MOses doth here passe to the historie of a new policy which thenceforth hee obserued : there are two parts of it ; the first declareth the aduice and counsell of Iethro , gluing being and life to this politicall course : From the 17. verse , to the 23. the second relateth the execution of the same counsell from the 24. verse .

In the first is found an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , an euersion , reiection ▪ or reproouing their former custome , the thing which thou doest is not well : as if one should tell you , you haue some inconueniences in your custome , Vers. 17. which are neither right , nor good : so found Iethro some subsect or reformation in the customes of Moses and the republicke of Israel .

In the second is a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or proposition of an order from that time to be instituted .

Concerning the persons eligible to the magistracy , these particulars are set downe .

1. Quis praefecturus esset . Moses , consulta sacie Domini , Be thou for the people to God-ward , Vers. 19. and report thou the causes vnto God , and admonish them of the ordinance and of the lawes , &c. that is , Vers. 22. iudge thou in difficult causes , which cannot be decided , but by consulting with God .

2 , Quos eligeret : prouide among all the people men of courage , fearing God , men dealing truely , hating couetousnesse .

3 , Quibus , Appoint such ouer them to bee rulers ouer thousands , rulers ouer hundreds , rulers ouer fifties , and rulers ouer tens : Let them iudge the people at all seasons — that is for the manner of iudicature which is set downe , vers. 22. the euent is promised , vers. 23. if thou doe this thing ( and God so commaund thee ) both thou shalt be able to endure , and all this people shall also goe quietly to their place . Immediately after the aduice , commeth the narration of the fact the fruit and issue thereof . Moses obtemperated , And Moses harkened vnto the voice of his father in law .

The words containe Moses his 1. Regularitie , and disposition in taking counsell , And Moses harkened vnto , &c. 2. Conformitie , in the execution thereof , and he did all , &c.

And Moses harkened vnto the voice of his father in law : 1. His regulatitie . Gen. 3.17 . Hearing is the sense of discipline : errour first entred into the soule through that dore , the woman harkened to the serpent and was seduced , and because the man hearkened to the voice of his wife , in that which God forbad , he was cursed , and the cure must follow the euill , the same was into the soule , we must be healed through the care : there the word entreth to beget sauing faith , faith is by hearing : there counsell entreth into the mind , Rom. 10.17 . Pro 2.2.10 , 11 , 12. to make men wise ; cause thine cares to hearken vnto wisedome , encline thine heart to vnderstanding : when wisedome entreth into thine heart , and knowledge delighteth thy soule , then shall counsell preserue thee ; and vnderstanding shall keep thee , and deliuer thee from the euill way — .

Moses was here ruled by his father in lawes counsel : what that was , the precedent story hath , and I shall speake summarily of it in the conclusion hereof .

