^TC
I
THE
DESCENT
0 F
AYTHORITIE:
OE,
THE MAGISTRATES
PATENT FROM HEAVEN.
«
Manifefted in a Sermon preached
at Lincolnes Aflizes, March 13.
1 6 3
By Thomas Hvrste Dr. of Divinicy, and
one of his Majefties Chaplains.
Rom. 13.1.
There is neperser but ef God.
LONDON^
Printed for lohn Clarkji ^"d are to bee fol d at his Shop
VindQiSdxaiVettrschurch in CoruhUl. 1637.
TO
MY VERY NOBLE
FRIEND AND WORTHY
Patron, Sir William
S A V 1 L E, Baronet.
Sin,
Xing perfwaded to
make this Sermon le-
gible, I prefently re-
folved to ufe your
name for the Dedica-
tion. As it is a favour from you, I
make bold to borrow it; and as it is
a teftimonyof due refpedl from me,
you defcrve it. Go on ftill in mam-
felling your unfained love to God
A J and
The Epijlle 7)edica(ori(u*
and his Church, your Prince and
Country, And that you may long
continue to be Cas you are} an or-
nament to your Family, and a fup'
port to your friends, fhall be the
prayer of him that is
Tohts in all hearty affeSt 'ion^
and due ohjsryance
Th o, Hvrste.
i
I hednam lune u 1637.
VerlegiConcionem hanc^ cut titulus efi (The De-
fcent of Authority &c.) uec in quicquam reperh
quo minus cumutilitap^ public a imprimatur.
Sa: Baker«
Eoe adibus Londin..
lunij 14. i<537-
THE
THE
DESCE MT O F
AVTHORITIE.
Gen. 9 6,
Whofo fheddeth mans bloody by man Jhall his blood
bee Jhed,
Divine may fpeake of fach
Texts of Scripture , that it
may bee faid as it was to him
that rpa'<e ofHenuks his prai-
fes, ^is eum uituperat .<? as
if that were to light a candle
in the Sun-fhine. So when
we Preachers fpeake of death,
mortaliry, Gods mercy, mans pronenelTe to
finne, &c. Some may fay or thinke. Who doubts of
this <?
But for this Difcourfe that I am to fpeake of, the
juft power of one man over another,it may feeme
to be Apocryphailjor an Exchecker-chamber cafe.
A 4 Some
V
P'utar. Ap^h.
z
The T)efcent of Authority.
\
•
♦
Hatth, 8. 9,
ifa, 37
Some (efpccially inferiours) chinke that one flaould
bee as good as anoiher; that as wee were at our
birthsjand fhall be at our deaths 3 fo in our lives we
^ould bee equall. Being Chriftian brethren in Di
vinky, and partaking of the fame Sacrame ts: fo
(Anabap ifticallyj we Ihould bee in Politicks 5 and
the pearching of one man above another is but hu-
mane invention and commanding policy. Where-
upon feme inferiours are willing to obey principal-
ly for feare of punilhment, little for confcieace
fake.
T0 fatisfic us all then, that the fuperioricy of one
man over another is no humane ufurpation. but a
divine inftitution •, not upheld only bychefhores,
or underlaid wich the bolfters of mansdevice, but
hath the foundation of Gods appointment; take
notice how that God who ha'h made in Heaven
Angels and Archangels, in the Firmament the King
the Sun, the Qgeenethe Moone, and the common
people the Starres 5 in the Aire the Eagle and the
Flie 5 in the Sea the Whale and the Herring^ upon
Earth the Lyon andtheGralfehopperjhilsand val-
lie ,leas andfurrowes: the fame God hath appoin-
ted amongft men, feme like the Cencurionjtocom-
mand^ and others as the Centurions fervanr,dili-
gently to obey : as inftature fome higher like the
Anakims^ and fome lower as Zacheus. Thus God
hath ordered, that Whefo fJjedsmans blood^mxx^ not
be reprieved till the day of Judgement, or bee pu-
nifhed miraculoully, as Herod was,by an Angel fenc
from Heaven or as in Senmcheribs Hoft, where an
Angel came and flew the Hoft, but byman^ and not
by.
The Defcent of /iuihomj^
?
by Angels jhall a malefaQon blood bee JheJ.
Here then is MagnaCioartay or High CommiflioH
under the great Seale of Heaven diredied to Magi-
ftrates. Here is Devs Regi: for foheacknow-
ledgcthjDlEV et mon droit. And then (give
me leave to fay a piece of your Commiffion before
you goe to the Hall) from hence it tollowech,
Carolvs (bucDEi gratia) dilecto et
eideli.
So then, if any (hall enquire in point of confci-
ence^as they did, Luki^Q.z. By tohat authority you
doe thefe things ( I meane divine :) Why you, my
Lords,examine and give rentence,the Jufticeshere-
inconcurre, thejurers finde guilty,the Jaylors
keepe furejthe Plaintifs prorecuce,and the Executi-
oners put to death: here is prima kx focktatis^ ^ canom
nervus Impniorumy the divine Patent or grant,
Whofo JljedsyC^c.
In which words we have Authoritatisprofapiam^
the progeny orpedegreejthe race or linage, or, if
you will,Defient of Authority Cet out by Mofes^
the ancient King of Heralds,who hath informed us
in all the ancient genealogies. A difcourfe not un-
ulefull to us all,that Superiors may know how their
tenure is but in capite^ God by a Licence ofaliena-
tion hath alligned them, and that inferiours may
know why they owe fuit fervice and homage to their
fuperiors: bccaufe their power (lands not oneiy
upon the cratches or ftilts of humane power , but
upon the firme bafis of divine inftitution that
fome (hould ride on horfc-backe, -while others
walke on footei
B For
1 he T>efcent of Juthoritj
For the evidencing her eofjObferve the CommiA
fion. The firft and more generall part of it is laid
down, Cen. i. 26. and 28. and likewife in the fe-
cond verfe of this ninth chapter : Sciatis qmdaf'
fignavimus -vos quemlibet -vejirum conjunUim
to rule over fowles, beafts, fiflies. Thus
far all mankind hath power. And nov/ in this verfe
readjWe have jjjigna'vmus etiam vos: we fee who
are of the ^orum^ even the MagifirateSj who have
power over men.The like we may read^WifcJovt the
ninth, from the beginning to the fevemh verfe. As
the Emperour of Germany is ftiled Rex Regum :
fo is a Magiftrate over men, who are petty Princes
over the other creatures. Ail mankinde are like Se-
natours, all Kings, but the Magiftrate is perpetuus
DiUator.
Butit will be whifpered by the Temporall powers
Trouble not yourfelfe for our Patent further than
from our gracious King: wehave Jaylers and fct-
ters, halters and gibbets, axes and fcaflfolds, fire and
faggots^ we will either findCjOr force obedience.
