The word "magistrates" as here used actually means the government, which has received a certain authority originating with God. We read of this in Romans 13, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." Thus governments have power on earth, and, since it is the will of God, we are subjected to them.

In the explanation of the fifth commandment you have heard the same thing. It especially speaks about father and mother, who are the first authority in our life to whom we are subjected. Upon the keeping of this com­mandment, the Lord has promised His blessing, namely, a long life. This was first of all ap­plicable to Israel; if they would live according to God's will, they would dwell for a long time in the promised land. If they were disobedient, it would not take place, for then the enemies would rule over them and all kinds of judgments would be their portion.

We must remember that the various governments, both high and low, are performed by men, sinful men, but by Divine providence they are called to rule over their subjects. This is also emphasized in the explanation of the Heidelberg Catechism. A country or family where authority is not found will sooner or later come into disorder. Isn't this evident in our countries today? Where is the authority? Consequently more and more liberties are taken, regardless whether or not these are contrary to the law.

Therefore, young people, view it as a great privilege if your par­ents teach you that discipline cannot be lacking in our midst. If it is, we go against the institu­tions of the Lord, those institutions which are to His honor, but also to our own welfare. As an example, in many public schools there is hardly any discipline to be found. Young people must have freedom. But what is the result? Education decreases, and the classes can no longer be controlled by the teachers. Therefore how necessary to go back to the so-called old-fashioned Bible, which gives such good advice: Authority!

In Proverbs 8:15 we read, "By Me kings reign and princes decree justice." That which we find in article 36 of our confession is according to God's Word. It is not the only confession which speaks in this way, as there are many others which do the same, such as the Helvetic Confession, the Confession Gaallicana of the Church of England, the Confession Scoticana (Scotland), and the West­minster Confession.

Regarding the differences in opinions we hope to speak later on, but we will first consider the article itself. We read there,

"We believe that our gracious God, be­cause of the depravity of mankind, hath appointed kings, princes and magistrates, willing that the world should be governed by certain laws and policies; to the end that the dissoluteness of men might be restrained, and all things carried on among them with good order and decency."

Without government the world would be full of murder, and there would not be much left of the population. Perhaps you think this is exaggerated. I will give an example. Some years ago the police in Montreal, Quebec, went on strike. Do you know what happened? Young and old, rich and poor, went out into the streets to steal and to rob! Can you believe it? The varnish of our decency is so thin. And this has been the same in many places throughout the world. By having government, a little order is maintained in the world. Where people live together, a government cannot be lacking. In God's common goodness we have a government, and it is an indispensable brake in the life of men. Thus we do not only have a criminal code to punish sin, but also a civil code to coordinate our daily lives.

Government on earth is necessary because of our sins, and it is God's goodness that we have it. Otherwise life would be impossible; life would become a hell. "For this purpose He hath invested the magistracy with the sword, for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the protection of them that do well." It was already in Genesis 6 that the Lord commanded that the murderer be killed. He Who is the Almighty God could destroy the sinner in many ways, such as by fire from heaven or by opening the earth so that they would go down into the grave. But no, the Lord commanded men to keep His law, and He gave authority to men to punish the sinner. This power is not given to all men, but to the government, who, when it is right, is the servant of the Lord!

God only has the power over life and death, and this is also given by God to the government. The sword mentioned points to the punishing of the sinner, even the death penalty when necessary. Many are against this, as we can read in the newspapers. Religious objections are also brought in; they say, "If they receive life imprisonment, such sinners can yet then be converted." Others say, "The judge can also make a mistake and condemn the innocent." It is a possibility; think only of Golgotha, where the righteous One was condemned, while Barabbas went out free. This is the responsibility of the judges or of the false witnesses.

We must never forget that in murder the image of God, which was originally in man and where­of small remnants still remain, is injured. We may never place God's honor secondary to or under the saving of men. God's honor demands the death penalty of the murderer. When we have pity for the sinner, it must be because of the great sin committed, since he assaulted man, who was an image-bearer of God. God has power over life and death, and therefore the given-power of the government is also over them; "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed."

Have we ever seen our guilt before the Lord? Even though we have not committed this sin in deed, we are nevertheless guilty, because we are self-murderers since our rebellion in Paradise. We have tried to take the power of the Lord away, and to take it to ourselves; we have tried to be as God. May that highest Authority begin to rule over us!

