There are few subjects on which Christians have such need to pray for a sound mind and a clear judgment, and to ask for de- liverance from a morbidly scrupulous conscience, and especiallj on the question of the dues of " Caesar."
A conscience which is very tender and sensitive about a money payment which the state demands, but very careless in all mat- ters of faith, and hope, and charity, aud humility, and private holiness, is a conscience which, to say the least, is very suspicious.
So long as we have liberty to worship God in Christ, accord- ing to our conscience, and to serve Him in the way of His com- mandments, we may safely submit to many requirements of tk state, which in our own private opinion we do npt thoroughlv approve.
It is evident to every reflecting person, that all government must be the result of compromise, and that every member of the commonwealth must be willing to give up something of his pri- vate opinions for the sake of the general good. If every subject is to be excused paying the tax to which he feels an objection. common sense tells us that all government must soon come to a stand-still. One wiU object to one tax, and another to anotber, until the whole state is thrown into confusion.
Gualter has a very useful note on this passage, in which he maintains the principle just laid down by the example of the Jews under the rule of their Babylonian conquerore, and also bears his protest against the excesses committed by anabaptisU? in Germany, in the days of the Beformation, under the colour of conscientious scruples.
Our Lord had probably in view two parties among His hearers. One party was that of the Jewish zealots. To them He said " render to Ceesar the things that are CeBsar's.** Tlie other was that of the worldly Herodians. To them He said. " Bender to God the things that are God's."