The Bibles Abstract and Epitome, Part 96
The Titles and Dutie of Magistrates.
MAgistrates are the eye of the Common-weale, and therefore there ought to be in them both Learning and Vertue for executing of the Law, to take vengeance of the wicked, and to defend the upright: in that their office is not only holy and lawfull before God, but also the most holy, and honourable degree in all the life of man: most holy, in that God hath made them an Image of himselfe, set his stampe upon them, and given them his own Name, to speak for him, to rule for him, to defend for him, and to punish for him, And that they are most honourable, is also proved by divers other Titles, wherewith the Scriptures do set them forth, as also by the Example of holy men, who have born civill power among the Israelites, and that in good Or…er, which is the mother and preserver of things.
Magistrates are called
Ancients of the people.Isai. 3. 14.
Chiefe of the people.Iudg. 20. 6.
Elders of the people.Numb. 22. 4.
Heads of the people.Deut. 29. 10.
Captains.1 Chron. 27.
Champions.1 Sam. 17. 51.
Chiefe of the Fathers.1 King. 8. ….
Children of the most High.Psal. 82. 6.
Fathers.Iob 29. 16.
Gods.Psal. 82. 6.
Governou…s.Gen. 45. 16.
Gu…des.Prov. 6. 7.
Iudg…s.Exod. 18. 13.
Kings.1 Sam. 8. 9.
Lords.Gen. 3…. 4.
Magistrates.Rom. 13. 4.
Ministers of God.Idem.
Men fearing God.Exod. 18. 21.
Men of Strength.Deut. 31. 7.
Men of Valour.1 Chron. 6. 3….
Men of Courage.Iudg. 6. 12.
Men of Knowledge.Prov. 28. 2.
Men of Wisdome.Deut. 1. 13.
Men of True Dealings.Idem.
Men of Uprightnesse.2 Sam. 23. 3.
Men hating Cov…tousnesse.Exod. 18. 21.
Discreet Men.
Just Men.2 Sam. 23. 3.
Learned Men.Gen. 41▪ 39.
Wise Men.
Officers.Gen. 41. 34.
Overseers.1 Chron. 2. 52.
Princes.Iosh. 8. 33.
Rulers.Nū. 1. 16. Rō. 13. 3, 4. Powers. Revengers.
Who according to their Titles should have the better to execute their offices, a Lions heart, that they shrinke not in just causes: and Constancie, lest by their friends they wax partiall: together with Gravitie in commanding, and Civilitie in Conversation.
Their Dutie being to
The Dutie of Magistrates is to
Aske with Salomon an understanding heart to judge bad and good.1 King. 3. 9. 2 S…. 2…. 3. L… 7. 27.
Beare rule over the people in the feare of God, to beautifie the House of God.
Carry themselves for the good of the people as the Ministers of God.Rom. 13. 14.
Defend the godly, and to bridle and punish the wicked.1 Pet. 2. 14. L…o…. 23 3. L…v…t. 19. 15.
Easteeme neither poore or mightie in their cause before them handled.
Execute Justice and Judgement in line, weight and measure, to hurt no man,2 Sam. 8. 15. L…it. 19. …. I… 29. 14. 1 Sam. 12. 3. E…. 2; 8. nor to take bribes of any man, by Samuels Example, because they blinde the wise, and pervert the just.
Go in and out before the people, as did Ioshua and Moses.D…ut. 31. Prov. 24. 3. 2 Chr…. 19. 7. D…u…. 16. 18.
Have the feare of God before them, not respecting persons.
Heare the controversies of the people, the small as well as the great, judgingDeut. …. 16. righteously, not fearing the face of man, because that the judgement is theChap. 16. 19. Lords alone.
Judge faithfully, uprightly, and with a perfect heart in everie cause betweenPsal. 58. 1. 2 Chro. 19. 10. Prov. 31. 9. Deut. 2…. 1. Ezek. 45. 9. 1 T…. 2. 2. Deut. 19. 18. bloud and bloud, law and precept, statutes and judgements that shall come before them.
Justifie the righteous, and in all things the wicked to condemne.
Leave of crueltie and oppression, executing justice to every one.
Look unto Godlinesse, that Religion may be more and more maintained.
Make diligent inquisition. that each cause may be rightly discerned.1 Kin. 3. 9. Io… 29. 16. E…o…. 2…. 6, 7. Prov. 31. 9.
Overthrow no poore mans cause being right, nor to slay the innocent.
Provide for the Peace, Unitie, and peoples Concord, to get their favour by beingEsth. …0. 3. Jo… 29. 16. & 16. 19. Neh. 9. & 13. gentle and loving towards them, by the example of Mordecai, Ioh, and Nehemiah, following them in all things that concern God and men.
Walk in Juctice, to speak righteous things, to refuse gain of oppression, to keep2 Sam. 23. 3. Lev. 19. 15. Jo… 29. 16. their hands from taking of gifts, to stop their eares from hearing of bloud, to shut their eyes from seeing of evil, and to be freeIsai. 33. 15. Lev. 19. 15. Matth. 4. 24. Io… 15. 34. Amo… …. 12.
Of Partialitie. in respecting persons, That is abominable in Gods sight.
Of Crueltie, in ministring Justice, Such measure shall be measured.
Of Briberie, in detaining right, Fire shall consume the houshold of bribes.
And having thus ruled well, all things shall goe well with them, and the Realme shall endure long, and the people shall rejoyce under him, they shall be blessed of God, they shall have the Name of God, the Protection of God, the favour of I…seph with Pharaoh in this life, the Comfort of Moses and Samuel at their death, and at the day of judgement shall appeare with joy before the Judge of quic… and dead: whereas on the contrarie wicked Judges, causing the people to sigh, and the Common-weale to be changed, (for that they are like roaring Lions,Rom. 13. 2, 4. and hungry Be…res) the wrath of God shall be on them powred: Woes are against them pronounced.
Ʋse. Speake not to be made a Judge: Christ refused to be a Judge.Heb. 13. 17.
Thou shalt not taile upon the Judge: Every Soul shall be subject▪
Nuper eram Judex, jam Judicis ante Tribunal Subsistens P…veo, judicor ipse modò.
Reade 1 Pet. 2. 13. Prov. 29. 2. Chap. 18. 16. Prov. 15. 22. Chap. 17. 15. Chap. 18. 5. Chap. 21. 7. Chap. 24. 5, 7. Chap. 20. 5. Chap. 28. 21. 1 Kin. 2. 3. 2 Chron. 19. 6. &c. Eccl. 31. 8. Isa…. 10. 1, …. Ier. 22. 15. Isai. …9. 14. Chap. …. 7. Lev. 19. 15. Deut. 17. 11.—6. 1, 2, 3. Act. 15. 25, 26. Ezek. 34. 4. 2Chron. 19. 20. Ezek. 45. 9. Prov. 24. 23. Deut. 1. 16. & 16. 19.