Sermon Concerning Magistrates, Sermon – References
Henry Boullynger concerning Magiſtrates and Subiectes
WArre is a thing perteyninge to the ſworde whiche is gyuen of god to the magiſtrats.Sapi. vt. a prou. cx. & ano. xxiiiic rom. xiii. a …irum. iii. a 1. Pet: ii. … For ſo I declared in my laſt ſermon, that this ſword in the magiſtrates handes hath two vſes: other to punyſh treſpaſers, or elles to repelle and diſtroy our open ennemies with al ſuch other like rebellious & ſedicious cyteſins, & ſubiectes. what ſoeuer they be. But here commith a dout in many mens heades whether it be lawfull for mageſtrates to kepe warre.Whyther it be lawfull for mageſtrates to wares And I marueyll that men can be ſo blynd in a thing ſo euident. For yf it be lawful for magiſtrates by gods lawe to puniſh treſpaſſers, theues, & murderers who ſo euer noyeth the common wealth, whether they be fewe or many, that is no matter, as I declared to you yeſter daye, by the ſame lawe lykewiſe is it lawfull for them to inuade and purſue with armes rebelles and ſeditious cyteſyns, or anye forayne enemye who ſo euer entende the ſame by ye colour of warre, that theues and murderers do practiſe within the realme.
Truth it is that ye diuine prophet ſayth prophecieng of vsus Chriſten men.Eſay. ii a Ioel. iii. b They ſhal turne their ſwordes to mattoks, and their ſperes to ſyethes. For Chriſten mē kepe peace with al men, and vtterly avoyde al fyghthing,eeclr. xxxl, b Iob lii … Mate vii: a Luc, vi, c for ſo do they to other as they would be done to them ſelues. But for bycauſe all mē be not of one nature, but mani perturbers, wicked murtherers, & oppreſſors be myxt amongeſt honeſt & quiet citeſins, as cruel wolues amōgeſt ſimpleſhepe, therfore doth god permit from heauen the ſword to the magiſtrates for ye defence of the innocentes:Rom xiii a Neither is it euer red in anye place but yt we lawfully may oppreſſe & deſtroye wolues, bores, beares, & all ſuche beaſtes which be noyſom to mē or cattel. And why then is it not as lawful wt war & violēce to wtſtande the wicked force of violēt murderers, ſetng yt al ſuch murderers, robbers, barbarous enmies, ſeditious citeſēs do littel or nothīg differ from wilde beaſtes. Certes, the ſcripture callith thē with no other name, thā beaſtes, to this alſo agreeth ye cōmē ſence of natur. Here to alſo the doctrin of religion and faith agreith. Yf it be poſſible ſaith thapoſtle, ſo much as in you lyeth, hauehave peace wt al men,rom. xii. c Heb. xii, c reuengynge not your ſelues. Note, ſo much as is in you he ſayth. And if it be poſſible. For or els it folowet after, ye magiſtrate beareth not a ſworde for nought.rom. xlii a As who ſhuld ſay for ſuch maner of perſōs as do maligne & diſquiet honeſt & quiet mē which wold faine liue in reſt & cannot. Hereto alſo agre ye exāples of the moſt holieſt men yt euer wer, which did war for ye defēce of their country, & of innocentes, As I declared to you out of ſ. Pa. to ye Hebre. whan I ſhewed you in the .v. commandement, what duty eueryevery man oweth to his country. Hereto wil I annexe certayne places out of ſ. Auſtin.Euſilib. xx, Capl xxv diſputed agaynſt Fauſtus Manicheus .li.xx c. lxxv Neyther yet ſayth he, let a man abhorre or meruell at the battayles donne by Moſes,pro: xvil. Num. xx: and: xxi. dede xx. &c: for in them alſo he folowed gods commaūdement, not for any eigernes, but for obedience ſake. For whan he was enforced therto by god, he exceded not in rigour, but only recompenſed thynges worthy to mens deſeruing and brought feare vponupon ſuch as were well worthy. For what thyng can a man reproue in warres becauſe men do dye whiche muſt dye once,hebre. ix d wherbye peace may follow? To put blame in this, is not a ſygne of religiouſe men but of timerous, perſons.
