On IV. The ruler ought to obey the law. This is a duty incumbent upon every individual of the human family. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers; submit yourselves unto every ordinance of man," saith the Scriptures. Now a ruler is under obligation in common with others to obey the law. But in addition to this, he is bound by other considerations to comply with the law. Should he violate it, his example, owing to his official standing, would be more pernicious than that of a private individual; others, to justify themselves in lawlessness, will point to the example set before them by their rulers. The failure of rulers to obey law will have a strong tendency to weaken the authority of the government and to bring it into contempt. It may be said to such an one, Thou that judgest another, judgest thou not thyself; thou that sayest a man should not steal, dost thou thyself steal? What did God say concerning the King whom he foresaw the Israelites would one day select to govern them? "It shall be that when he sitteth upon the throne of his Kingdom, that he shall write a copy of the law in a book, out of that which is before the priests and Levites, and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God , to keep all the words of this law, and all his statutes to do them, that his head be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the Com¬ mandments from the right hand to the left." 253