As the Apostle in these words most straitly commandeth Obedience to ⟨p. 11⟩be given to lawful powers, pronouncing Gods wrath and vengeance against such as shall resist the Ordinance of God; so doth he assign to the powers their Offices, which be, To take vengeance upon evil doers, To maintain the well doers, and so to minister and rule in their Office, that the subjects by them may have a Benefit, and be praised in well doing. Now if you be powers ordained by God, (and that I hope all men will grant) then by the plain words of the Apostle is the Sword given unto you by God, for maintenance of the innocent, and for punishment of malefactors: But I, and my brethren with me accused, do offer not only to prove our selves innocents in all things laid to our charge, but also we offer most evidently to prove your Bishops to be the very pestilence, who have infected all Christianity: And therefore by the plain Doctrine of the Apostle, you are bound to maintain us, and punish the other, being evidently convinced, and proved criminal. Moreover, the former words of the Apostle do teach,1 How far high powers are bound to their subjects; to wit, That because they be Gods Ministers, by him ordained for the profit and utility of others, most diligently ought they to attend upon the same. For that cause assigneth the holy Ghost, commanding subjects to obey,2 and to pay Tribute, saying, For this do you pay Tribute and Toll; that is, Because they are Gods Ministers, bearing the Sword for your utility. Whereof it is plain, That there is no honour, without a charge annexed. And this one point I wish your wisdoms deeply to consider, That God hath not placed you above your Brethren, to reign as Tyrants, without respect of either profit or commodity. You hear the holy Ghost witness the contrary, affirming, That all powers be Gods Ministers, ordained for the weal, profit, and salvation of their subjects, and not for their destruction. Could it be said (I beseech you) That Magistrates inclosing their subjects in a City without all victuals, or giving unto them no other victuals but such as were poisoned,3 did rule for the profit of their subjects? I trust that none would be so foolish as so to affirm; but that rather every discreet person would boldly affirm, That such as so did, were unworthy of Regiment.
As the Apostle in these words most straitly commandeth Obedience to ⟨p. 11⟩be given to lawfull powers, pronouncing Gods wrath and vengeance against such as shall resist the Ordinance of God; so doth he assigne to the powers their Offices, which be, To take vengeance upon evil doers, To maintain the well doers, and so to minister and rule in their Office, that the subjects by them may have a Benefit, and be praised in well doing. Now if you be powers ordained by God, (and that I hope all men will grant) then by the plain words of the Apostle is the Sword given unto you by God, for maintenance of the innocent, and for punishment of malefactors: But I, and my brethren with me accused, do offer not onely to prove our selves innocents in all things laid to our charge, but also we offer most evidently to prove your Bishops to be the very pestilence, who have infected all Christianity: And therefore by the plain Doctrine of the Apostle, you are bound to maintain us, and punish the other, being evidently convinced, and proved criminall. Moreover, the former words of the Apostle do teach,1 How far high powers are bound to their subjects; to wit, That because they be Gods Ministers, by him ordained for the profit and utility of others, most diligently ought they to attend upon the same. For that cause assigneth the holy Ghost, commanding subjects to obey,2 and to pay Tribute, saying, For this do you pay Tribute and Toll; that is, Because they are Gods Ministers, bearing the Sword for your utility. Whereof it is plain, That there is no honour, without a charge annexed. And this one point I wish your wisedoms deeply to consider, That God hath not placed you above your Brethren, to raigne as Tyrants, without respect of either profit or commodity. You hear the holy Ghost witnesse the contrary, affirming, That all powers be Gods Ministers, ordained for the weal, profit, and salvation of their subjects, and not for their destruction. Could it be said (I beseech you) That Magistrates inclosing their subjects in a City without all victualls, or giving unto them no other victualls but such as were poysoned,3 did rule for the profit of their subjects? I trust that none would be so foolish as so to affirm; but that rather every discreet person would boldly affirm, That such as so did, were unworthy of Regiment.
- 1In what Points powers are bound to their subjects.
- 2Rom. 13.
- 3Let the similitude be noted.
