And the powers that here S. Paul speaketh of, be not only Kings & emperors, but also such as be appointed to any public office and common ⟨image 8⟩regiment, either for a King, where as is a Kingdom, or in the place of a King, where as the state of the common wealth is no monarchy, but a rule and dominion, commended to many. To all these S. Paul commandeth obedience, honour, reverence, and love to be borne. And this is specially to be noted in S Paul, that he saith simply and plainly, we should obey the higher powers to confute, argue, and reprehend those that cloak and excuse their inobedience, cyther for the age of the rulers, or else for conditions and manners of the rulers. And that age dischargeth no man for inobedience, the word of God declareth, how that he was present to help young kings, 1and to defend them in their under age, as it is to be seen by king Joshuas. Also God punisheth young Kings as often as they walk not after his word, as it is to be seen by Jehoiacim, 2that was crowned in the eight year of his age, and within three months and Ten days, for the Since ⟨image 9⟩he committed before God: he was taken prisoner by Nebuchadnezzar. Even so was Manasseh being of 12. years of age. Neither doth the manners and condition of the Magistrates excuse our inobedience though they be naught For Paul biddeth us look upon the power and authority of the higher powers: and not upon their manners. 3* And S. Peter commandeth the servants to obey their Masters though they be evil. So Joseph obeyed Pharaoh, and Christ our saviour Pilate, S. Paul, the emperors of Rome, Caligula and Nero. And when S. Paul commandeth us to be obedient, he meaneth not only we should speak reverently and honourably of the higher power, or make courtesy unto him, but to obey the laws set forth by the powers, except they command things against gods laws: 4then must * we obey more God then men, and yet not to strive and fight with the Magistrates: but suffer patiently death rather then to offend God: or else our obedience is no thing but hypocrisy and dissimulation. ⟨image 9⟩Who would accept his own child's making of courtesy, when all his facts be contrary to his commandment? What master would be content, or think his servant did his duty in putting of his Cap, and in his doing contemneth all his masters laws and commandments?
And the powers that heere S. Paule speaketh of, be not onely Kings & emperors, but also such as be appointed to any publique office and common ⟨image 8⟩regiment, eyther for a King, where as is a Kingdome, or in the place of a King, where as the state of the common wealth is no monarchie, but a rule and dominion, commended to many. To all these S. Paule commandeth obedience, honor, reuerence, and loue to be borne. And this is specially to be noted in S Paule, that he sayth simply and plainely, we should obey the higher powers to confute, argue, and reprehend those that cloak and excuse their inobedience, cyther for the age of the rulers, or els for conditions and maners of the rulers. And that age dischargeth no man for inobedience, the worde of God declareth, how that hee was present to helpe yong kings, 1and to defend them in their vnder age, as it is to bee seene by king Ios•as. Also God punisheth young Kinges as often as they walke not after his worde, as it is to bee seene by Iehoiacim, 2that was crowned in the eight yeare of his age, and within three monethes and Tenne dayes, for the Synnes ⟨image 9⟩he committed before God: he was taken prisoner by Nabuchadnezer. Euen so was Manasses beeing of 12. yeares of age. Neither doth the maners and condition of the Magistrates excuse our inobedience thogh they be naught For Paule biddeth vs looke vppon the power and ancthoritie of the higher powers: and not vpon their maners. 3* And S. Peter commaundeth the seruauntes to obey their Masters though they be euil. So Ioseph obeid Pharaoh, and Christ our sauiour Pilate, S. Paule, the emperours of Rome, Caligula and Nero. And when S. Paule commaundeth vs to be obedient, he meaneth not onely we shoulde speake reuerently and honorably of the higher power, or make curtesie vnto him, but to obey the lawes set foorth by the powers, except they commaund thinges against gods laws: 4then must * we obey more God then men, and yet not to striue and fight with the Magistrates: but suffer patiently death rather then to offend God: or els our obedience is no thing but hipocrisie and dissimulation. ⟨image 9⟩Who wold accept his own childs making of curtesie, when all his facts be contrary to his commaundement? What master woulde bee content, or thinke his seruaunt did his duety in putting of his Cap, and in his doing contemneth all his maisters lawes and commaundements?
- 12. Chro. […].2. Chro. 〈…〉.
- 21. Chro. 36.
- 31. Pet. 2.
- 4Act. 5.
