EXPLICATION .

By way of Explication I shall enquire into these two particulars :

1 Why the Apostle calls Magistrates , Explicat . 1 or persons in authority , Dignities .

2 What was the sin of speaking evill of those dignities ? Est vis quaedum per quam Princeps sibi conciliat in hominum animis singularem quandam admirationem ac venerationē , et cum utraque conjunctum metum . Gerb. de Mag. Pol.

1 For the first : The Apostle calls them Dignities , in Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , glories , because of that glory and excellency wherewith God is pleased eminently and peculiarly to adorn them , whereby they raise in the minds of people a singular admiration and veneration to themselves , joyned with fear . To this purpose speaks the Prophet concerning Nebuchadnezzar , Dan. 5.18 . The most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar majesty and glory : and for the majestie that he gave him , all People , Nations and Languages trembled and feared before him .

And more particularly , this dignity or glorie appears : 1 In those glorious titles wherewith Magistrates are dignified and odorned above others : Luk. 22.25 Matth. 20 25 Rom. 13.3 . Luk. 12.11 . 2 Chr. 23.20 . Jer. 14.3 . Ezek. 31.5 1 Sam. 9.16 Psal. 83.11 . Psal. 82.1 , 6 Psal. 89.7 . Gen. 41.43 . and thus they are called Kings , Princes , great men , Rulers , Powers , Governors , Nobles , mighty ones , Captains , children of the most high , the sons of the mighty , Fathers , anoynted , Saviours , and as the upshot of all , Gods , because they are from God , and ought to be for God : they are appointed by him , and to be imployed for him ; they stand in the place of God , and are his vice-gerents on earth , and have a particular charge and power of executing the judgments of God among men . 2 Chron. 19.4 . Ye judg not ( saith Jehoshaphat to his Judges ) for men , but for the Lord .

2 In those Endowments and qualifications wherewith God hath adorned them for the executing of their places ▪ Mutavit ei cor , quod ante erat parvum & servile , in cor regale . Abul . Altius & audacius cor habuit . Hug. Car. Cor immutatum , habebat , quia qui asinas quaesierat , jam de regni dispositione cogitabat . Greg. God never bestowing employments without end●●●ents . Saul being chosen King , is said to have another heart given him , 1 Sam. 10.9 . He had those heroick gifts and Kingly abilities of wisdom , valour , &c. infused into him , which enabled him to discharge his place of Government . He who formerly sought asses , now spent his thoughts about preserving his Kingdom . When David was anointed King by Samuel , it s said ▪ that the spirit of God came upon him , 1 Sam. 16.13 . which furnish'd him with gifts , as of sanctification ( wherewith though formerly he were endowed , N●m. 11.17 2 King . 2.15 Exod. 18.21 Deut. 1.13 . yet possibly not in so great a measure as now ; ) so of Regiment and Government ; and it may be , of Prophesie and Poesie .

3 In that due respect or honour which is yeilded to them : This is first , Internall ; consisting 1. in an honorable opinion and high estimation of them : Despising and thinking evil with the heart , will make way for despising and speaking evil with the tongue : The people thought David worth ten thousand of them . Num. 16.3 It was Corahh's sin to think ( for else he had not said as he did ) that Moses and Aaron were no more excellent then the rest of the people . 2. This internal honour stands in a reverent and awfull fear of them ; a duty which we owe to our Parents , either by nature or analogy , Lev. 19.3 .

Secondly , Externall ; as 1. To rise up when the person of the Magistrate is in presence , Job . 29.8 . 2 ( as in most Countries ) to uncover the head . 3 To bow the body , 2 Sam. 24.20 . the knee , Gen. 41.43 . 4 To stand , Exod. 18.13 . 2 King . 5.25 . 5 To be silent when he speaks , and to attend , Job . 29.9 , 10. 6. To use words of submissivenesse , as Gen. 42.10 . They call Joseph My Lord , and themselves ( ver. 13. ) his servants . 7 To obey , Josh. 1.6 . though in the Lord , Ephes. 6.1 . 8 To pray for the Magistrate , 1 Tim. 2.1 , 2.

