624, Chap.34. 44r Expofftion upon the Bookof J0 i. Verf.r7, father, and to the Prophets of thy mother : cAnd Elipla (aid, ,fir the Lord of Hoffs livcrh before whom Ihand; Surely, were it not that,;! regard the prefence of fehofhaphat the King of Judah, I would not looktoward thèe, nor fee thee. Thus the Prophets dealt wiçhmuch gracious feveriry towards mighty Princes. The Pro- phet Ifaiah feared not to fay ( Ifa. 1.1o.) Hear the word of the Lordye Rulers of Sodome, Give ear unto theLaw of our God, ye people of Gomorrah ; implying, that the Rulersof Jerufalem were then but fuch as the Rulers of Sodome once were, and. that the people were no better then the people of Gomorrah ; and it is conceived, that for this plainnefs and liberty of fpeech,whichthe Prophet Ifaiah ufed ro;vard the Princesand Rulers of Judah, he was put to death, being.cut or mangled afander with a wooden Sawe. Onemight think that Ezo jel did much forget himfélf, when he gave thofe opprobrious terms to Zedekiah King of Ju- dah, (Ezell, 21. z5.),end thou prophavewickedPrinceofIfrail' whofe day is come; when in.-quity¡ball have anend ; yet he finned not in this brill reproof of his fin, becaufe commanded of God todo ir, and fpecially directedby the holySpirit. The Prophets might not diminifh a word, but mull give out what God gave in, yohn the Raptift reproved Herod-for Herodiashis brother Philips wife,' andfor all theevils which hehad (bne, (Luke 3. r 9,) And Jefus Chrift himfelf called Herod, Fox (Luke 13. 3 a.) The Prophets were often Inftrudted and Commiffioned toprophefiè againft the mountain ; that is, againfl the Princes and Powers of the world ; and therefore take the.flate of thepoinr,and of our dutyaboutit, in thefefew concluions, thatwe may not.run upon the rocks either way ; neither upon the rockof blafphemyagaina KingsandPrinces on the one fide,., nor upon- the rockof flattery on the other. Firfl , The Power or State of Princes mull never be reviled nor 2evill fpoken of kingly Power and Authority is alwayes to be reverenced and honoured ; though'the Prince be wick- ed, yet hisPower is tobe reverenced, and that's the pureft reve- ttegl+aper fe 'rence. For to reverence the power ofPrinces, only, becaufe,or dgnitas, nun- when they are good, and de, us good, and rule - every -way accord- quam non efi ling to our mind this is but a piece offelfifliriefs;but whenPrinces colenda, enam are evill andbring evills upon us et tobear ref eet to the Power e@m prinç s. 5 P Y P intqulo e, . . and Authority Which- they Exercife ; this is to!honour G,od, and
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