A plain and familiar exposition of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of the…A plaine and familiar exposition of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of the…

The prayer which Solomon made to God at the beginning of his reign, doth argue that he knew both these graces to be necessary for him. Give (saith he) to thy servant an understanding ¹heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and evil. Now that which he asked, God was well pleased to grant; and that end which he proposed, God also much respected; that he would therefore, he did afterwards in the case of the two victualling women or harlots about the child. And it is said, that all Israel heard the judgement, and saw the wisdom ²of God to be in him to do justice.

The praier which Salomon made to God at the beginning of his raigne, doth argue that he knew both these graces to be necessarie for him. Giue (saith he) to thy seruant an vnderstanding ¹heart to iudge thy people, that I may discerne betweene good and euill. Now that which hee asked, God was well pleased to grant; and that end which he proposed, God also much respected; that he would therefore, hee did afterwards in the case of the two victualing women or harlots about the childe. And it is said, that al Israel heard the iudgement, and saw the wisdome ²of God to be in him to doe iustice.

1. 11. King 3. 9.
2. 21 King. 3. 28.

Reason 1 First, the Magistrate is made the Lords Lieutenant and Deputy: he ruleth for him, and occupieth his place, and therefore must not only approve himself to his presence, but endeavour so to proceed, as he verily thinketh God himself would, if he were personally in the same case, there and then to sit upon the same causes.