A. While we are Infants naturally uncapable of judging, we are ruled as Brutes by our Parents. But when we grow up to the use of Reason, our Obligation to Govern our selves is greater than to be governed by others. dGods Government is the first in order of Nature: Self-government is the next, though we are not capable of it till we come to some ripeness: A man is nearer to himself than his Parents are, and his happiness or misery depends more on himself than on them: And indeed Children's or mens obedience to others, is but an act of self-government. It is a mans self-governing Reason and Will which causeth him to obey another: nor can a Child perform any act of proper obedience differing from a Brutes, unless by a self-governing act. But Parents Government is the next to Self-government, and the Government of Husbands, Princes and Masters which are by Contract is next to that. Every Subject therefore being first a Subject of God and next a self-governor, is to obey as a reasonable Creature, and to understand what is his duty and what not; And because all is our duty which God commandeth, but not all that man Commandeth, Gods power being Absolute, and all mens limited, therefore we have nothing to do with the Laws of God but to know them, and Love them, ⟨p. 293⟩and obey them. But as to mans Commands we must know also that they are not contrary to Gods Laws, and that they belong to the Office of the Commander. eIf a Parent or Prince command you to blaspheme God, or Worship Idols, or deny Christ, or renounce Heaven, or not to pray, &c. you must obey God by disobeying him. And if a King Command you not to obey your Parents, or will choose for you your Wife, your Diet, your Physic, the words you shall say to God in your secret Prayers, &c. these are things which belong not to his Office, no more than to a Captains to become Judge of the Common-pleas. Subjects therefore must judge what they must or must not obey, as Rulers must judge what they must or must not Command: or else they act not as men.
A. While we are Infants naturally uncapable of judging, we are ruled as Bruits by our Parents. But when we grow up to the use of Reason, our Obligation to Govern our selves is greater than to be governed by others. dGods Government is the first in order of Nature: Self-government is the next, though we are not capable of it till we come to some ripeness: A man is nearer to himself than his Parents are, and his happiness or misery depends more on himself than on them: And indeed Childrens or mens obedience to others, is but an act of self-government. It is a mans self-governing Reason and Will which causeth him to obey another: nor can a Child perform any act of proper obedience differing from a Brutes, unless by a self-governing act. But Parents Government is the next to Self-government, and the Government of Husbands, Princes and Masters which are by Contract is next to that. Every Subject therefore being first a Subject of God and next a self-governour, is to obey as a reasonable Creature, and to understand what is his duty and what not; And because all is our duty which God commandeth, but not all that man Commandeth, Gods power being Absolute, and all mens limited, therefore we have nothing to do with the Laws of God but to know them, and Love them, ⟨p. 293⟩and obey them. But as to mans Commands we must know also that they are not contrary to Gods Laws, and that they belong to the Office of the Commander. eIf a Parent or Prince command you to blaspheme God, or Worship Idols, or deny Christ, or renounce Heaven, or not to pray, &c. you must obey God by disobeying him. And if a King Command you not to obey your Parents, or will choose for you your Wife, your Dyet, your Physick, the words you shall say to God in your secret Prayers, &c. these are things which belong not to his Office, no more than to a Captains to become Judge of the Common-pleas. Subjects therefore must judge what they must or must not obey, as Rulers must judge what they must or must not Command: or else they act not as men.
- d1 Pet. 1. 14. 1 Joh. 5. 21. Jude 20, 21. Mar. 13. 9. Prov. 25. 28. & 16. 37. & 9. 12. 2 Tim. 2. 15. 1 Tim. 3. 15. & 4. 7, 15, 16. & 5. 22. & 6. 5.1 Pet. 1. 14. 1 Ioh. 5. 21. Iude 20, 21. Mar. 13. 9. Prov. 25. 28. & 16. 37. & 9. 12. 2 Tim. 2. 15. 1 Tim. 3. 15. & 4. 7, 15, 16. & 5. 22. & 6. 5.
- eDan. 3. & 6.
