Subject unto the "Higher Powers."
FROM a contribution to the Pacific, on Rom. 13:1, we extract the following:— The situation of the Christians at Rome at the time when this epistle was written, demanded some positive instruction in regard to their duty to the civil government. "The civil power was everywhere in the hands of heathen men, who were idolaters and polytheists, and consequently hostile to Christianity."—Stuart. Pagan Rome held the reins of civil government wherever the Christian church was planted, during the age of the apostles; and the principles laid down in this chapter have general bearing, and are applicable to Christians in all lands and in all times. Not only the Roman Empire in the days of Paul, but a large majority of all nations since have been under pagan rule, and the laws and practices have been contrary, in some particulars, to the plain requirement of the Bible. Does Paul mean to say we are to actively do all pagan governments require, and to abstain from all they forbid? No. (Daniel 3 and 6; Acts 4:19.) Paul himself and thousands of his age died martyrs at Rome, under the tyrant Nero, for failing to conform entirely to the demands of paganism. And millions of persons have been put to violent deaths under the iron heel of the papacy for a strict conformity to the doctrines and requirements of the Holy Scriptures. When human statutes are in open conflict with the most sacred rights of conscience, and the plainest laws of God, we are justified in a passive violation of such statutes, even if we meekly suffer the penalty; but we are not to take up arms in violent rebellion against the civil authorities. We may suffer wrong under an oppressive government and not do wrong. Mob violence indicates the extreme resort of a bad cause.