CHAP. XXIII.

Of the Civil Magistrate.

GOD

OD, 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 defence and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil-doers.

II. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate, when called thereunto; in the managing whereof, as they ought especially to maintain piety, justice and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each

I. a Rom. 13. 1. 3, 4. Let every foul be fubject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be, are ordained of God. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou sha't have praise of the fame:-For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, arevenger, to execute

wrath upon him that doeth evil. I Pet. 2. 13, 14. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's fake: Whether it be to kings as fu preme;-Or unto governors, as unto them that are fent by him, for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well.

11. b Prov. 8. 15. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. Verse 16. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. See in letter a.

commonwealth, so, for that end, they may lawfully, now under the New Testament, wage war upon just and necessary occafionsd.

III. Civil magistrates may not assume to themselves the administration of the word and facraments; or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven'; ent; or, in the least, interfere in matters of faith". Yet as nurfing 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 ecclefiaftical *persons whatever shall enjoy the full, free, and unquestioned liberty of discharging, every part of their facred functions, without violence or danger". 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 profeffion and belief. It is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the perfon and good name of all their people, in such an effectual manner as that no perfon be fuffered, either upon prétence of religion or infidelity, to offer any indignity, violence, abuse or injury to any other perfon whatsoever: and to take order, that all religious and ecclefiaftical afsemblies be held without moleftation or disturbance*.

IV. It is the duty of the people to pray for

h Ifa. 49. 23. And kings shall be thy nursing fathers and their queens thy nurfing mothers.

i Pfal. 105. 15. Touch not mine anointed, and do my pro

phets no harm. Acts 18. 14, 15. at large.

k 2 Sam. 23. 3. 1 Tim. 2. J and 2. at large. Rom. 13.4 at large.

magistrates', to honour their personsTM, to pay them tribute and other dues", to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority, for confcience' fakeo. Infidelity or difference in religion, doth not make void the imagistrate's just and legal authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to him": from which ecclesiastical persons are not exempted; much less hath the Pope any power or jurisdiction over them in their dominions, or over any of their people; and least of all to deprive them of their

IV. 1 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. I exhort therefore, that first of all fupplications, prayers, interceffions and giving of thanks be made for all men: for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable peaceable life and honesty.

in all godliness

m 1 Pet. 2. 17. Fear God. Honour the king.

n Rom. 13. 6, 7. For, for this cause, pay you tribute also; for they are God's ministers attending continually upon this very thing.-Render therefore to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, custom sto whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour. 0 Rom. 13.5. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for confcience' fake. Tit. 3. 1. Put them in mind to be fubject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be

ready to every good work.

p 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14, 16. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's fake, whether it be to the king as fupreme;-Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him, for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well. As free, and not using their liberty for a cloke of malicioufness, but as the servants of God.

q Rom. 13. 1. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. Acts 25. 10, 11. Then faid Paul, I stand at Cæfar's judgment feat, where I ought to be judged; to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse

dominions or lives, if he shall judge them to be hereticks, or upon any other pretence whatso

ever.

CHAP. XXIV.

Of Marriage and Divorce.

MARRI

ARRIAGE is to be between one man and one woman: neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband, at the fame time.

II. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife'; for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, and of the church with an holy feed; and for preventing of uncleanness.