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

Men naturally are more afraid of the noise of the Musket then of the Bullet; I mean of the frowns of the Rulers, then of the fire of Hell: and therefore were they once free from them, they would do that which would soon undo both themselves and others.

Now the necessity of Magistrates calleth for reverence and obedience to their authority. The more needful things are, the more grateful they should be. Things that are superfluous may be slighted, things that are only convenient may be the less valued: but things that are absolutely necessary must be highly esteemed. I tell thee, the Ministry is not more necessary to the well-being of the Church, then the Magistracy to the well-being of the State. You may as soon see a Tree thrive without a root, as ⟨p. 230⟩a Common-wealth flourish without a Ruler. Magistrates are in Scripture called the heads of the people, Exod. 18.25. because they are as necessary to the body Politic, to direct and govern it, as the head is to the body natural; therefore as the members yield respect and are subject unto the head (if the head do but ache, all the humours of the arm (as some observe) run to the head, and therefore the arms are thin and slender, because they want their proper nurture; yea if the head be in danger how do the other parts hazard themselves for its shelter? many an hand and arm hath been wounded, that the head might be saved) thus should subjects show their respect to, and tenderness of their superiors, for if a member or some of the inferior parts be cut off, the body may live; but if the head be taken off, if Governors be set aside, Actum est de republica, that Kingdom, that Common-wealth cannot stand long.

Now the necessity of Magistrates calleth for reverence and obedience to their authority. The more needfull things are, the more gratefull they should be. Things that are superfluous may be slighted, things that are only convenient may be the less valued: but things that are absolutely necessary must be highly esteemed. I tell thee, the Ministry is not more necessary to the well-being of the Church, then the Magistracy to the well-being of the State. You may as soon see a Tree thrive without a root, as