A96226:155
The humble advice of the Assembly of Divines, now
The humble advice of the Assembly of Divines, now by authority of Parliament sitting at Westminster, concerning a confession of faith, presented by them lately to both houses of Parliament. A certain number of copies are ordered to be printed only for the use of the members of both houses and of the Assembly of Divines, to the end that they may advise thereupon.
London: printed for Company of Stationers, 1646
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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 defence and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil doers.
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.
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 Commonwealth; so, for that end, they may lawfully now, under the New Testament, wage War, upon just and necessary occasion.
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 wholsom Laws of each Commonwealth; so, for that end, they may lawfully now, under the New Testament, wage Warre, upon just and necessary occasion.
III. The Civil Magistrate may not assume to himself the administration of the Word and Sacraments, or the power of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: yet, he hath authority, and it is his duty, to take order, that Unity and Peace be preserved in the Church, that the Truth of God be kept pure, and entire; that all Blasphemies and Heresies be suppressed; all corruptions and abuses in Worship and Discipline prevented, or reformed; and all the Ordinances of God duly settled, administered, and observed. For the better effecting whereof, he hath power to call Synods, to be present at them, and to provide that whatsoever is transacted in them, be according to the mind of God.