A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 184 (Question 64 cont.)
SERMON CLXXXIV.
Secondly, IT follows that we proceed conſider the Duties which Subject own to their Civil Rulers. And theſe may be gather'd from the former; the principal and moſt comprehenſive whereof may be brieſly conſidered. Here then,
1. IN General, The Duty of the Subject is to pay all due reſped to the Magiſtrates, according to their Dignity and worth. And this is proper and genuine return of acknowledgment, for their laying out of their Authority, for the good of the Subject. We obſerved, that there are ſeveral Orders of Men in the Civil Government, who, tho' every one hath his part, yet have not a like Dignity of Authority in the Government: accordingly, there is a different reſpect to be paid to him: Hence the Apoſtle hath ſuch a Remark in, 1 Pet. 2.13, 14. Submit your ſelves to every ordinance of man for is Lord's ſake: whether it be unto the king, at ſupreme; Or unto governments, as unto them that are ſent by him for the puniſhment of evil-doer: and for the praiſe of th…m that do well. And this is due to them for the ſake of the Office they bear, which is honourable; and Government can never obtain it's proper End, unleſs the Honour due to the Rulers be upheld. If once their Perſons come to be deſpiſed, their Authority will be trampled on, and all Miſeries will enſue thereupon: There is alſo a reſpect due to them for the worth of their Perſons, when they approve themſelves to be worthy Patriots and Fathers to their People: As God is to be thanked for ſuch, ſo are they to be had in precious eſteem, And highly valued for their Works ſake. Now the things wherein this reſpect is to be paid to them, are
2. MORE Eſpecially ſuch as theſe,
(1) THEy ought to be much in hearty ord earneſt …ayer to God for them. This is indeed a … univerſally incumbent on all Inferiors, with …ed to their Superiors, in every ſort of … i… which God hath Ordained to be among Men, and cannot be neel…cied by them, without bringing Guilt upon themſelves, for omitting a neceſſary Duty. And there are none that do more ſtand in need of our Prayers, than thoſe who are put into ſo great Truſt; on their right diſcharge whereof, there are ſo great Dependences: and not only our Obedience to God, but alſo our own Intereſt and deep Concern in their good Management, will engage us thus to do. Hence we have this Duty ſtrongly ur…ed on Chriſtans Ly the Apoſtle, 1 Tim. 2. begin. I Exh…rt therefore, that firſt of all ſupplications. prayers, intereſſtion, and giving of thanks be made for all men: For kings, and for all that are in authority. And yet we know what manner of Rulers they were under the Command of. And there are Three things more peculiarly wherein we ſhould apply our ſelves to the Throne of Grace in their behalf;
1. WE ſhould Pray, That God would afford to then a right Spirit of Government. This is a Gift of God, and He is to be ſought unto for it: All have it not, and the want of it will be attended with evil Conſequences: Hence we have that, Eccl. 10.16, 17. Wo to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning. Bleſſed art thou, O land, when thy king is the ſon of nobles, and thy princes eat in due ſeaſon, for ſtrength, and not for drunkenneſs. And to this belongs both Skill, and Diſcretion, to know how to order Affairs for the Glory of God and the Welfare of the People. This Solomon prayed for in his own behalf, 1 Kings 3.9. Give therefore thy ſervant an underſtanding heart, to judge thy people, that I may diſcern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy ſo great a people? And every Subject ſhould ſeek it for the Rulers. It is therefore the Commendation of theſe, 2 Chron. 12.32. The children of Iſſachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Iſrael ought to do. Theſe are Bleſſings worth the asking for. And alſo thoſe Vertues whereby they may be diſpoſed rightly to apply theſe Gifts to the End of them, and ſo be rendred great Bleſſings in their Generation; viz. That they may love Righteouſneſs and hate Iniquity; favour the Good, and diſcountenance the Evil; promote the Intereſt of the true Religion, and ſuppreſs every thing that is contrary either to Prety or Probity: This therefore is ſpecified, 1 Tim. 2.2. That we may lead a quiet & peaceable life in all godlineſs and honeſty. And we find how David profeſſed concerning himſelf, Pſal. 101.3,—8. & 75.2, 10.
