binds other Nations Sol. By the nature of the Law it is moral and so universal and perpetual There are indeed one or two Particulars that were peculiar to the Jewish State First They must set one over them whom the Lord should chuse which implieed that God intends out of his especial grace and favour to them as his Church to chuse the man himself for them sometimes yet they were to make him King but God doth not so for other Nations but hath left us to chuse for our selves according to the Light of Reason and Scripture Again their King was not to send the People to Egypt because the Lord had forbid the People of Israel to return thither any more which our King may do upon a just occasion but the substance of the Law is of a moral nature and obligeth all Kings and People whatsoever That the King should not multiply Silver Gold Wives or Horses to himself and thereby impoverish the People and suffer his heart to be drawn from God that he should have a copy of the Law of God and read therein all the dayes of his life learn to fear God and keep his Statutes and not lift up his heart above his Brethren is all Moral and doth oblige other Kings as well as the Kings of Israel That a People professing the true Religion should not set over them one of a strange Religion to bring in Idolatry and False-worship which was the intent of that clause Thou shalt not set a stranger over thee That they should take care to set up a man in the Throne who is able and willing to perform the Duties God requires of a King is all Moral and obligeth the People of England as much as it did the People of Israel The next Scripture I shall produce for confirmation of this Truth is 2 Sam. 23.3 The God of Israel said the Rock of Israel spake to me He that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fear of God You see here the Rock of Israel hath appointed two great Qualifications in those that rule over men Justice and the Fear of God Object These places shew only the Magistrates duty not any Qualifications necessary to the Office of a Magistrate this proves that Magistrates are bound to observe those duties not that the People are bound to chuse none but such men as are just and fear God to be Governours Sol. The very same Sophistry do the wicked and scandalous Priests use to cheat the poor People withal and lull them asleep that they may make a prey of them in the mean while The Lord sayes 1 Tim. 3. A Bishop or Overseer for so the word is in the Greek must be blameless vigilant sober of good behaviour apt to teach not greedy of filthy lucre not given to Wine no stricker but patient not a brawler nor covetous The Priest is a proud covetous drunken deboist person and the poor People must be compelled to own him for a Minister of Christ who hath never a Qualification of a true Minister in him if they complain we cannot own him for a true Minister a Minister must be thus and thus qualified he is the contrary they are answered O those are indeed the Duties of a Minister but not the Qualifications necessary to the Being of a Minister a man may be a true Minister if he be ordained though he walk contrary to these Duties and you are bound to own his Ministry nevertheless because it is an Ordinance of God So in this case we cannot deny say they but a Magistrate should be just ruling in the fear of God it 's his duty so to do but what if he be unjust and cast away the fear of God he is a true Magistrate notwithstanding and you are bound in Conscience to own his Authority as the Ordinance of God By this kind of Sophistry the Devil maintains his Kingdom and the Beast and False-Prophet theirs to the utter ruin of the Bodies and Souls of men These are the two grand Cheats wherewith the World is abused by wicked and unworthy persons pretending to Authority from God to govern both Church and State when they are utterly destitute of those Qualifications God hath laid down for the election of persons into those Offices and indeed it is hard to say which is the greater cheat of the two Blessed be God many discern the Cheat of an ignorant proud covetous and prophane Ministry and will not own it for an Ordinance of God I doubt not through God's assistance to make it evident to the World that a wicked tyrannous and oppressing Magistracy is no more Gods Ordinance than the other and that the People are bound to reject both and set up able men Men of Truth fearing God and hating covetousness in the Magistracy as well as Ministry and that all who are not thus qualified are but meer Counterfeits and Pretenders For whereas these men pretend that the Characters which the Scriptures give of true Magistrates and Ministers do only shew their duty not any Qualifications that are necessary to the constitution of them it is a meer falsity For the Spirit of God hath on purpose laid down Characters of a true Magistracy and Ministry that the People who have the Power of electing both put into their hands