The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-08-20
RI A. W. HArsEs.

1858.
RI A. W. HAINEs.
"Render therefore unto Csasar the things
which are Caesars, and unto God the things
that are Aatthew, 1921.
The Pharisees and Herodians differed
when the question was asked, us it lawful
to give tribute unto Ceasar or not p The
Pharisees inferred from the law which for
bade them to place stranger over them as
King, that they ought not not to pay trib.
ute to the Romans. This opinion was pop
ul=r with the turbulent.
The Herodians were such lovers of the
family of Herod, that they made religion
subservient to politics they therefore con-
tended that It was right to pay tribute to
Ceasar. These wrangling parties combined
to entansle Jesus Ivy this perplexing ques-
lion. "Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cea-
sar or not ?" Covering their wicked design
with words of flattery, they proposed to him
the question. They thought it impossible
for HIM to escape the snare. If he told
them to pay the tribute, they would de.
nounee Him as the enemy of liberty and oI
Moses. If He should say, it is not right to
pay it, they could accuse Him before the
Roman Governor. Of Preaching treason
After exposing all that assumed limo.
cence with which they approached Him,
He called for the tribute money and asked,
"Whose is this image and superscription p
When they answered Caesars, He told
then, "Render therefore unto Caesar the
things that are Caesars, and unto God the
things that are Gods" This took for grant
ed that God in His providence had subject
them to the Roman power that they were
indebted to it for protection, and there.
fore, that they ought to pay the tribute
But with this he e.joins the duty Of rem
dering to God, that which belongs to Him
The Herodians, who in their zeal to serve q
political ruler, had adopted heathenish Gus.
toms, were in this part Q: the answer re.
buked. They were enjoined to obey TEN.
poral rulers, and at the same time to remem
Der the God Of Israel.
This beautiful answer of our Savior
abashed His enemies. and il ais. contains
great ins struction for His people.
WHAT SHOULD WE RENDER TO CAESAR, Oh
CIVIL GOVERNMENT. ~ -
1st. Weought to speak respectfully ol
our Government. Peter tells us about those
who walk after the flesh in TIE lust of un.
cleanness. ard despise government. He
says presumptuous are they, self willed /;
they are not afraid to speak evil Of digni.
ties. Persons who pursue such course as
this bring reproach upon the cause Of
Christ, If they claim to be christians. In
their presumption they set themselves
against lawful authority. Peter SAYS that
as natural brute beasts, made to be taken
and destroyed, they speak evil of the things
that they understand not, and shall utterly
perish in their own corruption. [2d Peter,
2:l2.] The persons Of whom he was speak.
ing were opposed to oil governments both
civil and Religious. "Satan had caught
them with his bats and taken taken them
captive at his will" It is no small offence
to speak evil Of our rulers-especially Il
they are just rulers.
Even If they are bad rulers we must re.
spect them for their Office sake. King Saul
was wicked man, but we are told that il
was the men whose hearts God had touched
ttat weLt with him, and it was the children
Of Belial that despised him and brought him
no presents.
I'd. We are bound to regard our rulers
as ministers of Ged in civil Government.
Paul says, [Romans 1a:4l when speak.
ing on this subject, He is the minister ol
God to thee for good But Il thou do that
which is evil, be afraid for he beareth no,
not the sword in vain" As tho minister
Of God. he must use the sword IL you rebel
against him. In the same chapter Paul de-
clarss "The powers that be are ordained to
God" sLet.it be remembered that when
Pau! Wrote this chapter, Nero Was Enpsror
Of Rome, and he was one Of the greatest
monsters Of caprice and cruelty, Since
God appoints rulers for our good, Jet Us re-
gard them ss Of his appointment. Beware
how yen oppose them, lest ycu fight 4.
|gainst God and bring upon yourself sxifl
destruction. So @s T 500 ,ss 49,,
We fell upon evil times whsn men forget
the part Of God in this respect. He well
knossthat nstions cannot exist xithou GOV.
ernmcut. and (l,at anatebV X ora oe az.