Side Bars – Our Obligations – The Purpose of Civil Government – The Witness of the Reformational Church to the Role of the Civil Magistrate – Closing Exhortation

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How Shall We Then Govern?
The Witness of the Reformational Church to the Role of the Civil Magistrate

Confession of Basle • Former Confession of Helvetia • Confession of France • Latter Confession of Helvetia • Confession of Belgia • Westminster Confession

From the Confession of Basle, 1532
Article 7. Of Magistracy

(The Confession of Basle was first written in the German tongue, about the year of 1532, by the ministers of the Church of Basle, and by common subscription allowed of the pastors of Strasbourg. Then again in the year of 1561, it was both recognized and received by the same ministers of Basle. Afterward also it was published in the German tongue, with a Preface, by the magistrates of Milan in their own name, as though it had been that Church's own Confession. And at last it was turned into Latin. Which, as more ancient then the rest of the Confessions of Helvetia, we have thought good should be set down here, also, and do sometimes call it likewise The Confession of Mulhausen.)

Moreover, God hath assigned to the magistrate, who is His minister, the sword and chief external power, for the defence of the good, and for the revenging and punishment of evil. Rom. xiii.4; 1 Pet. ii.14. Therefore every Christian magistrate (in the number whereof we also desire to be*) doth direct all his strength to this; that among those which are committed to this charge, the name of God may be sanctified, his kingdom may be enlarged, and men may live according to his will, with an earnest rooting out of all naughtiness. And, in the margin: —This duty also was enjoined to the Heathen magistrate: how much more to the Christian magistrate ought it to be commended, as to the true substitute of God! These things are spoken in the person of the magistrates themselves, and not of the pastors of the church at Basle, insomuch as this Confession was published in the name of the magistrates themselves. Also, Article 11. Sections 1, 3, and 4.

We do clearly protest, that, together with all other doctrines which are directly contrary to the sound and pure doctrine of Jesus Christ, we do not only not receive, but, as abominations and blasphemies, reject and condemn those strange and erroneous doctrines, which the spirits of hurlyburly among other damnable opinions do bring forth, saying, etc. that magistrates cannot be Christians. And, in the margin: —The magistrate doth then shew himself to be a good magistrate, when he is a true Christian.

The Conclusion.—Last of all, we submit this our Confession to the judgment of the holy scripture of the Bible: and therefore we promise, that if out of the foresaid Scriptures we may be better instructed, we will at all times obey God and his holy word most thankfully.

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From the Former Confession of Helvetia, 1536
Article 26. Of the Magistracy

(The Former Confession of Helvetia was written at Basle about the year 1536, in the behalf of all Churches of Helvetia, and sent and presented to the assembly of divines at Wirtemburg by Master Bucer and Master Capito. In the year following, viz. 1537, it was again propounded, together with the Declaration thereof, to the assembly of Smalcald by Bucer himself, and allowed of that whole assembly, namely, of all the divines and degrees of all Protestants; as Luther his own letters to the Helvetians do testify. The Declaration in Latin was itself also conferred in very many places with the more ample copy written in the German tongue.)

Seeing that every magistrate is of God, his chief duty (except it please him to exercise a tyranny) consisteth in this; to defend and protect religion from all blasphemy, and as the prophet teacheth out the word of the Lord, to put it in practice, so much as in him lieth. Ezek. xlv.9. In which part truly the first place is given to the pure and free preaching of the word of God, the instruction of the youth of citizens, and a right and diligent teaching in schools; to lawful discipline, a liberal provision for the ministers of the Church and a provident care for the poor (unto which object tend all the faculties of the Church:) secondly, to judge the people according to just and divine laws.

That is, agreeable to equity and righteousness, and, to conclude, to the law of nature, whereof God himself is the author. to keep judgment and justice, to maintain the public peace, to cherish the commonwealth, and to punish offenders, according to the quality of the fault, in their estate, person, or life. Which things when he doth, he performeth a service due to God. We know that, though we be free, we both in our body, and in all our faculties, and with endeavor of mind also to perform faithfulness, and the oath which we made to him, [That is, the fealty whereby subjects are bound to their magistrates.] so far forth as his government is not evidently repugnant to Him, for whose sake we do reverence the magistrate.

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From the Confession of France, 1559
Article 39. Of Magistracy

(The Confession of France was first presented in French, in the year 1559, to Francis the Second, King of France, at Amboise, in the behalf of all the godly in that kingdom; again in the year 1561, at Poissy, to Charles the Ninth; and at length in Latin also published by the pastors of the French Churches, with a Preface to all other evangelical pastors, in the year 1566.)

