Chapter 24: Of the Civil Magistrate
The Westminster Confession (1646), the Savoy Declaration (1658) and the Second London Confession (1677/1689), paragraph by paragraph. Marked: what each has that the one before it lacks.
| Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) | Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) | Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) |
|---|---|---|
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 23.1 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 Publique good: and, to this end hath armed them with the Power of the Sword, for the defence and incouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil doers. | Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 24.1 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 publique good; and to this end hath armed them with the power of the sword, for the defence and incouragement of them that do good, and for the punishment of evil doers. | Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 24.1 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 publick 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. |
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 23.2 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 wholsom Laws of each Commonwealth; so, for that end, they may lawfully now, under the New Testament, wage War, upon just and necessary occasion. | Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) 24.2 It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a Magistrate, when called thereunto: in the management whereof, as they ought specially to maintain Justice and Peace, according to the wholsome Laws of each Commonwealth; so for that end they may lawfully now under the new Testament wage war upon just and necessary occasion. | Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 24.2 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, according to the wholesom 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. |
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) 23.4 It is the duty of People 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. Infidelity, or difference in Religion doth not make void the Magistrates 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 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 Hereticks, or upon any other pretence whatsoever. | Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (1658) None corresponds. | Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) 24.3 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; 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. |