AN tssAy 207 they should teach men to be honest and faithful, to be kind and compassionate, to be sober . and temperate, and to be dutiful to their civil governors in all those things which the civil powers have aright to demand ; and that they should preach against per- sonal and social vices, as slander, theft, adultery, drunkenness, quarrelling, murder, cruelty, cheating, faction, sedition, tumult, rebellion, and the raising animosities and disturbances in the state : Especially where the magistrates, as St. Paul expresses it are not a terror to good works but to the evil, and are the ministers of God for good. This is the design of St. Paul's advice, Rom. xiii. 1 -7. Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. Whosoever resisteth thepower, resisteth the ordinanceof God :For rulers are not a terror togood works but to the evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not onlyfor wrath, that is, for fear of punishment, but also for conscience-sake. For, for this cause pay you tribute also. And he repeats such kind of advice to Titus the preacher, Tit. iii. 1, 2. -Put them in mind, to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey ma- gistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil ofma man, &c. All these things being necessary to preserve the civil government and the state in welfare and peace, as well as neces- sary and essential parts of all the religions that are good for any thing in the world, I think it may lie within the province of the supreme power to require that thepeople in their religious assem- blies, among other lessons, should be instructed in these matters at convenient seasons. III. 2. I think the supreme power may require also that amongst the addresses or prayers for temporal blessings which are offered up to their God by any societiesof men, there should be some petitions put up for the welfare of the government Surely every man should pray for a spirit of wisdom and justice, and the best of divine blessings upon their rulers. This is the instruction of the apostles to all christians, though it was sup- posed they lived then under heathen governments ; 1 Tim. ii. 1. I exhort therefore thatfirst of all supplications, prayers, interces- sions, andgiving of thanks be madefor all men ; for kings and all that are in authority, that under them we may lead aquiet andpeaceable life in all godliness and honesty. IV. 3. If magistrates may require every religious assembly, meeting for instruction and prayer, to have lessons of moral duty andallegiance taught them, and to have prayers offered up for the governors in times of prosperity and peace, may they not also when any calamity or danger attends the state or nation, by war, famine, pestilence, tumults, &c. I say, may they not at such seasons appoint a certain day or hours of the day for worshipping assemblies, each to address their God in a way
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=