If religion had nothing to do with them, I would have nothing to do
with them here. But it _has_ something to do with them. Human
government is a divine ordinance. It is of divine authority. It is
_not_ a thing of mere human authority. Our _religion_, therefore,
our holiness and final salvation are concerned in our sentiments,
principles, and conduct in reference to human government. If God
_has_ left to men the choice of the _kind_ of government they will
have, he has _not_ left it to their choice whether they will _obey_
human government or not. He has commanded that obedience. Human
government and law are by the will of God. This is a religious
principle. And almost the entire sum of our second class of duties,
by the will of God, lies under the regulation of human government.
God has himself legislated in respect to the other class of duties.
Human government is founded on the revealed will of God.
The different expressions contained in the texts which we have just
read in your hearing, place this principle beyond all controversy.
Glance at them again. "Put them in mind to be subject to
principalities and powers, to obey magistrates." (I am doing so--I
am preaching gospel this morning.) "Let every soul be subject unto
the higher powers. For there is no power but _of God_. The powers
that be, are ordained _of God_. Whosoever, therefore, resisteth the
power, resisteth the ordinance _of God_.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25