in another State anfwerably to the good Seeds which we have fown here. THAT we may all of us thus abound in this Work of the Lord, and finally receive from his Mercy the everlasting Fruits of our Righteoufnefs, God grant for the Sake of our bleffed Redeemer, To whom, &c. SERM. 408 SERM. XV. SERMON XV. The Character and Qualifications of a good Magiftrate. EXOD, XVIII. 21. Thou shalt provide out of all the IT T appears from the foregoing Part of this Chapter, that originally Mofes alone was vefted with the Judicial Power among the Ifraelites; and that at the firft he himself alone exercis'd it; hearing and determining all the Controverfies which arose among fo numerous a Multitude. His Father-in-Law Jethro was fenfible that the Fatigue of fo much Bufinefs would quickly wear him outs wherefore he advifes him to ease himself of the Burden, by committing the Power of Judging to inferior Magiftrates, from whom, in Cafes of great Difficulty and Importance, there fhould lie an Appeal to himfelf. The Advice of Jethro was approved of by God, who ordered Mofes to follow it. So that the Words of the Text, which are a part of that Advice, may juftly be look'd upon as the Voice of God himself, declaring to Mofes the Qualifications which Magiftrates ought to be poffefs'd of. They are to be able Men, fearing God, Men of Truth, and hating Covetoufness. Of each of which Particulars I fhall speak in the Order in which they lie in the Text. THE Abilities here requir'd are, I fuppofe, principally, if not folely, those of the Mind. For in the parallel Place SERM. XV. SERM. XV. in the first Chapter of Deuteronomy, thofe who are here called able Men, are ftyl'd wife Men and understanding. And indeed the Nature of their Office evidently requires that they fhould be Perfons of good Capacity, Judgment and Experience in Publick Affairs; well skill'd in Divine and Human Laws, especially in the Rules of Natural Juftice and Equity, and in the Laws of their own Country; fagacious to difcover the true Designs of Mens Actions, and the Reality and Circumstances of Facts; able to judge aright of the Quality and Tendency of them, and to distinguish clearly, not only between the feveral Degrees of Guilt, but also to feperate Wilfulness from Accident and Neceffity, or unavoidable Ignorance and Mistake. Farther, By able Men, fay approv'd Expofitors, are to be understood Men of Spirit and Courage faithfully to discharge the Duties of their Office, whatsoever Oppofition they may meet with, or whatfoever Inconveniencies or Loffes they may fuffer for fo doing. And indeed many many Occafions may call the Magiftrate to give Proof of his Refolution and Intrepidity. It requires no fmall Degree of Magnanimity, Firmness and Conftancy to protect the Oppreffed against him that is too strong for him, to break the Jaws of the Wicked, and to pluck the Spoil out of his Mouth; to execute the Laws upon the great as well as little Offenders; to difpenfe Juftice with an impartial Hand, without Regard to the Favour or Difpleasure of the Mighty and the Honourable; to preferve the Rights both of the Sovereign, and of the People; to maintain lawful Authority and lawful Liberty; to withftand the Encroachments both of Tyranny on the one Hand, and of Licentioufnefs and Sedition on the other. ANOTHER Qualification here requir'd in Magiftrates is, that they be fuch as fear God. This Fear is grounded on due Apprehenfions of the Divine Omnifcience, Juftice and Power. It is indeed neceffary to all Chriftians whatsoever, because it is the Principle of every Religious Duty; SERM, XV. |