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

Nay further, the Holy Ghost calleth you Gods. How godly then should you be! how unsuitable are the works of the Devil to them that have the name ⟨p. 241⟩of God! God is light, and in him is no darkness at all; and should not the Gods shine brightly with the light of holiness, and abhor all deeds of darkness? The Gods of the Heathen were taxed with several crimes; Jupiter with uncleanness, Juno with passion, &c. Hence saith Austin, the Heathen took liberty to sin, because their Gods were represented to them as patterns or approvers of such actions: As Charaea in Terence, Non ego facerem quae Jupiter fecit? Should I be backward to what the God himself was forward? But the God of Heaven is far from such things; He is the holy One of Israel, holy in all his ways, and righteous in all his works; His Nature is the pattern of holiness; his Law is the rule of holiness: Holiness is his Essence, his glory, himself, Psal. 89.13. A God of truth without iniquity, just and right is he, Deut. 32.4. There are many spots in our Moons; but not the least spot in this Sun of Righteousness. Now therefore you that have his Name, should get his Nature, and be pure as he is pure: The Name of God is an honour to you, O be not you a dishonour to it, James 2.8. Do not, O do not blaspheme that worthy name by which ye are called. How holy should you be in your hearts; how watchful over your words; how wary in your works; how faithful in your families; how conscientious in all companies? for the most High hath said, Ye are Gods^*.

Nay further, the Holy Ghost calleth you Gods. How godly then should you be! how unsutable are the works of the Devil to them that have the name ⟨p. 241⟩of God! God is light, and in him is no darkness at all; and should not the Gods shine brightly with the light of holiness, and abhor all deeds of darkness? The Gods of the Heathen were taxed with several crimes; Jupiter with uncleanness, Juno with passion, &c. Hence saith Austin, the Heathen took liberty to sin, because their Gods were represented to them as patterns or approvers of such actions: As Charaea in Terence, Non ego facerem quae Jupiter fecit? Should I be backward to what the God himself was forward? But the God of Heaven is far from such things; He is the holy One of Israel, holy in all his wayes, and righteous in all his works; His Nature is the pattern of holiness; his Law is the rule of holiness: Holiness is his Essence, his glory, himself,