Nursing-Mothers to the Church This is a Truth acknowledged by all Christians generally and the contrary Opinion of the Donatists and such like condemned who said Quid Imperatori cum Ecclesiis What hath the Emperour to do with the Churches We do not affirm They can make a new Religion coin new Articles of Faith or set up a new Worship for Substance or ordain any thing contrary to the Word of God but they may order many External things about Religion tending to the Solemnity Order and Decency of it according to the general Rules laid down in the Scriptures and all good Christians should obey them therein Obj. But many sinful things are now enjoyned or at least doubtful and how can we obey them therein Answ If it be certain that any thing enjoyned by them be sinful herein we are to follow the Apostle's Counsel Acts 5.29 to obey God before Men. We are not to obey any Idolatrous Edicts nor embrace any false Doctrine or Worship But here we must take heed we call not good evil and evil good It is a rash Charge to say any such thing is enjoyned us that is certainly evil when so many wise and pious Men both in our own and other Nations see no such thing And there is nothing amongst us but hath been found in the best and purest Churches ever since the Apostles days Little do such who speak so understand or consider the State of the Christian Church throughout the World A good Christian will be tender to brand Magistrates with such an Accusation yea the whole Catholick Church but rather suspect his own Judgment Obj. But at least many things now commanded are doubtful to us and how can we then obey them Whatever is not of Faith is Sin if we do any thing doubtingly we are condemned God will not approve of us This makes some good Men afraid Answ but here the sincere Christian must needs have Doubts on both sides for he must scruple the not obeying Magistrates because it is a Duty expresly commanded by God in things not sinful as well as scruple to obey them in such things wherein he hath some little Doubts about the Lawfulness of them Therefore he must not rest in this condition but 1. He must seek out for Satisfaction about his Doubts he must indifferently hear and read and consider what is said on both sides lay by all Prejudice and Partiality which blind the Mind mistrust his own Judgment and take Advice of such as are more able to judge of such Matters than himself He ought to think that Magistrates have more Counsel and Helps to see what is most fitting for the general Welfare of the Church than Private Persons who may be led by their particular Interests And let him remember that nothing is now enjoyned that is judged sinful by the greatest part of the Christian Churches either in this or former Ages when Religion flourished far more than it doth in these Times since these Controversies have been started therefore great reason to suspect and try here 2. Such as upon these Scruples suspend Obedience in some things which they suspect to be sinful should and will if they deal uprightly in this Point be more forward to obey in all other things that they cannot but see to be lawful herein let them shew their readiness to obey Certainly the Practice of such as make a total Separation from us is Unchristian and so has been judged by all Nonconformists Independents as well as Presbyterians and the Brownists deeply censured by both of them for it Read the Books of Bradshaw Ball and other Presbyterian Ministers and the Apologetical Narration of the Five Independent Ministers c. 3. Because there are some things that are so dark and doubtful to the common sort of Christians that they can never fully understand them and so some Scruples may remain in truly tender and pious Spirits They are to know it is their Duty in such Cases to give up themselves to the Conduct of their Rulers and Guides and to follow their Directions till God give them more Light in those things for they are appointed of God to be Guides and Leaders of the Ignorant and Weak and tho they are not to follow them blindfold in all things where they may be certain they mislead them yet in disputable Points there is more safety in following them than others tho possibly in some smaller Matters they may err with them In Civil Matters Casuists agree That Private Persons ought to obey their Rulers in some things the Lawfulness whereof they may scruple As in Matters of Warfare they may pay Taxes or go in Person to War tho not fully satisfied of the Lawfulness of such War Ames Cas Consc l. 5. c. 33. And in Church matters this is practised by those that are Dissenters from us the soberest of whom when they have some Scruples about an Opinion or Practice yet give themselves up to be guided by and walk peaceably with those to whom they associate themselves alledging for so doing that in Cant. 1.8 to go by the footsteps of the Flock