For the present I haue to obserue the regularitie and disposition of considering him in relation to his counseller : Moses had heard God speake : had receiued commission , and instruction from God himselfe ; God had by his hands done wonderfull things in the land of Egypt , wonders in the sea , Num. 14.14 . wonders in the desert ; the Lord was among that people , he went before them by day time in a pillar of a cloud , and in a pillar of fire by night , to giue them light ; Exod. 13 . 2● . Deut. 1.31.33 . and to search them out a place to pitch their tents in : this was the dreadfull standard of the Lord of hostes , where God set it downe , they pitched their tents , when he remooued it , they were to march againe . The Lord did beare them in the wildernesse , at a man doth beare his sonne : The Lord had promised Moses his assistance , Deut. 1.31 . Exod. 3.12 . certainly I will be with thee , to dictate what he should speake in his seruice , Exod. 1.12 15 I will be with thy mouthy , and will teach thee what thou shalt say , and to direct in all cases of deliberation , I will teach you what yee ought to doe : and lest Moses should still distrust his own ability ▪ God confirmeth his promises by miracles peculiar to Moses sense . Thus was Moses enabled by the spirit of counsell : but as for Iethro , whether hee were Prince , Exod. 4. or Priest of Midian , or both . I dispute not : it was an ancient manner among the nations , for Kings to bee sacrificers ; Aristot . Polis . 3.10 and though Dauids sonnes are called Cohens , 2. Sam. 8.18 . which is interpreted , . Chron. 18.17 . Primi ad manum regis , Psal 1 ●0 4. 〈◊〉 . 3. P●●l. 1●2 . 9 . ●●r 32.32 . chiefe about the king : yet the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth vsually import , the same which is in Greek , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( which the Apostle vseth Hebr. 7. ) so called of sacrificing , and doing of sacred workes : admit he were a Prince , yet in this new forme of a trauelling common-wealth , ( which could borrow neither modell , nor rules , from any other state then in being , but was immediately dependent , for lawes , policies , and gouernment , on the word and commandement of God ) hee could not be acquainted with any such mysteries of state , as might serue to declare him a fit counseller for an vnknowne gouernment : yet Moses hearkened vnto his voice . How abundance of knowledge ( especially attained by immediate reuelation ) puffeth vp , the messenger of Sathan buffeting Paul , 2. Cor. 12. to preuent that mischiefe , doth sufficiently declare : how authority greatneth the mind , Pauls prescription to Timothy may serue to intimate , a bishop ( saith he ) may not be a yong scholler , 1. Tim. 3.6 . lest be being puffed vp , fall into the condemnation of the diuell : he prohibited not his youth , as vnapt for that office : 1. Tim. 4. let no man contemne thy youth , but the inexperience of such a man as was nouiter instructus , and as it were nouella plantatio . Chrys●●●o ▪ 10 The diuell doth mainely labour to bring men downe the same way by which himselfe fell ; therefore he tempteth the ignorant to presumption , till such a mind , like the rising smoke , Omnia vitia in male faclis timend a sunt , superbia in benefactis , &c. Aug. in Ps. 58 2 Cor. 12.10 . Chrys. ib. hom. 26. by greatning it selfe , vanish and come to nothing . He tempteth the learned , and good , to pride , and contempt of others , therefore when all vices els are to be feared in euill workes , pride onely is to be feared in good . When I am weake then am I strong ( said the Apostle ) Vbi afflictio , ibi & consolatio , where affliction is , there is consolation , and that grace which fortifieth with humility , by subduing , and lessening the mind , which in the naturall man hath for the most part , such dependance on things externall , that the mind of man and his condition , like the beasts and the wheeles in Ezekiels vision , are degressed , Ezek. 1.10 . or lifted vp together , for that mind is on the outward estate which beareth it , as the spirit of the beasts was in the wheeles . What so great a command as Moses had might worke , they know , who becomming acquainted with such titles of honor , suddainely forget themselues , and their eares prooue nice and impatient of counsell . Saul did once thinke humbly of himselfe , was little in his owne sight ; 1. Sam. 15.17 . then he would hearken to the aduice of Samuel , but being promoted to a kingdome , he neglected the voice of God : no doubt but there was a time when Rehoboam would haue heard the counsell of the ancient men , but feeling the authoritie of a king in his hand , he reiected them for the aduise of the young men : why go I so high , or farre ? hath no man knowne , that a white staffe hath in a yeere or two so inspired an officer ouer a thousand , that he could abide no aduise ? Moses in their language would haue said : hath not God himselfe put mine authority into my hand ? hath hee not committed to my charge sixe hundred thousand men ? Num. 11.21 . haue I not talked with God in the mount ? haue I not by the power of God confirmed my authority by sundry miracles ? or in the language of the willfull Sodomites , some would haue replyed , he is come alone as a stranger , and shall he iudge and rule ? Gen. 19.9 . or as the insolent Pharises to the yong man whose eyes Christ had opened , thou art altogether borne in sinnes , Ioh. 9.34 . and doest thou teach vs ? thou art not acquainted with the affaires of this new state : content thy selfe with thy charge at Madian : But this meekest seruant of God for all those glorious dignities conferred on him , hearkened to his counsell , who was farre inferiour to himselfe : leauing vs in his example this instruction .

The best and most excellent men wil hearken to the aduice of others , yea , sometimes of their inferiours : for ,

1. The wisest men are subiect to ouer-sights and errours : neuer to erre is peculiar to God alone who onely is omniscient , who therefore hath beene his counseller ? but he giueth not all knowledge to the wisest , to humble them who being subiect to a thousand errours , are yet apt to be proud with a false opinion of wisedome .

2. God doth sometimes reueale wisedome and counsell to men whose aspects are not promising , whose condition is meane , and obscure , ( there was found in the little City a poore wise man , who deliuered the city by his wisedome , Eccl. 9.14.15 though he were so little respected , that no man remembred him ) and hide it from the learned and prudent , as to ascertaine men , that himselfe is the authour and fountaine of euery perfection so to teach them , that they ought not to bee arrogant of that they haue receiued , since the simple may eft-soone controule their proiections , neither to contemne others to whom God will sometimes make them beholding for aduice .

