Notion, as the Magistrate is to be a Terror to them that do evil, and there­in God's Minister for good to them over whom he is set. It belongs to every Soul, or to all Persons under his Government, to be each one in his Station, and according to his Ca­pacity, actively and with their own design, Subordinate and Subservient to him herein.

IN speaking to this I shall shew.

I. THAT the Magistrate is God's Mini­ster, upon the mention'd account.

II. THAT therefore such Duty is incum­bent upon all that live under Government. The former whereof is a Doctrinal Propo­sition; The other the Vse of it.

1. THAT the Magistrate is the Minister of God, for the Good of them over whom he is set. This we are to consi­der by parts.

THAT 1. He is God's Minister. Here­of none can doubt, who doubt or deny [Page 14] not the Being of God. His being God's Minister signifies his deriving his Power from him. Who else can be the Foun­tain of Power, but he who is the Foun­tain of all Being? 'Tis true, the Govern­ing Power hath not been always derived the same way; but it hath been always from the same Fountain. When God was pleased to have a People within a peculi­ar sort of inclosure, more especially ap­propriate to himself, he was very parti­cular in signifying his Will concerning all Material Things that concern'd their Government.

WHAT the Form of it should be.

WHAT Persons should govern; or in what way the Power and Right to go­vern should descend and be convey'd to them.

WHAT Laws they should be govern'd by.

WHAT the Methods should be of go­verning according to those Laws.

SINCE, it is very evident, much is left to the prudence of Men, always to be directed by general Rules of Equity, and, as these allow, by immediate Interpo­sitions of his own Providence. I resolve [Page 15] this Discourse shall be involv'd in no Controversies; And therefore shall not determine, nor go about to dispute, as to what is so left, how much or how lit­tle that may be. But it is plain and in­disputable that the Governing Power he reserves and claims to himself, i. e. not to exercise it himself, immediately, in a Political way, but to communicate and transmit it to them that shall. So that in what way soever it is deriv'd to this or that Person, or under whatsoever form, the conferring of it he makes his own Act, as we find it said to Nebuchadnezzar, Dan. 2.37. The God of Heaven hath gi­ven thee a Kingdom. And he is told, c. 4.32. The most High ruleth in the King­doms of Men, and giveth them to whomso­ever he will.

AND so much you see is in this Con­text asserted to him over and over.

TWO Things are plain in this Mat­ter.

THAT it is the Mind of God there should be such a thing as Magistracy and Government in this World.

AND again, That Men shall be govern­ed by Men; by some of other of themselves; [Page 16] who shall be, as the Text speaks, God's Ministers. As he is the Original of the Governing Power, the Administration shall be in them.

AND of the Mind of God in both these there is sufficient Indication by the very Law of Nature. How is it conceiv­able such Sentiments should be so com­mon, if they were not from a common Cause? He seems to me to have deter­min'd well if it be considered in what way the Course of Nature is now continued, and by whom all things consist, that makes the Governing Power to be from God, Note: Suar. de Leg. Lib. 3. C. 3, 4. as the Author of Na­ture. And that tho Government as it is such and such be juris humani, it is juris divini, absolutely consider'd, or as it is Government.

IT was most apparently a thing wor­thy of God, when he Peopled this World with such a sort of Creatures as Man, to provide for the maintaining of common Order among them, who with­out Government were but a Turba, a Colluvies, as a noted Heathen speaks on a different account, a Rout of Men. Had Man continued in unstained Innocency, [Page 17] 'tis concluded on all Hands there must have been a Government among them, i. e. not Punitive or Coercive for which there could have been no occasion, but directive, and conservative of Superiori­ty and Inferiority, as it is also even a­mong the Angels of Heaven, where are no inordinate Dispositions to be re­prest. Much more is Government in the severer Parts of it, necessary for lap­sed Man on Earth; the making of re­strictive Laws, and Governing by them. And,

THAT God should design the Gover­ning of Men By Men, was also most a­greeable to the Perfections of his Nature, especially his Wisdom and his Goodness, considered in Comparison to the Imper­fection of this our present State. When the Government over Israel was a Theo­cracy, God used the Ministry of Men in the Management of it.

THAT it should be his ordinary sta­ted Course to govern by Voices or Visi­ons, or by frightful Appearances such as those on Mount Sinai, had been very lit­tle suitable to this our State of Probati­on; as his accurate Wisdom we find hath [Page 18] determin'd. And was less agreeable to his Benignity and Goodness, which would not amazingly terrifie, where he design'd more gently to admonish and instruct. Hence had he regard to their frailty who so passionately supplicated, Let not God speak to us lest we die. And this his com­passionate goodness we are led to consi­der, being next to treat of the End of this his Constitution, viz.

