Westminster Confession

Westminster Confession of Faith / Chapter 23 / 1

Chapter 23. Of the Civil Magistrate — 1

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 defence and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil doers.