Ver(. 2, the Epiffletothe Romans. the Poets faign of the Giants that raifed up mount to heaven, to pull down Jupiter from thence; fo'all refifiers of powers, are fighters againít God. The reafon of this doctrine is, becaufe they that ftrive againfi the order that God hath fet np, ffrive againft God, theau- thor of that order, and it is a lign that they would not have God reign over them that will not obey fuch Rulers as he bath appointed to be in his room and place. As Kings do take themfelves to be abufed, when their deputies are abu- fed; fo the abufe of Gods Vicegerents and Officers extends even to God him - felf, as it is written of Corah and his accomplices, that they murmured net again ft Mofes and Aaron, but again(} God, Numb. r6. And they havenotraffoff tre, but thee, (faith God unto Samuel, when the people reftrfed him to be their Ruler,' Sam8.7.) Howfoever men lift to think otherwifeof the matter, yet Rulers being in Gods lead let up at his own command, cloathed with his name and power, it cannot be, but they who refift them in any degree,refift God him - felf in violating a divineorder : Yet let this be noted, that when Rulers are oppreffors, fubjefts may (by honeft means) preferve themfelves from com- ming into their hands, as David did from Said; and allo make appellation from inferior Rulers, abusing their placcs,to fnperlor Rulers, as Paul did to Cefar. Neither muff we think difobe- dienceto Rulers in things that are un- juft and impious, to be any refiifance of power, when fubje&s are ready with patience to endure the punifhnient, though wrongfully infliEted, as Paul & Silas,and the other Apoftles did,A6/.5.8c q,.& 16.Allo the Martyrs in the Heathen Emperors tinie,and in our Kingdon:e. T r Na. To what ufe are we to turn this Doarine ? S I L. Fief to fettle our mindes the better to fubmiftion of all kinde of au- thority by this meditation,thatwe (hall Phew our felves thereby to be lovers and friends to God, and to his own order, and enemies unto confnfion. Secondly, to condemn fuch of folly and madnefle, 541 which withtand Rulers in thingslaty full or indifferent. For this is all 'one, as if one fhould rife up again(} God, the creature again}} the Creator ;t the pot and the thiüg made again(} the potter and the maker; then which what can be more fottifh and toolifh ?. and yet this they do, which (hive again(); mightier and better then themfelves, which muff needs in the end turn to their own ruine,as the Apoftle reafons in the third place. T r M. What is the third reafu why we fhould be fubjeli ? S i t It is this, that they that refi f, purchafe tothemfelves damnation, that is, either eternall damnation' iri hell,or temporall punishment itL this life e = they from the hands the Magil'trate, crimnrediatcly from God himfelf, as it happened to Coràh, coufirined With fire ; to Mahan ánd Abiram, fwall'otveíl up of the earth; and to Alfálcn who wás hanged by the hair of th' &1fedd anc`iìi= numerable otherTraitorl bóth athóñië and abroad : unto all which did befill an Siphappy and fearfull -end as in our Nation,even in our memory (as well ásí in former ages) very manÿ of áf`l fort's, have for their diflóyalty and treafons, left their lives-'at Tower -hip and Ti-. burn, being denied moft'Of them the honour ofburiall, their bodies hanged up for the Birds of;the aire to feed on. It were to be wifhed therehärms might be other mens warnings. In judging Come, an admonition is given to all, Dent. 18. That the reft may hear dndfear. If men would not beleeve the commina- tions of judgement by the word, ¡yet their own experience andfeufe fhould convilt them,and allure unto them fuch ali evil end as others have, whofe Reps ofdifobedience they follow. Neither is it for the capitali difloyalties only, but contempts ofa leffer degree and nature, ufe to draw down vengeance from God and his Lievtenants by iniprifonment, banishment, lecuniary ntttllis, accor- ding unto the quality of the crime. Wherefore, let men fear God and the King, and Take heed my fanne, thou doe not joyne with the feditious, for his ruine cemeth . Reafon.
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