2. THAT the Magistrate is God's Mi­nister to Men for their Good. Next to the sweet Airs and Breathings of the Gospel it self, Where have we a kinder or more significant discovery of God's good Will to Men! Here we are to stay and wonder, not to Assent only but Admire! To be­hold the World in a Revolt! The Dwel­lers on Earth in Arms against Heaven! And the Counsels that are taken above are how to do them good! How God-like is this! How suitable to magnificent Good­ness! Or beneficent Greatness! Being se­cure from hurt by their impotent At­tempts; and when Revenge was so ea­sie; to study not only not to Harm them; nor also how they might less harm and mischief themselves, but how [Page 19] to do them good! This was every way Great, and most suitable to the greatness of God, wherein it falls into Conjuncti­on with so immense and absolute Good­ness as doth beyond what any Created Mind would ask or think. This imports not implacableness, or destructive Design towards the generality of Mankind, but great Benignity even to every Soul in as full extent as the Command runs to be subject to the higher Powers. This is we find another Medium by which God te­stifies, or leaves not himself without wit­ness, besides what we have elsewhere, that he gives Men Rain from Heaven and fruitful Seasons.

THE most compassionate Eye of God beholds Men under the Power of vici­ous Inclination, bent upon destructive Ways; whereas by the course of Nature, which he hath fix't, he should give them ordinarily competent Time, as he hath given them Breath and Being and all Things, Acts 17. That they might seek after him and labour to feel and find him out; They live in a contemptuous neg­lect of him, and are Cruel to themselves, oft shorten their own Time, live too fast, [Page 20] and make too much haste to dig their own Graves, and turn their Habitation into a Charnel-house; yea even bury themselves alive in stupifying Sensuality and Vice, He though provok't hastens not their Destruction more, by sudden Revenge. He animadverts not upon them by Flames, and Thunderbolts, nor amazes them by astonishing appea­ances. His Terrors make them not afraid. He only cloths some from among them­selves with his Authority, who shall ap­pear on the Stage with them, as Gods among Men, resembling themselves in humane Nature, and God in Power, as they should in other Godlike Excellen­cies; if Men would so far co-operate to­wards their own welfare as they ought; that by such gentler Methods some stop might be put to the Stream, and Flood of Miseries wherewith otherwise unre­strained Wickedness is continually ready to deluge the World.

THE Magistrate is herein an Instru­ment of Good, and of Wrath at once. These two Things disagree not, to be a Minister for Good, and to execute Wrath. This latter is said in Conformity to vul­gar [Page 21] Apprehension. Because when Men afflict one another, 'tis usually the Ef­fect of Wrath, when a fixt, though most sedate and calm Resolution to Punish, hath the same Effect, this most different Cause is call'd by the same Name. In this Al­lusion is Wrath ascrib'd to God, the most serene and dispassionate of all Beings. And hence, they who represent him a­mong Men in Authority, ought in this respect to be God-like too. Magistratus non debet irasci. Judges (as Cicero most aptly speaks) ought to be Legum similes, like the Laws themselves, which are mo­ved by no Passion, are angry with no Man, but keep one steady Tenor, so as neither to despite an Enemy, nor indulge a Friend. To this Temper it well agrees, to design good (as in lancing a Tumor) where one does a present Hurt. Two ways may Punishment be a proper and apt, tho it be not always an effectual means of doing good.

1. AS it may work the good of the Offenders themselves. To which it hath in it self, a tendency, if the Disease be not so strong and stubborn as to defie the Remedy. As it puts them upon refle­cting, [Page 22] and should awaken in them their considering Power.

AS in the Matter of Treason against a Rightful Power, Deliberasse est desci­visse, to deliberate whether to be Loyal, or no, is to Revolt. So it is in the Just and Glorious Rupture that is to be made of the Bonds of Vice, whereby Men are held as Slaves under the Vsurped Power of the Devils Kingdom. If once they come duly to consider, they will disdain so vile a Servitude. When they meet with a Check in their way, it may occasi­on them to check themselves, and consi­der their ways. No external means do a­ny good to the Minds of Men otherwise than as they themselves are engag'd, drawn in and made Parties, in some sense, against, but (as we are compound­ed, in an higher and nobler sense) for our selves. This comes in, as one, among external Means of that kind, as do give some present Vneasiness, but in order to after Advantage. It afflicts 'tis true, and no Affliction is, for the present Joyous, but Grievous, but yields afterwards, a peace­able Fruit. When the Magistrates Power is call'd a Sword, it signifies its business is [Page 23] to wound; but as Wounds are generally painful, some are Sanative, healing Wounds, and so are these designed, and apt to be. They vex a while, but vexatio dat intel­lectum. It rouzes the Understanding, and is most apt to do so to good purpose, in plain and undisputed Cases; And where there is no pretence for Consci­ence in the Cause one suffers for.

