Trinitarianism Verses Polytheism:
Unresolved Questions of Article VI, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution



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See the Theological Notes: "The Fall" at Genesis 3:6 in The Reformation Study Bible.
But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
(Genesis 3:3-7)
Matthew Henry commenting on Genesis 3:6-13
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/genesis/3.html
John Gill commenting on Genesis 3:7
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/genesis-3-7.html

For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us. (Isaiah 33:22)
Isaiah's Prophesy after the Angel of the Lord smote Sennacherib's army for good King Hezekiah.

The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. (2 Samuel 23:3)

Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. (Psalm 2:10-12)

See the Theological Notes: "Christ the Mediator," at 1 Timothy 2:5 in The Reformation Study Bible. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all. (1 Timothy 2:5,6a)

The Christ is the only One truly called. . . . The flesh has always struggled against Him, as we see when we survey the history of God's people. The struggle was especially acute at Golgotha. -- S.G. De Graaf in Promise and Deliverance

Christianity is the source of Absolute Truth and Life Everlasting, and it is the highest ethical standard known to mankind.

If thou wouldst rule well, thou must rule for God, and to do that, thou must be ruled by him. . . . Those who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants. -- William Penn

And ye peoples, to whom God gave the liberty to choose your own magistrates, see to it that ye do not forfeit this favor by electing to the positions of highest honor, rascals and enemies of God. -- John Calvin, in his commentary on 1 and 2 Samuel [1 Samuel]

The roots of liberty and limited government are in the Protestant Reformation. We believe the key to the maintenance of liberty and limited government is to be found in the Scottish covenanting struggle. -- James A. Dodson

The First Amendment clearly was intended to, and has lead to, pluralism in this country, not just acceptance of multiple Christian denominations, but also of false religions [and is diametrically opposite to the First of the Ten Commandments].
Furthermore, the explicit rejection of a religious test oath to hold office [Article VI, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution] is telling as to the Framers' intent. -- A social media post

See the Theological Notes: "Sanctification: The Spirit and the Flesh," at 1 Corinthians 6:11 in The Reformation Study Bible.

See the Theological Notes: "Christians and Civil Government," at Romans 13:1 in The Reformation Study Bible.

The Treasury of David, Psalm 21, C.H. Spurgeon
For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved. (Psalm 21:7)
http://archive.spurgeon.org/treasury/ps021.php
http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/psalms-21-7.html
http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/psalms/21.html
http://www.biblestudyguide.org/comment/calvin/comm_vol08/htm/xxvii.htm

The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.
(2 Samuel 23:2-7), The Last Words of David (See also: Psalms 2 and 72. Psalm 72 is thought to be the last Psalm of David because of verse 20. [Psalm 72:20])

The Treasury of David, Psalm 72, C.H. Spurgeon
Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.
He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall erve him.
(Psalm 72:1,2,11)
http://archive.spurgeon.org/treasury/ps072.php

When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. (Proverbs 28:12). See annotations in The Reformation Study Bible.

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

There is great transforming power in the New Testament sacrificial love of Christ Jesus that says, Not my will, but thine, be done. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 22:42b)

1. It is not birth only, nor propinquity of blood, that makes a king lawfully to reign above a people professing Christ Jesus and his eternal verity; but in his election must the ordinance, which God has established in the election of inferior judges, be observed.
2. No manifest idolater, nor notorious transgressor of God's holy precepts, ought to be promoted to any public regiment [government] honour, or dignity, in any realm, province, or city that has subjected itself to his blessed evangel.
3. Neither can oath nor promise bind any such people to obey and maintain tyrants against God and against his truth known.
4. But if either rashly they have promoted any manifestly wicked, or yet ignorantly have chosen such a one, as after declares himself unworthy of regiment above the people of God (and such be all idolaters and cruel persecutors), most justly may the same men depose and punish him, that unadvisedly before they did nominate, appoint, and elect. -- John Knox, Summary of the Proposed Second Blast of the Trumpet, 1558

Our Colonial forefathers selected covenant heads only for positions of leadership. They believed a man was not qualified to lead unless he were able to enter into a Trinitarian Oath and partake of the imputed righteousness of Christ with its forgiveness, justification, sanctification, and final glorification.