Hence it commeth to passe that wise men loue counsell , and fooles their owne waies : they know in the greatest atchieuements counsel is better then strength : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 M●●●●d . they know it is a great misery to want the aduice of priuate friends , much greater is the want of counsell in matters publicke ; they know aduice is a sacred thing , they know that counsellesse force falleth with it owne weight : Vis co●si●ij expers mole ruit sud . Cassi●d●r . Ber● , de consid . l. 4. c 4. Ibid. euery prouident man therefore consilium quaerit : if it be not giuen him hee will purchase it . Bernard saith well , by counsell , tracta ante factum , quia post factum sera retractatio est : aduise , before thou execute , repentance and counsell come too late , when things are done . Doe nothing without aduice , & post factum non poenitebis : the reason why wisemen loue others aduice , is because seeing their owne wants , they suspect , and are iealous of themselues : the foole , because he knoweth not so much as his owne defects , hath an high opinion of his own worth , therfore he is precipitate , and often vnlucky to himselfe , or that vnhappy common-wealth committed to his managing : and like the Polypus ( a true embleme of vnaduised men ) taken in a snare , Whose motto is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ambros . for want of taking heed . I conclude this point then . Counsell is for wise men , and correction for fooles , for these hate aduise : the wisest of men hath the summe of all , Prou. 12.15 . The way of a foole is right in his owne eyes : but he that heareth counsell is wise .

I know not yet to whom this addresse belongeth , but in the phrase of Tamar I may say to him , Discerne I pray thee , cuius sunt ista , sigillum , Gen. 38.25 . sudarium & scipio iste . — I meane the seale and staffe of office , to him I say , as this concerneth him , when the staffe and authority shall be put into his hand by your suffrages , to assure him that he cannot be a good patriot who despiseth , and therefore will not hearken to counsell : so to you all I say , it first and for present concerneth you , who though many , are but one body , and in place of one Moses now to make choice , ( one Moses made choice of many Magistrates , you being many are to choose one ) therefore your first part is in imitation of this man of God , to heare aduice what choice you ought to make : you must be auscultantes : first to the Prophet , who by a laudable custome , is to you as some Iethro , aduising you concerning your election : secondly , to those grauest , and most experienced members of your state , whose age , imployment and obseruation haue enabled them to iudge what man in respect of the particulars , fittest to be elected .

The word is our cloudy pillar to direct our courses , when that remooueth we must follow it , when that standeth , Greg Math. 13. Mat. 13.16 . we must rest : this is that cibus mentis , in whose strength we are to walke : this is that which maketh vs blessed in hearkning to it , and wise in doing it , Math. 7. 24. S●ultus verò haec audita dis●imulans , tanquam super arenam opus a dif●eationis impenderi● , infideliter flat , &c. Hilar. Canon . 6. Exod. 29.20 . I will like him to a wise man , which hath builded his house on a rocke : hee and his worke shall stand . With this the good Magistrate must be initiated and consecrated , ( as the high Priests were wont to bee , with the blood of the sacrifice : thou shalt take of the blood and put it vpon the tip of their right eare — and vpon the thumb of their right hand , and vpon the great toe of the right foot ) their eare must first bee touched with the word , that it may be sanctified and opened to counsell , next the hand , that their worke and administration may be holy , and that their conuersation may be blamelesse .

If this part be neglected , I easily beleeue the rest will prooue vnhappy , and euil to you , what choice soeuer you make : for how shall God giue you a blessing in a good Magistrate , how shall hee prosper his best counsells , or endeauours to you , when to initiate him , you begin so euilly , as to contemne God ? For he that despiseth these things , despiseth not man but God . And himselfe faith againe , Ezek. 3.7 ▪ The house of Israel will not heare thee , for they will not heare me :

It must needs be euill likewise , where the aduice of men experienced , & authorised to assist , is contemned .