by God should not suffer his Ordinances to be prophaned but chuse Men after his heart for both functions of Magistracy and Ministry The Apostle commands Titus to ordain Elders in every City that is Ministers but upon this condition that there were any to be found that were qualified according to the mind of God Titus 1.5 to 8. and layes down several Characters to signifie what Qualifications God required in Ministers If any be blameless c. and so goes on with many Qualifications which you may read there and whereas the Apostle bids Titus ordain Elders he doth not mean Titus singly but joyntly with the consent of the Church as is intimated in that clause As I have appointed thee Now the Apostle would not appoint Titus to do otherwise than he himself did and the rest of the Apostles but it is plain that the People chose their Officers Acts 6.3 and 5 verses the whole multitude chose Stephen and the rest So Acts 14.23 When they had ordained them Elders in every Church 't is in your Translation but learned Beza renders it thus Communibus suffragis creantes eis Presbyteros they made them Elders or Ministers by common suffrage or consent the multitude gave their votes and chose them and then the Apostles confirmed them by Fasting and Prayer but this by the way However they were to be made yet not without Ministerial Qualifications Titus and the People together had no power to make an ignorant or scandalous man a Minister of Christ The very same doth the Scripture hold forth concerning Magistrates that the People are to look out Men rightly qualified with magistratical Endowments for the Office of Magistracy When
cast into the Lake that burneth with fire and brimstone The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death Prov. 21.6 What shall be given unto thee or what shall be done unto thee O thou false tongue sharp arrows of the Mighty with coals of Juniper Psal 120.3 and 4. If you do not speedily repent know that you shall cry out one day for a drop of Water to cool this lying flattering tongue But I know what your wicked hearts will answer Let us alone till then and we care not know therefore that not onely God but the People will abhor you the Lord hath denounced that curse against you Prov. 24.24 He that saith to the wicked thou art righteous him shall the People curse Nations shall abhor him 2. The just and lawful Titles of Good Magistrates are not due to wicked Magistrates but they forfeit their right thereto by their Tyranny and Oppression or other misgovernment And therefore we find the Prophets Christ and Apostles giving to wicked Magistrates Titles of ignominy and disgrace suitable to their merits Elijah tells wicked Ahab to his face Thou art he that troubleth Israel 1 King 18.18 Elisha calls King Jehoram The Son of a Murderer 2 Kings 6.32 Isaiah calls the Rulers of his time Rulers of Sodom Isa 1.10 Ezekiel calls the King of Israel Prophane wicked Prince Ezek. 21.25 Christ calls Herod Fox and bids them go and tell him so Luke 13.32 Paul calls the Roman Emperor A Lyon 2 Tim. 4.17 Yea the Apostles and many thousands of Christians together for so the company of Believers was Acts 2.41 with one accord in their Prayers mention Herod and Pontius Pilate by name spread their wickedness before God and desire the Lord To behold their Threats Acts 4.27 It was no wonder the holy Prophets were so persecuted by wicked Rulers since they were such faithful plain-dealing men that knew not how to give flattering Titles unto them but called them Rulers of Sodom Troublers of Israel Sons of Murderers and Prophane wicked Persons No wonder the Governours looked upon Christ and his Apostles with an Evil eye and punished them as Seditious men since they called them Foxes Lyons and gave them such reproachful Titles as they had deserved They hated plain-dealing and reproof as all Tyrants do and would be sure to suppress that spirit if they could which dared presume to reprehend their wickedness and yet these holy Men were not afraid to give them Titles of dishonour answerable to their merits Oh you wicked flatterers that daub with untempered morter and flatter great Men for advantage see here what the holy Prophets and Apostles did and take shame to your selves for your filthiness Wo to him that calleth good evil and evil good that putteth Darkness for Light and Light for Darkness Isa 5.20 Who justifie the wicked for reward and take away the Righteousness of the Righteous from him Your root shall be rottenness and your blossom dust The Lord is no respecter of Persons and hath forbid us to be so If Kings or great Men be wicked they deserve to be called as they are Nay take notice of this that when the Christians in their assembly lift up their voice with one accord to God and boldly prayed to the Lord To behold the Threats of Herod and Pontius Pilate whom they mentioned by Name relating their wickedness the Lord shewed how exceedingly he was pleased therewith