to_o 18._o i_o put_v on_o righteousness_n and_o it_o clothe_v i_o my_o judgement_n be_v a_o rob_n and_o a_o diadem_n i_o be_v eye_n to_o the_o blind_a and_o foot_n be_v i_o to_o the_o lame_a i_o be_v a_o father_n to_o the_o poor_a and_o the_o cause_n which_o i_o know_v not_o i_o searcb_v out_o and_o i_o break_v the_o jaw_n of_o the_o wicked_a and_o pluck_v the_o spoil_n out_o of_o his_o tooth_n it_o appear_v from_o the_o history_n job_n be_v not_o only_o a_o good_a man_n and_o a_o good_a citizen_n but_o a_o good_a magistrate_n and_o he_o answer_v this_o character_n by_o his_o sincere_a love_n to_o justice_n and_o mercy_n like_o a_o good_a ruler_n he_o make_v the_o impartial_a administration_n of_o justice_n his_o chief_a business_n and_o delight_n his_o ornament_n and_o glory_n it_o be_v better_a in_o his_o account_n than_o a_o diadem_n and_o rob_v and_o indeed_o one_o single_a act_n of_o justice_n be_v of_o far_o great_a value_n than_o those_o which_o without_o it_o be_v mere_a pageantry_n a_o good_a ruler_n put_v on_o righteousness_n in_o the_o morning_n wear_v it_o all_o the_o day_n and_o on_o the_o bench_n wrap_v it_o so_o close_o about_o he_o that_o no_o temptation_n can_v blow_v it_o aside_o from_o the_o forcited_a place_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o job_n have_v no_o less_o regard_n to_o the_o exercise_n of_o mercy_n i_o be_v eye_n to_o the_o blind_a etc._n etc._n micah_n 6._o god_n reckon_v the_o exercise_n of_o justice_n and_o mercy_n the_o whole_a of_o our_o obedience_n and_o prefer_v it_o before_o ten_o thousand_o river_n of_o oil_n and_o rom._n 13_o 4._o the_o two_o very_a different_a set_n of_o man_n there_o make_v the_o exercise_n of_o mercy_n and_o justice_n equal_o necessary_a for_o he_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o god_n to_o thou_o for_o good_a but_o if_o thou_o do_v that_o which_o be_v evil_a be_v afraid_a for_o he_o bear_v not_o the_o sword_n in_o vain_a for_o he_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o god_n a_o revenger_n to_o execute_v wrath_n upon_o he_o that_o do_v evil_a i_o shall_v follow_v forth_o this_o head_n first_o by_o take_v a_o separate_a view_n of_o mercy_n and_o justice_n the_o two_o essential_a part_n of_o a_o well_o manage_v government_n 2._o consider_v they_o in_o conjunction_n as_o give_v mutual_a help_n and_o support_v one_o to_o another_o 3._o demonstrat_n that_o in_o all_o public_a administration_n magistrate_n shall_v have_v a_o particular_a regard_n to_o they_o 4._o bring_v home_o all_o to_o practise_v as_o to_o the_o first_o i_o shall_v begin_v with_o mercy_n not_o only_o because_o our_o psalmist_n do_v so_o but_o because_o this_o sweet_a and_o gentle_a method_n all_o magistrate_n shall_v observe_v draw_v the_o sword_n be_v the_o last_o remedy_n and_o never_o to_o be_v use_v save_v in_o extremity_n when_o all_o other_o way_n prove_v uneffectual_a and_o nothing_o else_o can_v serve_v the_o turn_n god_n himself_o reckon_v justice_n his_o strange_a work_n a_o foreign_a part_n of_o his_o providence_n and_o which_o he_o never_o work_v till_o constrain_v and_o even_o then_o with_o some_o aversion_n mercy_n be_v god_n darling_n and_o triumphant_a attribute_n the_o immediate_a offspring_n of_o his_o nature_n but_o for_o this_o divine_a affection_n the_o world_n long_o since_o have_v fall_v about_o our_o ear_n mercy_n challenge_v the_o present_a scene_n as_o its_o own_o and_o the_o conclusion_n of_o time_n be_v almost_o all_o that_o be_v reserve_v for_o justice_n the_o mercy_n of_o ruler_n ought_v to_o be_v a_o copy_n of_o that_o wondrous_a compassion_n god_n show_v to_o a_o destroy_a world_n and_o as_o far_o as_o possible_a a_o exact_a transcript_n of_o that_o grand_a exemplar_n and_o consist_v 1_o in_o their_o protect_a and_o defend_v the_o innocent_a from_o all_o unjust_a violence_n