A77844:30
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.
Yea, it is so of God, and so natural, that Divines do think that Magistracy and government would have been in the state of Innocency: for certainly there would have been paternal authority, and filial subjection: and why (when the World should have increased by time) should there not have been subjection unto Magistrates? not indeed by way of fear, or by way of pain, as it is now; no more then a child would have been obedient to his parents, on such terms, but in a happy, and in a blessed way, and for order sake. Thus you see, it is of God, and in what sense.
Yea, it is so of God, and so naturall, that Divines doe thinke that Magistracy and government would have been in the state of Innocency: for certainely there would have been paternall authority, and filiall subjection: and why (when the World should have increased by time) should there not have been subjection unto Magistrates? not indeed by way of feare, or by way of paine, as it is now; no more then a child would have been obedient to his parents, on such termes, but in a happy, and in a blessed way, and for order sake. Thus you see, it is of God, and in what sence.
In the next place, Consider the titles that the Scripture gives unto Magistrates, which mightily sets forth their duty, and their office. As in Joh. 10.35. they are called Gods: it is a place that is quoted out of the Psalm: If he called them Gods to whom the word of God came: Hensius, would have it, Against whom the word of God came: and certainly, if you consult with the Psalm, That ⟨p. 6⟩seemeth to be reprehensory and objurgatory; to those that were Governors; and our Saviours argument is stronger: If he calls them, against whom the word of God came; came condemning of them, and chiding of them, and reproving of them; if he calls them Gods, then is it any great matter that I am called God? But take it as we render it: yet you see it is, they are Gods: and the word of God came to them: that is, the word of God came to them, and appointed them; as well as it came to Ministers and appointed them, thus they are Gods.