The pleaſure in hurting, outragious in reuenging, an vnplacable ſtomack, wylde rebellynge gredines to gett dominion, and ſuche lyke, theſe be they whiche be worthely reproued in warre, and not only reproued, but alſo puniſhed. Againſt the vyolence of oure aduerſaryes, good men may rightfully warre, other by gods lawe, or by any cōmaūdemēt of ſuperior powers, beyng in ſuch vocatiō where their powers other commaundeth any ſuch thyng, or byndeth them to obedience, Or elles Saynt Ihon Baptiſte,Luce ciii. d whan the ſouldiers came to hym to be baptiſed, aſkynge what they ſhuld do: he myght hauehave anſwered them agayne. Caſt away your harnes, renounce your warrfarre, ſtrike no man, wounde no man, ouerthrow no body: but bycauſe he dydde ſee theym in doynge theſe thynges in warrfayre to be no murtherers but myniſters of the law, neyther reuengeres of their own iniuries, but defenders of publyke wealth, he ſayde to them, ſtryke no body, wrangle wt no man, be content wt your own ſtipende. But bycauſe ye Manichees be wōt to deſpiſe and blaſpheme Ihon, lette them heare our lord Ieſu chriſt hym ſelf, commaunding the ſame ſtipend to be gyuen to ceſar, which Ihon aduerſited the ſouldiours to be content with al: Gyue vntounto Ceaſar ſayth chriſt,Matt xx it c and xvi: d roma. x.ii b the thinges which are Ceaſers, & vntounto god, thoſe thinges yt are gods. For therfore be tributs payd, wherby warres maye be waged, & ſouldiours mainteined for neceſſite of war. So he doth worthely alſo commend the faith of ye centurion ſaying. And I am a mā ſet here vnderunder powers,Mat viii a Luc vi: a hauing vnderunder me ſouldiours, and I ſaye to hym goe, and he goeth, and to another come & he comith. And to my ſeruaunt do this & he doth it, we ſe he commendeth his faythe therfore, but he byddeth him not to forſake the wars. Hytherto alſo perteineth the chapt. folowynge .lxxv. & .lxxvi. &c. But here I am content to ſpare you, & not to ouer burden you wt to prolyx recitinge of ſentences. Thus much hauehave I ſpoken hetherto for that, that it is lawful for magiſtrates to warre. And vpō this we gather that ſubiectesSubiectes mir…t obeys theyr powers commandyng warre lykewiſe may lawfully & wt out reprehenſion go & feighte in warfare, when they be commaunded by the magiſtrates ſo to do.
But yf it be ſo that the magiſtrates cauſles do ſet vponupon to ſlay the innocentes and vngylty perſons, I hauehave declared in my formar ſermons,…et. iiii and .v… in this caſe the magiſtrats cōmaūdemēts are not to be obeied Therfore let the magiſtrates take hyde leſſe they abuſe their auctorite.Warre is a peregous thyng And all though it be lawfull for the Magiſtrates to kepe warr for iuſt and neceſſary cauſes, yet is warre a moſt daungerous thīg and bringeth with it hepes of infinite troubles. And thus be ſuch men punyſhed dyuerſe tymes, whome no gentyl admonition cā moue all be it many innocent perſons with ſuch be puniſhed amōg Nowe many tymes it happeneth that ſouldiours forget them ſelues, and breake al good ordre prouokyng the myghti angre of god vponupon their heades, what kynde of myſcheyfe is in al the worlde but it is vſed in warre or what kynde of miſery is there that is not here Fyrſt by warre ſpryngeth dearth and vtter ſcaſety of al thynges, For the wayes be ſtopped, the torne troden downe, townes ſet on fyre, vitalle diſtroied & waſted, all occupations and marchandiſe ceaſe, both riche and poore decayeth: In warre the mooſt valiante ſoneſt deſtroyed, the towards thei retyre & ſaue them ſelues whyles greater afterclappes do fal vponupon them. The moſt vyle ruffynes, moſt auaunced, which abuſe men more lyke beaſtes then other.
All is full of murning on euerye ſyde: Wydowes bewayle: fatherles children lament and be deſtitute, Greate riches prouyded for nede to come, cleane ſpoyled, hole cites ſet a fyre,Eſay. i… and v vyrgynes an vnmared maydēs defyled: Al ſhame al honeſty ſet a ſyde: no reuerence to age: All maner of ryght all lawes vnregarded: al holy religion and ſtudies cleane vnderunder foote, vyle vacaboundes and deſperate dreuylles rule all the toſte. And therfore in ſcripture warre is called the ſcourge of god.Warre …eth ſcourge of god Leuit xxvi ii Reg. xxiiii Deut xxviii This ſcourge doth god lyghtly inferre vponupon incurrable and obſtinat deſpiſers of his word. For this cauſe was the citie of Hieruſalem ſubuerted with all the whole nations of the Iewes,Mat. xxiii. e Luce xiii d for as the lord ſaith they dyd not know ye day of their viſitation, but rather thei did ſhed the bloud of the lordes apoſtles, ſo brynging vponupon their own heades al the bloud,Gene iiii b ii. par xxiiii d ſhedde from fyrſte Abell the iuſte, vntounto zacharye.
