[previous CHAPTER]CHAPTER IX. Of the People’s Duty to their Magistrates in the Rules Following. 1. To yield subjection and obedience to them, with reverence and fear. 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, Rom. 13:1. He is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil; wherefore you must needs be subject, not only for wrath but conscience sake, verse 4. Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, Titus 3:1. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, &c. For so is the will of God, that with well-doing we put to silence the ignorance of ungodly men. Fear God, honour the king, 1 Pet. 2:13,14,15,17.
2. To pay them tribute. For this cause pay you tribute also, for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing, Rom. 13:6. Render therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour, Rom. 13:7.
3. To pray and give thanks for them. I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men, for kings and all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in godliness and honesty; for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, 1 Tim. 2:1,2,3.
4. Not to curse, revile, or speak evil of the ruler. Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of the people, Acts 23:5. Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor speak evil of the ruler of the people, Exod. 22:28. Curse not the king, no not in thine heart, and curse not the rich in thy bed chamber; for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the mater, Eccl. 10:20. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities, Jude 8. But chiefly them that walk afar the flesh, in the lusts of uncleanness, and despise government, presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities: Whereas angels which are great in power, bring not railing accusations against them before the Lord, 2 Pet. 2:10,11. Thou knowest all he wickedness upon thy own head, 1 Kings 2:44. Miriam for her unseemly carriage to Moses, was struck leprous, and thrust out of the camp seven days, Numb. 12, [chap.] 15 verse 20 to the end.
5. Not to be stubborn, disobedient, or presumptuous towards them. According to the sentence of the law, which they shall teach thee; and according to the judgment they shall tell thee, thou shalt do; thou shalt not decline to the right hand nor to the left: and the man that will do presumptuously, that will not hearken to the judge, even that man shall die; and thou shalt put away the evil from you: And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously, Deut. 17:11,12,13. And whosoever will not do the law of God, let judgment be speedily executed upon him, whether to death, banishment, or confiscation, Ezra 7:26. But the soul that doth presumptuously (whether he be born in the land, or a stranger) the same reproacheth the Lord, and that soul shall be cut off from among the people, Numb. 15:30.
6. Not seditious or rebellious against them. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist, shall receive to themselves damnation, Rom. 13:2. Korah and his company rose up against Moses, &c. and gathered themselves together against him, &c. and said, "You take too much upon you," &c., Numb. 16:1,2,3. And it came to pass as he had made an end of speaking, that the ground clave asunder that was under them, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed down alive unto the pit, &c. verse 31,32,33. Which are proposed as an example of vengeance, Jude 11. [next CHAPTER]
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