Samuel Rutherford on the role of the Civil Magistrate

From a sermon to the Westminster Assembly Doctrine : All princes are obliged to govern and rule for the Lord and his honor. 1. So Scripture speaks, it shall be in the last days (Isa. 49:23; Ps. 72:10). 2. Princes are God's standard bearers; they bear his sword by office (Rom. 13:4), and they hold crown and scepter of him , as great Landlord of all powers. 3. In a special manner they are second gods (Ps. 82:6; 2 Chron. 19:12). All rulers in the act of judging are God's deputies, even though their second calling is to be sent by a King, and t herefore see what judgement God himself would pronounce , if he were on the bench, that same must they decree, except they would make the deputed mouth to belie the mind of the great Lord who sent them. 4. The Lord has entrusted Christian rulers with the most precious thing he has on earth; he has given his bride and spouse to their tutorage and faith. A. Use One. You are entrusted by God, with an honorable virgin, a King's ...