and in addition to that reftriction, it is not due in any inftance or degree in which the Governors do not poffefs authority from the State to require it. The propriety of these exceptions is fufficiently apparent. No one would undertake to vindicate by an appeal to human jurifdiction what would be rebellion against the Sovereign of the Universe; nor would any one conceive himself bound to fupport his lawful rulers in acts of ufurpation. The only concern then of the subject in these refpects is to be careful that his practice correfpond with his principles. If he were to be required to do what he is seriously convinced would be finful; to forfake, for example, the religious worship which he deems moft acceptable to his Maker; to concur in unwarrantable acts against a fellow-citizen; or to ferve against a foreign State in a war which in his conscience he firmly believed to be unjuft, he ought to remember that neither the command of his fuperiors, nor even the unanimous voice of his countrymen, would justify his obedience. Such is the enlightened spirit of modern times, and fo equitable are the general maxims of the British Conftitution, that to intimate to an Englishman

5

Englishman of the present age what would be the line of his duty in these cafes, may rather be deemed the boding of ignorant fufpicion than the voice of falutary caution. What though in former ages Henry the Eighth required unwearied pliability in the confciences. of his fubjects? What though Charles the First commanded his collectors of revenue to exact illegal impofitions from their fellow-citizens? What though his fucceffor fummoned those who served in his fleets and armies to carry on unjustifiable hoftilities against the Dutch? It is almost as improbable, it may be faid, that the perfecution and injuftice of thofe days fhould revive, as it is impoffible for the days themselves to return. The establishment of the principles of the Reformation and of the Revolution undoubtedly promises a great degree of fecurity against fimilar dangers. But it is not poffible to affirm, that, in the fluctuation of human events and human interests, fomething fimilar to what has happened heretofore can never take place again. The evil may not recur in its ancient form, nor diffuse itself to its ancient extent. Yet, however varied in appearance, it may be effentially the

fame.

fame. And on whatever principle it was the duty of a fubject in former times to withstand at all hazards the commands of his governors, when they enjoined flagrant acts of impiety and injuftice; on the very fame principle would it be at all times the duty of an Englishman fteadily to decline obeying any orders of his fuperiors, which his confcience should tell him were in any degree impious or unjust.

Under the limitations which have been stated, it is the duty of every British subject to obey with punctuality, promptitude, and cheerfulness, the laws of the land which are actually in force; that is, which are neither become obfolete by difufe, nor are understood to have been deprived by any other circumstance of their authority, though ftill continued in the Statute Book; and all public ufages admitted to have the obligatory power of laws. Reafont inculcates this duty upon him as the result of his own pofitive engagement; and her dictates are exprefsly fupported and strengthened by Christianity.

The Chriftian Scriptures do not enjoin their

followers

followers to adopt any particular form of Government in preference to another; they do not profeffedly define what circumstances are neceffary to conftitute any one a lawful Governor; nor to what extent a lawful Governor has a right to require the obedience of his fubjects. These were points altogether foreign to the views and objects of the facred writers; who leave them to be decided, the first by the voluntary choice of different nations, the fecond by the rules of natural justice, the last by general principles of morality and the laws of each particular State. But in every country, as foon as those fundamental points are adjufted, Chriflianity interpofes her fanctions; and pronounces it to be the duty of every man to obey the lawful commands, and to respect the perfons, and pray for the welfare, of the magiftrates of the community to which he belongs. "Submit yourselves for the Lord's fake," faith St. Peter, ¢ to every ordinance "of man," (to every person whom men have invefted with any degree of lawful authority over you)" whether it be to the King as fu"preme, or unto Governors," (all fubordinate magistrates) as unto them that are fent by

VOL. I.

G

"him

"him for the punishment of evil doers, and the "praise of them that do well." I Peter, c. ii. v. 13. Those who are thus ordained by men to execute the functions of Governors are to

be obeyed "for confcience fake;" and therefore are faid by St. Paul to be ordained of God. "There is no power but of God;" every form of lawful government and magiftracy is fanctioned by the Almighty: "the 66 powers that be, are ordained of God;" even the idolatrous and perfecuting Roman power had authority from God to exact obedience from thofe to whom the Apoftle wrote, because their several countries had faithfully and repeatedly engaged (b) to render it; whence St. Paul infers, that "whoever refifteth the "power," whoever withholds juft obedience. from his lawful rulers, " refifteth the ordinance "of God; and they that refift shall receive to "themselves condemnation." After various pertinent inftructions he concludes with this

(b) Chrift had in like manner pronounced the Jews bound to submit to the Roman Emperor, because they acknowledged him for their Sovereign by the unequivocal teftimony of giving currency to his coin as to that of their lawful Ruler, as well as by various other proofs.

general