4 Lawyers and Polititians mention sundry jura Majestatis , Vid. Bodin . de Repub. l. 1. c. 10 or Rights belonging to Majestie : As 1. The giving of Lawes . Arnisseum l. 2. de jur. Majest. c. 1. n. 8. 2 The exercise of supreme Jurisdiction , beyond which there is no appeal . 3. The power of the Militia . 4 Receiving Tribute of Lands , Cus●●me from the Sea , Subsidie of Goods . 5 The liberty of Hunting . 6 A propriety in such things as have no rightfull owners to claim them . 7. The deriving of Honours . Gen. 41.41 , 42 8 The coyning of Money . To which may added that State or port sutable to their places , in respect of Attendance , Diet , Apparel , Buildings , &c.

In the second Branch of Explication we are to enquire , what was the sin of speaking evil of Dignities ?

These words , speak evil ] are in the Original one word , Idem valet quod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 alterius ●●mam laedere maledictis . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , they blaspheme : It signifies properly to hurt ones name by defamation , or slander . And though it be now appropriated to a dishonour offered to Gods name ; yet it 's frequently in Scripture spoken of defaming or evill speaking against man , as 1 Cor 4.13 . Being defamed , evil spoken of , ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) blasphemed , we intreat : and 1 Pet. 4.4 . Wherein they think it strange , that ye run not with them to the same excesse of riot , Tit. 3.2 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , blaspheming , or speaking evill of you . So Rom. 3.8 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as we be slanderously reported . And here in this place the word is spoken concerning the defaming , or speaking evill of persons in authority : A sin with which the Seducers are in this place charged ; they being such , who , because they could not by the power of their hand remove and displace Magistrates , would do their utmost to blast and abuse them by the poyson of their tongue .

This sin of speaking evill of Dignities , may be severall wayes committed : Sometimes more secretly , by whispering onely , or libelling , for fear of censure : scandals of Governors have seldome any fathers ; they kill , and make no report ; they steal away reputation . Sometimes more openly , and before any , promiscuously : and both these wayes of evil speaking may be in a way either of murmuring , or of mutining . Of murmuring : When the people are in any distresse , Hominibus injuriâ affectis , aut pro merito minimè evectis promptum est in viros principes debacchari , & animi sui acerbitatem exspu●ri . Riv. in Exod. par. 2. pag. 71. col. 2. oft the first stone of complaint is thrown against the Magistrate ; The Israelites want water , and they pray not to God , but murmur against Moses , as if he had made the waters bitter , and the wildernesse dry . It s a Kingly condition to deserve well and hear ill . If men prosper never so much , they only applaud themselves ; if they suffer never so little ; they murmur against their Rulers . Of mutining : Sometimes men so speak evill Magistracy , as to raise up evil against them . Murmurers offend out of impatiency , mutiners out of envie : By the former Governors are taxed for not taking enough ; Numb. 16.3 . by the later , for taking too much upon them : though Moses's command was a burden to him , yet was it an ey-sore to others , Corah and his company . This sin offends both by uttering against Rulers things false and evill : thus Absolom unworthily traduceth his Fathers Government , 2 Sam. 15.3 by telling the Israelites that there was no man deputed of the King to hear them ; and Shimei cursed and reviled David , 2 Sam. 16.7 by calling him bloudy man , and man of Belial : And things true and good , falsly and evilly , as sometimes , though reporting , yet lessening , extenuating and detracting from their good actions , or depraving them as done of bad intents , for bad ends , or in hypocrisie ; by uncovering their secret infirmities , by amplifying and aggravating their faults ; affirming that miscarriage to be deliberately done , which was done rashly ; or presumptuously , which was done weakly , &c.

