I would emphasize that God has ordained both civil and ecclesiastical government for 1) his own glory; 2) the well-being of his church; and 3) the good of mankind. Both institutions are to acknowledge the Kingship of his Son and rule accordingly by his Word, though they are separate and distinct, allied for the same purpose, God's glory, though charged with different (primarily temporal and primarily spiritual, respectively), though related, jurisdictions. And I would agree with Calvin that
the promotion of piety is the chief duty of magistrates.
It is all well said by our
historic Reformed Creeds and Confessions on the Civil Magistrate and by Brother Calvin in the
Institutes, Book IV, Chap. 20.
[Edited on 8-3-2005 by VirginiaHuguenot]