A simple democracy is the devil's own government. -- Benjamin Rush (1746-1813)

If the people be governors, who shall be governed? -- John Cotton (1584-1652)

Men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants. -- William Penn (1644-1718)

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1 John 2:4)

If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. (1 John 2:29)

When justice is taken away, what are kingdoms but a vast banditry. -- Augustine in City of God IV. iv (MPL [Migne, J.P., Patrologiae cursus completus, series Latina], 41. 115; tr. NPNF [A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series], II. 66)

The wealthy stand as magistrates in the economic arena and have the same duty of stewardship as do those who hold political office. -- C. Gregg Singer, "Calvinism and Economic Thought and Practice" in John Calvin: His Roots and Fruits, p. 46

This moral dilemma which has defiled the highest office in the land and made our nation the brunt of every lewd joke is yet another penalty for rejecting the standards of the Bible and the lessons from history. The Bible teaches that God holds leaders, rulers, and to those who instruct others to a higher standard. Their lives come under a greater magnifying glass. That is why there are certain requirements for civil and church leadership that are not required by God for lay people and the common citizens. It is also why God warns in James 3:1, My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. According to God, those in leadership are not called to uphold a lesser standard, but to uphold a higher one. They are to be aware that their lives will be subject to greater scrutiny and judgment as one who stands in the place of authority. That is why civil rulers are to be men who are just, ruling in the fear of God. (2 Samuel 23:3). In Exodus 18:21, the Lord confirms this criteria for civil leaders by declaring, Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men (this reveals a representative form of government), such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness . . . -- Rusty Lee Thomas

It is this author's contention that the modern churches have let go of this important piece of the faith [Christ's Kingship over the nations -- compiler], once for all delivered to the saints. Thereby they have delivered the church, not to kings as nursing fathers, but to the cruel civil domination of the enemies of the true religion, their sheep being taught that they must submit passively to every pretended civil authority as the ordinance of God. By this defection, these leaders of the flock have also undermined the magistracy, allowing and even encouraging wicked men to remove this blessed ordinance from its foundation in God its creator, and from its subjection to Christ His King, thereby directly opposing God's benevolent ends in instituting civil government: Thus have [they] made the commandment of God of none effect by [their] tradition. . . . teaching for doctrines the commandments of men (Matthew 15:6,9). Furthermore, by their false teaching regarding civil government, they have made themselves guilty of the very sin of which we are often accused: opposing the ordinance of God. If this wasn't enough, however, consider that their sin is worse than that of the garden variety rebel, inasmuch as their opposition to God's institution is not so much practical as it is principle; and because of their position as teachers and guides of the flock of God. Be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. . . . For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth (James 3:1; II Cor. 13:8 [2 Corinthians 13:8]). -- Greg Price, Biblical Civil Government Verses the Beast, p. 64

Blasphemy against the Almighty is denying his being or providence, or uttering contumelious reproaches on our Savior Christ. It is punished, at common law by fine and imprisonment, for Christianity is part of the laws of the land. -- William Blackstone


Covenanted leadership true to Christ could solve American's problems and renew society

