A10657:32
The shields of the earth A sermon preached before the reverend judges, Sir Richard…The shieldes of the earth A sermon preached before the reverend judges, Sir Richard…
The shields of the earth A sermon preached before the reverend judges, Sir Richard Hutten, and Sir George Crook, at the assizes holden at North-hampton: February 25. 1634. By Edward Reynolds, rector of the church of Braunston in North-hampton shire.The shieldes of the earth A sermon preached before the reverend judges, Sir Richard Hutten, and Sir George Crooke, at the assizes holden at North-hampton: February 25. 1634. By Edward Reynolds, rector of the church of Braunston in North-hampton shire.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Robert Bostock, 1636
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But it is safer for mortal men to hear of their Duty, than of their Honour. Let us chiefly therefore consider it in that sense. Not your Honour only, but your Office too it is to be the Shields of the Earth.1 Non tantùm potestas Judici concessa, sed fides, saith the Orator. Judges have not only Honour and Power, but a Trust reposed in them for dispensation of a Duty, and that so great a Duty, as that even offices of Religion do but stink without it. I will not smell in your solemn Assemblies, except Judgement run down as waters, Amos 5. 21. 24. To do Justice and Judgement, is more acceptable to God than Sacrifice, Prov. 21. 3. When you make many prayers, I will not hear: Go, seek Judgement, relieve the oppressed, be Shields of the Earth, and then ⟨p. 26⟩come and reason with me, or pray unto me, Isai. 1. 15. What makest thou on thy face Joshua before the Ark, get thee up, and take away the accursed thing, or I will be with you no more, Josh 7. 10. A great duty then sure it is to be Shields of the Earth, for the which God himself is contented, in some cases, to have his sacrifices intermitted.
But it is safer for mortall men to heare of their Dutie, than of their Honour. Let us chiefely therefore consider it in that sense. Not your Honour onely, but your Office too it is to bee the Shields of the Earth.1 Non tantùm potestas Iudici concessa, sed fides, saith the Orator. Iudges have not onely Honour and Power, but a Trust reposed in them for dispensation of a Dutie, and that so great a Dutie, as that even offices of Religion doe but stinke without it. I will not smell in your solemne Assemblies, except Iudgement runne downe as waters, Amos 5. 21. 24. To doe Iustice and Iudgement, is more acceptable to God than Sacrifice, Prov. 21. 3