A77844:58
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.
And then in the last place (and so I shall conclude) he ought to be humble, and trembling under this account that he is to give;that is necessary; they are not to lift up their heads above their brethren. As they are to take heed of pusillanimity and lowness of spirit, Contemnitur Magistratus qui seipsum prius contempsit: that Magistrate must needs be contemned by the people, that hath first contemned himself by his low carriage. But yet on the other side, he ought to be full of humility, to tremble under the account he is to give: what shall he say to God? what shall he answer to God? might not he have hindered this measure of vice? might not he have done this good, and that good? It was a good saying of Seneca, Principi non minis turpia sunt multa supplicia quam medico funera. Many punishments, they are as great a shame to a Governor as funerals are to a Physician: for it implies, that the Governor should have had a great deal of care, and have prevented the punishment: happily his carelessness hath wrought it; happily his negligence, or want of zeal hath wrought it.
And then in the last place (and so I shall conclude) he ought to be humble, and trembling under this account that he is to give;that is necessary; they are not to lift up their heads above their brethren. As they are to take heed of pusilanimity and lownesse of spirit, Contemnitur Magistratus qui seipsum prius contempsit: that Magistrate must needs be contemned by the people, that hath first contemned himselfe by his low carriage. But yet on the other side, he ought to be sull of humilitie, to tremble under the account he is to give: what shall he say to God? what shall he answer to God? might not he have hindered this measure of vice? might not he have done this good, and that good? It was a good saying of Seneca, Principi non minis turpia sunt multa supplicia quam medico funera. Many punishments, they are as great a shame to a Governour as funerals are to a Physitian: for it implyes, that the Governour should have had a great deale of care, and have prevented the punishment: happily his carelesnesse hath wrought it; happily his negligence, or want of zeale hath wrought it.
Now in the managing of these he is to follow the rule of the Word of God, without any carnal policy, or without any subtle considerations whatsoever; to be plain hearted in carrying on the work of God; and you see when David would run to carnal policy, it spoiled him. And so Jeroboam, it was his worldly and state policy that did undo him: we ought to be so trusting of God, and depending on his Word, that when we do our duty, we are to leave the success wholly to him.