It is not only the calling of the govern­ment to make certain that justice is maintained, but this article also speaks of another calling, one which is generally not so readily accepted. It reads,

And their office is, not only to have regard unto, and watch for the welfare of the civil state; but also that they protect the sacred ministry; and thus remove and prevent all idolatry and false worship; that the kingdom of anti-Christ may be destroyed and the kingdom of Christ promoted.

This is a stumbling block for many, and therefore the Christian Reformed Church removed this portion from the confession, thinking to be wiser than our fathers at Dort. Our fathers knew very well that the theocracy no longer existed, since this had come to an end at the destruction of Jerusalem. However, think of the God-fearing kings of Israel who protected true religion and were greatly blessed by the Lord; we can mention David, Asa, Hezekiah, and Josiah as among those who have shown their zeal for the service of the Lord. Remember also the fifth commandment, which is not only applicable to the relationships in the families, but can also be applied to the nations. When there is subjection to the government which rules according to God's Word, the Lord promises His favor.

It is true that the national form of the covenant has come to an end; however, the covenant did not change, but is now the ecclesiastical form for the church. The form of Israel fell away, but the essence of the demand remained. The government has the duty to provide for the honor of God's Name, His day and His service; everything which goes against this must be punished. Unbelief and false teachings are sins just as well as is stealing; they are even the greater sins, and therefore are listed as being the duty of the government to prevent them.

At the 177^th session of the Synod of Dort the deputies asked the government not to give any public office to Roman Catholic priests. This was no persecution, since our fathers have always spoken out for the freedom of the conscience, but the honor of God and the welfare of the country made it a necessity for the government to act in such a way. Article 36 expresses what God's Word requires of the government, but it is also applicable to each of us personally; true religion must be maintained, protected and re­stored when necessary.

We live at a time when the rights of man are of greater value than the rights of God's Law; therefore there is no longer place given for that 'intolerant article 36', as it is sometimes called. Did this so-called freedom bring real happiness? No, the judgments of the Lord are multiplying, and the patience of the Lord with this rebellious world (government and church included) is coming to an end. The countries which depart from God's institutions (and this is quite general) make themselves ripe for destruction.

The synod of the Christian Reformed Church in South Africa made a decision in 1949 that there was no reason to change this article and omit part of it. Let us not forget that the God-fearing kings of the Old Testament times were praised by the Lord when they destroyed the idols! We do not ad­vocate that those who do not keep the Sabbath should be killed; no, the Lord Himself has given us the parable of the tares in the field. These tares were not to be rooted up immediately, but at harvest time, meaning at the end of the world. The confession points to the destruction of idols and false religions, but not to the persons themselves. It is the duty of the government to take care that the whole Law of God is kept; this means not only the second table of it, but also the first table.

This article not only speaks about the calling of the government, but also the calling of the subjects. We should obey them providing they do not go against God's Word; if something is required contrary to the Word of God, we may refuse or protest in that matter, but must not be disobedient in everything, as is sometimes advocated. They say, "The government is not acting according to the law, and therefore we will no longer pay taxes"; this has nothing to do with the matter and is only self-love. It is expressly stated, "to pay tribute, to show due honor and respect to them, and to obey them in all things which are not repugnant to the Word of God."

Should we not pray for our government, asking Him to give them wisdom to rule according to His will, but also to give us men who fear the Lord? The times are difficult, also for the government, and this makes it even more urgent that we pray for them. In visiting the congregations and families, we so seldom hear that there is prayer for our country and government, and this is a bad sign. When the Lord no longer gives prayer for country and government, it is to be feared that He is withdrawing Himself from such a country. May the Lord give a prayer to pray unto Him, for He is the only One Who can bring a change.

It cannot be denied that there are manifold sins in our days, perhaps as never before; this should bring us on our knees before the Lord to beg that He may cause us to return unto Him. We hope that the coming year, D.V., may become a year in which we need the Lord in all our ways. The Lord has promised, "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."

When we truly subject ourselves to the Lord, we will do the same to our parents and to the government, as these are placed over us by the Lord Himself. In speaking about the fifth commandment, Paul has pointed out that it is the first commandment with a promise. In the keeping of God's commandment there is great reward.