Ahuudans cautela non The more tyeSjthe
ftronger. Mens Lawes may bee fnapped afunder
more eafily. Secular lawes and power are but the
materials, the hemp or haire ; Religion is that
which entwines and makes it ftrong. Men may
hope that mans lawes may balkeand the fat-
teft of the people: but Gods Lawes fay ^icun.
que, they punifh univerfally. True, the lawes of
men are ftrong,but behold a greater force,a twofold
cable. Gods word prevailesmoreftrongly. Where
there is either relig'ous devotion, or anymelancho-
Jv
7he Defcent of Authority.
I3? jealous fcarfulnclTe or fufpicion by nature, there
is a more ferious apprehenfion of Gods difpJeafure
than mans. Saint Vanl ( a wife Teacher) knew
what he did, when hee ufed the double two-edged
argument, Rom. ij, 5. We mufl needs obey^ not only
forfeare of pnnljbment, but alfo for confciencefake.
Obferve among the Romifts; if they can but untie
the double knot of confcience, they care the leffe
forthefingJe tieof corporall punilhment. AlTure
but RavaiUac that it is lawfull to lay his bloudy,
hands upon the Lords Anoynted, and then he will
feare but little hot burning pincers^ orthepulling
in pieces with wildc hcrfes. When thofe moles, the
theGunpov/der pioners (following their blinde
guides) were conceited that it was not unlawful! to
fire thathoufe wherein (faidthey) bloody lawes
were made againft them , they then cared neither
for Tyburn nor beheading. And that bloody
fncj who not many yeares fince flew a great Peere,
no doubt but that his bloody mis-led mind thought
it lawfull. If Divines do but once file off the fet-
ters of divine lawes, men will as fafl: fnap afunder
menslawes.as Samfon did his coards. lames Clement^
whom the Leaguers hired to kill Henry the third 5
and John Chafiellwho intended to kill Henry the
fourth, were both taught by the Jefuites that the
Ring was not to be obeyed, if not allowed by the
Pope. Infurreftion or rebellion never proves loud
or dangerous till it pretend Religion. The firft
noyfeisforthelibertieor priviledges of the peo-
pie, that is but like the outworkes: but when the
foule is pretended, that is like the maine fort. They
B 2 beginne
Goodwins An-
va'esy.pagc 230.
7 he Vefcent of Authority. )
begin thus^The free-born Communaltie is oppref-
fed with a fmali number ; though the caJamitics
of this prefent life may with a conftant patience bee
endured, yet thefoule is toberedeemed even with
a thoufand deaths; new formes of Religion are ob-*
truded (the conftant pretence of all difcontcnted
giddy people.)
Thus we fee that the caufe of Religion, or the
tie of confciencc doth move the wheelcs ofall acti-
ons moft forcibly. Though it ill becomes them, it
ifufuallyin the mouth of all feditious rebels, and
then m mmim Domini they are moft violent. The
holy league, and holy pilgrimes, and the brethren
are ufualiy the nicknames of rebels.
Let it not then bee tedious for them who have
their Patents fealed at Weftminfter.to heare that
they are alfo fealed with a tejiemeipfo in Heaven.
The tyc of confcience looking at Gods ordinance
doth helpe to guard Authoritie, as well as the She-
riffe with the pojfe Comitatus.
Seeing then you pleafe to uftier , Preface and
aufpicate your waightie affaires with prayers and
prayfcs here in this facred Houfc, after the exam-
pie of all good Chriftians, holy men in the old Te-
ftament5 Yea and the devout Heathen alfo, who
did ufualiy begin a Deo Optimo Maximo: So you
come hither to do him fervice, to acknowledge
your dependance upon him; As a labourer or work-
man comes to know his pleafure that fets him on
worke, fo you here tobe direifted by Gods Word.
We of our Tribe can do no leffe but give you your
due, namely, that your power ftands not onely up-
The T>efcent of Authority.
on the fupporters of mans policy^but the ftrength
of the divine Graunt.
Thercforcjas it is Vfalme ^s,/^.Good lucke have you
■withyour honour : ride on with the word of truth and
* righteoufnejje. Your Commiffion is both from God
and the King. It is appointed that Who fo foeds
mansbloodj by maa^dt'C. asmayappearc by the
meaning of the words, which come now to bee
opened unto us.
Herein is layd down the juft power and authori-
tie of the fword: not excluding Ecclefiafticall or
Oeconomicall, that of parents or maftcrs^ but the
publique temporal] power is here more principally
intended, becaufe it fpeaks ofbloud-fhed.
This verfe is fet like Bifrons Tanus^ or like Noah^
who had reference to both Worlds : fo this verfe
is a reafonboth of the former and latter verfes.
I God is careful] to prevent the eating of
blood,verfe the 4. that man fhould have no tafte
thereof, and by that abftinencc fo much the more
abhorre murther and crueltie. The reafon, whofo
Jheds, ^c,
2. It is a reafon of the 7. verfe. Men may bee
encouraged to bring forth fruit and multiply, be-
caufe God hath taken fuch a courfe for our fafety
and prefervation, by pinioning and fwadling the
hands ©fmurtherers. A man may plant, fet, and
fow in a garden with hope and chearcfulnelfe,
when it is well fenced, hedged, walled, or empa-
led. The fortification muft bee anfwerable to the
danger. Murther began betimes, even with Cain,
Godhid^ bee fruitful!, for hee hath taken a courfe
with
Tthe T>efcent of Authority,
with murchercrsjbe they high or lowjrich or poore;
for it is {taA gluicunque^ generali and iadefinicCj as
fiter faid Alis lo. 34., ipercewe there k no refpe^
ofperfottsvpithGod: as hee fends his raine to fail,
andhisSunne to fhine5 fohecwouid have juftice
adminifterd impartia^ily. Mufculus obferves allego-
rically (but it is fom-what faLrf€tched)ofeverji Beafi^
ordinary inferiour men that are kept und«r: or of^
man^ that is 5 bee hee noble j learnedj wife^ or any
waycs excellent.
Sheddeth mam bloody that is, mortally and wil-
fully. And here obferve 3. things.
1. That any kinde of death is here forbidden as
well as the effufion of blood, bee it by poifoning,
ftrangling, or otherwife. A man may fhed blood
and not kill, as Chirurgions : and a man may kill
.and not Ihed blood, as poyfoners and ftranglers.
2. Phlebotomy isrnot here forbiddenjthe ope-
ning or cutting of a veine which is^ not mor tall: but
the taking away of life is here ment which lies in the
blood, as it is in the fourth verfe. The heart-blood
is the ihopor feat of life.Hence it is faid/hat though
the braine be of greater dignity, yet the heart is of
greater neceflity, becaufe it is the fountaine of life.
No Ihedding of blood (though mortally) is here
meant, ifit be done by the Magiftrate agreeably to
thelawesof God and men, no more than the plain-,
tifs, lurers. Executioners are guilty.: for it is faid,
Rom. 13 • 4* The Magiftrate beareth not the fioordm
mine. But private,men upon private quarrellsare
here rcftramcd.
3. Obferve,thatbIood-{hedis here put fork fclfe
■' and
The T^ejcent of Authority^
and other finnes; for thispov/erofthe Magiftrate
is not reftrained onelyto murcherand other can-
fes capitallj yea and tocriminall, but to civili alfo.