Num xxi and xxxiii &cThe Chananites for murder, idolatrye, inceſt, and for abhominable letchery were vtterly deuaſted. The Moabites, as Eſaie ſaith,Eſay. xv and …vi. periſhed for theirr cuelteinclemenci, and proud diſpiſinge of the pore. The Niniuites did infeſt other nations with vniuſt warres wherefore thei were ſerued with lyke meaſure. Agayne of other countreis, as we reede in the prophete Nahum,Nahum ii and iii Micheas in the vi cap. declareth yt god ſēdeth warre to the vniuſt,The cauſes of warre for their auarice, & fraude vſynge. In IeremyeIerem v … c arrogancy and pryde, in EſayeEſay v … ryotenes exceſſe and dronckennes, are noted to be the cauſes of warre. Farthermore ye incommodities of war do cleaue ſo hard to realmes & publik weales, yt thei cannot afterward be remoued or ſhaken of whan we wold, nether by humane policie, nor leages, nor riches, nor defence, ſtrēgth, nor power, as we may ſe in Abdias.Abdias … Only ye ſyncere and harty conuerſion to god remedyeth thys, as Ieremy in .v.Ierem v … capt. do teſtifie. This true conuerſion to god ſtandeth fyrſt in the confeſſion and knowledge of our owne wyckednes, than in a ſewer fayth to hauehave remiſſion of oure ſynnes by grace and merite of oure lorde Ieſus chriſt.Roma. v and …i. Thyrdly in a perfect hatred, and renounſynge of cure formare iniquite in ſtudye of iuſtyce, innocency, charite, and all other vertues: fynally in continuall prayer & oration.
Againe to ſome a man ſhall ſee warWarre profitable to ſome bryngeth much profyt vtilite and vnnumerable ryches, with no damage or lytel at all. Such was the battayle of the Iſraelytes againſt the Chananaeis, IoſueIoſua, iii c and xvi, b beynge theyr captayne.
I wolde not heare the commodites of warre ſhuld allure any frō Iuſtice and equite. For ſo many tymes it happenyth that whyle Magiſtrates thinke to hauehave a iuſt occaſion to warre agaynſt other, and to puniſh offenders,The good ſome tymes be ouercome of the wyck…d god of his pryue iuſtice reaturneth ye ſame occaſion vponupon them ſelues in prouokyng them, wherby ther ſynnes may be punyſhed of them whome they intende to perſecute. Examples we hauehave manyfeſte in ſcriptures.Iud ſeu xix and .xx
The eleuen tribes of Iſrael proclaymed mooſt iuſt warre againſt the Beniamites, thynkynge to reuenge a wycked facte commytted by certaine leud loſels, wt the whiche loſelles, the whole tribe tooke parte, communicatinge with their vngraciouſnes, yet were they put to the worſt and foyled of the wicked ſort.i reg ii… and v The Iſraelites wente about to expell the violence of ye idolatrouſe phyliſtianes vnderunder Hely their preiſte yet were they ouerthrowne in battayle, & the arke of god caried away into the cities of idolatours.iiii reg. xxiii, ii. pa. xxxv d So ye good kynge Ioſias was ſlain of ye chaldeis bycauſe the entent of god was to ſcourge ye people, wt ſuch euils which he wold not ye good king to behold nothing ſo deſeruing. Wherupon this note is to be learned, yt the veritie of religionReligion is not ſene by victory. goyth not by the victorye of any natiōs or by ouerthrow, as though ye religion were ye better, whoſe part had the vpper hande, and yt the worſte religion, whoſe part had ye worſt. For religion alwaies muſt be ſequeſtrede from the perſon & reſpecte of men which for diuerſe cauſes be diuerſly viſited of the lorde.
All theſe thinges admoniſh vsus, ye Magiſtrates had nede of much and great feare of god, in takyng vp or in laying downe their warres, leſt perchaunſe in flyenge the ſmoke thei fall into the fyre, or whyle they ſtudye to eſchue one harme, by eſchuyng therof, do purcheſſe to them ſelues many moo & greater. Wherfore it is requiſite that prynces fyrſt before al thynges do thorowly conſidre the cauſes of their warres.The cauſes of warre muſt be conſidered Now there be mani cauſes and ſundry, but theſe lightly the greateſte. For other ye magiſtrate is enforced ſeinge hys holdes and munimentes in hys realme to be inuaded with ſeige, then he muſt nedes healpe and repulſe hys ennemie. For it were to much vnfaithfulnes to forſake ſo diſloyally hys cyteis & fortres in ſuch extreme peryll. Or elles the magiſtrate by reaſon of hys offyce is conſtrayned to attempte warre againſt incurable perſons whome the ſentence of the lorde doth condemne, & byddeth to beat downe vtterly without al pyte.
