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

Suffer me (as Elihu said, Job 30.2, 3.) a little, and I will show you what I have to speak on Gods behalf; I will fetch my knowledge from Scripture, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. Because in our unholy, and therefore unhappy days, the very duty which I am urging the Magistrate to, is questioned as many other truths are; I shall speak a little to it.¹ This Popish doctrine is now almost generally entertained, That Magistrates have nothing to do in matters of Religion (as some others Jesuitical tenets are now on foot.) Parsons the English Jesuit in his memorial for Reformation, adviseth that all the Colleges in the Universities with their Revenues, should (not he employed as now they are, for the encouragement of godliness and learning but) be settled on six men, and also what ever Manor or Parsonage belonged to the Church; that no mans conscience be pressed for matters in Religion: That there should be no fixed Ministers, only some Itinerary Preachers: This is the way saith he, for Popery to flourish in England, though he nameth more ways. But that Magistrates ought to meddle in matters of Religion, and promote it to their power, may appear clearly to them that are not wilfully blind.

Suffer me (as Elihu said, Job 30.2, 3.) a little, and I will shew you what I have to speak on Gods behalf; I will fetch my knowledge from Scripture, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. Because in our unholy, and therefore unhappy dayes, the very duty which I am urging the Magistrate to, is questioned as many other truths are; I shall speak a little to it.¹ This Popish doctrine is now almost generally entertained, That Magistrates have nothing to do in matters of Religion (as some others Jesuitical tenents are now on foot.) Parsons the English Jesuite in his memorial for Reformation, adviseth that all the Colledges in the Universities with their Revenues, should (not he imployed as now they are, for the encouragement of godliness and learning but) be setled on six men, and also what ever Mannour or Parsonage belonged to the Church; that no mans conscience be pressed for matters in Religion: That there should be no fixed Ministers, only some Itinerary Preachers: This is the way saith he, for Popery to flourish in England, though he nameth more wayes. But that Magistrates ought to meddle in matters of Religion, and promote it to their power, may appear clearly to them that are not wilfully blind.