Page:St. Paul's behaviour towards the civil magistrate.pdf/11

 knew he was to suffer much greater hardships? He that was ready to give up his for the sake of christianity, and to follow his Master through all indignities, and all persecutions, when the glory of God should call him to it? No, it was something more than his own part in this world which engaged him to shew himself after this manner; for this he could with the greatest ease have neglected. But the happiness of human society, and the good of the inferior part of mankind, moved  soul to a generous indignation against every thing in government which favoured tyranny; and kindled in his breast a  for every thing which it was fit for his subjects to enjoy. Let us therefore see if his behaviour will not lead us to some useful and important thoughts relating to Christians incorporated in civil societies.

I need not take particular notice that Paul thought it not beneath a christian,  an apostle, to concern himself with his  and privileges, as he was a subject of  Roman state. He knew, as well as any his time, that he belonged to a city above,  builder is God; he knew that his  concern was eternity and heaven; he  that no tyrannical magistrate could  him of his innocence, or of his salvation,  he considered himself likewise as a member of human society, and acted the