Rom. xiii. 1 — 7. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God : and they that resist
shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a
terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be
afraid of the poiver ? do that which is good, and thou shalt
have praise of the same : for he is the minister of God to thee
for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid ; for
he beareth not the sword in vain : for he is the minister of
God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but
also for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also :
for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this
very thing. Render therefore to all their dues : tribute to
whom tribute is due ; custom to whom custom ; fear to whom
fear ; honour to whom honour.
THE office of ministers is, to preach the Gospel of Christ. But whilst they preach the doctrines of the Gospel, they must not overlook its duties; nor, in stating its duties, must they pass by those which pertain to us as members of a civil community, any more than those which concern us in any other sta- tion or relation of life. On the contrary, St. Paul gave to Titus, and in him to all other ministers, this express injunction : " Put them (the professors of Christianity) in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, and to obey magistrates3. In this also St. Paul himself has set us an example ; and that too with a fulness and minuteness far beyond what he had resorted to on any other branch of Christian morals. There was perhaps a reason for his doing this in his Epistle to the Romans, rather than in any other of his epistles. Rome was the seat of the imperial government ; and there, for a very long period, the Jews had been in bad repute, as a rebel- lious people. Nor was this without reason : for the Jews had an idea that they ought not to submit to any other governor than one raised up from among their own brethren : and from hence they were fre- quently led to resist the civil magistrates ; especially at those seasons when the revenue was collected b. In these sentiments the Christians also were supposed to participate. It was desirable therefore that the Apostle should put them on their guard ; because, if
a Tit. iii. 1. b Acts v. 37. and Luke xiii. 1.