The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-04-26
Mlstrllaneous,
OUR DUTIES
IN THE PRESENT
isis OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS,
SER M ON.

BY Rev. j. II. c.. Nichols.
PREACHED ON SUNDAY MORNING, 2lsr INST, IN THE
CHURCH or THE ID PARISH, sAco.
Rowan, n, 8. Wherefore, We must needs he sub
ject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience
sake"
The apostle means to say there must be a
government. The purposes Of God require it.
"The powers that be are ordained Of God.
God ordained that there should be govern.
mental powers, and submission, Of course, to
those powers. "Let every soul be subject
to the higher powers" The necessity of a
government involves the duty Of every man
to submit himself to it. 1t is not to be sup
posed that the government can reflect every
persons idea suit every persons conve-
nience - crafty every persons wish. 1t
was heathen government of which Paul
the worshipper of the one true God, and tho
follower Of the holy Christ says this. And
what says Christ ? When hc and some Of
his disciples were at Capcrnaum on certain
celebrated occasion. gou will find the ac-
count of it in Matt. ~ thd collectors Of
the custom, thinking, perhaps, he might have
some conscientious scruple, or personal OBJ
lection, came to Peter and asked, (" doth not
your master pay tribute?" "Ho does" was
the quick reply. And Jesus presently after,
not waiting for Peter to ask him, told him
he had answered rightly. And they both paid
tribute. And again afterwards Christ gave
q similar explicit declaration, that theGoyern-
ment then existing was to be acknowledged
as the government and submitted to accord
ingly. "To Cesar the things that are &C.
sar's and to God the things that are Gods"
1t is not affirmed anywhere by Christ or the
apostle that every act of every Government
will have necessarily the sanction Of God.
The law of God is always supreme. The
The case is conceivable in which the officers
of the Government might command us to do
that which plain requirement of the Di-
vine statute had forbidden. Daniel was an obe-
dent subject of King Darius, as he had been
of Belshazzar before him. But when Darius
by the malicious plot of his ill-advisers, the
enemies Of Daniel, had been persuaded to
establish royal statute that whosoevcr
should for the space of 80 days ask a petition
Of any God or man save Of him only,
should be cast into q den OF lions, Daniel
felt that he had the commandment Of king
higher than him, whom it was his prior du-
ty to obey, and abide the result. And he
did SO. Whosoever can in the same deyout
trust. under similar circumstances, for simi-
lar cause, follow the example of Daniel, let
him do 50, and no lions mouth shall harm
him.
The case OF the apostles Peter and John
also is familiar. When the rulers command
ed them not to speak at all nor teach in the
name of Jesus, in whose name they had just
healed a poor lame man, whether it be
right" was their noble answer, +" whether II
be right, in the sight Of God to hcarken un-
to you more than unto God, judge ye. For
we cannot but speak the things which we
have seen and heard"
Let him in whose breast rises similar
diyinely authoritative cannot" plant him
self with Peter and John on the platform Of
the gospel, and take the consequences. Let
him add to his faith, the courage which
obedience to that holy faith may demand.
Yet these same diciplcs, it must be remem-
bercd. maintained the authority Of that
Government. both by public teaching and
private example, whose commandment in that
particular instance they felt prohibited by a
higher law from keeping. The Practise OF
Peter, as respects tribute, has been just re-
ierred to. Accordingly in his first general
epistle, md chap, We find the following
+" submit yourselves to every ordinance OF
man for the Lords sake-whether it be to
the king, rs supreme; or unto Governors as
unto them that arc sent by him for the pun
ishment Of evil doers and for the praise OF
them that do WELL"
Wherefore ye must needs be subject"
says Paul, Z" not only for wrath, but also for
conscience sake"
by wrath is meant the punishment. OF
condemnation Of which he had just before
spoken, the effect Of resistance to the Gov
ernnent. For the magistrate "bears not the
sword in vain." The Apostle distinctly re.
cognises the right Of the government tC
maintain itself, and, il need be. by the sword
Magistrates are Of course under the same
moral law that bind all other men. Tn,
officer Of justice must exercise his Office justly
The human government must be subject te
the divine. Might never makes right, bu,
might belongs ,riih the right.
When God ordained Governments Ho did
not oriain them defenceles. He did moi
put the ark Of His covenant before the Phil