The Excellency of Holy Courage in Evil Times, Chapter 5
CHAP. 5.
Some further Directions, how we ſhould order our ſelves, if we ſhould be injoined unlawful things.
BUt to give ſome further rules of Direction; if we ſhould be enjoined things unlawful, and we could not in a legal way recover the power out of the hands of thoſe that do injoine ſuch things, how we ſhould order our ſelves.
1. Firſt, Do not do any thing otherwiſe than authority enjoines raſhly: forbeare as long as you can, and conſult, and conſider further about it, becauſe we ſhould loath to do any thing than that which is injoin'd by tho ſthat are above us. If there be any arguments to ſhew that they may be done, we ſhould liſten to them. Some aſſoon as they ſee a thing Commanded that is forbidden. they flie upon it, before they try it, and therefore when they come to ſuffer they have little comfort in it: we are to try all our actions, eſpecially when they ſhal ſeem to have any oppoſition againſt authority.
Secondly. If we be put upon it, that we muſt of neceſſity do thoſe things that authority forbids, do them privately, that it may appear we are loth to diſobey thoſe that are in authority: becauſe if we ſhould do it openly, others that know not our grounds, may be brought into contempt of authority.
Thirdly, We are to do it as ſilently as we can, not to make a brag and boaſt of it: as many will take a delight and pride in it: if they have warrant enough to go againſt the command, they brag and boaſt of it whereſoever they come: it is enough for us to go on ſilently; if we may do our duty to God, make little noiſe of it.
Fourthly, Obſerve all circumſtances of time and place, and ſo all other circumſtances, ſo as to do it in a way that may as little exaſperate them that are in authority as poſſible we can. Many when their Conſcienc will not ſuffer them to do thoſe things, which thoſe that are above them do enjoyn, they wil go againſt it with ſuch bitterneſs of ſpirit, as if they did take delight to exaſperate them, this doth not become a Chriſtian.
Fiftly. Howſoever we do thoſe things that authority forbids, let us take heed we give as reverent reſpect unto authority as wee can: not to be violent in our words, nor to give revileing, provokeing ſpeeches; that ſhews our own pride of heart rather than any thing elſe.
Sixthly. Be ſure you keep to your Principles; that they may be convinced that what you do is out of conſcience, and not out of any refractory humor: if ſo be you ſhould plead you cannot do ſuch & ſuch things becauſe of your Conſcience, and they ſhal obſerve that you wil do other things that are as apparent againſt conſcience, they may ſee, it was not out of your conſcience but out of your ſtoutneſs: but if they ſhal obſerve that there is nothing in which you dare go againſt the rule of your conſcience, they ſhall ſee that it is not out of diſobedience unto them, but in obedience to conſcience: And therefore by how much the more you are forced to diſobey in ſome things, by ſo much the more be careful, to obey in what you may.
And this is uſual, that thoſe that are truly gracious and are in place of office, they wil labor to ſee thoſe laws that may make for Gods glory ſhal be executed, and ſo they are accounted rather two buſy, Becauſe they wil do ſo much for authority: but howſoever, it ought to be the care of all Gods people to be obedient to authority in what they can.
And in the laſt place. If authority ſhould deal never ſo hardly with you, take heed you have no thoughts of revenge, but commit your cauſe to God, and requite good for evil, and pray for thoſe that perſecute you.
And theſe directions being premiſed, you ſee how far you are to fear the wrath of the King, and the diſpleaſure of al that are in place above you.