4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.



Ver. 4. For he is the minister] It was written upon the sword of Charles the Great, Decem praeceptorum custos Carolus, Charles is Lord Keeper of the Decalogue.



For he beareth not the sword in vain] Like St Paul in a glass window, or St George (as they call him) on a sign post.



A revenger to execute wrath] But now we see how every man almost will be a pope in his own cause, depose the magistrate, at least appeal from him to himself.



Upon him that doeth evil] Whether the evil be civil or religious; Non distinguendum, ubi scriptum non distinguit. Not distinquishing where the law does not distinquich, (See Mr Burroughs’ Heartdivisions.) Note this against those that hold that magistrates have nothing to do in matters of religion. See Deu_13:6; Ezr_7:26; Dan_3:29; 1Pe_2:13-14. Their laws bind the conscience per concomitantiam, by way of concomitancy; because they depend upon the law of God, and are agreeable to it; which primarily and per se bindeth. As the soul is said to be in a place per concomitantiam, because it is in the body; so here.