to be a constant Circulation of Honour which as it Originally comes from GOD so should it ultimately return to Him Rev. 22.13 who is the First and the Last the Beginning and the Ending the first Cause and last End of all things All the Streams of Excellency and Honour which flow from Him as their first Fountain and Originall should return to Him and empty themselves into the immense Ocean of His Glory Now as GOD by giving these Names to Judges and Magistrates puts a Lustre upon their Persons and incircles them with a Glory to secure them from Contempt so He mightily obliges them hereby to such a Discharge of their Duty as that there may be a visible Correspondency in their Actions to the Excellency of their Titles and the Lustre and Glory of these Great Names may shine forth in the Execution of their Office Those who are stiled Gods should excell in those Virtues which are the lively Images of the Divine Perfections even of those Excellencies which are the Glories of God as the Supreme Lord and Judge of the World Such are Wisdom Justice Mercy Fortitude and Truth These are as the bright Raies of the Sun wherein the eternal Divinity shines forth with an amiable Lustre in the Government of the World And the Gods on Earth should array themselves with these Beams and Beauties and that they may manifest themselves to be what they are call'd they should so demean themselves that these Virtues and Excellencies may appear in their Administrations Wisdom is a Virtue which should never be wanting in Judges and Magistrates Eccles 8.1 'T was the Wisdom of Solomon which made his Face to shine with so bright a Lustre when he sate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 glittering in his Glory and Majesty upon the Tribunal In his clear Decision of the doubtful Case betwixt the two Harlots 1 King 3.28 both pleading for one living Child all the World admir'd his Wisdom This was an early Glory of his Government which render'd him truly Great in the Eyes of his Subjects Wisdom in a King or a Judge is an Angelicall Excellency a Ray of Divinity So it was said of David As an Angel of GOD so is my Lord the King 2 Sam. 14.19 to discern good and bad This discerning Faculty is a necessary Virtue in a Judge or Magistrate without which he cannot rightly administer Justice and Judgment * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isid Pelus l. 3 Ep. 9. He must have a piercing Eye to look through the Disguises wherewith guilty men are wont to hide the Truth and palliate their Crimes Truth is oft hudled up in Darkness and hidden from the Eyes of men A strict Scrutiny is then necessary to a right Judgment This was the Practice of Patient Job in his Prosperous State Job 29.16 The Cause which I knew not I searched out Politicall Wisdom which stands in the Knowledge of Laws and an Ability to apply that Knowledge to Practice in all emergent Cases and to make a right Judgment of Things in various Circumstances is a Virtue without which it is not imaginable the Office of a Judge or Magistrate should be rightly executed For as Justice is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plato the prop of Cities the strength of Societies the Support of Kingdoms so Wisdom is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Orpheus the Eye of Justice Without this Justice is blind and that Sword oft wounds the Innocent which should Defend them and slay the Guilty But Justice thus guided by Wisdom is an essential Excellency of a Good Ruler a God like Judge For He that ruleth over men must be just 2 Sam. 23.3 ruling in the Fear of GOD. And 't is impartiall Justice which Moses the Great Law giver requires in Judges in the Charge which he gave them Deut. 1.16 17. saying Hear the Causes between your Brethren and judge righteously between every man and his Brother and the Stranger that is with him Ye shall not respect Persons in Judgment but ye shall hear the small as well as the Great ye shall not be afraid of the Face of man for the Judgment is GOD's For when Judges proceed according to the Divine Law which is the most exact Rule of Justice the Sentence they pronounce either when they absolve the Innocent or condemn the Guilty is none other than that which GOD Himself the Supreme Judge hath already pronounc't in his Law A Judge therefore making the Divine Law his Rule in Judgment must not acquit the Guilty nor condemn the Righteous Prov. 17.15 For he that justifieth the wicked and he that condemneth the just even they both are an Abomination to the LORD And he that either for Fear or Favour acquits a Great Offendour shall not only be hated of God but also abhorr'd of men For Prov. 24.23 24. He that saith to the Wicked Thou art Righteous him shall the people curse Nations shall abhor him He that against the Light of his own Conscience either acquits the Guilty or condemns the Innocent draws a woful Guilt upon his own Soul the Guilt of the Crime committed or the Bloud shed and GOD will require it at his Hand Justice is the Glory of the King and therefore should be the Care of the Judge When Sisamnes Herod l. 5. one