So as Moſes dyd warre agaīſt the Madianites Saule againſte Amalechetes Of this maner be al ſuche kyndes of warre wherwith men be oppreſſed,Num xxv and xxxi i … xv whiche by the vncureable malyce of theirs, wylnedes peryſh and make other peryſh with them alſo, which reiect all iuſtice, and equite, al ſette on myſcheif & ſo ſtubbornly continu.Iudic xx and xxi Marke wel rebellions Such were the Beniamites whā they were diſtroyed wyth ſworde and fyer: ſuche be nowe a dayes theſe obſtinate and ſedicious traytours troblelers of publick ſociety as was ons Abſolon and Seba the ſonne of Bochrus whyche be mentioned in the ſeconde boke ofSamu ii … Reg. xiii xiiii xv xvi xvii xviii Samuel.Warre for religion. Herto atpartayne alſo ſuch warres acheued againſt Idolaters, and oppreſſors of catholik fayth. for trew relygiō ſake. Thei be in a wrong dreame which thīke no war ought to be attempted for relygion.
The lorde reſtrayned Peter ſtrykynge with the ſworde:Mat xxvi … Luce xxii d Ioh xviii. … Truth I graunt he reſtrained hym as an Apoſtle, he forbadde not the magiſtrate the ouerſight of religion, but that he myght defend the verite of our faith. Yf the magiſtrates maye lawfullye defende viler thinges, as libertye, goodes, bodely honeſtye, and lyfe. &c. Howe much more may he defende greater thinges, yea which be the greateſt thinges of all? For what can be greater than true religion:Deut xiii and xvii b VponUpon this we hauehave an expreſſe commaundement of ye lord in Deutronomiū.Marke wel For the lorde commaundeth ye cite vnderunder what magi…trate ſo euer he be, which defyleth from god & his worſhyp, to be let vponupon with warre and vtterly to be ſubuerted yf it be ſtubb…rne. Nowe if the magiſtrat ſo be cōmaunded to warre agaynſte them yt do diſceiuer from him, verely than it is not vnlawfull to reſcue the churche by warre in caſe any barbarus prince come vponupon it with open warre, to ſedewce it from trewe religion to erroure. Ioſue went about to expugne ye Rubenites only for an aulter erected agaynſte the word of god.Ioſue xxii a
i. Macha. v.Iudas Machabeus doth fyghte for the people of god agaynſte the gentiles and kyng Antiochus hys ſouldiers whoſe purpoſei. Mac iii. was to vanquyſhe the Iewes religion, whiche than was onelye true, and to place in the ſteade of it ſuperſtitious gentylyte.Actium, xv So Paule doth commende the captaines which through fayth wtſtode the incurſions of forain enemies. And Paule hym ſelf had a conflyct in Cyprus agaynſt Elimas a falſe prophete whome alſo he ſtroke with blyndnes:act. xiii. And hys reaſon foloweth that he dydde it for relygyons ſake.act, xiiii. Wylte thou not ceaſe, ſayth he, to ſubuerte the ſtreyghte wayes of the Lorde. Agaynſte the ſame Paule there were fourtye men conſpyred,act, xxiii, v. c. whyche thoughte that yf he were take oute of the waye / a greate parte of CHRISTES relygyon were abolyſhed, and their iudicyall relygyon ſette vp againe. But Paule here playeth not the ſhepe,…e…um. xxiii nor turneth not the other cheke to them but was erneſte and ſollicitous to aſke his defence and that not of a chriſtian magiſtrate,Yf Paule aſked helpe of an ethnik magiſtra…e, more myght …e do of a chryſtyan but a romayne centurion: neither ſhewed he him ſelfe any thynge greued therat, whan lxx. horſemen and .cccc. fotemen. were prepared for him in battayle ray to conduct him from Hieruſalem to Antipatrida.*act ix b and xxii b …a i Thus was Paule the elect veſſell preſerued by an Armed Gariſon of romain ſouldiours. Concerninge the Armenians, ſufferynge greate violence of Maximinus the emperoure. Euſebius ſo writeth in his eccleſiaſtical hiſtorie .li.ix.c….viii. They Armenians ſayth he…ons a people kind and frendly to the peple of Rome,eccl. ix … viii what tyme they ſhuld be conſtrayned of Maximinus the Emperour to change the ſtate of chriſtian relygion (to the which they were al gyuen to) into worſhipping of Idoles, and to vet…rat deuyls for god, beyng hys tre…des before waxed hys greate enemies, and of their awne accord toke vponupon theim wyth opē might of warre to withſtand his wicked conſtraynment, and ſo kepte hym hard. …hys ſayth Euſebius. Therfore the magiſtrates maye lawfully defende their ſubiectes and true religion agaynſt idolaters.
