Discourse on Submission

Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers.

1. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be, are ordained of God.

2. Whosoever therefore resisteth the 〈…〉 resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist, shall receive to themselves damnation.

3. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.

5. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

6. For, for this cause pay you tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom, to whom custom; fear, to whom fear; honour, to whom honour.

IT is evident that the affair of civil government may properly fall under: moral and religious consideration, at least so far forth as it relates to the general nature and end of magistracy, and to the grounds and extent of that submission which persons of a private character, ought to yield to those who are vested with p. 2authority. This must be allowed by all who acknowledge the divine original of christianity. For although there be a sense, and a very plain and important sense, in which Christ's kingdom is not of this world; [John xviii. 3 • .] his inspired apostles have, nevertheless, laid down some general principles concerning the office of civil rulers, and the duty of subjects, together with the reason and obligation of that duty. And from hence it follows, that it is proper for all who acknowledge the authority of Jesus Christ, and the inspiration of his apostles, to endeavour to understand what is in fact the doctrine which they have delivered concerning this matter. It is the duty of christian magistrates to inform themselves what it is which their religion teaches concerning the nature and design of their office. And it is equally the duty of all christian people to inform themselves what it is which their religion teaches concerning that subjection which they owe to the higher powers. It is for these reasons that I have attempted to examine into the scripture-account of this matter, in order to lay it before you with the same freedom which I constantly use with relation to other doctrines and precepts of christianity; not doubting but you will judge upon every thing offered to your consideration, with the same spirit of freedom and liberty with which it is spoken.

p. 2THE passage read, is the most full and express of any in the new testament, relating to rulers and subjects: And therefore I thought it proper to ground upon it, what I had to propose to you with reference to the p. 3authority of the civil magistrate, and the subjection which is due to him. But before I enter upon an explanation of the several parts of this passage, it will be proper to observe one thing which may serve as a key to the whole of it.

IT is to be observed, then, that there were some persons amongst the christians of the apostolic age, and particularly those at Rome, to whom St. Paul is here writing, who seditiously disclaimed all subjection to civil authority; refusing to pay taxes, and the duties laid upon their trafic and merchandize; and who scrupled not to speak of their rulers, without any due regard to their office and character. Some of these turbulent christians were converts from judaism, and others from paganism. The jews in general had, long before this time, taken up a strange conceit, that being the peculiar and elect people of God, they were, therefore, exempted from the jurisdiction of any heathen princes or governors. Upon this ground it was, that some of them, during the public ministry of our blessed Saviour, came to him with that question—Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cesar or not? [Matth. xxii. 17.] And this notion many of them retained after they were proselyted to the christian Faith. As to the gentile converts, some of them grosly mistook the nature of that liberty which the gospel promised; and thought that by virtue of their subjection to Christ, the only King and Head of his church, they were wholly freed from subjection to any other prince; as tho' Christ's kingdom had been of this p. 4world, in such a sense as to interfere with the civil powers of the earth, and to deliver their subjects from that allegiance and duty, which they before owed to them. Of these visionary christians in general, who disowned subjection to the civil powers in being where they respectively lived, there is mention made in several places in the new-testament: The apostle Peter in particular, characterizes them in this manner—them that—despise government—presumpluous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. [2 Pet. ii. 10.] Now it is with reference to these doting christians, that the apostle speaks in the passage before us. And I shall now give you the sense of it in a paraphrase upon each verse in its order, desiring you to keep in mind the character of the persons for whom it is designed, that so, as I go along, you may see how just and natural this address is; and how well suited to the circumstances of those against whom it is levelled.

p. 4THE apostle begins thus—Let every soul [Every soul. This is an bebraism, which signifies every man; so that the apostle does not exempt the clergy: such as were endowed with the gift of prophesy, or any other miraculous powers which subsisted in the church at that day. …