Of the Civil Magistrate

Chapter 24 confesses that God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, has ordained civil magistrates to be under him over the people, for his own glory and the public good. To this end he has armed them with the power of the sword for the defense and encouragement of them that do good and for the punishment of evildoers.

Christians are commanded to pray for magistrates, to honor their persons, to pay them tribute and other dues, to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority for conscience’ sake. Yet the magistrate has no authority over the conscience or the gathered worship of the church.

The 1689 stands for the historic Baptist distinctive of religious liberty under civil government — neither persecuting religion nor establishing it.

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For the full text of this chapter with scripture proofs, see the1689confession.com or Founders Ministries.