Wow, how did we end up so far off the topic??

But in reply to your criticisms of the Reformed view of the role of the civil magistrate, keep context in mind! This would be the role of the civil magistrate in a Christian nation! Clearly, the United States is not a "Christian nation," however, so the role of government in applying the death penalty to heretics does not apply where you are trying to apply it, Kathy.

In a nation where the law of the land mandated that the national religion be according to a certain doctrinal standard (as in Calvin's Geneva or Queen Mary's England), then the role of the civil magistrate in enforcing that law could be considered valid.

Certain English colonies were founded originally as "Presbyterian states" or "Congregationalist states" where the law of the land did specify what was to be believed and taught in churches. And in such governments the excerpt you cite would apply. But in a free nation where religious freedom is the law of the land, civil magistrates do not hold such power, and rightfully so.

Context is vital!

-Robin