Chapter 25
Of the Civil Magistrate
- 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.1
- It is lawful for Christians to accept
and execute the office of a magistrate,
when called thereunto; in the management
whereof, as they ought especially to
maintain justice, and peace,2 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.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;4 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.5
Footnotes:
1. Ro
13:1-4.
2. 2Sa
23:3; Ps 82:3-4.
3. Lk
3:14.
4. Ro
13:5-7; 1Pe 2:17.
5. 1Ti
2:1-2.
©1998 Limerick Free
Baptist Church
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Free
Baptist Church of Limerick