The dying man's testament to the Church of Scotland, or, A treatise concerning scandal…

We come then to consider what may be a Magistrates duty when seducing spirits assault the people under their charge, and what is obviously in their power to do for preventing of hurt by them, without insisting in any difficult or odious like case. Their duty also may be considered in a fourfold respect, as that of Ministers was. 1. It would be considered with respect to God, and so they ought to fear some stroke coming upon their people, and by looking to Him to endeavour to carry so in reference thereto, as they may be countable to Him: for, if it be a privilege for Magistrates in the Christian Church to have the honour of being nursing fathers therein, Isa. 49. 23. then it must be a great credit, mercy and satisfaction to them, to have their people or foster (to say so) the Church, flourishing and thriving upon their breasts; and if so, then the mis-thriving of the Church by unhealthsom milk of error should and will exceedingly affect them. And certainly that expression doth both show what a Magistrate's duty is, and how tenderly he ought to nourish the Church and preserve her from any thing that may hurt her, as also it showeth how nearly any thing that may hurt the Church, ought to touch and prick him.

We come then to consider what may be a Magistrates duty when seducing spirits assault the people under their charge, and what is obviously in their power to do for preventing of hurt by them, without insisting in any difficult or odious like case. Their duty also may be considered in a fourfold respect, as that of Ministers was. 1. It would be considered with respect to God, and so they ought to fear some stroak coming upon their people, and by looking to Him to endeavour to carry so in reference thereto, as they may be countable to Him: for, if it be a priviledge for Magistrates in the Christian Church to have the honour of being nursing fathers therein, Isa. 49. 23. then it must be a great credit, mercy and satisfaction to them, to have their people or foster (to say so) the Church, flourishing and thriving upon their breasts; and if so, then the mis-thriving of the Church by unhealthsom milk of errour should and will exceedingly affect them. And certainly that expression doth both shew what a Magistrate's duty is, and how tenderly he ought to nourish the Church and preserve her from any thing that may hurt her, as also it showeth how nearly any thing that may hurt the Church, ought to touch and prick him.