2. The second sort of things which concern civill peace, is, the establishment of pure Religion, in doctrine, worship, and government, according to the word of God: as also the reformation of all corruptions in any of these. On this ground the good Kings of Judah, commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to worship him, according to his own statutes and commandments: and the contrary corruptions of strange gods, high places, Images, and Groves, they removed, and are commended of God, and obeyed by the Priests and people in so doing, 2 Chron. 14.3, 4, 5. 2 Chron. 15.8. to 16. 2 Chron. 17.6. to 9. 2 Chron. 19.3, 4. 2 Chron. 24.4, 5, 6. 8, 9, 10. 2 Chron. 29.3. to 35. 2 Chron. 30.1. to 12. 2 Chron. 34.3. to 33. The establishment of pure Religion, and the reformation of corruptions in Religion, do much concern the civill peace. If Religion be corrupted, there will be war in the gates, Judg. 5.8. and no peace to him, that cometh in, or goeth out. 2 Chron. 15.3, 5, 6. But where Religion rejoiceth, the civill State flourisheth, Hagg. 2.15. to 19. It is true, the establishment of pure Religion, and reformation of corruptions pertain also to the Churches and Synodical Assemblies. But they go about it only with spiritual weapons, ministry of the Word, and Church-censures upon such as are under Church-power. But Magistrates address themselves thereto, partly by commanding, and stirring up the Churches and Ministers thereof to go about it in their spiritual way: partly also by civill punishments upon the wilful opposers, and disturbers of the same. As Jehoshaphat sent Priests and Levites (and them accompanied and countenanced with Princes and Nobles) to preach and teach in the Cities of Judah, 2 Chron. 17.7, 8, 9. So ⟨p. 51⟩Josiah put to death the idolatrous Priests of the high places, 2 King. 22.20. Nor was that a peculiar duty or privilege of the Kings of Judah, but attended to also by heathen Princes, and that to prevent the wrath of God, against the Realm of the King and his sons. Ezra 7.23. yea, and of the times of the New Testament it is prophesied, that in some cases, capital punishment shall proceed against false Prophets, and that by the procurement of their nearest kindred. Zach. 13.3. And the execution thereof is described, Revel. 16.4. to 7.
2. The second sort of things which concern civill peace, is, the establishment of pure Religion, in doctrine, worship, and government, according to the word of God: as also the reformation of all corruptions in any of these. On this ground the good Kings of Iudah, commanded Iudah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to worship him, according to his own statutes and commandments: and the contrary corruptions of strange gods, high places, Images, and Groves, they removed, and are commended of God, and obeyed by the Priests and people in so doing, 2 Chron. 14.3, 4, 5. 2 Chron. 15.8. to 16. 2 Chron. 17.6. to 9. 2 Chron. 19.3, 4. 2 Chron. 24.4, 5, 6. 8, 9, 10. 2 Chron. 29.3. to 35. 2 Chron. 30.1. to 12. 2 Chron. 34.3. to 33. The establishment of pure Religion, and the reformation of corruptions in Religion, do much concerne the civill peace. If Religion be corrupted, there will be warre in the gates, Iudg. 5.8. and no peace to him, that cometh in, or goeth out. 2 Chron. 15.3, 5, 6. But where Religion rejoyceth, the civill State flourisheth, Hagg. 2.15. to 19. It is true, the establishment of pure Religion, and reformation of corruptions pertain also to the Churches and Synodicall Assemblies. But they go about it onely with spirituall weapons, ministery of the Word, and Church-censures upon such as are under Church-power. But Magistrates addresse themselves thereto, partly by commanding, and stirring up the Churches and Ministers thereof to go about it in their spirituall way: partly also by civill punishments upon the wilfull opposers, and disturbers of the same. As Iehosaphat sent Priests and Levites (and them accompanied and countenanced with Princes and Nobles) to preach and teach in the Cities of Iudah,
