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LAW OF PASSIVE OBEDIENCE
perversion of the text to suppose that we are required thereby to "submit ourselves to every ordinance of man,"[1] without admitting such just and necessary exceptions to
- ↑ The apostles and disciples of Christ were so far "from submiting themselves to every ordinance of man," that they boldly rejected the unjust commands even of the high priest and the whole national council of the Jewish state! The great council, called Sanhedrim, i. e. συνεδριον, (the commands of which they rejected,) included at that time all persons of their nation that bore any public authority or dignity among them, for the text expressly informs us that "their rulers, and elders, and scribes, and Annas, the high priest," (and the high priests since the time of the Maccabees were generally considered as a sort of princes,) "and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem." No power, therefore, amongst the Jews, could be more respectable (in regard to temporal authority) than this great national council: and the apostle Peter accordingly acknowledged their legal authority at first, by respectfully addressing them, saying,—"Ye rulers of the people and elders of Israel," &c. Yet, notwitstanding the temporal authority of this awful assembly of rulers and elders, (or senators,) they were publicly disregarded and contradicted by the apostles even in their presence, upon the very first proposal of an unreasonable and unlawful ordinance; for "they called them," (the apostles,) "and commanded them not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus."—But "Peter and John answered and said unto them, whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard." (Acts iv. 19 and 20.) And afterwards, when they were brought a second time before the said great council to answer for their breach of this "ordinance of man," "the high priest asked them, saying, did not, we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name, and behold ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other Apostle answered and said,—We ought to obey God rather than men," &c. This sentence, in effect, holds good with respect also to the rejection of every public ordinance that is contrary to reason, justice, or natural equity, as well as those that are contrary to the written word of God! This I have shown more at large in my declaration of the people's right.
declaration that there was nothing reprehensible either in his behavior or words on that day "before the council," because his declaration concerning the resurrection of the dead was the only one voice (or expression) which he supposed these Sadducees could call in question and lay to his charge!
