A77844:15
The magistrates commission from heaven. Declared in a sermon preached in Laurence Jury, London, the…The magistrates commission from heaven. Declared in a sermon preached in Laurencejury, London, the…
The magistrates commission from heaven. Declared in a sermon preached in Laurence Jury, London, the 28. day of Sept. 1644. at the election of the Lord Major. / By Anthony Burgess, sometimes fellow of Immanuel College in Cambridge; now pastor of Sutton Coldfield in Warwick shire, and a member of the Assembly. Imprimatur Thomas Gataker.The magistrates commission from heaven. Declared in a sermon preached in Laurencejury, London, the 28. day of Sept. 1644. at the election of the Lord Major. / By Anthony Burgesse, sometimes fellow of Immanuel Colledge in Cambridge; now pastour of Sutton Coldfield in Warwick shire, and a member of the Assembly. Imprimatur Thomas Gataker.
London: printed by George Miller for Thomas Underhill, 1644London: printed by George Miller for Thomas Vnderhill, 1644
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
The third Argument that he brings, it is from the end of these, they are not a terror to good works, but to evill, facile est imperium in bonos, the Government on those that are good, it is easy. And so he comes to this reason in my Text: For he is the Minister of God to thee for good. In which words observe,
The third Argument that he brings, it is from the end of these, they are not a terrour to good works, but to evill, facile est imperium in bonos, the Government on those that are good, it is easie. And so he comes to this reason in my Text: For he is the Minister of God to thee for good. In which words observe,
First, the Magistrate described by his Office or Nature, he is a Minister. Secondly, by the Efficient Cause, he is of God. And thirdly, by the end, To thee for good.
1. He is a Minister, a Minister in what sense you heard: Not a minister as Nebuchadnezzar was said to be a minister: or as Attila was called flagellum Dei, a scourge of God, by way of Gods providence, working such and such things, no, but he is a Minister by way of command, and by way of approbation. The Greek word is diaconos, those words that are applied now, and appropriated to Ecclesiastical Governors, they were at first used of Civill; as, Episcopos, the same is used by the Septuagint, for one that hath an oversight, or inspection in Civill matters: And so Tully useth the word Episcopos, for one that had an over-sight over some State commodities. ⟨p. 4⟩And thus diaconos here in the Text, though it is used now Ecclesiastically, yet at first it was taken largely, for any one that did serve: and so [Greek or Hebrew] the word afterward here used; it is not as the Papists would have it, only to be appropriated to sacrificing, but is extended largely unto all kind of Service: he is a Minister, his power therefore is bounded.