I say therefore , there are some men ( I say not where , if it now concerne you , looke to it , if nor , lay it vp till it may ) there are some men , for this cause most vnfit to be elected , because they cannot abide the word of God , if it touch them , nor the counsell of good men , if it crosse them . Some worldly men are like those inhabitants by the falls of Nilus , the noise of other businesses hath so filled their eares , that they cannot hearken : the Roman Peter hath cut off the right eare of some , and such a Malcus heare nothing saue onely what the state of Rome saith , there are no men to sit at our helmes . Others are , Aug. ●● Psal. 57. for other causes , deafe adders , who laying one eare to the earth , and couering the other with the tayle , ( I mean , either for carnall aduice , or peruerse affections luting vp their eares ) cannot be drawne out of their holds : who louing their owne ignorance , cannot be brought out into the light with the most diuine and sweet inchantments of wisedome : ib. Aug. these are not onely non audientes , men not hearkening , but omninò vt non valeant audire facientes . So composing themselues , that they may not heare these like the enraged Iewes when they heare their faults toucht , stop their eares , and flye vpon the speaker . Non erant surdi , sed fecerunt se surdos : Act. 7. Aug. qu●s . they are thus affected also to the counsell of men , if it bee not a Miner●a of their owne braine , pride and selfe-loue wil neither suffer then to execute , nor apprehend it : there is nothing more intolerable then this out-sides of a magistrate , who thinketh nothing can be right but what himselfe doth , or proiecteth : looke neerer him , he admireth his owne head , talketh of the excellent seruices done to the state , disparageth his predecessours , findeth inconveniences in other gouernments , in fine , as if hee were possessed with a spirit of contradiction , and his eares metamorphosed into tongues , hee who should bee a●scultans with Moses in my text is loquax , and nothing els , as for aduice he feareth it might import some weaknes in the receiuer to carry any but an independent brain . I haue shewed you the Idea and character of a Magistrate , whose example if any so euill be to be found , must be auoided : as Cyprian said of Doctors , I must conclude of gouernours , Neminem bonum esse , &c. qui non idem sit docilis : he cannot be good who will not be taught : Moses thought not himselfe too good to be aduised by a man , who neuer went dry-foot through the red sea , who neuer talked familiarly with God : to shut vp this point then ; in your elections , it is safer , ( I dare say it confidently ) if you had any so vnhappy choice , to take a foole , who would performe this first part , and hearken to good counsell , then a wise man in his owne conceit ; there is more hope of a foole then of him : a simple man with eares is better then a deafe Ahithephel with his most curious oracles : he then that hath an eare let him heare : Tutiùs auditur veritas quàm pradicatur . Aug , de doct. Christ . there is no feare in hearing good counsel , there is often danger in giuing it : Moses hearkened vnto the voice of his father in law , this is the first part , the next is —

2. His conformity in execution . He did all that he had said . We are now arriued at the maine point , practise . It was the onely good disposition position where we found him auscultantem : hearing is the sense of discipline , without this what euer is done were better vndone : without the eyes of counsell what is the strongest will , but like some blind Sampson pulling downe the pillars of a corporation . Yet we must not be Athenians giuen onely to heare , Act. 17. or tell : now commeth the fruit , in this same ( fecit ) without this , what euer is heard , were as good vnheard : you see these are the gemelli , which , ( as in euery happy state they are borne together ) cannot be diuided from the word of God , to the most godly counsell of man , there is a most necessary coniunction , of hearing , and doing : without the last wee cannot bee iustified in the first , without the first , not instructed in the last : many come to , and go from this place , without fruit ; because they come , vt audiant , non vt discant , not to learne , but to heare , either for fashion , or for their pleasures , as to a theater : so this place becommeth to them , for an houre , diuersorium otii , and a conuenience of seeing and being seene . But except we he arken to the voice of God , wee cannot beleeue , faith is by hearing : Rom. 10. and except we doe what we heare , wee cannot be saued : not the hearers , but the doers of the law shall be iustified : so is it in morall affaires : the deafe man cannot be wise , but all counsell , to a man , who will at last follow his owne fancy , is but lost breath : such aduisers are but as Salomons graue Senators to his wilfull sonne , heard , but not followed .