of the chiefest of the Persian Judges had given an unjust Judgment Cambyses the King caused him to be flay'd alive and his Skin as a bloudy Trophee of the Triumph of Justice over an unjust Judge to be hung up over the Judgment-Seat for a Warning to all others Judges stand in the stead of GOD and therefore they should depose all Humane Respects and as Divine Persons do what may be rationally conceiv'd GOD Himself who is essentially Just in the like Case would do A Judge should so act in all Administrations as if he was nothing else but Justice incarnate So exactly impartially Just should Judges be as if they were what St. Acts 14.11 Paul and Barnabas were thought to be Gods come down from Heaven in the Likeness of men And therefore they must be such whose Eyes are not dazled with the Lustre of Gold nor Hands open'd to receive Gifts For how absurd is it that as it is in the ancient Proverb * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deut. 16.18 19 20. The Hare should draw the Lyon with a golden Snare Judges and Officers saies Moses shalt thou make thee in all thy Gates which the LORD thy GOD giveth thee throughout all thy Tribes and they shall judge the People with just Judgment Thou shalt not wrest Judgment thou shalt not respect Persons neither take a Gift for a Gift doth blind the Eyes of the Wise and pervert the Words of the Righteous * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Justice Justice or that which is altogether just shalt thou follow It should be as easy to turn the Sun from his Course as to divert a Judge from the
as to the Dignity which is put upon them and the Duty which is required of them Come we now to consider them in their Publick Appearance as assembled in a Court of Judcature for the Administration of Justice and Judgment This is here call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ADATH-EL GOD's Court or Council as a Court of Judicature may be fitly call'd because constituted by his Authority and held by his Appointment as the Author and Originall of all Order Power and Government 1 Cor. 14.33 Rom. 13.1 and because He is therein present as Supreme Lord and Judge For GOD standeth in the Congregation of the Mighty as we read it or in the Court of GOD that is according to the Idiom and Propriety of the Hebrew-Tongue in His own Court He judges among the Gods But 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ADATH-EL is here rendred by the LXX 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Synagogue the Assembly of the Gods which is of the same Import with our Version the Congregation of the Mighty Now these Mighty ones are the Judge or Judges with other Magistrates and Officers authoriz'd for the Administration and Execution of Justice and Judgment for the Conservation of the Publick Peace Now this Convention and Association of the Mighty of Judges and Magistrates for the Constitution of a Court of Justice is grounded upon great Reason For hereby the Administration of Justice is not only render'd more unexceptionable but also more powerful and effectually conducible to its proper End which is the Publick Peace the Peoples Good This will plainly appear if we consider that the great End of the Administration of Justice is the keeping of people within the Limits of those Laws which are the Rules of Government And Government is design'd for the Publick Good and Laws are made for the securing of the Persons and Proprieties of the People and especially of the King or Supreme Governour who is the Life of the Law and Soul of Government from whom that quickening Influence is derived which animates the Law otherwise a dead Letter into a living Power And so consequently the Safety and Happiness of all the People must necessarily depend upon the Safety and Prosperity of the King Now Laws are design'd to be as a Fence and Shield to men a Shield to secure their Persons from Wrong by Deceit or Violence a Fence to secure their Proprieties from any injurious Encroachment or Invasion by others For the rendring them more effectuall for this End Penalties are annext unto them in the Infliction whereof upon Transgressours stands the Execution of the Laws This Execution of Laws is properly an Act of Justice without which Laws become insignificant as being ineffectuall for the Restraint of men from those Insolencies and Exorbitancies whereby they become injurious to others and Disturbers of the Publick Peace Now Courts of Judicature are design'd for the Execution of Laws in the due Administration of Justice and Judgment And the Convention of many Persons authoriz'd by the Sovereign Power for this End cannot but rationally appear to be the most powerfull and effectual Means to restrain men from Vice and Sin to keep them within the Limits of the Law and so to promote the great End of Government the Publick Good the Kingdoms Peace For in such an Assembly of Judges and Magistrates such a Congregation of the Mighty such a Convention of the Gods all completely arm'd with Authority and Power for the Execution of Justice and Judgment there must needs appear