Elfe jthere would be no ufc of any Bench, but that
which is for life and death. Here then other caufes
are to bee underftood, although denominatio fit a
priftcipaliori parte. This maine offence is branded
by name, as beinginconfiftent with focicty.So that
this is a principall, not the onely finne, for Magi-
ftrates topunifh: asufually the oath at large is gi-
ven to thefore*man, andall the reft are implied.
Although God be a patient God, yea the Godofpati-
encc'^ and when wee make bold to expreffehim by
borrowed fpeeches, we fay he hath leaden feet,hee
came foftly, and convented Adam deliberately: yet
he will not fuffer the murtherer to ftay till the great
Aflizes at Doomes-day, but bee muft be punifhed
here by his Lieutenant,man. This hatefull finne is
is named here (we fee) for all the reft. When Saint
Vaulhad a Viper upon his hand, the Barbarianscri-
ed. No doubt this man is a murtherer. They thought
murder to be the non-fuch of finncs. As A/^where
fetsdowne the pedegree of Authority.* fo our Sa-
viourfets downc the defcent ofmurther, Xohn 8.44.
He goes higher than CainefiCea art of your Father the
De'viU: he veas homicida^ a manfiayer from the begin-
King, Let thofe then who areas prodigall oftheir
owne and others blood as doggs andcockes, conC*
der how murther is here branded by name: and fo
it may well be, for it is injuriousto five.
I. To God, whofe inftitution is violated, and his
image cancelled and defaced,
2 To
Km. It. y.
ACts ^8.4.
lO
PublUoU
Ad
The Defcent of Authority,
2. To the Maghtrace, whofe fword is taken out
of his hand, and hec made like thefignc of Saint
George. If a man be injured,are there not Courts of
jufticcjboth for our profit & for our honour ? What
nonfenfe then is it, for a man in rage or paflion ,
which is a fhort madnefie, v/hen hee is not his owne
mai, that hee (hould wrcft the fword out of the
hands ofthefi ber, juft, deliberate MagUtrate,^and
revenfje hb quarrell himfelfe ?
3. A murtherer is injurious incomparably to that
man wh^m he flayes,^ as he cannot give him fatif-
faftion It he take a way his goods,he might reftorc;
if his good name, hee might recant: but who can
fetchbacke a departed foule? he onely can give life
that firft infufed it.
4. A murtherer is injurious to himfelfe i. To
his body, making it liable to a violent death; or his
life afterwards (if his confcience be not afleepe) is
a continuall Purgatorie, as wee may obferve
in feme who have beene heires to Cain's murther,
they have been likewife inheritors of his defpicable
wofull wandring. 2 Forhisfoule, he cannotfay at
hb death with OUT SiviouT^ConJumn/afum eji: for
without bitter repentance hee leapes out of the pan
into the fire. Saint Augnfiiae doth fo diflike man-
(laughter,that he faith nonjibiprobariillfi^lionjtlium^
ut qttifpiam alinm interficiat^ ne ab illo occidatnr.
5. A blood-ftiedder mortally and wilfully is inju-
rious to his wife and children,by fort-aitinghis eftate,
and deprivingthcm of that which fhouldbefor their
comfortable livelihood and maintenance, Thomas
Aquinas of every beafi expounds it of beaflly men^ in-
. timating
The T>efcent of Authority.
timating thac murthercrs are mecaphorically like
beafts, rafb, violent, furiouSj inconfiderarej cruell,
unreafonable, and unprovident as they.
Seeing then that Gods Spirit by Mofes hathflig-
matized this hatcfull vice, let not raili anger be-
ginne, malice and revenge profecute, andavaine
conceit of honour occaflon the committing of this
dcfpcrate finne, which God will not have ftay till
the day of Doom, but bee puniflied by his Deputy,
Man: which word now followes.
By man. Wee muft not ftraiten thefe words as
confined to and his immediate fucceflburs^
but as the priviledges and jurifdiSion in gene-
rail of mankinde over other creatures , fo like-
wife the power of man one over another doth
"ill continue.
Againe jweemufi: not thinke that hyman ^ the
lagiftrace is to be fo underftoodjas if they were to
e the ExccutiGnerSjSc fp coridemne under-officers;
cr they are the Magiftrates hands.
Thefe words,i«v;^»5are rarely left out, ufually
put in, alwayes underftood.
By man the Magijirate ^ fo the Chaldee Para-
phriCe^p^rfintctttiamJudicum , and fo Cornelius a
Lapiile upon t hefe vvcrdsquotes it, and expounds it.
Calvin acknowledgeth the Magiflrares autho-
ritie to bee hence derived j fed verba plus compleffi
dicit. By man^ the Magiftrate disjunftively, or feme
other way by man .For it is {2SAyfalme 5 5.2 3. Blood-
thirfly menfyall not Itvs out halfe their dayes. So that
if the murthcrer efcape by flight,or that the Magi-
ftrate be too remiffe or indulgent, yet either in war
C or
I!
Provldet ne
terfioiant iuffn
nan cxpeSato
publico,Ang. in
Exod,
The Defcent of itiuthoritj^
or quarrellscluellor other cafualtie the murtherers
life is taken away.
Thus Ivnitis expounds thefe words by man in his
Analyfis of this chapter. Hee faith there are lawes^
I. naturall, of the creatures fubje^ion^verfe the fe-
cond 2. cerenaoniallj verfe the fourth, forbidding
blcod-eatiug 3. civill and politicali, verfe the fixth,
qitHm Deus manumfm Magijiratus infiruit ad nlcif-
cendum,
Mufiulas ovjcs an unanfwerable reafon,why by
man we are to underftand the Magijirate. J f a private
man kill the n.urtherer, and another private man
him, and fo in infinitum^ what will become of the
(peeks of mankinde ? God therefore deputes the
Magiftrate to doe it, and there's an end. Neither
( faith the fame Author ) is this a fault in the Magi-
ftrate, to ufe a fword cither defenfive or ofFenfive
to malefaftors. It is not faid ^icunque effudetit
(angmnem homicide, latronk^ -venefici , for
thefe putrificd members muft either be taken away,
or they endanger the whole.
Mercerfaitbj not by private men^ ne nijt mature ^
caufh diligenter excu[sh occidatur. If it were left to
private men, in their choler they would put to
death without juft caufe,as in chance-medly or mif-
adventure^Vibich. the Magiftrate doth not punilh
with death. ,
Veter Martyr here underftands theMagifirate^iinA
makes the later words a comment or reafon.^w
ilium fecit (fcilicet Magifratum) adimaginem Dei\
&non Homines .Jed Elqhim appellantur, God
borrowes the word Itiling himfelfc King of
■ Kings
^he Defcent of Authority. |
Kivgs, and foraa abundani: requicall lends Kings the
title of Goitj, 1 hongh all men are created after Gods
image: yetthofe that are in authoritie have a more
fpedall refemblance of the Deity. All men of un-
derftanding, learning, wealth, and other abilities,
are as bullion : but the Magiftrate hath the very
currant ftamp of Gods power.
