Knowledge and Practice, Part 2 · Chapter 14
CHAP. XIV. Of the Duties of ſuch as are in Office, and of Inferiours.
ALL thoſe that are in any Office or place of publick truſt ought to be very careful to diſcharge the duties of their reſpective places faithfully, diligently, and patiently, with an upright heart, and a right tempered zeal, aiming at the Glory of God, and endeavouring that Piety, Juſtice, and peace may be preſerved and maintained among men. They ſhould conſider how much more eaſie it is to bear the anger and diſpleaſure of men for the conſcionable diſcharge, than the wrath of God for the unconſcionable neglect of their Duties.
Exod. 18.21. Moreover, thou ſhalt provide out of all the people able men, ſuch as fear God, men of Truth hating Covetouſneſſe, and place ſuch over them, to be Rulers of Thouſands, and Rulers of Hundreds, and Rulers of Fifties, and Rulers of Tens.
2 Sam. 23.3. The God of Iſrael ſaid, the Rock of Iſrael ſpake to me, he that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
Deut. 1.13. Take ye wiſe men, and underſtanding, and known among your Tribes, and I will make them Rulers over you.
Rom. 12.8. —He that ruleth with diligence—
Rom. 13.3. For Rulers are not a terrour to good works, but to the evil, wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou ſhalt have praiſe of the ſame.
V. 4. For he is the Miniſter of God to thee for good; but if thou do that which is evil, be afraid, for he beareth not the ſword in vain, for he is the Miniſter of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.
1 Sam. 2.30. —Them that honour me, I will honour, and they that deſpiſe me, ſhall be lightly eſteemed.
The Duties of Inferiours.
Inferiours ought to yeild all due ſubjection to thoſe Magiſtrates and Governours God hath ſet over them; remembring that Magiſtracy is Gods Ordinance, and none but Libertines think that Religion freeth them from Subjection thereunto. They are to conſider how ſharply the Apoſtle in 2 Pet. 2.10. Reproves thoſe that deſpiſe Government, that are preſumptuous, ſelf-will'd, that are not afraid to ſpeak evil of Dignities. Subjection 'tis a hard duty to corrupt Nature. Man naturally is like the wild Aſses Colt, as Zophar ſpeaks, Job 11.12. And that both for the rudeneſs of his mind, and untamedneſs of his Affections. He would fain be free and yokeleſſe: Being proud, he loves not the Superiority of others: And being licentious, loves not to be reſtrained by others He would neither have his heart ſubject to God,. nor his actions to man. He would have none to be Lord over him, as 'tis, Pſal. 12.3. But this deſpiſing of Dominions is flatly againſt the injunctions of Gods Word, Rom. 13.1. Let every ſoul be ſubject unto the higher powers, for there is no power but of God, the powers that be are ordained of God. Tit. 3.1. Put them in mind to be ſubject unto Principalities, and Powers, to obey Magiſtrates, to be ready to every good work. And 'tis a treſpaſſe againſt the common good of humane Societies. Let all Inferiours therefore in obedience to God, for the honour of true Religion, and for the preſerving Order and good Government in the world, make Conſcience of theſe three Duties.
1. To pray for Magiſtrates.
2. To honour their Perſons.
3. To yield all due Subjection and obedience unto them.
Jude v. 8. Likewiſe alſo theſe filthy dreamers defile the fleſh, deſpiſe Dominion, ſpeak evil of Dignities.
Rom. 13.7. Render therefore to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, cuſtom to whom cuſtom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.
1 Pet. 2.13. Submit your ſelves to every Ordinance of man for the Lords ſake, whether it be to the King as Supream.
V. 14. Or unto Governours, as unto them that are ſent by him, for the puniſhment of evil doers, and for the praiſe of them that do well.
1 Tim. 2.1. I exhort therefore, that firſt of all' Supplications, Prayers, Interceſſions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
V. 2. For Kings, and for all that are in Authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godlineſs and Honeſty.
Exod. 22.28. Thou ſhalt not revile the Gods, nor curſe the Ruler of thy people.
Acts 23.5. Then ſaid Paul, I wiſt not Brethren that he was the High Prieſt, for it is written, thou ſhalt not ſpeak-evil of the Ruler of thy people.