in that as soon as the prayer was ended the place was shaken and they were all filled with the holy Spirit and great Grace was upon thâ—â— all Perhaps if there were more boldness in the Assemblies of the Saints at this day in bearing a faithful Testimony for God against these wicked Rulers there would be a greater Presence of the Spirit of God among them and greater measures of Grace upon them And in like manner have the faithful Servants of the Lord in all Ages born their Testimony against the wickedness of their Rulers The Title which John Knox that famous Servant of Jesus Christ and eminent Instrument of the Scotish Reformation frequently gave to the Tyrannous Queen who ruled the Land was Bondslave of Satan and he constantly prayed in publick in words to this purpose That God would deliver her from the Power of Satan to whom she was now a bondslave John Hus that glorious Martyr of Jesus Christ was not afraid to affirm to the Emperors face That wicked Kings were not worthily Kings before God Acts and Mon. Vol. 1. Pag. 807. And pag. 813. he sayes That Subjects and common People ought openly and publickly to detect and reprove the Vices of their Rulers having Power given them of Christ and Example of Paul so to do The Bishop of Burgen in his Oration which he made in the Counsel of Basil layes down this assertion It is absurd for a King to be of more Authority than his Kingdom and he that ruleth not for the Good of his Subjects is not to be counted a King but a Tyrant Eleutherius in the Letter which he sent to Lucius King of this Island about 170. years after the Death of Christ affirms the same in these words A King hath his Name of Ruling not of having a Kingdom and so long shall you be a King indeed while you rule well which if you do not the Name of a King shall not remain with you but you shall lose it Acts and Mon. Vol. 1. Pag. 139. Which Eleutherius is in high esteem by Ecclesiastical Historians for the Eminency of his Wisdom and Piety both as indeed that very Epistle doth sufficiently evidence he deserves to be Thus you see several eminent Lights in the Church of God concur in the same Perswasion That wicked Magistrates have no right to the Titles of such Magistrates as rule well Nay the Antient Laws of this Nation give full testimony to this Truth For in the Chapter of the Laws of King Edward commonly called the Confessor by whom most of the good Laws we enjoy were made treating of the duty of the King the Law saith thus The King because he is the Vicegerent of the highest King is appointed for this purpose to reverence and rule the Kingdom the Lords People and holy Church and to defend them from injurious persons to pluck away evil-doers utterly to scatter and destroy them which if he doth not perform the Name of a King shall not agree to him but he looseth the title of a King Well then let no man be so foolish and perverse as to charge this assertion with novelty or singularity for you see what abundant Evidence there is both from Scripture and Reason That a wicked and unrighteous King forfeits his right to the Title of a King And though the perfidious Parliament or rather mock Parliament have lately betrayed their own Trust and our Liberties making it Treason for us to mention the cruel Tyranny and Oppression we groan under yet by
the Shew-bread for the satisfaction of hunger which was not otherwise lawful Mat. 12.4 I conceive we may as lawfully bow the Body or uncover the Head to a Ruler who doth not deserve it from us rather than destroy our selves as one would to a Thief on the high way rather than be killed or wounded CHAP. X. Treating of the Obedience due to the Magistrate I Am now come to the last Particular mentioned in the Description of Magistracy The Obedience which is due to him which I shall resolve First Positively Secondly Negaâ—â—vely 1. Positively To follow the common received Distinction of Obedience Active and Passive we owe both to a lawful Magistrate in all his just and lawful Commands First If the Magistrate command us to do any thing which he hath Authority from God and the People to command we are bound to obey him actively If he command us to perform our part in thâ— carrying on of Justice to assist in apprehending a Murderer to be of a Jury to make inquisition for Innocent Blood to testify the truth between a man and his neighbour in case of injury to keep watch or ward for defence of the Land from Forreign or Domestick Enemies and abundance of other cases might be mentioned wherein the Magistrate is not able to perform the Trust reposed in him unless the People do their Duty also If the Magistrate command us to depart from any vitious Assembly to restore any man his due to observe just Weights and Measures in our commerce to keep the Peace to render him such Tribute as is due or to obey any other just and righteous law it is our duty to yeeld a ready and chearful obedience thereto Secondly We are bound