This shows that the vigorous endeavour of a prince to suppress vice,
and reform the manners of his people, is the most effectual way to
support his government. Observe, 1. What the duty of magistrates is: To
take away the wicked, to use their power for the terror of evil works
and evil workers, not only to banish those that are vicious and profane
from their presence, and forbid them the court, but so to frighten them
and restrain them that they may not spread the infection of their
wickedness among their subjects. This is called taking away the dross
from the silver, which is done by the force of fire. Wicked people are
the dross of a nation, the scum of the country, and, as such, to be
taken away. If men will not take them away, God will, Ps. cxix. 119. If
the wicked be taken away from before the king, if he abandon them and
show his detestation of their wicked courses, it will go far towards
the disabling of them to do mischief. The reformation of the court will
promote the reformation of the kingdom, Ps. ci. 3, 8. 2. What the
advantage will be of their doing this duty. (1.) It will be the
bettering of the subjects; they shall be made like silver refined, fit
to be made vessels of honour. (2.) It will be the settling of the
prince. His throne shall be established in this righteousness, for God
will bless his government, the people will be pliable to it, and so it
will become durable.