[ 1801] The Ministers and Magistrates duty in the suppression of Vice.
IT was a good Christian resolution of S. Basill,* 1.1 who writing to Amphilochius Bishop of Iconium, hath these words; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, The People through ambition are fallen into grievous Anarchy, Whence it comes to passe, that all the exhortations of the Rulers are in vain, No man will submit, but all would reign being puffed up with pride growing from ignorance. Shall I then keep silence? I may not; Though some supplant, others insult over me being down, and the rest applaud them that do insult;* 1.2 How can it be otherwise since Charity is decayed? Hence some sit no lesse implacable and bitter examiners of things amisse, then unjust and malevolent Iudges of things well-done, so that we are be∣come more bruit then the very beasts, for they are quiet amongst themselves, but we wage cruel war against each other, Shall I then hold my peace? Charity will not suffer me; The Children in Babylon discharged their duty, though they were but three; Having God then for my Patron and Protector, Ile not be silent, &c. And thus it is, that both Minister and Magistrate in their re∣spective places are to beat down the vices of the time;* 1.3 Where the reins of Go∣vernment lye ••lack upon the People shoulders, there they must needs be strait∣ned; Where wickednesse and Sin have put on a Whores forehead, it is high time to unmask them; Nay, if Gods people and the house of Iacob will be doing that which is not right, it is the Ministers duty to set up his throat, and tell the one of their sins, and the other of their transgressions, Esay 58. 1.