The magistracy is ordained by God
The Lord has not only testified that the office of magistrate is approved by and acceptable to him, but he also sets out its dignity with the most honorable titles and marvelously commends it to us.(13) To mention a few: Since those who serve as magistrate are called "gods" [Ex. 22:8; Ps. 82:1,6], [Exodus 22:8; Psalm 82:1,6], let no one think that their being so-called is of slight importance. For it signifies that they have a mandate from God, have been invested with divine authority, and are wholly God's representatives, in a manner, acting as his vicegerents. This is no subtlety of mine, but Christ's explanation. "If Scripture," he says, "called them gods to whom the word of God came . . ." [John 13:35]. What is this, except that God has entrusted to them the business of serving him in their office, and (as Moses and Jehoshaphat said to the judges whom they appointed in every city of Judah) of exercising judgment not for Man but for God [Deut. 1:16-17; II Chron. 19:6]? [Deuteronomy 1:16-17; 2 Chronicles 19:6]. To the same purpose is what God's wisdom affirms through Solomon's mouth, that it is his doing "that kings reign, and counselors decree what is just, that princes exercise dominion, and all benevolent judges of the earth" [Prov. 8:14-16], [Proverbs 8:14-16]. This amounts to the same thing as to say: it has not come about by human perversity that the authority over all things on earth is in the hands of kings and other rulers, but by divine providence and holy ordinance. For God was pleased so to rule the affairs of men, inasmuch as he is present with them and also presides over the making of laws and the exercising of equity in courts of justice. Paul also plainly teaches this when he lists "ruling" among God's gifts [Rom. 12:8, KJV or RV], [Romans 12:8], which, variously distributed according to the diversity of grace, ought to be used by Christ's servants for the upbuilding of the church. For even though Paul is there speaking specifically of a council of sober men, who were appointed in the primitive church to preside over the ordering of public discipline (which office is called in the letter to the Corinthians, "government"(14) [I Cor. 12:28]), [1 Corinthians 12:28], yet because we see the civil power serving the same end, there is no doubt that he commends to us every kind of just rule.
But Paul speaks much more clearly when he undertakes a just discussion of this matter. For he states both that power is an ordinance of God [Rom. 13:2], [Romans 13:21], and that there are no powers except those ordained by God [Rom. 13:1]. [Romans 13:1] Further, that princes are ministers of God, for those doing good unto praise; for those doing evil, avengers unto wrath [Rom. 13:3-4], [Romans 13:3,4]. To this may be added the examples of holy men, of whom some possessed kingdoms, as David, Josiah, and Hezekiah; other, lordships, as Joseph and Daniel; other, civil rule among a free people, as Moses, Joshua, and the judges. The Lord has declared his approval of their offices. Accordingly, no one ought to doubt that civil authority is a calling, not only holy and lawful before God, but also the most sacred and by far the most honorable of all callings in the whole life of mortal men. -- John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (Ford Lewis Battles translation), IV:20:4

Hense the Declaration of American Independence was justifiable. But when the newly-born nation ignored the God of battles, rejected the authority of the Prince of kings of the earth, and refused to administer the government in accordance with the requirements of the Divine Law, then the same loyal Covenanters, faithful to their principles and consistent with their history through all the struggles of the centuries, dissented from the Constitution of the United States, and are justifiable in the continuance of this position of political dissent so long as the government retains its character of political atheism. We may rightfully declare our independence of wicked men and rebellious nations, but we cannot declare our independence of God, and set up a government regardless of His authority, without incurring His wrath and suffering from His desolating judgements. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." See Alexander Craighead, RENEWAL OF THE COVENANTS, NATIONAL AND SOLEMN LEAGUE; A CONFESSION OF SINS; AN ENGAGEMENT TO DUTIES; AND A TESTIMONY; AS THEY WERE CARRIED ON AT MIDDLE OCTORARA IN PENNSYLVANIA, NOVEMBER 11, 1743. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #27.
The Scottish Covenanting Struggle, Alexander Craighead, and the Mecklenburg Declaration
http://www.lettermen2.com/craig.html

The Articles of Confederation were abandoned only when the Philadelphia Convention, which was meant simply to revise the Articles, exceeded the bounds of its instructions and drafted a new constitution. This new constitution received much opposition and would never have been adopted had not the Framers 'guaranteed' local liberties and self-government through federalism, strictly enumerated powers, and the promise of a Bill of Rights. -- William J. Watkins, "Saying 'No' to Centralized Power," The New American, vol. 11, No. 14, July 10, 1995.
The John Birch Society
http://www.jbs.org

Article VI, Section 3 states "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States." The anti-Trinitarian concept of political citizenship promoted by Framers of the U.S. Constitution including Washington, Madison, Jefferson, Hamilton, John Adams, and Franklin, Framers who also led the Constitutional ratification movement, was in sharp opposition to the constitutions of the Colonial States that provided for Christian leadership by requiring a Trinitarian oath from office holders.
Religious Test Clauses in Colonial and State Constitutions and Other Documents and Statements Supporting the Original Consensus That There Should be a Religious Test for Positions of Authority and Trust
http://www.lettermen2.com/agc001.html
The Articles of Confederation of the United Colonies of New England; May 19, 1643
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/art1613.htm