Pffcator alfo herein concurres, Qyi Effvn-
DTT 3 nempeprivato affeciu, ex odio aut ira: r
H O MIN Em J idep, Magiflratum.
I have endevoured ( you heare) to lay the foun.
dation ftrong, becaufe we are to build much here-
upon, Gods Parent to his Deputies, or the De-
fcentof Authority.
It followesjj?;^// his blood be (Joed. God proportions
j hispunilhraents. Bleodfoi^bloed^asKhExod.iiai.
1 or, Life for life^ eje for eye^ tooth for tooth,
i Thus We fee the divine juftice paying murther-
ers in their owne coyn ; Occidit I occidMur, Ok-
afier faith upon thefe words, A principio Mundiec-
ci^ooccifione vindicatur.'Wds retaliation of blood
for blood Chrift told Saint PeterMatth. z6,%z.
Whofi kilkth with the jword^pall perifi by the fword.
The fame words are ufed Reml. 13.10. here is Lex
talionk. They that account the life of another
cheap,do makcthe market and price for their own.
From thefe words, thus opened, thefe divine
truths prefent themfelves to our confideration.
x Whofoever^ that God is impartiall. i
2. sheds mans ^A7<7</,ThcfaainoufnelIc of mur-
ther here named.
3. The Dcfcent of Authority.
C 3 shall
i
i
-*
i
The T>eJcentof Authority.
4. shall hk Mood he The proportioning of
Godspuniihmentsco mans finnes. i
But as I made choice of thefe words for this I
time and place : fo I will infift oncly in the third
and moft ufefull to us, the terminus a quooi Au-
thority, or the Defcent of it.
Mafier Harding 5 to fet the Crowne the fafter
upon the Popes headjis content that it fiionld ftand
but totteringly upon the heads of temporall Prin-
ccsjas if no hand could fee it on faft, but that of the
Bifhop of Rome. And therefore he faith moft in-
jurioufly, that they can have no more power than
the people had over whom they exercife their )u-
rifdiftion; as if they had no other right, but by com-
pofitionfrom their fubjefts/orgetting thefe places,
Prov. 8. 15 J 16. By mee Kings raigne. And againe re-
peatingit twice, Bytnee Princes rule. And Dan. 2.
zi.He removes and fet s ///> without the Pope
his intervening. His ufurpation was nor heard of till
many yeares after. To the like effeft fpake our Savi-
our.to Pilate.John 19.11, Thou couldjihave noporcer
at al^except it mre given thee from above Thus S.Paul
j Rom,\3.1. There k nopovoer but of God. Which made
him recant,as it were,/^<Jr 2'^'S'I ^xiji not that it teas
the high Priefi; For it k roritten^ fnamely Exod. 22.
2%h)Thou fait not revile the Godsff01 fo it is rendrsd
in the laft Tranflacion ) this phrafe being given to
Magiftratcs; and perhaps from hence the Heathen
worftiipped mortall Gods. O^'^'^'isfaidtobeGods
anoynted, Ijafah 4 5.1 Jn the firft part of the Homily
againfi xoHfudrekllionit is faid, ftnce Lucifer the
, Arch-rebel, and our firft parents in Paradife broke
1 the
The T>efcent of Authority,
i the bonds of duty, God hath eftablifhed authority,
' ^ firft in families, then in Cities, Townes, and Ring,
domes. Even fubordinate Authority is from Ood,
though like cofen- germane it be once removed from
God and the King. Yea Magiftratcs in little Corpc-
rations and larifdiciions, they are the younger bro
thcrs of Authority: there is the fame bloodjthough
not the fame fpicndour or revenue. The varnifh or
gilt of power is the fame, though the walls or ma-
terialls bee finer or courfer. c\pfars image, or the
Kings flampe makes filver as currant as gold.
And this Defcent may appcare or be vouched,
r. From the excellency, ufe, and benefit ofit, as
it is faid, lamts t . i . Every goedandperfe&giff comes
doTone from above. Now this is the very fine qtiamn
of fociety and outward bleffings 5 not onely for the
bene efejaut for the vctyejfe of a Common-Wealth:
without this people are like a riotous rout in warre
without leaders in orderjas flieepe without a Shep-
herd, or a body without an head.
2- This Delcent appeares by Gods admirable up-
holding 8c continuing it,maugre^mans rcludtations j
God preferves ftill the ceremony and the fubftance.
Firft, thofe additions of ceremony, which makes it
have the more due valuation from the people, as
Crownes,Thrones,Scepters, Attenders, great Of-
ficers, for the fupremcand Gownes, Tipper?
Floods, Maces, Swords,Whice ftaves, caps of main
tenance,for the fubordinate Magiftratcs.
And as the ceremony, fo the fubftance ofit is up-
held: and this God doth 4. wayes.
I. By his Word, as you have heard out of S. Tauf
C 3 the
The Vefcent of Authority.
'"" «
the Prophet Daniel^ other teftimonies ofScripture.
2. By his Spirit to Godly men, and by the inliinft
aad dictate of nature to Heathen and ungodly
men; not to hurt Authority though they have
opporcumtie' i Sam. 24. obferve Davids excel-
lent fpeech , and more excellent carriage to
5<7«/,when he was in the.cave in his powerjaithough
Saul did profecurc him caufelcfly, implacably, and
linfini ly. And although fome men quarrell lome-
times at Magijlratum the perfon ; yet not at Magi-
\firatum, the government: their defires are not to
dull or breake the fvvordj but onely to change the
hand, asufually reftlelTe giddy people do, like them
in Ijraelf i. Sam.8.f g.Nay^but veee mil have a King to
reigne over us.^ as they would exchange their ludges
for Kings. K&tts and Flammook^^ with fuch other
viperous rebels, their projeds are not to extinguilh
government, but to exchange Governours, putting
themfelves or their leaders in place. And Itill our
muttercrs and rafh difconcented people, their quar-
rell is not fo much againft Authority it felfe: but
iif they bee inferiors, it is becaufe they have none
I themfelves,they will give no applaufe to the adors,
bccaufe they beare no part themfelves. And if they
• bee of an higher ftraine, it is becapfe they may not
rule their Rulers. So that asa coy dame or amo-
rous woer, they mufthave clothes, butnotaylour
j ean ficc them : either the garment of Authori-
ty is too long or fhort, too ftraighc or wide. As a
' fick man mmft drinke, yet all isinhpid; no cham-
ber nor bed gives him concent: yet the fault is not
1 in the things themfelves, but in his indifpofition.
TThe T>efcent of Authority.
Vfually they that are difcontented at GovernourSj
it isbecaufethemfelves or Tome of their friends are
not in higher place. As all mankind acknowledge
a Deity, yet goe feverall waycs in their devotions:
So all by nature and the Spirit of God arc taught the
admirable ufe of Authority, although they be afFcd-
ed divers waies for Governoors and government,
according as their owne cndsleade them.