The sinfulnesse of this evil speaking appears severall wayes : See Part 1 pag. 130 , 131. concerning the sin of despising dominion . 1. By its notorious thwarting and opposing the evident commands of Scripture , Exod. 22.28 . Thou shalt not revile the gods , nor curse the Ruler of thy people . Eccles. 10.20 . A Text cited by Paul himself , Acts 23.5 . who there ( as I humbly conceive ) apologizeth for himself for his sudden and unadvised expression , in calling the high Priest a whited wall ; the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not signifying , I knew not , absolutely ; but I wist not , I considered not , I heeded not , I took not sufficient notice how he was the high Priest ; q.d. In my haste I termed him whited wall , which term ( I confesse ) might wel have been spared ; not because it was false , but not fit nor consonant to that which is written , Honour the King , 1 Pet. 2.17 . Render to all their dues , &c. Honour to whom honour , Rom. 13.7 . The will of God against all pretexts imaginable , should be the end of all strife . 2 Because the speaking evil of Dignities is the speaking evil of God himself who ordained them . Pro. 17.5 . If he who mocketh the poor , then much more he who revileth the Ruler , Imaginem Dei Rex gestat , idcirco colend●● et amandus est ; si non propter se , sal●●m vocationis & functionis suae causâ . reproacheth his Maker . In the contempt of Magistrates God accounts himself contemned : They have not ( saith God to Samuel , 1 Sam. 8.7 ) rejected thee , but they have rejected me . And this was the true cause why God was so angry with Miriam and Aaron , who spake against Moses , Wherefore ( saith he ) were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses ? Numb. 12.1 , 8 Heb. 5. To speak against him whom God appointed and set on work , is to speak against a great one indeed . 3. By the punishments inflicted upon such revilers , which are evident in the example of Miriam , Absolom , Corah , &c. And all Princes are not like Titus ( the delight of mankind ) who said , None can reproach mee , D●liciae humani generis . Nemo me insequi contumeliâ potest , propterea quòd nihil ago quod reprehendi mereatur : ea verò quae falsè de me dicuntur , prorsus negligo . Dio. because I do nothing that can be reprehended ; and those things which are spoken of me falsly , I altogether neglect : for Tiberius , when Paconius had scattered reproachfull Verses against him , wrote to the Senate to appoint severe punishment against him : and although many Princes have remitted the injury as offered to their own persons ; yet as prejudiciall to the good of the Common-wealth , they have , and that deservedly , punish'd them : and however Princes themselves have spared such railers , yet God would not suffer them to go unpunished , as in the case of Shimei , whom ( though David spared , yet ) God spared not . 4 This speaking evil of Magistrates is a spreading evill , hurtful to others : the reviler kils many with one shoot ; himself , speaking wickedly ; the Ruler , whom he accuseth unjustly ; his hearer , who listens to him credulously . A reproaching tongue , being though worst to himself , yet hurtfull to those who hear him : Lev. 19.16 . a Tale-bearer . Rokel signifieth a Trafficker up and down . and who knoweth how great a fire the tongue of one reviler may kindle ? Seldome doth such a pedler open his pack of wares , but some or other will buy : No musick is so sweet to the most , as to hear well of themselves and ill of their Rulers . Peoples hearts and ears are commonly tindar and touchwood , presently taking fire when any spark of defamation , flies from the fire of a revilers tongue ; and how great a flame such a spark may kindle , we may see in the cases of Absolom and Sheba .

OBSERVATIONS .

1 Great is the audacious extravagancy of an unmortified tongue : Observ. 1 James ( chap. 3.6 . ) calls it a fire ; and here we see it aspires like fire , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Jam 3.5 . and moves upward , and fastens upon such things as were much above it : Peter saith , These Seducers are not affaid to speak evill of Dignities , 2 Pet. 2.10 . the tongue set on fire by hell below , fires even upon those which are called gods , and are in the hihgest and most eminent degree : the tongue speaketh proud things , Psal. 12.3 . In the mouth of the foolish is the rod of pride , Pro. 14.3 . In which place the fools tongue may either be termed a rod of pride , which for proud speaking shall whip the fool himself ; or else a rod which by the fools proud speaking whips and lasheth any other . The Septuagint read it , The fools tongue is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a rod of reproach : and some conceive in using the word rod , Gr. * * ( according to some ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Solomon alludes to the custom of Magicians , who by their Rods were wont to do their magical exploits and false miracles of transforming , Exod. 7.12 . metamorphosing and changing the shapes of things ; as if these proud railers by the rods of their tongues , Leviter volat sermo , sed graviter vulnerat ; leviter transit , sed graviter urit ; leviter profertur , sed non leviter revocatur ; facilè volat , atque adeo facilè violat charitatem . Bern. Serm. de trip . cust . their revilings and slanderous reproaches , did labour to metamorphise and transform men , making the honourable to appear base , the learned most illiterate , the upright most dishonest , &c. The pride of the heart is most frequently discovered by the tongue : Rabshakeh threatned he would make them eat their own dung , and drink their own pisse ▪ the tongue threatens God himself , Isa. 14.13 . I will ascend into the heavens , I will exalt my throne above the stars of God . Talk no more exceeding proudly ( saith Hannah ) 1 Sam. 2.3 . They set their mouth against the heavens , and their tongue walketh through the earth . Psal. 73.9 . Our tongues are our own , who is Lord over us ? Psal. 12.7 . The tongue , though small , opposeth the greatest . It was a gracious care of David , to take heed to his tongue , Psal. 39.1 . Mans glory , ( his tongue ) must not be imployed against Gods glory , or the Magistrates ( here call'd Glories . ) The tongue , of which we had not the use , till we had the use of reason ; was never appointed to the used without reason , for pride and passion . He who made the tongue soft and pliable , all flesh without a bone in it , teacheth us that it should not be harsh , rugged , and proud in its expressions : the double rail or hedg of the teeth and lips , shews that this wild beast is very unruly , Jam. 3.8 . and that it ought to be kept in . The best way to keep the fire from breaking out at the Chimney , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . is to quench the coals upon the hearth ; a cool and humble heart wil abate the heat of the fiery tongue .

