[D] _Euseb. Hist. Eccles._ lib. 4. cap. 15.
BUT tho' the fear of God must, in case of competition, take place, before the fear of the King; yet ought it not to be made a pretence for refusing to render to the King the fear which is owing to him. The fear of God is so far from releasing subjects from their duty to their prince, that it is the surest ground of it, and the strongest motive to it. For since the King is the minister of God; they who do indeed fear God, will of course fear him who is in the place of God, and acts by authority derived from him. And whatsoever honour or service they are to yield to him, they will yield it heartily, not as to a man, but as to him whom he represents, the all-seeing and all-powerful God.
TO such men human laws have a much stronger sanction, than the penalties annexed to the violation of them by the legislature. They are subject for fear, not only of the magistrates wrath, but of that everlasting punishment, which God will inflict upon all who will not submit to the powers ordained by him.
THE firmest and most inviolable ingagement by which subjects can oblige themselves to be faithful to a government, is a solemn oath, which is render'd effectual to its end by the fear of God, who is therein invocated as a witness to the sincerity of the swearer's intention, and as the avenger of his perfidiousness should he break through so sacred a tye.
BUT to those who have no awe of this omniscient witness, no dread of this almighty avenger, no oaths will be binding any longer, than they are agreeable to their inclination. And it will be their inclination to do every thing with a view to worldly advantages. The ground and measure of their obedience to the prince, will be their secular interest; the variation of which will be apt to produce an answerable change in the conduct. For they will have no motive to loyalty left, when they may turn rebels with impunity, and be gainers by an alteration of governnment.
BUT the fear of God being always the same, is a very steady principle of loyalty. It secures the obedience of subjects in many cases, where the laws either do not reach them, or cannot be executed upon them; and keeps them true to the interest of their soveraign, when other considerations might induce them to betray or desert it. Even they who would persuade us that there is no such being as God, or if there be, that he observes not what passes here below, cannot but own that the fear of him is a principle very friendly to government, and of great use to dispose men to be peaceable and submissive to those who are in authority.