Page 159
QUEST. XX. Whether or no inferiour Judges be univocally and essentially Judges, and the immediate Vicars of God, no lesse then the King, or if they be onely the Deputies and Vicars of the King?
IT is certain that in one and the same Kingdom, the power of the King is more in extension, then the power of any inferiour Iudge: but if these powers of the King, and the inferiour Iudges differ intenfivè and in spece, and nature, is the question, though it be not all the question.
Assert. Inferiour Iudges are no lesse essentially Iudges, and the immediate Vicars of God, then the King. 1. These who judge in the room of God, and exercise the judgement of God, are essential∣ly Iudges, and the Deputies of God, as well as the King: but in∣feriour Iudges are such. Ergo, The proposition is clear, the formall reason, why the King is univocally and essentially a Iudge is, because the Kings throne is the Lords throne, 1 Chron. 29. 23. And Solomon sate on the throne of the Lord, as King, instead of David his father, 1 King. 1. 13. It is called Davids throne, because the King is the Deputy of Iehovah, and the judgement is the Lords: I prove the assumption. Inferiour Iudges appointed by King Iehoshaphat have this place, 2 Chro. 19. 6. The King said to the Iudges, Take heed what ye do, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord: then they were Deputies in the place of the Lord, and not the Kings Deputies in the formall and officiall acts of judging. 7. Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you, take heed and do it, for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, or taking of gifts.
Hence I argue, If the Holy Ghost in this good King, forbid in∣riour Judges wresting of judgement, respecting of persons, and taking of gifts, because the judgement is the Lords; and if the Lord him∣self were on the Bench, he would not respect persons, nor take gifts; then he presumeth, that inferiour Iudges are in the stead and place of Jehovah: and that when these inferiour Iudges should take gifts, they make (as it were) the Lord, whose place they represent, to take gifts, and to do iniquitie, and to respect persons: but that the holy Lord cannot do. 2. If the inferiour Iudges in the act of judging, were the Vicars, and Deputies of King Jehoshaphat, he would have said, Judge righteous judgement; Why? For the judge∣ment