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

They are the keepers of our liberties, the preservers of our lives, the safety of our persons, the security of our possessions, the terrors of sinners, the defence of Saints, the Nerves and Sinews, yea the Vital spirits of the body Politic, without whom all things would run to ruin, and quickly fall to confusion. How much then do they for us, and how much then should we be subject to them! Surely as little as many value them, they will find much cause to celebrate the funerals of these civil Fathers with many tears. Our comforts as well as our consciences call upon us to be subject. To wish them harm that watch to be our helps, is horrid ingratitude. Cicero saith, he that killeth his Father committeth many sins in one, because he sinneth against many obligations. His Father begat him, nourished him, brought him up. Magistrates are the Fathers of their Country; he that resisteth them, or doth violence to them, committeth several sins in one, because he sinneth against so many engagements to subjection. We owe all the comforts we enjoy for this world, nay somewhat of them that relate to a better world under God to the Magistrate. We could not sleep quietly in our beds one night; we could not eat one meal peaceably in the day without them, we could ⟨p. 234⟩not call either children, or estates, or lives our own without them: we could not enjoy such liberties for our souls, such frequent communion of Saints without them. How great then is our obligation, and how great should our subjection be to them! These many cords of kindness should bind us to them. He was possessed with a Devil whom no cords would hold, Mark 5.3. and surely they are little better that against the Law of God and this protecting love of the Gods will not learn to be loyal.

They are the keepers of our liberties, the preservers of our lives, the safety of our persons, the security of our possessions, the terrors of sinners, the defence of Saints, the Nerves and Sinews, yea the Vital spirits of the body Politick, without whom all things would run to ruine, and quickly fall to confusion. How much then do they for us, and how much then should we be subject to them! Surely as little as many value them, they will find much cause to celebrate the funerals of these civil Fathers with many tears. Our comforts as well as our consciences call upon us to be subject. To wish them harm that watch to be our helps, is horrid ingratitude. Cicero saith, he that killeth his Father committeth many sins in one, because he sinneth against many obligations. His Father begat him, nourished him, brought him up. Magistrates are the Fathers of their Countrey; he that resisteth them, or doth violence to them, committeth several sins in one, because he sinneth against so many engagements to subjection. We owe all the comforts we enjoy for this world, nay somewhat of them that relate to a better world under God to the Magistrate. We could not sleep quietly in our beds one night; we could not eat one meal peaceably in the day without them, we could