Senn' ri . XXX. for i r,iyinófor Governours. And which is very confiderable in this Matter, againft feveral of the main and effential Parts ofReligion, there never was any Humane Laws made as againft the inward Love, Honour, and Reverence of Almighty God, and the Worfhipping hint in our Hearts, and in Secret ; of this Part of Religion, Humane Laws can take no cognizance : Nay, farther yet, againft Humility and Meeknefs, againít Modefty, and Patience, againft Temperance and Chaftity, againit Peacea blenefs and Obedience to Government, againft Juftice and Gratitude, againft Charity and Forgivenefs of Injuries, againfi thefe and fuch like Virtues, the Apoftle has told us, there is no Lam. Againft the Pra&ice of thefe (without force of which Government could not poflìbly fubfift) no Perfecution was ever raifed, no not by the worft of Go! vernors : On the contrary, in the Pra&ice of thefe Virtues, Good Men have been in all Ages and Time` prote&ed by Law. 'Tis true indeed, that Good Men have many times been grievoufly perfecuted by the Civil Government andAuthority, for the external Profe/fon ofrevealed Religion; which was the cafe of the Chriftians at that Time, when the Apoftle commanded them to pray for Kings and for all that were in Authority; that under their pro- tedion, they might lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godlinefs and honefly. St. Paul knew very well, when he gave this Injun&ion.to them, that Supplications and Prayers be made for Kings and fir all that are in authority, that the Powers of the World did not at that Time favour Chriftianity : But he knew likewife, that Government was neceflàry to the Happinefs of Mankind, and that Chriftians, even in that State of Perfecution, did enjoy many confiderable Bene- fits and Advantages by it, fo that they were not perpetually expofed to popular Rage and Cruelty, and the violence of Wicked and Unreafonable Men; Which would not only have kindred the progrefs of Chriftianity, but would in a íhort time have endangered the extinguifhing of it : Betides, that by the favour and pro- teélion of Government, the Chriftians had many confiderable Intervals of Peace and Eafe, which gave Chriftianity a breathing time, and opportunity to recover it felf ; and tho' the Secular Authority did for a long time difcountenance Chriftianity, and keep it under Hatches ; that was but an accidental effe& and abufe of Government, and Obedience was ítí11 due, and Prayers for it, fo much the more neceffary, yea and Thankfgivings to God for it very reafonable, upon account of the common- Benefits and Advantages of it to Humane Society. Betides that Chriftians did hope and believe, that the Civil Government might in time be gained, to give its countenance and affiftance to Chriftianity, and that Kings andPrinces might become nurfing Fathers to the Church, as was exprefly fore- told by the Prophets, and afterwards in God's due time was remarkably accom- plilhed. In the mean time Chriftians were patiently to Obey and Suffer in ex- pe&ation of thofe Glorious Rewards in another World, which were promifed to their Faith and Patience ; and to pray for the Powers that perfecuted them, that they alto might be brought to the acknowledgment of the Truth, and might ufe that Power which God had committed to them, for the prote&ion of Truth and Inno- cency, and for the Continuance and Support ofthe trueReligion ; which bleffed be God, was afterwards theCafe of Chriftianity, for feveral Ages. I proceed in the Second Place, to Phew what Obligation the Confideration of the mighty Bene- fits and Advantages of Government lays upon us, both to pray to God on the behalf of Princes and Governors, and likewife to praife God for them. Becaufe in their Welfare and Profperity the Publick Peace and Happinefs Both chiefly confit, and in the Publick Good conflits the Good of particular Perlons; and above all, the Piety and Goodnefs of Princes and Magiftrates (efpecially thofe who are in higlíeft Place of Authority) have a general good influence upon the Manners of Men, both for the difcountenancing of Wickednefs and Vice, and for the encouragement of Religion and Virtue, which are the main Pillars and Foundation of publick Peace and Profperity. A King fitting in the Throne of yudgment, faith Solomon, NOV.. 20. 8.) fcattereth away all evil with his eyes. The Pattern of a Religious and good Prince is a living Law to his Subjelts, and more than the Example of Ten thoufand others, to Mould and Fachion the Man- ners of the People to a Conformity to it. F f elides
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=