authorities of the realm? If we are to obey God in the duties of the first table, so are we in those of the second also: and if, "for the Lord's sake" we are to submit our- selves to the religious ordinances of God, so are we, with equal readiness, for his sake, to submit ourselves to every civil ordinance of man.']
2. Its conduciveness to the public welfare —
[Though authority may not always be exerted for the best ends, it is committed to men solely with a view to the public good. It is ordained for the restraining and " punish- ing of evil-doers," and for the protection and " benefit of those who do well." I need not occupy your time with shewing how great a mercy it is to live under an equitable and active magistracy, who are engaged in enforcing the observance of the laws. Let us suppose only that the laws were suspended through the land for the space of three days, and that every one were left to follow the bent of his own will without fear and without restraint : what misery, even during that short space of time, would pervade the whole kingdom ! What scenes of rapine, and violence, and lust, and cruelty, would pervade the whole country f! Who would not be crying out for the restoration of legitimate authority, and bless God the very moment that he was permitted once more to experience the benefits of civil government ? Who would not then feel happy in discharging his duty to that government, by a just payment of tribute and of custom, for the support of the legitimate authorities, and of the public weal ? Then should we need no arguments to prove, that partial restraint is universal liberty ; and that true freedom can be found only in such an exercise of our powers, as will consist with the freedom and happiness of all around us.]
3. Its tendency to recommend religion —
[God has special respect to this ; as we should have also : " It is His will" that we should fulfil this duty, " that by well- doing we may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." The Jews were generally considered, and with great justice too, as averse to civil government, especially as maintained by heathens. They had received a civil code from God himself: and they could not endure that any thing should be withdrawn from it, or added to it. They had also been under a Theo- cracy S; even their kings being, as subordinate magistrates,
f An awful picture of this state, when there was no king in Israel, " but every one did that which was right in his own eyes," may be seen in Judg. xvii. 5 — 10. xix. 1, 2. 22 — 30. xx. 1 — 48. and xxi. 1 — 25. A juster picture cannot be conceived.
s 1 Sam. xii. 12.