so much Majesty as will cast an Awe upon the Spirits of men strike the Guilty with such a Terrour as may well make them tremble at the Bar and create such a Fear of offending in the Hearts of the innocent as may in all Reason restrain them from the Commission of those Crimes for which they see others condemn'd by the Sentence of the Judge and then punisht by the Hands of the Executioner For the Magistrate bears not the Sword in vain Rom. 13.4 for he is the Minister of GOD a Revenger to execute Wrath upon him that doth evil Now when the Laws are backt by Arms and many Persons are assembled together bearing the Ensigns of Authority and are attended by others bearing the Instruments of Justice we may reasonably conceive this will strike such a Terrour into the Minds of men and cast such an Awe upon those that are ill-inclin'd as to restrain them from injurious Exorbitancies and keep them within the Bounds of Law and Government This accumulated Strength of Justice will as a mighty Torrent bear down all Opposition and receive no Check by the Insolence of a bold Offendour nor be obstructed by a Multitude of Transgressours Thus Justice in a Collective Body of Judges will shine with brighter Majesty and strike with greater strength towards the beating down all the Monsters of rebellious Pride and enormous Power which shall dare to rise up against Law and Government Many Eyes see clearer than one and many Hands do with greater Force repell that Wrong and Violence by which Righteous Persons are too oft opprest And thus Guilt is more easily detected Innocence more certainly relieved and the Honour and Reverence due to Law and Government more effectually secur'd for the Publick Good Thus in the wisest Nations the best govern'd Kingdoms and Common Wealths such Courts of Judicature have bene constituted as have consisted of many Persons invested with Authority for the Administration of Justice The Jews a People whose Government was founded in the Authority and confirm'd by the Approbation of GOD Himself had their Sanhedrim * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 5.22 Vide Gratii Annot. in hunt lotum their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Council vested with Judiciary Power consisting of Seventy Persons who were the Elders of Israel All the greater Cases of Law were decided by them and by their Sentence Capitall Punishments till their Power was abridg'd by the Romans were inflicted upon enormous Offendours Amongst these Seventy Judges there were two sate as the Chief Godw. Antiq. l. 5. c. 1. one who was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 NASI the Prince or L. Chief Justice and the other who was call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 AB BETH DIN the Father of the Court or of the House of Judgment Now to their Sanhedrim answer our Assises †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Confessus Assessus Assists They are both Words of the same Import and Signification and there 's as great a Correspondency in the Things signify'd They both denote a Court of Judicature consisting of many Judges or Persons invested with Judiciary Power Such also was the Court of the Areopagites among the Athenians and the Senate of the Romans When there is but one Judge who sits alone in Judgment the guilty Offendour may hope either by his Gold or Greatness or by the Favour of Friends to sway him from a right Sentence but when many sit in Judgment tho'
And lets in the first Place view those Great and Splendid Titles which are here given to Judges and Magistrates and consider the Import and Reason of them Then let 's cast our Eye upon the Court where the Persons adorn'd and dignify'd with these Titles are assembled and consider the Reason of their Convention and Association And lastly let 's take special Notice of that bright Glory that rests upon them which results from the Divine Presence among them and consider what Influence this should have upon their Actions and Attendants and especially those who have any particular Concern in the Court. The Titles here given to Judges and Magistrates are very illustrious they are call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 E L and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ELOHIM the Mighty the Gods or the Mighty Gods Both these Titles are the Names of GOD even of the most High GOD by which He is most usually call'd in the Holy Scripture They both signify Might and Power with a special Reference to Justice and Judgment For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ELOHIM as the Hebrews observe is a Name of Judgment as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 JEHOVAH is a Name of Grace So it 's said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ELOHIM SHOPHET Psal 75.7 GOD is Judge He putteth down one and setteth up another And by this Name are Judges call'd in the Law of Moses For it is said For all manner of Trespass Exo. 22.9 whether it be for Ox for Ass for Sheep for Raiment or for any manner of lost Thing which another challengeth to be his the Cause of both