7 Chap. z9. AnExpOfition"upon the Book-of JO B. Vert.. 7.. is like a fealed Book, or like. a Sword lockt up in the Scabbard. This eicecutionof Laws is threefold ; firli; in determining eon- trovetfies about right between ,party and party ( Exod. 22. J. Deut. I. 15. Dent. r 9,1 .) Secondly, in diflrrbuting rewards and punifla nenrs according to the righceoulne s or unrighteous nefs, the good or evil of mens a&ions. ( Rom. 13. 3, 4. ) Rulers are not a rerroar '((hat is, in their inllittitioh they are noJ, or they were never fer up tofuch an end, to be a terror ) to good works, bat to the evil : wilt thou then not be afraidof the Power ? do that which is good, and thot4(halt have prarfe of the fame ; for he its the min filer ofGod to thee forgood : but if thou do that which is evil, be afraid ; forhe b arerh not the Sword invain ;'for he is the. Mi- -nifter of God, a revenger to execute wrath aopon him that doth evil, How large and dillinct is the Apoflle in letting forth this part of the Magillrates cake, as- he is: a rewarder and a piinither. And though the latterbe a fad work, yet ir tn,ua be done. The Ma- gi(irates duty is Juflrcenot pity ( Deut. 19. 2 r .) For though he mayattemper the rigour of the Lam, #et he mutt not abate the vigour of ir. Such pity to one may prove a cruelty to many, He may punilli Cparingly, but hemull not (pare to punifh. Though his fword lliike not ll whooffend, yet it mull caufe all offenders to fear, and all CO fear offending. He mull not be bloody, yet he mull (lied bloöd, That all (as 'Lis Paid in the Law of (Mofes) noay hear andfear, and do no more prefumptuoufly. Thus we fee what Magi(lracy both is and doch ; and froi thence we may quickly fee both the ufefulnefs and neceffity of it ; which I (hall give forth more diflinilly in a few particulars. Fitfl, It is the Cement of humane fociety, it knits mankind to- gether asa firm building, or well compaaed body. Secondly, It is the Pillar that props up humane fociety. With- out Magifiracy all would fall to ruine, and become a heapof con- fufion. Thirdly, 'Tis the Defence and fafery of the Innocent. Magi- flrates are the Shields ofthe earth. Fourthly, It is the terrour of evil doers. What would become of us , if every man might do evil, without fear of fuffering the prelent evils of punifhment ? Howcould we live among thofe who fear not the invifibieGod, if there were not viable Gods to fear ? It hash been truly obferved, That if forme men were not Gods
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