[previous CHAPTER]CHAPTER VII. Of the Ruler’s Duty (in General) in the Discharge of his Trust, Wherein Government Principally Consists. 1. To encourage the good and the virtuous. For rulers are not a terror to the good works, but to the evil: wilt thou not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same, Rom. 13:3. He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips, the king shall be his friend, Prov. 22:11. Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him that speaketh right, Prov. 16:13. Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and the praise of them that do well, 1 Pet. 2:14.
2. To suppress and punish the evil-doer. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my judgment was a robe and diadem, Job 29:14. And if there come a controversy betwixt them, and they come to judgment, then shalt thou justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked, Deut. 25:1. But if thou dost that which is evil, be afraid, for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil, Rom. 13:4. A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over him, Prov. 20:26. A king sitting in the throne of judgment, scattering away all evil with his eyes, Prov. 20:8. And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth, Job 29:17. Keep ye far from a false matter, and the innocent and righteous slay thou not, for I will not justify the wicked, Exod. 23:7. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, are both an abomination to the Lord, Prov. 17:15. These things also belong to the wise: it is not good to have respect to persons in judgment. He that saith to the wicked, thou art righteous, him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him; but unto them that rebuke him, shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them, Prov. 24:23-25. [next CHAPTER]
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