Chap.29. An Expofition upon the Book of J s B. Verf.i0. the Prophet under this Title (Ifa. 55. 4. ) Behold, Ihavegiven himfor a witnefe to the people,a leader and a commander to thepeo- ple. Here are three Titles bellowed uponChris} by the Father, the fecond is that in the Texr,a Noble or a Leader. Chria is first a witneffe of all the Truths of God,he is the Anaen,the faithful and the true witnefs ( Rev. 3. a 3.) In himall the Promifes ofGod are Tea and Amen (2Cor, t.20.)Secondly, he is a Leader, the Cap- rain ofourfalvation ; He goes before hispeople to Chew them the way, and to fight all the enemies that hand in their way.Thirdly, He isa Commander to the people; His commands are to be received and obeyed without difpute, and at our turnoff peril. It is the happineffe of a people, when their Nobles are not onlyComman- ders, but witneffes of and Leaders to that which is good in it feif and bell for them. This notation of the word teacheth us two things concerning the Magilrate; Firff,that he is before others in place andpower, and there he is placed by the Laws both of God and man. Se- condly, that he ought togobefore others in the pra&ice of and conformity to the Lawes. He should declare them not only by word, but by a&ion. He lhould teach them with his feet, and fpeak them with his fingers. He that holds the power should hold out the pattern ; andas he gives others the rule, fo he should be the example of what they ought tobe and do. Common people think they cannot go mitre, while they follow their fuperiors. The allions ofRulers are rulesofaction. If then the a&ions ofRulers are erroneous,they prove to many rules of errour ; and if the Rulers a&ions be right, they prove to many as rules of righteoufneffe. A Magiarate is a Leader by his example,as well as by his authority.wc fee;there is much matter in force words befiides the matter exprefledbywords. The Nobles held their peace. The Hebrew in ftri tneffe is,7'heir voyce was bid, or, They hid their voyce,they did, as it were,put their words in their pockets, as mena(hamed to fpeak where-lob fate Judge. As they w`ho are afhamed of their doings use tohide their heads, fo they arhoa;e a(hamed to fpeak hide their words. 497
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=