_542 An Expofition upon Chap. 13.E the good Laws of that Kingdome or Ci- ty where we live. Works done accor- ding, oragainft humane Lawes, either natural! or common to all,or nationall or poi:hive, be here named good and evil! works. T 1 M. How become Rulers a terrour and fear to evill work! ? Si L.dn refpe& ofpunifhment,where- of there be div ers kindes; firft,in words, rebukes, or threatnings. Secondly, in deeds, as flocks, imprifonment, banifh- ment, pecuniary mulas ; and corporal] pains, as whipping,lolfe ofmembers and limb, of goods and life : all which be painfull and dreadfull, (hiking a ter - rour both to good men to hold them in the courfe of obedience, and into evill men to draw them from difobedience. T 1 M. Eta how? can any fear be to (works) either good or evil! ? S r L. True, evil! works doe not fear, but by reafon of evill works men are caufed to fear,or terrour belongs to men which do evil!,: works (by a. Metonymie) are here put for the wor- kers, or doers ofthem. T 1 M. What dolrines do arife from the words thus opened? S 1 L. Firlt, that fuch as live well . and obediently to good Lawes, need not to be afraid of Magiftrates, or ofhis punifhments threatned by Lawes. The truth is, good men muff hill fear go- vernours and Lawes with a reverent fear, fuch as children have towards their Parents,Prov.24. ix . Rom. 12. 7. But a perplexed and fervile terrour per - taineth not to them; this is the benefit of their obedience to good Lawes, to en- free their mindes from fuch a fear as malefaaors have, whole fear is a conti- nual) tormentor : and. to make Rulers not terrible, but amiable to then : yet fear ofpunifhment is not unprofitable for them. Secondly, we learn that if vile per - fons be punifhed for their difobedience and di fo refer, they have cattle to blame themfelves and their ill doings, but may not accule the Ruler of the harmes which they Mier : for all men by light of nature do know, that to evill deeds, evill cometh fuddenly, and who knowetb when ? Prov.24.21, 22. DIA LOcuE III. Vert 3, 4 For Princes are not to be feared for good works, but for evil'. Wilt thou then be without fear of the power ? Do well, fo fhalt thou have praife of the fame. For be is the minifler of God for thy good. T I M O T H E U s. W Hat it the purpofe of the Apoflle in this Text ? S s L.To perfwade fubjeaion to Ma- giftrates, which he dotal by a new vrgtl- ment (a duplici fine) from a twofold end of powers, which were ordained of God ; Fitt, for the punifhnrent of the evill,or to reftrain wickedneffe. Second- ly, for the praife of well- doers, or to cherifh and prote& vertuous and obedi- ent fubjeas. Becaufe he had threatned judgement to fuch as difobey, he there- fore firft beginneth with the former end, and then proceeds unto the latter,wi,ich he amplifieth,being of more weight then the other, whereunto he returneth in the end ofthe fourth verfe. Ts at. Expound the words, and tell ut what is meant by Rulers, and by good and evil! works ? S 1 L. Rulers or Princes, and chief Leaders, Archontes, is the fame with powers, which name is given to Magi - ftrate, to denote their might; and this of Princes to fignifie their preheminersce and excellency above others which are under them : and as before he meant all high, low,middle,private, and publick; fo here likewife by good and evil! works,are underftood not works which be furl! Theologically, (as a Divine would fpeak of works, who calleth therm good,which being commanded of God, are done in the faith of Chrifts Name, unto Gods glory: and them evill which cone not of Faith, or be for- bidden in the Law.) But civilly good or evill,that is,vertuous or vicious ani- ons, as be ¡injoyned or prohibited by
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