Thirdly, In conformity hereunto Godly Magistrates in the Scripture have from time to time been zealous to vindicate the Church of God from all subversive and dangerous corruptions, and to command that all things should be done in the Church according to the direction of God in his Word. Joshua commanded the Priests to take up the Ark and bear it before the people, Josh. 3.6. David took special order for bringing home the Ark, 2 Sam. 6.2. In the first Book of the Chronicles in many Chapters, we read of his singular care in setting in order the Worship of God. And if it be said, That he did this by special direction and inspiration from God. It is true he did so; But its probable that God would have singled out a King for that service, if his purpose had been that Kings should have attended only Civil Affairs? But to show that this care was not extraordinary to one Prince only, we read of others taking the same course. We find Asa purging the Church from Strange Gods, High-places, Images, and Groves, and commanding ⟨p. 25⟩the people to seek the Lord, and to do the Law: and this was so far from unsettling the State, that it is said, The Kingdom was quiet before him, 2 Chron. 14.2—5. And after, upon the persuasion of the Prophet, it is said, he took courage to do the like; Yea, he put away his Mother from being Queen, because she had made an Idol in a Grove, and cut it down and stamped it, and burnt it, Chap. 11.8, 16. and presently it follows, there was no more war, &c. verse 19. and the very same Blessing followed the very same zeal in the reign of Jehoshaphat his Son, He took away the High-places, and commanded the people to be taught: and the fear of the Lord fell upon all the Kingdoms that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against him, 2 Chron. 17.6—10. Hezekiah began his reign the first year and first month with reforming the Church, and restoring Gods Worship, 2 Chron. 29.3—11. and so continued to do, Chap. 30.1—3.12.22.31.1—11.21. So Manasseh after his repentance, 2 Chron. 33.15, 16. Of Josiah this testimony is given, that like unto him there was no King before him nor after him, 2 Reg. 23.25. and except only the unhappy action wherein he died, there is nothing recorded of him, but his care to purify the Church of God, 2 Chron. 34.35. The like holy care we find in Nehemiah for the House of God, and the Officers thereof, Nehem.
Thirdly, In conformity hereunto Godly Magistrates in the Scripture have from time to time been zealous to vindicate the Church of God from all subversive and dangerous corruptions, and to command that all things should be done in the Church according to the direction of God in his Word. Ioshuah commanded the Priests to take up the Ark and bear it before the people, Iosh. 3.6. David took special order for bringing home the Ark, 2 Sam. 6.2. In the first Book of the Chronicles in many Chapters, we read of his singular care in setting in order the Worship of God. And if it be said, That he did this by special direction and inspiration from God. It is true he did so; But its probable that God would have singled out a King for that service, if his purpose had been that Kings should have attended onely Civil Affairs? But to shew that this care was not extraordinary to one Prince onely, we read of others taking the same course. We find Asa purging the Church from Strange Gods, High-places, Images, and Groves, and commanding ⟨p. 25⟩the people to seek the Lord, and to doe the Law: and this was so far from unsetling the State, that it is said, The Kingdom was quiet before him, 2 Chron. 14.2—5. And after, upon the perswasion of the Prophet, it is said, he took courage to do the like; Yea, he put away his Mother from being Queen, because she had made an Idol in a Grove, and cut it down and stamped it, and burnt it, Chap. 11.8, 16. and presently it follows, there was no more war, &c. verse 19. and the very same Blessing followed the very same zeal in the reign of Iehoshaphat his Sonne, He took away the High-places, and commanded the people to be taught: and the fear of the Lord fell upon all the Kingdoms that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against him, 2 Chron. 17.6—10. Hezekiah began his reign the first year and first moneth with reforming the Church, and restoring Gods Worship, 2 Chron. 29.3—11. and so continued to do, Chap. 30.1—3.12.22.31.1—11.21. So Manasserh after his repentance, 2 Chron. 33.15, 16. Of Iosiah this testimony is given, that like unto him there was no King before him nor after him, 2 Reg. 23.25. and except only the unhappy action wherein he died, there is nothing recorded of him, but his care to purifie the Church of God, 2 Chron. 34.35. The like holy care we find in Nehemiah for the House of God, and the Officers thereof, Nehem.