Parties shall come 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 AD HAELOHIM before the Judges and whom 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 LOHIM the Judges shall condemn he shall pay double unto his Neighbour And so likewise is the Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 EL given to GOD when He is spoken of as a just and impartial Judge Deut. 10.17 18. For the LORD your GOD saies Moses to Israel is GOD of Gods and LORD of Lords 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 HAEL HAGGADOL a Great GOD a mighty and a terrible which regardeth not Persons nor taketh Reward He doth execute the Judgment of the Fatherless and the Widow And therefore saith Bildad in Job 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Doth EL Job 8.3 GOD pervert Judgment or doth the Almighty pervert Justice Strength and Power for Judgment then is the Import of these Names which are here given to Judges And therefore when GOD is represented as coming forth in his terrible Majesty with Power and great Glory to judge the whole World in Righteousness both these Names are given to Him For it 's said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 EL ELOHIM Psal 50 1-6 The Mighty GOD even the LORD hath spoken and called the Earth even from the rising of the Sun unto the going down thereof Out of Zion the Perfection of Beauty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 GOD even ELOHIM the Mighty GOD hath shined 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Our GOD even ELOHIM the Mighty Judge shall come and shall not keep Silence A Fire shall devour before Him and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him He shall call to the Heavens from above and to the Earth that He may judge His People Gather my Saints together unto me those who have made a Covenant with me by Sacrifice And the Heavens shall declare his Righteousness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For GOD ELOHIM the Mighty GOD He is Judge or as we render it GOD is Judge Himself Thus we have seen the Import of the Names or Titles here given to Judges and Magistrates let 's now consider for what Reason they are given to them They are certainly given them Honoris Officii gratiâ to put an Honour upon them to discriminate them from others of an inferiour Rank and Order in the World and to oblige them to such an Execution of their Office as becomes them who are dignify'd with so great an Honour 'T is sure no small Honour to Judges and Magistrates that GOD hath intrusted them with the Balances of Justice arm'd them with his own glittering Sword and put into their Hands his Thunder and Lightening even the Terrours of the Law which may make them formidable to guilty men but this Honour receives a mighty Augmentation by this that he hath graciously been pleas'd to communicate to them His own Names which primarily and most properly pertain unto Himself even 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 EL and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ELOHIM in that they are call'd the Mighty stiled Gods What greater Glory could GOD put upon men When GOD as a Token of his Favour chang'd the Names of Abram and Sarai as a Mark of Honour He added only to each of them one Letter of his own glorious Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 JEHOVAH calling him ABRAHAM and her SARAH Gen. 17.9.15 But behold here not a Letter of any Name of GOD but his very Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 EL GOD the Mighty GOD is here given to Judges and Magistrates Yea the very same Name which GOD upon the Account of His Power and Judgment assumes to Himself He here given unto them For it 's here said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ELOHIM GOD standeth in the Congregation of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 EL the Mighty He judges among 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ELOHIM the Gods What more magnificent can be spoken of them And the Greatness of Him that speaks it makes the Glory greater to them If the King give a Title of Honour to a man it remains with him and puts a Lustre upon his Person If GOD Himself give a Title of Honour to a man it makes him truly honourable And tho' the King gives many Titles of Honour to his Subjects He reserves that of King to himself this is a Glory which he will not give to another But behold here GOD gives the Title of Gods to men In conferring of Honour the King makes not men Kings but GOD makes men Gods Such are Judges and Magistrates in the Sacred Style Psal 82.6 I have said Ye are Gods Such is the Honour of those Persons whom the King of Kings delights to Honour The Senate of Rome seem'd to Cineas Ambassadour of King Pyrrhus a Council House of Kings Plat. in Pyrrbus but a Court of Justice where the Mighty are assembled for Judgment is a Congregation of Gods Now GOD puts this Honour upon Judges and Magistrates because they are to represent his Person in the Execution of their Office and to procure them the greater Reverence and Veneration from men that the Majesty of Justice which is design'd to over-awe men to Obedience may not be obscur'd by the Contempt of the Persons who are authoriz'd for the Administration of it And when men give Honour to a Magistrate to a Judge as GOD's Representative they do in effect give Glory to GOD who hath given such Power and Authority to men And thus there is and ought
