he government which
Christ instituted in his house has not been observed; so long as the
ordinance of discipline has been neglected or improperly administered;
so often as rites and ceremonies in the worship of God have been added
or modified according to the caprice of men; so often as men unqualified
have assumed to themselves the functions of the ministering servants of
Christ; so often as the ministers of religion have acted as lords over
God's heritage; so often as one individual in it has sat as head of the
Church; so often as one has sat in the temple of God showing himself
that he was God; so often as civil rulers have stept out of their own
sphere to legislate in the Church, to overrule the proceedings of its
courts, to visit with restrictions, whether by pains, or penalties, or
otherwise, those who used a lawful power and authority therein; so often
and so long as an earthly sovereign has sat as head of any department of
His Church; so often and so long, ignorantly or otherwise, has the
Redeemer, as King and Head of his Church, been dishonoured. For his
glory so set at nought, his people, in protesting against the opposition
thereby shown to his just claim, and in maintaining all these claims,
are called to testify by vow and oath.

The Headship of Christ over the nations is taught in Divine revelation
not less clearly than that over the Church; not less than that, it has
been misapprehended and disputed, and often practically denied. But
equally with the other, being true, the doctrine has stood unshaken
amidst every assault. It is manifest from all the references of Divine
truth to civil matters:--from its delineations of the duties of the
civil magistrate, and of those under his authority, to Christ and to one
another; of the qualifications of lawful civil rulers; of nations as
called into existence by the Mediator, under his cognizance, and at his
disposal; of the duties of nations to the Church of Christ,--to
establish the true religion, restrain ungodliness, and otherwise aid in
the promotion of her interests: and appears from designations
representing Him as possessed of all power and authority over men. But,
even as his authority over the Church, it has been set at nought by
many. Civil constitutions not framed according to his law, nor under the
care of those impressed with the fear of God; that give equal
countenance to error and truth; that support delusive systems, while
they do not encourage the s