2. WE ſhould Pray, That God would influence them in all their Adminiſtrations, to do that which is Right. Their Work is great and dificult, their Temptations are many, and their Diſcouragements great, and their Miſtakes of dangerous Conſequence. Their Authority is from God, and they are accountable to Him; and if they provoke Him, they ſeldom ſuffer alone. They have Corruption in them, and without Heaven's Aid, they cannot do well; and do therefore ſtand in need of Prayer to Him, who alone can aſſiſt them with His Counſel and Conduct: for He hath ſaid in, Prov. 8.15, 16. By me kings reign, and princes decree juſtice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. And this alſo is included in the direction about our Praying for ſuch, 1 Tim. 2.2.
3. WE ſhould Bleſs God for them, when he Spi…its and Aſſiſts them in their Work, to do that which is Right. Thanks giving is one eſſential part of Prayer, and is a proper return of ſuitable acknowledgment to God for Benefits received; and this alſo is contained in that, 1 Tim. 2.1. And we do not deſerve Good Rulers, if we cannot cordially Thank God for them. God is wont to ſhew much of His Mind to a People by the Rulers whom he Providentially ſets over them. It is recorded as a Token of God's Anger againſt Iſrael …en He ſat ſome over them to be their King, in, Hoſ. 13.11. I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath. If they had not ſinned. He would not have done ſo: whereas it was in Kindneſs to them, when he gave to them David, a Man after his own heart: Hence that in, Pſal. 89.20, 21. I have found David my ſervant: with my holy oy… have I… nointed him. With whom my hand ſhall be eſtabliſhed: mine arm alſo ſhall ſtrengthen him. And the Queen of Sheba could make that remark upon her Obſervation of Soio…'s great Wiſdom and Prudence in his Ad…iſtring Government, 1 Kings 10.9. Bleſſed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to ſet thee on the throne of Iſrael: becauſe the Lord loved Iſrael for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and juſtice.
(2.) THEY ought to pay them a ſingular … cordial Fear. The Wiſe Man puts thoſe T… together in, Prov. 24.21. My ſon, fear … the Lord, and the King. And we have ſomething like it, 1 Pet. 2.17. Fear God: Ho… the King. The Honour indeed, as was formerly obſerved, which is enjoyned in this Command, includes in it all the Duties between every Relation which God hath appointed; but the manner of the Payment of it is to be meaſured by the Quality of the Relation to whom it is due. Now when God and the King are put together, they do not ſtand in Co-ordination, for Princes are God's Subjects; but it may intend, That becauſe God hath devolved ſuch Power from Himſelf upon them, and they bear ſome dark reſemblance of His Government more than other Men, He requires a peculiar Expreſſion of this Fear towards them. This Fear is not to be Slaviſh, (for that can never be Cordial, but ſuch as is attended with Hatred;) but it is to be Free and Liberal. Good Subjects have no cauſe to dread Righteous Rulers: for tho' they are a Terror to evil-…ers, they are a Praiſe to them that do well, Rom. 13.3. It is a Fear of Reverence, and ſhould be like that of Good Children to their Fathers: we therefore obſerved, that they are ſo called: And this is to flow from an entire Love to them, which makes them afraid to provoke them, and take pleaſure in giving them content: And this is to manifeſt it ſelf, in a ſaitable demeanour towards them, in keeping a due diſtance, ſhewing them all Civil Reſpect, and avoiding every thing that ſhould look like Contempt: And this reſpect is due to the Office which they bear: they are therefore called Gods, tho' Mortal ones, Pſal. 82.6. And it is certain, that except their Honour be upheld, their Perſons will be deſpiſed, their Authority trampled upon, and their Government will be vilified. And when they carry themſelve faithfully in their Station, they command this reſpect to their Perſons; and it is the leaſt acknowledgment that can be paid to them for their good Management, by which every true Subject is made happy. And this reſpect ought to be paid them, in proportion to the dignity of the Poſt which they are poſted in: Hence that deſtinction in, 1 Pet. 2.13, 14. Submit your ſelves to t…ry ordinance of man for the Lord's ſake: whether it be to the king, as ſuprems; Or unto gour…rs, as unto them that did ſent by him.
(3.) THEY ought to pay a due Subjection to their Lows & Adminiſtrations. We before obſirred under the Duties of Magiſtrates, that Two comprehenſive ones are, the making of Good Lows, and the Righteous Execution of them; is hath of which a main part of the Civil Happineſs of any People doth conſiſt. Now that thoſe may attain the End, and a People may betwely Happy in them; there is of neceſlity a Subjection hereto, to be paid by the Subject; uſe they will loſe their End, and Miſery will …ſe inſtead of Felicity. Nevertheleſs, this matter muſt be rightly ſtated, otherwiſe Men may fall into an Error on one hand or another. T…t there is a Subjection due, the Word of God acquaints us; and without it, the Ordination of Civil Government among Men, would be vain, and loſe the End of it. Now this Subjection or Obedience, hath a reſpect either to the Laws themſelves, or the Administration of them; and with regard to theſe, there is either Active or Pa…live Obedience required of the Subject.
