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

Trees receive moisture from the earth, and within a while pay it back in those leaves that fall to the earth again: the Rivers receive their waters from the Ocean, and they acknowledge it in emptying themselves into it: Sheep that are fed by us acknowledge it in serving us with their flesh and fleeces. And shall man be more brutish then the beast? I shall end this exhortation with the words of the Holy Ghost a little varied; Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit your selves; for they watch for your bodies (as Ministers for your soul) as they that must give an account, Heb. 13.17.

My second Exhortation will be to the Gods. If the God of heaven have appointed you to be Gods on earth, then it may exhort you to walk as Gods, and to work as Gods amongst men.

First, Walk as Gods among men; your calling is high, and therefore your carriage should be holy. Every calling hath a peculiar comeliness belonging to it. A Courtier hath another manner of behaviour then a Country man, a Scholar then a Scullion, a Prince then a Peasant. The greater your privileges are, the more gracious your practices should be. Remember whose livery your wear, whose image you hear, whose person you represent, whose place you stand in, and walk worthy of that calling whereunto you are called, Eph. 4.1. Some would have us give no names to children, but such as should ⟨p. 235⟩mind them of their duty. The spirit of God hath given you a divine name which should mind you of the divine nature. Since your compellations are according to God, surely your conversations should be according to the Gospel.