Phil. It is not only required of us by the word of God,1 that we should be obedient ⟨image 72⟩to the head rulers, but also that we fear them. For Saint Paul among all other things, which we of very duty owe to the higher powers, rehearseth fear. So that it is our duty also to fear, unless we attempt any thing, that should derogate their princelike authority, or in any point displease them. For the rulers are not fear,2 saith he, to them that do well, but to them that do evil. Wilt thou not fear the power? Do that is good, & thou shalt receive praise of it. For he is the minister of god unto thy wealth. But if thou dost that which is evil than fear. For he beareth he not the sword in vain. He is the minister of God, a taker of vengeance to punish him that doth evil. Wherefore ye must needs obey, not only for punishment but also for conscience sake.3 And this is it that Solomon saith the King ought to be feared as y• ⟨image 72⟩roaring of a Lyon. Whoso provoketh him unto anger, offendeth against his own soul. Again he saith, my son fear thou the LORD & the king. Behold how he joineth the fear of God & of the King together because we should walk ever with a reverent fear toward him,4 5alway being afeard either to think, breath, speak or do, that should be contrary to the Kings graces pleasure. Howe grievously they have be punished that walked as seditious parsons without any godly fear toward the public magistrates,6 the Histories of Dathan & Abyron, of Zambry & Baasa show manifestly. Neither have we wanted experience of this thing now a days. For what, I pray you,7 hath ever ben muttered or secretly conspired against the kings graces mayest at any time either among men of nobility, or yet of the baser sort, that ⟨image 73⟩hath not come to light, & wrought destruction to the Authors thereof? This is undoubtedly the provision of God.8 GOD defendeth his ministers, as a good master doth his servants. God waiteth upon the Kings graces health. He defendeth him from his enemies. He keepeth all his bones,9 as the Psalmograhe saith, that not one of them shall be broken. He hath numbered the hairs of his head, so that not one of them shall perish without the good will of our heavenly father.
Phil. It is not only required of vs by ye worde of God,1 that we should be obedient ⟨image 72⟩to the head rulers, but also that we feare them. For Sayncte Paule amonge all other thynges, whiche we of very duty owe to the hygher powers, rehearseth feare. So that it is our dutye also to feare, vnlesse we attēpte ony thynge, that should derogate theyr pryncelyke authorite, or in ony poynte displease them. For the rulers are not feare,2 sayth he, to them that do well, but to thē that do euell. Wilte thou not feare the power? Do that is good, & thou shalte receyue prayse of it. For he is the minister of god vnto thy welth. But if thou dost that which is euel than feare. For he bearet he not the swearde in vayne. He is ye minister of God, a taker of vengeaūce to punysh hym that doth euell. Wherfor• ye must nedes obey, not only for punyshmēt but also for cōscience sake.3 And this is it that Salomon sayth the Kynge ought to be feared as y• ⟨image 72⟩roryng of a Lyō. Whoso prouoketh hym vnto anger, offendeth agenste hys owne soule. Agen he saythe, my sonne feare thou the LORDE & the kynge. Beholde how he ioyneth the feare of God & of the King togither bycause we shuld walke euer wyth a reuerēt feare toward hym,4 5alway beynge afearde eyther to thyncke, breath, speake or do, that should be cōtrary to the Kinges graces pleasure. Howe greuously they haue be punyshed that walked as sedicious parsons wythoute ony godly feare toward the publique magistrates,6 the Histories of Dathan & Abyron, of Zambry & Baasa shewe manifestly. Neyther haue we wāted experience of thys thynge nowe a dayes. For what, I praye you,7 hathe euer ben muttered or secretly conspired agaynst the kynges graces maieste at ony tyme eyther amonge men of nobilite, or yet of the baser sorte, yt ⟨image 73⟩
- 1Offea• ▪
- 2Rom. xiii
- 3Pro. xx
- 4Pro. xxiiii
- 5Mark well.
- 6Numer. vi. iii. Reg. xvi.
- 7Experience of our time.
- 8God watcheth upon his ministers, yt no evil chance unto them.God watcheth vpon hys ministers, yt no euyl chaunce vnto thē.
- 9Psal. xxxiii. Math. x. Luke. xii.
