Judgment: Defend the Poor, and Fatherlefs; do Justice to the Afflicted, and Needy; and deliver them out of the Hand of the Wicked. a. And, what Caufe foever fhall come to you, of your Brethren, between Blood and Blood, between Law and Commandment, Statutes and Judgments, ye fhall even warn them that they trefpafs not against the Lord, and fo Wrath come upon you, and upon your Brethren. b. Thus fhall ye do, in the Fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect Heart. c. If there be a Controverfie between Men, and they come unto Judgment, that the Judges may judge them, then they fhall justifie the Righteous, and condemn the Wicked: And if the wicked Man be worthy to be beaten, the Judge fhall caufe him to be beaten before his Face, according to his Fault, by a certain number of Stripes; left if he exceed, and beat him above thefe, with many Stripes, then thy Brother should seem vile unto thee. d. The Fathers fhall not be put to Death for the Children; neither fhall the Children be put to Death for the Fathers: Every Man shall be put to Death for his own Sin. e. Wo unto them that decree nnrighteous Decrees, and that write Grievoufness, which Pl. 82. 3, 4: (a) 2 Chr. 19. 10. (b) 2 Chr. 19.9. (2) Deut. 24. 16, T 4 they they have prescribed; to turn afide the Needy from Judgment, and to take away the Right from the Poor, the Widows, and the Fatherlefs. a. He that ruleth over Men must be just; ruling in the Fear of God. b. If a Ruler hearken to Lies, all his Servants are wicked: Therefore the Law is flack'd, and Judgment doth never go forth; for, the Wicked doth compass about the Righteous; therefore, wrong Judgment proceedeth; And then, a Man's Gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before Great Men. c. Many feek the Ruler's Favour, but every Man's Judgment cometh from the Lord. d. When the Righteous are in Authority, the People rejoice, but when the Wicked beareth Rule, the People mourn. e. When the King fittteth upon the Throne of his Kingdom, the Book of the Law of God Thall be with him, and he fhall read therein all the Days of his Life; that he may learn to fear the Lord his God; to keep all the Words of his Law, and his Statutes, to do them; that his Heart be not lifted up above his Brethren, and that he turn not afide from the Commandལ༤ ་ ment, to the right, or to the left; to the end, If. 10. 1, 2. (a) 2 Sam. 23. 3. (b) Prov. 29, 12. (c) Prov. 29. 26. (e) Deut. 17. 18, Hab. 1. 4. Prov. 18. 16. 19, 20. that that he may prolong his Days in his Kingdom, he, and his Children. a. It is an Abomination to Kings to commit Wickedness; for, the Throne is established by Righteousness. b. The Prince fhall not take of the People's Inheritance by Oppreflion, to thrust them out of their Poffeffion. c. The Honour of Kings, is to fearch out a Matter. d. It is not for Kings to drink Wine, nor for Princes Strong Drink; left they drink, and forget the Law, and pervert the Judgment of any of the Afflicted. e. Mercy and Truth preferve the King, and his Throne is upholden by Mercy. f. Take away the Wicked from before the King, and his Throne fhall be established by Righteousness. g. A wife King, that fitteth in the Throne of Judgment, fcattereth away all Evil with his Eyes: He delivereth the Spoiled out of the Hand of the Oppreffor; he removeth Violence, and Spoil, and taketh away Exactions from the People. b. As a roaring Lion, and a raging Bear, fo is a wicked Ruler over the poor People. a. The Prince that wanteth Understanding, is alfo a great Oppreffor; and he that receiveth Gifts, overthroweth the Land; but he that hateth Covetousnefs fhall prolong his Days. b. Hear this, ye Heads and Princes, that abhor Judgment, and pervert all Equity. c. For the Tranfgreffion of a Land, many are the Princes thereof. d. Let every Soul be fubject unto Subjects. the Higher Powers; for there is no Power but of God: The Powers that be, are ordained of God. Whofoever, therefore, refifteth the Power, refifteth the Ordinance of God; and they that refift, fhall receive to themselves Damnation: For, Rulers are not a terror to good Works, but to the evil. Wilt thou, then, not be afraid of the Power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have Praise of the fame For he is the Minister of God to thee for good. But, if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the Sword in vain: For, he is the Minister of God, a Revenger, to execute Wrath upon him that doth evil. Wherefore, ye must needs be fubject, not only for Wrath, but alfo for Confcience-fake: For, for this Cause, pay you (a) Prov. 28. 16. Prov. 29. 4. Prov. 28. 16. (b) Mic. 3. 9. Tribute Tribute alfo; for they are God's Minifters, attending continually upon this very thing. a. Submit your felves to every Ordinance of Man, for the Lord's fake; whether it be to the King, as Supreme; or unto Governours, as unto them that are fent by him, for the punishment of evil-Doers, and for the praife of them that do well: As Free; and not ufing your liberty for a Cloak of Maliciousness, but as the Servants of God. b. Be fubject to Principalities, and Powers and obey Magiftrates. c. According to the Sentence of the Law which they fhall teach thee, amd according to the Judgment which they fhall tell thee, thou fhalt do. d. Honour the King. Mura s e. Render unto Cæfar the things which are Cæfar's. f. Fear thou the Lord, and the King, and meddle not with them that are given to change. g. Who can stretch forth his Hand against the Lord's Anointed, and be Guiltless ? Rom. 13. 6. (b) Tit. 3. 1. (d) 1 Pet. 2. 17. (f) Prov, 24, 21 (a) 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14, 16. (e) Deut. 17. II. Thou |