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.a
(a 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,b 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.c
(b 2 Samuel
23:3, Psalms
82:3,4; c 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;d 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.e
(d Romans
13:5-7, 1 Peter
2:17; e 1 Timothy
2:1,2)