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

Angels are the perfection, as it were, of the Creation, the top-stone of this glorious building. When the Spirit of God would speak a thing, or person to be excellent, it doth resemble them to Angels. My Lord is wise as an Angel of God, 2 Sam. 14.20. And Acts 6.15. They beheld his face as if it had been the face of an Angel. Farther the great happiness of holy ones in heaven is set forth by their likeness to Angels; They shall be as Angels, Matth. 22. & 30. Now what glorious persons then are Magistrates, that have the names of Angels given them; Angels are called Dominions, Principalities, Powers, Col. 1.16. Ephes. 1.21. So are Magistrates, Jude v. 8. Titus 3.1. Be subject to Principalities and Powers; But the Text speaketh more of their dignity. Magistrates have not only the highest names of the most honourable visible creatures, Men; and of the most honourable invisible creatures, Angels; but of the Creator, of God himself, the Fountain and Standard of all Dignity and Honour; I have said ye are Gods. When Jacob would manifest to Josephs children the extraordinary respect he had for their father, he doth it thus; My Name be named on them, and the Names of my Father Abraham and Isaac, Gen. 48.16. It is a great honour to be called the servant of God. Paul gloried in this, Titus 1.1. So did David, more in being a subject to God, then a King over men, Psal. 36. Title. It is a greater honour and favour to be called Gods son, Joh. 1.12. 1 Joh. 3.1