A77844:6
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.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE Sr John Wollaston Knight, Lord Major; AND To the Right Honourable Thomas Atkin Esquire, Lord Major Elect of the City of London.
TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE Sr John Wollaston Knight, Lord Major; AND To the Right Honourable Thomas Atkin Esquire, Lord Major Elect of the Citie of London.
Right Honourable,
IT is a serious and grave resolution of CALVIN, 1Tenendum est illud principium, &c. That principle and maxim is firmly to be kept, viz. That Magistrates are appointed by God, to safeguard, and preserve Religion and public honesty, even as the earth is ordained to bring forth fruit for nourishment, and therefore as when we pray for our daily bread, we also entreat God to make the earth fertile and fruitful; so when we pray, that Christs Kingdom may come; we also beseech God to raise up Magistrates, that may preserve and propagate his truth; But as the earth is many times cursed, because of the sins of the inhabitants thereof, so God for the iniquities of a Nation, raiseth up Governors in his wrath, to be a scourge to them; All which showeth the great necessity of that injunction, to pray for Kings, and those in Authority, that we may live a quiet and godly life under them; and this is the intent of the future discourse, which by your Command is now published, ⟨image 3⟩that otherwise had been buried in silence: I have not launched into that great question, De jure Magistratus circa sacra, though I have spoken a little obiter of it, The Magistracy and Ministry have their distinct bounds, and yet are mutually to help each other, Quamdiu Respublicae manent hospitia Ecclesiae, tamdiu sint mansurae; As long as Common-wealths are Inns, like that in Bethlehem, to lodge Christ in, so long they will abide and flourish. I have adventured to join you both in the Dedication of this Sermon; partly, because you both did encourage to the publishing of it: and partly, because the Lord hath raised you both up in the place of Authority; The one being almost at his races end, and the other beginning his journey. The one having found the experience of Gods Protection in the managing of that Office, which is surrounded with so many discouragements; and the other needing all provocations not to faint in such a public work: The Lord so bless your Honours in this public Service, that the whole City, yea, whole Kingdom may praise God for your Fidelity, Prudence, and Piety therein.