A30136:76
A confession of my faith and a reason of my practice
A confession of my faith and a reason of my practice, or, With who, and who not, I can hold church-fellowship, or the communion of saints
London: printed for Francis Smith, 1672
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A Confession of my Faith; and a reason of my practice in worship, &c. › Of Magistracy.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Of Magistracy.
I believe, that Magistracy is Gods ordinance, which he hath appointed for the government of the whole world; And that it is a judgment of God, to be without those ministers of God, which he hath ordained to put ⟨p. 47⟩wickedness to shame. Judg 18.7.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist, shall receive to themselves damnation; For rulers are not a terror to good works but to the evil; Wilt thou not then be afraid of the power, do that which is Good and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid, for he beareth not the sword in vain, For he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil: Wherefore, ye must needs be subject; not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake: For this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are Gods ministers attending continually unto this very thing. Rom. 13. Many are the mercies we receive, by a well qualified Magistrate, and if any shall at any time be otherwise inclined, let us show our christianity in a patient suffering ⟨p. 48⟩for well doing, what it shall please God to inflict by them.