V.

Elfe why are they fo continually called SER M. throughout the Bible, the Elders of Ifrael, the Elders of the People, and the Elders of fuch and fuch a City: as in Rome and other Places they were called Senators, Fathers, and the like, upon the fame Account of their Age or Standing. And indeed among such should we fooneft look for the two firft Qualifications which Mofes requires. For with the Ancient (as Job obferves) is Wisdom, and in Length of Days is Understanding, Job xii. 12. Not that Rulers are neceffarily to be Men advanced in Years: But it is neceffary they should have the Wisdom and Maturity of Judgment, which are oftenest found in Men of Years. And younger Men fo qualified, when they are affociated with Elders, or with Senators and Fathers, as many in all Ages and Countries have been, have as juft a Claim to thofe reverend Titles, as thofe who have waited longer for them. But I muft haften to the fecond Branch of my Dif course, under which I am to shew

2. How requifite these several Qualificati ons are to form a good Magistrate. And first as to Wisdom and Understanding, i. e. Experience and Judgment (which generally speak

V.

SER M. ing are the Fruits of Years ;) these are so absolutely effential to Government, that it is impoffible there fhould be any Government without them. For whoever wants thefe, knows not how to govern; and therefore though he may have all the other Qualificati ons which Jethro recommends, (however he may be distinguished for his Birth and Fortune, however to be esteemed for his Religion and Piety, however true in his Words and juft in his Dealings, however popular he may render himself by an hofpitable Living;) yet if his Understanding be imperfect, or his Judgment weak, unwife and imprudent must the People be who take him for a Governor, if the Choice be in themselves.

But though Wisdom and Understanding be thus neceffary in the firft Place, yet are they not the only Qualifications: The four named by Jethro are neceffary also; and that because the more understanding and experienced a Man is who has them not, fo much the more he has it in his Power to injure and opprefs the People he should protect. With thofe Qualifications therefore fhould Magiftrates be endued, and for those, before they are advanced to the Magiftracy, should they be distinguished and known: Known as for

Wisdom

V.

Wisdom and Understanding, fo alfo for being SER M. Able Men, i.e. First they must be Men of a Conftitution able to endure the wearifom Labours and Fatigues, which a patient Magiftrate, defirous to do Juftice and Right to all, must often undergo: Left otherwise through his natural Weakness and Infirmities he be not able to endure a Course of long Pleadings, even in Caufes that may require them, and fo precipitate a Judgment, before he is thoroughly apprized of the Cafe. They fhould in the next Place be Men able as to Subftance; they fhould have Wealth and Riches fufficient to maintain and support their Grandeur, and that in Proportion to the Height and Dignity of the Office they bear Left the Appearance of the Magiftrate being poor and mean, he lofe the Reverence due to his Authority. Thirdly they fhould be Men of able Parts; i. e. of a quick Apprehenfion and a ready Judgment; that the Help and Affiftance, the Juftice or Redress which Men apply to them for, may be fpeedily obtained; and their Sentence, though right, not lofe it's Value, as fometimes it has happened, by coming too late. But fourthly and above all, they fhould be Men able and ftout of Mind, Men of Courage and VOL. I.

N

Mag

SER M. Magnanimity, and of undaunted Refolution,

V.

not to be brow-beaten or aw'd, by the Greatnefs or Splendor of any that shall happen to. appear before them. A Man that has not this Firmness of Mind, the Son of Sirach advifes not to take the Magiftracy upon him. Seek not to be Judge (faith he) being not able to take away Iniquity: left at any Time thou fear the Perfon of the Mighty, and lay a Stumbling-block in the Way of thy Uprightnefs, Eccluf. vii. 6. A Caution very anfwerable to an Inftruction or Admonition he had given before: Deliver him that fuffereth wrong from the Hand of the Oppreffor; and be not faint-hearted when thou fitteft in Judgment, chap. iv. 9. And to fortify and arm the Rulers of the Tribes against this Faintheartedness seems to be the principal Aim and Intent of Mofes in the Charge he delivered to them, fo foon as they were chofen. I charged your fudges at that Time, faying, the Caufes between your Brethren, and judge righteously between every Man and his Brother, and the Stranger that is with him, Deut. i. 16. i. e. Be upright and impartial, not confidering who the Man is, but what is his Caufe. Ye shall not (he goes on) refpect Perfons in Judgment, ver. 17.

Hear

ye

No

Fa

V.

Favour or Affection must ever be fhewed to SER M.. the nearest Relation, or the dearest Friend *. Nor any more Deference or Regard to the Rich, than what is paid to the Poor. But ye fhall bear the small as well as the great: Ye fhall as patiently attend the Cause of the one as ye do of the other: Ye shall not be afraid of the Face of Man, for the Judgment is GOD's. The Magiftrate you see must be able to bear up against the Frowns and the Threats of the Powerful and the Great. Fearless and intrepid, he must remember he represents the Perfon of GOD: He fits in GOD's Seat: The Sentence he gives must be obeyed as GOD's; and therefore no other must he be prevailed on to give, than what, he believes, GOD himself would pronounce. The very Charge which Jehoshaphat, many hundred Years afterwards, gave to the Judges whom he appointed over the Cities of Judah. Take heed what ye do; for ye judge not for Man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the Judgment, 2 Chron. xix. 6. i. e. As GOD's Minifters you act, and by his Autho

Neque contra Rempublicam, neque contra Jusjurandum, ac Fidem, Amici Caufâ Vir Bonus faciet, ne fi Judex quidem erit de ipfo Amico. Ponit enim Perfonam Amici, cum induit Judicis. Cicero, De Officiis. L. 3. c. 10