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

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, Ephes. 2.4. He hath multitudes of tender mercies, Psal. 51.1. He is abundant in ⟨p. 251⟩mercy, 1 Pet. 1.3 His mercy is free, Rom. 9.15 Great, Psal. 57.10 Matchless, Jer 3.1. Sure, Isa. 55.1. Mercy as one observeth,¹ is the chief of all Gods attributes, though in themselves they are all equal; but in regard of our necessities, as Oil swims above all other liquors, as the Eagle is the chief of Birds, the Lion of Beast, Gold of Metals; so mercy is the chief of all Gods attributes. He hath a Mercy-seat, to note that he sitteth at ease when he is showing mercy. Whereas judgement is his strange work, Isa. 28.21. we read likewise that mercy pleaseth him, Mica. 7.18. Thus the God should be merciful men, your hearts should be full of mercy, and pity to the sinner, when your hands are executing justice against the sin.