Here are lessons for wise men, that is, judges and princes. As subjects
must do their duty, and be obedient to magistrates, so magistrates must
do their duty in administering justice to their subjects, both in pleas
of the crown and causes between party and party. These are lessons for
them. 1. They must always weigh the merits of a cause, and not be
swayed by any regard, one way or other, to the parties concerned: It is
not good in itself, nor can it ever do well, to have respect of persons
in judgment; the consequences of it cannot but be the perverting of
justice and doing wrong under colour of law and equity. A good judge
will know the truth, not know faces, so as to countenance a friend and
help him out in a bad cause, or so much as omit any thing that can be
said or done in favour of a righteous cause, when it is the cause of an
enemy. 2. They must never connive at or encourage wicked people in
their wicked practices. Magistrates in their places, and ministers in
theirs, are to deal faithfully and the wicked man, though he be a great
man or a particular friend, to convict him of his wickedness, to show
him what will be in the end thereof, to discover him to others, that
they may avoid him. But if those whose office it is thus to show people
their transgressions palliate them and connive at them, if they excuse
the wicked man, much more if they prefer him and associate with him
(which is, in effect, to say, Thou art righteous), they shall justly be
looked upon as enemies to the public peace and welfare, which they
ought to advance, and the people shall curse them and cry out shame on
them; and even those of other nations shall abhor them, as base
betrayers of their trust. 3. They must discountenance and give check to
all fraud, violence, injustice, and immorality; and, though thereby
they may disoblige a particular person, yet they will recommend
themselves to the favour of God and man. Let magistrates and ministers,
and private persons too that are capable of doing it, rebuke the
wicked, that they may bring them to repentance or put them to shame,
and they shall have the comfort of it in their own bosoms: To them
shall be delight, when their consciences witness for them that they
have been witnesses for God; and a good blessing shall come upon them,
the blessing of God and good men; they shall be deemed religion's
patrons and their country's patriots. See ch. xxviii. 23. 4. They must
always give judgment according to equity (v. 26); they must give a
right answer, that is, give their opinion and pass sentence according
to law and them true merits of the cause; and every one shall kiss his
lips that does so, that is, shall love and honour him, and be subject
to his orders, for there is a kiss of allegiance as well as of
affection. He that in common conversation likewise speaks pertinently
and with sincerity recommends himself to his company and is beloved and
respected by all.