2. Dignities lie open to the lash of the tongue . Observat . 2

The more eminent the person , the more censured is his action : the highest towers are most frequently blasted with lightning ; nor power , nor innocency can protect from imputations . The fire of the tongue dares touch even laurel * * Which lightning ( they say ) never blasteth . ; the sword of the mouth will adventure even upon the mouth of the sword ▪ When Saul was chosen , and carryed and lifted up with highest acclamations , the sons of Belial despised him . 1 Sam. 10.27 It is a vain ambition to expect the good word of all . It s an equall weaknesse to be proud of the applause , and impatient under the reproaches of the multitude : the care of all especially of governors , should be rather to be worthy of honor , then to receive honor ; rather to be honourable , then honoured ; and not so much to seek quiet abroad , as in themselves , and the conscience of their upright and sincere endeavors . It s better to deserve well , and to hear ill ; then to deserve ill , and to hear well .

3. Observat . 3 Magistrates should take heed of blemishing their dignity and losing their glory . The Apostle here cals them dignities or glories : And to maintain their glory , 't is not enough to be magnificent and outwardly pompous in their attendance , apparel , diet buildings , &c. but let them shew themselves dignities , 1 In their entrance into their places : and 2. in their deportment when they are entred . 1. For their entrance , let it not be sordid and unworthy , in the way of suing by freinds , mony &c. Such should be prefer'd , not as would have places , but such as places would have . Olives , Vines , Fig-trees refuse their honours ; brambles catch hold on preferment . Sauls modesty in hiding himself when chosen King , detracted not from his dignity when he accepted it . Cùm omnia faceret ut imperare deberet , nihil faciebat ut imperaret . It was an high commendation of Theod●sius the Emperor , that when he had done all that could make him worthy to rule , he would do nothing that he might rule : The worthiest to govern , are they often who think themselves unworthiest . Eò dignior erat quo magis se clamabat indignum . Hier. in Epitaph . Nepot . Let Christ herein be the pattern , who humbled himself , but he left his exaltation to his Father . How is dignity debased , when they are advanced , not who deserve best , but bid fairest ? when mony makes the Magistrate , and shall provide preferment for him , who is not at all fit for that . What wonder is it to see that they who buy their places deer , should afterward sell justice deer also ? 2 In their deportment when they are entred ; let Magistrates keep up their glory by wisdome and understanding ; if no Christian , much lesse must a Magistrate be a child in understanding : A fool cannot be harmlesse . A King in our English expression imports as much as cunning , From the old Saxon word koning . or knowing . Wisdome makes a mans , especially a Magistrates face to shine : Wisdome and Magistracy cast a reciprocal lustre upon one another : Solomons wisdom made him more glorious and sought to , then his wealth . It was a notable speech of our Henry the first , A King without Learning is but a crowned asse : That creature is but contemptible under the richest ornaments . If a rulers calling hinders him from the study of many commendable parts of Learning , yet let it put him upon such studies as are necessarily requisite to the understanding of government ; Prov. 14.8 . The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way . 2 To preserve dignity , a Magistrate in his place must carry himself couragiously . Solomons throne was beset with Lions , not with Apes ; they who oppose vice , had need of heroical spirits ; cowards are fitter to be slaves then rulers . A Magistrate in his own cause , should be as flexible as a reed ; in the cause of God , as stiffe as an oak ; a timorous ruler is a Hare in a Lions skin : All dare meddle with him , who dares meddle with none . And its just with God , that he should suffer by the subjects , who dares not make their sins suffer by him . 3. Let dignity be upheld by the hatred of covetousnesse , base and filthy lucre ; how unseemly is it for a golden spade to dig in a dunghill ? for the robe of an Emperor to stop an oven ? Let not these who are called Gods , grovel in the earth ; what is not cheap to him , to whom mony is dear ? How unfit is it for a Magistrate to soar high in respect of his place , and at the same time ( like the kite ) to have his eye fixed upon the dunghill , or carrion ! It 's the judgment of God against covetousnesse , that they who follow gain as their God , shall yet account another a base miser for doing so . It was a noble speech of Themistocles , who seeing a precious stone upon the ground , bid another take it up ; For thou ( said he ) art not Themistocles . 4. To preserve dignitie , let Magistrates carry themselves usefully , industriously , for the publick good . There 's a neer conjunction between dignity and duty : The shadow of honor attends upon the body of service . It was a true speech of the wise old counsellers to Rehoboam , 1 Kings 12.7 . If thou wilt be a servant to this people &c. they will be thy servants . The tree which is most deeply rooted , flourisheth and spreads most , and the person who is most deeply and lowly engaged in service , shall best flourish and spread in renown . Empty are those Titles which are only obtained by Birth , Retinue and Favour , &c. The Titles of Most Illustrious , Excellency , Right Honourable , &c. bestowed upon an uprofitable Governor , are but nick names and upbraidings for his not being what he should , and is said to be ; and as unduly given him , as the names of wholesome drugs are put upon empty boxes in the Apothecaries shop . 5. Let Dignity be upheld with piety . Holiness is the lustre of all other accomplishments , and the most lasting foundation of honour : They that honour me , will I honour . If Religion at the Bar make the profane Magistrate to tremble , much more may Religion on the Bench dismay a profane Offender : When the Lusts of wicked Subjects make them willingly to reproach Religious Rulers , their consciences shall make them unwillingly to honor them . Never did those Magistrates long preserve their owne names , who suffered Gods to be profaned . The greatest Potentate on earth cannot be loose and ungodly by Authority ; their place will not bear them out in it . Religion is no disparagement to Magistracy . How needless , how unsutable is it for great ones to fear nothing more then to have a name to fear God ?

