Practice of Mediatorial Dominion (Ps 2:10-12)
Review: What does God require of heathen nations?
Practical implications. "The Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever He will, & sets over it the lowest of men" (Dan 4:17)
Intro
Questions Covenanters faced as King marched north: Can it be right to take up arms against gov't? Should they go forth against their king in battle? Use carnal weapons, rather than spiritual, & engage in shedding of blood? What were their duties as Christians & subjects of the king?
Doctrine: Practice of Mediatorial Dominion
1. Lawfulness of loving civil disobedience against authority
Rulers have no right to command what is unlawful in the word of God, for "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29, see Acts 4:19, Ex 1, 1Sam 14, Dan 1-6)
2. Lawfulness of defensive arms
Knox to Mary: "...if the children arise, join together, apprehend the father, take the sword from him, bind his hands & keep him in prison till the frenzy be over, think you... that the children do any wrong? Even so... is it with the princes that would murder the children of God that are subject unto them."
Luke 22:36, see Gen 14:12ff, 2Kg 6, book of Judges
3. God-given role of under-magistrate
All authority exists by appt. of God, Rom 13, & is accountable directly to God, Ps 2 (cf Saul in 1Sam 5:24)
4. Rule by which kings may be judged: Word of God
He alone is King of kings (Rev 17:14, 19:16); we "are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights."
Conclusion: 1st & 2nd Bishops' Wars |
