A pleasant new nosegay full of many godly and sweet flowers, lately gatheredA pleasaunt newe nosegaye full of many godly and swete floures, lately gathered

Phil. Solomon speaking in the person of God,¹ saith on this manner, through me Kings reign, through me Princes make just laws. Through me Lords bear rule, and all Judges of the earth execute judgement. Again the wise man saith, hear O ye Kings & understand,² give ear ye that rule the multitudes. For the power is given you of the LORD, & the strength from the most high god. Are not these words plain enough, to show that the power, which the civil magistrates & head Officers have, is of God? as that noble king Jehoshaphat said to them, whom he appointed judges of the land in all the cities of Judah.³ Take heed, saith he, what ye do. For ye execute not the judgement of man, but of the Lord, and he is with you in judgement. Therefore ⟨image 57⟩let the fear of the LORD be with you, and do all thing diligently For with the Lord our God there is no unrighteousness, nor respect of persons, nor desire of gifts. god him self also saith by the mouth of David, ye are Gods,⁴ ye are all the sons of the most highest. Doth not god here plainly say, that the magistrates are gods, that is, such as bear the offices of GOD, as to maintain peace, justice and good order, to punish sin & to defend the innocents. If they be the officers of God, & exercise his office, so that he approveth & alloweth their state and manner of living, how can any man righteously condemn & reject their authority & power Cursed be they, that knowledge not from the very heart the high powers to be ordained of God, and that there fore they ought to be obeyed & had in perpetual reverence & honour.

Phil. Salomon speakynge in the person of God,¹ sayth on this manner, thorowe me Kynges reygne, thorowe me Princes make iust lawes. Thorowe me Lordes beare rule, and all Iudges of the earth execute iudgement. Agayne the wyse man sayth, heare O ye Kynges & vnderstond,²