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

It was said by Nazianzen of Athanasius, that he was Magnes & Adamas: an Adamant in his stout resolute carriage against vice, and a Load-stone to encourage and draw virtue to him. And the wise man telleth us, The Kings favour is towards a wise servant, but his wrath is towards him that causeth shame, Prov. 14. ult. As the wind hurteth not the reeds and corn which yield to it, but rooteth up the sturdy stubborn Oak which will not bow; so the Ruler should deal sharply with the obstinate, but gently with the mild and flexible.

It was said by Nazianzen of Athanasius, that he was Magnes & Adamas: an Adamant in his stout resolute carriage against vice, and a Load-stone to encourage and draw vertue to him. And the wise man telleth us, The Kings favour is towards a wise servant, but his wrath is towards him that causeth shame, Prov. 14. ult. As the wind hurteth not the reeds and corn which yield to it, but rooteth up the sturdy stubborn Oak which will not bow; so the Ruler should deal sharply with the obstinate, but gently with the mild and flexible.

¹Augustus Caesar in whose time Christ was born, was so tender of his people, that when he died they wept saying, Would he had never been born, or never died!

1. 1Suetoil.

Secondly, As you should work like Gods amongst men in executing Justice impartially, so likewise in showing mercy: God is the Father of mercies, 1 Cor 1.3 Rich in Mercy,