Civil Rulers the Ministers of God

Mr JONATHAN TODD's Election SERMON.

George Wyllys Secr.

The Origin, Design, Business and Necessity of civil Government.

ROMANS XIII.6.

For, for this Cause pay you Tribute also: for they are GOD's Ministers, attending continually upon this very Thing.

THE Necessity of civil Government is so obvious to any One, that considers the State & Circumstances of the World, that we may conclude, None will despise Goverment, but such unhappy Persons, whose Minds & Consciences are defiled, and themselves unto every good Work reprobate; walking after their own Lusts.

FOR, as in the Days when there was no King in Israel, and every Man did that which was right in his own Eyes, (Judg. 21.25.) Judgment departed from them, and all evil Works & Confusions prevail'd amongst; them; So will it be amongst every People where there is no Government. Judgment will turn away backward, and Justice stand afar off from such a People: Truth will fail, and he that departeth from Evil, will make himself a Prey. The Feet of Multitudes will run to Evil, and they make p. 2haste to shed innocent Blood. Wasting and Destruction will indeed be in their Paths; and all manner of Oppressions prevail among them. The Prophesie concerning Ishmael would soon be the just Character of Multitudes, that He should be a wild Man, his Hand against every Man, & every Man's Hand against him, (Gen. 16.12.)

BUT yet, there have arose, even amongst them that pretend to approve Things that are excellent, and to believe on the Name of JESUS CHRIST, some that despise Dominion, & speak evil of Dignities, (Jude 7.) Under a Pretence of Liberty, falsly so called, they would put down all Rule, & all Authority, & Power among Men: Pleading in Defence of their licentious Doctrine, that CHRIST hath made all his People Kings; and they shall reign on the Earth.

THIS they pretend is the Liberty where with Christ have made them free. They pretend to believe, that the Prosperity of the Church of Christ depends upon the Destruction of all temporal Powers; and that the golden Age of the Church, and the expected Millennium is to be introduced by weakning the Power of the Princes of this World, and setting Men upon a Level. And therefore have sometimes been called by the Name of Levellers.

p. 2BUT now that no Man may have any the least Ground, to pretend from any Thing that St. p. 3Paul hath written concerning thrift christian Liberty, that he was a Friend to Anarchy, — and councenanced such Levelling Principles, He treats particularly upon civil Government in this Chapter: Shewing the divine Institution and Appointment, the Use & Design of it; and the great Work & Business of those that are intrusded with the Administration thereof: Declaring also, that GOD himself requires Obedience and Subjection to the Same.

HE injoins that every Soul be subjeft unto the higher Powers, [or the Authority placed over them] For there is no Power, saith He, but of GOD, [the Fountain of it:] The Powers that be are ordained of GOD, v.1.

HE is so far from countenancing Disobedience to Authority, that he declares, as v.2. Whosoever therefore resisteth the Power, resisteth the Ordinance of GOD: and they that resist, shall receive to themselves Damnation. To resist the Government, in the Administration of that Power GOD hath committed to them, is as it were to wage War against GOD himself, and to renounce His Government, by whom Princes rule, & Nobles, even all the Judges of the Earth, (Prov. 8.16.) And therefore the Children of Rebellion have Reason to expect that GOD himself will arise to plead his Cause, and vindicate his Authority; that He will speak to them in his Wrath, & vex them in his sore Displeasure.

p. 4THE Apostle also presseth Subjection to Authority from the Original Intention & Design of Government, which is the publick Good. For Rulers, saith He, are not a Terrour to good Works, but to the evil; in the former Part of v.3. Rulers acting by the Authority of GOD, (and there is no Power but of GOD) are not a Discouragement to good works, but to the evil: They are not design'd to discourage any Thing, that tends to promote the Welfare of the World, but only to be a Terrour to such Works, as bring a Curse upon the World, and hurt the Interests of Men. They are armed with Authority & Power, to prepare Judgments for Scorners, and Stripes for the Back of Fools; to scatter the Wicked, and bring the Wheel over them, (Prov 19.29. & 20.26.) Let Men but lead a peaceable & quiet Life in all Godliness & Honesty, and the Magistrate, as GOD's Vicegerent, will do them no Hurt; but will rather protect and incourage them.

p. 4AND therefore saith the Apostle, in the latter Part of v.3, & Beginning of v.4. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the Power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have Praise of the same: For he is the Minister of GOD to thee for Good. Magistrates are deputed & delegated to act for GOD: He gives them Power & Authority to incourage the Vertuous; to maintain their Right and Cause.

p. 5INDEED, if Men are contentious, and do not obey the Truth, but obey Unrighteousness, they have Reason to be afraid of the Magistrate's Power: And therefore saith the Apostle, in the latter Part of v.4. 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 doeth evil. They are as it were armed with GOD's Sword of Justice, and must weild it for Him. GOD hath made them his Officers not only to incourage the Vertuous, but to execute Punishments & Wrath upon them that do evil.

WHEREFORE, saith the Apostle, v.5 Ye must needs be subject, not only for Wrath, but also for Conscience Sake. I.E. Not only for Fear of Punishment from the Magistrate, but out of Conscience and Duty; because so is the Will of GOD,(1 Pet. 2.15.)