The sermons of Master Henry Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his…The sermons of Maister Henrie Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his…

Fourthly, they are called Gods, to encourage them in their office, and to teach them that they need not dread the persons of men: but GOD doth that which is just and good without the jealousy of men, so they, upon the Bench and in all causes of Justice should forget themselves to be men, which are lead by the arms between favour and fear, and think themselves Gods, which fear nothing. This boldness is so necessary in them which should judge all a like, that in ⟨p. 705⟩Deut. 3. 28. Moses encourageth Joshua, in Jos. 1. 18. the people encourage him, in ver. 9. God doth encourage him, saying that he will be with him: but here he is with him: for hearing GOD call them Gods, shows that God is there, nay, that they are he: which should strike a wonderful mind into them, As a princely spirit came upon Saul so soon as he he was king, so hearing that they are Gods, it should change them, & make them excel the order of men, until they resemble God,¹ after whom they are named, as Solomon studied and prayed till he was wiser than all that he governed:² then they need not blush to read this testimony, I have said ye are Gods: Or else it will seem a check unto them like the mock which GOD gave to Adam when he said that he was become like himself. ³As many sit in Gods place, and yet never knew that the Scripture called them Gods, nor why they have this name, no more than Nabal: so many play Nabal in their offices, and are readier to ask,⁴ Who is David? Who is Christ? (when his cause comes before them) then speak or do any thing for him, but the women go before them again like Abigail, as though GOD would shame them with the weaker vessel. I cannot compare them fitter then with King Agrippa, who thought ⟨p. 706⟩it better to be a Christian almost, than altogether. This is the Religion of these times, they fear nothing more then to be counted too precise: but God doth call them more than precise, for he calls them Gods, of all men then they should not forget his name. Princes and Rulers have many names of honour, but this is the honourablest name in their Titles, that they are called Gods: other names have been given them of men for reverence or flattery, but no man could give them this name but God himself. Therefore their name is a glass wherein they may see their duty, how God doth honour them, and how they should honour him.