Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

5. If God hath a sovereign dominion over the whole World, then hence it follows, that all Magistrates are but sovereigns under God. He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, all the Potentates of the World are no other than his Lieutenants, moveable at his pleasure, and more at his disposal, than their subjects are at theirs. Though they are dignified with the title of Gods, yet still they are at an infinite distance from the supreme Lord. Gods under God, not to be above him, not to be against him. The want of the due sense of their subordination to God, hath made many in the World, act as sovereigns above him, more than sovereigns under him. Had they all bore a deep conviction of this upon their spirits, such audacious language had never dropped from the mouth of Pharaoh, who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice, to let Israel go? Exod. 5.2. Presuming that there was no superior to control him, nor any in Heaven, able to be a match for him. Darius had never published such a doting Edict, as to prohibit any petition to God. Nero had never fired Rome, and sung at the sight of the devouring flames; nor ever had he ripped up his mothers belly, to see the Womb where he first lodged, and received a life so hateful to his Country. Nor would Abner and Joab the two Generals have accounted the death of men but a sport and interlude. 2 Sam. 2.14. Let the young men arise, and play before us; what play it was, the next verse acquaints you with, thrusting their Swords into one another's sides. They were no more troubled at the death of thousands, than a man is to kill a fly, or a flea. Had a sense of this but hovered over their Souls, People in many Countries had not been made their foot-balls, and used worse than their dogs? Nor had the lives of millions worth more than a World, been exposed to Fire and Sword, to support some sordid lust, or breach of Faith upon an idle quarrel, and for the depredation of their Neighbours estates; the flames of Cities had not been so bright, nor the streams of blood so deep, nor the cries of innocents so loud.

5. If God hath a soveraign dominion over the whole World, then hence it follows, that all Magistrates are but soveraigns under God. He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, all the Potentates of the World are no other than his Lieutenants, moveable at his pleasure, and more at his disposal, than their subjects are at theirs. Though they are dignified with the title of Gods, yet still they are at an infinite distance from the supream Lord. Gods under God, not to be above him, not to be against him. The want of the due sence of their subordination to God, hath made many in the World, act as soveraigns above him, more than soveraigns under him. Had they all bore a deep conviction of this upon their spirits, such audacious language had never dropt from the mouth of Pharoah, who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice, to let Israel go?