and_o oppression_n they_o be_v by_o sacred_a writter_n style_v god_n and_o by_o both_o sacred_a and_o profane_a father_n for_o the_o great_a tenderness_n they_o shall_v exercise_n towards_o their_o people_n that_o be_v their_o child_n and_o creature_n a_o cruel_a father_n be_v a_o unnatural_a and_o a_o cruel_a god_n be_v a_o monstrous_a thing_n magistrate_n be_v appoint_v to_o be_v city_n of_o refuge_n where_o the_o oppress_a may_v take_v sanctuary_n and_o therefore_o shall_v be_v all_o eye_n to_o spy_v out_o the_o people_n burden_n all_o ear_n to_o hear_v their_o complaint_n and_o all_o hand_n to_o relieve_v they_o and_o avenge_v they_o of_o their_o adversary_n the_o unjust_a judge_n in_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o brand_v with_o any_o wrongful_a sentence_n or_o act_n of_o unjustice_n but_o with_o want_n of_o a_o merciful_a disposition_n he_o have_v not_o bowel_n enough_o towards_o the_o injure_a widow_n who_o make_v many_o a_o vain_a journey_n to_o his_o lodging_n this_o mercy_n in_o the_o second_o place_n be_v much_o concern_v in_o regulate_v the_o execution_n of_o the_o law_n on_o offender_n magistrate_n may_v not_o go_v to_o the_o utmost_a rigour_n against_o they_o some_o considerration_n will_v be_v have_v of_o the_o disadvantageous_a circumstance_n mankind_n labour_v under_o humane_a frailty_n and_o infirmity_n surprise_v and_o ignorance_n plead_v strong_a for_o some_o abatement_n and_o moderation_n else_o the_o best_a and_o wise_a law_n giver_n can_v so_o frame_v their_o law_n as_o that_o a_o strict_a and_o rigorous_a execution_n of_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v a_o unsupportable_a severity_n for_o the_o high_a act_n of_o justice_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o unjustice_n and_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o urge_v the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n too_o far_o when_o neither_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n nor_o common_a equity_n the_o standard_n of_o all_o law_n be_v violate_v and_o where_o the_o cause_n be_v doubtful_a they_o shall_v incline_v to_o mercy_n as_o the_o safe_a side_n for_o better_o spare_v ten_o guilty_a then_o destroy_v one_o innocent_a of_o the_o injury_n do_v the_o latter_a no_o reparation_n can_v be_v make_v the_o fault_n can_v not_o be_v mend_v but_o though_o the_o other_o may_v for_o some_o time_n fly_v from_o the_o hand_n of_o justice_n vengeance_n will_v not_o suffer_v they_o always_o to_o escape_v it_o be_v somewhat_o strange_a what_o be_v story_v of_o a_o sentence_n of_o the_o areopagi_n the_o great_a court_n of_o athens_n before_o who_o a_o lady_n be_v arraign_v and_o accuse_v for_o kill_v her_o husband_n and_o son_n because_o they_o have_v kill_v a_o son_n of_o she_o by_o another_o husband_n the_o judge_n order_v she_o and_o her_o accuser_n to_o appear_v before_o they_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n after_o declare_v thereby_o they_o will_v not_o absolve_v and_o can_v not_o condemn_v she_o but_o leave_v the_o determination_n of_o the_o cause_n to_o the_o god_n i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o second_o the_o exercise_n of_o justice_n the_o magistrate_n wear_v not_o god_n sword_n in_o vain_a but_o to_o manage_n and_o wield_v it_o as_o god_n himself_o will_v be_v he_o on_o the_o earth_n a_o godly_a ruler_n propose_v to_o himself_o the_o best_a and_o most_o excellent_a law_n by_o which_o he_o be_v to_o govern_v and_o take_v up_o a_o fix_a resolution_n never_o to_o swerve_v from_o nor_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v contrary_a or_o disagreable_a to_o they_o yea_o in_o the_o small_a circumstance_n and_o on_o all_o ocasion_n to_o exercise_v justice_n without_o be_v divert_v from_o the_o same_o by_o any_o temptation_n of_o promise_n or_o threat_n