Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
I forgot to post this one last night:
Seeing therefore that God will not princes commandments should be obeyed in all things, but will have his rather suffer a thousand deaths, than do any thing that is evil: and sense also so many evils and mischiefs may follow in this life, where wicked princes wills may stand for laws, men ought both for God’s sake and commandment abstain to obey such commandments, and cleave unto this Maxim: we must obey God rather than man, for whose sake if we lose both goods and life, we ought to rejoice, that we be called to serve him, and not doubt, but as he is able to recompense it, so will he (according to his promise) reward it.
And besides also they ought to consider, that princes be ordained for the wealth and benefit of the people, and not to their destruction: to maintain common wealths, and not to subvert them: which rather than any man should consent unto, he ought (being a faithful man to his country) to abide all losses, both of body and goods. For next after God, men be borne to love, honour, and maintain their country.
For the reference, see John Ponet on obeying God and honouring your country rather than a tyrant.
Seeing therefore that God will not princes commandments should be obeyed in all things, but will have his rather suffer a thousand deaths, than do any thing that is evil: and sense also so many evils and mischiefs may follow in this life, where wicked princes wills may stand for laws, men ought both for God’s sake and commandment abstain to obey such commandments, and cleave unto this Maxim: we must obey God rather than man, for whose sake if we lose both goods and life, we ought to rejoice, that we be called to serve him, and not doubt, but as he is able to recompense it, so will he (according to his promise) reward it.
And besides also they ought to consider, that princes be ordained for the wealth and benefit of the people, and not to their destruction: to maintain common wealths, and not to subvert them: which rather than any man should consent unto, he ought (being a faithful man to his country) to abide all losses, both of body and goods. For next after God, men be borne to love, honour, and maintain their country.
For the reference, see John Ponet on obeying God and honouring your country rather than a tyrant.