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

It is observable, The Holy Ghost calleth it their due. To pay tribute or custom is not an act of courtesy, but a duty which must be done out of conscience;¹ God commandeth it from us in lieu of the Magistrates care of us; as v. 6. For this cause pay ye tribute (praestatis, non datis, you pay; not, you give) for they are Gods Ministers, &c. Your paying tribute and custom, is a sign of your subjection to them, and a thankful acknowledgement of your protection from them, and v. 5. For this cause ought you to be subject, not only for wrath, but for conscience sake. God taketh care for the maintenance of the Magistrate as well as of the Minister, and doth strictly enjoin us, that both they who watch for our souls, and they which watch for our bodies should have an honourable subsistence. Did such as are private, but seriously consider this word conscience (for conscience sake) they durst not as they do, cozen the public. The same mighty Possessor of Heaven and Earth, who giveth me a right to the whole, giveth them a right to a part of my estate, and therefore to cozen them of their dues in tribute or custom, is to cozen and defile my conscience by the violation of Gods righteous command^*.

It is observable, The Holy Ghost calleth it their due. To pay tribute or custom is not an act of curtesie, but a duty which must be done out of conscience;¹ God commandeth it from us in lieu of the Magistrates care of us; as v. 6. For this cause pay ye tribute (praestatis, non datis, you pay; not, you give) for they are Gods Ministers, &c. Your paying tribute and custom, is a sign of your subjection to them, and a thankful acknowledgement of your protection from them, and v. 5. For this cause ought you to be subject, not only for wrath, but for conscience sake. God taketh care for the maintenance of the Magistrate as well as of the Minister, and doth strictly enjoyn us, that both they who watch for our souls, and they which watch for our bodies should have an honourable subsistence. Did such as are private, but seriously consider this word conscience (for conscience sake) they durst not as they do, cozen the publike. The same mighty Possessor of Heaven and Earth, who giveth me a right to the whole, giveth them a right to a part of my estate, and therefore to cozen them of their dues in tribute or custom, is to cozen and defile my conscience by the violation of Gods righteous command