Verse 21. Render therefore unto Casar]
Not Give, but Render: As who should say, Ye give him but what belongs to him; ye doe him but right, ye helpe him but to his own, and that which he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 justly require of you, In 〈◊〉〈◊〉 patrocinij & 〈◊〉〈◊〉, in lieu of his care toward you.
The Greek article is* 1.1 twice repeated, when he speaks of God more then when of 〈◊〉〈◊〉; to shew, saith one, that our speciall care should be to give God his due. For if Caesar will take to himself Gods part, by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that which is sinfull, to pay him such a tribute, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 tributum Caesaris, sed servitium diaboli, saith Chrysostom, It is not a paying of tribute to Caesar, but a doing service to the devil. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 non & animam nostram Dei imaginem soli 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉,* 1.2 saith one. Let God only have our soul, sith it bears his 〈◊〉〈◊〉. That was a witlesse and wicked speech of him, that said, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he had two souls in one body, the one for God, if he pleased, the o∣ther* 1.3 for any one else that would. But that was a gallant 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Prince of Condee, who being taken prisoner by Charles the ninth of France, and put to his choice whether he would go to Masse, or be put to death, or suffer perpetuall imprisonment? The former, said he, by Gods grace I will never do. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for the two later, let the King do with me what he 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, I hope, will turn all to the best.