es? And who would say that this part of the
glorious system of the means of grace is unnecessary? Let this Ordinance
be observed, that evil, as a corrupt thing under the atmosphere and sun
of heaven, may perish before it; that many may enjoy the blessedness of
the inheritance of the saints; and that God may be glorified through
Jesus Christ, the Mediator of the New Covenant.

FOOTNOTES:

[792] Appendix D.

APPENDIX.

A.

Every species of co-operation with the appointed functionaries of an
immoral and unscriptural civil government, may not imply the recognition
of that power to be the ordinance of God. To co-operate with these for
example, in the execution of justice, is not necessarily to acknowledge
that the power is of God. If the forms of procedure be in themselves
proper, and the laws just, the carrying of them into effect for the good
of society and for the glory of God, is in itself right. But it is one
thing to say that justice should be done in society, and also to aid in
the execution of it, and it may be quite another to acknowledge that the
civil rulers of the given society have a right to do so in virtue of
authority from God. Justice should be done, by a civil power--agreeable
to God's preceptive will. If no such power exist, the community are to
blame for not originating such a power. And if justice be not done, they
are also culpable;--because of the want of such a power justice is not
to be undone. Were such to be allowed, the community would be chargeable
with the crimes of both remaining without a proper civil power and
permitting evil to be committed with impunity. To co-operate with an
unlawful civil power in doing justice, is therefore to do less evil, yea
more good, than would be done by refraining from co-operation.

The swearing of an oath by those called to testify to truth, or to act
in the weighing of evidence, as on a jury, in order to the execution of
justice, does not necessarily imply a recognition of the authority that
calls to do so, to be of God. It is the using of a lawful means of
giving assurance regarding truth necessary to be ascertained, but does
not essentially imply that the claims of those exercising power to the
use of that power, are good. A lawful constituted authority, whether
civil or ecclesiastical, has a right to claim an oath for proper
purposes. But an oath may be sworn to others besides. It may be sworn
for a good end, even to those whose pretensions to