390 Chap, 29. An Expofition upon the Book of J o B. Verf. 21. Theykept filence at my Counfell. But what's counfel ? When any thing is fpoken in truth and faithfulneffe, whether it be by way ofdire&ion, or exhortation, or confolation, we may call it Counfell in a large fence. All the words ofwifdome are comprehended under two titles, Counfefi and Reproofe (?rov. r. 26.) Te have fet at nought all my Counfel, andwould none of my ,eproofe ; that is, ye have refufed with indig- nation all thatwhich I have fpoken, either to direft what you to do, or to correet what you have done amifs. Counfell ftriétly ta- ken is dircftion what todoe in hard matter%, in difficult cafes, it is the very fpirit and q aintefferce of our reafon and underftanding. Counfel is the iffue and refuit ofmans molt ferious medim:ions, Counfell is the thoughts ofman made up ; we may have many loofe fcattered tranfient thoughts about matters ; but when our thoughts are made up and fixed and fathioned, when they are put into a due frameand order,adviíing proper means to honeft ends, then they arecounfel. Hence obferve. Fire, Good Coun/el! is precious. Be it in Civil! and political) affayres, or be it in fpirituall,good counfell is a Jewel. They are wife who can give counfel,and toare they who arewilling to receive it. Some can give counfel better then take it, and otherscan takecounfel better thengive t. They are perfe& men who doe both give and take it well, and they who are willing to take it,will rife apace above their ímperfe&ions,7obs people fayd much for themfelves, while (in the manner already opened) they kept filenceat his Counfel. Obferve, Secondly. It is the duty and ornament of t.../1/1agifrater, or men in power to be able togive Counfel. A Magiftrate fhould bea man ofunderfanding, and a Mailer 6ûIsgaentia et ofreafon. He fhould be as much above the people in wifdom as he topiofê lagHeas is in power. He íhculd beas able to rule their Judgmentsa their f°per a' C "' lib. 3 dsfl perfons. 'Tis fit Ma g tftrates fhould have their Counfel . for in the rat. à multitudeof Counfellere there isfafety (Pro. 11. 14.) But when M,gifrates can giveCounfel, aed fee with their own eyes, that's their
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