Milton

¶1p. 525 Hactenus de officiis privatis: publica sunt vel politica vel ecclesiastica.

¶2Politica sunt magistratus et populi vel inter se vel erga vicinos et exteros.

¶3MAGISTRATUS OFFICIA ERGA POPULUM docentur Exod. xxiii. 8. munus ne accipito, nam—. et xxxii. 11, &c. deprecatus est Moses—et dixit, quare, Jehova, accenderetur ira tua in populum tuum—? Lev. xix. 15. ne accipitote personam tenuis, neque honorem exhibeto personæ magni: juste judicato proximum tuum. Num. xi. 11, &c. quare non inveni gratiam in oculis tuis, quod imposuisti onus hujus populi totius mihi—? et xiv. 13. dixit vero Moses Jehovæ, atqui audirent Ægyptii—. Deut. i. 9. non possum solus ferre onus vestri. xvii. 20. ne efferatur animus ejus præ fratribus suis, et ne recedat ab hoc præcepto dextrorsum aut sinistrorsum. 1 Reg. ii. 3. observabis observationem Jehovæ Dei tui—. et iii. 8, 9, 10. des animum servo tuo intelligentem—. 2 Chron. i. 10. idem. 1 Chron. xiii. 2. dixit David toti congregationi Israelis, si vobis bonum et a Jehova Deo nostro videtur esse, passim dimittamus ad fratres nostros—. et xxviii. 2. audite me, fratres mei et popule mi—. 2 Chron. xix. 6. edicens judicibus, videte quid facturi sitis; non enim pro homine judicaturi estis, sed pro p. 526 Jehova, qui vobiscum futurus est in rebus judiciariis. Psal. lxxii. 2. judicet populum tuum juste, et pauperes tuos jure. et lxxv. 3. quum excepero conventum, ego rectissime judicabo. et lxxxii. 3. judicate secundum tenuem et pupillum—. Prov. xi. 14. ubi non sunt prudentia consilia, corruit populus; salus autem est in amplitudine consiliarii. et xvi. 12. abominationi sit regibus committere improbitatem: nam justitia stabilitur solium. et cap. xxix. 4. rex judicio stabilit regionem, vir autem oblatis muneribus destruit eam. et xviii. 17. justus videtur qui—, donec adveniente proximo ejus, pervestiget illum judex. et xx. 8. rex insidens solio judiciali, ventilat in oculis omne malum. et xxiv. 23. agnoscere personam in judicio non est bonum. et xxxi. a v. 1, ad v. 10. verborum Lemuelis regis—. Jer. xxi. 12. sic ait Jehova, exercete quolibet mane jus—. et xxii. 3, 4. exercete jus et justitiam—. Nehem. v. 14. ex quo tempore præceperat mihi ut essem princeps—, ego cum cognatis meis cibarium principis non comedi. Matt. xx. 25, 27, 28. scitis principes gentium in eas dominari, et magnates potestatem exercere in eas: verum non ita erit inter vos; sed quicunque noluerit inter vos magnus fieri, esto vester minister—. Marc. x. 42, &c. Luc. xxii. 25, &c. idem. Rom. xiii. 3, 4. nam magistratus non sunt timori bonis operibus, sed malis—: Dei enim minister est tuo bono—.

¶4In præmio et pœna. Psal. ci. 4, &c. animus perversus recedet a me—: oculi mei attendent ad veraces terræ—. In pœna sed moderata tamen. Deut. xxv. 3. quadragenis plagis cædendum curabit eum; ne addito—. 1 Reg. ii. 26. reus mortis es, attamen hoc die non afficiam te morte, quia—.

¶5Jus magistratus et gladii. Gen. ix. 6. per hominem sanguis illius effunditor, quia—. Job. xii. 18. vinculum regum dissolvit—. Psal. lxxv. 7. non enim ab exortu aut ab occasu, neque a deserto est exaltatio. Prov. viii. 15, 16. per me reges regnant—. Dan. ii. 21. ipse mutat tempora—. et iv. 17. ut agnoscant viventes, dominari Excelsum in filiis hominum—. et v. 18, 19. Deus excelsus regnum et amplitudinem— dederat ei—: sed quum elatus esset animus ejus—, depositus est e solio regni sui—. Rom. p. 527 xiii. 1, &c. omnis anima potestatibus—: non enim frustra gladium gerit—: si non frustra, certe non ad bonorum perniciem. 1 Pet. ii. 13. ut qui per eum mittantur tum ad ultionem facinorosorum—.

¶6De eligendis magistratibus Exod. xviii. 21. tu provideto ex hoc populo, et curato eligi—. Num. xi. 16, 17, 25. congrega mihi septuaginta viros—. Deut. i. 13, &c. exhibete homines sapientes et prudentes—. 1 Sam. xii. 2, 3. abeuntes itaque totus ille populus Gilgalem, regem constituerunt—. ecce auscultavi voci vestræ—, et constitui super vos regem. 2 Sam. ii. 4. quo advenientes homines Jehudæ unxerunt ibi Davidem in regem super familiam Jehudæ.

¶7Officiis magistratuum opposita sunt. Psal. xxvi. 10. quorum dextra est plena corruptionis muneribus. et xciv. 20. an consociaretur tibi solium ærumnarum—? Prov. xvii. 23. munus e sinu improbus accipit ad pervertendum itinera juris. et xxi. 7. renuunt exercere jus. et xxviii. 15, 16. ut leo rugiens et ursus discursans, est dominator improbus in populum tenuem—. et xxix. 4. vir oblatis muneribus serviens destruit regionem. et v. 12. dominatoris attendentis verbo falsitatis, omnes ministri sunt improbi. Eccles. iv. 9. melior est puer indigus et sapiens rege sene et stolido, qui nescit admoneri amplius—. et x. 2, 3. est malum quod vidi sub sole, secundum errorem qui procedit a facie imperantis; poni ipsam stoliditatem in dignitatibus celsis—. et v. 13, 14. hei tibi, regio, cujus rex puer est, et cujus principes mane comedunt—. Isa. i. 23. principes tui contumaces et socii furum, unusquisque amat munus, et sectatur retributiones: pupillo non dicunt jus, et causa viduæ non pervenit ad eos. et iii. 5. daturus sum pueros principes eorum, et facinorosi—. et v. 13. populum meum opprimentium quisque est parvulus, et fœminæ—. et v. 15. Jehova ad judicium advenit contra seniores populi sui—. et v. 23. absolventibus improbum propter munus—. et x. 12. animadvertam in fructum insolentis animi regis Assyriæ—. Ezech. xxix. 3, &c. ecce me contra te, o Pharao, rex Ægypti—. Amos. v. 7. mutantes in absinthium jus—. et vi. 12. idem. Micæ iii. 11. quorum primores munere judicant—. et vii. 3. princeps poscit, et judex pro retributione—.

