This righteousness is required in Rulers, and such as are placed above their brethren, to wit, that themselves be reconciled unto GOD in JESUS CHRIST: For sense of this alone is able to beget that right noble, and well-composed temper of spirit, those high and unshaken resolutions, which only are fit to make a Magistrate, and create earthly Gods, as Judges are called, Psal. 82.1.6. Without this righteousness, assuredly whatsoever fair pretexts and representations to the contrary, may dazzle and deceive the worlds eye, yet all is rotten at the heart-root. And the executions of their places, though they may carry things smoothly and palliate with much art and policy, yet questionless, in case of strong temptation, great advantage, rising, and enriching themselves, gratification of some great one, hazard of temporal happiness, &c. will be exorbitant and yielding and at the best, but formal. The cry of that happy soul, which leans, and hath taken up his everlasting resting place, upon the rock of eternity, is constant, and still the same in all cases and causes.1 Let right be done, and a good conscience discharged, and then come what come will. Let me not only loose my place and the favour of the times, but let even the heavens fall, and they will, all is one to me; by the mercy of GOD I shall stand upright under the ruins, and rejoice in the testimony ⟨p. 46⟩of a good conscience, amidst the confusions both of heaven and earth. But to speak in Scripture phrase, (for the other was the speech, even of an honest heathen.) Ever, when standing on the better side, and keeping a good conscience, threateneth danger and disgrace, he grows into Hesters happy resolution: well, whatsoever comes of me, I will take GODs part, and if I perish, I perish. But not to perish so, is to perish everlastingly: and so to perish, is to be eternally saved.
This righteousnesse is required in Rulers, and such as are placed above their brethren, to wit, that themselves be reconciled unto GOD in IESUS CHRIST: For sense of this alone is able to beget that right noble, and well-composed temper of spirit, those high and unshaken resolutions, which onely are fit to make a Magistrate, and create earthly Gods, as Iudges are called, Psal. 82.1.6. Without this righteousnesse, assuredly whatsoever faire pretexts and representations to the contrary, may dazle and deceive the worlds eye, yet all is rotten at the heart-roote. And the executions of their places, though they may carry things smoothly and palliate with much art and pollicy, yet questionlesse, in case of strong temptation, great advantage, rising, and enriching themselves, gratification of some great one, hazard of temporall happinesse, &c. will be exorbitant and yeelding and at the best, but formall. The cry of that happy soule, which leanes, and hath taken up his everlasting resting place, upon the rocke of eternity, is constant, and still the same in all cases and causes.1 Let right be done, and a good conscience discharged, and then come what come will. Let me not onely loose my place and the favour of the times, but let even the heavens fall, and they will, all is one to me; by the mercy of GOD I shall stand upright under the ruines, and rejoyce in the testimony ⟨p. 46⟩of a good conscience, amidst the confusions both of heaven and earth. But to speake in Scripture phrase, (for the other was the speech, even of an honest heathen.) Ever, when standing on the better side, and keeping a good conscience, threatneth danger and disgrace, he growes into Hesters happy resolution: well, whatsoever comes of me, I will take GODs part, and if I perish, I perish. But not to perish so, is to perish everlastingly: and so to perish, is to be eternally saved.
- 1Ut fiat justitia, ruat coelum.Vt fiat iustitia, ruat coelum.
