ears, than their own : that, for what they do they may have many reasons, which we are not acquainted with : that, if in any thing they err, it may be with the best intentions. In a word, we should form the most favourable judgment of all that they do, and give them credit for their motives, where we cannot altogether approve their actions. If we cannot praise, we should at least abstain from uttering against them any complaints and murmurs, or from speaking of them in disre- spectful terms. What shame did Paul take to himself for uttering a reproachful word against his unjust and persecuting judge ! he confesses that in so doing he had violated an express command, which says, " Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people1."
We should guard against an acrimonious sentiment arising in our hearts k: and even when we are constrained to disap- prove their conduct, instead of reviling them, we should cast a veil over their faults, as a duteous child would do over the faults of his parent.]
2. To submit to their authority —
[If a ruler enjoin any thing that is manifestly contrary to an express command of God, or forbid any thing which God has clearly enjoined, we are then to " obey God rather than man." The Hebrew Youths did right in refusing to fall down before the golden idol ; as did Daniel also in continuing to offer sup- plications before his God. The commands of Nebuchadnezzar and Darius, though the greatest potentates on earth, were of no weight against the paramount authority of God. But where the laws that are enacted by human authority are not contrary to the revealed will of God, they must be obeyed ; and that too, whether the authority that enforces them be subordinate or supreme : for thus says the Apostle Peter ; " Submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake ; whether it be to the king, as supreme ; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well : for so is the will of God1." And this allegiance is due from all persons, whatever be their rank, or age, or occupation ; " Let every soul be subject to the higher powers :" and, if any take upon themselves to " resist the power, they shall receive to themselves damnation ;" they shall be condemned before an earthly tribunal for violating the established laws ; and they shall be yet further visited with God's indignation in another world, for having set at nought "his ordinances," and opposed themselves to his authority"1. We must therefore " be subject to the magistrate, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake."]
1 Acts xxiii. 2 — 5. k Eccl. x. 20. ! 1 Pet, ii. 13 — 15
111 See 2 Pet. ii. 10, 13. and Jude, ver. 8, 13.