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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
death_n	word_n	world_n	worth_a	34	3	7.8671	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A62049	Men are gods, or, The dignity of magistracy, and the duty of the magistrate as it was presented in a sermon at the assize holden at Hertford for that county on August 2, 1653 / by George Swinnocke ...	Swinnock, George, 1627-1673.; Hall, Thomas, 1610-1665. Beauty of magistracy.	1660 (1660)	Wing S6278A; ESTC R18061	67,270	101

Gods attributes He hath a Mercy-seat to note that he sitteth at ease when he is shewing mercy Whereas judgement is his strange work Isa. 28.21 we read likewise that mercy pleaseth him Mica 7.18 Thus the God should be mercifull men your hearts should be full of mercy and pitty to the sinner when your hands are executing justice against the sin The Bee doth not sting till provoked God doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men Lam. 3.33 There should be bowels of compassion in him than pronounceth sentence of condemnacion Ille dolet quoties cogitur esse ferooe Augustus never pronounced a deadly sentence without deep sorrow Our Laws forbid Butchers to be Jurors because it is supposed they will be hard-hearted Among several qualifications which the Jews required in their Judges these were two 1. That they should be Fathers of children hoping that their paternal affection would incline them to commiseration 2. That they should not be Eunuches for they concieved such very cruel It is a bestial cruelty to delight in blood The laws of Draco are generally condemned for they were written in blood and the offender was sure to die of what nature soever his offence was A. Gell. Our English Deborah Queen Elizabeth did not without cause exceedingly prize Seneca's first book of Clemency because it treated of that which is so needfull to a Prince It is the Devils work to be Abaddon a destroyer It is Christs work to be Goel a Redeemer Mercy and truth preserve the King his Throne is established by mercy Prov. 20.28 Mercy sometime to them that sin through weakness may be as profitable as severity to them that sin through wilfulness It was certainly a cursed speech of that man or rather Monster whom the Italian Orator mentioneth that being a Judge said To hang many is my Jubile and a great execution is my great recreation The expression of the Roman Emperour is worthy of imitation That he had rather save the life of one of his Subjects then take away the lives of a thousand of his enemies Life is a precious jewel more worth then all this world Skin for skin and all that a man hath will he give for his life Job 1. It is not therefore to be taken away for every trifle I do not now dispute the question Whether any Theft may lawfully be punished with death but I am sure every Theft ought not The Romans had their Axes and Rods carried before their Consuls to shew that if the lesser punishments as of the rods would serve the greater of the Axe should not be used And they did justly lament the cruelty of those tribunals where the cheap prescription of lives made the Judgement-seat differ little from a Shambles 3. Work as Gods among men in promoting piety to your power The great design and work of God is to promote holiness in the world This was his aim in his internal work or his decree Ephes. 1.4 This is the great end he drives at in his external works As in the work of redemption Tit. 2.14 Luke 1.92 In bestowing his word The precepts in it are the perfect rule of godliness Gal. 6.16 the promises are pretious encouragements to godliness 2 Cor. 7.1 the threatnings are like the Angel with a drawn sword in his hand to deter men from the way of ungodliness Rom. 1.18 And his works of providence are to the same purpose Afflictions are like the fire to consume the dross and purifie the gold Heb. 12.6 Mercies are like the warm influences of the vernal Sun to draw forth the Sap of grace and hasten mens growth in holiness Thus should the Gods promote godliness as the chief business which the most high God hath given them to do Other things of what nature soever which come within the reach of their care are questionless much inferiour to this And this they should do Partly by their patterns in being examples of godliness to their people Their lives should be so exact that they should be able to say as Gigeon Judges 7.17 Look on us and do likewise or as Paul Walk as ye have us for an example Partly by your precepts your edicts and commands should be like those of Asa 2 Chorn. 14.2.4 Asa did that which was right in the sight of the Lord He commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their Fathers and to do the Law and the Commandment Mark upright Asa did not leave men to choose their religions nor to live as they listed but he commanded them to obey Gods Law He did not strictly enjoyn the payment of Taxes or Customs and such civil things and leave it as a matter of indifferency whether men would mind religion or no but his Laws did enforce and confirm the Laws of God as far as he was able Partly by countenancing maintaining and providing able Ministers 2 Chron. 