[1.] WITH reſpect to the Laws themſelves, They ought to pay Active Obedience to thoſe that are Just and Righteous. As to the Illimited Obedience which ſome require, as a matter of Conſcience, to all Laws indiſcriminately, under the Obligation of the Fifth Command, … if a Man Sinned if he yielded it not, it is a … Error, nor will it be proved from 1 Pet. 2.13. For by Ordinance in that place, is not inteaded a Law, but a Magiſtrate; and he is called … Ordinance of Man, both becauſe the deſignation of his Perſon, and limitation of his Pow… is Humance. Here then obſerve,
1. THERE are ſome Laws of Men, which o… in themſelves Duties; and expreſly required by the Moral Law Theſe we ought to Obey whether they be a Civil Ordinance or no; becauſe they proceed from the Authority of God, who is our King and Lawgiver, Iſa. 33.22. When therefore theſe thigns are requied of us by the Magiſtrate, this doth not make the things themſelves more our Duty than before; but they ado to the Obligation, becauſe, beſides the Divine Precept in regard of the things, there in Lawful Command of Lawful Authority, commanding in God's Name, and by Divine War…ent; ſo that by Neglect we not only break that particular Command, to which the Duty it ſelf relates but alſo the Fifth, which alſo aggravates the Guilt: Hence that, Rom. 13.4, 5. For be is the miniſter of God to thee for good: But if than do that which is evil, be afraid; for be bearch nor the ſword in vain: for he is the miniſter of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that both evil: Wherefore ye muſt needs be ſubject, not only for …rath, but alſo for conſcience ſake. If he be the Miniſter of God, and Acts according to His Warrant; not to Obey Him, is to Diſobey God, who not only Commands the thing, but alſo Commands this Obedience.
2. THERE are Laws Prudential; which God hath Authorized the Civil Magistrate to Enact for the Good of the Subject: There is therefore an Active Obedience due unto them by the Divine Precept. There are things which in their own Nature are indifferent, but yet in their Circumſtances, are either Expedient, or Inexpedient, and the Publick Benefit or Damage may be concerned either in the Practiſing or Omiſſion of them by them Subject: Now tho' Man's Liberty in ſuch things is not to be reſtrained by the meer Pleaſure of the Law-giver, when no Good comes by ſuch reſtraint; yet when the Publick Good is advanced by ſuch Laws, and Damage will ariſe unavoidably by not making them, it belongs to the Care of Law makers to provide for ſuch things, by Laws accommodated thereto: So that ſuch Laws muſt be Obeyed for Conſcience ſake, becauſe the mind of God is diſcovered to us by ſuch Circumſtances; and they are herein the Miniſters of God for our Good: Rom. 13.2. Whoſoever therefore reſiſteth the power, reſiſteth the ordinance of God: and they that reſiſt, ſhall receive to themſelves damnation. And tho' we ſhould not ſo well ſee the Prudence of them, yet becauſe we may do the thing, or avoid it, without Sin in the matter of it, we ought to comply with it, rather than diſturb the Publick Tranquillity.
3. THERE are Laws which are Unjuſt, and which all the Civil Authority in the World, cannot by their Sanctions, make them to be Juſt. Such Laws are preſumed to be ſometimes Enacted by Men in Civil Power, Pſal. 94.20. Shall the throne of Iniquity have fellowſhip with thee, which frameth miſchief by a law? For no Man or Men can make that to be Righteous, which God Himſelf hath determined to be Sin. Now ſuch are all Laws which require ſuch things to be done, which the Moral Law forbids; or prohibit ſuch things, as that doth require. It is therefore certain, that it is a Duty of the Subject to refuſe Active Obedience to all ſuch Laws; and the Reaſon is irrefragable, becauſe they are under a Superiour Power, which hath enjoyned them on their Peril not to do it: And whatſoever Penalties they expoſe themſelves to, by ſo doing, they ought to adventure it; as knowing there are greater which they will run themſelves into, in caſe they, for Fear comply. This therefore is the Caveat in this regard given by Chriſt himſelf, Matth. 10.28. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the ſoul: but rather fear him which is able to deſtroy both ſoul and body in hell. There are ſome Caſes in which Men may certainly with good Warrant, make the reply to thoſe that require and threaten them, which the Apoſtles did to them, Act 4.10. Whether it be right in to ſight of God, bearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. And it is a vain wheedle for any to ſay, as ſome do, The Laugavers muſt bear the blame, the Subject is bound to Allegiance, and is to look no farther: for every one hath a Conſcience, and muſt Obey it, ſo as to do nothing againſt the plain Dictates of it, for he muſt give an Account of himſelf to God.
