1The Kings and States that have Sovereign power through all the World, are under no humane Government at all. Though some of them are limited by Contracts with their people. But none have so much need to have the benefit of Heart-government; none have so strong Temptations as they; And no mens actions are of so great importance, to the welfare or misery of the World. If the Monarchs of the Earth do take themselves to be left free by God to do what they list; what work will be made among the people? If they think it no duty to be just, or merciful, or chaste, or temperate, what wonder if they be unjust and cruel, and filthy, and luxurious, and use the People for their own ends and lusts, and esteem them as men do their Dogs or Horses, that are to be used for their own pleasure or commodity. What is the present calamity of the World, but that the Heathen and Infidel Rulers of the World are so ignorant, and sensual, and have cast off the fear of God, and the sense of his Government, in a great degree; when yet most of them have some conviction that there is a God, who Ruleth all, and to whom they must be accountable: What then would they be, if they once believed that they are under no Government of God at all. If they should oppress their Subjects, and murder the innocent, it would be no fault: For where there is no Government and Law there is no transgression: No one forbiddeth it to them, and none commandeth ⟨p. 47⟩them the contrary if God do not: For the people are not the Rulers of their Rulers, nor give them Laws:2 And Neighbour Princes and States are but Neighbours: Therefore if they should sacrifice peace and honesty, liberties, lives and Kingdoms to their lusts, no man could say, They do amiss, or violate any sort of Law.
1The Kings and States that have Soveraign power through all the World, are under no humane Government at all. Though some of them are limited by Contracts with their people. But none have so much need to have the benefit of Heart-government; none have so strong Temptations as they; And no mens actions are of so great importance, to the welfare or misery of the World. If the Monarchs of the Earth do take themselves to be left free by God to do what they list; what work will be made among the people? If they think it no duty to be just, or mercifull, or chaste, or temperate, what wonder if they be unjust and cruel, and filthy, and luxurious, and use the People for their own ends and lusts, and esteem them as men do their Dogs or Horses, that are to be used for their own pleasure or commodity. What is the present calamity of the World, but that the Heathen and Infidel Rulers of the World are so ignorant, and sensual, and have cast off the fear of God, and the sense of his Government, in a great degree; when yet most of them have some conviction that there is a God, who Ruleth all, and to whom they must be accountable: What then would they be, if they once believed that they are under no Government of God at all. If they should oppress their Subjects, and murder the innocent, it would be no fault: For where there is no Government and Law there is no transgression: No one forbiddeth it to them, and none commandeth ⟨p. 47⟩them the contrary if God do not: For the people are not the Rulers of their Rulers, nor give them Laws:2 And Neighbour Princes and States are but Neighbours: Therefore if they should sacrifice peace and honesty, liberties, lives and Kingdoms to their lusts, no man could say, They do amiss, or violate any sort of Law.
- 1What Cicero de leg. 3. saith, that He must first learn to Obey who will learn to Govern, is true in respect of obedience to God.
- 2Quae Lex est recta ratio imperandi atque prohibendi: Quam qui ignorat, is est injustus, sive est illa scripta uspiam, sive nuspiam. Quod si justitia est obtemperatio scriptis legibus, institutisque populorum, etsi, ut iidem dicunt, utilitate omnia metienda sunt, negliget leges, easque perrumpet, si poterit, is qui sibi eam rem fructuosam putabit fore. Cicero de leg. 1. p. 225.