Regarding Article VI, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, "the Framers knew that religious oaths were required for testifying in local and state courts. They knew that religious oaths were sometimes required for exercising the franchise in state elections, but they made it clear: Federal jurisdiction is governed by another covenant, and therefore by another god. It is therefore a rival system of hierarchy. It is not a complementary system of courts; it is a rival system, for an oath to the God of the Bible is prohibited by law in one of those hierarchies." From "Selling the Birthright: The Ratification of the U.S. Constitution," Appendix H, in Gary North, TOOLS OF DOMINION: THE CASE LAWS OF EXODUS (Tyler, TX: Institute for Christian Economics, c1990), p. 1203.
Gary North, Freebooks.com
http://www.garynorth.com/freebooks/

Patrick Henry refused repeated appointments by George Washington to positions in the new government. See: William Wirt Henry, PATRICK HENRY: LIFE, CORRESPONDENCE AND SPEECHES, (Harrisonburg, VA: Sprinkle Publications, 1993), for Patrick Henry's position on the federal government established by the new constitution. Also see, Ralph Ketcham (editor), THE ANTI-FEDERALIST PAPERS AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION DEBATES (New York, NY: Penguin Books [Mentor], 1986).

Leadership allied with false religion and destructive cults/occultists has a strong presence in government, business, and all other spheres of society, explaining why things are never what they appear to be. The deceit of government and the media, the loss of respect for human life, the breakdown of the judicial system, moral decay, occult revival, growing tyranny of the government over the individual, loss of religious, political, economic, and individual freedom, widespread corruption, the national debt, economic decline, growing poverty, destabilization of society, the giving up of the sovereignty of the United States of America to the United Nations and in ungodly treaties are consequent to the ungodly alliances of leadership.

The U.S. Constitution, being polytheistic, precludes the punishment of blasphemy by the State. This flaw is about to cost America everything -- our freedoms, our lives, and our nation because it permits the usurpation of authority in government by unholy spirits.
Statements Supporting the Original Consensus That Christianity is the Highest Ethical Standard Known to Mankind and, Therefore, Should be the Basis of Law and Government
http://www.lettermen2.com/agc002.html

Biblical Test of Character for Candidates for Public Office and all Civil Servants
http://www.lettermen2.com/bibltest.html

Usurpation of God's authority is the besetting sin of mankind (Usurping the authority to establish what is Truth and what is Falsehood enables one to manipulate the world to his own liking. This is the essence of liberalism). To suppose that mankind has the authority to establish Truth and Falsehood, to establish what is good and what is evil, is also the sin of Eden, the Cardinal sin, and a violation of the summation of the Ten Commandments found in Matthew 22:38-40. It is rebellion against the holiness and majesty of God, and is a breaking of the conditions of the Sinai Covenant between God and man, a continuation of the Covenant of Grace (Exodus 3:15; Deuteronomy 7:7,8; 9:5,6). Usurpation of God's authority by humanly reformulating law recrucifies Christ, and abrogates all justice. This liberal, willful disobedience, negates God's law given to sustain life and to maintain social order, and brings the Second Death upon mankind.

The literature of the Covenanted Reformation surpasses practically all of today's literature addressing the issues of Church and State.
Corporate Sanctification
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9chb.html

*Brown, John Brown (of Haddington) and Justin A. Rawson, A Refutation of Religious Pluralism, ISBN: 9781597123471 1597123471.
"Mr. John Brown's manifesto shatters the glass walls that have been erected (not only by political leaders, but also by religious leaders) around the 'sacred' doctrine of religious pluralism (or religious toleration) within the political realm.
"Mr. Brown argues that for a nation to tolerate gross heresy and blasphemy (and even false religions in their entirety) is not to take a neutral position with regard to religion, but is rather to protect and promote false religion (contrary to God and His Moral Law, which perpetually bind all people in the world to its obedience -- including political leaders). For God is not morally neutral and does not grant a so-called 'religious liberty' in the civil realm to violate His Moral Law (as summarized in the Ten Commandments). For that which is truly a moral wrong can never be a civil right.
"In the two Letters found in this volume are summarized Biblical, historical, and logical arguments against the toleration of gross heresy and blasphemy in the constitutions and practices of nations (and especially those nations that are engaged by way of lawful National Covenants to God). In addition, Mr. Brown has cited numerous objections against the magistrate's God-ordained duty to legally and morally prevent religious toleration and pluralism within a nation, and has provided answers to the objections that manifest a consistent Scriptural reasoning revealing the fantasy of 'religious liberty' and 'religious pluralism' in the civil realm.
"If Mr. Brown had written his book in the United States (rather than in Scotland), an appropriate title might have been, THE RELIGIOUS PLURALISM GRANTED IN THE FIRST AMENDMENT IS NOT GRANTED IN THE FIRST COMMANDMENT.
"Dear reader, be ready to have your political worldview shaken and turned right-side-up!" -- Publisher

Guinn, David E., Faith on Trial: Communities of Faith, the First Amendment, and the Theory of Deep Diversity, ISBN: 0739104349 9780739104347.

