The reasons of the Christian religion the first part, of godliness, proving by natural…

Answ. 1. His speeches of Herod and the Scribes and Pharisees are not revilings, but a free and just reprehension of their sin: which being done by God's commission, and in his Name, and for his cause, is no more to be called reviling, than an arrest of a Felon or Traitor in the Kings name, or an accusation put in against him for his crimes, should be so called. God will not forbear damning impenitent rebels, though they call it cruelty; nor will he forbear the reprehension and shaming of their villainies, though they call it railing; nor will he flatter proud rebellious dust, though they call flattery a necessary civility; nor will he give leave to his Messengers to leave sin in honour, and to let the proud do what their list, and quietly damn themselves and others, without plain reproof, though it be called unreverent sauciness or sedition. 2. And he that considereth how little Title Caesar had to the Kingdom of the Jews, and that the sword alone is a better proof of force and strength, than of Authority, and is a Plea which an Usurper may have on his side, will rather praise the submission and peaceableness of Christ, than blame him as disloyal. But for the doctrine of Obedience in general, who hath ever taught it more plainly and pressingly, than Christ and his Apostles?

Answ. 1. His speeches of Herod and the Scribes and Pharisees are not revilings, but a free and just reprehension of their sin: which being done by God's commission, and in his Name, and for his cause, is no more to be called reviling, than an arrest of a Felon or Traitor in the Kings name, or an accusation put in against him for his crimes, should be so called. God will not forbear damning impenitent rebels, though they call it cruelty; nor will he forbear the reprehension and shaming of their villanies, though they call it railing; nor will he flatter proud rebellious dust, though they call flattery a necessary civility; nor will he give leave to his Messengers to leave sin in honour, and to let the proud do what their list, and quietly damn themselves and others, without plain reproof, though it be called unreverent sawciness or sedition. 2. And he that considereth how little Title Caesar had to the Kingdom of the Jews, and that the sword alone is a better proof of force and strength, than of Authority, and is a Plea which an Usurper may have on his side, will rather praise the submission and peaceableness of Christ, than blame him as disloyal. But for the doctrin of Obedience in general, who hath ever taught it more plainly and pressingly, than Christ and his Apostles?