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

I, i. e. I that am the Lord of Lords,¹ and King of Kings, the mighty possessor of Heaven and Earth; I that am Commander in Chief of the whole world, and have power to appoint whom I please to be my Vicegerents, do call and constitute you to be my Deputy-Lieutenants on earth. I whose word is sufficient warrant for any Office, or Ordinance; I have said ye are Gods.

I, i. e. I that am the Lord of Lords,¹ and King of Kings, the mighty possessor of Heaven and Earth; I that am Commander in Cheif of the whole world, and have power to appoint whom I please to be my Vicegerents, do call and constitute you to be my Deputy-Lieutenants on earth. I whose word is sufficient warrant for any Office, or Ordinance; I have said ye are Gods.

1. 1The Meaning of the words.

Have said. How God speaketh, is a point almost unspeakable. God speaketh or saith as well as man, but not after the same manner; he doth not form a voice by such organs or instruments of speech. But when God speaketh, He doth either create a voice in the air, as Matth. 3.17. or declare and make known his mind, sometimes secretly and immediately to the spirits of the Prophets; so that phrase The word of the Lord came unto me, so frequently used in Scripture, is to be understood; sometimes publicly and mediately by the Prophets to the people.

Have said. How God speaketh, is a point almost unspeakable. God speaketh or saith as well as man, but not after the same manner; he doth not form a voyce by such organs or instruments of speech. But when God speaketh, He doth either create a voyce in the air, as Matth. 3.17