and by the Shepherds Tents Certainly the sincere Christian may here give in his Plea to God so as to be accepted if he can say Lord thou knowest the sincerity of my Heart I would not do any thing I know sinful upon the greatest temptation in the World I am one under Authority and so obliged to obey it in the Lord. That requires some things now of me I have Scruples about whether they be lawful or not Did I know them certainly to be evil I would not do them whatever I suffered But I cannot conclude that certainly they are sinful Thou hast set them to rule and guide me I shall follow their Conduct till I be sure they mislead me and when I perceive they do so I am resolved to desert them and to do whatever thou commandest me And in thus doing shew Mercy to me according to the Integrity of my Heart Certainly such an one shall not be condemned of the good and gracious God This I have spoken and now written to promote Subjection and Obedience to Magistrates as my Text commands me Put them in mind to be subject to Principalities and Powers and to obey Magistrates THE END
OBEDIENCE TO MAGISTRATES RECOMMENDED IN A DISCOURSE Upon TITUS 3.1 Preached September the Ninth 1683. Put them in mind to be subject to Principalities and Powers and to obey Magistrates By J. C. Rector of W. N. LONDON Printed by T. S. for Edward Giles Bookseller in Norwich near the Market-place 1683. TO THE READER READER CHristian Obedience to Magistrates is a Duty so necessary both to the Publick Peace and Welfare of Church and State and to the Private Good of particular Persons and Places that the Publisher judges he needs not much to apologize for the sending forth these Papers that perswade thereunto The Discourse is short plain and intelligible and so more adapted to the use of those that may have need of it There is nothing in it that may exasperate the Spirits of any but what may be useful to the Information of every Sincere Christian who is willing to know and practice his Duty The Author is no Court Parasite suiting his Principles to worldly Interest that he may get Preferment by them but desiring to go forth Incognito he covets no other Happiness on Earth but to serve God faithfully that little time he hath to live in an obscure Country-Town Reader It concerns thee if thou wouldst approve thy self a sincere Christian to consider how far thou art to comply with this Duty which is one of the main Commands of the Gospel Thou canst not be Christ's Disciple if thou hast not respect to all his Commandments Read and consider and the Lord give thee understanding in all things CHRISTIAN OBEDIENCE RECOMMENDED From TITUS III. 1. Put them in mind to be subject to Principalities and Powers and to obey Magistrates THis Epistle was written by St. Paul to Titus left by him at Crete for the setling the Affairs of the Churches there to direct him in his Office and learn him how to behave himself in the Church which is the House of the Living God as the Apostles Phrase is 1 Tim. 3.15 as that Epistle was sent also to Timothy at Ephesus upon the same account In the first Chapter of this Epistle he gives Directions to Titus about the Ordination of Elders or Presbyters in the Churches called in the French Prestres and by us Priests Names derived from the Greek Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He shews what Qualifications they must have and orders the stopping the Mouths of False Teachers In the second Chapter he gives Directions what Duties are to be preached to several sorts of Persons to aged Men and Women to young Men and Women to Servants c. In the third Chapter he directs the teaching of some other Duties as Subjection and Obedience to Rulers and Magistrates and to do all good Works Put them in mind to be subject to Principalities and Powers to obey Magistrates and to be ready to every good Work That which I shall make the Subject of my Discourse from the Text is this Doctrinal Proposition Prop. That Ministers are to mind their People to be subject to Principalities and Powers and to obey Magistrates This is a Precept not onely sitted for that time but necessary for all Ages therefore left here upon Record Put them in mind c. The two great Apostles St. Paul and St. Peter insist much upon it St. Paul urges it Rom. 13. more fully Let every soul be subject to the higher Powers for there 's no Power but of God the Powers that be are ordained of God and he urges it by many other Reasons in the following Verses And St. Peter 1 Ep. 2.13 Submit your selves to every Ordinance of Man for the Lords sake whether to the King as Supreme or unto Governours sent by him for so is the will of God c. For the clearing the Proposition I shall shew 1. What is meant by Principalities Powers and Magistrates 2. What Subjection and Obedience is to be yielded to them 3. Why Subjection and Obedience is to be given to them 