A62049:118
Men are gods, or, The dignity of magistracy, and the duty of the magistrate…
Men are gods, or, The dignity of magistracy, and the duty of the magistrate as it was presented in a sermon at the assize holden at Hertford for that county on August 2, 1653 / by George Swinnocke ...
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1660
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
There are two sorts of men guilty of this sin.
First, those that in their Principles deny Magistracy to be from God. There have in several ages been some, that because they themselves were subjects and inferiors, would therefore deny all Sovereignty and Superiority. The Donatists whom Augustine undertaketh, were of that opinion. And so were the Anabaptists and Libertines in Germany, who (armed the rude multitude against their Magistrates, and) were opposed by Luther. And truly in our days there are some who against the light both of Nature and Scripture, affirm Government to be a work of darkness. Though it be written in the fleshly tables of their hearts, and in the tables of stone by the finger of God; That Fathers and Mothers civil as well as natural must be honoured, yet they are so wicked and blind, that they will not see or read it. In the Apostles days there were ungodly men that turned the grace of God into lasciviousness, despisers of Dominions, Jude vers. 8. such as aimed at Anarchy (according to Calvins Comment) and the over-throw of all Authority; being proud they scorned rule; and being licentious, they were impatient of restraint.
First, those that in their Principles deny Magistracy to be from God. There have in several ages been some, that because they themselves were subjects and inferiours, would therefore deny all Soveraignty and Superiority. The Donatists whom Augustine undertaketh, were of that opinion. And so were the Anabaptists and Libertines in Germany, who (armed the rude multitude against their Magistrates, and) were opposed by Luther. And truly in our dayes there are some who against the light both of Nature and Scripture, affirm Government to be a work of darkness. Though it be written in the fleshly tables of their hearts, and in the tables of stone by the finger of God; That Fathers and Mothers civil as well as natural must be honoured, yet they are so wicked and blind, that they will not see or read it. In the Apostles dayes there were ungodly men that turned the grace of God into lasciviousness, despisers of Dominions, Jude vers. 8