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…

Thirdly, unrighteous Rulers are the only men to ruin a Kingdom: wicked Magistrates, and Ministers, are able in a short time to dissolve the sinews of the strongest State in Christendom, and to bring the most flourishing Church of the world into confusion; Many ways, is the measure of a peoples rebellion, ⟨p. 73⟩made up and full; ripe, and ready for the Sickle of GODs vengeance, and besom of utter destruction; by many abominations is the LORDS indignation set on fire against a Nation, but I know not whether by any more, set Idolatry aside, then by perverting of Justice: when judgement is turned away backward, and Justice standeth a far off, when truth is fallen in the street. (Alas for pity! where so many pass by, and not put to their helping-hand,) and equity cannot enter. O the LORD the righteous Judge of all the world, is extremely angry, when judgement goes not forth, and Justice is turned into gall, when those that sit in his place, either judge not at all, or judge unjustly, punishing the innocent, which should be cleared, and clearing the guilty who should be punished. When private men do wrong, the sin is their own, it is their personal offence, and they must answer it with their heads; but if private mens enormities and abominations pass unpunished, be borne with, or bolstered out by authority; if the wicked be justified, and the just condemned, if execution be not done upon Achans, if he be saved, whom GOD hath appointed to dye, if public power be villainously abused to private revenge, profit, or pleasuring of great ones, if good Laws be not executed for the protection of the innocent, and punishing of the wicked. In a word, if public Tribunals, and seats of Justice, be any ways corrupted, if Justice that glorious cement of all societies be neglected or perverted, if truth fall in the street, ⟨p. 74⟩and equity grow lame, I say then the offence grows public, even the sin of the whole Kingdom, and causeth GOD to enter into judgement, not with the Elders of his people, and Princes alone, but with the whole Land, even with the State in general. Hear the Prophets of old, expressing GODS mind herein. Esayah, 59.14, 15, 16, 17. Let us take notice, and tremble, Judgement is turned away backward, and Justice standeth a far off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

Thirdly, unrighteous Rulers are the onely men to ruine a Kingdome: wicked Magistrates, and Ministers, are able in a short time to dissolve the sinewes of the strongest State in Christendome, and to bring the most flourishing Church of the world into confusion; Many wayes, is the measure of a peoples rebellion,