or_o nearness_n of_o relation_n justice_n be_v blind_a and_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o these_o foreign_a consideration_n but_o only_o to_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n ruler_n be_v under_o the_o great_a obligation_n to_o this_o whither_o we_o consider_v their_o relation_n to_o god_n or_o to_o the_o law_n or_o to_o the_o people_n as_o to_o the_o first_o they_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o a_o righteous_a god_n who_o love_v and_o delight_v in_o righteousness_n to_o do_v judgement_n be_v more_o to_o he_o than_o all_o sacrifice_n and_o whole_a burnt-offering_n these_o without_o that_o be_v unprofitable_a unacceptable_a and_o a_o abomination_n isa._n 1_o 11_o 12_o 13_o 17._o these_o solemn_a and_o august_n ordinance_n though_o command_v and_o reward_v by_o the_o lord_n yet_o when_o divorce_v and_o separate_v from_o justice_n be_v but_o bright_a sin_n in_o his_o account_n he_o put_v upon_o they_o a_o slight_a as_o solemn_a as_o their_o institution_n who_o require_v those_o thing_n at_o your_o hand_n the_o practice_n of_o ruler_n shall_v have_v a_o conformity_n to_o the_o eternal_a law_n of_o righteousness_n for_o the_o power_n the_o bench_n the_o judgement_n be_v the_o lord_n and_o must_v not_o be_v make_v tool_n and_o weapon_n of_o unrighteousness_n this_o be_v to_o profane_v the_o most_o sacred_a thing_n they_o be_v likewise_o appoint_v to_o be_v the_o guardian_n of_o the_o law_n trust_v with_o the_o keep_n and_o execution_n of_o
a_o sermon_n preach_v in_o the_o high_a church_n of_o edinburgh_n at_o the_o election_n of_o the_o magistrate_n of_o the_o city_n on_o the_o second_o of_o octob._n 1694._o by_o james_n webster_n minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n edinburgh_n print_a by_o george_n mosman_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o his_o shape_v in_o the_o parliament_n closs_n 1694._o psal_n 101_o verse_n 1._o 2._o i_o will_v sing_v of_o mercy_n and_o judgement_n o_o when_o will_v thou_o come_v unto_o i_o the_o best_a and_o most_o perfect_a model_n of_o government_n ever_o obtain_v in_o the_o world_n the_o jew_n enjoy_v under_o their_o judge_n it_o be_v indeed_o a_o pure_a theocracy_n god_n himself_o be_v their_o political_a head_n and_o king_n and_o as_o it_o be_v their_o supreme_a magistrate_n both_o sacred_a and_o profane_a history_n bear_v witness_n to_o this_o in_o he_o be_v lodge_v all_o the_o prerogative_n royal_a all_o the_o right_n of_o majesty_n he_o give_v they_o their_o law_n immediate_o from_o heaven_n go_v forth_o before_o their_o army_n fight_v their_o battle_n appoint_v their_o ruler_n deputy_n under_o he_o and_o exact_v from_o they_o tribute_n brief_o after_o a_o narrative_a of_o his_o glorious_a appearance_n and_o mighty_a work_n for_o they_o and_o of_o their_o deep_a obligation_n to_o he_o he_o offer_v and_o they_o accept_v of_o he_o to_o be_v their_o king_n and_o by_o a_o mutual_a covenant_n they_o bind_v themselves_o one_o to_o another_o but_o his_o stupid_a people_n ignorant_a of_o their_o true_a interest_n and_o weary_a of_o their_o happiness_n shake_v off_o the_o yoke_n of_o god_n and_o exchange_v it_o for_o man_n call_v to_o samuel_n to_o give_v they_o a_o king_n and_o by_o no_o mean_n will_v be_v divert_v from_o their_o rebellion_n and_o treason_n have_v it_o be_v likely_a a_o design_n at_o once_o to_o change_v their_o god_n and_o their_o king_n to_o throw_v off_o their_o religion_n and_o their_o allegiance_n together_o however_o in_o anger_n they_o have_v their_o desire_n they_o get_v a_o king_n who_o live_v wicked_a and_o die_v miserable_a to_o he_o do_v our_o psalmist_n succeed_v according_a to_o a_o promise_n the_o lord_n have_v give_v he_o and_o betwixt_o the_o promise_n and_o its_o accomplishment_n as_o some_o think_v or_o immediate_o