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

¹Justice and Judgement are the habitation of Gods Throne, Psal. 89.14. The holy Ghost alludeth to the Thrones of earthly Princes, which were under-propped with Pillars (as Solomons Throne with Lions, 1 Kings 19, 20.) that were both a support and an ornament to it. Now saith the Psalmist, Justice and Judgement are the Pillars upon which Gods Throne standeth, or (as Calvin expoundeth it) the Robe and Diadem, the Purple and Sceptre, the Regalia with which Gods Throne is adorned. Thus Magistrates ought to make good their pattern, and to take heed what they do, because they judge not for man, but for the Lord who is with them in the Judgement, ²2 Chron. 19.6. Magistrates are therefore called Gods, because they should (as God doth) do impartial justice without respect of persons,³ protecting the godly, as being the Ministers of God for their good, Rom. 13.4. and punishing the wicked which are malignant enemies to God and them.

¹Justice and Judgement are the habitation of Gods Throne, Psal. 89.14. The holy Ghost alludeth to the Thrones of earthly Princes, which were under-propped with Pillars (as Solomons Throne with Lions, 1 Kings 19, 20.) that were both a support and an ornament to it. Now saith the Psalmist, Justice and Judgement are the Pillars upon which Gods Throne standeth, or (as Calvin expoundeth it) the Robe and Diadem, the Purple and Scepter, the Regalia with which Gods Throne is adorned. Thus Magistrates ought to make good their pattern, and to take heed what they do, because they judge not for man, but for the Lord who is with them in the Judgement, ²