19.8 1 Cor. 9.13 for the Church as also by taking care that they discharge their trusts faithfully 2 Chron. 29.3 4 5.1 Chron. 16. It is observed of Julian the Apostate that to root up Christianity he disgraced the Orthodox Ministry took away Church maintenance and forbad Christian Schools and places of learning so Sozomen lib. 5. cap. 5. This very course is now cryed up the Lord prevent it The Prince indeed is not called to be a publike Preacher but he hath a call to see that none abuse that calling to the hurt or poyson of his people Partly by suppressing and discountenancing them whose doctrines or lives hinder godliness Suppressing evil is necessary for the promoting good Holy Asa removed his Mother from being Queen upon this very account 1 Kings 15.12 13. The toleration of any in such sins is an intolerable sin And the jealous God will one day make Magistrates know that they shall bear his anger for bearing such evill doers as blasphemers and Hereticks are I speak not against a true Christian liberty in things that are indifferent or in things that are not fundamental but I cannot but speak against this Antichristian licentiosness which is though under other terms so much pleaded for It may well make a dumb child speak when his Father is so deeply wounded in his Word Honour People and Ordinances as he is in our dayes If State-reason compel men to suffer it they must know that it will prove State-ruine Shall it be treason and death to speak thus and thus against men that are mortal weak Gods and shall it not at all be penal to blaspheme the Almighty and Everliving God in denying his Truths which are more worth then the whole world Surely Blasphemies Idolatry and Heresies sins against the first Table are greater as being more directly and immediately against God then sins against the second Table and therefore deserve punishments vide 1 Kings 18.18 Exod. 21.17 Levit. 24.10 to the 17. v. Job 31.25 26 27. Deut. 13. per totum though care should be first

when he is out of the way do they not find many Tyrants for one Every man would be an oppressor were there no man to be a restrainer What would a Nation without goverment be but a desert of savage beasts what would Towns be but dens of Thieves and what would families be but stages of unclean birds yea what would most men be but like dogs trying all right and title by their teeth and strength Men naturally are more afraid of the noise of the Musket then of the Bullet I mean of the frowns of the Rulers then of the fire of Hell and therefore were they once free from them they would do that which would soon undo both themselves and others Now the necessity of Magistrates calleth for reverence and obedience to their authority The more needfull things are the more gratefull they should be Things that are superfluous may be slighted things that are only convenient may be the less valued but things that are absolutely necessary must be highly esteemed I tell thee the Ministry is not more necessary to the well-being of the Church then the Magistracy to the well-being of the State You may as soon see a Tree thrive without a root as a Common-wealth flourish without a Ruler Magistrates are in Scripture called the heads of the people Exod. 18.25 because they are as necessary to the body Politick to direct and govern it as the head is to the body natural therefore as the members yield respect and are subject unto the head if the head do but ake all the humours of the arm as some observe run to the head and therefore the arms are thin and slender because they want their proper nurture yea if the head be in danger how do the other parts hazzard themselves for its shelter many an hand and arm hath been wounded that the head might be saved thus should subjects shew their respect to and tenderness of their superiours for if a member or some of the inferiour parts be cut off the body may live but if the head be taken off if Governours be set aside Actum est de republica that Kingdom that Common-wealth cannot stand long Secondly Consider the severity of God against the contemners of Magistrates There are several in the word of God that stand up like the Mast of a Ship cast away by Sands to warn us that we steer not their course least we be sunk also Those who opposed the preservers of our civil lives have not seldom been punished with violent deaths Corah and his company Abimelech Athaliah Adonijah Absolom Zimri Joab Sheba with several others will confirm this truth And humane as well as divine writings speak to the same purpose James the first King of Scots was murthered in Perth by Walter Earl of Athol in hope to attain the Crown for so had his Sorcerers prophesied and crowned he was with a Grown of red hot Iron clapt upon his head being one of the tortures wherewith he ended at once his wicked dayes and desires Becket Mortimer Tyler Warbeck Sanders Story Campian the Piercies the Powder-Plotters Rhodulphus Duke of Suevia Richard the third of England and many others have been marked with divine vengeance for contemning this divine Ordinance My Son saith Solomon fear thou the Lord and the King and meddle not with them that are given to change For their calamity shall arise suddenly and who knoweth the ruine of them both Prov. 21.22 i.e. of them that fear not God and of them that fear not the King And Eccles. 10.8 9. He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it and whoso breaketh an hedge a Serpent shall bite him Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby These four proverbial expressions speak the danger of them that go about to supplant their Rulers Whilest they are digging pits to catch others the earth falleth on them and murdereth themselves When they are breaking up the old hedge of Government Serpents and Adders which use to harbour in old walls and hedges will sting them God will make men know that it is a dangerous thing to confound rule and subjection and to break down the partition wall which he hath set up between Magistrates and people When these sharp instruments which they run against wound them deep they will believe that it is bad medling with edged tools and that there is a truth in those words of the Apostle They that resist procure to themselves damnation Rom. 13.2 that is both corporal punishment and eternal torment saith Peter Martyr If thou wouldst not therefore suffer with others take heed of sinning with other Depart I pray you from the Tents of these wicked persons saith Moses to the Congregation upon the conspiracy of Corah Dathan c. against their rulers and touch nothing of theirs least ye be consumed in all their sins Numb. 16.26 They that join in common rebellions must expect to be joyned common destructions Be not impatient of rule as thou desirest to avoid that ruine which Gods mouth doth threaten and his hand will execute on such rebellious ones Let those many examples which are in Scripture and other Authors mentioned of them that are hung on Gibbets as monuments of Gods fury fright thee from their acts least thou partake of their ends Believe it no King can possibly be so tender of his own honour as God is of his own Officers Do not therefore shoot off thy guns of opposition against the Gods least they recoil and kill thy self Reviling of natural parents was banishment by Plato's Law death by Gods Law Exod. 21.17 Those then that revile civil parents shall not alwayes go unpunished Thirdly Consider thy felicity and welfare doth under God depend much on the Gods The Apostle enforceth this use by this very Argument For he is the Minister of God for thy good Rom. 13. If he labour to do thee good why shouldst thou imagine evil against him To render evil for good is God-like Mat. 5 ult. but to render evil for good is devilish Magistrates are shields Psal. 47.9 they defend their subjects from the darts and bullets with which the sons of violence would wound them Shepherds Numb. 27.17 to defend them from the devouring mouths of ravenous creatures They are called the foundations of the earth because they support the building from ruine and sinking Prov. 10.25 Coverings Ezek. 28.16 which importeth that Engine under which Souldiers used to be protected in assaulting the walls of an enemy against the stones and darts which were thrown down upon them Guides Prov. 6.7 because they lead and direct the people Angels 2 Sam. 14.15 in that they defend and protect the people The Fathers and Mothers of the Countrey Gen 41.43 Judges 5.7 because they take care of and provide for their people Healers Job 34.17 because they cure their wounds and make up their breaches They deliver the poor that cryeth and the fatherless

things that are now dark and secret shall be then as clear and apparent as at noon day the fire of that day will make things legible which are written with the juyce of Lemons In that Spring time both wholsome roots and poysonous will be discovered which all the winter of this life were hid The books of Gods Omniscience and mans Conscience saith one shall be then opened and secret sins shall be then as legible as if it were written with the brightest star or the most glittering Sun-beams upon a wall of Chrystal Eccles. 12. ult. And it is said to be at night propter improvisionem c. because of most mens unpreparedness for it The destruction of this new world by fire will find men generally in the same careless carnal secure sensual condition as did the destruction of the old world by water Luke 21.35 as the snare on a sudden catcheth the bird so will that day of the Lord seise on such beasts Observe 3. the dreadfulness of it The Heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent hear and the earth and the works thereof shall be burnt up Well may it be called the great and terrible day of the Lord when the Judge will be a consuming fire Heb. 12.29 and shall come in flaming fire 1 Thes. 1.6 7. try them by a fiery law Deut. 33.2 before a tribunal of fire Ezek. 1.27 plead with them in flames of fire Isa. 60.15 and condemn ungodly ones to eternal fire O how dreadful is the voyce and noise of Fire Fire in the night how fearful and frightful then will such fires at the day of Judgement be As often as I think of that day my whole body trembleth saith Hierom. Observe 4. the Apostles inference from it What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness as if he had said We had need to have grace in truth that must undergo such a trial We that must meet with so strict and dreadful an examination had need to be holy to admiration What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness Surely if any argument imaginable can perswade to purity this terrible day can do it The sound of the last Trump may well cause a retreat and call us off from an eager persuit of the flesh and world Eccles. 11.9 and it may also stir you up to purity if ye would meet Christ at that day in peace The Throne of Christ is a white Throne Rev. 20.11 and O with what trembling heart wilt thou O black sinner stand before this white Throne 1 Pet. 4.18 If the righteous be scarcely saved not in regard of the uncertainty but difficulty where shall the sinner and ungodly appear Surely the drunkards cup then will be Wormwood not Wine The sentence on the swearer then will be of cursing not blessing as he loved cursing now so then will it come to him the Adulterers pleasure now will then prove poyson and the prayerless man now will then pray hard work in prayer for some ease some end if not a pardon yet a reprieve for one hour at least one drop of water to cool his tongue but he shall work at the Labour in vain and be eternally denyed O look therefore and make sure of true holiness of the power of godliness for the fire of that day will discover whether you are dross or gold look that the rule by which you walk be right even the Word of God for by that you shall be judged for your eternal life or death John 12.36 Ah how exactly shouldst thou live that must be tryed for thine endless estate by so strict a law How diligently shouldst thou keep thy heart knowing that God will judge the secrets of thy heart Rom. 2.16 How carefully shouldst thou keep the door of thy lips considering that of every not only swearing or cursing but idle word which thou shalt speak thou shalt give an account at the day of Christ Matth. 12.35 How wary shouldst thou be in all thy deeds believing that thou shalt appear at the Judgement Seat of Christ to give an account of every thing done in the body of flesh whether it be good or whether it be evil 2 Cor. 5.10 So think so speak so act as one that must be judged for all at the great day of Christ This may likewise incite you to work as Gods amongst men because at that day Christ will come and his reward will be with him to give to every one according to his works Rev. 22.12 Your actions now are seed if ye would reap liberally on that great harvest day ye must sow liberally in this seed-time Christ will then demand how ye improved the many advantages and opportunities which he put into your hands for the magnifying his Name countenancing his people propagating his Gospel punishing his enemies and discouraging the workers of iniquitie He will ask you why at such a time when you knew his Name was blasphemed his Day was prophaned his Ministers and Ordinances were trampled upon you never stirred or were zealous for their vindication you thought it was good sleeping in a whole skin you were loth to offend your neighbours or you were unwilling to get the ill will of great ones that under pretence of love to all the people of God would have his blasphemous adversaries spared nay encouraged See whether that Jesuitical tenent That Magistrates must only be second-table men that they have nothing do in matters of Religion will hold water at that day O how exceedingly will such be ashamed of it then who now own it in their principles and practices possibly thou art one of that Heathen Gallio's Disciples that would meddle in matters of wrong but sit still in matters of Religion Acts 18.14 17. Gallio cared for none of those things I must tell thee thou art like then to find Hell hot for thy being so cold in the cause of the blessed and glorious God O think of that day and let it move thee to a faithful zealous discharge of thy duty Zaleucus Locrensis in his proeme to his laws hath these words Let this be often pressed upon men that there are Gods and that an account must be given to them of mens actions Consider the day of the Lord is coming and who may abide it In a word Hear the conclusion of the whole matter Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man For God shall bring every work into judgement with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil Eccles. 12.13 14. FINIS Hiero. in proae ad Obad. * Hosanna signifieth Save I pray thee or preserve I beseech thee † Allelujah Praise ye the Lord Ego Dixi Concessio est qua tamen oftendit Propheta nihil perversis Judicibus praesidii fore in facta persona quam illis Deus imposuit Calv. in loc. The