472 Chap. 29. An Èxpofition Upon the Book of 2. Vetf. 7. but infore place neer the Gate, fcmetimes in the open flreet,as the Cuftome in rnany Cities isat this day. (Arch. 8. a, 3.) And er,ra the Prieft brought the Law before the Congregation both of menandwomen , and all that could bear with under /landing, upon the f rfl day of the jeventh month. And he read therein before the fireet that was before the water-gale. Again (a C',bran. 36. 6.) Thenbe fee Captains of war over the people , andgathered them to- gesberin theflreet ofthe Gate of the.City, that being an eminent broad Greer, fit to receive anArmy. (Pro. I. 20, 2 I.) mifdom cryetb without, andutteretb her voice in theflreets,Jhe cryeth in the chtifplaces ofConcourfe,in the opening of the Gates. In fuch a flreet was jobs feat prepared. The fum of the whole verfe is this ; O that it were with me, as informer times, ,when I went honoura- bly attended to the place of judgement. ZaWhence,Nore ; Courts of Juflice or places of Judicature fhoteld be publique and open for all Comers ; Jufliecmuff not be adminifired in a corner, or inprivate. The Gate of a City is an open publick place. Laws andCourts are of publick concernment, and every one is ro have his liberty of teeing, hearing, and kdowing what's done there ; that's the reafon why anciently the Law was adminifired in or neer the Gate, becaufeit was a placeof eafie accefs, and greateft conve- niency for thepeople. Secondly, Becaufe Magifiracy is the general fubje6t, not only of this verfe, but of all that follow to the end of this Chapter ; I (hall take leave to infifi upon it a little beyond the ordinary methodof this Expotrion. The Obfervationmay be thus formed. MaQiflracy, or the exercife'of Magiflraticall power, bath been held rep andfubmitted to in all ages. Magiffracy is the appointment-and ordinance of Gad.There re no power but ofGod;tbe powers that be,are ordained of God (Rom.' 3. I.) And thence the Apofilemakes this nniverfal inference(v.2.) Wbofoever therefore refifleththe power,refleth the ordinance ofGod. For though Magif}racymay be called an O:'dinance of man; firff, as to the enc4, it being imployed for the good of men ; as alfo,fe- condly,
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