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| Chapter 24 - Of the Civil
Magistrate |
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1. God, the supreme Lord and
King of all the world, hath ordained civil magistrates to be under him,
over the people, for his own glory and the public good; and to this end
hath armed them with the power of the sword, for defence and encouragement
of them that do good, and for the punishment of evil doers.
Romans 13:1-4
2. It is lawful for Christians
to accept and execute the office of a magistrate when called there unto;
in the management whereof, as they ought especially to maintain justice
and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each kingdom and commonwealth,
so for that end they may lawfully now, under the New Testament wage war
upon just and necessary occasions.
2 Samuel 23:3; Psalms 82:3, 4; Luke
3:14
3. Civil magistrates being
set up by God for the ends aforesaid; subjection, in all lawful things
commanded by them, ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for
wrath, but for conscience sake; and we ought to make supplications and
prayers for kings and all that are in authority, that under them we may
live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.
Romans 13:5-7; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Timothy
2:1, 2
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