cams_benton_b028_f012_002_006

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6.

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God will not hold the rebel, or the traitor, guilt-
-less, any more than man will: He is abhorred in
heaven & in Earth. He has cast off both the love of
man & the fear of God.

Yet, even this principle of submission, so
broad & so high, – this principle so necessary to
the well-being of the community in all ordinary
cases – this principle so vital to all the precious
interests, which grow up & flourish in the shadow
of authority, sustained by righteous law – this
principle so proper to be insisted on at all times,
so worthy of repeated inculcation, so essential to
the right-ordering of all affairs, & to the com-
-mon peace, confidence, & prosperity – may, & must,
have its limits & conditions.

It is implied that the laws & enactments
of men shall not conflict with the laws of God & hu-
-manity. The moment any human government
goes out of its sphere, usurps authority, or trenches
on the Divine prerogative, that moment it loses the
Sanction of Heaven, & may be resisted without
sin. Most preposterous would it be for us, with a
view to satisfy men, to incur the displeasure of Him, on
whose account we obey men. "The Lord is King of
Kings; who, when, he has opened his sacred mouth, is