J God uphold: & preferves Authority by his wife,
faithful!, godly Miniftcrs. Even our poore Tribe
helpcth to carry the Canopy over Authority: elfe,
what need our Declarations (ometimes at S. Pauh
Crojfe, or other folemn places,to juftifie the procee-
dingsof State in matters ofconrcience?Thusyoufhal
find wife S. Paul to Titus Bifhop of the Creliaus, Put
them iu minde to he fuhje&: to Principalities and Poxv"
erSjtoobey Magijirates. And thus our prudent Bi-
fhops and their Commlffioncrs doc inquire in the
Articles at their Vifitations 5 Doth your Miniver
exhort the people to obedience to his Majejiie, and all
Magijirates in authority under him .<? Even flatizing
worldlings that account but flightly of us, yet think
that we ferve as polls at leaft upon which the Injun-
<SioDs ScMandates of theMagiftrates are to be fixed.
4. God preferves Authority by his admirable difi
covcry and prevention of wicked plots againll Go-
vernors and Governement. As Murthers have
been ftrangely revealed by Birds, & Dogs 5 fo even
wicked intendments againll Magillrates have beene
wonderfully difclofed, not onely roiraculouflypu-
nilhed, as it is fet downe, "Num. 16. 29,30. Tf ihefe
men die a common deatk^ dt-c. Put if the Lord make
T;V,3.4.
a
Dr.Boys in h'
Pofli.'li, psg
438.
i8
Theatrepf
Goiis judge-
mcnts.
T^hsT)efcent of Authoritj.
a newthhg^ yee Pjall ufiderftandthatthefe^ men have
provoked the LordIntimating, that God will raira-
culoufly punifh rebellion. The very patient Earth,
the hackney of all-injurious trampling, will open l
her mouth and fwallow them up. j
As God miraculoufly punilheth, fo he alfo difcio- j
feth rebellions and txt^zhctits- EccleJiajies ic.ao.!
Curfe not the King,no not in thy thought :for the birds :
ofthe Airerpillrevealeit.lihxx'a carefull is God to
preferve hisot-rpring,boththeperron and the pow-
er. Now as Oamalkl CindjA&s 5.39. If it be of God,
it mil continue : if not ft mil come to nought. If Au-
thoritywere onely humane pride, or invention, it I
would long before now.have had a fall. It is worth
our remembrance, that by confpiracies Magiftrates
are fcldome hurt, and as feldome the confpiratours
efcape: as is obfervedin Corah and his company,
l^um.i6. of Abfalom. 2 Sam.\6. and many ethers. In
the time of that wife King who conjoyned the Ro-
fes, infurreftion v/as (if not-a quotidian} an anniver-
firy feaver; yet as he was ever moleftedjfo hee was
ever aloft and prevailed. The like was in the time
of our late gracious Queene,and peaceable Kingjby
the powder-plotters and others.
And when it pleafeth God rarely toletthe hda-
giftratcsfuffcr for the punilhment of the people,
yet thole rebels are fo hateful] to God and all good
men,as.makes the like courfes abhorred for the fu-
ture, and fo Authority to be prefcrved and continu-
ed. Augufus Csefar ufed to fay, Vroditiomm amo^
proditores non item. Charles the fourth, Emperour
/\ of Germany^ prevailed with three or foure of his
enemies
The T)e[cent of Authority, |
enemies Captaines to be perfidious to their Maftcfj
upon hopes of great fummes of money: and when
he fpedjhe paid them wi h counterfait coyne, affir-
ming it to be good enough for counterfait fervice.
Wiien the city of Rhodes was befieged by the
TurkCja Noble man, upon hopes to have one of So-
lymans daughters, did many fecret fervices for the
Turkeperfidioufiy againft his owne City; which
vthcn Soljimaa wonne, hcc caufed the treacherous
man to be flayed alive, faying it was not lawful] for
a Chriftian to marry a Turke, except hee put off his
old skin. And that Bam/fer^ who treachcroufly be-
traycd his Lord and Mafter 5 when he expected his
thouland pounds, Ring Richard gave him not a far-
thing, faying, that hee who would bee untrue tofo
good aMafterjmuft needs be falfc to all others. In
our Law crimen UJk Majejtatk is accounted fo grie^
vous an offence, to confpire againA the breath of
him who is the breath of our noirrillsjas that it is no
plea for him that is noa compos mentis^akhough it be
for ordinary homicide. And in theftate oeconomi-
call,murther committed by one thatisin fubjeftion,
is accounted petty treafon: fo hatefull by the lawes
of God and man is difobedience.
Why doth the omnipotent God depute
fraile men to be his Lieutenants ? why not an An-
gel,or a legion of his powerfull heavenly attendants
or pages ?
That the excellency of the fucceflfe may be
afcribcd to God,where it is due,and not to men, as
Saint Faui faith, a Cone^.'j. Wte have this treafure in
earthen veJfelsMhcn we daily fee ftrong finnes pul-
D. led
7he T>efcentof Authority.
led downe by the preaching of weake mcn^we juft-
ly coDcludCsthat it is the power of God accoropa-
nying his ordinance. And when wee obferve that .
men Magiftrates^and not AngelSjdo fway the world,
quelling and captivating darins? vices, wee acknow-
ledge it CO be Gods power. If Magiftrates were like
Angels, of miraculous power ^ like Argtfs^ one of
them to have an hundred eyes, or, zsBriarem^ an
hundred hands 5 which they have indeed virtually,
not formally i if every one of them were as rich ^
and wife as Salomon^ or ftrong as Sampfo^^ or that
they could deftroy mankindc, as the Angel did fe- ,
ventie thoufand amongft the Ifraelites, wee might
thinkc it was their own power. But now we fee it is
a fecret vcrtue in the divine ordinance. An hoiie
hath ftrength enough to caft his rider, and runne
away from him, but doth not ufually. And as ftrong^
oxcnare guided by little children, in regard of the'
image ofGodin mankinde; thus are a multitude of
lirong and violent people ruled by Magiftracy5 not
oncly for feare of punifhmcnr, but even for confci-
encc fake.
This reafonis given by God himfclfe, TuJges 7.2.
The people are too many : leji Jfrael vaunt^
mineorone hand hath favedme. So if Angels ruledjit
wouldbee judged to be by their owne power. But
God for his owne glory hath appointed men of the
fame mold, of the fame ftufFe by nature, borne and
dye alike,ufually better qualified with experience,,
learning, wifedomCjand integrity: yet they are but
men, and in the judgement ofraftirelf. conceited
by-ftanders,not better qualified than others .5 for in
their
The Defcent of Authority.
21
thdrfimple judgemeat c'^ ey rhinke they fee more
thaD the gamefters. God, I fay, for his ownc glory
doth hang great plummets npon weake lines, as in"
the Miniftery, fo in the Magiftracy, that God wor-
king fuch ftrong efFefts by wcake caufeSjWe may (ay,
asitis Vfalm-i 115.1. Not untous^ 0 Lord^ but unto
thy nmtyt^c.
2. God deputes mankinds, not gratia^
it bein^ a great favour, firft, to the party injured.
Secondly,to the party injuring. Thirdl/jto rhe Ma-
giftrate,the party punifliing.
