The excellency of holy courage in evil times by Jeremiah Burroughs

Secondly. A mediate call: and that is when God by men doth put, either a particular person, or such a family into a place of government or authority.

Now when any shall be brought into government by those that have lawful power, though it be of man, yet they are in their place as by God, and are to be obeyed not only for fear, but for Conscience sake.

Now when any shal be brought into government by those that have lawful power, though it be of man, yet they are in their place as by God, and are to be obeyed not only for feare, but for Conscience sake.

It is very needful for to know what it is that first ties a mans conscience to be in subjection unto an other man: there was a time when such men or such families had not the power of authority; now there must be something that must give them power, it is not his strength that can do it, nor conquest, because my conscience is not tied to submit to one that hath more strength than I, as my governor, but only to regard my own safety; and then if another come and get the victory, am I to leave my former Sovereign and submit to him? That will not be granted, that we may upon any terms relinquish our Sovereign to go to another, because he hath more strength; but what then must tie my conscience? it must be some signification of Gods mind that this is my Governor, and this must be either immediately from Heaven, by the Prophets, or it must be by inclining the hearts of those that have power to put one in authority, to put this man, or this family into authority, and so far as Gods mind is declared to me, so far I am bound in conscience to submit.

It is very needful for to know what it is that first ties a mans conscience to be in subjection unto an other man: there was a time when such men or such families had not the power of authority; now there must be somthing that must give them power, it is not his strength that can do it, nor conquest, because my conscience is not tied to submit to one that hath more strength than I, as my governor, but only to regard my own safety; and then if another come and get the victory, am I to leave my former Sovereign and submit to him? That will not be granted, that wee may upon any terms relinquish our Sovereign to goe to another, because he hath more strength; but what then must tie my conscience? it must be some signification of Gods mind that this is my Governor, and this must be either immediately from Heaven, by the Prophets, or it must be by inclining the hearts of those that have power to put one in authority, to put this man, or this family into authority, and so far as Gods mind is declared to me, so far I am bound in conscience to submit.