Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not
only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For, for this
cause pay ye tribute also, for they are God's ministers,
attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore
to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to
whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
There are two great classes of human duty. One of them embraces
duties which we owe to God, the other embraces duties which we owe
to men.
This classification of duties received the sanction of Jesus Christ,
when he spake of _loving the Lord our God with all our heart_, as
the spirit and sum of the one class of duties, and of _loving our
neighbor as ourselves_, as the spirit and sum of the other class of
duties. It had also been previously taught at Mount Sinai, when God
gave to Moses the two tables of the law--the one enjoining our duty
to God, the other enjoining our duty to man.
This classification of duties is not arbitrary. It is founded on
truth and nature. Men have relations to God, as their Creator,
Upholder, Governor, Redeemer, and rightful Judge; and they are bound
to recognize these relations, and feel and act accordingly. Men hold
relations to one another, as parents, children, citizens, rulers,
and subjects; and they are bound to recognize these relations, and
feel and act accordingly. Such is the will of God. Such is the law
of God.
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