As to the second , it lyes upon me to speak at this time , but before I come to Particulars , I must distinguish between Sufferings in relation to God as called unto by him ; and Sufferings in Relation to God , as brought into by Man .

Sufferings in Relation to God as called unto by him , are such as were Abraham's for the Tryal of his Faith , when he was bid to go forth of his Countrey , and his kindred , and his Fathers hous , to a Land that the Lord would shew him ; and he went out , not knowing whether he went , and sojourned in the Land of Promise as in a strange Countrey , dwelling in Tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob , the Heirs with him of the same Promise , Gen. 13.1 . Heb . 11.8 , 9. And as to the offering up his son Isaac , and the receiving him back again from the dead in a figure , who against hope believed in hope ; and so in the Mount of the Lord it will be seen ; so he called the place where he so received him , Jehovah-Jireth , Gen. 22.14 . Rom. 4.18 . Heb . 11.19 .

And as were Davids for the Tryal of his hope ; David and the times that past over him ; who was pursued by Saul , and put to great straits , ere he obtained the Kingdom which the Lord had promised him . In the Lord I put my trust ; how say ye to my soul , flee as a Bird to your Mountain ? Psal . 11.1 . For in thee O Lord ! do I hope ; thou wilt hear , O Lord my God , Psal . 38.15 . 2 Chron . 29.30 . Why art thou cast down O my soul ? and why art thou disquieted within me ? Hope thou in God , for I shall yet praise him , who is the health of my Countenance , and my God , Psal . 43. last . Psal . 42.5.11 .

And as were Job's for the proof of his Patience ; Ye have heard of the patience of Job , and have seen the end of the Lord , that the Lord is very pitiful , and of tender mercy , James 5.11 .

And as were Paul's for the preventing of exaltation , when a Thorn in the flesh , a Messenger of Satan was sent to buffet him , least he should be exalted above measure , through the abundance of Revelation , 2 Cor . 12.7 .

And as were his sufferings for the succouring of them that are tempted ; who was in all points tempted like as we are , yet without sin ; that in that he himself having suffered being tempted , he might be able to succour them that are tempted , Heb . 4.15.2.18 . Who was despised , and rejected of m●n , a man of sorrows , and acquainted with griefs , and we hid our faces from him ( was it prophesied ) he was despised , and we esteemed him not : surely he hath born our griefs , and carryed our sorrows , yet we did esteem him stricken , smitten of God , and afflicted . But he was wounded for our transgressions ; he was bruised for our iniquities , the chastisement of our peace was upon him , and with his stripes we are healed ; all we like sheep have gone astray , we have turned every one to his own way , and the Lord hath laid upon him the iniquity of us all . He was oppressed , and he was afflicted , yet he opened not his mouth , he is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter , and as a sheep before the Shearers is dumb ; so he opened not his mouth . He was taken from Prison and from Judgement , and who shall declare his Generation ? for he was cut off from the Land of the living ; for the transgression of my People was he stricken ; and he made his Grave with the wicked , and with the rich in his death , because he had done no violence ; neither was any deceit found in his mouth . Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him , he hath put him to grief . When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin , he shall see his seed , he shall prolong his dayes , and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand , he shall see of the travel of his soul , and shall be satisfied : by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justifie many , for he shall bear their iniquities ; therefore will I devide him a portion with the great , and he shall devide the spoil with the strong , because he hath poured out his soul unto death , and he was numbred with the transgressors , and he bear the sin of many , and made intercession for the transgressours , Isa . 53. Who once suffered for sins , the just for the unjust , that he might bring us unto God , 1 Pet . 3.18 .

And as were the Apostle's , for the Seeds sake ; who filled up that which was behind of the afflictions of Christ in his flesh ; for his bodyes sake , which is the Church , Col. 1.18 .

And as were the Servants of the Lord , the Prophets , who spake in the Name of the Lord , who were Examples of suffering affliction , and of Patience , Jam . 2.10 . whose Faith follow , Considering the end of their Conversation , ( saith he of them who had the rule over them , who had spoken to them the word of God , Jesus Christ , yesterday , and to day , and for ever , Heb . 13.7 , 8. Besides those things ( saith Paul ) which are without , that which cometh upon me dayly , the care of all the Churches , 2 Cor . 11.28 .

And as were Paul's for Christs sake , and the Witnesse of his Truth ; who said , From henceforth let no man trouble me , I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus , Gal. 6.17 .

And as were theirs , who loved not their lives unto the death , of whom John spake , Rev. 12.11 .

Sufferings in relation to God , as brought by Man , are such as are for the Testimony of Truth , and of a good Conscience in things appertaining to the Kingdome of God , and his Dominion in the Consciences of men ; of which I am now to speak , and unto which I shall direct what I have to say in this Treatise , which I am moved of the Lord to write in this hour , wherein sufferings are neer , and that for Conscience , and because of the Dominion of God in the Consciences of men , and the Testimony of him in this Generation , who is come to Reign , and who shall Reign over all for ever and ever ; and all his enemies shall be made his Foot-stool , and on his head shall his Crown flourish ; and through the greatnesse of his power , his enemies shall submit themselves to him : Whose Kingdome is an everlasting Kingdome , and his Dominion that which shall never have end ; the mouth of the Lord of Hosts hath spoken it , who lives for ever , whose is the Glory , and the Praise , and the Dominion for ever .

And here I shall lay down much of what I have to say in this Treatise , in what I have to speak to this Question , viz.

Quest . Whether the Dominion of God in the Consciences of men , be that which men are to bear Witness unto , through the greatest sufferings that may come for bearing witnesse to the same ? And whether such a bearing witness through the greatest sufferings that may come , to such his Dominion , be not that which is required of every man in whom there is a witnesse of such his Dominion in the Consciences of men ?

I answer , Yea , undoubtedly ; it is so , and no other thing can be asserted in this Particular ; and by how much the Greater he is than man , and above man , who gave man his being , who is Lord of Conscience , by so much the rather , or the more is his Dominion to be witnessed unto in this particular , in and over Conscience , who is Lord of Man , and of the Conscience .

But it may be said , How comes this to passe ? seeing Man is appointed under him to Rule in the Earth , and as his Vicegerent , unto whom , as Kings , and Governours , and all that are in Authority , men are to be subject as to the higher Powers ; for there is no Power but of God ; and the Powers that be , are ordained of God ( saith the Apostle , Rom. 13.1 . ) and submit your selves to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake , whether it be to the King as Supream , or unto Governours as unto them that are sent by him , 1 Pet . 2.13 , 14. And , I exhort , therefore that first of all , Supplications , Prayers , Intercessions , and giving of thanks be made for all men ; for Kings , and all that are in Authority ; that we may lead a quiet , and peaceable life in all Godlinesse and honesty , 1 Tim . 2.1 , 2. And , Whosoever therefore resisteth the Power , resisteth the Ordinance of God , and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation , Rom. 13.2 , 3. And , Ye must needs be subject not only for wrath , but for Conscience sake , vers . 5.

I Answer , Kings , and Governours , and all that are in Authority , are to be submitted unto for the Lords sake , and for Conscience sake , and not only for wrath ; and there is no Power but of God , and the Powers that be , are ordained of God ; and whosoever resisteth the Power , resists the Ordinance of God , and they that resist shall receive to themselves Damnation ; and Prayers , Supplications , and Thanksgivings , are to be made for all men , and for Kings , and all that are in Authority ; but what Kings are they , and Governours , and those all in Authority ? and for what is it that Supplications , and Prayers , and Intercessions , and giving of thanks , first of all is to be made for Kings , and all that are in Authority ? And for what end is it that such supplications , &c. are to be made ? And what Power is it that is of God , the higher Powers , which he that resisteth , resists the Ordinance of God , unto which men must needs be subject , not only for wrath , but also for Conscience sake , which they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation ? I hope no man will say it is the Power of evil , or that which Commands evil ; or Kings , or Governors , or all that are in Authority , that Command evil ; or that the Commands of evil in all that are in Authority are to be submitted unto , and that not only for wrath , but also for Conscience sake , or that such are not to be resisted ( I mean that the Commands of such ) are not to be disobeyed , but are to be submitted unto as the higher Power , the Ordinance of God , as the Powers that be Ordained of God , whom to resist brings damnation . For this was done by those of whom Paul spake , to those of whom he spake , viz. the Roman Emperours , Kings , and Governors , and others , under whom , or the Power of whom they then were , for they worshipped not their Gods which were made with hands , nor did they meet in their Idol Temples , nor forbore they to speak in the Name of Jesus ; nor were they conformed to their manners , or customes ; nor did they after their works , which were evil ; but were stoned , sawn asunder , tempted , slain with the sword ; they wandred about in Sheep-skins , and Goat-skins , being destitute , afflicted , tormented , of whom the world was not worthy ; they wandred in Deserts , and in Mountains , and in Dens and Caves of the Earth , as the Scriptures testifie of the Saints that went before ; and the whole series of History from the dayes of the Apostles , who wrote and Prophesied of these things hath been done since , as he did who went before , who was Lord of all , what his Disciples should suffer and endure , and the followers of him throughout all Generations , who met with , and who do meet with the same things to this day , and pass thorough them as they did who went before and bare testimony to this thing , viz. of enduring whatsoever came of it , any sufferings rather than to obey the commands of men to do evill , and so some in every age and generation of men , ever since the Apostasie , there have been , and multitudes of them too , who thorough the most barbarous , and cruel torturings , loss of Goods , Estates , Liberties , Children , Families , Relations , Country , Deprivation of Members , and Death it self ; the sharpest , and most base of deaths , living deaths , deaths ( if I may so say , because of the torments , and the duration , and variety of the exquisiteness of them ) more sharp than death , burnings , hangings , starvings , beheadings , deaths with the Extremities of sufferings most deviseable , have born testimony to this , even against the unjust Commands of those in Authority , whether Kings , Emperours , Governors , Captains , Presidents , or other Officers ; and all these things have suffered because they could not obey the Commands that were evil of those , who because they obeyed not their evil Commands , inflicted the most inhumane Cruelties upon them ; who passed thorough them in denial of them all , and so have obtained a good Report , who loved not their lives unto the Death , to bear testimony unto this , as John foresaw , Rev. 12.11 . Whose constant enduring , and faithfulness unto this , remains as Examples , and undeniable Proofs throughout all Generations of what hath been said . The Witnesses have Prophesied in Sackcloth , as John foresaw they should for the space of a thousand , two hundred , and threescore dayes ; and they have been killed , and their dead bodies have lain in the streets of the Great City , which spiritually is called Sodome , and Egypt , where our Lord also was Crucified , and they of the People , and Kindreds , and Tongues , and Nations have seen their dead bodies , and have not suffred their dead bodies to be put into graves ; and they that dwelt on the Earth , have rejoyced over them , and made merry , and sent Gifts one to another , because those Prophets tormented them that dwelt on the Earth , as he also foresaw , Rev. 11.3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10. Who saw the souls of them under the Altar , which were slain for the Word of God , and the Testimony which they held , who cryed with a loud voyce , saying , How long O Lord ! holy , and true , doest thou not Judge , and Avenge our blood on them that dwell on the Earth ? And he saw White Robes given unto every one of them ; and it was sayd unto them , that they should rest yet for a little season , untill their fellow-servants , and their Brethren that should be killed as they were , should be fulfilled , Rev. 6.9 , 10 , 11. And in Babylon was found the blood of Prophets , and of Saints , and of all that were slain on the Earth , Rev. 18. last ; and her smoak arose up for ever , and ever , Rev. 19.3 .

And Mystery Babylon the Great , the Mother of Harlots , and Abominations of the Earth ; and I saw the Woman drunken with the blood of the Saints , and with the blo●d of the Martyrs of Jesus : and when I saw her I wondred with great Admiration . And the Angel said unto me , Wherefore doest thou Marvell ? I will tell the Mystery of the Woman , and of the Beast that carrieth her , which hath the seven heads and ten hornes ; and so he tells him what it is , and how the Beast ascends out of the Bottomless Pit , and shall go into Perdition , and that they that dwell on the Earth , whose Names were not written in the Book of life from the foundation of the World , shall wonder when they behold the Beast ; and that the seven heads were seven Mountains , on which the Wom●● sate ; and that there were seven Kings , five of whom were fallen , and that one was , and that another was yet to come , and that he that was to come should continue a short space ; and that the Beast that was , and is not , he was the Eighth , and was of the seaven , and should go into Perdition ; and that the Ten Hornes were Ten Kings , which had received no Kingdome as yet ; but had received Power as Kings one hour with the Beast , and that these had one mind , and should give their Power and strength unto the Beast ; and these should make warr with the Lamb , and that the Lamb should overcome them , for he is Lord of Lords , and King of Kings ; and that they that were with him , were called , and faithful , and chosen ; and that the Waters on which the Whore sate , were People , and Multitudes , and Nations , and Tongues ; and that the Ten hornes should hate the Whore , and make her desolate , and naked , and eate her flesh , and burn her with fire ; and that God had put it into their hearts to fulfill his will , and to agree , and give their Kingdome unto the Beast , untill the Words of God should be fulfilled , and that the Woman which he saw was that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth ; and that this was the Great Whore , with whom the Kings of the Earth had committed fornication ; and the Inhabitants of the Earth had been made drunk with the Wine of her fornication , Rev. 17. And he saw the Beast rise up out of the Sea , having seaven heads , and ten hornes , and upon his hornes ten Crownes and upon his heads , the Name of Blasphemy ; and that the Beast was like a Leopard , and that his feet were as the feet of a Beare , and that his mouth was as the mouth of a Lion ; and that the Dragon gave him his Power , and his Seate , and great Authority , and that one of his heads was as it were wounded to Death , and that his deadly wound was healed , and that all the World wondred after the Beast , and that they worshipped the Dragon , which gave Power unto the Beast , and that they worshipped the Beast , saying , Who is like to the Beast ? Who is able to make warr with him ; and that there was given unto him a Mouth speaking great things , and Blasphemies , and Power was given unto him to continue fourty and two moneths , and that he opened his mouth in Blaspheming against God , to blaspheme his Name , and his Tabernacle , and them that dwell in Heaven ; and that it was given him to make warr with the Saints , and to overcome them ; and that Power was given unto him over all Kindreds , and Tongues , and Nations , and that all that dwell on the Earth should worship him , whose Names were not written in the Book of Life , of the Lamb slaine from the foundation of the World , Rev. 13. And this he Prophesied , which is since come to pass .

So then ( as I have sayd ) I hope that no man will say it is the Power of evil , the Power of the Darkness of this World , the Power of the Beast , the Commands of evil in them that Rule , that that is the higher Power unto which every soul is to be subject , that that is the Power that is of God , that those are the Powers that are ordained of God , that they that resist that Power resist the Ordinance of God , and that they that so resist shall receive to themselves damnation ; or that a man must needs be subject to such Powers , not only for wrath , but also for Conscience sake ; for then this more than a Cloud of Witnesses ( if I may so say , and so I may say , for they are Clouds of Witnesses ) throughout all Generations , and during the Apostacies , who have ( as hath been sayd ) obtained a good Report , and remain as undeniable Proofs , of what hath been sayd , must be blotted out , and they must be accounted ( which God forbid , and they can never be so blotted out , must never be so accounted ) I say , they must be accounted the souls that were not subject to the Higher Powers , the Powers that be of God , the Powers that were ordained of God , that resisted the Ordinance of God ; and that they received to themselves damnation , in resisting the Power which they must needs have been subject unto , or which they ought to have been subject to , not only for wrath , but also for Conscience sake , and which should have been obeyed , for he that resisteth the Power resisteth the Ordinance of God , and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation , & where the Power is not obeyed , it is resisted ; which I say again God forbid ; this were to offend against the generation of his children , even against Prophets , and the holy Apostles , & Martyrs throughout all generations ; which is not a thing so much as to be thought , much less is it to be spoken ; and if it should be , the Lord , that of him in man , the witness of God will condemn it , will judge it , which abides for ever , which witness none can stop , which is greater than all , which is witness , and will testifie that for the Word of God it was , and for the Testimony of Jesus , that they so suffred and testified , according as it was foretold by the holy Prophets ever since the World began , and the Lord God Eternal hath and will bear them witness , that it was in obedience to his will , and for his Testimony that they suffred , in the day wherein he will judge the secrets of all hearts by Him whom he hath appointed , of which he hath given assurance unto all men , in that he hath raised him from the dead . So let all be silent , and every mouth be stopt in this thing , for God is Judge ; and his witness in every one shall answer in every one that it is so , and John saw it so , as aforesaid ; he saw them cloathed in white , he saw them Crown'd , and having the Harps of God in their hands , and singing the Song of Moses , & the Lamb ; and if this were not so , how could they be cloathed in white ? how could they be Crown'd ? how could they have the Harps of God in their hands , and sing the Song of Moses , and the Lamb , and reign for ever ? They loved not their lives unto the Death ; Be thou faithful unto the death , and I will give thee a Crown of life ; And I have fought a good fight ; I have finished my course ; I have kept the faith , henceforth is layd up for me a Crown of life , which the Lord the righteous Judge will give me in that day , and not only to me , but to all that love the Lord Jesus , and his appearing , sayd Paul , 2 Tim . 4.7 . Thou , therefore , endure hardness as a good Souldier of Jesus Christ , 2 Tim . 2.3 . And , to him that overcometh ( and how can there be such an overcoming where the Commands of evil are obeyed , and obeyed they are where they are observed against the Motions of the Just , and the Just suffers ) will I grant to sit with me on my Throne , even as I also overcame , and am sate down with my Father on his Throne , sayd the Son of God , who humbled himself unto Death , even unto the Death of the Cross ; who suffred the Just for the Unjust , that he might bring us to God , Rev. 3.21 . 1 Pet . 3.18 .

And this is the Word of Truth , and what the Scriptures testifie , and which will prove so to be in the Day wherein he will render to every Man according to his Deeds ; and this I am moved of the Lord to write , that Men may take heed how they enforce against this , and seek to set the Commands of Men whatsoever over all , and plead Obedience thereunto , as to the Power of God ; Subjection as to the Higher Powers ; Submission as to the Ordinance of God ; whereas it is no such thing , in things that are evil , as hath been made manifest , : but must be testified against , and they who have testified against the Commands that have been evil , the Lord hath been with them , and hath testified for them , and helpt them thorough , and carried them above all that they have met with and suffred , yea Death it self , in the bearing of such their testimony .

That then is not the Power , the higher Power , the Ordinance of God , unto which Men must needs be subject , not only for wrath , but also for Conscience sake , which Commands the thing that is evil , that is not the Power of God , that is to be obeyed ; but something else must be the meaning of the higher Powers , the Powers that be of God , that every soul must be subject unto , and that not for wrath only , but also for Conscience sake , which is the Ordinance of God , which whosoever resisteth , resists the Ordinance of God ; and some other signification it must of necessity have , than what is according to the common understanding of those words , which is to this effect , That be the Power what it will , be they who are in Authority what they will , and be their Commands as they will , they are to be obeyed , they are to be submitted unto for Conscience sake , they are the Powers , the higher Powers , the Powers that be Ordained of G●d , unto which every soul must be subject , unto which every soul must needs be subject , not only for wrath , but also for Conscience sake ; and so say they , Is it fit to say to a King , Thou art wicked ? and to Princes , Ye are ungodly ? Job 34.18 .

What then ( may it be said ) is that something else , that other signification of the Power , the higher Power , that every soul is to be subject unto ? What is that Power , that higher Power , the every Ordinance of man that is to be submitted unto ?

I answer ; That something else , that every Ordinance of man , that is to be submitted unto , for the Lords sake ; Submit your selves unto every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake ; That Power , that higher Power , which whosoever resists , resists the Ordinance of God , which they who resist , shall receive to themselves Damnation , unto which , there must needs be subjection , not only for wrath , but also for Conscience sake ; that higher Power , that Power is the Lord , that of him in every man by whom Kings Reign , and Princes Decree Justice . As the Commands of Kings , and Governours , and all that are in Authority , come from this , or answer unto this , they are to be submitted unto , the Power , the higher Power , Every Ordinance of Man for the Lords sake , as it comes from the Lord , that of him in every man , who is Lord , and King ; or that answers unto it ; for the Lords sake , because it is of the Lord , that of him in man , and comes from him , and answers to him ; for his sake , though it be mans , be they what they will that ordain , Kings , Governours , all that are in Authority , if it come from , or answer to that of him , in them , and you , that of God which witnesseth to God , which answers to the Witness of God , obey it for the Lords sake , though it be the Ordinance of Man , though it proceed from , or through man , for the sake of that of him in man , from whom it comes , and unto which it answers ; for the Lord is in men , and though men may ordain it , yet that of him in man , moving him thereunto , it is not mans , ( though in a sence it may be so said , because it is brought forth in man , and man joyns to it , and so makes it his ) but the Lords , that of him in man , moving man so to decree , so to ordain ; this is to be submitted unto for the Lords sake ; because it is of the Lord , because it comes from that of him in man , and answers to it .

And this is the signification of that Word ; that other signification than what is commonly understood , that something else , viz. it being the Ordinance of man , or made or decreed by man , it is to be submitted unto ; subjection is to be to it ( be it what it will , and as it will , for if all that s decreed , must be submitted to , if subjection must be to it , then it is be it what it will , and as it will ; for that is all , and all is be it what it will , and as it will ) for the Lords sake ; as I have received it from the Lord .

And so that place , viz. Let every soul be subject to the higher Powers , for there is no Power but of God , the Powers that be , are ordained of God ; whosoever therefore resisteth the Power , resists the Ordinance of God , and they that resist receive to themselves damnation , Rom. 13.1 , 2. is to be understood of that which witnesseth that of God , that which is of him in man , that which comes from it , that is of it , the Power , the higher Power , Christ Jesus the wisdome of God , & the power of God ; Let every soul be subject unto it , to the Power , to the higher Powers , for there is no Power but of God , and the Powers that be , are ordained of God : This I say must be understood of the Powers that proceed from that of God , for the Powers that be , ( such as are to be submitted unto ; such unto which subjection and obedience is to be ) are Ordained of God , for there is no Power but of God , ( saith he , ) No Power but of God . So then that 's the Power unto which subjection is to be , and submission and obedience , which is of God . For the Powers unto which the Soul is to be subject , is the Power by which the soul was made ; God breathed into man the breath of life , and man became a living soul : That which bows this soul , which subjects it , which God hath made ; the breath of life which he hath breathed into man , must be of God , the Power of God , there is no Power but of God ; the Powers that be are Ordained of God ; and this Power whosoever resisteth , resists the Ordinance of God , and they that resist , shall receive to themselves Damnation ; that is to say , they shall come to be judged or condemned by the Power , by that of God in them , which witnesses unto God , that that Power that was resisted was of God : For Damnation or Judgement cannot be received by any one to themselves truly , but as they resist that of God which witnesses in them , that condemns .