Course of Justice And yet must a Judge or Magistrate so do Justice as not to forget seasonably to shew Mercy when fit occasion is offer'd For Mercy is another Glory of the Divinity wherein those who are Gods on Earth should shine in the Eyes of men For the most High GOD tho' infinitely Just is yet very Merciful and Gracious Thy Mercy saith the Psalmist is Great unto the Heavens Psal 57.10 119.64 and the Earth is full of Thy Mercy Mercy is the most amiable Excellency of that GOD who is terrible in Majesty and resistless in His Power Mercy 't is the Beauty of His Face the Sweetness of His Name the Glory of His Crown the Joy if I may so speak and Delight of His Heart Mic. 7.18 Who is a GOD like unto Thee saith the Prophet who pardoneth Iniquity and passeth by the Transgression of the Remnant of His Heritage He retaineth not His Anger for ever because He delighteth in Mercy There is not then a more lovely Image of God to be found upon Earth than a Merciful man Justice without Mercy will in some Cases be Cruelty and Government without this excellent Virtue will degenerate into Tyranny In a well govern'd Kingdom Judgment should run down as Water Am. 5.24 and Righteousness as a mighty Stream But without Mercy Judgment will be turn'd to Wormwood Am. 5.7 and those mighty Waters as the Rivers of Egypt will be turn'd into Bloud Justice and Mercy must walk hand in hand in the Paths of Equity and Judgment The Good Judge must condemn the Guilty and so do Justice but defend the Innocent out of Love to Mercy Such is the Charge which GOD by the Psalmist gives unto Judges and Magistrates Defend the Poor and Fatherless Psal 82.3 4. do Justice to the afflicted and needy rid them out of the hand of the Wicked Thus Justice on the Guilty is Mercy to the Innocent Moreover a Love to Mercy should be manifested by alleviating the Rigours of Justice according to the Quality of the Offence and condition of the Offendour so far as it may be done within the Latitude of the Law Thus Zaleucus the Law-giver of the Locrians AElian var. Hist l. 14. c. 24. when his Son being taken in Adultery was by the Law to suffer the Loss of both his Eyes did by a rare Act of Mercy alleviate the Rigour of Justice in suffering one of his own Eyes to be put out and sparing one of his Sons that he might not utterly deprive him of his Sight The Sword of Justice is to be bathed in the Oyle of Mercy that it may at once wound and heal For the very Design of Justice even in the severest Punishments is not the Destruction but the Good and Welfare of Mankind according to the known Maxim 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all Punishment is design'd for Good It 's then the Property of a good Judge not to be transported by his Passion to Acts of Severity in the Administration of Judgment but after the Example of GOD Himself in Wrath to remember Mercy Hab. 3.2 Mercy in the Administration of Justice fixes the Empire of a Prince in the Hearts of his Subjects which is the firmest Establishment and so the best Security for the Kingdoms Peace For by Justice the Oppressours are consumed out of the Land Isa 16.5 and in Mercy saith the Princely Prophet shall the Throne be established Thus Mercy the Beauty of the Divine Government is the strength and Glory of a Kingdom But tho' the Heart of a Ruler or Judge be tender and apt to melt into Mercy Psal 93.1 yet must he be strong and resôlute in the Administration of Justice The LORD reigneth saith the Psalmist He is clothed with Majesty the LORD is clothed with strength wherewith He hath girded Himself He 's a Strong GOD who governs and judges the World and that man must be Strong and of good Courage who stands in GOD's stead for the Administration of Government and Justice When a just Cause meets with a strong Opposition there should the Judge interpose his Power for the Defence of Right and by his Authority become a Bulwark to the Innocent A Judge should never want Courage to rebuke the proudest Patron of Wrong the boldest Enemy to Justice Fortitude is a Virtue necessary in a Judge or Magistrate and Justice then shines with the brightest Lustre when it is in Conjunction with Fortitude There are two great Evils which oft obstruct Justice Force and Fraud Fraud is a secret Force an open Enemy Now as great Wisdom is necessary in a Judge to detect Fraud so great Fortitude is no less necessary to repell Force 1 Kin. 10.18 19 20. Solomons Throne of Judgment was guarded with Lyons Justice must not only be guided by Wisdom but also guarded by Strength maintain'd by Courage He that sustains the Person of GOD must not fear the Faces of men He must not be baffled by a bold Offendour so as to suffer a potent Transgressour of the Law to carry out his Crimes with