We believe that God would have the world to be governed by laws, and by civil government, that there may be certain bridles, whereby the immoderate desires of the world may be restrained: and that therefore He appointed kingdoms, commonwealths, and other kinds of principalities, whether they come by inheritance, or otherwise; and not that alone, but also whatsoever pertaineth to the state of righteousness, as they call it, whereof He desireth to be acknowledged the author. Therefore He hath also delivered the sword into the hands of magistrates; to wit, that offences may be repressed, not only those which are committed against the second table, but also against the first. Therefore, because of the Author of this order, we must not only suffer them to rule, whom He hath set over us, but also give unto them all honour and reverence, as unto His ambassadors and ministers, assigned of Him to execute a lawful and holy function. Also, Article 40. Therefore we affirm that we must obey the laws and statutes, that we must pay tribute, and patiently endure the other burdens; to conclude, that we must willingly suffer the yoke of subjection, although the magistrates be infidels, so that the sovereign government of God do remain entire, and nothing diminished. Therefore we detest all those, which do reject all kind of dominion, and bring in a community and confusion of goods, and who, to conclude, do go about to overthrow all order of law.

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From the Latter Confession of Helvetia, 1566
Chapter 30. Of Magistracy

(The Latter Confession of Helvetia was written by the pastors of Zurich, in the year 1566, and approved and subscribed, not only of the Tigurines themselves, and their confederates of Berne, Schaff'hausen, Sangallia, Rhetia, Mulhaus en, and Bienne; but by the Churches of Geneva, of Savoy, of Poland, and likewise of Hungary, and of Scotland.)

The magistracy, of what sort soever it be, is ordained of God himself, for the peace and quietness of mankind; and so, that he ought to have the chiefest place in the world. If he be an adversary to the Church, he may hinder and disturb it very much: but if he be a friend and so a member of the Church, he is a most useful and excellent member thereof, which may profit it very much, and finally may help and further it very excellently. His chiefest duty is, to procure and maintain peace and public tranquillity: which doubtless he shall never do more happily, than when he shall be truly seasoned with the fear of God and true religion; namely, when he shall, after the example of the most holy kings and princes of the people of the Lord, advance the preaching of the truth, and the pure and sincere faith, and shall root out lies, and all superstition, with all impiety and idolatry, and shall defend the church of God. For indeed we teach that the care of religion doth chiefly appertain to the holy magistrate. Let him therefore hold the word of God in his hands, and look that nothing be taught contrary thereunto. In like manner let him govern the people committed to him of God, with good laws, made according to the word of God. [That is, with such as do not forbid that which God doth command in the Moral Law, and by the voice of nature itself; or command that which He forbiddeth. For otherwise, by the name of the word of God the Civil Law of the Jews might also be understood; to the which, notwithstanding, we are not bound in so much as it is civil, but only so far forth as it is grounded upon the general and perpetual rule of justice.]

Let him hold them in discipline, and in duty, and in obedience: let him exercise judgment by judging uprightly: let him not accept any man's person, or receive bribes: let him deliver widows, fatherless children, and those that be afflicted, from wrong: let him repress, yea and cut off such as are unjust, whether in deceit or by violence. "For he hath not received the sword of God in vain." Rom. xiii.4. Therefore let him draw forth his sword of God against all malefactors, seditious persons, thieves or murderers, oppressors, blasphemers, perjured persons, and all those whom God hath commanded him to punish or even execute. Let him suppress stubborn heretics (which are heretics indeed), who cease not to blaspheme the majesty of God, and to trouble the Church, yea, and finally to destroy it. But if so be it be necessary to preserve the safety of the people by war, let him do it in the name of God; provided he have first sought peace by all means possible, and can save his subjects no way but by war. And while as the magistrate doth these things in faith, he serveth God with those works, as with such as be good, and shall receive blessing from the Lord.

We condemn the Anabaptists, who as they deny that a Christian man should bear the office of a magistrate, so also they deny that any man can justly be put to death by the magistrate, or that the magistrate may make war, or that oaths should be performed to the magistrate, and such like things. For as God will work the safety of his people by the magistrate, whom he hath given to be, as it were, a father of the world; so all subjects are commanded to acknowledge this benefit of God in the magistrate. Therefore let them honour and reverence the magistrate, as the minister of God; let them love him, favour him, and pray for him, as their father; and let them obey all his just and equal commandments. Finally, let them pay all customs and tributes, and all other duties of the like sort, faithfully and willingly. And if the common safety of the country and justice require it, and the magistrate do of necessity make war, let them even lay down their life, and spend their blood for the common safety and defense of the magistrate; and that in the name of God, willingly, valiantly, and cheerfully. For he that opposeth himself against the magistrate, doth procure the wrath of God against him. We condemn, therefore, all contemners of magistrates, rebels, enemies of t he commonwealth, seditious villains, and, in a word, all such as do either openly or closely refuse to perform those duties which they owe. The Conclusion. We beseech God, our most merciful Father in heaven, that He will bless the princes of the people, and us, and his whole people, through Jesus Christ, our only Lord and Saviour; to whom be praise and thanksgiving, both now and for ever! Amen.

