Chapter 23: We confess and acknowledge that baptism appertains as well to the — Chapter 24: We confess and acknowledge empires, kingdoms, dominions, and cities to

We confess and acknowledge that baptism appertains as well to the infants of the faithful, as unto those that be of age and discretion. And so we damn the error of the Anabaptists, who deny baptism to appertain to children before that they have faith and understanding.
[157] But the supper of the Lord we confess to appertain to such only as be of the household of faith, and can try and examine themselves, as well in their faith, as in their duty towards their neighbors. Such as eat and drink at that holy table without faith, or being at dissension and division with their brethren, do eat unworthily: [158] and therefore it is, that in our kirks our ministers take public and particular examination of the knowledge and conversation of such as are to be admitted to the table of the Lord Jesus. __________________________________________________________________

[157] Col. 2:11-12; Rom. 4:11; Gen. 17:10; Matt. 28:19.

[158] 1 Cor. 11:28-29. __________________________________________________________________

We confess and acknowledge empires, kingdoms, dominions, and cities to be distinguished and ordained by God: the powers and authorities in the same (be it of emperors in their empires, of kings in their realms, dukes and princes in their dominions, or of other magistrates in free cities) to be God's holy ordinance, ordained for manifestation of his own glory, and for the singular profit and commodity of mankind. [159] So that whosoever goes about to take away or to confound the whole state of civil policies, now long established; we affirm the same men not only to be enemies to mankind, but also wickedly to fight against God's expressed will. [160]

We further confess and acknowledge, that such persons as are placed in authority are to be loved, honoured, feared, and held in most reverent estimation [161] because they are the lieutenants of God, in whose sessions God himself does sit and judge [162] (yea even the judges and princes themselves), to whom by God is given the sword, to the praise and defense of good men, and to revenge and punish all open malefactors. [163] Moreover, to kings, princes, rulers, and magistrates, we affirm that chiefly and most principally the conservation and purgation of the religion appertains; so that not only they are appointed for civil policy, but also for maintenance of the true religion, and for suppressing of idolatry and superstition whatsoever: as in David, [164] Jehoshaphat, [165] Hezekiah, [166] Josiah, [167] and others, highly commended for their zeal in that case, may be espied.

And therefore we confess and avow, that such as resist the supreme power (doing that thing which appertains to his charge), do resist God's ordinance, and therefore cannot be guiltless. And further, we affirm that whosoever denies unto them their aid, counsel and comfort, while the princes and rulers vigilantly travail in the execution of their office, that the same men deny their help, support and counsel to God, who, by the presence of his lieutenant, craves it of them. __________________________________________________________________

[159] Rom. 13:1; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-14.
[160] Rom. 13:2.
[161] Rom. 13:7; 1 Pet. 2:17.
[162] Ps. 82:1.
[163] 1 Pet. 2:14.
[164] 1 Chron. 22-26.
[165] 2 Chron. 17:6, etc.; 19:8, etc.;
[166] 2 Chron. 29-31.

[167] 2 Chron. 34-35. __________________________________________________________________