¶8p. 528 Aulicorum nequitia perspicitur Gen. xii. 15. nam visa ea principes Pharaonis laudaverunt eam apud Pharaonem—. Prov. xxv. 4. ut—, ita auferendo improbum a conspectu regis, stabilitur justitia solium ejus. 2 Chron. xxiv. 17. post mortem Jehoiadæ venientes principes Jehudæ—. Isa. xxii. 15, 16. age, accede adjutorem istum, Sebnam, qui præest domui—. 1 Reg. xxi. 7. dixit ei Jezebel uxor ejus, tune nunc exerces regnum super Israelem—? Esth. iii. 6. sed quum sperneret in oculis suis mittere manum in Mordecaium solum—. et v. 9. si apud regem bonum videtur, scribatur ut perdant eos—. Dan. vi. 8. consilium invenerunt omnes eparchi regni, &c.

¶9Magistratuum imprimis est religionem et cultum Dei, præsertim publicum, fovere, et ecclesiam revereri. Isa. xlix. 23. erunt reges nutricii tui, et fœminæ principes eorum nutrices tuæ; vultu in terram demisso incurvabunt se, habentes honorem tibi, pulveremque pedum tuorum lingent. Non nempe indigere magistratuum curatione ecclesias, sed propriis legibus ac disciplina, pax modo concedatur, optime se regere atque amplificare posse, testimonio est ille locus Act. ix. 31. ecclesiæ per totam Judæam et Galilæam et Samariam habentes pacem, ædificabantur; et pergentes in timore Domini, et consolatione Sancti Spiritus, multiplicabantur.

¶10Defendenda itaque religio est a magistratibus, non cogenda. Jos. xxiv. 15. quod si malum videtur in oculis vestris—, eligite vobis hodie quem colatis—; ego vero et familia mea colemus Jehovam. Psal. cv. 14. non permisit cuiquam opprimere eos; etiam reprehendit propter eos reges, ne attingitote (inquiens) unctos meos, et prophetas meos ne afficitote malo. Certe si religiosis hominibus ullo modo vim afferre reges hic vetantur, quanto magis eorum conscientiis in ipsa religione, iisque præsertim controversiis in quibus rex aut magistratus æque ac papa falli potest, et sæpe fallitur? nisi ipse æque ac papa eam præcipue ob causam pro Antichristo haberi se velit. Judicabant quidem in religione reges et magistratus olim Judæorum, et vim etiam afferebant; at iis in rebus, de quibus ex lege Dei clarissima sine ullo errore aut controversia judicari a magistratu potuit: nunc Christiani iis de rebus vexantur sæpe aut puniuntur, quæ aut con- p. 529 troversæ sunt, aut libertati Christianæ permittuntur, aut denique in ipso evangelio clare non docentur. Contra tales igitur magistratus, nomine solum Christianos, in judicio surgent multi magistratus Ethnici et Judæi, et primum ipse Pontius Pilatus: is enim Judæorum usque eo rationem habuit, ut ingredi prætorium propter religionem nolentibus ipse exire quamvis proconsul non recusaverit, Joan. xviii. 28, 29. et Gamaliel, Act. v. 39. sin ex Deo est, non est facultas in manibus vestris—: et Gallio, cap. xviii. 15. judex istarum rerum esse nolo.

¶11Etenim cum ne ecclesiasticus quidem minister jus habeat dominandi in ecclesia, multo minus habebit magistratus. 2 Cor. i. 24. non quod dominemur vestræ fidei, sed quod adjutores simus gaudii vestri: nam fide statis. Col. ii. 18. nemo adversum vos rectoris partes sibi ultro sumat—. 1 Pet. v. 3. neque ut dominantes cleris. Rom. xiv. 4. tu quis es qui judicas—? Jacob. iv. 12. idem. Rationes aliæ ex superiore libro petantur, ubi de regno Christi, de fide, de evangelio et Christiana libertate, de disciplina denique ecclesiastica ejusque objecto agitur. Certe enim Christi regnum, cum ex hoc mundo non sit, vi et coactione, quod hujus mundi regnum est, non stat: cogi itaque evangelium non debet; fides et libertas et conscientia, quæ disciplinæ ecclesiasticæ materia est, a civili judicio longissime diversa, non potest. Religiosos autem ad religionem sibi non probatam, et profanos, quos Deus arcet a sacris, ad cultum Dei publicum cogere, æque alienum est et impium. Psal. l. 16, 17. improbo autem dicit Deus, quid tua, ut enarres mea decreta, et assumas fœdus meum in ore tuo—? Prov. xv. 8. et xxi. 27. sacrificium improborum abominationi est: quanto magis, cum scelerate offert illud?

¶12POPULI OFFICIA ERGA MAGISTRATUM docentur Exod. xxii. 28. magistratus ne execrator, et principi in populo tuo ne maledicito. 2 Sam. xxi. 17. jurarunt homines Davidis ei, dicendo, non es proditurus ultra nobiscum in prælium, ut non extinguas lucernam Israelis. Prov. xxiv. 21, 22. reverere Jehovam, fili mi, et regem—. et xxix. 26. multi quærunt faciem dominantis: verum a Jehova est jus uniuscujusque. Eccles. viii. 1, &c. præstitutum meum, præstitutum regis observa, sed pro ratione jura- p. 530 menti Dei—. Matt. xxii. 21. reddite quæ sunt Cæsaris Cæsari, et quæ sunt Dei Deo. Rom. xiii. 1, &c. omnis anima potestatibus supereminentibus subjecta esto—. 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2. adhortor igitur primum omnium, ut fiant deprecationes—pro omnibus hominibus; pro regibus et omnibus in eminentia constitutis. Tit. iii. 1. ipsis suggere, ut sese subjiciant principatibus ac potestatibus, ut obtemperent, ut ad omne opus bonum sint parati. 1 Pet. ii. 13, &c. subjecti estote cuivis humanæ ordinationi propter Dominum.

