Many of the existing governments of the world have no claim to conscientious acknowledgment. Because the magistrates are ministers of God, they are in office to promote moral order as well as social order. Furthermore, they are obliged to recognize the divine supremacy, both privately and officially. Obviously, then, rulers should be God-fearing men. Because the magistrate bears the sword, capital punishment is legitimate.
Penal sanctions are primarily to vindicate the law.
However, the problem of messianic statism was less pressing in Willson's day. Willson exposits the mutual duties of both citizens and rulers most starkly. We must support righteous civil government, precisely because supporting righteous government is a way of honoring God. Willson concludes with an extended section on the duties of citizens. Willson elaborates on the duties of taxes, and honor.