WHERE indeed a formed and fixed Judgment of Conscience, once hath place, for the practice which exposes a Man to suffering, Mulcts, and Prisons, Gibbets, and Faggots, are very improper means of Illumination; or of publick Vtility, if the Civil Peace, and the Substance of Religion be not hurt by such practice. And the Sincerity of that Conscience is much to be suspected, that is ever altered by such Methods. But no Man will pre­tend it is against his Conscience, not to be Drunk, not to Debauch, or to be Sober, Chaste and Vertuous.

Therefore a Man's Way lies open to that Consideration which is most imme­diately to influence his Practice, to cor­rect a lewd, and begin a regular good Course. He needs not be detain'd with [Page 24] any subtle Disputes, or be put to solve perplext Doubts, or answer specious Ar­guments and Objections. It is obvious to him to bethink himself, ‘What a strange sort of anomalous Creature am I become; whom the Law of mine own Nature remonstrates against? How degenerate a thing! that have forsaken my own Noble Order of intel­ligent Creatures, to herd with Brutes!’ That have made my self unfit for hu­mane Society, otherwise than as one that must bear a Mark, wear a disgraceful Scar from the wound of a Sword, not that of a Publick Enemy, or my own, but a Sword drawn in defence of the Sacred Rights of God, and to vindicate the Ho­nour of Mankind!

AND hereupon, if the Crime be not Capital, with the concurrent use of other appointed Means, and the Blessing of God upon all (from whence only the good Issue can be hoped for) may a vicious Person be so reclaimed, as to become of great Use in the World. Yea, and if the Crime be Capital, such as that the Criminal survives not the Punish­ment, but the Sword of Justice must cut [Page 25] him off from the Land of the Living; our Charity will not let us doubt but there have been Instances wherein a Pri­son and Arraignment, and the Sentence of Death have been the blest effectual means to the Offendors, of their escaping the more terrible Sentence, and of obtaining Eternal Life. But however, tho the Mi­nistry of Civil Justice doth often fail of its most desirable effects, as to the parti­cular Persons that suffer it (as even the Ministration of the Gospel of Grace proves also ineffectual to many.) Yet

2. IT is not only apt, but effectual to do much Good to others, and gene­rally to the Community. Punishment is justly said To be in its proper Design Medicinal to the De­linquents: Yet not always in the event *Aquin. Sum. 1, 2dae. q. 87.. But the Common Good, it may serve, when Contumaci­ous Offendors perish under the deserved infliction of it. This was the thing de­sign'd by the Righteous Judge of all the Earth, when he gave so particular Dire­ctions how to punish Offendors in such and such kinds, that Others might hear and fear and do no more so wickedly. And [Page 26] in all equal Government, 'tis the Design of Poenal Laws that The Terror might reach to all, the Punishment it self, but to a few. And when the utmost Endeavours that can be used, shall have had that Hap­py Success to reduce a vast number of Offenders to a Paucity, we should rejoyce to see that there needed to be but few Ex­amples made in such kinds.

IN the mean time, where this Sword of the Lord, in the hands of His Ministers of Justice, is unsheathed, and used ac­cording to the exigency of the Case, it is an apt and likely Means to have an Happy Effect for the good of the Com­munity, both as it

MAY put a stop to the prevailing Wickedness of Men, and

MAY avert from a Nation the pro­voked Wrath of God.

1. AS it may give some Check to the Daringness and Triumph of Vnrebuked Wickedness, which indeed, naturally carries in it a Pusillanimous Meanness, and a vile abjection of Mind, so as no where to insult, but where it meets, in [Page 27] those who should oppose it, a timorous fainting and succumbency. It so far resembles the Devil, whose Off-spring it is, that being resisted it flees. When Men find that while they dare to affront the Universal Ruler, and offer Indignities to His Throne; there are those, that, cloath­ed with His Authority, and bearing His Character, dare to vindicate the Injury: When they feel the smart and cost of open Wickedness, it will, no doubt, become at least, less open, and seek clo­ser corners. They will not long hold up the head, in so hopeless and deplorate a Cause, that can afford them no support, no relief to their abject sinking Spirits, in suffering for it. What encouraging Testimony of Conscience can they have, that not only act from No Direction of Conscience, but in Defiance of it? What God can they hope, will reward their Sufferings which they incur by highest Contempt of God?

