The excellency of holy courage in evil times by Jeremiah Burroughs

Secondly. For our direction in our subjection unto those that are above us, and our right fear of them: we must distinguish between authority and men in authority. That is authority that is enjoined by virtue of a law-full power that is given to any man in authority: but if so be any man in authority shall enjoin any thing that is not by virtue of that authority that is given him, though it be good, then it is not authority, but his own mind, and his own will. As Sampson said, If I do thus and thus I am as another man. So a man in authority may be as another, because he doth only enjoin his own will and therefore to disobey the mind and will of men in authority, is not always to disobey authority, if the thing be not enjoined by virtue of authority.

Secondly. For our direction in our subjection unto those that are above us, and our right feare of them: wee must distinguish between authority and men in authority. That is authority that is enjoyned by vertue of a law-ful power that is given to any man in authority: but if so be any man in authority shal enjoine any thing that is not by vertue of that authority that is given him, though it be good, then it is not authority, but his own mind, and his own will. As Sampson said, If I do thus and thus I am as another man. So a man in authority may be as another, because he doth only enjoine his own wil and therefore to disobey the mind and wil of men in authority, is not alwaies to disobey authority, if the thing be not enjoined by vertue of authority.

In the Third place. It is needful for us in ordering our selves in our fear, to know the several calls that men have to the place of authority. This must be taken ⟨p. 21⟩for granted. All lawful authority is from God yea the power of Heathens is from God.

In the Third place. It is needfull for us in ordering our selves in our feare, to know the several calls that men have to the place of authority. This must be taken ⟨p. 21⟩