Where Christ’s laws are written in the heart, all other good laws are obeyed the best. No one despises man’s law except those who despise Christ’s first. - Richard Sibbes (1577–1635)

All Should Side With Christ

The second use of the truth that Christ will have the victory, is to establish the fact that the best course for nations and states is to "kiss the Son" (Psa. 2:12), and to embrace Christ and his religion: to side with Christ and to own his cause in the world. His side will prove the stronger side in the end. We are happy if Christ so much as honors us by using our help to fight his battle "against the mighty" (Judg. 5:23). True religion in a state is like the main pillar of a house, or the post of a tent, which holds everything up. This is true for families too, if Christ is the chief governor of the family. And it is true for everyone who is like a house in which Christ dwells familiarly and rules. Where Christ is, all happiness must follow. If Christ goes, then all will go. Where Christ’s government is, in his ordinances and his Spirit, all subordinate government will prosper. Religion inspires life and grace in all other things. All other virtues without religion are like an attractive picture without a head. Where Christ’s laws are written in the heart, all other good laws are obeyed the best. No one despises man’s law except those who despise Christ’s first. Nemo humanam auctoritatem contemnit, nisi qui divinam prius contempsit (No one despises human authority unless he first despises divine authority).

Of all persons, a man guided by Christ is the best; and of all creatures in the world, next to the devil, a man guided merely by his will and affection is the worst. The happiness of weaker things consists in being ruled by stronger things. It is best for a blind man to be guided by one who has sight. It is best for sheep and other feckless creatures to be guided by man. And it is happiest for man to be guided by Christ. That is because his government is so victorious that it frees us from the fear and danger of our greatest enemies, and it tends to bring us to the greatest happiness that our nature is capable of enjoying. This should make us rejoice when Christ reigns in us. When Solomon was crowned, the people rejoiced so much that the city rang (1Kings 1:45); and we should we rejoice in Christ our king much more.

Source: Sibbes, Richard (1577-1635), The Bruised Reed, Chapter 14: Means to Make Grace Victorious, 1630.