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

Secondly, That you be Protectors of them that do well. The Holy Ghost telleth you that you should be for the praise of them that do well. Courts of Justice should be Cities of refuge to them that are unjustly and causelessly pursued; like Noah's Ark, to take in and give rest to those weary Doves; like the horns of the Altar, to which innocency should fly for protection. Mine eyes saith David, shall be upon the faithful in the Land, Psal. 101.6. Hide the godly especially under the shadow of your wings. Piety hath too much been bespattered with obloquy, and holiness suffered under the name of baseness. Maliesse coguntur ne viles habeanthur; ¹Men have been necessitated to be vicious, lest they should be accounted vile. Be you not only patterns, but Patrons of purity. Let the world know that greatness can own and countenance goodness. The Kings of Gerar were called Abimelech, which signifieth My Father, Gen. 30.2. noting that a King should be as careful and mindful, as tender and chary of his Subjects (especially good ones) as Fathers of their children. Alas, if the Magistrates will not own them, what what shall the godly do! The Devil raiseth all the the Train-bands of hell against them that march to heaven. The world loveth its own, but because they are not of the world, therefore the world hateth them; their neighbours malign them, and rage because they dare not run to the same excess of riot, The whole Parish if occasion be, will be gathered together against those that are pious, especially ⟨p. 250⟩if they be zealous (for Gods glory) against others impieties. Now since God hath set you up for their shelter, surely you are concerned to secure them in times of danger. Sure I am that it is a privilege and honour to you, that you may be serviceable to the people of God. God carrieth them upon Eagles wings, Exod. 19.4. as tenderly as the Eagle her young ones, of which some observe, she carrieth her prey between her Talons, but her young under her Wings; and if a Fowler shoot at her, she will first have her own body shot through, before they shall be hurt. God is therefore called their shield,