Two sermons preached at Northampton at two several assizes there The one in the…Two sermons preached at Northampton at two severall assises there The one in the…

It is not enough for a Justice of Peace, to have a good revenue and rich attire, and to present himself solemnly upon the Bench every Sessions and Assize: but he must be skilful in the duties of his office and Statutes, so far as they concern it: other wise he will sit but as an Idol, or cipher upon that Tribunal, which requires a great deal of understanding, and action. Nay, and not only so, knowledge in the duties of his place, though never so univer•••l and exact, will not serve the turn, except he be also active, and employed. Being thus furnished with speculative abilities, and wisdom for that purpose, he must take to heart the good of the Country, out of conscience; labour, and pray for an holy dexterity, to discover and dive into the depth of the Devils Agents, their combinations, haunts, and hypocrisies, to search businesses that are brought before him to the bottom, and that with gravity and in earnest; out of a spiritual prudence to take all advantages, and fit opportunities, to suppress ⟨p. 63⟩the floods of Belial, to disgrace a graceless, and honour an honest man; otherwise he will be so far from being a good Patriot, that he may prove a very plague to the Country. There is not a more notorious villainy, there can be no greater wrong and greater indignity offered to an ingenious and free people, then to have a Magistrate set over them, which adding craft to his power and skill, welds them all three to work his own ends, and practise his private revenge from time to time upon his supposed opposites.

It is not enough for a Iustice of Peace, to have a good revenew and rich attire, and to present himselfe solemnly upon the Bench every Sessions and Assize: but he must be skilfull in the duties of his office and Statutes, so farre as they concerne it: other wise he will sit but as an Idoll, or cipher upon that Tribunall, which requires a great deale of understanding, and action. Nay, and not onely so, knowledge in the duties of his place, though never so univer•••l and exact, will not serve the turne, except he be also active, and imployed. Being thus furnished with speculative abilities, and wisdome for that purpose, he must take to heart the good of the Country, out of conscience; labour, and pray for an holy dexterity, to discover and dive into the depth of the Devils Agents, their combinations, haunts, and hypocrisies, to search businesses that are brought before him to the bottome, and that with gravity and in earnest; out of a spirituall prudence to take all advantages, and fit opportunities, to suppresse