Chap. 3 I. An expofrtion soon the Book of J o a Verf. 2t. 49Ç rall concerning the end or fcope of all Magiftraticall power, it id for edification, and not for defirutlion. Magiftrates fhould more attend building then pulling downe, and be more in pro- teftion then punifhment. Magiftrates are fayd to beare the(word, not to be (words, and they are fayd to be Shields (Pfal. 47. 9. ) not to beareShields ; And all to fhew that protett ion and p,e- fervation are more efTentiall and intrinfecall to their office then deftru&ion and punifhment are. Prote&ion is the molt proper worke of Magiftrates. Indeed deftru&ion is their worke too, but that is a by.worke, that comes in a wayofconfequence, as it clothallo in the Minifters worke. The word is the favour of death as well as the favour oflife;but that which is or fhould be chiefly aimed at in both chete great Ordinances of Magiltracy and Mini_ iry, is Edification and Proteetion,not deftru Lion : and if at any time deftru&ion, yet only the deftru &ion of the wicked,and evill doers,yea only of wickednes and evill deeds. What fha!l wee fay then eyther of or to thole Magiftrates who in the exercife of their power ayme at dcftrut4ion rather then at protection, yea at thedeftru&ion of the poore and fatherleffe, rather then of the proud and mercileffe. Is There any honour in fuch a vi,ftory Let all who are inverted with a lawful( power, take heed they rile it lawfully. Theworft ufe power can be put to, is the oppreflion ofthe poore, and the bearing upa bad taufe. Thefe were the ab- horrence of lobs foule; If I have lift tip tnyy hand againfi Ikefa- atherlefje, when Ilawmy helpe in the gate. O3t,
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