The summe of all is , if you will be well aduised , you must do all that is well said to you ; so did Moses here , fecit quicquid dixerat . All , not some things onely , I neuer heard of any man either so peruerse in his resolution , or singular in his opinion , but that hee would heare and doe some things to which he was aduised : but good counsell must be more vniuersally followed , Moses did all . There is a way to peruert the best counsell , by seeming to follow it , as when wee leaue out that , in which is the life and efficacy of the whole : as if the clyent should follow the prescriptions of his learned counsell in all , except the maine point , as if , of sundry dieticall rules of Physicke the patient should dispence with the principall : so Herod heard Iohn , and did many things , but not the maine : so Saul tooke Samuels counsell , for the Amaleck voyage , yet you see what became of it , 1. Sam. 15. for sparing Agag , & the best of the spoile : so some pettie statists vse our ministerie : sometimes they will heare a sermon before their elections , or assizes , and therin will heare , & follow , as far as may make them seeme religious to a heedlesse vulgar , as farre as the word complieth and agreeth with their desires , but for this ( all ) it will neuer goe downe : for feare ignorance , or prophanes should doe them the wrong to count them Puritans , who neuer loued so much as a shew of true holinesse : and because they suppose ( that which can neuer be ) that wisedome may be seuered from religion , therefore they follow religious counsel , but as Peter followed Christ to the high Priests hall , a farre off , and had rather forsweare any acquaintance with it , Luk. 22.24 . then be outwardly disaduantaged by it : if ye will follow God as Moses did Iethro's counsell , you must do all that he saith :

Some may say , he that will hearken to euery body , shall bee like the chaffe tossed to an fro with euery breath of wind : it is an endlesse confusion , a perplexed torture to be troubled with the vnmannerly buzzings of a many-headed vulgar , which oftentimes like those troublesome euening-flies * * Blind Beetles . cast themselues into our eares , with a great noise to no purpose . How irresolute must he be , who will hearken to that variable master , sounding of nothing more then contrarieties ? when shall he end his taske who vndertaketh to please euery body ? where is that aduise , that designe , that vndertaking , which findeth no disallowance ? Adde to this , among many voices the serpent also hisseth ; there are , who giue pernicious counsell . Shall I then hearken to all ? I say not , take counsell of the euill , they who so do , are like those who aske counsell of the dead , in which aduice commonly the diuell personateth the Prophet , 1. Sam. 28.7 . &c. or of familiar spirits answering in idols , as Ahaziah did ; what necessity doth thus straiten any man ? Is it because then is no God in Israel ? 2. Kin. 1.2 . hath he no seruants of whom thou maist take aduice ? I say not , follow all that which seemeth counsell ; the diuell said , Command , or speake , that these stones be made bread : it seemed charitable counsell , 〈…〉 &c. but was a tentation . The young men said to Rehoboam , Math. 4.3 . 1. King . 12.10 . Thus shalt thou say vnto this people — my least part shall be bigger then my fathers loynes . It was seducement , it was not counsell , both giuer and receiuer of such aduice , are deceiued so often as they take al that which is spoken concerning counsell and deliberation to be good , Giue not thine heart to all the words that men speake — thou must know thou art sometimes amongst the Sirens , Eccl 7.23 . and must stop thine eares , for feare thou be drawne to death by them . But how shall I discerne which is counsell , and which seducement ? Reduce all to these touch-stones , the word and will of God , and the commodity and good of them or him for whom such counsell is intended : is it not agreeing with the holy will of God ? bee it the oracles of Ahithophel , seeme it neuer so good for the state , it is not to be followed : there is no wisedome , nor counsell against God : be it preiudicious to the state , though for thine owne priuate gaine , seeme it neuer so good or pleasing , it is a suggestion of treachery , it is no counsell which is taken for any subordinate respect against the state , or the publike good which therein must be saued : is it against thy soules health , is it hurtfull to thy body , fame , estate , friends , directly or consequently ( wherein neither Gods honour , thy Prince , countrey , religion , or thy soule are otherwise interessed ) it is seducement , it is not counsell : you see the meanes to discerne , and you must euer begin to weigh by this balance of the sanctuary which standeth before my text — if God so command thee — Some may say , Verse 33. you haue your failings too , who deliuer the word : it is true we haue , and often preach the word in much weaknes , would God we were made perfect . I say not that the heathen sages were more beneuolous hearers , then many Christians , they wont to set the Graces by the statue of Mercurie , to import that some slips of the speakers of good things , are to be borne withall ; but I say those infirmities are not alwaies our proper faults , you also haue your shares in them , it is because you want holy appetites to this word , Nonnunquam vero propter auditoris culpam subtrahitur sermo doctori : Greg. in pastor . that God sometimes and for your sakes shortneth vs : when zealous and obedient hearers do hunger for the word , they do not only help the Preacher with their attention , but obtaine , that God , who fed multitudes with few loaues , enlargeth our hearts and openeth a dore of vtterance , yea sometimes for holy hearers sakes , the word is giuen plentifully euen to a Iudas , an euill teacher . To conclude this matter then , I must say in Christ his words , Take heede how you beare , and when you heare holy aduice , if God so command you , imitate this man of God in my text , who did all that Iethro had said .

