Psalm 82:6-7 I have said, You are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.… I. THE DIGNITY OF MAGISTRACY. 1. In receiving honour from others. 2. In giving laws to others. 3. In executing the law, punishing the guilty and acquitting the innocent. II. THE DUTY OF MAGISTRATES. They ought to resemble God in their execution of justice amongst men. 1. In not favouring any for their nearness. Pompey, aspiring to the Roman empire, and perceiving that Cato was against him, sent his friend Minucius to Cato to demand his two nieces, one for himself, the other for his son. But when the messenger had delivered his errand, Cato gave him this answer: Go, tell Pompey, Cato is not to be won by women. As long as Pompey shall deal uprightly, I shall be his friend, and in a greater degree than any marriage can ever make me. Surely this moralist will condemn many Christian rulers, of whom it is said that the sun might as soon be hindered from running his race, as he from doing what was just and upright. 2. In not sparing or fearing any for their greatness. Papinianus is worthy of eternal memory, who chose rather to die than justify or excuse the fratricide of Bossianus the emperor. (G. Swinnock, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.WEB: I said, "You are gods, all of you are sons of the Most High. |
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