that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." Here the apostle clearly rests all legislative government upon the immediate power and authority of that God who says, By me kings reign, and princes decree justice." The same duty attaches to every lower officer thus appointed to distribute justice, and no christian man would wish it otherwise. "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?" The apostle can tell you how to live without fear or apprehension on this point: "Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same, for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” In this plain and irresistible passage, the Almighty God is pleased to put himself into the character of his ministering servant. He gives the authority, and he even looks to the person so employed, to be a revenger, and to execute wrath upon the disobedient. The man who humbly wishes honestly and fairly, peaceably and quietly, to live in this world, lives as if there were no rulers; for if he breaks no laws, the ruler is no terror to him, he has nothing to apprehend, nor will he ever be interrupted under a good government in the exercise of that wholesome liberty which is really the privilege of every man. "The law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane." (1 Tim. i.9.) But when turbulent and wicked men despise all dominion and speak evil of dignities, when those who fear not God, neither regard man, would willingly teach that no obedience is due to God or to man, then it becomes the duty of every Christian to open his Bible, and convince himself and others what is the will of God upon these points. Let us examine a few scripture instances to this effect. “ Is it lawful, say the Pharisees, wishing to catch our blessed Saviour in his words, to give tribute to Cæsar or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? The Roman penny being produced with the image and superscription of Cæsar, our Lord says, "Render to Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's, and to God the things that are God's," (Mark xii. 17.) Does St. Paul offer advice to his beloved Timothy on the subject, it is exactly such as we should expect from the great apostle; (1 Tim. ii. 1 ;) "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." Does St. Peter give advice to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, persons living in some respects under different shades of government; his advice is to this effect; (1 Pet. ii. 13;) "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." St. Jude speaks forcibly of "murmurers and complainers walking after their own lusts." All these passages of sacred Scripture teach us but too clearly, that the fear of God, and dutiful obedience to the laws, must ever be united; that what God hath joined together, man must not put asunder. And what, it may be asked, is the object of those artful men and wicked books which do so much mischief in the world? Their design is one and the same. It is to ridicule religion, to scoff at religious ordinances, to despise all dominion, and to speak evil of all dignity. We will not have this man to reign over us, say the rebellious servants in the parable; we will not have any man at all to reign over us, say thousands in the world. We will act as we please. We will set up for ourWe will be taught by no man. selves. Thus We care not for divine appointments. We will live without God in the world. do men act. If you let them choose their own precepts out of the Bible, it is well; but if not, they boldly deny the Lord who bought them, and set up for infidels and unbelievers. From such men, From such men, such prin ciples, and such practice, may our good Lord deliver us! From all hardness of heart, and contempt of his word and commandment, may our good Lord deliver us! For it is by a daring avowal of all such doctrines as these, that misery is brought upon states, and families, and individuals. How many who have been obliged to fly their native land, how many who have passed years in prisons, how many who have forfeited their lives to the broken laws of their country, have confessed that they first doubted the truth of Scripture, then acted as if there were no God, and then endeavoured to break down every safeguard to society, thus hoping to involve others in the same misery with themselves. Can you then wonder that the ministers of that blessed Saviour who himself bowed to every ordinance of man, should wish you, their hearers, to live as the disciples of the Prince of peace-to show by your daily conduct that you believe in God, and reverence his holy faith? It was asked by the servants of God in old times, Who is on the Lord's side? And if by the fruit the tree is to be known, the disciples of |