Why is a paragraph like this needed in a confession of faith? Why should we pray for our civil leaders? How do we “honor” their persons? What does “for conscience’s sake” mean? In Romans 13 whose “wrath” is being spoke of: Team Nathan (magistrates) or Team Kyle (God’s)? Excursus: should we obey the speed limit? Are people freed from needing to obey a magistrate who isn’t a Christian? A Republican? Democrat? etc. What about the Pope’s jurisdiction? Tune in as Nathan, Shaw, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 23.4:
The civil magistrate may not assume to himself the administration of the Word and sacraments; or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven: yet he hath authority, and it is his duty, to take order, that unity and peace be preserved in the Church, that the truth of God be kept pure and entire; that all blasphemies and heresies be suppressed; all corruptions and abuses in worship and discipline prevented or reformed; and all the ordinances of God duly settled, administered, and observed. For the better effecting whereof, he hath power to call synods, to be present at them, and to provide that whatsoever is transacted in them be according to the mind of God.
The Jerusalem Chamber 