y, but also for the conservation of true
religion, and that all idolatry and superstition may be suppressed: as
is evident in David, Jehoshaphat, Josiah, Hezekiah, and others, adorned
with high praises for their singular zeal.

The Belgic church thus: Therefore he hath armed the magistrates with a
sword, that they may punish the bad and defend the good. Furthermore, it
is their duty not only to be solicitous about preserving of civil
polity, but also to give diligence that the sacred ministry may be
preserved, all idolatry and adulterate worship of God may be taken out
of the way, the kingdom of antichrist may be pulled down, but Christ's
kingdom propagated. Finally, it is their part to take course, that the
holy word of the gospel be preached on every side, that all may freely
and purely serve and worship God according to the prescript of his word.
And all men, of whatsoever dignity, condition, or state they be, ought
to be subject to lawful magistrates, to pay them tribute and subsidies,
to obey them in all things which are not repugnant to the word of God;
to pour out prayers for them, that God would vouchsafe to direct them in
all their actions, _and that we may under them lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and honesty_. Wherefore we detest the
Anabaptists and all turbulent men who cast off superior dominions and
magistrates, pervert laws and judgments, make all goods common, and
finally abolish or confound all orders and degrees which God hath
constituted for honesty's sake among men.

The church in Bohemia thus: They teach also that it is commanded in the
word of God that _all should be subject to the higher powers_ in all
things, yet in those things only which are not repugnant to God and his
word. But as touching those things which concern men's souls, faith, and
salvation, they teach that men should hearken only to God's word, &c.,
his ministers, as Christ himself saith, _Render to Caesar the things
that are Caesar's, and to God those things that are God's._ But if any
would compel them to those things which are against God, and fight and
strive against his word, which abideth forever; they teach them to make
use of the apostle's example, who thus answered the magistrate at
Jerusalem: _It is meet_ (say they) _to obey God rather than men_.

Finally, the church in Saxony hath expressed herself notably in this
point, saying, among many other passages, God will have all men, yea,
even unregenerate m