The Singular Happiness of Such Heads or Rulers

p. 11THE Singular Happiness OF SUCH HEADS or RULERS As are able to Chuse out their Peoples Way, and will also Endeavour their Peoples Comfort.

I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a King in the Army, as one that comforteth the Mourners.

HOwever it possibly may have been questioned and controverted by some, whether ever there should have been any Power and Government of man over man, had man persisted in that primitive Integrity in which he was Created; yet since his woful Apostasy and Fall from that Integrity, that there should be a p. 12Government and Power of man over man, is indubitably the Appointment and Ordinance of God. The Most High, who has Establisht his Throne in the Heavens and whose Kingdom Ruleth over all Creatures, both in Heaven and in Earth; although he be under no necessity of nature, or defect of Power (as Earthly Princes are, who cannot do all alone, but are under a necessity to execute by inferiour hands) yet has he been pleased (from the good pleasure of his will, the superabundance of his Goodness, and in favour and compassion to the Children of men) to make use of Instruments, and to exert and put forth his power by men, putting the Sword into the Hands of Creatures of our own kind and likeness. And indeed such is the immensity of his Perfections, that our frailty cannot bear his immediate converses; If God should speak to us, and judge us (as when he promulgated the Law on Mount Sinai) in an immediate way, his appearance would certainly be astonishing, the Judgment would be most dreadful and terrible. (There being no man can see him and live) He has therefore, in his abundant goodness, as well as infinite wisdom, appointed men (who are of our own make, and subject to the like passions and infirmities with our selves) to be our Rulers, that p. 13so there might be a greater tryal of Obedience and Subjection in those who are to obey and be subject, and a greater ground of tenderness and compassion in those who are to Rule and Govern. In this way of Government which God has been pleased to ordain (and which is so convenient and adapted to our present condition and circumstances) it must be acknowledged that the persons whom he either appoints or permits to execute the Office, are not all alike Qualified to promove and advance (which is the common end of Government) the publick Weal.

p. 13Among those who (in the Providence of God) are vested with Authority of this kind, some are not so capable to hold the Reins of Civil Government for the publick advantage; we read of Childrens being Princes, and of Babes bearing Rule; and, W◊ unto thee O Land, when thy King is a Child. Among those who are vested with Authority of this nature, Others there are who are not so faithful in Guiding of Affairs for the publick Good; who are so far from following him, who was wont to say, Non mihi, sed populo; that they think they never act so wisely with those whom they have the Rule and Government of, as when (with Pharaoh) they set over them Task masters to afflict them with burdens, p. 14till they sigh by reason of the bondage; and their cry comes up unto God by reason of the bondage. But others there are, who are vested with this kind of Authority, who look upon themselves set in high Station, not so much for themselves, as for the peoples sake; and accordingly are men seeking the Welfare of Gods Israel; They seem to be the accomplishment of the Lords promise to his people, Isa. 49.23. Kings shall be their Nursing Fathers, and Queens their Nursing Mothers. Such is the sincere affection, and tender regard which they carry towards those whom they have the Government of, that they are as careful in providing for them, in protecting and defending of them, in dealing compassionately & tenderly with them, and in extending comforts and consolations to them, as Nurses are with respect to their Children. It is sometimes such a smile of Divine Favour to a people, as that those who are in place of Civil Rule, and have the Government of them, are so wise and prudent in their whole deportment, so just and righteous in all their Administrations, as is to universal satisfaction: They are so renown'd and famous both for ability and integrity, that whatsoever they do (as it is said of David, 2 Sam. 3.36.) pleases all the people; and a specimen we have of p. 15this in the Person whom we have giving an account and pourtrait of himself as a chief Magistrate or Judge, in the Chapter before us.

p. 15At the seventh verse of this Chapter, we have Job beginning to speak of himself as a Person vested with great Power & Authority. He had before spoken, how it had been with him in his private capacity, as a man, and Master of a Family; He there descends to set forth how it had been with him in his publick capacity as a Magistrate, and Ruler of the people. In this Station and Capacity which he sustained, he was greatly affected and applauded: Respect and Honour was paid him, not only from a few, or from those only of Inferiour Quality, but universally from persons of all Ranks & Orders. When he went from his Dwelling through the Streets to the place of Judicature, he was observ'd and reverenc'd both by old and young; and when he came to sit in Judgment, he was eyed and honoured not only by the Body of the people collectively, but even by those that were chief and highest in Esteem and Dignity. …