Impunity nor must he be over born by the complicated Force of a multitude of Offendours He must act as becomes one who has Almighty GOD for his Patron who accounts impartial Justice his impenetrable Shield who designs the Publick Good as his main End and esteems the faithful Discharge of his Duty to be his chiefest Glory And therefore in the Direction given to Moses for the Choice and Constitution of Magistrates and Judges over the people it is said Exod. 18.21 Thou shalt provide out of all the people Able men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men of Virtue and Valour of Courage and Strength as the prime Requisite for the adapting of Persons for this great Office And therefore said Jehoshaphat to the Judges whom he appointed to judge the people 2 Chron. 19.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Be Strong and Do your Work or as we render it Deal couragiously and the LORD shall be with the Good And why are Judges and Magistrates here in the Text call'd the Mighty yea 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ELOHIM the Mighty GOD but to signify they ought to be men of Might and Courage for the Administration of Justice and Judgment for the restraining of daring Crimes and the Punishment of proud and potent Offendours A good Judge or Magistrate who is faithfull in the Discharge of his Duty need not doubt the Divine Presence and Protection If a Matter of special Difficulty which is attended with Danger do occur he may do well to call to mind the Words of David to his Son Solomon Be strong and of good Courage and do it 1 Chron. 28.20 Fear not nor be dismai'd for the LORD GOD even my GOD will be with thee He will not fail thee nor forsake thee Justice and Judgment is GOD's Work and therefore he that stands in GOD's stead should not for Fear of man decline the doing of it The Thebans were
Divine Vengeance against the Guilty Then shall a severe Sentence a dreadfull Doom be pass'd upon all corrupt Magistrates and unjust Judges The Sentence shall be irrevocable the Judgment inevitable the Punishment intolerable and everlasting But good Magistrates and just Judges shall at that Day appear with great Joy and as they have bene exalted above others in the Honour of their Places here so shall they out-shine them in the Lustre of their Persons and have those Eminent Services they have done for GOD for their King for their Country rewarded with a super-excellent Glory in Heaven Psal 97.7 Angels are sliled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ELOHIM Gods as it is said Worship Him all ye Gods and Judges who are called Gods on Earth having saithfully discharg'd their Duty shall share in the Glory of Angels and shine as Gods in Heaven for ever and ever Such is the Honour such shall be the Glory of good Magistrates of just Judges But now Magistrates and Judges are either Supreme or subordinate The Supreme Magistrate and Judge in a Kingdom is the KING Himself 1 Pet. 2.13 14. as it is said Submit your selves to every Ordinance of man for the LORD's sake whether it be to the King as Supreme or unto Governours as unto them that are sent by him for the Punishment of evil-Doers and the Praise of them that do well that is subordinate Judges and Magistrates Judges and Magistrates then are but as Delegates of the King who as his Representatives sustain his Person in Acts of Government and Administration of Justice to the People The Honour of these thâ—n in being stiled the Mighty the Gods is but a reflected Ray of that Glory which with a far brighter Lustre shines in Him The King does primarily and immediately represent the Person of GOD and Judges and Magistrates secondarily and mediately as they represent the Person of the King The Glory then of these Great Names the Mighty the Gods does primarily pertain to Sovereign Princes as may plainly appear by the Words of the Scripture where they are so stiled Psal 82.6 7. I have said Ye are Gods and all of you Children of the most High but ye shall dye like men and fall like one of the Princes like David Solomon Hezekiah that sometimes shone in this Glory and now are fallen into the Dust Yea and in our Publick Service we thus read the Words of the Text GOD standeth in the Congregation of Princes He is Judge among Gods So that the Gods here mention'd according to this Reading of the Words are Princes and what Princes can so properly be stiled Gods as Kings who have a Sovereign Power over the People The Glory and Majesty of GOD then shines in its brightest Lustre in the Face of the King His Glory is great saith the Psalmist in thy Salvation Psal 21.5 Honour and Majesty hast thou laid upon him 'T is the King then who by reason of his Supereminency in Power and Authority is indeed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 EL 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ELOHIM a Mighty God ruling and judging amongst men 'T is the King who as Joseph to Pharaoh Daniel to Darius is a Ruler and a Judge next and immediately under the most High GOD the Supreme LORD and Judge of the whole World With what Reverence