A62049:125
Men are gods, or, The dignity of magistracy, and the duty of the magistrate…
Men are gods, or, The dignity of magistracy, and the duty of the magistrate as it was presented in a sermon at the assize holden at Hertford for that county on August 2, 1653 / by George Swinnocke ...
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1660
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
I shall inquire a little, and very briefly, into the reasons which some urge against Magistracy and Order.
1. Say some, We are the Lords Freemen, and and therefore should not be servants of men, 1 Cor. 7.23. Ye are bought with a price, be not the servants of men.
Answer.
That place indeed forbiddeth sinful subjection to men, but not civil subjection to men. I may serve a Prince, but I may not sin at his precept and command; If men command what God forbiddeth, I must disobey men to obey God. Or that Text may import, that I must give no man liberty to give my conscience laws; No, my absolute dependence for soul-direction must be only on Christ and his Word.
That place indeed forbiddeth sinful subjection to men, but not civil subjection to men. I may serve a Prince, but I may not sin at his precept and command; If men command what God forbiddeth, I must disobey men to obey God. Or that Text may import, that I must give no man liberty to give my conscience laws; No, my absolute dependance for soul-direction must be only on Christ and his Word.