AND if such gross Immoralities be somewhat generally Redrest, as more directly fall under the Magistrates Ani­madversion, how great a Common Good must it infer, inasmuch as those Evils, in [Page 28] their own nature, tend to the detriment, decay, and ruine of a People where they prevail?

THEY darken the Glory of a Nation which how great a Lustre hath it cast a­broad in the World, from the Romans and Spartans, and other civilized People! when their Sumptuary, and other Laws, were strictly observed, that represt un­due Excesses; And when Temperance, Frugality, Industry, Justice, Fidelity, and consequently Fortitude and all other Vertues excell'd, and were conspicuous among them. It were a great thing we should have to transmit to Posterity, might we see England recover its former, or arrive to the further Glory which it is to be hoped it may acquire in these kinds!

YEA and the Vices which are endea­voured to be redrest, are such as not only prejudice the Reputation, but the real Welfare of any Nation.

PROFANE Swearing tends gradually to take away the Reverence of an Oath; which, where it is lost, what becomes of Humane Society?

[Page 29]AND more Sensual Vices, tend to make us an Effeminate Mean-spirited, a Desident, Lazy, Slothful, Unhealthful People, useless to the Glorious Prince, and excellent Government we live un­der, neither fit to endure the Hardships, or encounter the Hazards of War, nor ap­ply our selves to the Business, or under­go the Labours that belong to a State of Peace, and do consequently tend to in­fer upon us a deplorable, but unpitied Poverty; and (which all will pretend to abhor) Slavery at length. For they are most unfit for an Ingenuous, Free sort of Government, or to be otherwise go­verned than as Slaves or Brutes; who have learnt nothing of Self-Government, and are at the next step of being Slaves to other Men, who have first made them­selves Slaves to their own Vitious Inclinati­ons. Thus are such liable to all sorts of Temporal Calamities and Miseries in this World.

BESIDES, what is of so far more tre­mendous import, that the same vile and stupifying Lusts, tend to infer an utter Indisposition to comport with, or attend to the Glorious Gospel of the Blessed [Page 30] God, and so to ruine Mens hopes for the other World, and make their Case un­conceivably worse, in the Judgment of the Great Day, than theirs of Tyre or Sidon, Sodom, or Gomorrha.

BUT how much may a Just, Prudent, Well-tempered Vigilancy and Severity do, towards the prevention of all this? And so much the more, by how much Publick Animadversions, shall render the things Men incur Punishment for, not only in common Estimate, Vnrighteous, but Ignominious things.

THAT Principle of Shame in the Na­ture of Man, if by proper Applications it were endeavoured to be wrought upon, would contribute more to the reforming a Vitious World, than most other Me­thods that have ever been tried to that purpose. 'Tis a tender Passion, of quick, and most acute sense. Things that are thought Opprobrious, have so sensible a pungency with them, that (tho all Tem­pers are not herein alike) many that can feel little else, reckon a Disgrace, an un­sufferable thing. And I little doubt but if Punishments for grosser Vices, were [Page 31] more attempered to this Principle, they would have much more effect.

THIS hath been too much apprehend­ed by the Vsurping God of this World. This Engine he hath made it his business to turn, and manage to the contrary pur­pose, to drive or keep serious Religion out of the World, yea to make Men a­sham'd of being Sober, Temperate and Regular in their Conversation, lest they should also be thought Religious, and to have any thing of the Fear of God in them, and make them Debauch, to save their Reputation.

A plain Document to such as co­vet to see a Reformation of Manners in our Days, what Course ought to be endeavoured in order thereto.

A great apprehension to this purpose that Noble Pagan seems to have had,Note: Plato. who enquiring whence Legislation had its rise,Note: De Leg. Lib. 1. from some Man or from God; and determining from God, if we will give the most Righteous Judgment that can be given; doth elsewhere write to this effect, That Jupiter pity­ing the Miseries of Men, Note: In Protag. by their [Page 32] Indulgence to Vice, lest Mankind should ut­terly perish, sent Mercury to implant in them, together with Justice, Shame as the most effectual means to prevent the total Ruine of the World.

And so inseparable is the connexion between being Wicked and being Misera­ble, that whatsoever molestation and un­easiness tends to extinguish Dispositions to Wickedness, ought to be reckon­ed given with very Merciful Inten­tions.