¶13Etiam erga injustos. Matt. xvii. 26, 27. liberi sunt filii; sed ne simus offendiculo, profectus—. Act. xiii. 3, &c. pontifici Dei maximo convitiaris?—nesciebam, fratres: scriptum est enim—. Nisi in rebus illicitis. Exod. i. 17. sed timuerunt obstetrices illæ Deum, neque fecerunt quemadmodum edixerat iis rex Ægypti. et ii. 2. abscondit eum tribus mensibus. Jos. i. 17. tantummodo sit Jehova Deus tuus tecum—. 1 Sam. xiv. 45, &c. sic redemerunt populus Jonathanem, ut non moreretur. et xx. 1, &c. qui dixit ei, absit, non morieris—. et xxii. 17. noluerunt servi regis—. 2 Chron. xxi. 10. tunc defecit Libna, quia dereliquerat Jehovam—. et xxvi. 18. obstiterunt Uzziæ regi—. Esth. iii. 2, 3, 4. sed Mordecai non flectebat—. Dan. iii. 16. ut respondeamus tibi, non sumus soliciti de hoc negotio. et v. 18. sive non, notum sit tibi, rex, deos tuos nos non esse culturos. et cap. vi. 11. Daniel autem quum cognovisset exaratum esse scriptum illud, ingressus—. Act. iv. 19. an justum est in conspectu Dei vobis potius obedire quam Deo, judicate. Heb. xi. 23. per fidem Moses occultatus est tres menses a parentibus suis, et non metuerunt edictum regis.

¶14Opposita sunt rebellio. Num. xvi. 1, &c. assumpsit autem homines Corach—. 2 Sam. xx. 1, &c. ibi casu aderat vir nequam nomine Seba—.

¶15Et obedientia in rebus illicitis. 1 Sam. xxii. 18. divertens ergo Doeg—.

¶16Hic quod nonnulli magistratibus non tantum piis, sed etiam tyrannis prava imperantibus parendum esse affirmant, id nulla divina auctoritate p. 531 confirmatur. Locus enim iste 1 Pet. ii. 13. de quavis humana ordinatione, de quavis specie intelligitur, earum quæ legitimæ sunt, ut ex v. 14. manifestissimum est: quod autem ex v. 18. de servis affertur, ad officium nihil attinet liberorum populorum, qui longe alio jure censendi sunt atque servi vel emtitii vel mercede conducti. De Israelitis porro Pharaoni obtemperantibus, quis scit, sponte an inviti, recte an secus id fecerint? quandoquidem nullibi jussos aut ab id laudatos accepimus. Postremo Danielis captivi exemplum non minus alienum est; quid enim potuit facere captivus? Certe Psal. lx. 6. dedisti timentibus te vexillum, quo utantur propter veritatem potentissime. Verum in rebus licitis etiam tyrannis parere, vel potius tempori cedere, pacis publicæ et incolumitatis etiam propriæ causa, sapientis esse haud inficias ierim.

¶17Officia magistratus et populi ERGA VICINOS aut ad pacem spectant aut ad bellum.

¶18PACIS sunt fœdera; quæ ut sciamus licitane cum improbis an illicita sint, sciendum quoque est vel communis colendæ pacis vel mutuæ defensionis causa arctiorisque amicitiæ inter vicinos fœdera feriri.

¶19Prioris generis sunt illa Abrahami cum indigenis, Gen. xiv. 13. cum Abimelecho, cap. xxi. 27. Isaaci cum eodem, cap. xxvi. 29, 30, 31. Salomonis cum Hiramo, 1 Reg. v. 12. Et hæc licita esse his exemplis constat.

¶20Posterioris generis sunt ista: Asæ cum Benhadado, 1 Reg. xv. 19. Josaphati cum Achabi domo, 2 Chron. xviii. 1. cum xix. 2, &c. Amaziæ cum Israelitis, cap. xxv. 7, 8. Ahazi cum Assyriis, 2 Reg. xvi. 7. et quod Judæi cum Ægyptiis ambierunt, Isa. xxx. 2, &c. Et hæc vetita sunt, et infelices exitus habuerunt. Exod. xxiii. 32, 33. ne pangitote cum iis fœdus—. et xxxiv. 12. cave tibi ne pangas fœdus cum habitatore illius terræ, ad quam venturus es, ne sit in laqueum in medio tui. et v. 15. idem. Deut. vii. 4. abducerent enim filium tuum a sequendo me—. Ezech. xvi. 26, &c. scortata es cum Ægyptiis vicinis tuis torosis—. 2 Cor. vi. 14. ne p. 532 impari jugo copulamini cum infidelibus: quod enim consortium justitiæ cum legis transgressione? et quæ communio lucis cum tenebris?

¶21Violati fœderis exempla sunt Asa, 2 Chron. xvi. 3. Zedechias, cap. xxxvi. 13. Ezech. xvii.

¶22De asylis agitur, Num. xxxv. 6, &c. Deut. xxiii. 15.

¶23DE BELLO præcipitur, 1m. ut prudentissimis consiliis suscipiatur. Prov. xx. 18. et xxiv. 6. Luc. xiv. 31. quis rex proficiscens ut committat bellum adversus alterum regem, non prius consultat—? 2do. ut scienter et perite geratur. 1 Sam. xiv. 29. adjuravit pater tuus populum—. et xxiii. 22. dicebat mihi ipse, se astu admodum solere uti. Prov. xxi. 22. civitatem potentium conscendit sapiens—. 3tio. ut moderate. Deut. xx. 19. ne perdito arbores ejus—. 4to. ut sancte. Deut. xxiii. 9, &c. cum exibit exercitus contra hostes tuos, tum cavebis tibi in omni re mala—. et xxxii. 29, 30. utinam saperent—; persequeretur unus mille—. 1 Sam. vii. 9. fuit enim, Samuele offerente holocaustum—, ut intonaret Jehova—. Isa. xxxi. 6, &c. revertimini ad eum—, tunc cadet Assyrius gladio—. Amos. i. 13. eo quod diffiderint gravidas Gileadis, ut dilatarent terminum suum—. 5to. ut crudeli hosti ne parcatur. 1 Sam. xv. 33. quemadmodum orbavit mulieres gladius tuus, sic orbabitur inter mulieres mater tua. Psal. xviii. 42, 43. vociferantur, sed non est qui servet—: itaque contundo eos tanquam pulverem coram vento—. et lx. 10. Moab pollubrum meum: supra Edomæum projiciam calceum meum—. Jer. xlviii. 10. maledictus qui cohibet gladium suum a sanguine. 6to. ne robore copiarum confidamus, sed Deo solo. Exod. xiv. 17, 18. glorificabor in Pharaone et curribus ejus—. Deut. xx. 1, &c. cum prodiens in prælium contra hostem tuum videbis equos et currus—. 1 Sam. xiv. 6. non enim est Jehovæ impedimentum, quin servet multis aut paucis—. et xvii. 47. cognoscent tota congregatio hæc, non gladio aut hasta servare Jehovam. Psal. xxxiii. 16, 17. non est rex qui servetur multitudine copiarum—. et xliv. 3, &c. te manu tua gentes expulisse—. et lx. 1, 2, &c. o Deus, rejeceras nos—. et cxxvii. 1. nisi Jehova custodiat civitatem—. et cxliv. 1, 2. benedictus sit Jehova rupes mea, qui docet manus meas præ- p. 533 lium—. et cxlvii. 10. non potentia equi delectatur—. et v. 13. confirmat vectes portarum tuarum—. Prov. xxi. 31. equus aptatur ad diem prælii, sed Jehovæ est ipsa salus. 2 Chron. xiv. 11. nihil est apud te opem ferre destituto viribus—. et xx. 21. constituit musicos Jehovæ—. et xxiv. 24. quamvis paucis hominibus venissent copiæ Syriæ, tamen Jehova tradidit in manum eorum copias numerosas valde—. Isa. v. 26, &c. cum attollens vexillum ad gentes e longinquo—. Jer. xxi. 4. aversurus sum instrumenta bellica—. et xxxvii. 10. si percuteretis omnes copias Chaldæorum—. Ezech. xiii. 5. non ascenditis ad irruptiones, aut obducitis sepem—. Zech. x. 4, 5, 6. fuerunt similes potentibus conculcantibus lutum platearum in bello—. Amos. ii. 11. robustus non confirmabit vires suas—. 7mo. ut præda ex æquo et justo dividatur. Num. xxxi. 27, &c. ut dividas capturam ipsam inter gestores hujus prælii, qui egressi sunt in militiam, et totum cœtum—. Deut. xx. 14. omnia spolia ejus diripies tibi, fruerisque præda hostium tuorum—. Jos. xxii. 8, &c. muneratus est eos, et allocutus est eos, dicendo, cum opibus multis redite—. 1 Sam. xxx. 24. prout est pars descendentis, ita etiam est pars residentis ad impedimenta—.