Firftjtotfee party injured,for the propinquity. As
the Scripture faith, yn nted not gat0 Heaven, nor te
the deepe^but the word k neare thee : So may wee fay
of government, (efpecially in thefe itinerary cir-
cuits) Iiiftice isadminiftred evenat our doores.
Secondlyjtothe party to be puni(hed,as the peo-
pie faid to Mofes, Exod. 20.19. Speakp thou with us^
but ktnot GodJpeakp^ kfi we d^e. If God (houldpu-
nifli by extraordinary judgements,as the Egyptians;
or with miraculous plagues, as he did to corah znd.
the like, it would be molt terrible to malefaftors:
whereas now being by tnenjthey may parly for their
lives,they muft be caft or acquitted by their Peeres
or equals.
Thirdly,to the Magiftrate. As he hath made him
his Deputy, fo he puts valuation '|upon him by im-
ploying him. And thereby he doth quicken in men
induftry,paines, and care, that they may come to be
Magiftrates, that isjfublimated manhood. God as
the Sun, doth irradiate Magiftracy as the Mbone,
with his brightnelTe. As Chrift was himfelfe bapth
D 1 zed
Dent 50.18.
VfdM'
1. he T)efcent of Authority^ )
led, but never baptized any, and gave the Eucharift
but once, to put a valuation upon his ordinance in
the hands of the Minifters: So in the Magiftracy he
graces his DeputyjMan,putting the honour and ira-
ployment upon him. It i%{z\d^Matth.9.Z,Themul'
tituda faw if, and glorified Gcd which had givenfiuch
power unto men. As there for miraclesj fo here for
authority. If David did breake out fo pathetically,
0 Lord^hat k man I Thou hafi made him Lord^ 8tc.
How much more may wee fay, Lordj what k a Ma-
gifirafCy that thou dofi thus advance him^ even over
men!
2. Doth not Cod challenge authority to
be his Domaine ? which he will not let outjbut keep
in his own hands3faying,as it is, 32,35, which
is quoted by Saint Vanl^Rom 12.9. Vengeance is mine^
1 will repay. Whereupon Saint makes his ap-
pcale, iTim.\.i^. Alexander did me much evilly the
Lord reward bimfi^c.
Anfw. By thefc places it is meant that prirate
menmuft not ufurpe : for elfe, what God doth by
his Deputies,he doth it as it v/ete by himfelfe. Ai-
the Lord Keeper writes tefiemeipfo^ and the ludges
of other CourtSjand the luftices may write Carolrn
D«,8cc.noting in whofc right and power they doe
it. Saint Prf»/diC:laimes it onely as being a private
man. God will hereafter avenge, Nifiprius luji/ti-
arii venerint^d^c. and in the meane time he doth it
by them as his Subftitutes.
^efi. 5. But is not this old Grant out of date ?
Are not GhriftianMagiftratcs put out of Cemmilfi-
on by Chrifts comming.
Anfiwer
The Defcent of Authority,
A»}r>P' Thusthinkcchc Anabaptiftsj whofe objc^
(ftions Zai^chm well anfwers, ur^ng ChriftsTubje-
ilionto Vilate^ Saint appealing to C£^ar^ and
the other Apoftles clearing thcmfeiveSjbutyetfub-
mitting to the MagiftrateSjacknowledgingthe pow-
,er to be ofGod.
This DeQent of Anthority may teach as:
Firft, To take notice of that Jefuiticall doijirine
and pradticc to lay violent hands upon Gods De-
puties upon a pretence of Religion. Marther,asyou
have heardjis a raoft wicked finne.and difobedience
is as the fin of witchcraft. Now treafon is the com-
mitting or putting together boththefefinnes. The
old warrantable dodirine and pracfice of the Church
in the primitive rimes was, prayers unto,and fuppli-,
cations for the Governours.This was the Churches
force, both defenfive and ofFenfive: and ftill with
all godly learned Chrihians it is concluded, that
Remeute Vrincipepopulifs nm debet molm Reforma-
tionem.
Like unt o thefe, but not fo ill, are thofe that of-
fcr violence with their toti^gues, though not with
their hands: fuch as are dilrefpedive to them that
are in authority, not fpeaking of them, or to them,
publickly or privately,as to God s Vicegerents, but
with quips and girds, to pi cafe themfelves, and to
ftroke the people.This is rather like unto Satyricall
Poets,than anfwerable to Saint advice, i Tim.
5.1. Rebuke not an Elder^ hut intreat him as a father.
And like his dodtrine was his pradlice to Agrippamd
Fefus: and thus was the Prophet Daniels to the
Aflyrian and Pcrfian Kings.
D 3 Contrary
Fiie Epifc.
Ddven.De*
termin.
H
7^he T>efcent of Authority.
Contrary to thcfc holy men are thofe monfters
in a Kingdome, who endeavour by allraeancspof-
fible to enervate and weaken Authority, thereby to
make it contemptible. God cafts his divine luftre
upon themjas Uo^es was when he had beene talking
Efiphanius of with God; And thefe 5 as Mofes, are alwaies vexing
■lerciicks. and difturbing firme ground, blinde without know
ledge 5 and defpkable when their plots are difco-
vered.
Let none then in Pulpits or Parlours deprave
Governours and government: if they doc, thofe
words, N//zi5?. 16.7. may bee truly applied to them,
Te tah^ too much uj^onyou. Authority is Gods ordi-
nance, and muft not bee made unfavory by finding
and creating faults in Goveroonrs.Itisftrange, that
they who would be accounted the children of God,
doe not digeftthc Deputies of God: for they have
beene, are, and (it is to be feared) ever will bee op-
fite and Antipodes to all Governous, both Ecde-
fiafticall and Civill.
Ohje^ion, Thcy will fay, Our quarrtU is not againji govern'
»?»/, bnt the faults of Governours : and they thinke
with AbfahmyOh if they tpere inplace^, ^c.
A»fvetr> • This is the common hackney pretence or colour.,
But let thefe mote-finders confider,that Magiftrates I
in a Common-wealth are like parents in anhoufe,
politicall fathers. Is it fit for a fonne to bee like
Cham .<? Though the father bee guilty, lhall a fonne
talkeof nothing but his fathers faults, difcovering
his fathers nakednefle, efpecially when this fonne
himfelfe is idle and difobedient } Will fome men,
like children jnothing but eat, drinke, fleepe,p]ay,
. (indeed
The T)efcent of Authority,
(indeed there is little elfe expefted ofthem} and yet
' like fell, ill conditioned childrenjwill they cryj ex-
claime, and difturbe others ? Let thefe fonnes of
Belklj who cannot beare the yoke of Governoursj
bee examined in their private vocations, how lazy,
how oppreffing, and how unprofitable to the Chri-
ftian World. Thefe people are like Chorus upon
the Stage: being private men, and their wings coo
big for their nefts, and their feet for their fhooes,
they defireftillto roulc and enlarge themfelves as
fnow-balls, and like the Babel buildcrs,will make
themfelves a turret or pillar by popularity. Tell
mejVaine difturber, how wouldft thou like a fervant
thusqualifiedjto faVjmy mafter is unfit for his place:
he is filly, ignorant, negligent, or the like: he doth
notasamafter fhoulddoe. True indeed, hee doth
not, if hee fuffer without punifhmenc fuchafaucy
fervant.