IT is no improbable Discourse which an Ingenious Modern Writer, *Dr. Wood­ward's Es­say. hath to this purpose, (for I pretend not to give his words, not having the Book now at hand) that tho the Drowning of the World was great Severity to them who did then Inhabit it, yet it was an act of Mercy to Mankind. For hereby (he reckon'd) the former more Luxuriant Fertility of the Earth, was so far reduc'd and check'd, as not, so spontaneously, to afford Nutriment to Vice; that Men in after time, must hereby be more con­strain'd to Labour and Industry, and made more considerate, and capable of se­rious [Page 33] Thoughts; and that when also they should find their time by this Change of the State of the World natu­rally contracted within narrower limits, they would be more awakened to consi­der and mind any Overtures, should be, in following time, made to them in or­der to their attaining a better State in a­nother World; and consequently the more susceptible of the Gospel, in the proper season thereof.

IF God were severe with so merciful Intentions, what lies within the compass of these Ministers of his Justice, appoint­ed for Common Good, ought certainly to be endeavoured; in imitation of him, whom they represent.

2. THE Administration of Punitive Justice, when the Occasion requires it, tends also to the Common Good, as it may contribute towards the appeasing of God's Anger against a Sinful People, and the turning it away from them.

WHAT may be collected from that Noble Instance of Phinehas's Heroical Zeal, upon which a raging Plague was stay'd, compar'd with the Effect which Ahab's Humiliation, and Nineveh's Repen­tance [Page 34] had in averting Temporal Judg­ments, would signifie not a little to this purpose.

BUT I must pass to the

SECOND Head of Discourse propo­sed, viz. To argue and enforce from hence the Duty incumbent upon all, under Government, as their several Stations and Capacities can admit, to be, in due Subordination, assisting and serviceable to the Magistrate, as in executing Punitive Justice, he is the Minister of God for good.

AND this (as hath been said) is to be the Vse of the former part of the Dis­course, which will answer the Design of the Apostles Discourse, and agree to the natural Order of the Things discoursed in this Context. For [the Magistrate is the Minister of God for Good, to us] is a Doctrine. And [Let every Soul be subject or subordinate to him, accordingly] an Exhortation which was at first propos'd, and is afterward resumed and prest, V. 5. as of absolute necessity from that Do­ctrine.

[Page 35]WHEREFORE 'tis necessary that we be, or we must needs be subject. There is an [...] put upon it, a cogent inelucta­ble Necessity, arising even from hence, viz. from this Doctrinal Assertion as it is propos'd, and as it is afterward applied to this Purpose, we are not to be di­spens'd with in the Case, but we must e­very one do our parts, in Subordination to the Magistrate, and that not only for Wrath, but for Conscience sake. We shall therefore shew,

I. WHAT Duty we who are in private Capacities are exhorted to.

II. SHEW the Strength of the Apostles Argument, as it is propos'd in the Text, and amplify'd in what follows, to engage us to that Duty.

FIRST, For the Duty we are ex­horted to, that we may understand what it is, I shall only premise some few plain things, and then leave it to your selves to judge, and conclude what it is, and cannot but be.

1. IT is plain, private Persons are not to do the Magistrates part, are not to in­vade [Page 36] his Office, or usurp his Authority, they are to act but in Subordination to him, as their Charge given them plainly imports.

2. THEY are not only not to oppose him. As the former would be too much, this would be too little. The Arguments us'd to enforce it, import much more. What because he is the Minister of God for good, and to me, Am I therefore on­ly not to oppose him? Can it be thought there should be such an apparatus of Ar­gument, to draw from it so faint and di­lute an Inference? Ought not every Man so far to reverence God's Authority as to endeavour it may not lose its design? And ought not every Man to co-operate to a Common Good, wherein each Man claims a part?

3. IT is not only to save my self from Punishment, by not doing the Evil which would expose me to the stroke of the Sword. For my Duty, I am to do, not only for Wrath, but for Conscience sake, which plainly respects God and his Au­thority and Interest, which I am to Obey and Serve. And I am to endeavour not only that he may not be a Terrour to me, as [Page 37] an Evil-doer, but that he may be a Terror to them that are such.

4. SOMEWHAT positive is mani­festly carried in the word [...], to subject or subordinate my self to him, under this very notion, as the Minister of God for good. Is this doing nothing?

HE is plainly said to be the Minister of God for good, under this special No­tion, as he is the Administrator of Pu­nitive Justice, viz. as he bears the Sword, and is to be a Terrour to Evil-doers.

I AM so to subordinate my self, as that herein he may effectually serve the End of his Office, and not bear the Sword in vain.