Or els an other cauſe is which is much lyke.The thyrde cauſe of warre ſome foreine & Barbarous aduerſary doth fly vponupon thy ſub…ectes / doth ſpoyle them, and inuadith them / as the cruel wolues do the ſhepe, whan not onlye thou haſte not prouoked them with anye iniuries, but moreouer haſt offered them righte reſonable conditions of peace, than oughte the magiſtrat to ſtyrte lyke a Liō to preſerue hys people agaynſte the aſſaultes of ſuche malytiouſe murderers. Example we hauehave of Moſes feightyng againſt ye kinges of the Amorites Aradeus Seon,Num, xxi, and xxxii. deut, ii c and, iii, …, …. and og. Example we hauehave of kynge Ioſaphat feyghtyng agaīſt ye Ammonites,…, Para, xx. and inhabiters of mount Seir; Example we hauehave alſo in Dauid reſiſtynge againſt ye Sitians comīg vponupon hī wyth warre.ii reg x. c The .iiii, cauſe of war Fourthly it is lawful for the magiſtrate to feyght in the defēce of his confederat frendes & ayders, (for why may not a magiſtrate be at confederacy and leyge wyth other nacions ſo it be not in matters againſte the worde of god) in caſe they be iuſtlye oppreſſed wt violence. So did Ioſue delyuer the Gabonities from Seyge,Ioſua, …. i. reg xi and Saul the cyteſyns of Iabes Galaad, warrynge agaynſte Naas a prince of great tyranny. For ſuch cauſes warres may lawfully be attempted of magiſtrates and prynces. And the ſouldiours do wel whiche herein obeye their powers, yea and dye gloriouſlye and in a good ſtate, in ſo dyenge for religion, for goddes lawes, for their countre, theire wyffes & chyldren. Therfore all ſuch as enter into warre, and trauell in the ſame, muſt not ſet their eye eyther vponupon fylthy lucre nor voluptouſnes,An inſtruction for ſouldiers as they lyghtly do whan Ieoperdy is paſt, but iuſtice, peace, publike tranquyllite, and the defence of truth and innocency muſt be al their marke yt they ſhute at: ſo that the wycked ſorte beyng conquered, the victory got. and their enemies other r…pulſed or deſtroyed, true religion maye floryſh in iudgement and equitie, the church may floryſh, diuine lawes rites inſtitutes, and eccleſiaſtike ordinaunces maye flo…yſhe, ſtudies and good artes may proſpere, the poore may be ſeen to: the widowes and ſuccourleſſe chydren may be helped, that mē may lyue in reſt, may ſerue and prayſe god, both aged perſons, chaiſte maydens and honeſt matrones. To this marke ought al our eyes both of mynd and body. to be directed. Theſe thinges had our valiaunt forefathers in their ſight whanſoeuer they made any warre agaynſt the wycked for their eccleſiaſtik and publik ryght, as Abraham, Moſes, Ioſue, Dauyd, and other noble captaynes, alſo oure progenitours before vsus, to whom and to all ſuch other valiant ſouldiers perpetuall fame and laude ought to be gyuen in the congregation of ſaynctes,
But to ye other towardes & ſlouggiſh ſouldiers, wicked, couitouſe, blaſphemers, riotous, & light ruffenes and betrayers, which by their ſlougyſhnes, riote, lechery, and impietie diſ…roy many noble realms, now a days, and many floriſhing cyties, to ſuche be continuall rebuke, and god hym ſelfe hath curſed ſuch wycked catyffes for euer. Therfore no warre is lawfull except it be againſt our aduerſaries and miſordered rebellers. Vniuſt warres be ſuch as be made agaīſt our owne fellowes or men fauteles,vniuſt warres or in whom we ſe hope of amē demēt. Alſo vniuſt warres be thei which be not inferred after a dew maner, or for any vrgent cauſe. All maner of ways oughte to be aſſayed tyrſte, before we come to warre.An inſtruction …or magiſt…ates, You muſt not ſeke to take in other mennes bondes or limittes nothing pertainynge to youre ryght. You muſt not oppreſſe the liberti…s of other nations neither yet of your owne. Suche affectes whiche ſeduce the mynde are not here to be folowed, as gredines of dominion, auarice deſire of bribes enuye, or any ſuche other lyke to theſe. Warre is a remedy, but daū gerouſe, a helpe, but pernitiouſe, muche lyke to the cuttynge of of members. In caſe thy hande be on fyer, and ſo thy arme be in daū ger to be brent and afterwarde the whole man lykewiſe, yet doeſte yu not cutte away thy hand ſtreyght wayes onleſſe thou ſee, prouynge al maner of wayes, no other helpe to be. So nether is warre to be ſet vponupon but where there is no other remedy, ſo yet that princes remembre, they do nothinge which after wylbe to late. For iuſt warres be not repugninge to goddes worde in ſomuch that it deſcribeth to vsus the lawes of warrefarre, and miniſtreth to vsus many goodly examples of wars of wiſe and worthye captaines. In deu. xx.deu. xx, …, xxi we hauehave lawes of war profitable & neceſſary. ſo cleare yt thei nede no expoſition Many other cōmē rules alſoo we may gather out of ſcriptur as theſ Principally & aboue al things let relygion be moſt obſerued in the campe.