What was that all ? reade the 21. vers. you shall quickly see the patterne of good Magistrates : 1. they must be men of courage , viros roboris , according to the Hebrew : what should he doe with the sword of iustice in his hand , who is of yong Iethers mettle , Iudg. 8.20 . and dares not draw it to cut off maiefactors ? acoward cannot be either an honest man , or able Magistrate : for what counsell can rectifie that minde which dareth not be iust : feare is one of the deafe affections , no reasons can master it . But because all daring without the feare of God , is but temeritie and desperate resolution , this is annexed , they must bee such as feare God : this is the only antidote against all base and seruile feare : he that truly feareth God , will not feare man , or be daunted , or discouraged from executing iustice . This feare of God , is the ground of all abilitie , it is the beginning of wisdome ; and all good order , & gouernment , for those who are truly holy cannot but labour to make others so : happie is that gouernment , where the Magistrate executeth his charge for conscience sake , doing his dutie , not like those nigardly & dissembling votaries who will not offer without a witnes , but because he knoweth that the eye of God is vpon him , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c. Isocr . orat . ad . Nic. who indifferently hateth that man who iustifieth the wicked , and him who condemneth the iust . Think not then that it is the dutie proper & peculiar to inferiors to liue wel , & that the Magistrates may liue disorderly : — 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ib. all the people looke on them , and from their actions , deriue either honestie or libertie of sinning : command thy selfe therefore thou that commandest others , and think it more honorable for thee , in the feare of God , to subdue and gouerne thine owne inordinate affections then to exercise authoritie ouer thousands of citizens : as much as thou art dignified aboue others , so much excell them in goodnes . This thou shalt doe , if thou feare God , and so conforme thy selfe to the examples of religious Gouernours , that thou mayst be indifferently a patterne to thy inferiours and an emulator and imitator of thy superiours .

Thus must Magistrates be able men ; they must also be men of power , vertue and actiuitie of body and minde , so the word is vsed . Gen. 47.6 . and men of spirit and courage , so it is vsed . 1 Chron. 26.6 . that they may stand vp for the oppressed , as is said of Moses . Exo. 2.17 .

2. Men dealing truly : or men of truth . The Greeke calleth them iust men : and Zach. 7.9 . is mentioned iudgement of truth , so somtimes iustice goeth for truth , because these vertues , are so neerely allyed : it is an admirable connexion of these things , first of truth with courage and strength of minde : Veritas odio est . Tertul. apo. a●o . geat . c. 14. Veritas odium parit . for truth cannot bee without enemies , it begetteth them : he had need to be a resolued man who will be a man of truth : secondly , of truth & the feare of God : for ( saith Tertullian ) truth knoweth she is a stranger on earth , and that she shal easily finde enemies amongst aliants : Ib. Apol. c. 1. yet that she hath , her allies , mansion , hope , fauour , & dignity in heauen . The Magistrate then must be a veritable , sincere , and solid man , being what hee seemeth , and seeming such an honourable patterne for others imitation , as the God of truth ( whose vicegerents princes are ) will approoue : he mustloue and search out the truth of causes , ( without which iustice cannot determine ) not as Tertullian saith , of certaine Philosophers , mimice affectant veritatem , & affectando corrumpunt : nor , Ib. c. 46. as hee saith of the same , may he be furator eius & custos , both a theefe and keeper of truth . He must regard the truth and equitie of the cause , not friends , not kinred , or other relations , as if they might alter the case , or lawfully peruert the course of iustice . The Thebans woont to make the statues of Magistrates without hands , importing that they might be no takers ; and the images of iudges without eyes , or with eyes shut , intimating that they ought truly and without respect of feare or fauour of any , impartially to giue sentence ; as it is said of Seleucus , who would not against law , spare his sons eyes , though out of his tender loue , to spare one of them , he put out one of his owne : so then you see they must be viriveritatis , not hypocrites in matter of iustice , making a shew of doing it , but doing nothing lesse . Some faile herein for feare , some for fauor , some for custome sake , others in their place woont to do so , Veritatem se non consuetudinem cognominauit . Tertul. de Virg. veland . Consuetudo sine veritate , vetuflas erroris est . Cypr. ad Pomp. 1. King . 21.8 . but it is a dangerous practise , for truth cannot be prescribed : Christ called himselfe the truth , hee named not himselfe custome : custome without truth or equitie is but the antiquity of error and iniquitie : some make their authoritie serue their owne ends , as when they execute law to satisfie priuate malice , or oppresse the innocent vnder some pretences of iustice or prerogatiue ; so Iezabel vsed Ahabs seale : this is a frequent and vnhappie peruerting of equitie , the most hatefull hypocrisie in iudicature ; when malice personateth iustice , when the diuell playeth the iudge .

