Page:Jewish Rabbies' care of God's law.pdf/12

 had, the questions are certainly an important inquiry. Q. First.—Who are these higher powers every soul is enjoined to be subject to? Q. Second.—Why are they to be subject to powers in the plural number? Q. Third.—Does every soul, in the above, include the subjection of rulers to these higher powers, as well as the ruled? Q. Fourth. Is it so that none resisteth these higher powers who doth not resist the ordinance of God, and who shall not receive damnation to themselves thereby?

At the same time I have stated these questions for answer, let it be observed, that unless the higher powers are found, that every soul may and ought to be subject to them, without the exception of one soul, agreeably to the truth of that text of Scripture, right reason and common sense, neither the common acceptation of authors, nor their respectability for learning and piety, opposed to these, can be admitted. For it is truly shameful to see men, so correct in letters and words, guilty of such blunders in the things of God. For as there are none of these higher powers to whom subjection is called for and due but of God, and God's ordinance; so it is the height of folly to set up kings not by God, and princes that he did not know, and say, these are the higher powers of God, to whom every soul is to be subject, in opposition to the God that made them, and his revelation, that is so soon to judge them for a never-ending eternity.

"Greenock, 5th December, 1817. "Sir—Having heard you last night on these