and Veneration then ought men to look upon his Person With what Readiness and Alacrity ought they to submit to his Rule and Government Hereby also we may plainly perceive how great the Sin of Disobedience is how heinous the Crime of Rebellion 'T is in Effect to contemn GOD to sight against GOD Acts 5.39 who visibly governs the World by Sovereign Princes as his Substitutes and Vicegerents And upon the same Account how great is the Sin of speaking Evil of the King How monstrous the Crime of making a murderous Attempt against his Sacred Person 'T is said in the Law Exo. 22.28 Thou shalt not revile the Gods 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ELOHIM the Judges much less the King nor curse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 NASI the Prince or Ruler of the People The speaking Evil of an ordinary Person is a Reproach of a King 't is as the speaking Evil of GOD a Blasphemy The Charge drawn up against Naboth was this 1 Kin. 21.13 Naboth did blaspheme GOD and the King With this Crime the bold and daring Sectaries of the Primitive Times the proud and impure Gnosticks are charg'd by the Apostles themselves by whom they are thus characteriz'd 2 Pet. 2.10 Jude v. 8. They despise Government and Dominion presumptuous are they and self-will'd they are not afraid to speak evil of Dignities 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they tremble not when they blaspheme the Glories Sovereign Princes in whom the Majesty and Glory of GOD shines and who therefore as Gods among men are the Glories of Mankind When GOD has put so much Majesty and Glory on them given so much Authority and Power to them on purpose to cast an Awe upon those who are to be subject to them it must needs be strange that men should arrive to such an Height of Insolence as not to tremble when they blaspheme them But desperate is the Boldness of Wicked men especially when a Multitude of them is combined in a Traiterous Conspiracy against the Life and Honour of their lawfull Sovereign Of such David Psal 31.15 Old Transtation one of the best of Kings complains I have heard the Blasphemy of the Multitude and Fear is on every side while they conspire together against me and take their Counsel to take away my Life Audacious Villany Desperate Impiety How horrible a Wickedness is a bloudy Attempt against the Life of the King Surely as the Speaking Evil of a King is Blasphemy so the Killing of a King is the Murder of GOD in Effigie and the Slaughter of a whole Kingdom at a Stroke Lam. 4.20 For the Anointed of the LORD is the Breath of our Nostrills Our Lives are in a sort bound up in the Life of our Sovereign Lord the King seeing under his Government and Protection we draw our vitall Breath How equall and reasonable is it that we should not only earnestly pray to Almighty GOD for the Preservation of the Person of the King from Deceit and Violence Psal 72.14 but also with the Hazard of our Lives and Estates endeavour to do what lies in us for his Defence and Security seeing we owe our own Peace and Safety our Lives and Liberties with the quiet and comfortable Fruition of all our Priviledges and Possessions to his Sword and Scepter And be we well assured the hearty Loyalty and Obedience of the Subjects is the best Security for the Life of the King and the greatest Glory of his Kingdom Having pay'd this small Tribute which the Words of the Text demand to the King as Supreme return we to the subordinate Rulers and Judges And having considered them in their Personall Capacity both
wont to make the Statues of their Judges without Hands Plut. de Isid Osir to note they should take no Bribes but he cannot possibly be a good Judge who as it is said of the Sword-Fish is without Heart who wants Courage and Resolution to Execute Justice and Judgment A Judge must have an Eagles Eye and a Lyons Heart He must have a Quickness of Sight to detect mens Crimes and a Courage sufficient to condemn the Guilty We read in our Chronicle Sir Rich. Baker that Henry the Fifth being Prince coming to rescue one of his Servants that was indicted was resisted by the Lord Chief Justice whom he struck in the Face for which the Lord Chief Justice committed him to the Fleet. The Prince suffer'd himself to be led to Prison The King his Father hearing of it was exceedingly pleased that he had a Judge of such Courage and a Son of such Submission Justice is indeed a Heroicall Virtue in a Judge which elevates him above all Fears of Danger and Degradation all Regard to Riches and Honours all Respects to Relations and Allies it raises him to a true Greatness of Mind and Sublimity of Spirit and sets him above all Terrours and Temptations it assimilates him in his Judiciall Proceedings to the impassible Divinity And such a Judge shines in Honour as a God among men and in the Renown of his Justice will be immortall Thus Fortitude and Magnanimity must enoble the Minds of those who sit upon the Tribunall and elevate their Spirits to such an Heroicall Height as is proportionable to the Greatness of the Power wherewith they are intrusted for the Administration