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to have as much Scriptural warrant as can be adduced for the opinions of private men or for the injunctions of any pretended universal church; not to say that some determination of controversial points in religion is necessary. In either case, the subject may safely follow its command, more especially as no mental assent – only outward conformity – is extorted; and would do wrong not to follow it, because otherwise civil anarchy must result. If, on the other hand, the sovereign power is not professedly Christian, the subject cannot indeed be expected, in a case where something is required involving damnation, to obey man rather than God. Let him then be ready, if need be, to lay down his life, expecting the reward in heaven of his martyrdom; but in any case let him not resist a power which, whether Christian or not, is divinely appointed, since it has its origin in reason uttering the law of nature, which is the law of God."[1]
But although the sovereign is in no way subject to the people of a commonwealth, nor in any manner subject to the civil laws, he is, however, subject to the law of nature; and is accountable to God, who is author of the law of nature, for his conduct.[2] The duty to which he is obliged by the law of nature is to secure the end for which sovereignty was established: "the procuration of the safety of the people." "By safety here, is not meant a bare preservation, but also all other contentments of life, which every man by lawful industry, without danger, or hurt to the commonwealth, shall acquire to himself."[3] This is to be done mainly by a general providence contained in public instruction, both of doctrine and example; and in the making and executing of good laws, to which individual persons may apply their own cases."[4] It is contrary to the duty of