Christianismus primitivus, or, The ancient Christian religion, in its nature, certainty, excellency, and beauty, (internal and external) particularly considered, asserted, and vindicated from the many abuses which have invaded that sacred profession, by humane innovation, or pretended revelation comprehending likewise the general duties of mankind, in their respective relations : and particularly the obedience of all Christians to magistrates, and the necessity of Christian-moderation about things dispensible in matters of religion : with divers cases of conscience discussed and resolved / by Thomas Grantham ...

SECT. II. Mr. Tombs his Opinion and Testimony touching Christian Subjection to Magistrates, taken out of his Book, Intituled, Saints no Smiters, p. 16, &c.

Against vilifying or resisting the Civil Magistrate, he first proposes three Texts, viz. Matth. 22. 21. Mark 12. 18. Luke 20. 27. and then saith; Our Lord being by the Disciples of the Pharisees and Herodians, posed with this Captious Question, — Is it lawful to give Tribute to Cesar, or not? — Resolves them, That they were to render to Cesar the things that were Cesars; to wit, Tribute, Honour, and that subjection which was then given to him as Emperor. Now it is known that the Emperor, or Cesar, then reigning, was Tiberius Cesar, Luke 3. 1. who came to the Empire by wicked Practices; and not only led a most wicked and vicous Life, in Uncleanness and Irreligion, but also was a bloody Oppressor of the Senate and People of Rome; as may be seen in Tacitus his Annals, Suetonius in the Relation of his Life, and other Historians. There∣fore the Doctrine that teacheth Disobedience, denying of Tribute, Ho∣nours, Subjection to Kings and Princes, as being Oppressors, Enemies to Christ, &c. — is contrary to Christ's Precept, which requires Tribute, Honours, &c. — to be given to them, though by wicked ways obtaining the Empire, and most wickedly Ruling, and putting Christ himself to death.

The next is that full and plain Precept of the Apostle Paul, Rom. 13. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. where St. Paul requires of every Soul (therefore of the

most enlightned Saints) to be subject to the Higher or Supream Powers, who are termed Rulers, Princes, and such as bear the Sword. There∣fore Civil Magistrates who had power of punishing Men, even unto Death, — It is not said the Powers that should be, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Powers that are in being, — and he that beareth the Sword; not he only that ought to bear the Sword, but he that hath it in possession. — The Apostle strictly injoyns Titus, to put the Christians, over whom he was, in mind of this, Tit. 3. 1. That they should be subject to Principalities and Powers, to obey Magistrates; intimating thereby, That Christians had need to be minded of it, because it was a necessary Duty, notwithstanding provo∣cations to the contrary.

I shall add to these the plain Precepts of St. Peter, 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. where he thus chargeth Christians, Submit your selves to eve∣ry Ordinance of Man for the Lord's sake; whether it be to the King, as Supream; or unto Governors, as unto them that are sent by him, &c. Now it is to be observed, that the Cesars, Powers, Rulers, Principali∣ties, who then bare the Sword, the Kings and Governors, were all of them great Idolaters; took the title of Pontifex Maximus, as being chief about the Idol Service of Jupiter, and other Heathen Gods. — In whose time St. Peter and St. Paul are thought to have written their Epistles, yet did they require subjection to them; and therefore to teach they are to be resisted and smitten for those Qualities, to whom the Apostles, notwith∣standing them Qualities, requires Subjection, Honour, and payment of Tribute, is directly to gainsay the Apostles Doctrine.