4. Observ. 4. How highly is God provoked , when he makes these Dignities and Glories unglorious ! It 's no small offence that puts the Lord upon pouring contempt upon Princes ; that makes him stain the pride of their glory , and cover it with shameful spewing : When Manasseh shall be fetterd , Jehoiakim be a broken Idol , buried with the buriall of an Asse , Jer. 22.19 , 24 and the Signet upon his right hand plucked thence , and thrown on the dunghil , Nebuchadnezzar turned into a Beast , &c. when the Lord deals thus with Rulers ; they should look beyond a rebellious head-strong people : they have Neg●tium cum Deo : Their work is to look inward and upward , to study what their sin hath been , which hath incensed God to debase that which he commands all other to honour . If the Lord suffer people to cast off the yoak of their obedience to Princes ; surely Princes did first cast off the yoak of obedience to God . 1 Sam. 2.30 . They who despise God shall be lightly esteemed . If it be the Lord who subdues the people under Princes , Psal. 18.47 it is he that subdues Princes under their people : Its God who stilleth the noise of the seas , and the tumult of the people : Psal. 65.7 . If he remove the banks and bounds of his protection , the proud waves both of seas and popular tumults will overflow the highest mountains . If at any time Princes are overborn by such an overflowing scourge , let them examine themselves whether they have not transgressed the bounds of Gods Commandments ; whether if God deal with them as with Saul , Manasseh , Nebuchadnezar , Zedekiah , Jehu , Jeroboam , they have not with them , been disobedient , idolatrous , proud , oppressive , &c. The alterations of Governors and Governments , peculiarly belong to Gods Prerogative Royal He rul●th in the kingdom of men , giveth it to whomsoever he will , and setteth up over it the basest of men . And the putting of proud Princes and people , upon an holy and humble consideration hereof , ( which can never be , unless not only his bare permission , but even his positive working , and such as flowes from his effectual Ordination , be acknowledged ) is clearly intimated in Scripture , Dan. 4.17 to be one main end of the severe dispensations of providence , in the pulling down of Governments and debasing of Dignities .