2. This Defcent of Authority may teach us how
neare of Kindred Magiflrrates and Miniffers are: the ■
onthDeigratia^^xht other is pro'videntia divim :
fomtimcs they are inherent in the fame perfon.Our
blefTed Saviour was both a King and a Prieft, Mo[es
and D-^Wwere both victorious Magiftrates and di-
vine Prophets. And if they bee not joyntly in one ^
perfon, yet wee fee they are brethren, as
faid to Lot, proceeding from the fame fpring-head •
celefliall, God^ terreflriall, the King. And this the
later end of an ACt of Parliament intimates for the
uniformity of Common prayer : If the Ordinary
have punifhed,then not the temporall power: and if
not that,then the Ordinary.If either punilh,it is fuf-
fici-
\
z6
Paiiermittn-
Sir fobn Do-
deridgtp
1 be Vejcent of Authority.
ficientj becaufe both come from the famefountaine.
For us in our Pulpits,to flight this high ordinance,
were asgreat indifcretioiijas for the Magiftrates up-
on their Benches to difparageour Profeffion.With-'
out doubt Magiftrates may bee capable of thejuft
reproofc ofthe Clergie, and the Clergy of the juft
cenfure of the Magiftracy.But all muft take hecd,fo-
much as they can, that neither of their excellent
Callings fuffer by it. The people will negleft both,
if they doc not proteft us from injuries; and wee
teach the people confcionably to obey them.
Magiftratea are Gods Deputies, and Minifters
his Ambajjadors^ 2. 20. As it is faid in another
cafe, 4. 11, thefe two like Rachel and Leah do
build op the houfe of Ifrael^ conjHn^iim better than
divifm. Theologia ^ lus mufl fraternizare. They
both looke at the fame cnd^namely redifying ofthe
manners. Both Mofes his hands muft be held up,that
vicious AmakckjnsL^hc pulled downe. If the nnews
of government bee flackned by inconfiderate Tea-
chersjand that they doc not uphold one another,
as theElme the Vine, finne and vice will more eafi-
ly thruftin.
^ But when Magiftrates , Chrifts Subftitutes in his
Kingly Office;and the Minifters.Chrifts Subftitutes
in his Prieftly Oflicejftay one another, as buttreflcs
below or fpars above: then the temporal! fword
cuts deepe in the outward man,and the fpirituali in
the confcicoce. '
Wee arc all Minifters of God, both Magiftrates
and Priefts. So Saint intimates, 13.4.
Wxfly©- Ipeakiog of the Magiftrate: which J
word i
T^heT>efcent of Authority,
wordA<«W9- is cotnmonly ufed for oar Tribe, as
?hHp. 1. I. ^ith the Bifhops ani Deacons: and
I .12. Deacons mafi be the hasbands of one wife.
This is a pare of cheEpiftle when Deacons are ad-
muted into Orders.
If the Word A/i6w©*thenbe ufed for them both,
bccaufe they are imployed to doe fervice for one
IVlafter,lct them not counter-worke one againft an-
other: but as the walls uphold the roofe, and the
roofe keepes drie the walls ^ fo flaonld thefe ordi-
nances alfift one another 5 that the temporall power
may regulate the outward man, words and aftions 5
8c the fpMtual fword the inner manjthoaghts 8c con-
fcience. Thofe that would occafion any civill warre
or breach betwixt thefe two, endeavour to difable
thofe (horcs that beare them up.It is great rartinelfe
for fome unadvifed T eachers,and difcontented pco>
pie, like chemfelves, who love to dance after their
ill tuned pipes, to be alwaies throwing dirt into the
faces of Governours and government: being private
men they hate and cnvie all thofe that have power.
An eminent Prelate of our Church faid in his
Sermon to the Parliament, The Church cannot dwell
but in the State^nor the Common-wealthfiouriJJ) with
out the church. Whenthe Churchy the houfe of grace,
is a welcome inmate to the State^which is a wifi fabric^
efpolicy, notonely humane,buta divine ordinance.
In a wordjlet thefe ordinances,like husband 8c wife,
live with harmony and love together. The foule
cannot aft {quoad^oj-^but by the body,nor the body
live without the foule: fo thefe ordinances*
Laftly>and in briefe, left I bee injurious to your
E, imploy-
The T>efient of Authority.
imployments whileft I plead for them, this may be
ufefull both to Supcriours and inferionrs.
Firft, toMagiftratcsand Superiours. My Lords
and otherSjgive me leave onely to put you in minde
of the pedegrce or Dcfcent of your Authority. It is
from above, from God, of the blood Royall, both
from anochcr,and for another. As a Nobleman doth
or lliould endeavour to imitate the vertues of him
that raifedhis houfe: fo let Magiftrates carriage not
be bitter or infipid, but fweetjpure, cleane, like the
fountaine from whence it came. They mufl: not be
like old courtiers or rich citizens, forgetting from
whence they had their beginning.A man in authori-
ty is noz gemsqubmidlfuperiw : as
he hsgenus hujmjio he isjpecies r/AW,like the Moon,
borrowing light from the Sun 5 they muft not, as
butchers or graxiersjthen,judge by the feeling only,
but all their proceedings muft refemble that im^e
and fuperfcription which it hath from the great C£~
farjzhe Lord chiefe Juftice of Heaven and Earth.
They muft like rivers rcturne tribute and homage
to that Ocean whence their power commeth.They
muft doe better than private men for example fake,
more good and lefle evil], confidermg their high
defcentand Anceftours, whom they muft labour to
refembie fo farre as humane infirmitie will permit,
by endeavouring to be holyjjuftjincrcifull, imparti-
all,wire,deliberate, as he is from whom they derive
their po wer. I might eafily be large in (hewing that
God is fo, and chat his Deputies (hould be (b.
Yea further, Lecall,even inferiour Officers, and
Jurors, and whofoever beare any part in the puni
(hing
7he T>efcent of Authority,
fliin g of finne ^ let them labour to bee juft and free
from any fliarking or opprelfion. We finde that Au-
thorityis of an excellent race, nobly defcended 5
and therefore it fhould be generous,not making the
vigour and power of Authority to be oncly a modus
aoquirendi^ like the Publicans. It was Jawfull to pay
tribute to Ld?jar : our Saviour did not gainfay it, but
bid Render unto C£far. And he told Saint Reter^Lefl
vpeJi)ouldgive offencei though the children be free^ yet
take tvcentie pence for thee and me.Bnt then the Pub-
licans made that bitter or harlh,which would other-
wife have been better digefted; becaufe they did
not onely take for their mafters,like tame hawkes ^
but like wilde hawkes fnatched alfo for themfelves
Such were the toll-gatherers or receivers of the
publike revenue for the Romanes amongft the Jews:
who,becaufe they gathered publike payments^wert
termed Publicans.Alchough their calling was good,
and fome of their perfoos good (witnelFe our Savu
ours converfing with them, and the Publican pray
ing with the Pharifee,and Zachus who was Frincepj
Vuhlicanorum: Matthew the Publicane was after
wards an Apoftle} yet their imployment was not
very acceptable. People were then flow in paying
publike money: and then the gatherers opprcffions^
and private exadions over and above their mafters
dues,made them more hard of digeftion. Suetonius
reports of one Sabinus^ that had a monument for
him with thisinfcription, 7TiA»r»aHri7.for afaich-
full Publicane: asif that were a great commendati-
on, confidering that occafionts faciunt latrones. But
let men in authorityjfrom the higfaeft to the low eft
E 2 prove
19
Matth 21 21.
