Verf 4. the Epiftle to the Romans. evilland pain is due, and that fociety of men could not continue where rewards be not given after mens defects. There- fore it they runne into known crimes, and have demented punilhment for dif- obedient refitting. Rulers, they muff thank themfelves, and acquit theRuler who doth but that which is equall and juif, to maintain lawes and publick peace, and to bridle the enemies thereof. Thirdly, hence Magifrates may learn the bounds of their power, which is not indifferently to terrifie all good and evill,or to winke at offenders, and afli(t well doers. For this is the abufe ,ofpower,and they which doe thus,(hall purchafe judgement to themfelves, from the hand of fhpreme power, who is ter- rible even to earthly powers, if they abufe t heir office by beating the juif, or bearing with the unjuff. For it was e- qually abomination unto God to con - demneaninnocent, or to ablolve and, juffifie the wicked, to whom the Ruler mutt be terrible. Hence it followes, that (iithence Rulers mutt fuppreffe evil] doers, they mutt be men of courage, be- caufe evilr men with their malice have both might and friends oftentimes. Hence they are called oppreffors, Pfal 72 3. and Job 29.17. Alf() that in Ru- lers there is required diligence in fear - chiug, and judgement in difcerning of mens perlons and caufes which come before them, to be able to know who doe well according to right and Law, and who doe ill contrary to equity and honefly, and what penalties belong to feverall offenders, which are brought to their hearing and examination. T t M. But if the Rulers be fearful/ and breed terror, will not this caufe them 16 be hated and abhorred ? for when men hate whom tbèyfear,and what it fuck an enemy to vertue as fear,or fuck a fpurre to wickedne fe ? S t L. The Apofile meeteth with this exception, and giveth a good remedy to expell terror of Rulers out of all mensminds, namely a ftudy and care of doing loch works as are agreeable to good lawes effabli¡hed: fuch (hall be fo farre off from terror,or expe&ing pu- niihment from Rulers, as contrarily Doubt. Solution. they ¡hall receive praife from them. T i M. What itherete be underftood by praife? S s L. Even all that good which from Magiflrates is due unto honcft ftabje&s, for that is called [good] in the next ver. which is here called praife ; alto pea ile being oppofed to terrour and revenge, fhewes, that under it is comprehended freedome from condemnation and pu- nifhment,abfolution from crimes Wily obje&cd, approbation of their obedi- ence, with fore publick reward and toecompence for their encouragement, ad for exciting others to duty : more - over,defence and prole&ion, quiet pol- feflion oflife,goods,eftate : and 'finally praife and commendation ; all this is contained under praife, and is the fruit of fubje&ion. T 1 M. But it often halpenr that obedient good fabjellt do wife all of the fe,and meet with the quite contrary ? S i L.That is a fault not in the powers, but in the perlons which abufe the pow- er s again, Paul lets down not alwayes what is done by Rulers,but what fhould be done.Laftly,if well -doers miffe praife from men, they are fare to have it from God'and evil] Rulers when they do not praife good men cafually by giving them their due commendations,yet they doe it occafìonally, while] by punifhing good men unjutly,they minifler occafi- on unto them to thew forth their pati- ence to their praife and glory. Power to hurt is given to devils and wicked men, that e, e patience of good men may be proved to their praire. T 1 M. rvbat is our lejíos from hence 2 S 1 r..That praife and all good is due from the Magiflrate unto fuck as doe well ; the reafon hr f, is that which followes in verfe 4 Magiflrate is the Minifler of God to them that do well, that is, he ferveth God by commanding good, and forbidding evil] things, touching faith and manners. T t M. Of what [good] Both the Apoffle fPcdke ? S 1 L.Both naturali good for the pre - fervation of life tò themfelves & others, and morali good to keep men from vice Aaa and 543
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=