5. Observ 5. It s lawful for Magistrates to preserve their Authority by a certain external , though decent and moderate Pomp and Majesty . They may lawfully use and receive titles of honour , and have Attendance , Apparel , Buildings , Dyet sutable to their Dignities ; the Spirit of God here calls them Dignities , or Glories : Paul , Act. 26.25 gave to Festus the title of Most Noble : God himselfe hath cast upon Rulers a beam of his Glory : Psal. 21.5 . Honour and Majesty hath God laid upon them : The most high God ( saith Daniel ) gave Nebuchadnezzar a Kingdom , Dan. 5 18 , 19. and Majesty , and Glory , and Honour . Faithful and godly Joseph , Gen. 41. when advanced , was adorned with Pharaohs Ring , and a gold Chain , arraied in Vestures of fine linnen , riding in the second Chariot which Pharaoh had , they crying before him , Bow the knee . Jude here puts Dominion and Dignities together . Magistracy deek'd with Dignity , is oft hated and envyed ; and strip'd of Dignity , is alwayes scorn'd and contemned : This the Fomenters of Anarchical confussions well know , who endeavour to overthrow Dignities , that they may thereby destroy Dominions : Nor yet ought Magistrates to please themselves with Titles and Dignities , empty of that goodness and worth which should accompany and adorn Greatness : They should not so affect the Title , as to neglect the thing and work whereof their Titles admonish them . Glorious Titles and Dignities , contradicted by a wicked and undue deportment , proclaim equally both the sin and shame of those upon whom they are cast . Prohibiti sunt mated●ci , non jussi sunt sacrificiis honorari . Aug. q. 86. in Exod To conclude , though Rulers should be honoured , yet not adored : They should so endure to be acknowledged the peoples Superiours , as to fear to be accounted Gods Equals : Soon was Herod the food of wormes , when he patiently endured to have his voice cryed up for the voice of God . Historians mention the Sacrilegious impiety of D●mitian , who would be called by the people , Suet. in vita Dom. cap. 13. The Lord our God : To these may be added the proud usurpations of the Pope , who exalts himself above all that is called God ; who pretends to pardon sin , and to be the head of the Church ; and of those Princes that have taken the Title of most Mighty , most Invincible , &c.

6. Observ . ult. It s our duty to be cautioned against flattering of Governors . They are Dignities and Glories , but should not dazzle our eyes into a sinful winking at their sins . Though they are not to be reviled , yet neither soothed when they offend God . What ill have Governors deserved at our hands , that we should in stead of friends , Honor quo praediti sunt non est vitiorum integumentum . be their flatterers ? & that they only of all the men in the world should be without friends , that is , reprovers ? We must honour them in stead of , not against God ; Say unto the King and Queen , humble your selves ; Jer. 13.18 . 1 Sam. 15.29 . 1 King . 18.18 . Isai. 39 6. More then once we read that Samuel reproved Saul ; nor did Nathan spare David ; Eliah , Ahab ; Isaiah , Hezekiah ; the Buptist , Herod . The danger of flattering Rulers , reacheth beyond themselves . The soothing of such in sin is the casting of a bag of poyson into a common fountain , se●ving for the use of the whole City . Nor yet ought the reprehending of publick persons to be practised without much prudence ; lest by it the disease be rather irritated then cured . Singular was the wisdom of Nathan to draw the sentence of David against himself out of his own mouth . 1 Sam. 2 1. 1 King , 20 39. Nor do all sorts of faults require the same severity in reproving : some sins are warts , others are ●●l●ers ; some are secret , and then the plaister should not be broader then the sore ; the reprehension more open then the offence : Care is to be had lest Reprehension degenerate into Sedition : Preachers for Conversion should have another aime : In short , in every reproof , difference is to be put between the person and Office of the Magistrate : The Dignity of the Office should not suffer for the vices of the person ; nor should the vices of the person be spared for the Dignity of the Office .

This for the specification of the faults of these Seducers , which was the first Branch in the first part of the Text : The second branch of this first part of the Text followes , viz , the aggravation of these faults , in that the Apostle saith , that these Seducers sinned likewise also . In which two words the Apostle expresseth a twofold aggravation of their sins .

The first stands in the harmony or consent between the sins of these Seducers , and the wickedness of those who went before them : they sinned likewise .

2. The second stands in the obstinacy of these sinners in their impieties , Similiter tamen . they sinning also , or ( as Beza reads it ) notwithstanding they knew the forementioned severe judgements which had befallen the former sinners for their impieties .