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

First in not favouring any for their nearness: Magistrates must imitate God in this, who is no respectre of persons, but judgeth every man according to his works, 1 Pet. 1.17. Though Coniah be to me, saith ⟨p. 201⟩God as the Signet on my right hand, yet I will pluck him thence, Jer. 22.24. That is,¹ though he were as near and dear to me as a Kings sealing-ring which is most carefully kept and tenderly preserved, worn commonly, yea continually on some finger, yet I would do justice in plucking him off and casting him from me. Nay when Gods own Son (who was the Son of his infinite love and choicest delight) became liable to the lash of the Law, as being a sinner by imputation, God would not spare him in the least, but made him bear the curse of the Law, Rom. 8.32. Zaleucus the Law-giver having enacted that every person guilty of adultery should lose both his eyes, did yet when his own Son was found guilty of that fault, put out one of his own eyes and one of his Sons. But the great God was more just when his Son was a Surety for sinners; he caused him to pay the utmost farthing, he suffered the law to have its full stroke at him. O how just was God that rather then violate the least Tittle of his Law, would sign a warrant with his own hand and confirm the Commission with his own Seal for his dearest Sons execution!

First in not favouring any for their neerness: Magistrates must imitate God in this, who is no respecter of persons, but judgeth every man according to his works, 1 Pet. 1.17. Though Coniah be to me, saith ⟨p. 201⟩God as the Signet on my right hand, yet I will pluck him thence, Jer. 22.24. That is,¹