A plain and familiar exposition of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth chapters of the…A plaine and familiar exposition of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth chapters of the…

First, it is an usurpation of Gods office, as the Text last alleged Reas. 1 doth testify, and an intrusion into his place: the trespasses against men are sins against him, and he is most offended thereby: he alone knoweth the greatness of the injury, as beholding all the circumstances, and piercing into the most hidden and secret thoughts of the hart, that he may render them a proportionable recompense: and he only hath an absolute power to revenge in such manner and measure, as he shall know to be right and expedient, and therefore he hath reserved that as a prerogative peculiar to himself. So that he which will undertake to be a revenger, doth take upon him to be a God, and attempteth to thrust the Lord out of his Imperial Throne.

First, it is an vsurpation of Gods office, as the Text last alleaged Reas. 1 doth testifie, and an intrusion into his place: the trespasses against men are sinnes against him, and he is most offended therby: he alone knoweth the greatnesse of the iniury, as beholding all the circumstances, and piercing into the most hidden and secret thoughts of the hart, that he may render them a proportionable recompence: and he only hath an absolute power to reuenge in such manner and measure, as he shall know to be right and expedient, and therefore he hath reserued that as a prerogatiue peculiar to himselfe. So that he which will vndertake to be a reuenger, doth take vpon him to be a God, and attempteth to thrust the Lord out of his Imperiall Throne.

Secondly, it is a wrong to the party on whom it is executed; §2for albeit a wrong doer deserve justly judgments at Gods hand, yet there is no commission given to them that be wronged to take revenge upon him with their own hands. The Magistrate indeed is the Minister and Substitute of the Lord, appointed to inflict punishment in his name, upon unrighteous persons: and for this purpose is armed with strength and authority, that with a stayed mind he should consider the quality of their offences, and without any troublous passion repress the boldness of those which are hurtful one to an other.