4. In what manner it is to be done 5. Why Ministers should put the People in mind of it Then 6. Apply the Discourse practically I. What is meant by Principalities and Powers and Magistrates to whom we are to be subject and yield Obedience Answ The Scriptures use many Words to set them forth by Sometimes we have the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 used as in Peter and Jude signifying the Dominion and Authority in Rulers to make Laws and establish them by their Sanction Sometimes we have the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as in the Text to shew that Rulers derive their Power from God originally and are by him immediately endued therewith Sometimes they are called Dignities 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Glories as in Jude because God hath given them great Glory among Men as 't is said of Nebuchadnezzar God gave him a Kingdom and Majesty and great Glory and there is a lawful Splendour and Pomp they may bear for the maintaining their Honour in the Hearts of the People Sometimes Powers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because of the great Power and Strength vis naturalis God puts into their Hands to support their Government and keep all in Obedience Sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as in the Text rendred more properly Authority than Power vis moralis because they have Authority to make Laws and govern their Subjects by them Sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eminency heighth of Place above others as 1 Tim. 2.2 Pray for Kings and all that are in Authority or as in the Margin in Eminency There are other Words used in Scripture but I shall not name all you may understand by this who are meant by Principalities Powers and Magistrates viz. Those that are in Supreme Rule and Authority over a People together with the Subordinate Magistrates under them for I shall include both as St. Peter teaches me 1 Pet. 2.13 14. Both the King that is Supreme and Governours under him To such we are by Divine Command to be subject and obedient if they be our Lawful Rulers yea though they should be Heathens or Persecutors as they were at this time when the Scriptures were written yet we are to give them Obedience in all things not contrary to the Laws of God and the Land and to be subject so as not to rise up in Rebellion against them even when they command contrary thereunto Which leads me to the second thing viz. II. What Subjection and Obedience is to be yielded to them that be in place of Government and Authority over us Answ Here are two Words in the Text I must explain Be subject to them Obey them 1. Be subject to them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Word signifies we should keep our selves in an orderly subjection to them in that place and station God hath set us not leaving our place of subjection as Soldiers who are to keep their Ranks and Files It 's opposed to Mutiny Sedition Disorder and Confusion or whatever tends to the Dissolution of Government It
implies several things in it 1. An inward Reverence of Heart to them to esteem them highly because of that Authority and Honour God hath conferr'd on them as his Deputies and Vicegerents if not for their personal Worth yet for the Sovereignty God hath committed to them to give honour to whom honour is due Rom. 13. to bear an inward Reverence to them because of God's Image on them not despising or contemning them for any thing we judge amiss in them 2. Respectful Language of the Tongue toward them not speaking any reproachful Words of them tending to the prejudice of their Government but to cover their Weaknesses as Shem and Japhet did their Father's Nakedness considering what strong Temptations their high Places expose them to 3. The submitting our whole Man to the obedience of their legal Commands to serve them in Peace and War according as Duty obliges us to be ready to every good Work as the Apostle adds in the end of the Text to do all Duties the Law obliges to yea submitting our Necks to the Yoke as the Word may signifie tho it seem burdensom to us not disobeying in any lawful thing nor rising up in Rebellion against them if they should command any thing either unjust or illegal 4. And that our Estates be subject to them willingly paying Tribute and Custom according to the Laws Rom. 13.7 and as Christians paying them spiritual Tribute offering up prayers and thanksgivings to God for them 1 Tim. 2.1 Chrysostom notes this Word comprehends all Duties and Services that Subjects owe to their Rulers and Governours Thus be subject to them ready to every good work 2. The second Word the Text uses is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 obey them Criticks observe it signifies a free and voluntary Obedience to them without simulation or coaction that we perform all the Duties of Subjects in