Calvin has described the magistrate as he ought to be: father of his country, pastor of the people, guardian of peace. Then he turns to the prince who is none of these things. Some live in sloth. Some sell judgments. Some pillage the poor and spend the plunder. Natural feeling hates the tyrant and loves the just king. Scripture goes farther.

The unjust prince also holds his power from God. The good ruler is a specimen of God's kindness. The tyrant is raised up to punish the people's iniquity. Both carry the same sacred majesty. Nebuchadnezzar, who stormed Jerusalem, was called king of kings because the God of heaven had given him the kingdom. Samuel told Israel what their kings would take, and still left them no right to resist. Jeremiah is plainer still. The nation that will not put its neck under Nebuchadnezzar's yoke, God himself will punish. The decree that sets a king on the throne is the same decree that forbids the subject to treat him according to his deserts.

Today's Reading John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 20, Sections 24–27

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Calvin answers those who condemn every appeal to a judge. Paul claimed the rights of a Roman citizen and appealed to Caesar. That was not revenge. Revenge is the private desire to return evil for evil. The magistrate's sword is God's vengeance, exercised by the ministry of man.

Turning the other cheek remains. A Christian is born to bear injury, to pray for the one who curses him, and to overcome evil with good. That patience of heart does not forbid him to seek the magistrate's aid for his goods, or, for the public good, to call for the punishment of a man whom nothing but death will reform. Paul rebuked the rage for lawsuits at Corinth, not every just defence. Charity is the adviser. If the plea carries a man past charity, the cause is already lost.

The first duty of subjects is honour. Not the man, as if office could cloak cruelty, but the station, as a jurisdiction delegated from God. Obedience follows: edicts, tribute, public burdens, and prayer for those in authority. To resist the magistrate is to resist God. Private men do not put their hands to a public correction unless his command first frees them.

Today's Reading John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 20, Sections 19–23

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Calvin answers the hard question. Christians are forbidden to kill. How, then, can a pious magistrate shed blood? He does not act for himself. The Lawgiver who forbade murder puts the sword in his minister's hand, so that murder does not go unpunished. Mercy still sits on the throne. Severity that only wounds, and clemency that lets the wicked run, are both cruelty.

The same office reaches war, when a whole country is robbed and no other remedy remains. John did not tell the soldiers to throw away their arms. He told them to be content with their pay. Anger, hatred, and private feeling are excluded. Taxes belong to the public burden. They are almost the blood of the people, and a prince who wastes them without cause is a robber.

Today's Reading John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 20, Sections 10–13

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