NOW upon all this, judge you your selves what is it that is left to be my Du­ty in a private Capacity, that is less than the Magistrates part; more than the men­tioned Negatives, and yet so much, as whereby I am to take care to my utter­most, that he may do good in his Office of punishing Wickedness? So as that his doing his Duty must some way de­pend upon my doing mine, and be the ef­fect of it, or of theirs who are in like [Page 38] Circumstances, and so but under the same common Obligation with me, so that or­dinarily his Duty cannot be done, with­out any care or concern of theirs or mine.

WHAT, I say, can it be less than to bring punishable Matters under his Cogni­sance?

OTHERWISE, if no Obligation lie upon private Persons, to this purpose, he will only be to punish such Wickedness as he beholds with his own Eyes. And then how narrow will his Precinct be? What Multitudes of Magistrates must there then be? And what a Monster thereupon would the Body Politick be­come!

BUT here if any Man ask me the Que­stion (because what is to be done herein is to be done for Conscience sake) am I bound in Conscience to discover to a Magi­strate all the Evil that I know by any Man that is justly punishable by Law?

TO this I shall only at present say, That Cases of Conscience can only be with Judgment resolv'd in Hypothesi, and with application to this or that Person, when material Circumstances, relating thereto, [Page 39] are distinctly known. I must have clear grounds if I will conceal such a Man's punishable Fault, upon which I may judge, that more good is likely to be done to his Soul, that the Honour of God and the Publick Good, will be more served by the Concealment, than by the Discovery, and the Government not hurt, or endangered.

BUT if the Crime be such as is Natio­nal, and imports Contempt of God and his Laws, and in reference whereto, the Offender expresses more shame of the Pu­nishment than of the Fault, and I will yet, upon private Respects, to him or my self, conceal it, I shall herein while I pretend Conscience in the Case, cheat my Conscience and not satisfie it.

AND I add in reference to this Case. Let any Man that would exempt his Con­science from any sense of Obligation to endeavour the Punishment of Offenders in the mention'd kinds, take great care he do not ground his Concealment upon other, than very peculiar grounds, or not common to him, with any other Man in a like Case. Is it because such a one is my Friend? Or he may bear me a Grudge? [Page 40] Or I may lose his Custom, &c? These are things so common, that guiding my self by such Measures, is both to over­throw Magistracy and Conscience too.

UPON the whole, therefore, what is ordinarily a private Man's Duty in such cases, is sufficiently evident.

THEREFORE,

SECONDLY, Let us see the force of the Apostles Arguings to engage us to it.

1. THAT the Magistrate, as he is the Dispenser of Punitive Justice, is God's Minister. 'Tis the Authority of God, that he is invested with. He hears a Sword, which God hath put into his Hand. Is that Authority to be eluded, and made to signifie nothing? Is that Sword to be born in vain? What an awe should this lay upon our Spirits? It is therefore to be serv'd for Conscience sake, which hath principal reference to God.

WE need not here dispute whether Humane Laws bind Conscience. No doubt they do, when they have an antecedent Reason or Goodness. If Men command what God forbids, the Apostles make their appeal to Enemies as Judges whom [Page 41] they were to obey. He is the Minister of God for good, not for hurt, or for no good. 'Tis a perverting of God's Autho­rity, to do mischief by the pretence of it, a debasing it, to trifle with it.

BUT the Question is out of Doors, when Humane Laws are but Subsidiary to Divine, and enjoyn the same thing. And as that celebrated Saying of St. Au­stin is applied by him to the former Case of a supposed Contradiction of the Pro­consuls Command to the Emperor's for dis­obeying the Inferiour, 'tis equally appli­cable, as fortifying the Obligation, to obey both, when they are co-incident.

AND this Consideration can be insig­nificant with none but such as say in their Hearts, There is no God, that think this World hath no Vniversal Sovereign Ru­ler, or no Lord over it; and it might as well be supposed to have no Intelligent Maker, to have become what it is by Chance. An Imagination which the most Vicious that make any use of Thoughts, begin to be asham'd of, and have there­fore thought fit to quit the absurd Name of Atheist, for the more accountable, as well as more convenient Name of Deist.

[Page 42]BUT then it's strange, they should not see the Consequence from Maker to Ru­ler, and from God's having made this World, to its being under his present Go­vernment, and liable to his future Judg­ment. Or that, from any just apprehen­sion of the Nature of God, they should not collect so much of the Nature of their own Souls, as to judge them capable of subsisting out of these Bodies, and in another World, and consequently, of their being liable to a future Judgment, for what they have been, and done in this! Or that a Being of so much Wis­dom and Goodness in conjunction with Power, as to have made such a World as this, and such a Creature as Man in it, should not have made him for no­bler Ends than are attainable in this World!