Iuſt lawes no leſſe oughte to be kept in the middeſte of warres as in the middeſt of cities, the ſouldiours let them kepe them in due ordre with all honeſty,Rue, iii b iuſtice, & holines. For this prouerbe is of the deuyll, not of god that ſome do ſaye. Sileant inter arma leges. Lawes kepe ſilence in warre. The cheife captayne generall let hym be choſen a godly man, iuſt, holly valyaunt, ſapient, and luckey, as was Ioſue, Dauid. Iudas Machabeus, Conſtantinus. Theodoſius, Maſcelſer & many other let there be appointed to hym an armye of tryed men.…h…wling ſou…diours For in chuſyng of ſouldiours great circumſpeccion is to be hadde, that they be not a company of weyklinges, vnſkylful warryous, vnfaythful, blaſphemers wicked wretches, dronken gluttons, and beaſtely bellyes.
Victory goyth not by the multitude of mē, but by the grace of godVyctori goeth by grace not by multitude gr…e: iiii d Iudy. vii a i, reg. xvii and by godly ſouldiers: it is an olde prouerb, wher is a multytud, ther is confuſion. Great and innumerable hoſtes do but combre and diſtroye themſelues. Experience & exāples of the old tyme teach this ſufficiently. Agayn ſuch warriers as wyll take no payne be lu…kiſh lubbers, be greatly to be dyſcommendid. Therfore lett euer a chriſtiane warrioure be doynge ſomethyng, let hī be corrageous, faythful paynful obediente to his captayne muſt neuer let ſlyppe occaſion well practiſed in the feytes of warre not tendre but harde, not cruell and fearſe. but graue & gentyl accordyng as tyme doth ſerue The thing yt may be ſauyd let him not deſtroye. But aboue all other eſpecially let hym not forget continually to praye vntounto god, bothe in ieopardy and owt of ieoperdy let hym begyn all thynges in the lord,a warryer muſt do all th…nges in the name of the lorde and without the lord let him attempt nothinge: in miſfortune he muſt not be diſcouraged, ī proſperouſe ſucceſſe, let hym not be exalted, but gyue thankes to god & vſe hys victory wt mercy, let his vyctorye onelye ſtande in god & not in hym ſelfe. let hym ſeke for nothyng more than for defenſe of hys countrye, of lawes, of religion, of iuſtice, and of innocentes. Some here wyll meruell I dare ſaye that I requyre theſe thyngs of ſouldyours, whiche were wont in tymes paſte to be requyred of religious and profeſſed men.
As thoughe ſouldiours were not alſo religious and profeſſed to chriſt, or as though only they mai be profane and wicked, as indede many of them be. But what fruites I praye you come of this ſyde we be ouercome of Turckes. we be a mockingſtoke to all nations, whole kyngdomes peryſſhe, and be ſubdued to Mahometes lawe, and we be daylye intangled in greate perplexities, what maner of ſouldiers in tyme paſte were chuſon to warre out of the churche of chriſtians, it appeareth by one memorable hyſtorye of Tertullianus wrytynge thus to Scapula.
Marcus Aurelius alſoo warrynge in Germany,The maner of ſouldy…s in olde tyme thorough the prayers of chriſtian ſouldiers made to god, obtayned rayne in great drought.The maner o… ſoudiours in olde tyme. And what droughtes can any man ſay but were ſtopped throughe oure prayers & faſtyngs? than they alſo which cryed to their great god in the name of iuppiter dyd gyue teſtimonye to our god. Thus much ſaith Tertullia.Euſebius lib. v ca, v The ſame hyſtory doth Euſebius alſo more largelye expreſſe in his eccleſiaſtick boke. v. cap. v ſaynge, it chaunſed, ſayth he, Marcus Aurelius: the brother of Antoninus themperour hadde warr… with the germanes, and Sermatens,Iu…table miracle of chriſtian ſouldiours the ſtoryes wytneſſe, that his hoſte was in great daunger for drought and drynes, and as he was conſultyng and ſeking what to be done he founde certayn chriſtian ſouldiours in the campe whiche whan they kneeled downe as our faſhion is and prayed to god ſodenly agaynſte all expectation rayne powred downe, their thyrſt was quentched their enemies dryuen away with lightninge & fyer. This ſame ſtory is alſo written in the monimentes of ye gentyls but that it came by the prayers of chriſtians they make no mencion therof, as whych gyue lyttel credence to al other miracles of chriſten mē tertuliane ſo doth writte it plainli to come by them. So doth Apollinaris alſo a greike whiche ſayth moreouer, that the ſame armey for the great myracle ſhewed in it, was called of ye lightnīg fulminia by themperour hym ſelfe. Tertullianus addyth moreouer that the piſtle of Marcus thēperour was a brode, wher in this myracle is ſignified more euidentlye.
