Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-01-02
The Duty of Obedience to
Government.
A THANKSGIVING SERMON,
By Rev. John o. Fiske, Pastor of Winter
Street Church.

that be ordained OF God
Chrstiauity while il was instrumental of the
greatest changes and retormatlons that have ev-
er occurred on earth, was vet eminently con-
servative. Ii was thus mighty and triumphant
among other reasons, because, under the drec-
tion of infinite vision, it was not violent.
headlong and inconsidera,e in the method Of It's
attacks upon many evils which were great
widely spread, of long standing, and incorpo-
rated into the institutions, the laws, and man.
uers of nations. Under the dispensaion of re-
hgion given by God 10 the Jews, even the mar
riage of mau second or third wife dur
ing the life of the first, was not strongly con-
demned the custom having probably been tor
a kong time in general use So the customary
right of the nearest relative OF person, killed
by another, TO pursue and execute without a
trial, the individual by whom his friend had
fallen. was merely regulated without being
wholly denied. 1t was left to process of time
and the operation of correct general principles
to remove these evils after while. Our Sa-
vior and his Apostles catered upoa no crusade
against the Roman government, under whose
JurisdSction they were born, although II was
then administered BY the most unprincipled,
corrupt, abandoned, heathen tyrautS, and was
more shocking than any OF which we can easily
form an idea.
1t was to those living under such magistrates
and under la~s, many of which were unjust,
that the injunction of the text was sent. :" Let
every soul be subject unto the higher powers.
For there is Ro pcuer but of God the powers
that be sye ordained OF God" Though the
government was imperfect, and needed change
and improvement, yet, imperfect as it was, ii
was better than anarchy; it had the divine
all a.l 10 nd
eous bounds ought 10 be obcyed
Ii will not be thought improper, trust, if in
times ot 50 great excitement and peril as the
present. when from so many OF the great cen
tres of influence. and FROM 50 MANY o! the most
distinguished, and saoacIOns, and yaIriotic,
wkese names are towers of strength, the cry Is
raised 10 rally around our threatened constiIp-
tiua aud country-whose only defence, under
God, is in the hearts and arms OF our own pco-
pie. properly instructed as 10 what duty re-
euires, ! shall endeavor on this occasion,
though IN an imperfect manner, To impress up
on you the instructions OF the word of God coa-
tanned in the teXt-ihat We ought TO obey the
laws ef the land. Having explained the appli-
catioa of this rule in eeaeral, shall then at
temps 10 apply it to our own particular case,
First, then lei US Look at the general duty of
obedIence 10 any government under which ne
live. In confirmation OF this, hardly need re-
mark 10 the reader of the scriptures,
L. That it is commanded directly by Cod
The infinite Being could not have been unaware
that imperteciions must attach to all human
legislation and vet obedience to laws is earnesi-
" enjoiRcd I" Let every soul be subject unto
the higher powers,'' is The instruction of our
text. Wherefore We must needs be subject
not only for wrath bnt for conscience SAKE, for
,l, ~ r,l a.,
mind .'savs the same sacred writer, in another
place, . to be subject TO prIncipalities and pew
crs TO obev magistrates" And another apos-
tie has pointed ont our duty beyond the danger
OF mistake, in the following words :-'' Submit
yourselves TO erery ordinance Of man, far the
Lords sake. whether IL be Ia the king as ST.
preinc, or unto governors, unto them that
are sent for the punishment of evil doers, and
for the praise of them that do we'll a. ] counsel
ihee, says Solomon, 10 keep The king con-
mandment. and that mot merely on principles
of eXpedency-for fear Of punishment, fut in
regard of the oath of God Violent radical
even honest but misguided men have often been
ready 10 throw themselves inIo opposition 10
the constituted authorities, and if not by overt
actions and the force Of arms, vet by abusive
and reproachtul language 10 express their dis
respect for the powers that be. These persons
who despise government, who are presumptuous
selfwilied~Who are not afraid 10 speak evil OF
dignities, who speak evil of the things they
understand not, are ofiea soemnly rebukec
in the New Testament. The government OF
God is one everlasting, inviolable, holy law, anC
holding it. as he does, To be one of the bright
est manifestations of his own glory, that he has
determined that law shall ever be maintained
He has enloined similar respect for the gov
ernments and laws ofmen upon earth. "Ihou
shalt not reyile the gods (or ludges)' we are
commanded, '' nor curse the ruler of thy peo-
pie" MY son," says the wise man, . fear
thou the Lord and the king, and NEEDLE not
with them that are given TO change" ." Who
soever. therefore," says Paul, in the immedi-
ate connection of the text, 'resistelh the pow
er, resisteih the ordinance of God and they
that resist shall receive TO themselves damna-
tion." On this point 1t Is unnecessary further
to enlarge, and proceed 10 remark,
2 That for each individual 10 claim til.
right, whenever he thinks it best, to disobey
the regularly established laws of the land leads
directly to anarchy and the overthrow of al
government That there are outrageous act.
Of injustice, which if not abolished, authorize
revolution, do not deny; but if we live un
der government without attempting treason o.
revolution, it is our duty, in all ordinary cases
as required by God, to submit TO all regularly
established laws,-even TO those which are un
Just,-unt they can be properly modified or re
peaied Every inexpedient law, in the widest
most comprehensive view of the matter IS tn
Just, for nothing which is reallv and on h,
uhGk injurious, can be right If, then, we
have right TO resist, or not 10 support. which
regard as nearly the same thina- every Law
which is In any measure unjua, then we have
right to resist or quietly to suffer 10 he tram
pied under foot every law which we reall,
think to be inerpedienf, and not for the bes, =
and what force of government or legal obliqa
ton would then remain. There is hardly
perfect law-not needing some notifications
in any of our books in proof of which w
have the constant amendments or alteration
published by our lawgivers from year to year
BY this principle, of being authorized OH tn
plea of conscience, to resist any law which W
think not for the best, and consequently IN som
measure unjust those who think that our la"
regulating marriage are inexpedient, woul
nave 1gM lnnocently to disregard and thro'
them OH. those who imagine the Jaws re:
pectlng the possession and transfer of propert
not the best, would be authorized by their con
scieaces, TO take possession of and transfer pror
erty contrary TO L0ic. Those who thought tb
law requiring the juror 10 return verdict a,
oording to the law and evidence. in anv nar,is
ular case inexpedient or unjust. might vii
Theodore Parker, publicly proclaim. that the
were ready and willing for conscience sake. ,
periure themselves before God and man. Thj
IL