after_o the_o accomplishment_n as_o other_o he_o compose_v this_o psalm_n where_o he_o come_v under_o solemn_a engagement_n and_o vow_n not_o to_o abuse_v his_o power_n as_o saul_n have_v do_v but_o to_o employ_v and_o manage_v it_o for_o god_n i_o will_v sing_v etc._n etc._n the_o psalm_n be_v one_o contiw_v chain_n of_o david_n resolution_n to_o govern_v for_o the_o lord_n and_o in_o our_o text_n he_o promise_v to_o have_v a_o particular_a regard_n to_o righteousness_n and_o mercy_n the_o two_o great_a virtue_n of_o a_o ruler_n and_o the_o two_o great_a pillar_n of_o a_o government_n this_o mercy_n be_v a_o generous_a compassion_n incline_v ruler_n to_o observe_v countenance_n harken_v to_o judge_n and_o reward_n the_o good_a the_o innocent_a and_o the_o oppress_a he_o bind_v and_o oblige_v himself_o to_o this_o so_o necessary_a a_o work_n the_o melancholy_a scene_n and_o the_o great_a variety_n of_o misery_n people_n groan_v under_o shall_v invite_v the_o ruler_n pity_v draw_v out_o his_o bowel_n and_o open_v his_o eye_n his_o heart_n and_o hand_n to_o their_o relief_n this_o be_v his_o proper_a province_n this_o be_v the_o original_a design_n of_o government_n mercy_n be_v not_o as_o the_o disciple_n of_o zeno_n think_v a_o weakness_n of_o soul_n a_o litleness_n and_o meanness_n of_o spirit_n and_o a_o downright_a vice_n no_o our_o psalmist_n put_v a_o just_a value_n on_o it_o and_o vow_n it_o shall_v have_v a_o fix_a residence_n and_o constant_a lodging_n in_o his_o royal_a and_o religious_a breast_n but_o least_o this_o compassion_n to_o which_o as_o be_v well_o observe_v by_o some_o we_o be_v by_o nature_n sway_v and_o by_o the_o very_o make_v and_o constitution_n of_o our_o body_n prompt_v and_o incline_v shall_v by_o carry_v we_o too_o far_o degenerate_a and_o bind_v into_o a_o vice_n he_o in_o great_a wisdom_n and_o discretion_n resolve_v to_o temper_v it_o with_o a_o mixture_n of_o justice_n by_o discountenance_v punish_v and_o be_v terrible_a to_o evil_a doer_n i_o will_v sing_v of_o judgement_n magistrate_n at_o all_o time_n especial_o now_o when_o wickedness_n take_v strength_n from_o forbearance_n and_o indemnity_n enbolden_v offender_n and_o the_o government_n be_v in_o danger_n of_o sink_v under_o its_o own_o mildness_n shall_v be_v son_n of_o thunder_n and_o imitat_fw-la he_o who_o minister_n they_o be_v who_o both_o give_v his_o law_n and_o execute_v they_o in_o all_o circumstance_n of_o terror_n some_o difference_n be_v to_o be_v make_v betwixt_o moses_n rod_n and_o aaron_n this_o to_o speak_v so_o be_v silent_o fruitful_a without_o all_o noise_n and_o observation_n send_v forth_o its_o bud_n blossom_n and_o fruit_n but_o that_o turn_v unto_o a_o serpent_n hiss_v and_o sting_n unto_o death_n no_o soon_o do_v constantin_n once_o a_o inhabitant_n of_o this_o island_n mount_v the_o imperial_a throne_n than_o he_o sing_v of_o mercy_n to_o the_o harassed_a and_o perlecute_v christian_n and_o of_o justice_n to_o the_o pagan_a idolater_n to_o they_o he_o speak_v in_o lightning_n and_o thunder_n and_o be_v so_o severe_a and_o terrible_a unto_o they_o that_o its_o prophecy_n rev_n 6._o be_v easy_o mistake_v for_o a_o description_n of_o the_o last_o judgement_n david_n to_o demonstrat_fw-la the_o natural_a delight_n himself_o and_o all_o ruler_n shall_v have_v in_o a_o well_o temper_a government_n sing_v his_o obligation_n and_o engagement_n to_o it_o with_o a_o joyful_a emotion_n of_o spirit_n vow_v when_o god_n shall_v come_v to_o he_o as_o the_o word_n may_v be_v read_v i._n e._n as_o interpreter_n say_v when_o he_o shall_v be_v king_n to_o sway_v and_o wield_v his_o sceptre_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o good_a of_o his_o people_n and_o whereas_o he_o promise_v then_o to_o execut_a justice_n and_o mercy_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o