A BIBLICAL VIEW OF GOVERNMENT

Text: " Rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil." --Romans 13:3a

Theses:

  I. All-Civil Power is of God.

 II. The Common Good is the End of all Civil Power.

 III. The Civil Magistrates are God’s Ministers --their Power is Delegated Power.

 IV. Public Office is a Sacred Trust.

OF PROPERTY – "Men being all the workmanship of one Omnipotent, and Infinitely wise Maker; all the servants of one Sovereign Master, sent into the world by His order, and about His business: they are HIS PROPERTY, whose workmanship they are."

"Though the earth and all inferior creatures be common to all men, yet every man has a property in his own person: this nobody has any right to but him-self. THE LABOR OF HIS BODY AND THE WORK OF HIS HANDS, WE MAY SAY ARE PROPERLY HIS."

James Madison clearly enunciated the difference between EXTERNAL PROPERTY such as lands, money, and real estate; and INTERNAL PROPERTY, which involves "...his Opinions and the free communication of them." "CONSCIENCE," he declared. "IS THE MOST SACRED OF ALL PROPERTY."

"It is the Responsibility of Government to SECURE these Rights, NOT PROVIDE THEM. LIBERTY IS NOT MAN’S INVENTION."

"It is the greatest Absurdity to suppose it in the power of one, or any number of men, at the entering into society, to renounce their essential natural rights, or the means of preserving those rights, when THE GRAND OBJECT OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT FROM THE VERY NATURE OF ITS INSTITUTION IS FOR THE SUPPORT, PROTECTION, AND DEFENCE OF THOSE VERY RIGHTS; the principal of which as is before observed, are LIFE, LIBERTY, and PROPERTY."

"THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM BEING THE GIFT OF GOD ALMIGHTY, it is not in the power of man to alienate this g ’ to voluntarily become a slave." -- Samuel Adams

OF REPRESENTATION --"Christianity in its ESSENCE, its DOCTRINES, and its FORMS is Republican."

-DeWitt Clinton-

Thomas Hooker preached an Election Sermon on May 31, 1638 based upon the text, "Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you. (Deuteronomy 1:13). In it he stated—

 I. The Choice of Public Magistrates belongs unto the People by God’s own allowance.

 II. The Privilege of Election, which belongs unto the people, therefore must not be exercised according to their Humor, but according to the blessed will and law of God.

 III. They who have power to supplant officers and magistrates, it is their power also to set the bounds of the power and place unto which they call them.

We ought, to preserve with firmness and fortitude in maintaining and contending for all that liberty that (God) has granted us...

"THE SAME PRINCIPLES THAT OBLIGE US TO SUBMIT TO CIVIL GOVERNMENT DO ALSO EQUALLY OBLIGE US TO RESIST AND OPPOSE TYRANNY AND THAT WHERE TYRANNY BEGINS, GOVERNMENT ENDS. FOR IF MAGISTRATES HAVE NO AUTHORITY BUT WHAT THEY DERIVE FROM THE PEOPLE: IF THEY ARE PROPERLY OF HUMAN CREATION, IT WILL FOLLOW THEY ARE CONTRARY TO THE ENDS AND DESIGN OF THEIR CREATION THEY CEASE TO BE MAGISTRATES, AND THE PEOPLE WHICH GAVE THEM THEIR AUTHORITY HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE IT FROM THEM AGAIN.... "

"The tendency of the true Gospel principles is to bring the most absolute despotism under the limits of law."

"Christianity is a stranger, to despotic power."

OF LAW –"The Religion which declares that a11 are equal in the sight of God, wi11 not refuse to acknowledge that all citizens are equal in the eyes of the law. RELIGION IS THE COMPANION OF LIBERTY IN ALL ITS BATTLES, AND CONFLICTS: THE CRADLE OF ITS INFANCY, AND THE DIVINE SOURCE OF ITS CLAIMS."

Samuel Rutherford was accused of Treason because of his book entitled Lex Rex --"Law is King."

Conclusion

"If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" –Psalm ll:3

"The government of the United States is acknowledged by the wise and good of other nations to be the most free, impartial and righteous government in the world, but all agree that FOR SUCH A GOVERNMENT TO BE SUSTAINED MANY YEARS, the principles of truth and righteousness, taught in the Holy Scriptures must be practiced. THE RULERS MUST GOVERN IN THE FEAR OF GOD; AND THE PEOPLE OBEY THE LAWS. "

"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. WHILE THE PEOPLE ARE VIRTUOUS, THEY CANNOT, BE SUBDUED; BUT WHEN ONCE THEY LOSE THEIR VIRTUE THEY WILL BE READY TO SURRENDER THEIR LIBERTIES TO THE FIRST EXTERNAL OR INTERNAL INVADER..."

"All efforts to destroy the foundations of our holy Religion ultimately tend to the subversion also of our political freedom and happiness. WHENEVER THE PILLARS OF CHRISTIANITY SHALL BE OVERTHROWN, OUR PRESENT REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT AND ALL THE BLESSINGS WHICH FLOW FROM THEM MUST FALL WITH THEM."

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Martin Luther once wrote to his princes that it was their responsibility to preserve order and safety in the streets, and said; "I will help you with my prayers, and if needs must with my FISTS!"