The life and death of Mr. Vavasor Powell, that faithful minister and confessor of Jesus Christ wherein his eminient conversion, laborious successful ministry, excellent conversation, confession of faith, worthy sayings, choice experiences, various sufferings, and other remarkable passages in his life and at his death are faithfully recorded for publick benefit : with some elogies and epitaphs by his friends.

Concerning Magistrates and Rulers.

1. Magistracy is an Ordinance of God, and Ruler or Magistrates (whether supream or subordinate) an•• Gods Ministers, Reigning by, under, and for him, en¦trusted with the sword of Justice, for the encourage¦ment and praise of such as do well, but a terror to evi•• works, or a revenger, and executor of wrath upon those that do evil, Rom. 13.2, 14. 1 Pet. 2.14. 1 Tim. 2.2. Prov. 8.16.17. 2 Chron. 19.6.

2. The most High God, who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, who ruleth in the Kingdom of Men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, he exalteth and pulleth down, altereth and removeth Kings and o∣ther Rulers at his pleasure, Psal. 75.6, 7. Dan. 4.25. 2 Chron. 11.4. 2 King. 9.3, 6, 7. sometimes giving bad Rulers, and at other times taking away such as are good, in a way of Judgment, for the sin of a people, 1 Samuel. 8.16.19. Hosea 13.11. 2 Chronnic. 34.28.

3. Though the worst Rulers do not Reign without the pre-science and permission of God, yet such Go∣vernours as rule contrary to the revealed will of God, and to the true end of Government. do rule without Gods approbation, and are accounted by him as no•• Rulers, Hosea 11.4. Ezek. 34.5.10.21. Jer. 5.1.

And some of them are said in Scripture to have their power with, and to exercise it for the Beast, and there∣fore are called the horns of the Dragon, and of the Beast, (Daniel 7.20.24. Revel. 13.1. Chap. 17.••3.16.)

4. As it is unlawful for Rulers to command any thing that God hath forbidden, and to compell men to obey the same, or to forbid any thing that God commands; so it is lawful for the servants of God to disobey such commands, Dan. 3:18. chap. 6.10, 11. Acts 4.19, 20. chap. 5.29.