第24章 That the Law of Nature is a Divine Law(3)

So Acts I.24.by the example of the Apostles,who receiv'd Matthias,before Justus,into their number,by casting LotS,and saying,Thou Lord,who knowest the hearts of all men,shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,&c.Prov.16.33.The lot is cast into the lappe,but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.And which is the thirteenth Law,the Succession was due unto Esau,as being the First-born of Isaac,if himself had not sold it,(Gen.25.30.)or that the Father had not otherwise appointed.

XVI.Saint Paul writing to the Corinthians,Epist.1.Chap.

6.reprehends the Corinthians of that City for going to Law one with another before infidell Judges who were their enemies,calling it a fault,that they would not rather take wrong,and suffer themselves to be defrauded;for that is against that Law,whereby we are commanded to be helpful to each other.But if it happen the Controversie be concerning things necessary,what is to be done?Therefore the Apostle,Ver.5.speaks thus,I speak to your shame.Is it so that there is not one wise man among you,no,not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?He therefore,by those words confirmes that Law of Nature which we call'd the fifteenth,to wit,Where Controversies cannot be avoided,there by the consent of Parties to appoint some Arbiter,and him some third man;so as (which is the 16Law)neither of the Parties may be judge in his own Cause.

XVII.But that the Judge,or Arbiter,must receive no reward for his Sentence,(which is the 17.Law)appears,Exod.23.8.

Thou shalt take no gift;for the gift blindeth the wise,and perverteth the words of the righteous.Ecclus.20.29.Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise.Whence it followes,that he must not be more oblig'd to one part then the other,which is the 19.Law,and is also confirm'd,Deut.1.17.Ye shall not respect Persons in Judgment,ye shall hear the small as well as the great;and in all those places which are brought against respect of Persons.

XVIII.That in the judgement of Fact,witnesses must be had,(which is the 18.Law)the Scripture not only confirmes,but requires more then one,Deut.17.6.At the mouth of two witnesses,or three witnesses,shall he that is worthy of death be put to death.The same is repeated,Deut.19.15.

XIX.Drunkennesse,which we have therefore in the last place numbred among the breaches of the Naturall Law,because it hinders the use of right Reason,is also forbid in sacred Scripture for the same reason.Prov.20.1.Wine is a mocker,strong drink is raging,whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.And Chap.31.4,5.It is not for Kings to drink wine,lest they drink,and forget the Law,and pervert the judgement of any of the afflicted:but that we might know that the malice of this vice consisted not formally in the quantity of the drink,but in that it destroyes Judgement and Reason,it followes in the next Verse,Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish,and wine to those that be heavy of heart.Let him drink,and forget his poverty,and remember his misery no more.Christ useth the same reason in prohibiting drunkenesse,Luk.21.34.Take heed to your selves,lest at any time your hearts be overcharg'd with surfetting and drunkennesse.