Second Helvetic Confession Of Magistracy

Second Helvetic Confession (1566)
Ch. 30, "Of Magistracy"

The magistracy, of whatever sort it is, is ordained of God Himself for the peace and quietness of mankind; and so he ought to have the chiefest place in the world. If he is an adversary to the church, he may hinder and disturb it very much, but if he is a friend and so a member of the church, he is a most useful and excellent member thereof, which may profit it very much, and finally may help and further it very excellently. His chief duty is to procure and maintain peace and public tranquility, which doubtless he shall never do more happily than when he shall be truly seasoned with the fear of God and true religion; namely, when he shall, after the example of the most holy kings and princes of the people of the Lord, advance the preaching of the truth and the pure and sincere faith, and shall root out lies and all superstition, with all impiety and idolatry, and shall defend the church of God. For indeed we teach that the care of religion chiefly pertains to the holy magistrate.

Let him, therefore, hold the Word of God in his hands and see to it that nothing is taught contrary thereunto. In like manner let him govern the people committed to him of God with good laws, made according to the Word of God. Let him hold them in discipline and in duty and in obedience: let him exercise judgment by judging uprightly: let him not accept any man’s person or receive bribes: let him deliver widows, fatherless children, and those that are afflicted from wrong: let him repress, yes, and cut off such as are unjust, whether in deceit or by violence. “For he hath not received the sword of God in vain” (Rom. 13:4).

Therefore, let him draw forth this sword of God against all malefactors, seditious persons, thieves or murderers, oppressors, blasphemers, perjured persons, and all those whom God has commanded him to punish or even to execute. Let him suppress stubborn heretics (which are heretics indeed), who cease not to blaspheme the majesty of God, and to trouble the church, yes, and finally to destroy it. But if it is necessary to preserve the safety of the people by war, let him do it in the name of God, provided he has first sought peace by all means possible and can save his subjects in no way but by war. And while the magistrate does these things in faith, he serves God with those works, as with such as are good and shall receive a blessing from the Lord.