¶24Bellum enim quî minus licitum nunc sit, quam Judæis fuit, causæ nihil est: neque enim in novo testamento prohibetur. Psal. cxlix. 6. gladium bipennem in manu sua habentes—. Et duo centuriones Capernaites et Cornelius fidelibus annumerantur, Matt. viii. Act. x. Joannes quoque milites non a bello, sed ab injusta spoliatione et rapina dehortatur, Luc. iii. 14. dixit militibus, neminem concutite—. 1 Cor. ix. 7. quis militat propriis stipendiis—? Paulus militari præsidio est usus ad se tutandum, Act. xxiii. 17. adolescentem hunc adducito ad tribunum—.

¶25Florentissimas undequaque reddit respublicas mandatorum Dei observatio, Lev. xxvi. per totum caput: fortunatas et opulentas et victrices gentium, Deut. xv. 4, 5, 6. et dominas gentium, v. 6. et cap. xxvi. 17, 18, 19. et insigne cap. xxviii. 1, &c. politicis etiam atque etiam legendum: cap. xxix. et iv. Judic. ii. et iii. Psal. xxxiii. 12. beata gens illa, cujus Jehova Deus est. Prov. xi. 11. benedictione rectorum effertur urbs. et xiv. 34. justitia exaltat gentem—. et xxviii. 2. ubi defectione p. 534 laborat regio—. Isa. iii. et xxiv. et xlviii. 18. o si attendisses—. Jer. v. Ezech. vii.

¶26Opposita sunt. Isa. iii. 8. domi meæ non est panis neque vestis; ne ponatis me ductorem populi—. et lvii. 13, 14, 17. mittis ad regem cum unguentis—. Hos. v. 13. sed videns Ephraim morbum suum—. et vii. 11, 12. est Ephraim similis columbæ fatuæ—. et xii. 2. Ephraim depascens ventum, et persequens eurum—. Abac. ii. 12. væ ædificanti civitatem cædibus—.

¶27OFFICIA ECCLESIASTICA sunt ministrorum et totius ecclesiæ singulorumque fidelium inter se mutua.

¶28MINISTRORUM ERGA TOTAM ECCLESIAM SINGULOSQUE FIDELES docentur superiore libro, cap. de ministris: et generatim erga omnes, Jer. i. 7, 8. ne dicito, puer sum, sed ad quæcunque—. et v. 17, 18, 19. accinge lumbos tuos, ut surgens eloquaris apud eos—. et xv. 10, 11. hei mihi, mater mea, quod peperisti me, in quem intendatur lis a tota hac terra—. et xviii. 19, &c. recordare me stetisse coram te, ut loquerer pro iis bonum—. et xx. 7, &c. pellexisti me, Jehova—: sum derisioni toto die—. et Isa. lviii. 1. exclama gutture, ne cohibeto, tanquam buccina extolle vocem tuam, et indica populo meo defectionem ipsorum—. Ezech. ii. 6. tu, fili hominis, ne timeto ab istis—. et v. 18, 19. ecce, dispono faciem tuam obfirmatam adversus faciem eorum—. et xxxiii. toto cap. a v. 2. fili hominis, alloquere populares tuos—. Matt. iv. 19. sequimini me, et faciam vos piscatores hominum. et viii. 21, 22. permitte mihi sepelire patrem meum: Jesus dixit ei, sequere me, et sine mortui—. et ix. 11, &c. quare cum publicanis et peccatoribus edit doctor vester? dixit iis, iis qui valent non est opus medico—. et v. 36. commiseratione intima commotus est super iis, quod essent dissipati—. et x. 14. quicunque non acceperit vos, neque audierit sermones vestros—. et xiii. 52. omnis scriba edoctus in regno cœlorum, similis est cuipiam patrifamilias qui profert e thesauro suo nova et vetera. et xviii. 12. si fuerint alicui homini centum oves, et erraverit una—. Act. xiii. 51. at illi excusso pulvere—. et xviii. 6. ipsis autem p. 535 obsistentibus ac blasphemantibus, excussis vestibus, dixit—. 2 Cor. ii. 17. non, ut plerique, cauponamur sermonem Dei, sed ut ex sinceritate, sed ut ex Deo, in conspectu Dei, de Christo loquimur. 1 Thess. ii. 5. neque unquam sermone assentatorio usi sumus apud vos—. Tit. ii. 7. per omnia teipsum præbens exemplar bonorum operum.

