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
be supposed Now how uncertain are the Events of War tho the Miseries attending it are most certain It 's very seldom such Attempts prosper but most commonly they bring Ruine to those who engage therein as may be seen at large in the Homily against Rebellion Part 4. Which Homily deserves to be wholly read and considered by such as are inclined to use such unlawful Courses for remedying Evils Obj. If it be objected That many Writers Men of great Name have pleaded for the Lawfulness of Resistance in some Cases Answ They must be understood if they write soundly to speak onely of such Places where the Government allows it in case of Male-administration as in Germany where it was expresly covenanted in the Constitution of that Government That the Princes of the Empire might in case of his invading their Rights defend them against the Emperour by War sine nota Rebellionis as I remember the Words are cited out of the Golden Bull without any Brand of Rebellion Which till Luther was satisfied in by the Lawyers he would not consent to the Confederation at Smalcald The like is said concerning the Netherlands whose Laws acquitted them from the Spanish Yoke upon the unjust and tyrannical Government of that King and his Ministers But this is nothing to our Case whilst our Laws prohibit such taking up Arms and make it Treason Lastly I add but one thing more That there must be acknowledged at last a Supreme Power subordinate to God alone and not accountable to Men nor to be resisted by them or else all Confusion and Disorder would be in the World and Subversion of all Government which would make Mankind miserable Now this had better be in the Hands of the King or Chief Ruler than in the Hands of any other either the People in general or of any Party of them Rulers have usually more Understanding in Government than the People and more Counsel and Helps and their Power and Authority is from God who is the Original of all Power Rom. 13.1 not from the People As the Power of the Husband over the Wife is from God tho her Consent be necessary to make him her Husband at first yet she conveys not to him the Authority but it is from the Ordinance of God It is a dangerous Mistake to affirm That all Power is originally in the People and they may intrust it to whom they please and call their Rulers to account and take the Forfeiture and recall the Trust This hath been cleared by other Writers who might have been cited here Therefore it 's the safest for Christians to sit still and be quiet to mind their own Duties in their proper Sphere and Station to study Peace and Holiness and not to meddle with Publick Government but to be subject to lawful Magistrates and Rulers in all lawful things and if any thing be amiss to commit their Case to God and commend the Care of Religion and the Church to his Providence who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Well then Let me put you in mind to be subject to Principalities and Powers and to obey Magistrates This is the Word that God hath put into our Mouths therefore we must warn you of this Duty from him Those whom God and the Laws have placed in Superiority over us and he hath put his Power and Authority into their Hands as his Deputies and Vicegerents obey them and be subject to them Let there be a Subjection of the whole Man unto them of the Heart to reverence them esteem of them love them wish well to them c. if not for any Personal Excellency in them yet for their Office sake which is of God and for the Image of his Sovereignty stamped on them Of the Tongue not speaking of them with reproachful Language but honouring them as the Fathers of their Country Of outward Gestures by bowing to them uncovering the Head and giving all outward Expressions of Honour befitting their Dignities Of the whole Man by giving all due Obedience to their Laws if not evidently contrary to the Laws of God Of our Estates by paying Tribute and other Dues to them Do this not onely to the Good but also to the Bad inasmuch as they are the Vicegerents of God There 's no Power but of God The Apostle speaks it when such as Nero ruled Do it for Conscience sake to God's Command and not onely for fear of Wrath Heartily and willingly not in simulation and hypocrisie yet in the Lord so far as they cross not God's express Laws and Commandments or the known Laws of the Land and where they do so yet make not any rebellious Resistance against them And for this end to make us willingly subject consider They are ordained of God their Office is from him and their Sovereignty part of his Image And they are ordained for good unto us Natural good Civil Good Moral good Spiritual good as before was shewed Life Peace Liberty Estate Religion are all fenced by Government What a Condition would the World be in without it It 's better to have the worst Magistrates than none at all Besides the particular Interest of every Man should move him to this Duty Long Life and Prosperity is promised to the keeping this Commandment to such as honour Political Fathers and Mothers but Death and Destruction will overtake such as disobey them A cruel Messenger shall be sent to such as seek Rebellion saith the Wise Man besides God's immediate Judgments that often befal such many Instances whereof are in our Homily of Rebellion Part 4. and besides all these eternal Damnation unless a speedy and true Repentance prevent the same Let all therefore learn this Duty of Obedience and Subjection to Princes and to all that be in Authority Obj. But some will say We could in all Civil Matters be subject to them and obey them as readily as any but in Matters of Religion how can we do so Our Consciences can admit of no Ruler or Law-maker but Christ alone who hath given perfect Direction for the Worship of God Answ It is certain Magistrates and Civil Rulers have some Power in Matters of Religion 1. The very Light of Nature hath taught it Aristotle and Plato shew That the chiefest Care of Magistrates ought to be about the Worship of God Darius made a Decree That Men worship the God of Daniel onely Cyrus made a Decree for the Building of the Temple The King of Niniveh ordained a Fast and solemn Prayers to God and was accepted 2. The good Kings of Israel are commended for their Zeal about the Worship and Service of God not onely David but Jehosaphat Hezekiah Josiah and others and they ordained several things about the Priests Ministration and Prayers and Praises in the Temple 3. Christian Kings and Emperours have been commended for their Care of Religion as Constantine Theodosius Justinian c. And it 's prophesied That in Gospel-times Kings should be Nursing-Fathers and Queens
