Shepard - Houston-Packer Collection BV4500 .S43 1657

fora timeofLiberty. men, are either exprefly mentioned in the word, or are to be collefted and deduZted from the word, as being a- ble to give fufficient direction herein, For all the au- thority of the higheft power on earth in eontrivi.ìgof Laws, is in this alone, viz. to make prudent ccltetion and fpeciall application of the generali rules, recorded in Scripture, to fuch fpeciall, and peculiar circumflances which may promote the publick weal and good ofper- fons, places, proceedings. Prov. 8.8 j. , By mePrinces decree juftice. Joflma r'. 7, 8. Do what Mofes commanded, turn not on either hand. Objell. But I cannot fee my way from hence alwayes. Meditate therefore on it much, and then thy way fhall ptofper, &c. Many things 'lima did, nor particularly fet down by Mofes, but may be col., Idled from it. Deut. r . 17, i 8, 19, 20.. The king is to have it, that he may prolong his dayes in the midit ofIAael, in his Kingdome. What made Rehoboarn to turn from thefe wayes? he thought he could not ftablilh his Kingdome without it; that was therefore the ruine of himand his Kingdome. i. This appears, hecaufe the word is fufficient to di- ree, as hath been.fhewn ; and hence all direaions and rules are to be taken from hence. 2. Becaufe eithermen have rules to walk by, or their own wills and apprehenfions are to be rules ; but not fo, becaufe mens wills are not onlycorrupt, but it's a peculi- ar prerogative to God to be obeyed, becaufe of his will. The reafonor wifdome which makes a rule,binds ;which if it be right, is part of the lawwrit in theheart, which is molt plainly feen and fully opened in the word, whence direction is to to be had. 3. Humane lawes or orders thus, either let down in the word, or deduced from the word, and applied by thofe that be in place in Townes; though they do not binde confciencefirftly, as humane,or by humane power, (i. e. as pub'ifhed and lmpofed by man;) yet they do binde fecondarily, i. e. byvertue of the Law of God, wherein they are contained, or from whence cjley are derived anddeducted, andaccording to which they are oppofed; they are like fubpcenas in the Kings name, or writ of arreft, which by venue of higher power chal- lenge obedience; And thus to break thefe, is to fin agaiiilt God, and makes the confcience liable to punifhment from God And the reafon is. IF 4 a. Be. X. 2. 3. .

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