Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

Then it becomes them to be followers of him as dear Children, and as well as they can to imitate him in the discharge of that trust which they have received from him, Who is not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness, neither shall evil dwell with him; the foolish shall not stand in his sight, for he hateth all the workers of Iniquity, Psalm 5.4, 5. But let us pursue this a little further.

Secondly, We have seen what is the place of Magistrates, it is very high and honourable, but not supreme, there is one in Heaven that is higher than they, great men in Authority, are still, as the good Centurion said, under Authority. Their place is a Vicegerency. Now let us, but specially let them consider and remember what is the work and business of their place. For that they ought to do, endeavouring ⟨image 165⟩to stand complete in all the Will of God, as Men, as Christians, and as Magistrates, or Men in Office. It will by no means be found enough for men to hold such or such a place in Church or State, but it ought to be their desire and endeavour to fill up the place they hold. Which if men would seriously think upon, there would not be that seeking of and hunting after places as there generally is. Places then would rather seek men than men Places. And as Persons in Authority and Power do, and will, and justly may expect and require that honour, revenue and salary which doth of right belong to them upon the account of their place: The Prince will not part with his Crown, Sceptre and Throne so long as He can hold them: Nor the Lord Mayor with his Sword and Mace, no nor the Constable with his Staff which is the badge of his Office: So they and all others ought to fill up, as I said, their places with the performance of that Duty which is inseparably annexed to them. A man had a great deal better never have been advanced to a place of trust, than to be careless, negligent, and remiss in it. He that so advanced is not a public good is no better than a common nuisance. Honos and Onus, go together, Honour and Burden; and He doth not deserve to meddle with the Honour, who is not willing to take up the Burden. Well, these places carry great work along with them, and that work must be done.