Kingdom was not of this World neither medled with Temporal Kingdoms but sought to bring Men to the Kingdom of Heaven Tho Christianity of it self doth not disturb Government but uses the most effectual Means to secure it by teaching it is God's Ordinance and Men must be subject to it for Conscience sake to God's Command and for fear of Damnation c. yet if Christians that profess it should not live quietly and in due subjection and obedience to it they would be a great scandal to it and hinder the progress of it in the World therefore put them in mind to be subject to Magistrates and to obey them that the Name of Christ and his Gospel may not be blasphemed but that Christianity may appear aimiable and winning unto all by teaching all its Professors to live harmlesly and peaceably as the Sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked Generation I come now to Application Use Let me fulfil my Duty according to the Text to put you in mind to be subject to Principalities and Powers and to obey Magistrates to yield them all due subjection and obedience This is a great Christian Duty enjoyned by the Apostle St. Paul Rom. 13.1 and pressed by him with many Arguments and also by the Apostle St. Peter 1 Pet. 2.13 And in my Text Ministers are enjoyned to preach it to their People Put them in mind c. It was practised by our Lord and Master Christ himself when he was upon Earth he was subject to the Authority he was under paid Tribute to Caesar and submitted to be Judged by his Officers tho unjustly used he resisted not when as he could have prayed his Father and he would have sent him more than twelve legions of Angels to rescue him yet he submitted freely to leave us an Example This was practised also by all his Followers who made no Insurrections against the Governments where they lived as did some others but quietly submitted either in obeying or suffering tho daily persecuted imprisoned stoned beheaded burnt c. even when more than Five thousand were martyred in the Roman Empire for every Day in the Year except the First of January onely on which Day they accounted it a piece of Religion not to let any suffer yet they patiently bore and suffered all without making any Resistance against their Rulers Nor can it be said they wanted Power to make resistance else they would have done it for they were multiplied so greatly that they filled their Cities Castles Camps Palaces and Towns so as Tertullian writes If the Christians should depart out and leave them they should remain desolate Remarkable is the Story of the Thebaean Legion in the days of the Emperour Maximinus consisting of Six thousand six hundred and sixty six armed Soldiers all Christians under a Christian Captain who were in the Savoy in a strong Place where they might have defended themselves yet being commanded by the Emperour to sacrifice to his Gods they refused to obey him therein but made no resistance Whereupon he being angry sent forth his Messengers to put every tenth Man to death which they willingly yielded to without any resistance each striving to have a share in that glorious Death Then he caused a second Decimation or Tything of them they remaining constant in their Faith which they suffered patiently And last he caused his Army to fall upon them and destroy them all which was done they making not the least resistance being willing to exchange this present Life for a more glorious If it should be said They had no Laws then for their Religion as we now have and so may stand up for our Laws and Birth-rights and may oppose all that invade them I answer As we have Laws for our Religion and Liberties so we have Laws that forbid our opposing Authority and rising up against them on any Pretence whatsoever and making it Treason to take up Arms without the King's Commission and therefore must be content with the Defence of the Laws and make no Resistance or Rebellion Quest If it be asked What Help and Relief then hath a People if Rulers should violate the Laws and invade Religion and Liberty contrary to Law Answ Our Help must then be in God that made Heaven and Earth and in his gracious Providence over his Church who can when he pleases remove such Rulers as he did Julian Antiochus Dioclesian and our Queen Mary And when a People be humbled for their Sins repent and seek him with all their Hearts can restore Religion in greater lustre and glory as in the Days of Constantine and Queen Elizabeth Innumerable Examples are to be found in Histories ancient and modern of God's Providence over his Church in punishing Tyrants and Persecutors of the Truth and relieving his People when oppressed unjustly which may encourage sincere Christians to commend their Case to God without using unlawful Means to relieve themselves Therefore at such a time a People ought onely to repent and turn to God and seek him with their whole Hearts and use no other Means And in reference to our selves let it be further considered 1. That our Laws have long preserved our Religion Rights and Liberties amongst us and we may hope they may do so still unless we provoke God by our Sins to take away his Gospel and other Mercies from us 2. Other violent Ways and Means are likely to do more hurt than good if it were lawful to take up Arms in vindication of them It was a truly-Christian Saying of the excellent Fran. Junius in his Animadversions on Bellarmine's Books de Translatione Imperii c. l. 1. c. 2. That good Men should rather bear any Injuries from their Magistrates tho never so grievous than inveigh against them in Word Writing or Action to the disturbance of Order and Publick Peace Let us consider the manifold Evils likely to ensue on such Resistance 1. Civil Wars will follow upon it and the Consequences of them will be sad What Rapins Murders Plunders and other Mischiefs attend this Our late sad Experience will inform us sufficiently herein 2. Our Government is in danger to be altered and we cannot expect to find a better Constitution It must be the Reformation of Mens Hearts and Lives must put us into a better Condition not the Change of Government 3. Religion is like to suffer more hereby than by Persecution In such horrible Confusions of Nations and treading down of Laws what Sects Heresies and Divisions will arise to the ruine of Religion Whereas the Blood of the Martyrs hath been the Seed of the Church and Sufferings have purified it and made it more glorious 4. If such as do rise up for defence of their Religion and Liberties shall be conquered by their Oppressors they are likely to come under far greater Slavery and Misery forfeiting their Estates Lives Rights and Privileges and perhaps come under Arbitrary Government and absolute Slavery and what worse Condition can