of Justice and Judgment To complete their Character and Conformity to GOD Exo. 18.21 Judges and Magistrates must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men of Truth Truth is an essential Excellency of GOD the Rector and Judge of the World Deut. 32.4 For a GOD of Truth and without Iniquity Just and Right is He. The Truth of Things is their Reality or reall Existence as they are represented to be the Truth of Persons is their Integrity or faithful Management of their Affairs in Answer to and Discharge of their Obligations A Judge or Magistrate must be Faithfull in the Discharge of his Trust and make Truth as far as it can be discern'd the very Basis of all his Proceedings Among the Egyptians the chief Judge wore about his Neck a certain Jewel Aelian var. Hist l. 14. c. 34. wherein the Image of Truth was ingraven in a precious Stone This was design'd certainly not so much for an Ornament as a Memoriall that he might proceed in Judgment according to Truth And surely RIGHTEOVSNESS and TRVTH as the VRIM and THVMMIM in the Breast plate of Aaron should be engraven on the Soul of the Judge Exo. 28.30 For he that has not Truth and Justice seated in his very Soul as the Father speaks * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Basil cannot rightly execute Judgment Truth is the Soul of Justice without which Courts of Judicature are but Shops of Cruelty If a Ruler hearken to Lyes saith Solomon all his Servants are wicked Then the Righteous will be defam'd the Guilty absolv'd the Innocent condemn'd Justice and Judgment will be perverted to the high Dishonour of GOD and horrid Oppression of men but when the Ruler and Judge with David hates and abhors Lying Prov. 29.12 Psal 119.163 loves the Truth preserves it inviolable in himself and prizes it in other men he will earnestly endeavour to find out Truth in all Matters before him that all his Proceedings may be in Righteousness and Truth Happy is the State of that Land Psal 85.8 wherein Mercy and Truth are met together Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other When Truth shines with a clear Ray Justice will appear in a conspicuous Glory Thus we have seen what the Virtues are wherein Judges and Magistrates are oblig'd to excell upon Account of that Honour which the most High GOD hath conferr'd upon them in giving such Glorious Titles to them They are stil'd the Mighty the Gods and therefore that they may express a Similitude to the Eternal Divinitie they ought to excel in Wisdom Justice Mercy Fortitude and Truth Then as their Names are a Titular Honour these Virtues will be their Reall Glory These Virtues will not only gild their Names but put such a Lustre upon their Persons as will make them appear as Gods among men Where-ever they live they will be had in Honour especially when these judiciary Virtues are conjoin'd with a constant Practice of true Pietie attended with the Actions of a good Life and animated with a great Zeal for the Glory of GOD. And truly he that is GOD's Substitute authoriz'd to act his Part among men should be zealous for His Glory and he that by the Hand of GOD is exalted to Eminency of Place and Power above others should excell in Piety and be exemplary to others in the Virtues and Actions of a good Life He should live above this World in Contempt of sordid Gain and secular Glory and uncontaminated with those sensuall Pleasures and vicious Impurities which wofully debase the Minds of men A corrupt Judge that oppresses the Poor Psal 10.18 is stil'd a man of the Earth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a sorry man who is but a Son of the Earth But as for the Mighty Psal 82.1 6. who are called Gods and all of them Sons of the most High Col. 3.2 20. how does it become them to mind the Things that are above and to have their Conversation in Heaven from whence their Power and Glory descends For where should a God live but in Heaven And if for the Good of men he abide on Earth he should by a Great Virtue turn Earth into Heaven and the Place wherein he moves and acts in to a Sphaere of Glory Such ought Magistrates and Judges who are the living Images of GOD to be in this World And then the more they excell in Virtue and Piety here the brighter shall they shine in Glory hereafter For they must at length leave this World and be divested of their secular Power and Greatness Psal 82.6 7. Tho' Titular Gods they are indeed but Mortall men I have said ye are Gods and all of you Children of the most High but ye shall dye like men and fall like one of the Princes You who sit as Gods upon the Tribunall in this World and judge others shall at length how soon ye know not stand before the Tribunall of the most High GOD to be judg'd your selves according to your Works Then shall all the Actions of Humane Courts be scann'd again and all the Errours and Obliquities of Judiciall Proceedings openly detected Then the Wrongs of all the oppressed of all that have been injur'd by an unjust Sentence the Tears of Orphans and the Bloud of Innocents shall with loud Clamours cry for Justice and sollicit the