Matth.i7-i7.
CMutth^ hi
Lut[e 18.le.
19.2,
SAatth.^.^
A£is
7he T>ejceni oj Authoritj.
prove the dcfcent of their power byits juftice and
generofity.
2. Let people learne from hence to acknowl edg
this Defcenc of Authority, and that therefore they
muft neither ufurp icjucr flight it, nor difobeyit.
FirftjOot ufurpit. They muft ftay for a lawful!
calling: private men and women muftonely aft in
their owne fpheresand circuitSjas Mafters over fer-
vantSjand parents over children. Saint P^/^Afpirit
was troubled in him at the idolatrie of the Atheni-
ans jbut being a private man he onely exhortedjbut
did nothing.
SecondlyjPeoplemuft not flight it, becaufeitis
fo nobly bornejas appearesby this Heraldry booke
of where we findCjas it.is aB. 19.3 5. that this
goddefle Magiftracy is that image of power which
is come downefrom Heaven. Being fo highly de-
fcendedjit 'n fcandalum Magnatnm to fpeake flightly
I of it. And it is highly imployedalfo; for either of
j thefe wayes may this fault be commit ted. Magiftracy
j hath thepriviledgesboth waies jbeing his'hly born,
[ as Nobles 5 and highly imployedjas great Officers.
Thirdly.,We muft obey and fubmit to this ordi-
nance, even for confcience fake. Take Sdint Teters
advice, i which is apart of theEpiftle
appointed to bee read the twentie feventh day of
this moneth^the day of our gracious King his entry
tothe Kingdome, Submit your fehes to every ordi-
nance ofman for the Lords jakg : tphether it bee to the
King^as fupreme ; or unto Governours^ as unto them
that are fent by him^OT the Lords fake,the Founder
; of it 5 and for its owne fake, being fo incomparably
bene-.
The T)efcent of Authority.
beneficiall for people Not to eltceme of chefe and
obey them, as Gods Deputies, is a kind of civil! A-
theifmc For we may fay juftly.as the people to He-
rod\in]u.it\y^The ordinance of God and not of man.
And that wee may the better fubmit, take thefe
helpes following.
I. Make ir not our iraployment to finde and
make faults in Governours. For then out ofenvie
we'lhall thinkc them faulty without caufe. Mofes
(aid jNumb 16.1$. I have beene no waksinjurions to
them. Indeed bee had mcekely, juftly, and miracu-
loufly brought them out of the land of Egjpt: yet
obferve in the third verfe Corah and his company
cp(xaxxt\\td.,Whyliftjeyourfelvesabove thecongrega^
tionofthe Lord^ And though the patient Earth mi-
raculoully puniflicd them.yec in the 41. verfe all the
multitude murmured, faying, Te have killed^ ef'c.
And then God flew more of them. Magiftratesand
Minifters are like cities upon hils, all eyes are fixed
8c obferving them. They cannot poffiblyavoyd this
dilemma^ fork, or crotch from peevifh, cenforious
by-ftanders. If they be quick and aflive, then they
j arebufie and cruell: if merciful! and gentle, then
they are dull, lazy, and remifie in their places.
lohn Baptifi came neither eating nor drinking, and
they faid he had a VevUl. The Sonne of man came ea-
ting and drinhing^and they faiddSehold a glutton and J
a vpine-bibher. If a Governonr bee like Solomon
taking care for the building of a Temple,the fruits
of peace and devotion ; yet the people will fay, as
it is 2. Chron.io 4. Theyohpk grievous. And David''
' being an aftivc man, conquering the Jebufites, hee
E ? is
The Defcent of /iuthcrity^
is accounted Vir fanguimm. For as the Sea^ though
ot it felfe indifferently quiet; yet there are ever and
anon fome whittling winds to make it troublefome:
So there are alwtaies fome like leroboam^-who ttroke
the people with cavils againtt GovernourSjthereby
tofowieand leaven them. From which cenforious
M, Lord ve- conceits proceed daring fpeeches 5 And liberty of
rnlam\iihtv.i,^ fpeech^it is the female of Sedition-^ und'm time, the
Grand-mother oftreafon. Take heed of the be-
witching arguments ^Romitts, on the one fide ^ and
themifcalled Siotis Vlea^ and the like, on the other:
by which under a cloake of Religion they labour to
make the people difaffeited to their Governours
and government.,
2. Remember whence Magiftrates come.Looke
upon them, not perfonally, but relatively. When
an Ambaffadour comes, wee doenotprcfently in-
quire or pric how learned, rich , wife, or nobly
borne hee is, but from what a great Matter hee
comes and doth reprefent. Alexander would be ac-
counted the fonne of a God, thereby to keepe his
people in obedience.
3. Doe as ye would be done by. How would ye
have y oar children and fervants carry themfelves in
your private families ? Not ufurpe, nor Height, nor
difobey you.And ifye come to any publike imploy-
ment, would ye have them that are under you ob-
ferve nothing but your warpings and failings, yea
worfe, creating jealoufies and fufpicionsv/ithout
caufe? Lycurgus being asked why the government
v/as not popular, anfweredj Tu prius m demo tna
ejficitoprincipatf/mpopularem.
Con-
/•
The T)e/cent of Authority.
4. Confider that the worft kind of Govcrnours
or Government is better than an Anarchy.* And
therefore that Magiftracy is a great bleffing, being
the very life of fociety. No marvel! then that Saint
lude reckoneth fpeakiogiU of dignities among great
faults.
5. Forget not Gods command. Honour thj fa-
ther^i^c. not oncly Natural!, but Political! 5 thy
father in the kingdome , as well as in the family ;
that thy dayes maybe longbeing peaceable fabjsds
here, and glorious citizens hereafter: the Magi-
ftrate is parenspatri£.
6. Pray to God, who doth difpofe the hearts of
Rulers and people 5 that the one may governe, and
the other obey confcionably, ufing thefe and the
like praycrSjWich which I will conclude.
Almighty God^ whofe Kingdome is everlajiing^ and
pomr infinite^have mercy upon t he whole congregation^
andfo rule the heart of thy chofen fervant CharleSjO^/*
King andGovernour^ and the hearts of all that an in
authority under him^ that they Rowing whofe Mini''
fie^s they areynay above all things feehp t hy honou r and
glory;; and that we duely confidering whofe authority
they have as wee have beene taught) may faithfully
ferve^ honour ^ and humbly obey them fin thee and for
thee , according to thy hie fed Word and Ordinance
through Chrifl our Lord- Amen.
FINIS.