Chap. 29. AnExpofìtron upon the Bo.kof J o E. Verf. 7. condly, in reference to the kind of ir, every Nation having a liber- ty to cnufe what form of Government they pleafe, or is moll fu- table and commodious for then. In which fence the Apoíte Pe- ter calls it humane ordinanceor creation(' Pet. 2, r 3.) yet in re- gard of the original appoyntmenc and inflitution of it we mull af- firm it to be an .ordinance of God. And though many have not cnly acquired it by wicked and deviiifh maw, but adminifl; ed is in a wicked anddevilifh manner ;, yet this do_h not at all hinder, but that the Magiflrates Authority, not only abllraaly confdered in it felf, but concretely in the perfon adminifiring ir, is of God. For as the Apoflle faith, that all power is of Gol, while he faith, there is nopower bat ofGod ; fo he faith like:, ife,7he Powers that be (let them be what they will, and veiled inwhomfoever theywill) are ofGod. The light of nature leads to this,as wel as the light of Scrìfture. Somedifpute whether ever there would have been any Power of man over man, if man had continued in his created inter,: icy, with God ; but it is beyond difpute, that ever fince man fell from that integrity, there bath been an appoyntment of God concerning Ma- giflracy, and the power of man over man. The light of nature fheweaa it, andcarries it out in three things. Firf}, EvenHeathen Law-givers have often, if not alwayes, pretended to receive the rules ofchar government which theypro- poled to the people from fome divine hand. There is a kindof religion in that fuperftition, and a truth in thole fabulous narrati- óns. All intimating, that Magifiracy is of a divine pedigree, and hath a flamp of God upon it. And while they laid, they had their laves from the gods, it was to make an impreffion of Reverence to themupon the fpirits of men. Secondy, It appears by the very light of nature, because there is an univerfal hatred and abhorrence of Anarchy imprinted in the hearts of all men. That there fhouldbe pofitive Laws is a Law natural. Though'nature being proud Ioves not the fuperio- rityofothers, and being licentious loves not to be reflrained by others, yet it teacheth fubordinacion, and chufeth Tyranny rather than Anarchy ; as feing, 'Ti: better to be where nothing is lawful', than where all things are lawful. No manhath a will to live where every man may do what he will. They fay, vagabond beggars have a King of their own felting up, the worn of men, even the Ppp fna. 47%
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