cams_benton_b028_f012_002_007

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7.

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is to be heard alone, above all, for all, & before all; in
the next instance, we are subject to those men who preside over
over us; but no otherwise than in him. If they com-
mand anything against him, it ought not to
have the least attention; nor in this case ought
we to pay any regard at all to that dignity which
is attached to magistrates; to which no injury is done
where it is subjected to the unrivalled [unrivaled] & supreme
power of God."

On this principle Daniel conducted
at the court of Belsshazar [Belshazzar] – "refusing to obey the
King's wicked decree; – since, in exceeding the
the limits of his office, & making an arbitrary
& needless law: – he had not only inflicted evil
on men; but, by foolishly raising his arm
against God's authority, had degraded, & fa-
-tally injured his own. On this principle Peter
& A John acted when ordered no to speak in
the name of Christ – saying, "We ought to
obey God rather than men." (The right of free speech.)

So it appears, that, sacred & binding
as the rule of obedience to magistrates & authorities is,
& much as it is insisted on in the word of God – that
same word teaches us that we may, & should,
resist earthly powers in the case before us ~