¶29Oppositi sunt ignari, ignavi, timidi, adulatores, muti, falsi doctores, avari, ambitiosi. Isa. ix. 15. propheta docens falsitatem est cauda. et Ezech. xliv. 8. substituistis observatores observationis meæ in sanctuario meo, arbitratu vestro—: quod episcopi olim et nunc magistratus plerique faciunt, sublatis populi suffragiis. Isa. lvii. 2, &c. speculatores istius—. Adulatorum exemplum 2 Chron. xviii. 5. prophetæ quadringenti. Nehem. vi. 12. tunc agnovi, quod ecce nequaquam miserat eum Deus—. Jer. ii. 8. quod sacerdotes non dixerunt, ubi est Jehova—? et v. 14. eo quod loquimini verbum istud—. v. 31. prophetæ ipsi prophetant falso—. et vi. 13, 14. a minimo eorum—. et viii. 9. ecce, verbum Jehovæ spernunt; et cujus rei sapientia inesset iis—? et x. 21. obbrutuerunt ipsi pastores—. et xiv. 13, 14, 15, 18. sic ait Jehova contra prophetas istos—. et xxiii. 9, &c. quod ad prophetas istos—. Exempla sunt etiam Chananias, cap. xxviii. et alii duo, cap. xxix. 21. et Semahias, v. 25, &c. eo quod misisti literas ad totum populum—, dicendo, Jehova disposuit te sacerdotem in loco Jehoiadæ—. et Amazias, Amos. vii. 10. ad finem capitis. Jer. l. 6. pastores eorum faciunt ut aberrent—. Lam. ii. 14, &c. prophetæ tui vident tibi vanum et insulsum—. et iv. 13. propter peccata prophetarum ejus—. Ezech. xiii. toto cap. a v. 2. propheta contra prophetas—. et xxii. 26. sacerdotes ejus vim faciunt legi meæ—. et v. 28. obducunt iis ineptum tectorium—. et xxxiv. 2, &c. fili hominis, propheta contra pastores—. Hos. vi. 9. sodalitium vero sacerdotum est simile—. Amos. viii. 11. immittam famem in hanc terram; non famem habendi panis—. Micæ iii. 5, 6. sic ait Jehova contra illos prophetas, qui in errorem inducunt populum—. et v. 11. quorum primores munere judicant—. Zeph. iii. 4. prophetæ ejus rapaces—. Zech. xi. 15, 16. sume tibi instrumenta pastoris stulti—. et v. 17. væ pastori meo nihili—. et xiii. 2, &c. eorum prophetas et spiritum impuritatis amoturus sum. Mal. ii. 1, &c. ad v. 10. nunc itaque ad vos spectat præceptum p. 536 istud, o sacerdotes—. Joan. ii. 16. columbarum venditoribus dixit, tollite—. et x. 10. fur non venit nisi ut furetur, et mactet oves. 2 Pet. ii. 1, &c. fuerunt pseudoprophetæ in populo, ut etiam inter vos erunt falsi doctores—.

¶30TOTIUS ECCLESIÆ SINGULORUMQUE FIDELIUM ERGA MINISTROS docentur, lib. 1. cap. de ministris et populo; quo referenda sunt multa ex his. Matt. ix. 37, 38. ipsa quidem messis multa, operarii autem pauci: rogate igitur—. et x. 40, &c. qui recipit vos, me recipit; et qui me recipit, recipit eum qui misit me—. Joan. xiii. 20. idem. Luc. viii. 18. videte ergo quomodo audiatis: quisquis enim habet, dabitur ei; et quicunque non habet, etiam quod videtur habere, tolletur ab eo. Philipp. iii. 17, 18. estote simul imitatores mei, fratres—. 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. rogamus vos, fratres, ut agnoscatis eos qui laborant inter vos, et præsunt vobis in Domino, et admonent vos; et eos supra modum charos ducatis, propter opus ipsorum. Heb. xiii. 7. memores estote ductorum vestrorum. et v. 17, 18. obedite doctoribus vestris, et obsecundate: excubant enim ipsi pro animabus vestris tanquam rationem reddituri, ut cum gaudio hoc faciant, et non suspirantes: id est enim vobis utile: orate pro nobis—. Jer. xxiii. 16. ne auscultetis verbis istorum prophetarum qui prophetant vobis; vanos efficiunt isti vos, visionem animi sui loquuntur, non ex ore Jehovæ.

¶31Iis opposita sunt. Isa. xxx. 9, 10. populus rebellis est—. Jer. xliii. 2. dicentes Jeremiæ, falsum loqueris; non misit te Jehova Deus noster ad dicendum—. Micæ ii. 6. ne stilletis, inquiunt, stillent isti—. et v. 11. si vir ventosus et falsus mentiatur, dicens—. Luc. vii. 29, 30. Pharisæi et legis interpretes consilium Dei abrogarunt contra semetipsos, non baptizati ab eo. 3 Joan. 9. scripsi ecclesiæ: sed qui primatum inter eos ambit Diotrephes, non recipit nos.

¶1p. 696 Hitherto we have treated of the private duties of man towards his neighbour. Public duties are of two kinds, political and ecclesiastical.

¶2Under political duties are comprehended the obligations of the magistrate and the people to each other, and to foreign nations.

¶3THE DUTIES OF THE MAGISTRATE TO THE PEOPLE are described Exod. xxiii. 8. thou shalt take no gift, for the gift blindeth the wise. xxxii. 11. Moses besought Jehovah his God, and said, Jehovah, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people? Lev. xix. 15. thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. Num. xi. 11, &c. wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? xiv. 13. Moses said unto Jehovah, Then the Egyptians shall hear it—. Deut. i. 9. I am not able to bear you myself alone. xvii. 20. that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left. 1 Kings ii. 3. keep the charge of Jehovah thy God—. iii. 8—10. give thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people—. See also 2 Chron. i. 10. 1 Chron. xiii. 2. David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of Jehovah our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where—. xxviii. 2. hear me, my brethren, and my people. 2 Chron. xix. 6. he said to the judges, Take heed what ye do, for ye judge not for man, but p. 697 for Jehovah, who is with you in the judgement. Psal. lxxii. 2. he shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgement. lxxv. 2. when I shall receive the congregation, I will judge uprightly. lxxxii. 3. defend the poor and fatherless. Prov. xi. 14. where no counsel is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. xvi. 12. it is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness. xxix. 4. the king by judgement establisheth the land, but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it. xviii. 17. he that is first in his own cause seemeth just, but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. xx. 8. a king that sitteth in the throne of judgement scattereth away all evil with his eyes. xxiv. 23. it is not good to have respect of persons in judgement. xxxi. 1—10. the words of king Lemuel, &c. Jer. xxi. 12. thus saith Jehovah...Execute judgement in the morning. xxii. 3, 4. execute ye judgement and righteousness. Neh. v. 14. from the time that I was appointed to be their governor......I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. Matt. xx. 25—27. ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them; but it shall not be so among you; but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister. See also Mark x. 42, &c. Luke xxii. 25, &c. Rom. xiii. 3, 4. rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil......for he is the minister of God to thee for good.

