A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

For the former, by comparing earthly things with heavenly, we may observe the excellency of that Regiment in which we stand: it is a kingdom; and the Dignity of the governor, he is an eternal king. Unto the king eternal, immortal, invisible, ¹the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever. All inferior kingdoms are derived from him, and subordinate to him. Non eripit mortalia, quiregnadat caelestia: he doth not take away temporal kingdoms, that gives an eternal kingdom. He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the king of kings, and Lord of Lords; ²is content to distribute some honour among certain men. Of whom it is too presumptuous to say, Divisum imperium cum Jove Caesar habet: but Imperium summum sub Jove Caesar habet. The Papists indeed more esteem Monachum quàm Monarcham: with them Magus is more than Magnus; the Priest is above the King, But there is no greater calling under heaven, than a King. Rex omnibus major, Deo solo minor. ³The King is above all, only under the Lord: he hath no Peer in his dominions. The power of a Master over his servants, of a Parent over his children, of a Shepherd over his Lambs, of a Prince over his subjects, of a good man over himself, all these concur in a good King, all are eminent in our great King JESUS CHRIST. Joh 10.34. I have said, ye are gods. There is Deus naturaliter, a God by nature, the one only God himself. Dii opinativè, gods in opinion, such are Idols: Dii participativè, gods by participation, such are kings. Deus est immortalis Rex, Rex est mortalis deus: God is an immortal king, the king is a mortal god. In Greek [Greek or Hebrew] signifies a foundation; [Greek or Hebrew], People: hence comes [Greek or Hebrew], a King; the foundation of his people. But CHRIST hath made us all kings, Revel. 1.6. Spiritually, not civilly. Rom. 13.1. Let every soul, be subject unto the higher powers. Spiritual kings have a dominion over sin, temporal kings over them. Princes and other men are Pares in esse naturali, impares in esse morali: equall in regard of natural being, unequal in regard of civill and moral being. The common golden coin, the golden Candlestick, the golden Snuffers, the golden Chains, and the golden Crown; are all made out of one lump of the same Gold; yet is the golden Crown more honoured than the rest. The common coin is the People: