fame Rank and Condition with ourselves; viz. our Equals, Acquaintance and Relations to our Entertainments. And the Reafon is, that the Caufe for the Pofitive or literal Part of this Injunction being now removed; the Effect ceafes of Course. For, I think, it will be acknowledged, that there are not the leaft Traces of fuch a Notion, as the Scribes and Pharifees entertained of the Meffiab's Kingdom, remaining among any Sect of Christians at this Day. And it was upon the Strength of this that I afferted at the Beginning, that we Chriftians were so far from living in a Continued Difobedience to the true Spirit and Meaning of this Injunction, that on the contrary we paid a better and more Perfect Obedience to it than perhaps to many other of Chrift's Commands. Indeed if there were a Body of People tainted with fuch Jewish Notions, and holding Religious Feafts agreeably to their Plan or System at a Time, when fuch Actions by Common ConJent or Cuftom were expreffive of, and confequent upon fuch Opinions; If this were the Cafe, I grant it would have been expedient for our R. R. Fathers (as Mr. Chubb with an impious Sneer calls the Bishops) to have · counter-acted these Feafts by Means of others of a contrary Tendency and Intention. But furely till fuch a Sect arifes, there can be no C 3 need

need to confute their false Doctrines and Pofitions.

To bring a Parallel Cafe to this before us : When St. Paul delivered his Sentiments concerning the particular Dreffes, which were moft modeft and becoming for both Sexes in bis Time; the Practice and Custom of the Age made it a Duty for all Good Chriftians at that Juncture, to conform literally to his Rules and orders. But as the Habits of different Countries are different, and the Make or Fashion of Apparel changes in length of Time, no Sober and Reasonable Perfon at this Day, will pretend to aver, that our Men and Women are bound to be dreffed as the Corinthians ought to be (to whom these Injunctions were given) but only that Perfons of both Sexes among us should be habited in a Modeft and Decent manner, agreeably to the Fashion of the Country we live in. For this is the True, the Standing, the Perpetual, Moral, or Spiritual Meaning of the Apoftle's Pofitive and Temporary Injunction. Juft fo it is with Refpect to the Cafe before us: The Duties formerly implied by this Command of inviting the Poor &c. rather than the Rich, are Duties fill, and ever will be to the World's End. And the Vices and falfe Opinions condemned by it, are now and ever to be condemned and abhorred. But

2

the

the outward Acts themfelves are no longer Neceflary to exprefs thefe Meanings and Intentions by, feeing that the very Cause which firft gave rife to that Part of the Injunction, is now fo effectually removed, that there are not the leaft Traces of it Remaining at this Day.

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DISSERTATION II.

ers.

Let every Soul be Subject to the Higher PowFor there is no Power but of God: The Powers that be, are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore refifteth the Power, refifteth the Ordinance of God: And they that refift, fhall receive to themfelves Damnation. For Rulers are not a Teror to good Works, but to the Evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the Power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have Praife of the fame: for he is the Minister of God to thee for Good. But 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 upon him that doth Evil.

R. Chubb has introduced his Reason

Mings upon this Paffage in a long Note,

Page 60. of his Remarks on the Scriptures; in which Note I think we may observe, that fome Things are implied, and others directly afferted.

1. I think it is implied, That he looked the Doctrine of unlimited Paffive Obedience

upon

dience and Non-Refiftance, to be one of thofe Peculiarities, which belong to the Christian Religion, as diftinct from all others; tho' fuch a Peculiarity as did no Credit to it. Indeed he might have afferted in exprefs terms, more is the Pity, That certain Sects of Modern Chriftians were weak enough to boaft of it, as a Diftinguishing Mark of the Christian Religion; tho', I hope, it will clearly appear, That they had no manner of Countenance from Scripture to affert such a thing. And it is very unfair to tax the Chriftian Religion itself, with all the weak and Groundless Notions, which fome of its Members have unhappily endeavoured to father upon it.

But 2dly, Mr. Chubb, out of his great Impartiality, and his Readiness to do Juftice to all Parties, roundly afferts, That the Abettors of this Doctrine of Unlimited Paffive

d I have faid Modern Chriftians: For tho' the Antients fell into the fame Error (as they did into other very grofs ones, witnefs the Millennium and Infunt Communion) of Unlimited Paffive Obedience and Non-Refiftance: Yet they did not Ground it upon the fame Principles. The Moderns pretend to deduce their Proofs from this 13th Chap. to the Romans. But it is very remarkable, the Antients never once had Recourfe to this Chapter exprefsly upon fuch an Occafion. They put it upon the Footing, that the Chriftian Religion is a Suffering Religion; and that they ought not to refift Evil, but appeal to God, to whom only Vengeance belonged; &c. In this agreeing with our Prefent Quakers, who maintain the Unlawfulness of felf-Defence upon the very fame Principles.

Obedience