¶4In the matter of reward and punishment. Psal. ci. 4, &c. a froward heart shall depart from me......mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land. Inordinate punishment is forbidden. Deut. xxv. 3. forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed. 1 Kings ii. 26. thou art worthy of death, but I will not at this time put thee to death, because, &c.

¶5The right of the magistrate as regards the sword. Gen. ix. 6. whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed. Job xii. 18. he looseth the bond of kings. Psal. lxxv. 6. promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. Prov. viii. 15, 16. p. 698 by me kings reign. Dan. ii. 21. he changeth the times and the seasons. iv. 17. that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men. v. 18—20. the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, &c. ......but when his heart was lifted up ......he was deposed from his kingly throne. Rom. xiii. 1, &c. let every soul be subject unto the higher powers......for he beareth not the sword in vain; if therefore not in vain, much less for the injury of the good.² 1 Pet. ii. 13, 14. as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers.

¶6Of the election of magistrates, see Exod. xviii. 21. thou shalt provide out of all the people able men,......and place such over them. Numb. xi. 16, 17, 25. gather unto me seventy men—. Deut. i. 13, &c. take you wise men and understanding—. 1 Sam. xi. 15. compared with xii. 1. all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king......behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you. 2 Sam. ii. 4. the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.

¶7The following texts show what is contrary to the duties of the magistrate. Psal. xxvi. 10. their right hand is full of bribes. xciv. 20. shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee? Prov. xvii. 23. a wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgement. xxi. 7. they refuse to do judgement. xxviii. 15, 16. as a roaring lion and a ranging bear, so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. xxix. 4. he that receiveth gifts overthroweth the land. v. 12. if a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. Eccles. iv. 13. better is a poor and wise child, than an old and foolish king who will no more be admonished. x. 5, 6. there is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an p. 699 error which proceedeth from the ruler; folly is set in great dignity—. v. 16, 17. woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning. Isai. i. 23. thy princes are rebellious and companions of thieves, every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards, they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them. iii. 4. I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. v. 12. as for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. v. 14. Jehovah will enter into judgement with the ancients of his people—. v. 23. which justify the wicked for reward. x. 12. I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria. Ezek. xxix. 3. behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, &c. Amos v. 7. ye who turn judgement to wormwood—. See also vi. 12. Micah iii. 11. the heads thereof judge for reward—. vii. 3. the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward.

¶8The licentiousness of courts is exposed, Gen. xii. 15. the princes also of Pharaoh saw her and commended her before Pharaoh. Prov. xxv. 5. take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. 2 Chron. xxiv. 17. after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, &c. Isai. xxii. 15, 16. get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, &c. 1 Kings xxi. 7. Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? Esth. iii. 6. he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone—. v. 9. if it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed. Dan. vi. 7. all the presidents of the kingdom ......have consulted together to make a royal decree—.

¶9It is especially the duty of the magistrate to encourage religion and the service of God (public worship in particular), and to reverence the church. Isai. xlix. 23. kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet. That the church, however, does not stand in need of the superintendence of the magistrate, but that, if left in peace, she is fully qualified, in the exercise p. 700 of her own proper laws and discipline, to govern herself aright, and enlarge her boundaries, is evident from Acts ix. 31. then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

¶10Religion therefore is to be protected by the magistrate, not forced upon the people.³ Josh. xxiv. 15. if it seem evil unto you to serve Jehovah, choose you this day whom ye will serve......but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah. Psal. cv. 14. he suffered no man to do them wrong, yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. If then kings are forbidden to exercise violence against religious persons in any matter whatever, much more are they forbidden to force the consciences of such persons in the matter of religion itself, especially on points where the magistrate is fully as liable to be mistaken as the pope, and is actually mistaken in many instances; unless indeed they are content, like him, to be accounted antichrist, a name given to the pope himself chiefly from his encroachments on the consciences of mankind. True it is, that the Jewish kings and magistrates interposed their judgement in matters of religion, and even employed force in the execution of their decrees; but this was only in cases where the law of God was clear and express, and where the magistrate might safely decide without danger of mistake or controversy. In our own times, on the contrary, Christians are on many occasions persecuted or subjected p. 701 to punishment for matters either purely controversial, or left by Christian liberty to the judgement of each believer, or concerning which there is no express declaration in the gospel. Against such magistrates, Christians only in name, many heathen and Jewish rulers will rise in judgement, and among the rest Pontius Pilate himself, whose deference to Jewish opinions was such, that he did not think it derogatory to his proconsular dignity to go out to speak to the Jews, when they, from a religious scruple, declined entering the judgement-hall. John xviii. 28, 29. So also Gamaliel, Acts v. 39. if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; and Gallio, xviii. 15. I will be no judge of such matters.

¶11For if even the ecclesiastical minister is not entitled to exercise absolute authority over the church, much less can the civil magistrate claim such authority.⁴ 2 Cor. i. 24. not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. Coloss. ii. 18. let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility, &c. 1 Pet. v. 3. neither as being lords over God's heritage. Rom. xiv. 4. who art thou that judgest another man's servant? See also James iv. 12. For other arguments to the same effect, I refer to Book I. of this treatise, under the heads of Christ's kingdom, faith, the gospel, Christian liberty, church discipline and its objects. Undoubtedly, as the kingdom of Christ is not of this world, so neither is it sustained by force and compulsion, the supports of earthly rule. Hence the outward profession of the gospel ought not to be made a matter of constraint; and as to the inner parts of religion, faith and liberty and conscience, these are beyond its power, being from their very nature matter of ecclesiastical discipline alone, and incapable of being affected by the determinations of human tribunals: not to mention the absurdity and impiety of compelling the conscientious to adopt a religion which p. 702 they do not approve, or of constraining the profane to bear a part in that public worship from which God has interdicted them. Psal. l. 16, 17. unto the wicked God said, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Prov. xv. 8. and xxi. 27. the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

¶12For the duties of the people towards the magistrate, see Exod. xxii. 28. thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people. 2 Sam. xxi. 17. then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel. Prov. xxiv. 21, 22. my son, fear thou Jehovah and the king. xxix. 26. many seek the ruler's favour, but every man's judgement cometh from Jehovah. Eccles. viii. 2. I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. Matt. xxii. 21. render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and unto God the things that are God's. Rom. xiii. 1. let every soul be subject unto the higher powers—. 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2. I exhort therefore, that first of all supplications.....be made for all men, for kings, and for all that are in authority. Tit. iii. 1. put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work. 1 Pet. ii. 13. submit yourselves to every ordinance of God for the Lord's sake.

