Romans 13:1 Let [color:red]every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: [color:red]the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, [color:red]resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. [color:red]But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, [color:red]but also for conscience sake.

The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XXIII
Of the Civil Magistrate
    I. 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 defense and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evildoers.[1]

    1. Rom. 13:1-4; I Peter 2:13-14

    IV. It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates [10], to honor their persons,[11] to pay them tribute or other dues,[12] to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority, for conscience' sake.[13] Infidelity, or difference in religion, doth not make void the magistrates' just and legal authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to them :[14] from which ecclesiastical persons are not exempted,[15] 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 heretics, or upon any other pretense whatsoever.[16]

    10. I Tim. 2:1-3
    11. I Peter 2:17
    12. Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:6-7
    13. Rom. 13:5 Titus 3:1
    14. I Peter 2:13-16

    15. Rom. 13:1; Acts 25:9-11; II Peter 2:1, 10-11; Jude 1:8-11
    16. Mark 10:42-44; Matt. 23:8-12; II Tim. 2:24; I Peter 5:3[/LIST]

Reformed and Always Reforming,