Men are gods, or, The dignity of magistracy, and the duty of the magistrate…

Nay, the Holy Ghost speaketh the persons guilty of this sin to be impudent audacious sinners, 2 Pet. 2.10. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignities; as if he had said, If they had feared either God or man,¹ they would not have dared to commit this sin. They were bold sinners indeed that durst spit their venom in the faces of the Gods, and with the sword of their mouths adventure upon the mouth of the sword. O to what an height of unholiness are they arrived that bring railing accusations against the Gods,² when the Arch-angel durst not bring one against the Devil! Jude ver. 9. But their tongues are set fire on hell, James 3.6. therefore no wonder if they are set against heaven, Psal. 73.9. Is it fit to say to a King Thou art wicked, and to Princes Ye are ungodly! Job 34.18. The interrogation is a strong negation. Kings must be courted with soft and silken language. If Elijah and Isaiah do otherwise, they being moved extraordinarily, are no copies for us to write after.

Nay, the Holy Ghost speaketh the persons guilty of this sin to be impudent audacious sinners, 2 Pet. 2.10. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignities; as if he had said, If they had feared either God or man,¹ they would not have dared to commit this sin. They were bold sinners indeed that durst spit their venom in the faces of the Gods, and with the sword of their mouths adventure upon the mouth of the sword. O to what an height of unholiness are they arrived that bring railing accusations against the Gods,² when the Arch-angel durst not bring one against the Devil!