A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 20. Of righteous Kings.

AS Melchisedec was a pattern to future ages, his name importeth two other points,

• 1. Men may be Kings. Hereof see v. 1. §. 3.
• 2. Kings must rule in righteousnesse. They must so carry themselves as they may truly be called Melchisedecs. A King shall raign in righteousnesse, Isa. 32. 1. Hereup∣on the Psalmist thus prayeth. Give the King thy Iudgements, O God, and thy righte∣ousnesse unto the Kings son, Psal. 72. 1. For this end when David was near his death, he giveth his son, who was to be King after him, sundry directions for practise of righteousnesse, 1 King. 2. 3. &c.

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  1. Kings do after an especiall manner beare the Image of God: they stand in his roome, and raign for him: in which respect they are stiled Gods, (Psal. 82. 6.) and Ministers of God, Rom. 13. 4. They Iudge for the Lord, 2 Chro. 19. 6.

  Now God is a righteous Lord, and loveth righteousnesse. See Chap. 1. v. 9. §. 114, 115.

• 2. Righteousnesse is the greatest ornament to a Kingdome that can be. It is the very glory and beauty thereof. It makes it like unto heaven. Yea, 'tis the strength and stability of a Kingdome. Righteousnesse exalteth a Nation: and the throne is e∣stablished by righteousnesse, Prov. 14. 34. and 16. 12. When the Prophet had set down the everlasting unchangeablenesse of Christs Kingdome, he addeth this as a reason thereof, The Scepter of thy Kingdome is a Scepter of righteousnesse, Psal. 45. 6.
• 3. Righteousnesse is an especiall meanes to maintain peace. For all troubles, di∣ssentions, tumults, insurrections, and warres arise from unrighteousnesse, one way or other: from the Agents or patients. Of the benefit of peace, see §. 22.

• 1. Kings in this especiall point must shew themselves like to Melchisedec, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in righteousnesse. They shall thus gain a double benefit. One in regard of their persons, to themselves. The other in regard of their place, to their people.
• 2. People must pray for their Kings, that they may be Melchisedecs. We have a pattern hereof, Psal. 72. 1 &c. This we may and must do with confidence, because, the Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord, &c. Prov. 21. 1. Pray that righteous Lawes may be made: and those righteously executed. Pray that the Gospell, the rule of righteousnesse, may be established. That there may be righteous Councellers, righ∣teous Magistrates. Thus will the eyes of the righteous Lord be upon it, to pro•…•… it, and to blesse it withall needfull blessings.