3. Lastly , they must be men hating couetousnesse ▪ as Paul saith of Deacons to be elected , I must of Magistrates , it behooueth them to bee men of good report , ( as it is Deut. 1.13 . knowne men : ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , not desirous of filthy lucre : 1 Tim 3.8 . Deut. 16.19 . 1 Sam 8.3 . Prou. 1.19 . Ezek. 22.27 . Isa. 56.11 . Non sit manu● tua porrecta ad accipiendum , & collecta ad dandum De modo benè vivend . ser. 44. the loue of gaine is the corruption of iustice , and a reward putteth out the eye . I may say then to you , who are to be elected , as Bernard to one , let not thine hand be stretched out to take , and shut when it should giue ; and to you who are to make choice , as the same Bernard in another place , elect such , as looke not into the hands , but necessities of the afflicted . It is a miserable case when the Magistrate in a corporation is so necessitous , that he hath too many temptious to be vniust : and it were to be wished that in euery such place , prouision might be made , that the elected Magistrate might be , for his estate , independent on the vulgar : for without this , rarely can iustice finde a due & smoth course . The complaint is made , the nocent conuented , but the conclusion is too often ( what euer shewes are made ) the malefactor must be spared , because he is , or may be a customer ; then Eli saith onely , 1 Sam. 2.23 . Why do ye such things ? for of all this people I heare euill reports of you , doe no more my sonnes : and so it commeth to passe that when the Magistrate will not execute iustice , nor punish sinne , to remooue euill from the land , God entreth for default of iustice , and seuerely punisheth the whole common-wealth . How hatefull a gaine is this before the Lord : how filthy a lucre before good men ? is it not the price of blood , which is the gaine of him who betrayeth the state ? the like mischiefe sometimes befalleth , when the Magistrate is indulgent at the instance of friends , or kinred ; such pleas are so common , that it is something rare to obserue that malefactor , who hath not some vncle , brother , cousen , or friend to stand vp an earnest aduocate for his allies or customers impunity . What iustice , what feare of God is this ? Or if iustice be impartially done , the vniust delinquents will doe their worst spights , that the rare man , who without feare , fauour , or respect of filthy gaine , executeth iustice shall be vndone , for they will withdraw their customes , because the good man would not conniue and sell them iustice , which they wickedly suppose as merchantable as any wares , and a kind of vailes and due , vpon occasions belonging to customers .

It is time to conclude : Brethren , I am not ignorant of the censures the last election passed vpon me , because I did not after this manner , and according to the custome of this place and time aduise you , but preached on another more generall subiect : I could haue answered then , how much it grieued mee , to heare some ( too great a summe ) crying like those Israelites to Ieremy , Pray for vs vnto the Lord — that the Lord thy God may shew vs the way wherein wee are to walke , and the thing that we may do : Ier. 42.2.3 . Verba quidem pi●tatis plena : sed verbis non conso nant oopera . Theod. inter , in Ier. 42 ▪ yet intended not , what euer was preached , to follow ( I will not say one word , but not ) all . Words full of piety , but workes not consonant to those words : they did well to desire to heare , but it is not well when that was all , and no practise followed . But now I say I haue better hope of you : and therefore aduise you againe , take heed that you now doe all , that you be not worthily retaxed , in that you onely call for that word , which you will not follow : be not like those wicked Leuites , who comming to their consecration made shew of sanctifying hands , f●et , and cares , but contrary to the sanctitie of their order neuer cared more for the substance : honour your authority as you are honoured by it , eclipse