[2.] WITH reſpect to their Adminiſtration. There is a Submithon due from the Subject to theſe, which brings in the Doctrine of Paſſive Obedience. This Doctrine hath been abuſed by the bigotted Patrons of that which they call Non-Reſiſtance and Poſſive Obedience, to the juſt prejudice of all Men of Senſe, who are not intereſted. There is indeed ſuch a thing as Paſſive Obedience due from the Subject, but it is not unlimited; and needs Conſideration. Here then,
1. IF The Adminiſtration be Juſt & Legal, the Subject ought to ſubmit patiently to the Penalty, which be hath deſervedly brought upon himſelf. Nay, he ought to take the Blame to himſelf, and acknowledge the Righteouſneſs both of the by whoſe Authority it is executed. The Thief on the Croſs could ſay of himſelf, Luk. 23.41. And we indeed juſtly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds. This Profeſſion alſo Paul made when he ſtood before the Civil Bar, Acts 25.11. F…r if I be an oftender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuſe not to die. If he ſuffers no more than what he hath deſerved, he ſhould Repent of his folly and ſeek to make his Peace with God, but not to murmur at his Puniſhment from Men, becauſe they Obey the Will of God in what they do.
2. IN Judgments that are Illegal & Injurious, a particular Perſon ought to uſe no Unlawful Means, to ſave himſelf from the Execution of them; but commit himſelf to God, and leave it with Him. Such an one may and ought to Plead his Innocency, and Vidicate himſelf before the World, in the preſence of the Judges; and where there is room for it, Appeal to an higher Court, as Paul did, Acts 25.11. And ſometimes he may call upon God to Vindicate him, as He did, 2 Chron. 24.22. Nevertheleſs, he ought not to bear inveterate Malice againſt his Perſecutors, but Die with Stephens Prayer, Acts 7. ult. I ord, lay not this Sin to their charge.
3. IN all well regulated Governments, there is a Power ſcated, to redreſs prevailing Male-Adminiſtrations, and rectify the intollerable Diſorders, which by reaſon of them, are deſtructive to the very End of Goverment. Not but that ſomething will be amiſs, as long as theſe things muſt paſs thro' the hands of Sinful Men, who labour (even the beſt of them,) under many Infirmities; but this is to be done orderly, and it in not wiſe juſtifies Plots, or Inſurrections of Male-contents; for Evil is not to be ſuppreſſed with Evil. But then things depend upon the diverſe Civil Conſtitutions, and come not particularly under a Theological conſideration.
(4.) THEY ought to maintain, and on all occaſions, teſtify their Fidelity to them. It hath been a Cuſtom, Time out of Mind, for Subjects to have Oaths given them, wherein they Swear Allegiance, in which they invoke God to be a Witneſs of their Faithfulneſs in performing them: Hence we have that Advice given, Eccl. 8.2. I counſel thee to keep the kings commandment, and that in regard of the outh of God. As to that Queſtion, How for the Subject's Oath is Binding? Becauſe it is mutual, nad ſuppoſeth a Covenant, I ſhall not undertake here to enter upon it: But this is certain, that Oaths are not things to be dallied withal; and every Perſon ought to conſider, that if he violate this, he thereby lays himſelf open to the Wrath and Judgments of God. They ought therefore to ſtand by the Goverment to which they are Loyalty, and not to foment Conſpiracies, unto join with ſuch Male contents, as are very of Good Goverment, and have a hand in contriving the Subverſion of it; or join with the Enemies of it, and take up Arms againſt it, from private Peeks, or ſuppoſed Defects in Adminiſtration: The beſt managed Polity, will have ſuch in the boſorn of it; ya ſuch as will be the more uneaſy under it, becauſe the Adminiſtrations are Righteous: And therefore theſe are put together, Prov. 24.21. My ſon, Pear thou the Lord, and the king: and middle not with them that are given to change. Nay, They ought cheerfully to take up Arms, when lawfully called to it; and hazard their Liver in the High Places of the Field, in defence of their Rulers and Country: They ought alſo ſea ſcaſ… bly to detect and bear a ſeſtimony againſt all Conſultations, which may be on foot, to under mine and overturn the laws, and Liberties, and Goverment of the Place where they are Subjects: Hence that brave Speech of Join, 2 Som. 10.12. Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God.
