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Whether all sorts of Persons whatsoever, are bound to Conform to what∣soever Worship is or may be Established by the higher Powers in their several Dominions; Because the Holy Apostle Paul in Rom. 13.1. saith thus: Let every Soul be subject to the Higher Powers; for, there is no Power but of God; the Powers that be, are Ordained of God?
To which I Answer, Conformity to Every Established Worship, cannot be the meaning of the Apostle in this Text; as shall be soberly demonstrated by the Reasons following:
First, Because then the Christian Religion would utterly cease in all those Countreys in which the contrary Religion is Established, and that by the Consent of the Christians themselves, who in Point of duty, must relin∣quish the Profession and Practice of the Christian Religion, and imbrace a Religion Contrary to it, because it is Required by Authority.
Secondly, Because then Every Sort of Established Worship would be Esteem∣ed and Accounted the true Worship of God, how much soever such Worships may differ from, and be Contradictory to each other, whether it be Mahome∣tan-Worship, Indian-Worship, Jewish-Worship, or Popish-Worship (as well as Protestant-Worship;) if it have but the Broad Seal of Humane Authority af∣fixed unto it.
Thirdly, Because such a sence of that Scripture Condemns both the Pro∣fession, Practice, and Holy Zeal of Peter and John, who Refused to be sub∣ject to the Authority of the Jews, when they Commanded them to preach no more in the Name of Jesus; for Peter and John said, Whether it be Right in the Sight of God to Hearken unto you more then unto God, judge ye; For we cannot but speak the things that we have seen and heard.
Fourthly, Because this Sence of the fore-mentioned Scripture will Con∣demn the Profession and Practice of Paul himself; for he was not a Confor∣mist to the Established Worship of those times, but was a great Sufferer under those that then were the higher Powers.
But some will be ready to say, That this was the Nonconformity of Christi∣ans, in not Submitting to the Idolatrous VVorship Established by Heathen Powers; But the present Nonconformity is a not Subjecting to Christian Powers.
First, Consider that the words of Paul in the forementioned Text did Re∣quire Subjection to those that then were the higher Powers, and they were Heathen Powers, maintaining Idolatry, and punishing the Professors of Christianity: And therefore, if Subjection to Established VVorship be at all Required in this Text, then it may be fairly Argued, that it was Requi∣red unto those that then were the Heathen Powers.
But Secondly, Consider that the Primitive Christians did not only Refuse Conformity in Matters of Religion to Heathenish Powers, but also to the Higher Powers of the Jews, who were a People that did Profess the Law of Moses, and the Doctrine of the Prophets; but they had mingled their own Inventions and Traditions with Gods Commandments, and were more zea∣lous of their own ways then of Gods ways, as it was Revealed to them by the Prophets, and also by Christ and the Holy Apostles; and therefore the Christians of the Primitive time did Refuse to Conform to them in matters of VVorship, and chose rather to suffer under their Authority.
Thirdly, Consider, that since those times, the Christians in many Coun∣treys have not Subjected, so as to Conform to the Higher Powers in matters of Religion, though Established by Christian Powers; as for instance, the Protestants in Italy, Germany, Bohemia, Spain, France; and in these King∣doms of England Scotland, and Ireland, they did not subject so as to Conform to Popery, when it was Established by Those that were in Authority.
Fourthly, Consider, That to allow of such a Sence of Pauls words, viz. Subjection to the Higher Powers in Conforming to their Established Worship, is highly to Condemn the generation of the Righteous, viz. the Faithful Suf∣fering Servants of Christ, who under-went Cruel Deaths for not Subjecting to such matters of Religion as were imposed upon them; because this would render their Suffering to be rather Folly then Faithfulness.
And then Fifthly, Consider that such a Sense of Pauls words as aforesaid, will lead Christians to be of any Religion that is or shall be Imposed upon them, viz. if Authority should impose Popery, as in Queen Maries days, then they must be Papists; and if Authority should impose Episcopal Protestancy, as in Queen Elizabeth's, and now in our days, then they must turn such Protestants; and if Authority should like any of the ways of Worship now among the Dissen∣ters and so Establish that, then the People must Conform thereunto; viz. If Authority should like Presbytery better then Episcopacy, then the People must turn Presbyterians; and if Authority should like and Establish the way of such as are called Independants, Anabaptists, or Quakers, then the People must turn such also; and thus Religion would be always a changing, accor∣ding to the differing Minds of such as may be in Authority; and so the Laws of men, instead of the Laws of God, would be the Rule for Worshiping of God; and this is the way to have the Commandments of men taught as if they were Divine Doctrines; and so bring men to Worship God in Vain, as Christ hath said, Mat. 15.9. But in Vain do they Worship me, Teaching for Do∣ctrines the Commandments of Men.