¶13Even towards unjust magistrates. Matt. xvii. 26, 27. then are the children free; notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, &c. Acts xxiii. 4, &c. revilest thou God's high priest?.....I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people. Those cases must be excepted, in which compliance with the commands of men would be incompatible with our duty towards God. Exod. i. 17. the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them. ii. 2. she hid him three months. Josh. i. 17. only Jehovah thy God be with thee—. 1 Sam. xiv. 45. so the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not. xx. 1, &c. he said unto him, God forbid, thou shalt not die. xxii. 17. the servants of the king would not put p. 703 forth their hand. 2 Chron. xxi. 10. Libnah revolted from under his hand, because he had forsaken Jehovah God of his fathers. xxvi. 18. they withstood Uzziah the king. Esth. iii. 2, 4. Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. Dan. iii. 16. we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. v. 18. if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods. vi. 10. when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house, &c. Acts iv. 19. whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. Hebr. xi. 23. by faith Moses when he was born was hid three months of his parents......and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

¶14Opposed to this are, first, rebellion. Numb. xvi. 1. now Korah.....took men—. 2 Sam. xx. 1. and there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, &c.

¶15Secondly, obedience in things unlawful. 1 Sam. xxii. 18. Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, &c.

¶16The opinion maintained by some, that obedience is due to the commands not only of an upright magistrate, but of an ususper, and that in matters contrary to justice, has no foundation in Scripture.⁵ For with regard to 1 Pet. ii. 13. submit yourselves to every ordinance of man, it is evident from v. 14. that although this passage comprehends all human ordinances, all forms of government indiscriminately, it applies to them only so far as they are legitimately constituted. The eighteenth verse, which is alleged to the same purpose, relates to servants exclusively, and affords no rule for the conduct of free nations, whose rights are of a kind altogether distinct from those of purchased or hired servants. As for the obedience of the Israelites to Pharaoh, we have no means of p. 704 ascertaining whether it was voluntary or compulsory, or whether in obeying they acted rightly or otherwise, inasmuch as we are nowhere told, either that they were enjoined to obey him, or that their obedience was made matter of commendation. The conduct of Daniel in captivity is equally foreign to the purpose, as under his circumstances it was impossible for him to act otherwise. Besides, it is written, Psal. lx. 4. thou hast given a banner to them that feared thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. That it may be the part of prudence to obey the commands even of a tyrant in lawful things, or, more properly, to comply with the necessity of the times for the sake of public peace, as well as of personal safety,⁶ I am far from denying.

¶17The duties of the magistrate and people TOWARDS THEIR NEIGHBOURS regard the transactions of peace and war.

¶18Under the head of PEACE are included international treaties. In order to ascertain whether, in particular cases, these may be lawfully contracted with the wicked, we ought to consider the purposes for which treaties are concluded, whether simply for the sake of peace, or of mutual defence and closer intimacy.

¶19Of the former class are the confederacy of Abraham with the men of Mamre, Gen. xiv. 13. and with Abimelech, xxi. 27. that of Isaac with Abimelech, xxvi. 29—31. that of Solomon with Hiram, 1 Kings v. 12. from which examples the lawfulness of such alliances appears evident.

¶20Of the latter class are the treaties of Asa with Benhadad, 1 Kings xv. 19. of Jehoshaphat with the house of Ahab, 2 Chron. xviii. 1. p. 705 compared with xix. 2. of Amaziah with the Israelites, xxv. 6—8. of Ahaz with the Assyrians, 2 Kings xvi. 7. and that which the Jews sought to contract with the Egyptians, Isai. xxx. 2, &c. These were unlawful, and led to calamitous results. Exod. xxiii. 32. thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. xxxiv. 12. take heed to thyself lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee. See also v. 15. Deut. vii. 4. they will turn away thy son from following me. Ezek. xvi. 26. thou hast committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh. 2 Cor. vi. 14. be not ye unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness, and what communion hath light with darkness?

¶21Asa, 2 Chron. xvi. 3. and Zedekiah, xxxvi. 13. Ezek. xvii. are examples of the violation of treaties.

¶22On the subject of asylums see Num. xxxv. 6—15. Deut. xxiii. 15.

¶23With regard to the duties of WAR, it is enjoined, first, that it be not undertaken without mature deliberation. Prov. xx. 18. xxiv. 6. Luke xiv. 31. what king going to make war against another king sitteth not down first and consulteth—? Secondly, that it be carried on wisely and skilfully. 1 Sam. xiv. 28. thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, &c. xxiii. 22. it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly. Prov. xxi. 22. a wise man scaleth the city of the mighty. Thirdly, that it be prosecuted with moderation. Deut. xx. 19. thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof, &c. Fourthly, that it be waged in a spirit of godliness. Deut. xxiii. 9, &c. when the host goeth forth against thine enemies, then keep thee from every wicked thing. xxxii. 29, 30. O that they were wise......how should one chase a thousand—! 1 Sam. vii. 10. as Samuel was offering up the burnt-offering......Jehovah thundered with a great thunder on that day against the Philistines. Isai. xxxi. 6. turn ye unto him......then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword. Amos i. 13. because they have ripped up the p. 706 women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border. Fifthly, that no mercy be shown to a merciless enemy. 1 Sam. xv. 33. as thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. Psal. xviii. 41, 42. they cried, but there was none to save them......then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind. lx. 8. Moab is my wash-pot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe—. Jer. xlviii. 10. cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood. Sixthly, that our confidence be not placed in human strength, but in God alone. Exod. xiv. 17, 18. I will get me honour upon Pharaoh and all his host. Deut. xx. 1. when thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses and chariots, &c. 1 Sam. xiv. 6. there is no restraint to Jehovah to save by many or by few. xvii. 47. all this assembly shall know that Jehovah saveth not with sword and spear. Psal. xxxiii. 16, 17. there is no king saved by the multitude of an host—. xliv. 2, &c. thou didst drive out the heathen with thine hand—. lx. 1. O God, thou hast cast us off, &c. cxliv. 1. blessed be Jehovah my strength, which teacheth my hands to war. cxlvii. 10. he delighteth not in the strength of the horse. v. 13. he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates—. Prov. xxi. 31. the horse is prepared against the day of battle; but safety is of Jehovah. 2 Chron. xiv. 11. it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power—. xx. 21. he appointed singers unto Jehovah, &c. xxiv. 24. the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and Jehovah delivered a very great host into their hand. Isai. v. 26. he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, &c. Jer. xxi. 4. I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands—. xxxvii. 10. for though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, &c. Ezek. xiii. 5. ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel—. Zech. x. 5, 6. they shall be as mighty men which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle—. Amos ii. 14. the strong shall not strengthen his force. Seventhly, that the booty be distributed in equitable proportions. Numb. xxxi. 27. divide the prey into two parts between them that took the war upon them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation. Deut. xx. 14. p. 707 all the spoil thereof shalt thou take unto thyself, and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies. Josh. xxii. 8. he blessed them, and he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents—. 1 Sam. xxx. 24. as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff.