(5.) THEY ought to be cheerful in paying their ſhare for the Support of the Government whereof they are Members. It is a Precept laid down by the Apoſtle, Rom. 13.7. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due, cuſtom to whom cuſtom. Which aſſures us, that there is ſuch a thing due by the Moral Law: and indeed, no Goverment can be upheld without it. There is an honourable Maintenance due to ſuch Perſons as are in Publick Truſt, and have the Burden of Government lying upon them, which ought to uphold them in a Poſt anſwerably to the Dignity that is put on them: And it is a Diſgrace to a People to with-hold it from them, argues a fordid and ungrateful Spirit in them, and tends to make the Government it ſelf deſpicable: And becauſe every one hath a Privilege in the Bleſſing of Good Rulers, they ought to be concerned in maintaining the Charge of it. There are alſo many Publick Charges, neceſſarily ariſing from many unavoidable Occaſions which call for them; and for this there ſhould be a Publick Treaſure for the upholding of Alliances, for the ſupporting of Anbaſhes, for the Rewarding of welldeſerving Perſons, for the Encouragement of Schools and Colleges, for the Magazines of War, and Fortification of Places of Defence, for the carrying on of a juſt War with Injurious Enemies, beſides whatever other Emergencies may ſtill out. It is a great, tho' a common fault, for Subjects to be always crying out of the Intolle…leneſs of Taxes when their own Conſciences …ll them, that the Providence of God calls for them, and the Precept of God requires it of them: Whereas they ought to acknowledge the hand of God in theſe things, and be humbled under … Hand, to accept of it as a juſt Chaſtizement about them for their Sin, and ſeek to Him by Re… …tance for the removal of it. Tho if Rulers should become Oppreſſors, and Fleece their Sub… only to gratify their own Luſts, or to keep … People Poor, they may well grown under it, … in a penceable way ask for redreſs; but … they think, that all that goes that way, is …ſion, and do it gr…tchingly or deceitfully, the… therein provoke God, to make them to …r…ce the difference, between Rulers that love …, and ſuch as hate them. And how many … in the World, have been Inſtances of the … Miſeries, which they have juſtly brought … themſelves, by their woful Parſimony, who … loſt Liberty, and Eſtates and Lives too, … they were not willing to expend a part, for the Preſervation of the reſt?
THUS, we have taken a brief Account of the …ſt eſſential Duties between Magiſtrates and … …bjects, and let it not ſeem to us as a … …tter whether we obſerve and practiſe … Mankind cannot live like Men, unleſs …ine in Societies, who muſt Mutually Support each other. Civil Societies cannot up… this Combination comfortably, without Govertment; but muſt become a meet Rout, and … diſband, or be a continual Plague one to …. Government cannot be upheld, ſo as … the Civil Happineſs of the whole, and … unleſs the Rulers do Studiouſly, and In…ly manage themſelves according to the … of Government juſtly & righteouſly, but will … Oppreſſors & ſubvert all. And unleſs the subjects carry themſelves with all ſuitable de…, towards them who bear Rule over … they will render themſelves and each other, and their Rulers too, Unhappy. Whereas, … is theſe reſpects, every one complies with the … …ties which belong to them, in Obedience … God, it is the way to be Happy, and render themſelves formidable to luch as Malign them; you, this is the way to enjoy God's preſence among them, to defend them, and proſper them: And as the former is a witneſs of God's anger againſt ſuch a People, ſo is this His kindneſs … good will. Let us then ſeek earneſtly to God, to give & continue ſuch a Spirit, and ſtudy, …, …th Rulers & Ruled; and endeavour, each … our Poſt, to contribute, by our wiſe and faith… d…eanure, to the advancement of this; and …is God for what of it we find and obſerve, …ing it to Him, who is the Author of every … and perfect giving. And let us all heartily subſcribe to that, in Pſal. 144. ult. Bleſſed is the people that is in ſuch a caſe, yea bleſſed is the people whoſe God is the Lord.
[FEBRUARY. 8. 1703.]