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

The Spirit of God calleth you the children of God, And all of you are children of the most High. Now how exactly, how circumspectly should the children of God walk! Much obedience may be ⟨p. 237⟩expected from servants, but more from sons; their preeminence is more, and therefore their obedience should be more. The fathers of the flesh look for much dutifulness from their children; but surely the Father of Spirits may look for more from his children. Phil. 2.15. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. Ye that are Gods sons, are appointed to blame others that do evil, and therefore it behoveth you to be blameless your selves; Qui alterum accusat probri &c. but blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke. The sons of great men should be without riotousness or rebellion; but the sons of God should be without suspicion or rebuke; that is, walk so strictly, as that they should do nothing blame-worthy. If God be your Father, where is his honour? Mal. 1.6. Do you honour him in your hearts by giving him your superlative love, and fear, and trust, and esteem? Do you honour him in your houses, by causing all within your charges to worship him according to his Word? Are your houses houses of holiness? praying, reading, singing, catechising houses? are they examples of Religion to your neighbours? Is holiness to the Lord written upon your selves, your children, your servants, your estates, and upon all the belong to you? Do you honour God in your lives by walking as he walked? Are ye followers of him as dear children? Ephes. 5.1. Do you resemble him as children their Father? Are you holy as he was holy in all manner of conversation? Was your everlasting Father (when he walked in your flesh upon earth) ever guilty of cursing, or swearing, or lying? Did any rotten communication ever drivel out of his lips? Was he ever guilty of oppressing the poor, or despising the needy? of seeking himself, or of doing his own will? ⟨p. 238⟩Did he ever neglect praying, and instructing his Family of the Apostles, or supplication by himself? Was not he at prayer early in the morning a great while before day, and was not he up at it all night? Was it not his meat and drink to do the will of his Father, and to finish his work?