*Knox, John (1505-1572), Appellation From the Sentence Pronounced by the Bishops and Clergy: Addressed to the Nobility and Estates of Scotland. Alternate title: THE APPELLATION OF JOHN KNOX FROM THE CRUELL . . . SENTENCE PRONOUNCED AGAINST HIM BY THE FALSE BISHOPPES AND CLERGEY OF SCOTLAND, WITH HIS SUPPLICATION AND EXHORTATION TO THE NOBILITIE, ESTATES, AND COMMUNALTIE OF THE SAME REALME, and THE APPELLATION . . . TO THE SCOTTISH NOBILITY, and REFORMATION, REVOLUTION AND ROMANISM: AN APPEAL TO THE SCOTTISH NOBILITY, and THE APPELLATION FROM THE SENTENCE PRONOUNCED BY THE BISHOPS AND CLERGY: ADDRESSED TO THE NOBILITY AND ESTATES OF SCOTLAND, and THE APPELLATION. Cover title: REFORMATION, REVOLUTION AND ROMANISM: APPEAL TO THE SCOTTISH NOBILITY (1558). Available (singly as REFORMATION, REVOLUTION AND ROMANISM, in which key text have been underlined by a previous reader), on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available (REFORMATION, REVOLUTION AND ROMANISM), on Reformation Bookshelf CD #1 (MP3), #26. Available (APPELLATION FROM THE SENTENCE PRONOUNCED BY THE BISHOPS AND CLERGY: ADDRESSED TO THE NOBILITY AND ESTATES OF SCOTLAND), on the Library of Presbyterian Heritage Publications and Protestant Heritage Press CD-ROM Library. Available (APPELLATION FROM THE SENTENCE PRONOUNCED BY THE BISHOPS AND CLERGY: ADDRESSED TO THE NOBILITY AND ESTATES OF SCOTLAND), in THE WORKS OF JOHN KNOX, Vol. 4. [John Knox; David Laing ((collector and editor)), THE WORKS OF JOHN KNOX, Vol. 4, reprint of the 1855 edition printed for Bannatyne Club, Edinburgh (New York: AMS Press, 1966)].
"David Chilton notes, 'Of all the sixteenth-century Reformers, John Knox remains the most ardently loved and fiercely hated. No other leader of his day saw so clearly the political issues in the light of Scripture. Nor has any of his contemporaries had so much direct influence upon the subsequent history of the world. He transformed a land of barbarians into one of the most hard-headly Calvinistic cultures ever to exist, and his doctrines lie at the core of all Protestant revolutionary activity. While he is often considered merely one of Calvin's lieutenants, he was actually a Reformer in his own right. In some respects he was the greatest of them all.' ("John Knox," in The Journal of Christian Reconstruction: Symposium on Puritanism and Law [Vallecito, CA: Chalcedon], Vol. V, No. 2, Winter, 1978-79, p. 194).
"Furthermore, R.L. Greaves has noted that 'it has even been suggested -- and not altogether without merit -- that Knox was a key link in the development of political ideology that culminated in the American Revolution.' (Theology and Revolution in the Scottish Reformation: Studies in the Thought of John Knox [Grand Rapids, MI: Christian University Press, 1980], p. 156).
"Moreover, Mason [Roger A. Mason -- compiler], states that this APPEAL [APPELLATION FROM THE SENTENCE PRONOUNCED BY THE BISHOPS AND CLERGY: ADDRESSED TO THE NOBILITY AND ESTATES OF SCOTLAND -- compiler], 'is the most important . . . of Knox's political writings.' (in the Introduction to his compilation of Knox's political writings entitled KNOX: ON REBELLION). [see annotation for KNOX: ON REBELLION elsewhere in this bibliography -- compiler]. It shows in a conclusive manner that Knox wanted a Theonomic Establishment which was careful to 'disapprove, detest, oppose and remove all false worship and all monuments of idolatry' (cf. Westminster Larger Catechism, #108). It also clearly demonstrates that Knox believed in and promoted the continuing binding validity of the Old Testament case laws and the penal sanctions attached to them, including the death penalty.
