Page:A memoir of Granville Sharp.djvu/127

Rh Sadducees, and thereby showed no inclination to apologize for the severity of his speech to their dignified chief! I must further remark, that the apostle's behavior, in openly opposing the high priest, (who, as such, was also a chief magistrate and judge,) is by no means inconsistent with that excellent advice which the same apostle has laid down in the thirteenth chapter of his epistle to the Romans, though it is frequently cited by the advocates for arbitrary power, in order to justify their false notions concerning the necessity of absolute submission and entire passive obedience ?

To an inattentive reader, indeed, the apostle's expression may seem too much to favour such doctrines, if the sense and connextion of the whole context are not carefully weighed together: but though he said—" Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever, therefore, resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they, that resist, shall receive to themselves damnation." Yet he immediately afterwards signifies what kind of rulers he spoke of "that were not to be resisted." "For rulers" (says he, in the very next verse,) "are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? 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 Ananias, as a ruler, was certainly the very reverse of this description, so that the practice of the apostle with respect to him, was by no means opposite to this doctrine.) "But" (says he) "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. Wherefore (ye) must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render, therefore, to all their dues: tribute, to whom tribute (is due;) custom, to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom