Chap. 34. An Exrfition plow the Bookof o B. Verf. 13. more they that have power'over nations. ('Pfad: 2. r a, r ì: ) Be wife now therefore Oye Kings, be:nfprrtïted: yefudges of the earth, ferve the Lord with feare, and rejoyce with trembling. When he faith, ferve the Lordwith feare, I fuppofe hedoth not intend it in that notion offervingthe Lord, as ferving hire denotes our holi neffe and obedience ingenerali ; butwhen he faith, f rve the Lord with feare, his meaning is, ferve him fo in the exercife of your power, and in your places,as you have power in your hand, asyou have received. a Charge or Commiffion fromGod over this or that part.of the earth, fo ferve him with feare, in the ufe of that power. As man ought in all the fervice of G od to be in aholy feare, fo efpecially when he ferveth God in the adminiffration of power, becaufe all power is fromGod. And therefore ( which is the next thing I would hence mind thofe ofthat are in power ) Secondly, Remember, The day of account muff" needs be a fad day to thofe who abufe their power to theoppreflon of man;; and chiefely to thofe who turne their power againfi God ; that the wayes and truths of God,againfl the fervants and peo- ple of God, agaird the endsand-defignes of God. Godwill call fuch as have had any charge over the earth to anaccounr, and let themwho either of thefe wayes abufe their power, confider whe- ther fuch accounts will paffeas they muff give. Surely when the dayof the Lord (hall be upon fuch Oakes and Cedars, upon foci, mountaines andhits, as the Prophet (Ifa: 2. 13, 14.) called/ the Powers, and Princes of this world, theywill even be forced (as, he defcribes them at the r9,tlrverfe) togee into the holes of the rocker, and into the caves ofthe earth, forfeareof the Lord, andfor- thegloryofhis Majefly, when he arifeth to frameterribly the earth. It is bad tobe abufedby the power ofman, but 'tisworft for that man who abufeth his power,. Thy terribleneffe bathdeceived thee ( faith theProphet, Jer: 44. 16.) and the prideof thine heart, O thou that dwelleft an the cleftsof the rocke, that holdolt theheight ofthe hill ; that is, thou that artin high power , and allo holdeft thy height, thou art deceived,. anti. thy. :tersìhlenefe hub_.de ceived thee ; becaufe thou halt been able.to terrifie many with thypower, therefore thou, hall prefumed that none {hall ever terrifie or trouble thee ; This vaine confidence bath deceived thee, for (as it followeth in the latter part of that verfe) thonùh thoufkouldeftmake thyHeft as high as the Eagle, Iwill bring thee F f f f detrae i
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