Man ashiv le-Yahoweh, or, A serious enquiry for a suitable return for continued life, in and after a time of great mortality, by a wasting plague (anno 1665) answered in XIII directions / by Tho. Doolitel.

SECTION II.

2. * 1.1SUbjects, and People Governed: Many and strickt are the Pre••epts and Injunctions of God upon People to their Magistrates; and, no less then damnation is threatned, by God him∣self, to such as oppose themselves against their Magistrates, Rom. 13.1. Let every Soul be sub∣ject to the Higher Powers, for there is no Power but of God; the Powers that be are ordained of God. Vers. 2. Whosoever therefo••e resisteth the Power, resisteth the Ordinance of God; and, they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Vers. 5. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for Wrath, but also for Conscience sake. True Reli∣gion we see (from this Scripture) doth oblige People and Subject, in Duty and Obedience, to their Magistrates; and none will more Conscien∣tiously obey, than those that are most Religious: Obedience to Magistrates (from this place) is required, because (1.) They are Ordained of God. (2.) They that resist them, resist an Ordi∣nance of God. (3.) Such as do so, receive to themselves damnation. (4.) They are (appoint∣ed of God) to be a terror to the evil, not to the good. (5.) Conscience is bound so to do. (6.) There is necessity we should obey; We must obey, not only for Wrath, but Conscience sake: Some might obey for favour, and some for fear, but true Religion teacheth Men to be obedient to Magistrates from Principles of Conscience. Strict∣ness of Holiness is reproached when it is asserted

to make Men disobedient: Once more, 1 Pet. 2.13. Submit your selves to every Ordinance of Man, for the Lords sake; whether it be to the King, as su∣preme. Vers. 14. Or unto Governours that are sent by Him, for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well. Vers. 15. For so is the will of God, you should put to silence the igno∣rance of foolish Men. Vers. 17. Honour all Men. Religion doth not teach us to deny civil Respects to men: Love the Brother-hood, fear God, honour the King. Religion presses and obliges Subjects in duty to their Magistrate in these particulars.

1. Obedience to their Laws and Command∣ments, Tit. 3.1. for their Laws and Commands are to be according to the Laws and Commands of God.

2. Honour to their Persons, Rom. 13.7. for they are Gods Vice oys, therefore called Gods, Psal. 82.6. For I have said ye are Gods, — but ye shall dye like men.

3. Loyalty, whereby we are bound to the ut∣termost of our power, to maintain their Prero∣gatives, and preserve their Persons.

4. Prayer on their behalf; if God be angry with them we must intercede for them, if they want any Blessings, we must make supplication for them; if they lye under evil, we must de∣precate those evils; if they find mercy from God, we must give thanks for them; all this is in 1 Tim. 2.1, 2.

5. Tribute, Rom. 13.7. For, for this cause pay you tribute also, for they are Gods Ministers, attend∣ing continually upon this very thing.

6. Subjection to their Penalties, Rom. 13.4, 5.

This is to live in this capacity, to be peace∣able, and rather take a thousand wrongs, than offer one; and to live in that obedience as be∣comes the Professours of the Gospel, that all may see that those that are obedient unto God, dare not be disobedient unto those to whom, and wherein, God commands them to yield obedi∣ence.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Subjects Duties to Magi∣strates.