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From the Confession of Belgia, 1566
Article 36. Of the Civil Magistrate

(The Confession of Belgia was published in French, in the name of all the Churches of Belgia, in the year 1566; and, in the year 1579, in the public Synod of Belgium, was repeated, confirmed, and turned into Belgian tongue. The confession's chief author was Guido de Brÿs, a preacher of the Reformed churches of the Netherlands, who died a martyr to the faith in the year 1567. This confession, also known as the Belgic Confession, was modified at the Synod of Dort and became one of what is now known as the Three Forms of Unity.)

We believe that the most gracious and mighty God did appoint kings, princes, and magistrates, because of the corruption and depravation of mankind; and that it is His will that this world should be governed by laws, and by a certain civil government, for punishing the faults of men, and that all things may be done in good order among men. Therefore He hath armed the magistrate with the sword, that they may punish the wicked, and defend the good. Moreover it is their duty, not only to be careful to preserve the civil government, but also to endeavour that the ministry may be preserved, that all idolatry and counterfeit worship of God may be clean abolished, that the kingdom of Antichrist may be overthrown, and that the kingdom of Christ may be enlarged. To conclude, it is their duty to bring to pass, that all men may serve and worship God purely and freely, according to the prescript rule of His word. Moreover all men, of what dignity, condition, or state soever they be, ought to be subject to their lawful magistrates, and pay unto them subsidies and tributes, and obey them in all things which are not repugnant to the word of God. Also, they must pour out their prayers for them, that God would vouchsafe to direct them in all their actions, and that we may lead a peaceable and quiet life under them with all godliness and honesty. Wherefore we condemn the Anabaptists, and all those troublesome spirits, which do reject higher powers and magistrates, overthrow all laws and judgments, make all orders and degrees, which God hath appointed among men for honesty's sake.

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From The Westminster Confession
Chapter XXIII - Of the Civil Magistrate

I. 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 the defense and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil doers.[a]

[a]. Rom. 13:1-4; I Pet. 2:13-14

II. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate, when called thereunto:[b] in the managing whereof, as they ought especially to maintain piety, justice, and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each commonwealth;[c] so, for that end, they may lawfully, now under the new testament, wage war, upon just and necessary occasion.[d]

[b]. Gen. 41:39-43; Neh. 12:26; Neh. 13:15-31; Dan. 2:48-49; Prov. 8:15-16; Rom. 13:1-4; [c]. Ps. 2:10-12; I Tim. 2:2; Ps. 82:3-4; II Sam. 23:3; I Pet. 2:13; [d]. Luke 3:14; Rom. 13:4; Matt. 8:9-10; Acts 10:1-2

III. Civil magistrates may not assume to themselves the administration of the Word and sacraments; or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven;[e] or, in the least, interfere in matters of faith.[f] Yet, as nursing fathers, it is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the church of our common Lord, without giving the preference to any denomination of Christians above the rest, in such a manner that all ecclesiastical persons whatever shall enjoy the full, free, and unquestioned liberty of discharging every part of their sacred functions, without violence or danger.[g] And, as Jesus Christ hath appointed a regular government and discipline in his church, no law of any commonwealth should interfere with, let, or hinder, the due exercise thereof, among the voluntary members of any denomination of Christians, according to their own profession and belief.[h] It is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the person and good name of all their people, in such an effectual manner as that no person be suffered, either upon pretence of religion or of infidelity, to offer any indignity, violence, abuse, or injury to any other person whatsoever: and to take order, that all religious and ecclesiastical assemblies be held without molestation or disturbance.[i]

[e]. II Chron. 26:18; Matt. 18:17; Matt. 16:19; I Cor. 12:28-29; Eph. 4:11-12; I Cor. 4:1, 12; Rom. 10:15; Heb. 5:4; [f]. John 18:36; Acts 5:29; Eph. 4:11-12; [g]. Isa. 49:23; Rom. 13:1-6; [h]. Ps. 105:15; [i]. Rom. 13:4; I Tim. 2:2

IV. It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates,[k] to honour their persons,[l] to pay them tribute or other dues,[m] to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority, for conscience' sake.[n] Infidelity, or difference in religion, doth not make void the magistrates' just and legal authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to them:[o] from which ecclesiastical persons are not exempted,[p] much less hath the pope any power and jurisdiction over them in their dominions, or over any of their people; and, least of all, to deprive them of their dominions, or lives, if he shall judge them to be heretics, or upon any other pretence whatsoever.[q]

[k]. I Tim. 2:1-3; [l]. I Pet. 2:17 ; [m]. Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:6-7; [n]. Rom. 13:5; Titus 3:1; [o]. I Pet. 2:13-16; [p]. Rom. 13:1; Acts 25:9-11; II Pet. 2:1, 10-11; Jude 8-11;[q]. Mark 10:42-44; Matt. 23:8-12; II Tim. 2:24; I Pet. 5:3

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