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It is not for Kings to drink Wine, nor for Princes ftrong Drink; left they drink and forget the Law, and pervert the Judgment of any the Afflicted.

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Mercy and Truth preferve the King, and his Throne is upholden by Mercy.

Take away the Wicked from before the King, and his Throne fhall be established by Righteoufnefs.

A wife King that fitteth in the Throne of Judgment, scattereth 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 Factions from the People.

PAs a roaring Lion and a ranging Bear, fo is a wicked Ruler over the poor People.

The Prince that wanteth Understanding is also a great Oppreffor; and he that receiveth Gifts overthroweth the Land; but he that hateth Covetoufnefs, fhall prolong his Days.

Hear this, ye Heads and Princes, that abhor Judgment, and pervert all Equity.

For the Tranfgreffion of a Land many are the Princes thereof.

Let every Soul be fubject unto the higher Powers; for there is no Power but

Subjects.

of God: The Powers that be are ordained of God. Whofoever therefore refifteth the Power, refifteth

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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 not then be afraid of the Power? Do that which is good, and thou fhalt 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 Minifter of God, a Revenger to execute Wrath upon him that doth Evil. Wherefore ye muft needs be fubject, not only for Wrath, but also for Conscience fake. Forthis Cause pay you Tribute alfo; for they are God's Minifters, attending continually upon this very Thing.

Submit yourselves to every Ordinance of Man, for the Lord's Sake; whether it be to the King, as Supreme; or unto Governors, as unto them that are fent by him for the Punishment of Evildoers, and for the Praise of them that do well. As free, and not ufing your Liberty for a Cloke of Malicioufnefs, but as the Servants of God.

Be fubject to Principalities and Powers; and obey Magiftrates.

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* According to the Sentence of the Law which they thall teach thee, and according to the Judgment which they fhall tell thee, thou shalt do. > Honour the King.

z Render unto Cæfar the Things which are Cæfar's.

a Fear thou the Lord and the King, and meddle not with them that are given to change.

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b Who can stretch forth his Hand against the Lord's Anointed, and be guiltless?

Thou shalt not revile the Gods, nor curfe, ar fpeak Evil of the Ruler of thy People.

d Curfe not the King, no not in thy Thought.

• Where the Word of a King is, there is Power; and who may say unto him, What doft thou? But by long forbearing is a Prince perfuaded.

Is it fit to fay to a King, Thou art wicked? and to Princes, Ye are ungodly?

The King's Wrath is as the roaring of a Lion; whofo provoketh him to Anger, finneth against his own Soul.

h Prefumptuous are they and felf-willed, that defpife Government, and are not afraid to fpeak Evil of Dignities.

iWhofoever will not do the Law of God, and the Law of the King, let Judgment be executed Speedily upon him; whether it be unto Death, or to Banifhment, or to Confifcation of Goods, or to Imprisonment.

The DUTIES of the MINISTERS of CHRIST.

Thofe that have received the Miniftry of the Word, are to be accounted of as the Minifters of Chrift, and Stewards of the Mysteries of God.

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Moreover it is required of Stewards, that a Man be found faithful.

Having then the Miniftry given to them, let them wait on their Miniftring. He that teacheth, on Teaching; he that exhorteth, on Exhortation; he that ruleth, let him do it with Diligence; For they are Labourers together with God, and we to whom they minifter are God's Hufbandry; we are God's Building: Not that they have Dominion over our Faith, but are Helpers of our Joy. For by Faith we stand.

They are Ambaffadors for Christ, as though God did befeech us by them. They pray us, in Chrift's Stead, to be reconciled to God. And as Workers together with him they befeech us, that we receive not the Grace of God in vain.

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Let them therefore take heed to the Miniftry which they have received in the Lord, that they fulfil it; not abufing their Power in the Gospel; giving no Offence in any Thing, that the Ministry be not blamed. Suffering all Things, left they fhould hinder the Gospel of Chrift; and in all Things approving themselves as the Minifters of God.

• Let them minifter, as of the Ability which God giveth; behaving themfelves holily, and justly, and unblameably, among them that believe; and walking in Wifdom toward them that are without; that God in all Things may be glorified, through Jefus Chrift.

I Cor. 4.2.

1. 24.
I Cor. 9. 18.

1 Pet. 4. II.

1 Rom. 12. 6, 7, 6, 8. I Cor. 3. 9, 2 Cor.

m 2 Cor. 5. 20.
2 Cor. 6. 3.
1 Theff. 2. 10.

2 Cor. 6. 1.
I Cor. 9. 12.
Col. 4. 5.

n Col. 4. 17. 2 Cor. 6. 4.

1 Pet. 4. 11.

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He that hath my Word, faith the Lord, let him speak my Word faithfully.

9 Let him fpeak as the Oracles of God; preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching thofe Things which concern the Lord Jefus, with all Confidence and Boldness.

We are not, (faith St. Paul) as many, which corrupt the Word of God; but as of Sincerity, but as of God, in the Sight of God, fpeak we in Chrift. Not handling the Word of God deceitfully, but by Manifeftation of the Truth, commending ourselves to every Man's Confcience in the Sight of God. Our Exhortation is not of Deceit, nor of Uncleannefs, nor in Guile; but as we are allowed of God to be put in Truft with the Gofpel, even fo we fpeak, not as pleafing Men, but God, which trieth our Hearts. Neither at any Time ufed we flattering Words, nor a Cloke of Covetousness, nor of Men fought we Glory. For we preach not ourselves, but Chrift Jefus the Lord.

• I have made thee a Watchman unto the House of Ifrael, (faith the Lord) therefore hear the Word at my Mouth, and give them Warning from me. When I fay unto the Wicked, Thou fhalt furely die, and thou giveft him not Warning, nor fpeakeft to warn the wicked Man from his wicked Way, to fave his Life; the fame wicked Man fhall die in his Iniquity, but his Blood will I require at thy Hand: Yet if thou warn the Wicked, and he turn not from his Wickedness, he fhall die in his Iniquity; but thou haft delivered thy Soul.

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