"Kevin Reed, in a editor's note, introducing this piece in his newly published SELECTED WRITING OF JOHN KNOX [available on the Puritan Hard Drive. -- compiler], also points out that 'the Westminster Confession provides a distinct echo of Knox, when it states that the magistrate ""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"" (Ch. 23:3, original wording). One secular historian once described Knox as 'Calvin with a sword,' making one wonder if he had not just been reading this very book. For 'where Calvin merely permitted disobedience to an ungodly ruler or immoral law, Knox championed armed rebellion -- a type of Calvinism that made religious revolution in Scotland possible.' (Christian History, Issue 46, p. 35). This is the best of the best; don't miss it!" -- Publisher
Knox, John, Appellation From the Sentence Pronounced by the Bishops and Clergy: Addressed to the Nobility and Estates of Scotland
This is a character scan (OCR) of the modernized text published by Protestant Heritage Press. While text may be cut and pasted it is subject to copyright.
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualNLs/appellat.htm
The Works of John Knox (1846), Vol. 4.
http://archive.org/stream/worksjohnknox07laingoog#page/n4/mode/2up
Reformation, Revolution and Romanism (1558), John Knox, MP3 file.
"This has been called John Knox's most important political writing. It also deals with Romanism, God's law, and much more.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?currSection=sermonssource&sermonID=1030075041
See also:
Goodman, Christopher (1520-1603), How Superior Powers ought to be Obeyed of Their Subjects: And Wherein They may Lawfully by God's Word be Disobeyed and Resisted, 1558. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #26. Available (HOW SUPERIOR POWERS OUGHT TO BE OBEYED), on the Library of Presbyterian Heritage Publications and Protestant Heritage Press CD-ROM Library.
"From 1555 to 1558, Christopher Goodman served as co-pastor, with John Knox, of the congregation of English exiles in Geneva. During the course of his ministry, Goodman preached upon Acts 4:19 and 5:29: 'Whether it be right in the sight of God, to obey you rather than God, judge ye. We ought rather to obey God than men'. . . . In this book, Goodman contends against both ecclesiastical and political tyranny." -- Publisher
How Superior Powers Ought to be Obeyed of Their Subjects
http://www.constitution.org/cmt/goodman/obeyed.htm
See also annotation for:
Knox, John (1505-1572), The History of the Reformation of Religion Within the Realm of Scotland. . . . Together With the Life of the Author, and Several Curious Pieces Wrote by him, . . . By the Reverend Mr. John Knox, . . . To Which is Added, I. An Admonition to England and Scotland . . . BY Antoni Gilby. II. The First and Second Books of Discipline, Glasgow, 1761. Alternate title: THE HISTORIE OF THE REFORMATION OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND CONTAINING FIVE BOOKS: TOGETHER WITH SOME TREATISES CONDUCING TO THE HISTORY. EDITED, WITH A LIFE OF KNOX AND A PREFACE, BY DAVID BUCHANAN. INCLUDES: "THE APPELLATION OF JOHN KNOX, FROM THE . . . SENTENCE PRONOUNCED AGAINST HIM (pp. 1-33); "THE ADMONITION OF JOHN KNOX TO HIS BELOVED BRETHREN THE COMMONALTY OF SCOTLAND" (pp. 34-42); "A FAITHFULL ADMONITION MADE BY JOHN KNOX TO THE TRUE PROFESSORS OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST WITHIN THE KINGDOM OF ENGLAND, 1554" (pp. 43-79); "THE COPIE OF A LETTER DELIVERED TO QUEEN MARY, REGENT OF SCOTLAND" (pp. 80-97); AND "A SERMON PREACHED BY JOHN KNOX [AUGUST 19, 1565]," ISBN: 0851513581 9780851513584. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #1.

