The divine life in three treatises

7. Hence also you must learn, that Gods authority is the highest authority, and there is indeed no such thing in the world as true authority that is against him, or not subordinate unto him: And therefore if men command us to disobey God, by neglecting that which is hic & nunc a duty, or by sinning against him, their commands are from a disobedient will of their own, but from no Authority: and it is better in such cases to obey God then man, Act. 5. 29. so many Prophets, Apostles and other Martyrs, would not have been sacrificed by the fury of Persecutors, if they had thought it just to obey them before God. God never gave any man Authority against him] Nor to nullify his laws. The acts of a Justice or Constable against the King, ⟨p. 122⟩or beyond their power, are private or rebellious acts, and not Authoritative. And so are the Laws of men that are against God. Yet note well, that though we must rather disobey men, then God, yet we may not forcibly Resist, when we may not obey them. And in some cases (as if a King would ravish a woman, or the like) when it is lawful to Resist his fact, it is not lawful to Resist his State, and disturb the Government of the Commonwealth: Obey men cheerfully when God forbids it not: but see that God be your Absolute Sovereign, whose Laws can be dispensed with by none.

7. Hence also you must learn, that Gods authority is the highest authority, and there is indeed no such thing in the world as true authority that is against him, or not subordinate unto him: And therefore if men command us to disobey God, by neglecting that which is hic & nunc a duty, or by sinning against him, their commands are from a disobedient will of their own, but from no Authority: and it is better in such cases to obey God then man, Act. 5. 29. so many Prophets, Apostles and other Martyrs, would not have been sacrificed by the fury of Persecutors, if they had thought it just to obey them before God. God never gave any man Authority against him] Nor to nullifie his laws. The acts of a Justice or Constable against the King, ⟨p. 122⟩or beyond their power, are private or rebellious acts, and not Authoritative. And so are the Laws of men that are against God. Yet note well, that though we must rather disobey men, then God, yet we may not forcibly Resist, when we may not obey them. And in some cases (as if a King would ravish a woman, or the like) when it is lawful to Resist his fact, it is not lawful to Resist his State, and disturb the Government of the Commonwealth: Obey men chearfully when God forbids it not: but see that God be your Absolute Soveraign, whose Laws can be dispensed with by none.