Gerhard and Walther

This Holy Supper is no common meal, nor is it the banquet of an earthly king; but here we have placed before us the holy mystery of the body and blood of Christ, in which we are to participate. Certainly then a worthy preparation is needful, that we may not, unworthily eating of it, find death instead of life, and receive judgment instead of mercy.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XX

Although our government is installed by the majority of the people and is accountable to them, it is still God’s order and God’s servant, into whose hands He Himself has given the sword of protection and the scales of justice.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 851.