The  only  liberty  or  freedom  which  converts  to
Chriftianity  could  hope  to  gain  by  becoming  Chrif-
tians, was  the  being  exempted  from  fun  dry  burthen-

fome


PASSIVE  OBEDIENCE  AND  NON-RESISTANCE.   507

fome  and  fervile  Jewifti  ordinances,  on  the  one  hand ;
#nd,  on  the  other,  from  Gentile  blindncfs  and  fupcr-
ftition.  They  were  allb  in  fome  meafure  perhaps
made  more  free  in  the  inner  man  ;  by  being  endowed
with  greater  firmnefs  of  mind  in  the  caufe  of  truth,
againft  the  terrors  and  the  allurements  of  the  world  ;
and  with  fuch  additional  ftrength  and  vigour  as
enabled  them  more  effectually  to  refill  the  natural
violence  of  their  lufts  and  paflions.  On  all  thefe
accounts  it  was  that  our  Saviour  fo  emphatically  told
the  Jews,  that  tie  truth  (of  which  himfelf  was  now
the  preacher)  would  make  them  free  *.  And  on  the
fame  principle  St.  James  terms  the  Gofpel  the  perfeft
law  of  liberty.
In  the  infancy  of  Chriftianity,  it  would  feem  that
fome  rumour  had  been  fpread  (probably  by  Judas  of
Galilee,  who  is  mentioned  in  the  Aclsf)  that  the  Go-
fpel was  defigned  to  undermine  kingdoms  and  com-
monwealths ;  as  if  the  intention  of  our  Saviour's
firft  coming  had  Keen  the  fame  with  that  which  is
referred  for  the  fecond,  viz.  to  put  down  all  rule,  and
(ill  authority,  and  all  fo^ver.  On  this  fuppofition  the
apparent  folicitude  of  our  Saviour  and  his  Apoftles,  in
their  frequent  and  earneft  recommendation  of  fub-
miffion  to  the  higher  powers,  is  eafily  and  naturally
accounted  for.  Obedience  to  Government  is  every
man's  duty,  becaufe  it  is  every  man's  intereft  :  but
jt  is  particularly  incumbent  on  Chriftians,  becaufe

*  John,  ch.  vin.  ver.  32.  f  Ch.  v.  ver.  37.
