Sir William Blackstone - Two Foundations According to Blackstone

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The God-ordained third law

Though governed by errant man, the third law has its roots to the Bible. In the book Romans 13:1-2 Jesus states that, “There is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.” When man breaks the law they’re not just making man’s law they’re also breaking gods. God made natural law so when man breaks it, it is considered breaking Gods laws. This is why it’s called God-ordained law. God promised serious punishments for those who resist the authority of the law.

God and Government and Mans Responsibilities to the law

Even though governments these days are still God-ordained, they are still run by sinful and evil men who are prone to wrongdoing. One responsibility Christians have is to obey the laws of the government, but if they don’t agree with the laws of God. For instance “if the government said it is required of all the Christians to commit murder before going to bed each night”. The people would not have to do it because it would contradict Gods law on though shalt not kill. God’s law is the law we Christians obey. In the Bible a good example of this would be with Joseph and Mary. When Mary came back from the harvest when she was with Elizabeth and Zachariah. She came back pregnant! In the eyes of the law because she already swore to marry Joseph. Mary had committed adultery, and by the law back then that normally meant being stoned in the street. This cannot work in the eyes of the Lord, because it’s still considered killing. According to the Ten Commandments the first law is “though shalt not kill” which is God’s law. Therefore Joseph summited to God when God came to him in a dream, and explained to him what had happened. Joseph then didn’t go by the way of the government’s laws but by way of God’s laws. A more modern example of this is with the Pilgrims. The pilgrims were a group of people who were forced to worship the Church of England, but knew what they were worshiping was corrupt and pagan. They then sailed to America against their government’s religious orders to worship there god in order to worship the one true God freely.

Conclusion

Sir William Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England helped structure the law today in America. His influence on American government through our founding fathers can clearly be seen. Had William Blackstone never written his Commentaries, I fear America wouldn’t be the same as it is today. The Founding Fathers were not the only people influenced by Blackstone. Blackstone’s hand can still be seen in matters today.

References

- Brainard, Rick. William Blackstone and His Contributions to American Law - 18th Century History -- The Age of Reason and Change. 18th Century History. N.p., 2016. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.

- Blackstone Institute - Sir William Blackstone. Blackstone Institute - Sir William Blackstone. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.

- Schmidt, Kent. Blackstone's View of Natural Law and Its Influence on the Formation of American Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Blackstone's View of Natural Law. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.

- Peterson, Merrill D. Editor. The Political Writings of Thomas Jefferson. Charlottesville, VA: Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation, 1993. 30 Mar. 2016.

- Cole, Steven J. Why God Gave the Law. N.p., 4 July 2013. Web. 30 Mar. 2016. .