IF any of themselves had power e­nough to make such another sort of Crea­ture, and furnish him with Faculties ca­pable of such Acquisitions and Attain­ments only to fetch a few Turns in the World, and form Plots and Projects in it, that must, with himself, shortly come to nothing; they would have little [Page 43] cause to boast of the Performance: They would have cause to be asham'd of it. To use so unconceivable a Power, only to play Tricks, that neither themselves, nor any one else should ever be the better for! And tho they might, hereby, a while a­muse the World, they would gain little Reputation of Wisdom, or Goodness above other Men, by being the Authors of so useless a Design, that would at length appear to have nothing of Design in it. For finally it terminates in mere No­thing.

BUT the Great God hath not left himself without Witness. The Illustrious Characters of his Godhead shine every where. He doth insist upon, and will assert his Rights in this Lower World. 'Tis a part of his Creation, tho a meaner part. He Rules in the Kingdoms of Men, and he that Rules will Judge. The Jests and Laughter of Fools, will not over­turn his Throne. They that have taught themselves to turn his Laws, and the whole Frame of his Government over the World into Ridicule; because 'tis to be hoped they do not use to laugh al­ways, should be advised by a Wise and [Page 44] Great Man, in his Time, then to Judge of their Jest, Note: Ld. Verulam's Instaur. Mag. when they have done laughing, some­time they will have done. And should consider that he, to whom it be­longs, will judge over their heads as he will over us all.

AND if his Throne and Government are as insolently as they are vainly at­tempted against by many, and the most connive, we shall all be taken for a Com­bination of Rebels against our Rightful Lord. It will be an heavy addition, to be partakers of other Mens sins, when every one hath more than enough of his own.

LET me ask, Would you not dread to be found guilty of Misprision of Treason against the Government under which we live? Why doth the Fear of the great God? And the dread of being found Accomplices against him, signifie less with us?

AND what means it, that the Charge of Punishing great Offenders is given to the Community thou, every individual, as in the Text, thee, all the individuals [Page 45] making up the Community? Thou shalt not suffer a Witch to live, Exod. 22.18.

AND so for the Idolater, Thou shalt bring forth that Man or Woman, and stone him— Deut. 13.13, 14. chap. 17.2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Is it that all the People were Magistrates? No, but that it was not to be supposed, that so horrid Impi­eties could long escape unpunish'd, but by the Peoples, as well as the Magistrates, neglect, upon which all would be taken as Conspirators against the great Lord of all.

2. TAKE the other part of the Argu­ment, That the Magistrate is God's Mini­ster [for Good to us.] Is it enough for us not to hinder? Are we not all oblig'd in our Stations to promote our own, our Neighbours, and the Common Good? Our own, as we keep our selves from being accessaries. Our Neighbours, Offending, as we contribute our Endeavour, that they may be less Wicked, and (which we should further design) that they may become good. Our unoffending Neighbours: For if grosser Wickedness rule without controul, who that are Pious, Sober, and Vertuous can long live, in Peace, by such [Page 46] ill Neighbours: We are for this directed to pray 1 Tim. 2.1, 2. For Rulers, even all that are in Authority, that we may live peaceable and quiet lives in all Godliness and Honesty. And what we are to pray for, we do that ludicrously, if we endea­vour it not too. Besides that the untaint­ed, as yet, are liable to worse hurt, by The Contagion of their Example. And the Common Good is many ways to be serv'd, as hath been shewn. How lauda­ble an Excellency among noble-minded Pagans was Love to their Country! And even In this way to serve the Common Good was reckon'd by them a Praise-worthy Thing. He (saith one of them) that doth no harm is Honoura­ble,

but he is worthy of double Honour that prevents it. And he that assists the Magistrate in Punishing it, is most Honourable, and far excels all his other Citizens. So far were they from thinking it an Ignominious Thing, to bring Offenders to Punish­ment, and especially for Impieties, or whatsoever signified a Contempt of Re­ligion. Such regard they had to the Ho­nour of their Gods, who were no Gods. [Page 47] Shall we reckon the True and Living God to deserve from us, less regard to his Violated Honour?

THE Common Good, which in this way we are to promote, is so common, as all Good Men can, without scruple, concur in the design. And Blessed be God, they so generally do so.