¶24There seems no reason why war should be unlawful now, any more than in the time of the Jews; nor is it anywhere forbidden in the New Testament. Psal. cxlix. 6. let a two-edged sword be in their hand. Two centurions, namely, the man of Capernaum and Cornelius, are reckoned among believers, Matt. viii. Acts x. Neither does John exhort the soldiers to refrain from war, but only from wrong and robbery; Luke iii. 14. he said unto the soldiers, Do violence to no man—. 1 Cor. ix. 7. who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? Paul likewise availed himself of a guard of soldiers for his personal security; Acts xxiii. 17. bring this young man unto the chief captain.

¶25The observance of the divine commandments is the source of prosperity to nations. See Levit. xxvi. It renders them flourishing, wealthy, and victorious, Deut. xv. 4—6. lords over many nations, v. 6. xxvi. 17—19. exalted above all others, xxviii. 1, &c. a chapter which should be read again and again by those who have the direction of political affairs.⁷ Compare also chap. xxix. and iv. Judges ii. and iii. p. 708 and Psal. xxxiii. 12. blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah. Prov. xi. 11. by the blessing of the upright the city is exalted. xiv. 34. righteousness exalteth a nation. xxviii. 2. for the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof. See also Isai. iii. and xxiv. xlviii. 18. O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! See also Jer. v. Ezek. vii.

¶26The consequences of impiety to nations are described, Isai. iii. 7. in my house is neither bread nor clothing, make me not a ruler of the people. lvii. 9, 10, 13. thou wentest to the king with ointment—. Hos. v. 13. when Ephraim saw his sickness, &c. vii. 11, 12. Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart—. xii. 1. Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind—. Habak. ii. 12. woe to him that buildeth a town with blood.

¶27PUBLIC ECCLESIASTICAL DUTIES consist in the reciprocal obligations of ministers, and of the church considered collectively and individually.

¶28THE DUTIES OF MINISTERS TOWARDS THE CHURCH IN GENERAL, AND TOWARDS INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS IN PARTICULAR, are stated in the first book, in the chapter on ministers. Towards the church in general: Jer. i. 7, 8. say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, &c. v. 17—19. gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee. xv. 10, 11. woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth. xviii. 19, &c. remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them. xx. 7, &c. thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived......I am in derision daily. Isai. lviii. 1. cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression—. Ezek. ii. 6. thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, &c. iii. 8, 9. behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces—. xxxiii. 2—31. son of man, p. 709 speak to the children of thy people, &c. Matt. iv. 19. follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. viii. 21, 22. suffer me first to go and bury my father; but Jesus said unto him, Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead. ix. 11. why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? but when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. v. 36. he was moved with compassion on them, because .......they were scattered abroad—. x. 14. whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, &c. xiii. 52. every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. xviii. 12. if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, &c. Acts xiii. 51. they shook off the dust of their feet against them. xviii. 6. when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them—. 2 Cor. ii. 17. we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God, but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 1 Thess. ii 5. neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know. Tit. ii. 7. in all things showing thyself a pattern of good works.

¶29Opposed to the above are the ignorant, the slothful, the timid, flatterers, the dumb, false teachers, the covetous, the ambitious. Isai. ix. 15. the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. Ezek. xliv. 8. ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves; as was done by bishops formerly, and is not unfrequently practised by magistrates in the present day, thus depriving the people of their privilege of election. Isai. lvi. 10. his watchmen are blind, &c. For an example of flatterers, see 2 Chron. xviii. 5. the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, &c. Neh. vi. 12. lo, I perceived that God had not sent him. Jer. ii. 8. the priests said not, Where is Jehovah? v. 14. because ye speak this word, &c. v. 31. the prophets prophesy falsely. vi. 13, 14. from the least of them even unto the greatest, &c. viii. 9. lo, they have rejected the word of Jehovah, and what wisdom is in them? x. 21. the pastors are become brutish. xiv. 13—15, 18. thus saith Jehovah concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, &c. p. 710 xxiii. 9, &c. mine heart is broken within me, because of the prophets. In this class are to be placed Hananiah, chap. xxviii. with the two other prophets mentioned in chap. xxix. 21. and Shemaiah, v. 24, &c. because thou hast sent letters in my name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem......saying, Jehovah hath made thee priest in the room of Jehoiada, &c. and Amaziah, Amos vii. 10—17. Jer. l. 6. their shepherds have caused them to go astray. Lament. ii. 14. thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee. iv. 13. for the sins of the prophets—. Ezek. xiii. 2, &c. prophesy against the prophets of Israel, &c. xxii. 26. her priests have violated my law. v. 28. her prophets have daubed them with untempered mortar. xxxiv. 2, &c. son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel—. Hos. vi. 9. as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way, &c. Amos viii. 11. I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, &c. Mic. iii. 5, 6. thus saith Jehovah concerning the prophets that make my people err—. v. 11. the heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire—. Zeph. iii. 4. her prophets are light and treacherous—. Zech. xi. 15, 16. take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. v. 17. woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock. xiii. 2, &c. I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land. Mal. ii. 1—10. now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. John ii. 16. he said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence, &c. x. 10. the thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. 2 Pet. ii. 1, &c. there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you.

¶30THE DUTIES OF THE WHOLE CHURCH AND OF INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS TOWARDS THEIR MINISTERS are stated Book I. in the chapter concerning the ministers and people; to which many of the following texts may also be referred. Matt. ix. 37, 38. the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest—. x. 40, &c. he that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. See also John xiii. 20. Luke viii. 18. take heed therefore how ye hear; for whosoever hath, to him shall p. 711 be given, and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. Philipp. iii. 17, 18. brethren, be followers together of me, &c. 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love, for their work's sake. Heb. xiii. 7. remember them which have the rule over you. v. 17, 18. obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves, for they watch for your souls as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you. Jer. xxiii. 16. hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you; they make you vain; they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Jehovah.

¶31The contrary conduct is condemned, Isai. xxx. 9, 10. this is a rebellious people, &c. Jer. xliii. 2. saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely; Jehovah our God hath not sent thee—. Micah ii. 6. prophesy ye not; say ye to them that prophesy, &c. v. 11. if a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, &c. Luke vii. 29, 30. the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. 3 John 9. I wrote unto the church, but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not.