.MTA2MA.NzE2NjU

that this is not the case; for all the crimes committed by usurpers, tyrants and oppressors, are as severely condemned in scripture as those committed by rebels and traitors. Now a religion cannot justly be charged with abetting tyranny, or as inimical to civil liberty, which denounces the severest vengeance on those who act tyrannically, and unjustly deprive men of liberty. But is should be considered on the other hand whether the charge of being seditious, and hurtful to kings and princes, has not in every age been brought against the zealous worshipers of God? Whether this has not been, and is not at this day the main pretext of persecutors, and those who would exclude the preachers of the gospel out of their several districts? And whether the necessity which is laid on christians of obeying God rather than man is not likely enough to exasperate the spirit of haughty princes, with and openly avowing that there are other cases in which we are not bound to obey them? Cases in fact, which call their right to authority in question, and directly impeach their wisdom and justice? Surely this is suited to increased that jealousy? against ministers, missionaries and professors of the Gospel, in the minds of rulers in all parts of the world, which to this day forms one grand barrier to the propagation of the gospel. In this respect, the apostles and primitive ministers and christians, and their successors for some ages, when situated "as lambs amidst wolves," were indeed wise as serpents and harmless as doves." (Scott on Prom.? 13) As children may honor and obey wicked parents without partaking of their guilt, so