And therefore it is said in the words following by the Apostle ; and which he gives as a reason of the former , or the ground why it is so that they that resist shall receive to themselves Damnation , or come to be judged by that of God in them , which condemns that which is contrary to it , and so that condemning , men come to receive to themselves damnation ; for the Witnesse of God condemns nothing but that which is done against it self , either in a Mans Particular , or in another ; not that which is done against evil , which it witnesses against , for that proceeds from that which witnesses to God , which justifies that which is done against evil ; and so the Power which is of God , the resisting of which , that of God in Man condemns , and which Men resisting , they shall receive to themselves Damnation , is that which proceedeth from that which witnesseth , and no other , Gods Vicegerent , as I may so call it ( though Men call Men so ) upon Earth , which is come into the world , which is in flesh , which was made flesh , and which he hath placed in Man to rule in the Earth , the Son ; Kisse the Son least he be angry , and ye perish in the way , if his wrath be kindled , yea but a little ; blessed are all they that put their trust in him . Which was said to Kings and Judges . Be wise therefore , O ye Kings ! Be ye instructed ye Judges of the Earth . Serve the Lord with fear , and rejoyce with trembling . Kisse the Son , &c. Psal . 2.10 , 11. I say therefore it is said by the Apostle in the words following , as the reason or ground of the former ; For Rulers are not a terrour to good works , but to the evil ; wilt thou not then be afraid of the Power ? do that which is good , and thou shalt have praise of the same ; for he is the Minister of God to thee for good . If thou do that which is evill , be afraid , for he beareth not the Sword in vain ; for he is the Minister of God , a Revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evill . Wherefore ye must needs be subject , not only for wrath , but also for Conscience sake , v. 3 , 4 , 5.

For ( saith he ) Rulers are not a terrour to the good works , but to the evil . Here 's the reason why they that resist shall receive to themselves Damnation ; They resist the Power . What Power ? the Power that is the Ordinance of God ; What Power is that ? It is the Power that is of God . What Power is that which is the Ordinance of God ? which is of God ? The Powers that be , are ordained of God . Let every soul be subject to the higher Powers , whosoever resisteth the Power , resists the Ordinance of God ; and they that resist , do receive to themselves damnation . It is that Power which is not a Terrour to good works , but the evill . And why shall they who resist the Power receive to themselves Damnation ? Why is it that he that resisteth the Power , resisteth the Ordinance of God , and how comes it to be so ? For ( saith he ) Rulers ( here 's the ground ) are not a terror to good works , but the evil . Wilt thou then not be afraid of the Power ? do that which is good , and thou shalt have praise of the same ; for he is the Minister of God to thee for good . If thou do that which is evil , be afraid , for he beareth not the Sword in vain ; for he is the Minister of God , a Revenger to execute wrath on him that doth evil . Therefore ( saith he again ) ye must needs be subject , not only for wrath , but also for Conscience sake . As aforesaid .

So here 's the Ruler , here 's the Power . Let every soul be subject to the higher Powers ; for there is no Power ( as to this ) but of God ; and the Powers that be ( those Powers , and those Rulers that are not a Terrour to good works , but the evil , the Powers that be ) ( no Powers but such as are of God , may be said so to be , for whatsoever is besides , passes away , hath no duration . Though it seem to stand for a time , it is not grounded in God , it comes not from him , and so may be said not to be ) are ordained of God . Whosoever therefore resisteth the Power , resists the Ordinance of God ( Christ Jesus the wisdome of God , and the Power of God , that which witnesseth in Man , which is not a Terrour to good works , but the evil ; that which judges the evil , and condemns the evil ; they which resist the Power that moves in men not to be a Terrour to good works but the evil , the Ordinance of God Christ Jesus , by whom Kings Reign , and Princes Decree Justice ; the Power , there is no Power but of God , the Powers that be , are ordained of God . Let every soul be subject to the higher Powers : Whosoever resisteth the Power , resists the Ordinance of God , &c. They that resist , shall receive to themselves Damnation . They that do so , the Power , that which is of God in them , Christ Jesus , the Power of God , that of him , in them , which witnesses to God , will judge them for so doing , for resisting the Power of God , that which is the Power of God , the Ordinance of God , the higher Powers , that which witnesseth , which is of God ; unto which every soul is to be subject not only for wrath , but also for Conscience sake .