2. Princes called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a word coming of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to understand, and therefore most probably the Counsellours to Kings are hereby meant, who advise the King, and counsell him, that he may make just and righteous Lawes, and they in whose power, together with the King, it is to make Lawes.
3. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 rendred also Princes, which is a generall name for all chiefe men in a State, who are set up in high place to rule over others, as if one should say, principall men; but specially the word is put for chiefe Captaines, or Generals of Armies.
4. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Spontanei, Liberates, Magnificias, in N. Tr. Nobles; From whence we may rightly gather, that all these are the Ordinances of God, as Paul calleth the higher Powers, and therefore not to be resisted or divided, the one thus banding against the other, or any of them annulled. For if they, being the orders of a Kingdome set up by God, are put downe, confusion is brought in, which is not without much calamity to any Kingdome, and he that is the Author of these Or∣ders, and the gifts sutable to them, will not long suffer it, or the Authors thereof, how potent soever they be, to goe unpunished: unlesse in case of necessity, the Su∣preame allowing to the Subordinate no power together with him, but seeking their extirpation, and the bringing in of a new way of Government absolutely Anar∣chicall, prejudiciall to his Subjects states, and lives, not suffering them to comply with him, as the King of Spaine did by the Lords of the Low Countries, whereby they were inforced to arme against him, and to cast him off, and his Posterity to this day. But this doth not justifie any other Nation doing the like, unlesse the case be in all things alike.
For the coherence of these words with the former, it is this; Christ, the wis∣dome of the Father having declared foure excellencies to be in him, Counsell, Es∣sence, Understanding, and Fortitude; now sheweth, that according to one of these he giveth Essence to Kings, according to another, Counsel to Counsellours of State, according to another, Fortitude to Generals of Armies, and according to another, Understanding to Nobles, and Judges of the earth, to doe justice to all men, and being thus qualified by his speciall providence sets them up, that by meanes of their Government, the people living under them may enjoy peace, their goods, estates, lives, and prosperity, which otherwise would be daily hazzarded. But it may be demanded here, how Kings reigne by Christ, who never was himselfe but [Quest.] a titular King, only he had a spirituall Kingdome over the faithful; 1. Subjecting them unto him by tuming them to the faith, and then ruling and reigning in their hearts by his Spirit.
Ans. Although he did not exercise a Kingly power, and said, That his king∣dome was not of this world, yet as God is King of all the Kingdoms of the world, so the man Christ by vertue of his union with the God-head, is King of all King∣doms, for which he is prophesied of as of a King, that should have given unto him the Heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his posses∣sion. His Kingdome yet, as he said, was not of this world, because he did not take worldly royalty and majesty upon him, yet the power over all was in him, as he said; All power is given unto me in heaven, and in earth, and therefore the Kings of the earth reigne by him, or his appointing them to their Kingdome, and for him, as Vice-royes and Deputies, which should make them to have a great care in all things to reigne according to his will; if any doe not, but are wicked and ty∣rannicall, yet they are to be accounted Deputies by him appointed, and their Sub∣jects ought to beare their evil manners, waiting till God will be pleased either to amend or end them, lest in resisting them, they resist Gods Ordinance, and so reap unto themselves damnation. They have only prayers to fly unto, according to that of Saint Paul, Let prayers be made for Kings, and for those in Authority, that we may live a peaceable and quiet life, in all godlinesse and honesty under them.
If Kings be evil, saith Augustine, we must not say, that it is just with God to set them up, for he doth it, that the patience of the righteous may be proved, and the sinne of the wicked punished. By the power given to the Devil Job was tryed,