Thus much hath euſebius, wherby we may ſee howe chriſten ſouldiours in time paſt, not only were all bent to prayer, but alſo full of al iuſtice and hollynes of lyfe. It is euident that ſ. Iames ſaythe: The prayer of the iuſt doth much auayle.Iacob. v, c… Helias was a man as we be, and he prayed, by and by the heauen gaue rayne, and the earth gaue his fruyte.…i reg. xviii. Wherfore it is manyfeſt that the olde ſouldiours than were religiouſe and deuoute men, but our ſouldiours bycauſe they be farre from al religion yea enemyes to true relygion therfore in ſteade of vyctores they bring a way ouerthrowes both of mē and cities.Worke well you citiſens And ſo the citeſens be wel & worthely ſerued for that they put their confidence in ſuche wycked warriours which is euen as much as yf they ſhulde put their confidence in very deuyls,…f, par, xx… whome theſe almoſt excede in al filthenes, cruelnes, and al wycked artes.examples of godly wars warryoure, taken out of ſcrypture
Examples of holy & iuſte warre, of holly & iuſt captaynes we hauehave aboundant in the word of god & almoſte innumerable? Abraham our predeceſſor armed with a ſmal hoſt doth ſet vponupon four ye moſt mighty kynges or robbers of al the world doth ouerthrow them & dryue thē away,gene. xliii. reſtoryth hys awne men wt their goods gyuinge thankes to god the author of ſuche an vncredible victory. Moſes with IoſueIoſua: x. and doth throw down about thirtye & nyne kynges, doth punyſhe wyckednes ſharply,Num. xxi, & xxxi, &c, do place their people in their lande promiſed of god.
Iud. i, ii. tit …ii. vi vii viii …ede ye hole boke.The iudges of iſraelites dydde kepe worthy warres againſte the ethnickes and infideles: and in them did aſſwage the tirannye of the wycked with which tirrannye they oppreſſed ye chyldren of god, & reſtored ye people to their liberty & religion.i reg, vli viii and xii &c Here commeth alſo Samuel a worthy prophet amongeſt the noble captaines of gods people.i reg xiiii xviii xviiii xx xxiii &c Ionathas the ſonne of Saul was a noble captain, a notable example of godlynes. Who was euer a more excellent captaine than Dauid he conquered the philiſtians,i reg xvii & xx…i … ii reg v viii xxi &c i par xv …ii regr yt Ammonites and the Sirians and a greate part of the eaſt with his warres both reuenging iniuries reſtorynge againe liberte, and puttynge awaie innumerable euyls from ye people of god▪ And yet he that dyd al this is called a man after gods owne harte ye and the*i reg vii … romia ma… ut…m ii… father of our lord.i regr evi e pſalltre ix e ac um xiii … Ieſus chriſt after the fleſh.
In the poſteritie of Dauid ye ſhal fynde notable warriours, & ſyngular captaynes, Abias Aſas, Ioſaphat Amaſias. Oſias. Eſechias with many other.
Iudas machabeus amongeſt all other is not the vnwortheyſt whyche ſtode ſo valiantly for the lawes of god for gods relygion,i macha iiiiiiiv vt viiiviiii… & for the peoples right and at lēgth was ſlayne in Aſia for the relygion and the people of god. Yt nedyth not to ade herto the exāples for Conſtantinus, Gratianus, Theodoſius, and other puiſſant princes. Of theſe and ſuche other S. Auguſtine in his bocke de,auguſt the ciuitate dei lib v Ciuitate dei. Lib. v. Hath wrytten aboundantlye, and Oroſius lykewiſe in his hiſtory.Oroſius, libra, vii, cap xxviii Li. vii. From ye xxviii. Cap. VntoUnto the ende. This I thynk ſufficient for good magiſtrates. Thus far I hauehave entreated of warre howe magiſtrates ought to vſe them ſelues, and concernynge the vſe of the ſword,
Wherof alſo I hauehave ſpoken ſome what, in my ſermon vponupon the fifte commaundement.
Theſe thynges thus beyng concluded now we wyll diſcuſſe, whether it be lawful for chriſtianes to beare offyce or not and eſpecially for ye occaſion of ceartain furious Anabaptyſtes, & new diuiſors of new found commenweales, which all eage againſte vsus that it is not lawful for chriſtianes to be magiſtrates bycauſe chriſtianes do not contende in the market, neither do kyl anye man, neyther ſeke again there goodes taken awaye, nether reuenge their iniuties. And although theſe places of theirs be anſwered vntounto ſufficiently,It is lafull for chriſtiās to be magiſtrates yet I brynge here ſuccinctlye certayne argumentes, wherby a polityke & chriſtiane man againſt the furyous dreames of the Anabaptiſtes may vnderſtand, yf he be called to offyce, that he may and ought to ſerue god well in kepinge & well vſinge his offyce.