WE have the greatest Encouragement hereto by considering the Immediate Fountain of the Magistrates Power and Office, our Glorious and ever Blessed Re­deemer and Lord, to whom all Power is given in Heaven and Earth, by whom Kings Reign, who is Head of all Things to the Church, and through whom, the Di­vine Goodness flows towards a lost World. This infers an Obligation upon all that bear the Christian Name, to serve the proper ends of this branch of his Power, as they have, in general, to acknowledge him for Lord and Christ.

THEY who, therefore, make it their Business to promote this Design do not, herein, serve the Interest of a Party, but the Interest of the Vniversal Ruler, of our Blessed Redeemer, and of Mankind.

[Page 48]AND they who are agreed, with sin­cere minds, upon so great and important an End, as the serving this most compre­hensive Interest, are agreed in a greater Thing than they can differ in. To differ about a Ceremony or two, or a set of words, is but a Triffle, compar'd with being a­greed in absolute devotedness to God, and Christ, and in a design, as far as in them lies, of doing good to all. An Agreement in Substantial Godliness and Christianity, in humility, meekness, self-denial, in single­ness of heart, benignity, charity, entire love to sincere Christians, as such, in universal love to Mankind, and in a design of doing all the good we can in the world, notwithstanding such go under different denominations, and do differ in so Minute Things, is the most Valuable Agreement that can be among Christi­ans.

THEY that are thus agreed, are more one, and do less differ in the Temper and Complexion of their minds, from one another, than they who are never so much agreed in being for or against this or that External form, or mode of Reli­gion; but are full of Envy, Wrath, [Page 49] Malice, Bitterness, Falshood, do differ from them all, and from all good Men. And I doubt not, when God's time comes of Favouring Zion, we shall have Churches constituted by congregating what is of one kind, such as (for the main) are of one mind, spirit, character, and temper, and severing whatsoever is of a different kind, and quite alien hereto. And cease to have them constituted by what is unnecessary, much less by what is inconsi­stent with their very Being. Pride, Am­bition, Vain glory, and a Terrene Spirit, with carnal Self-design, will not always prevent this. Heaven will grow too big for this Earth! And the Powers of the World to come, for those of this present evil World.

IN the mean time let us draw as near one another as we can. And particularly unite in the most Vigorous Endeavour of carrying on this Excellent Design, which is now before us. And let it be with a Temper of Mind, agreeing with God's kind design towards Men, in appointing the Magistrate to be his Minister to them, i. e. for the doing them good. Let it be with minds, full of all Goodness, in Con­formity to the Original First Good, from [Page 50] whom, as such, this Constitution proceeds. Despond not, as apprehending the stream is too strong, and there is no good to be done. That is to yield the day to Vi­ctorious Wickedness. It is to give Vice the Legislature, to let it be the Law of the Age, and govern the World: And it is to give up our selves and our Nation, to perish, as a lost People. Let us not be lost, before we are lost.

MUCH Good hath been done in this kind heretofore. There was a time when (at Antioch) the Severity of the Magi­strate was much regretted in the Reign of that great Prince Theodosius, and upon an ill Occasion, the Contemptuous Sub­version of his Statues. This cost Chry­sostom divers Orations or Sermons to the People while yet Presbyter there. In one whereof he asks them, What hurt had the Terror of the Magistrate done them?Note: Hom. 6. [...]. It hath Shaken off our sloth, made us more honest, diligent, in­dustrious. He had told them a­bove, and tells them after, They ought to give God thanks for it, that now there was not one Drunken Person, or one that sang Lascivious Songs to be seen. Their City was become as a Chaste Matron, where great [Page 51] Wantonness before did generally appear.

YOUR Exp [...]ience hath told you, much hath been do [...]. You are still getting ground. God hath, we are to hope, ef­fectually engag'd the Government in this Blessed Design. In Subordination thereto, go on with Alacrity.

LET me finally set before your Eyes, the Instructive Practice of that Excellent Prince Jehosaphat, in a like Case, 2 Chron. 19. when he was bringing back the People to the Lord God of their Fathers, V. 4. And had set Judges in the Land, warn­ing them to take heed as being to Judge not for Men, but for the Lord, V. 6. which shew'd they were not mere Matters of Meum and Tuum only, they were to Judge in, but Matters immediately rela­ting to the Interest and Honour of God, for He distinguishes the Judgment of the Lord, and Controversies, V. 8. He charges all to whom he spake, as they were seve­rally concerned (and they were not con­cerned all alike) to do their Work, V. 9. In the Fear of the Lord Faithfully, and with a perfect Heart; and concludes as I do, with these Words, V. 11. Deal couragi­ously; and the Lord shall be with the good.