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2 lines
1.1 KiB
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<p>Here is, 1. The duty of magistrates, and that is, to judge faithfully between man and man, and to determine all causes brought before them, according to truth and equity, particularly to take care of <i>the poor</i>, not to countenance them in an unjust cause for the sake of their poverty (<a class="bibleref" title="Exod.23.3" href="/passage/?search=Exod.23.3">Exod. 23:3</a>), but to see that their poverty do not turn to their prejudice if they have a just cause. The rich will look to themselves, but <i>the poor</i> and needy the prince must <i>defend</i> (<a class="bibleref" title="Ps.82.3" href="/passage/?search=Ps.82.3">Ps. 82:3</a>) and plead for, <a class="bibleref" title="Prov.31.9" href="/passage/?search=Prov.31.9">Prov. 31:9</a>. 2. The happiness of those magistrates that do their duty. Their <i>throne</i> of honour, their tribunal of judgment, <i>shall be established for ever</i>. This will secure to them the favour of God and strengthen their interest in the affections of their people, both which will be the establishment of their power, and help to transmit it to posterity and perpetuate it in the family.</p>
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