I do not deny the Truth of it, rightly understood, but it seemeth to me somewhat too loose, and confused, for me to own it as mine own. For the Magistrates power may be said to extend no further then the bodies and Goods of his Subjects, either as the Subject of his power, or as the end of his power. If Goods be meant outward Goods, and the Magistrates power be said to extend no further then to the body and Goods of his Subjects, as to the Object of his power, the Position is true. But if it be meant of the end of his power, as if a Magistrates power reached no further then to the preservation of their bodies, and outward Goods, ⟨p. 164⟩it is false For the Adequate end of the Magistrates power, is [Greek or Hebrew], benè administrare Rempublicam, well to govern the Common-wealth. Now can it be well with a Common-wealth, that liveth in bodily health, and worldly wealth, but yet without Church, without Christ, without God in the world? But though God for a time may preserve a civill State in health and wealth, through his Patience, and bounty, especially till means of Grace be offered to them: yet after means of Grace be offered, they cannot long expect bodily health, or wealth to be continued to them, if they neglect, or despise, or depart from so great salvation. Witness the Roman Empire, which though it abounded in worldly blessings, till the Lord Jesus came riding forth amongst them upon a White Horse of the Gospel of his Grace: yet after they neglected so great Salvation, then followed a Red Horse of War, and a black Horse of Famine, and a Pale Horse of Pestilence and other Judgements, which much impeached both the health, and wealth of that State, and would have ruined it, had it not cast away her Idols, and advanced the Sceptre of the Lord Jesus.
I doe not deny the Truth of it, rightly understood, but it seemeth to me somewhat too loose, and confused, for me to owne it as mine own. For the Magistrates power may be said to extend no further then the bodyes and Goods of his Subjects, either as the Subject of his power, or as the end of his power. If Goods be meant outward Goods, and the Magistrates power be said to extend no further then to the body and Goods of his Subjects, as to the Object of his power, the Position is true. But if it be meant of the end of his power, as if a Magistrates power reached no further then to the preservation of their bodyes, and outward Goods, ⟨p. 164⟩it is false For the Adequate end of the Magistrates power, is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, benè administrare Rempublicam, well to governe the Common-wealth. Now can it be well with a Common-wealth, that liveth in bodily health, and worldly wealth, but yet without Church, without Christ, without God in the world? But though God for a time may preserve a civill State in health and wealth, through his Patience, and bounty, especially till meanes of Grace be offered to them: yet after meanes of Grace be offered, they cannot long expect bodily health, or wealth to be continued to them, if they neglect, or despise, or depart from so great salvation. Witnesse the Romane Empire, which though it abounded in worldly blessings, till the Lord Jesus came riding forth amongst them upon a White Horse of the Gospel of his Grace: yet after they neglected so great Salvation, then followed a Red Horse of Warre, and a black Horse of Famine, and a Pale Horse of Pestilence and other Judgements, which much impeached both the health, and wealth of that State, and would have ruined it, had it not cast away her Idolls, and advanced the Scepter of the Lord Jesus.