*McClure, Alexander D., The First Amendment: A Masterpiece of Satan (Edmonton, AB, Canada: Still Waters Revival Books).

*Schwertley, Brian M., and Westminster Presbyterian Church in the United States. Publications Committee, National Covenanting and Christ's Victory Over the Nations. Available at Reformed Online.
"This is the first book-length, scholarly exposition and defense of national covenanting since 1843. This comprehensive treatment includes the binding nature of covenants, covenant renewals under the godly kings of Israel, objections to covenanting answered, the unbiblical nature of the U.S. Constitution, the unscriptural alteration of the Westminster Confession of Faith in 1789, the necessity of the Old Testament moral law for a Christian nation and the biblical requirements for civil office. In the book, Rev. Schwertley not only sets forth the biblical case for social or national covenanting in a simple and organized manner but also critiques the modern pluralistic alternatives to the original Presbyterian teaching on this topic." -- Publisher
It was preceded by 'Social Covenanting,' a series of 31 sermons in MP3 format, [audio file], given by the author starting in the summer of 2012.
Social Covenanting series of 31 sermons by Brian Schwertley
http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?seriesOnly=true&currSection=sermonstopic&sourceid=ccc&keyword=National+Covenanting&keyworddesc=National+Covenanting

See also: The sovereignty of god, The doctrine of man (human nature, total depravity), Epistemology of theology, the theory of knowledge, Absolute truth and relativism, The mediatorial reign of christ and the crown rights of christ, Church and state, Hypocrisy, The religion of secular humanism: man as god, human autonomy, Liberalism and neo-liberalism, Politics, Ethics, computer ethics, cyberethics, Sex ethics, sex education, A theological interpretation of american history, Toleration, liberty of conscience, pluralism, "religious freedom," and neutrality, The government role of punishing wrongdoers, Secret societies, ungodly alliances, voluntary associations, Treason and impeachment, True republicanism, Servant leadership, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, Bible magistracy turns back the wrath of god, The Courts, the Law Base, and the Judicial System, The doctrine of the lesser magistrates, and so forth, and so on.

Related Weblinks

The Articles of Confederation of the United Colonies of New England; May 19, 1643
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/art1613.htm

Biblical Test of Character for Candidates for Public Office and all Civil Servants
http://www.lettermen2.com/bibltest.html

Christians for a "Test Oath"
http://vftonline.org/TestOath/#overview
Table of Contents
http://vftonline.org/TestOath/contents.htm

Church and State
Works listed here discuss the decline of the influence of Calvinism and the Covenanted Reformation in Great Britain and the United States. The various alterations to the Westminster Standards are also discussed.
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9chc.html#churchstate

Conservatism: An Autopsy, John W. Robbins
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/journal.php?id=115

Hi-tech Polygraphy as a Means of Broadscale Reform
http://www.lettermen2.com/polytech.html

Religious Test Clauses in Colonial and State Constitutions and Other Documents and Statements Supporting the Original Consensus That There Should be a Religious Test for Positions of Authority and Trust
http://www.lettermen2.com/agc001.html

The Scottish Covenanting Struggle, Alexander Craighead, and the Mecklenburg Declaration
http://www.lettermen2.com/craig.html

Spiritual Abuse
Extensive resources.
http://www.apologeticsindex.org/8006-spiritual-abuse

Spiritual Abuse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_abuse

Statements Supporting the Original Consensus That Christianity is the Highest Ethical Standard Known to Mankind and, Therefore, Should be the Basis of Law and Government
http://www.lettermen2.com/agc002.html

The United States of Christ
For those who can bear it . . .
Revelation 11:15; Matthew 28:16-20; Matthew 25:31-34; Matthew 28:16-20; Psalm 24:1; Isaiah 12:1-6; 2 Chronicles 6:40-41; Ezekiel 43:10-27; Hebrews 13:10-17, and so forth, and so on.
http://www.unitedstatesofchrist.net/

Watchman Fellowship Index of Cults
http://www.watchman.org

Warning Signs of Destructive Cults and Satanism
http://www.lettermen2.com/warncult.html



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Views and opinion expressed at other web sites do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of this webmaster.
Arrangement of weblinks does not in any way indicate that independent authors or webmasters hold similar views and opinions.
Researchers are urged to exercise the utmost discernment in navigating the World Wide Web. See the topical listing "Spiritual Discernment."


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