First Confession of Basel · 1534

Chapter VIII: CONCERNING GOVERNMENT

CONCERNING GOVERNMENT

God has charged governments, His servants, with the sword and with the highest external power for the protection of the good and for vengeance upon and punishment of evildoers. For this reason, every Christian government with which we desire to be numbered, should do all in its power to see that God's Name is hallowed among its subjects, God's kingdom extended, and His will observed by the assiduous extirpation of crimes.

Scripture: Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13