if_o he_o have_v neglect_v the_o same_o in_o his_o private_a station_n but_o that_o when_o in_o power_n he_o will_v be_v in_o a_o more_o public_a and_o better_a capacity_n to_o do_v it_o there_o be_v one_o textual_a difficulty_n to_o be_v remove_v ere_o i_o go_v far_o why_o do_v his_o come_n to_o the_o throne_n go_v under_o the_o phrase_n of_o god_n come_v to_o he_o we_o must_v remember_v he_o have_v god_n promise_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o in_o scripture_n god_n be_v say_v to_o come_v unto_o man_n when_o he_o accomplish_v his_o promise_n and_o bestow_v any_o singulat_fw-la blessing_n on_o they_o but_o more_o particulary_a to_o person_n invest_v with_o civil_a power_n god_n word_n of_o commission_n come_v psal._n 82._o 6._o i_o have_v say_v you_o be_v god_n he_o speak_v to_o they_o and_o with_o this_o create_a word_n confer_v upon_o they_o power_n the_o serpent_n flatter_v we_o with_o a_o promise_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v god_n but_o the_o lord_n do_v real_o make_v some_o man_n god_n the_o word_n of_o god_n mention_v john_n 10._o 34._o according_a to_o the_o best_a interpreter_n be_v the_o divine_a warrant_n and_o commission_n to_o be_v magistrate_n for_o the_o office_n and_o power_n be_v from_o god_n though_o hand_v down_o and_o convey_v by_o man_n and_o upon_o that_o score_n call_v by_o the_o apostle_n peter_n a_o humane_a ordinance_n farther_o as_o soon_o as_o man_n be_v clothe_v with_o authority_n god_n come_v to_o they_o and_o give_v they_o another_o heart_n and_o a_o large_a measure_n of_o necessary_a and_o suitable_a gift_n by_o a_o plentiful_a effusion_n of_o his_o spirit_n breathe_v into_o they_o noble_a disposition_n which_o together_o with_o a_o call_v from_o man_n be_v heaven_n credential_a letter_n that_o prepare_v their_o reception_n and_o command_v obedience_n and_o submission_n from_o the_o people_n and_o in_o fine_a by_o phrase_v it_o thus_o the_o psalmist_n condemn_v all_o unjust_a practise_v to_o get_v into_o power_n for_o though_o have_v be_v anoint_v by_o the_o lord_n express_v command_n he_o have_v a_o undoubted_a title_n to_o the_o succession_n he_o have_v not_o the_o ambition_n to_o shuffle_v his_o anoint_v head_n under_o the_o crown_n till_o god_n by_o the_o vote_n of_o such_o as_o have_v right_a to_o give_v it_o come_v and_o put_v it_o on_o which_o he_o know_v will_v make_v it_o to_o sit_v the_o sure_a and_o shine_v the_o bright_a the_o proposition_n that_o lie_v before_o we_o and_o be_v the_o scope_n of_o the_o word_n be_v person_n in_o authority_n shall_v manage_v their_o government_n with_o a_o equal_a mixture_n of_o mercy_n and_o justice_n a_o government_n well_o temper_v with_o they_o two_o shall_v be_v the_o magistrate_n delight_v job_n 29_o from_o 14_o
they_o they_o shall_v be_v a_o live_a law_n the_o best_a law_n without_o execution_n be_v a_o dead_a letter_n they_o want_v edge_n the_o law_n must_v take_v special_a hold_n of_o person_n guilty_a of_o gross_a immorality_n and_o disorder_n unsupportable_a to_o any_o government_n such_o disturber_n of_o human_a society_n have_v need_n to_o be_v mortify_v for_o they_o be_v a_o scandal_n to_o christianity_n a_o reproach_n of_o mankind_n and_o draw_v down_o judgement_n on_o themselves_o and_o other_o compassion_n to_o the_o innocent_a make_v the_o punishment_n of_o other_o sometime_o necessary_a and_o the_o perverseness_n of_o some_o man_n accent_n the_o song_n of_o judgement_n against_o they_o last_o their_o relation_n to_o the_o people_n who_o have_v lodge_v in_o they_o all_o exercise_n of_o power_n be_v a_o strong_a bond_n they_o have_v trust_v they_o with_o all_o their_o most_o precious_a thing_n their_o estate_n their_o liberty_n their_o life_n and_o which_o be_v to_o they_o dear_a 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