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out betimes, left they become too many and too ftrong to be cured by any authority or power but that of God's judgments upon the land, which will certainly fall upon us, when the magistrate either will not, or cannot, do his duty.

The king's throne (faith Solomon) is eftab lifhed by righteousness; that is, by doing justice, by fuppreffing vice, by protecting the innocent, and by fuccouring the diftreffed. This is the only true way of ferving the prince, and bringing a bleffing upon the whole community; and to neglect these things is the ready way to ruin.

When the cafe is with any people as it was with the people of Laifh;-who dwelt careless and fecure; and there was no magiftrate that might put them to fhame in any thing;-their deftruction (as their's was) is near at hand; that is, when there is no profpect of a cure for the fin but by the death of the finner.

If these things were well confidered, and for that reason I leave them last upon your minds, what an influence would they have upon us all?-For instance:

If magiftrates would often confider, that they are in the place of a Judge who is infinitely powerful, juft, and holy; they would endeavour fo to conduct themselves, as that they might not bring contempt on him whose place they supply; they would be very care

VOL. II.

Judges xviii. 7.

G G

ful

ful never to be guilty of thofe vices themfelves, which they are obliged to discountenance and punish in others; they would be afraid of discovering the least indifference for religion and the laws of God, or for any thing that relates to God, the fear of God being the best support of their own authority and go

vernment.

And then, if the magiftrate confidered that' the judgment is God's, he would make the study of juftice his great concern; would defire, and take pains, to find out the truth, and follow it religiously; in doing of which he would fear no man's face, nor make any man's will his law; knowing that God can protect his own faithful fervants, as well as punish those that betray the truft reposed in them.

In one word; fuch a magiftrate will accept no man's perfon, court no man's favour at the price of his confcience, nor fear any man's frowns.

He will be convinced, that justice is fomething antecedent to his fentence, and that his duty is, not to make, but to declare, the law, and what is right or wrong.

And he will never expect to be obeyed, if he fhould require any thing contrary to the will of God, by whofe authority he acts, and in whofe place he stands.

And being in the place of God, and invested with his power, he will fuffer no man to be oppreffed by a powerful adversary; no

advantage

advantage to be taken of men's weakness, poverty, want of help, or want of friends.

And then, if the people would confider, that the judgment is God's, and that they that pronounce it are God's minifters, how cheerful would their obedience be; how peaceable their behaviour; and how thankful for the bleffing of a regular government.

And if both magiftrates and people are not thus difpofed, and thus affected, woe be to

them that are in fault!

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May God, the Judge of all the world, give all his fubftitutes grace, a fpirit to difcern, and courage to execute, true judgment; and grant, that all their fentences may be fuch as he will approve of at the great day, to the glory of his great name, through Jesus Christ our Lord!

To whom, &c.

END OF THE SECOND VOLUME,

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