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Chapter 108PonetCatechism.1.108

¶ Of ciuile Magistrates.

The Christian's Duty to Civil Authority

This pericope affirms the king's supreme headship over the church in England, denies papal jurisdiction, declares the magistrate's divine ordination, and outlines the Christian's obligation to obey, including acceptance of capital punishment and participation in lawful wars under the magistrate's command.

The King of England is the supreme head on earth, immediately under Christ, of the Church of England and Ireland.1 The Bishop of Rome has no jurisdiction in this realm of England.2 The civil magistrate is ordained and approved by God; therefore, we must obey him, not only for fear of punishment, but also for conscience' sake. Civil laws may punish Christians with death for heinous and grievous offenses. It is lawful for Christians, at the magistrate's command, to wear weapons and to serve in lawful wars.

Read the original English

THe king of Englande is Supreame head in earth, next vn der Christe, of the churche of England, and Ireland.

THe Byshoppe of Rome hathe no iurisdiction, in th…s realin of Englande.

THe ciuile magistrate is ordeined, and alowed of god: wher fore we must obey him, not on ly for feare of punishment, but also for conscience sake.

THe ciuile lawes may punyshe christen men, with deathe, for hainous, & greuous offences.

IT is lawfull for Christians, at the commaundement of the ma gistrate, to were weapons, and to serue in lawfull warres.

Notes

  1. 1 ↩Source reading 'vn der' is a line-break split of 'under'; translated as 'under'.
  2. 2 ↩Source reading is damaged: 'th…s realin' taken as 'this realm', the only sense that fits the neighboring sections on royal supremacy and civil magistrates.

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