IN GOD WE TRUST

 "For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king: HE WILL SAVE US." -Isaiah 33:22

In 1773 a sermon was preached by Charles Turner from Romans, XIII. 4, in which he meets the objections that ministers should not meddle in politics, and while he concedes its force in mere local matters, he boldly asserts that it is their duty to interfere where the liberties of the land are assailed, not only for the sake of their own posterity as well as that of others, but because, "...When the civil rights of a country receive a shock, it may justly render the ministers of God deeply thoughtful for the safety of sacred privileges - for religious liberty is so blended with civil, that if one falls it is not to be expected that the other will continue."

"If they (government authorities) command anything against Him (God), let it go un-esteemed. And here let us not be concerned about all the dignity which the magistrates possess." -John Calvin (excerpt from, 'The Institution of the Christian Religion,' written in 1536 A.D.)

"If their princes exceed their bounds, Madam, it is no doubt that they may be resisted even by power." -John Knox (while being questioned by Queen Mary about his views which legitimized subjects resisting their princes)

"Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, BE NOT YE AFRAID OF THEM; REMEMBER THE LORD, WHICH IS GREAT AND TERRIBLE, and fight for your brethren, yours sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses." -Nehemiah, encouraging the people in the midst of violent threats by Sanballat and other civil officials [see Nehemiah ch. 4]

"There is ever, and in all places, a mutual and reciprocal obligation between the people and the prince...If the prince fail in his promise, the people are exempt from obedience, the contract is made void, the rights of obligation of no force." -Vindiciae Contra Tyrannos , written in 1579 A.D., author unknown

"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes." -Psalm 118:8-9 [KJV]

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