to obey him Passively if we have by our Transgressions fallen under the condemnation of any just and righteous Law If a Man or Woman have committed Theft Murder Adultery Perjury Extortion or any other wickedness punishable by the Law and be brought before the Magistrate who is by God and the People entrusted with the Sword for the punishment thereof it is their duty patiently to submit to such punishment as they have deserved Whether one may not lawfully fly and with-draw himself peaceably if he be guilty of Punishment especially in a case of Life and Death is a Question I have not time to discourse here But to make any violent resistance or forcibly to oppose the Magistrate in executing just punishment upon us for our evil Deeds is utterly unlawful Thus far I grant the Scriptures command us to obey Magistrates actively in performing all their just and lawful commands passively in submitting to such due punishment as they inflict upon us for doing evil And this is the submission Peter speaks of 1 Pet. 2.13 14. Submit your selves to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as Supream or unto Governours as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and praise of them that do well Mark well the Submission the Apostle requires we are to submit to those Governours that come for the Punishment of evil doers and Praise of them that do well The same doth the Apostle Paul teach Rom. 13.4.5 For he is the minister or servant of God to thee for good â—ut if thou do evil be afraid for hee bareth not the Sword in vain for he is the Servanâ— of God a Revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil Wherefore ye must needs be subject not onely for wrath but for Conscience sake It is not left to our liberty whether we will be subject or no to those Magistrates that punish evill doers and praise them that do well but in point of Conscience we are bound to be subject unto them Indeed the very Light of Nature teacheth subjection to such Governours as punish Vice and praise Virtue and to resist the Magistrate in the due punishing of Vice or praise of Virtue is not only a Violation of the Law of God written in the Scriptures of Truth but of the Law of Nature written in the hearts of all mankind But the greatest Question will be what obedience we do not owe to the Magistrate for I need not spend my time and pains to confirm that which is so clear 2. Negatively I affirm as followeth 1. The Obedience due to the Magistrate from the People is no servile obedience but a free liberal and ingenuous Obedience It is not the obedience of Servants to a Master but of Free-men to their own Servant Wherefore ye must needs be subject Rom. 13.5 What means that wherefore it relates to ver 4. For he is a Servant of God TO thee As if he should have said Therefore ye must needs be subject because he is a servant of God To You for good Magistrates ought to command the People not in a lordly proud magisterial manner as if the People were their Vassals but in a humble modest ministerial manner as being Servants to God and them whom they do command mixing Entreaties with Commands Thus did Moses treat the People in a respectful manner entreating them as well as commanding Numb 16.26 Thus did Nehemiah chap. 5.10 11. Yea the very wicked Kings themselves had not so much forgotten their relation but they remembred to speak respectively to the People 1 Sam. 23.22 1 King 20.7 2 Kings 5.7 But now every inferiour Officer commands us after a most insolent and lordly manner as if we were home-born slaves 2. The obedience due to the Magistrate is not excentrical to his Office if the Magistrate command the People to do a thing that is in it self lawful yet if it be extrinsecal to his Office the People owe him no obedience therein because he hath no power to command us any thing besides his Office We owe the Magistrate obedience in every lawful Command but not in every lawful thing For it is unlawful for the Magistrate to command us many lawful things It may be lawful for a man to take the Magistrate's daughter to wife or a woman to take his son for her husband but if he commands them to do so they are not bound to obey him because he hath no power to give such a Command It may be lawful for any one to lend the Magistrate his money or goods without security yet if the Magistrate command a man to do so he is not bound to obey him 3. We owe the Magistrate no sinful obedience To obey him rather than God is a most Atheistical practice Daniel would not obey Darius his wicked Command Dan. 6.10 Daniel prayed the more boldly and openly because the King had forbid him Hananiah Mishuel and Azariah would not fall down to Nebuchadnezzar's Image Dan. 3.16 to 19. The Apostles would not forbear preaching for the Command of the Rulers but continued in their Work notwithstanding all their threats Acts 4.19 20. they told the High-Priest and Council that they would preach And when they were