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pressor; he removeth violence and spoil, and taketh away factions from the people.

*As a roaring lion and a ranging bear, so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

* The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor; and he that receiveth gifts overthroweth the land; but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

* Hear this, ye heads and princes, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity,

* For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof.

* Let every soul be subject unto the higher Subjects.

powers; for there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall 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 shalt have praise of the same: 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 subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay you tribute also; for they are God's ministers, 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

:

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1 Prov. xxviii. 15.

2 Prov. xxviii. 16. Prov. xxix. 4. Prov. xxviii. 16. 3 Micah iïi. 9. 4 Prov. xxviii. 2.

5 Rom. xiii. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

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supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well. As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

1 Be subject to principalities and powers; and obey magistrates.

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According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do.

3 Honour the king.

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Render unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's.

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

6 Who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless?

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Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse, or speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

* Curse 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 dost thou? But by long forbearing is a prince persuaded.

10 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?

11 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; whoso provoketh him to anger, sinneth against his

own soul.

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Presumptuous are they and self-willed, that

despise government, and are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

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1 Whosoever 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 banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.

THE DUTIES OF THE MINISTERS OF CHRIST.

2 Those that have received the ministry of the word, are to be accounted of as the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards, that a man be found faithful.

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Having then the ministry given to them, let them wait on their ministering. 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 minister are God's husbandry; we are God's buildings: not that they have dominion over our faith, but are helpers of our joy. For by faith we stand.

*They are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech us by them: they pray us in Christ's stead, to be reconciled to God. And as workers together with him they beseech us, that we receive not the grace of God in vain.

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Let them therefore take heed to the ministry which they have received in the Lord, that they fulfil it; not abusing their power in the Gospel; giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry

be not blamed. Suffering all things, lest they should hinder the Gospel of Christ: and in all things approving themselves as the ministers of God.

'Let them minister, as of the ability which God giveth; behaving themselves holily and justly, and unblameably, among them that believe: and walking in wisdom among them that are without; that God in all things may be glorified, through Jesus Christ.

2 He that hath my word, saith the Lord, let him speak my word faithfully.

3 Let him speak as the oracles of God; preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus, with all confidence and boldness.

We are not, (saith St. Paul) 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. Not handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. Our exhortation is not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile; but as we are allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. Neither at any time used we flattering words, nor a cloke of covetousness, nor of men sought we glory. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord.

5 I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel, saith the Lord; therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely

2 Jer.

Acts iv. 29.

1 1 Pet. iv. 11. 1 Thess. ii. 10. Col. iv. 5. 1 Pet. iv. 11. xxiii. 28. 3 1 Pet. iv. 11. Acts xxviii. 3). 4 2 Cor. ii. 17. 2 Cor. iv. 2. 1 Thess. ii. 3, 4, 5, 6.

2 Cor. iv. 5.

die, and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked man from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall 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 shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

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Thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. Precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, and there a little.

Preach the word: be instant, in season, out of

season.

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