What a vile conspiracy of seditious zealots, and courtly sycophants of power, to ensnare Jesu3! Whigs and Tories are opposed in every thing. But they unite in opposing the gospel. Radicals and loyalists, monarchists and democrats, all, all combine to oppose the Saviour of the guilty.
On one point the Pharisees had a very tender conscience. It was not, they thought, lawful to pay tribute to Csesar. The Herodians, from their name, doubtless, were base sycophants, who, so far from considering it sinful to pay the taxes, approved the sacrilegious and idolatrous innovations introduced by Herod. The one would not give Caesar his own; the other would give him what belonged to God. Both were wrong, and Jesus gave an answer to the ensnaring questions, which equally condemned both.
What a providential thing was it for us that this thing took place! It gave occasion to Jesus to give us a lesson which, in a few words, teaches us our duty to civil rulers in all circumstances in which we can possibly be placed. Let us give all our substance rather than resist the arm of that power which Divine Providence has put over us. But in the things of God, we owe them no allegiance. Should they presume to dictate to us in religion, or to regulate or modify any of the doctrines of Christ, let us die rather than comply. This is the patriotism of a Christian.
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