O [Greek or Hebrew], as S. Chrysostom. He saith not simply, let it honour the powers, or be obedient, but let it be subject; which includes all parts of duty, which a subject owes unto his King; for the accomplishing of which, no outward act of reverence, or service must be wanting: and though this may satisfy the Kings command; yet doeth not this discharge thee of thy duty, which can never be true, till the heart answer the gesture of the body. Divine precepts seize not on the body only, but the soul. If thou ⟨p. 14⟩wilt not then withdraw thy self from this subjection, thou must add these four conditions to thy external obedience. §1There must be in thee 1. Promptitudo voluntatis interior, a free, voluntary, and cheerful assent of mind. §22. Sincerus amor, perfect love and affection towards his person. §33. Filialis timor, an awful respect of his power over thee, and a filial fear of offending him. §44. Fidelitas, a faithful heart towards him, whereby thou art constant in all bonds of duty to him, and jealous of all injuries by others intended against him. This is the qualification of the subjection here mentioned, and when thus qualified, it is not arbitrary, left to thee, to perform when, and where thou pleasest. For Saint Paul proposeth it not by way of advice, or direction; but imperativè, 1by way of command, having, besides his apostolical authority, the same precept, given by other his fellow-Apostles; by Christ himself, 2and the foundation of all commands, the Law, which was given by God himself; first in general terms, ⟨p. 15⟩Honour thy father and thy mother; 3and afterward enlarged, 4That man that will do presumptuously, nor hearken unto the Priest, or unto the Judge that man shall die. But doth this command urge at all times, and on all occasions? What if the Prince be wicked, idolatrous? The vices of the man abridge not his power, and therefore not the Apostles command. If this might have been a sufficient plea against obedience, S. Paul might have spared this precept, since Nero was the power, to whom these Romans were subject. Or (to omit all other cases that may be made) what if his command be contrary to religion? yea an army be raised for the extirpation of true religion? This is the true touchstone of subjection; and here (if ever) may a subject renounce all obedience to his King.
O 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, as S. Chrysostome. He saith not simply, let it honour the powers, or be obedient, but let it bee subiect; which includes all parts of duty, which a subiect owes vnto his King; for the accomplishing of which, no outward act of reuerence, or seruice must bee wanting: and though this may satisfie the Kings command; yet doeth not this discharge thee of thy duty, which can neuer bee true, till the heart answer the gesture of the body. Diuine precepts seaze not on the body onely, but the soule. If thou ⟨p. 14⟩wilt not then withdrawe thy selfe from this subiection, thou must adde these fowre conditions to thy externall obedience. §1There must be in thee 1. Promptitudo voluntatis interior, a free, voluntary, and cheerefull assent of minde. §22. Sincerus amor, perfect loue and affection towardes his person. §33. Filialis timor, an awfull respect of his power ouer thee, and a filiall feare of offending him. §44. Fidelitas, a faithfull heart towards him, whereby thou art constant in all bonds of duty to him, and iealous of all iniuries by others intended against him. This is the qualification of the subiection heere mentioned, and when thus qualified, it is not arbitrary, left to thee, to performe when, and where thou pleasest. For Saint Paul proposeth it not by way of aduice, or direction; but imperatiuè, 1by way of command, hauing, besides his apostolicall authority, the same precept, giuen by other his fellow-Apostles; by Christ himselfe, 2and the foundation of all commands, the Law, which was giuen by God himselfe; first in generall termes, ⟨p. 15⟩Honour thy father and thy mother; 3and afterward enlarged, 4That man that will doe presumptuously, nor hearken vnto the Priest, or vnto the Iudge that man shall die. But doth this command vrge at all times, and on all occasions? What if the Prince be wicked, idolatrous? The vices of the man abridge not his power, and therefore not the Apostles command. If this might haue beene a sufficient plea against obedience, S. Paul might haue spared this precept, since Nero was the power, to whom these Romans were subiect. Or (to omit all other cases that may be made) what if his command be contrary to religion? yea an army bee raysed for the extirpation of true religion? This is the true touchstone of subiection; and heere (if euer) may a subiect renounce all obedience to his King.
- 11. Pet. 2.13
- 2Matt. 22.21
- 3Exod. 20.
- 4Deut. 17.12