MOREOVER, since God is the supreme Monarch of the universe, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; since his power alone is unlimited and irresistible; and by consequence, the primary and most proper object of men's fear; it is manifest, that no human laws whatsoever, can bind men to act contrary to the divine. Nothing can be more unreasonable, than to obey God's vice-gerent in opposition to God himself, and to suffer the fear of a less power, to prevail against the fear of a greater. The text teaches us, in the first place, _to fear the Lord_, and then _the King_. Should the King command not to fear the Lord, it is better to endure all that he can inflict, than to do what he commands? We are indeed commanded[B], _to render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsars_; but we cannot without impiety withhold from _God the things that are Gods_: that we may render to _Cæsar_ more than is his due. The Apostles, when they were reprimanded by the high-priest for not obeying the charge given them by the _Sanhedrim_, to teach no more in the name of Jesus, answered plainly, that they [C]_ought to obey God rather than man_. And a disciple of St. _John_ being brought before the magistrate for Christ's name sake, answered to the same purpose; "[D]We are taught to pay to the powers and authorities ordained of God, all due honour, excepting such only as would be hurtful to us." For to Christians, that honour and obedience must needs appear hurtful, which, tho' it may screen them from the displeasure of an earthly governour, who can kill the body only, will draw upon them the wrath of God, who can destroy both body and soul in hell. [B] _Matt._ xxii. 21. [C] _Acts_ v. 29. [D] _Euseb. Hist. Eccles._ lib. 4. cap. 15. BUT tho' the fear of God must, in case of competition, take place, before the fear of the King; yet ought it not to be made a pretence for refusing to render to the King the fear which is owing to him. The fear of God is so far from releasing subjects from their duty to their prince, that it is the surest ground of it, and the strongest motive to it. For since the King is the minister of God; they who do indeed fear God, will of course fear him who is in the place of God, and acts by authority derived from him. And whatsoever honour or service they are to yield to him, they will yield it heartily, not as to a man, but as to him whom he represents, the all-seeing and all-powerful God. TO such men human laws have a much stronger sanction, than the penalties annexed to the violation of them by the legislature. They are subject for fear, not only of the magistrates wrath, but of that everlasting punishment, which God will inflict upon all who will not submit to the powers ordained by him.