a due manner not being false to them but faithful Subjects not compelled by fear and terrour but moved out of Conscience to God's Command who hath ordained Magistracy among Men because it 's his Ordinance being subject not for wrath but for conscience sake Rom. 13.5 III. Why must Subjection and Obedience be thus yielded to Rulers and Magistrates Answ For these Reasons 1. Because Magistracy is the Ordinance of God it 's of Divine Institution This Reason the Apostle uses Rom. 13.1 Let every soul be subject to the higher Powers because there 's no Power but of God the Powers that be are ordained of God therefore we must needs be subject for conscience sake Prov. 8.15 By me Kings reign and Princes decree Justice Judges and all the Rulers of the Earth c. They are God's Deputies and Vicegerents therefore the Name of Gods is given them in Scripture I said ye are Gods but ye shall die like Men saith the Psalmist God hath delegated a part of his Power to them even in the Church which is governed by God's Word and Spirit he is pleased to set Governours 1 Cor. 12.28 therefore much more in the State where there is a greater necessity of it So that we must needs be subject to them and obey them because of God's Ordinance Not to do so is to fight against God and such as resist shall bring damnation to themselves Rom. 13.2 2. They are ordained of God for the common Good of Mankind and therefore we have greatest reason to obey them Rom. 13.4 He is the Minister of God unto thee for good speaking of the Supreme Ruler or Magistrate and bidding us to obey him on this account There is a fourfold Good that we receive by Magistracy Natural Moral Civil and Spiritual 1. Natural Good Thro' Government our very Lives are preserved in safety else homo homini lupus one Man would be a Wolf and Lion to another What Violences Murders and Bloodshed would be committed amongst Men 2. Moral Good That Vice and Wickedness hath any Restraint and Vertue and Goodness any Encouragement is from Laws and Government How vile would many Men be that fear not God if no Laws of Men restrained them When there was no King in Israel every man did what was right in his own eyes and all Wickedness abounded Rom. 13.3 the Apostle saith Rulers are a terrour to evil works In the worst Government there are some Laws to restrain it therefore it 's a great Mercy to Mankind 3. Civil Good That our Possessions and Rights are preserved we owe to Government else the stronger would prey on the weaker and every place would be full of Thieves and Robbers Propriety could not be preserved 4. Spiritual Good Religion is preserved in the World hereby and the Worship of God maintained The Magistrate is Keeper of both Tables Even by the Light of Nature Aristotle taught the first Care of Kings should be about Religion It 's their Duty to maintain the True Religion and suppress Idolatry Blasphemy and Contempt of Religion These Benefits Men reap most evidently when they have good Governours then they enjoy Peace and Prosperity and Religion is in a flourishing condition And if they have bad Governours it 's God that punishes them for their Sins and makes them Scourges to Men and they should humble themselves for their Sins and turn to God and he would send them relief However bad Government is better than none Tyranny is better than Anarchy and Confusion It 's one of the saddest Curses to have no Kings nor Governours Hos 3.4 it 's prophesied of Israel in their desolate Estate they should have neither King nor Prince nor Sacrifice c. We read in the story of the Levite's Concubine what wickedness was committed in Israel when there was no King What a Den of Wild Beasts would the World be without Government None could live in peace every one would prey upon his Neighbour Nebuchadnezzar tho a Tyrannous King is set forth in Daniel as a great Tree under whose Branches the Fowls and Beasts had shelter Saul tho a bad King clothed the Daughters of Jerusalem in Scarlet Government is as necessary to Mankind saith one as the Sun Air Bread Water c. And therefore being for Common Good be subject unto them 3. From that particular Good every one will reap by subjecting himself to Government and Evil by resisting it It is to be observed That the Fifth Commandment Honour thy Father and thy Mother c. is called by the Apostle Eph. 6. the first Commandment with promise It hath the Promise of Length of Days and Prosperity annexed to it Now it 's to be understood of Political Parents as well as Natural and it implies also a threatning of some outward Judgment to the Violators of the Command as shortning their Days they that resist them shall not be long in the Land of the of the Living It may be observed That the most that are recorded in Scripture for resisting of Government had untimely Ends as Corah and his Company Absolom Sheba Joab Shimeah Adonijah Zimri Athaliah c.