For where as they fayne no manner of defence to be lawfull by the goſpel they be farre deceyued for the veryte ſayth otherwyſe.
For what thynges ſo euer be ordeyned of God to the healthe and ſaffety of man, they be ſo ſeyming to a chrſtiane man vſyng theme wel & appleyng him ſelfe thera…ter that if he refuſe them, he is no tru chriſtian. For the greateſt charge of a chriſtiane. is to ſet forwarde with al induſtry the ſauegarde & welth of men,Capi di a prou xxiiii c and xx a tuum iii a i p…try i. v Now the magiſtrat is ordeined of no man but of god him ſelfe to the ſauegarde & protection of men. As expreſſely it is witneſſed by the prophetes and apoſtles and paule eſpeciallye Ad rom. xiii who ſo doth not ſee than but a chriſtiane maye laudably… beare the office of a magiſtrate. Forthermore no man wyl deny I thinke that belōgeth to eueryevery chriſten man to declare his faythe not only with woordes, but wyth the workes of iuſtice and mercy, to ſee for the publicke peace & tranquilite to folow iuſtice & equite, to defend wydowes, the fatherles, & expreſſed. Neyther oughte he to neglect occaſion, place, or any ſuch meane, wherby he maye exercyſe ſuch benefites vponupon his brethren Therfore it is not vnknowe that a chriſtiane may be a magiſtrate. For the office of a magiſtrate is to e…ecute iudgement, and iuſtice, and to mayntaine publyke peace.
Fow it is out of doubt and proued before,Worke wel that Moſes, Samuel Ioſue, and Dauid, & other more, are not to be excluded from the name of chriſtians, than ſeynge they were magiſtrates, why may not chriſten men as well nowe a days beare office…
In the newe teſtament m…ny noble men be commendid which wer in rule and authorite, neyther yet dyd they renounce their office bycauſe of religion.Luce xxxii… Of …oſeph of Aramatheus thus we reede in Luc. Beholde there was a mā called Ioſeph a Centurion (ſ. marke ſayth a ſenatour) a good man and iuſt,mar xv & he conſented not to theyr counſel and doinges borne, in Aramathea a citye of the iewes, which alſo dyd loke for the kyngdom of god. Note here what a greate commendation is giuen hym.
Ioſeph is a Centurion, or a ſenator, and that an honeſt ſenator▪ he dyd ſy…te in the counſel houſe and amongeſt theſe iudges which condemned chriſt, but bycauſe he conſented not with them he is excuſed gyltles from the bloude, the ſame alſo is notefied to be a good man and iuſte, in the numbre of them, whiche loked for the kyngedome of god that is, in the numbre of chriſtianes, and for all this was he yet a Centurion or a ſenatoure and dwelled in the citie of Hieruſalem. A chriſtian therfore lawful lye may beare office. Hereto maye be broughte examples of the quenes chamberlayne of Aethiopia. Actum. viii.actum, viii. of cornelius the centurione. Actum. x.ctum x of Euraſtus the warden or ſtuarde of the cytie of Corinthe. Rom. xvi.ii,rom. xvi i. T…tum ii… Timo. iiii But I wolde the Anabaptiſtes wolde proue that wt ſcriptures which they obiect, that theſe being conuerted after didde lay downe their robbe and ſworde. For we hauehave proued it before by ſ. Auguſtines wordes vponupon the aunſwer of Ihon Baptiſt to the ſouldiers which was alſo a chriſten preeher that after they were baptiſed,luc iii … Ihon, ii… yet notwtſtandinge were not depoſed from their office neither had anye ſuche commaundemente of Ihon to forſake their warre farre.
The lord refuſed to be made a kingAnd other obiection they hauehave, bycauſe the lord did withdraw hī ſelfe, what tyme the people intended to make hym kynge. Whiche thing he wold not hauehave done,Ihon. vi. v but to gyue example to all chriſtians of humilitie, and to commaunde in a maner neuer to ſuffre any publyke adminiſtration to be put vppon them, to this they adde the laiynges or the goſpell. My kyngedome is not of this worlde.Ihon. xviii c Item The kynges of the earth rayne ouer them but you not lo.mat. x. d, mar…. d…c luc. x…i v. art l…e, i, …. v. a
Truth it is the lord a voyded the people. But howe folowynge the way that was not reighte, neither intending to do the wyll of god, but blynded with carnal affectes, and ſekyng ſuch thinges as were pertaynyng to belycheare. Forby cauſe he fedde them wonderfully / therfore they thought hym a mete kynge for their purpoſe, whyche could fede his ſubiectes wt much fare and no coſt.math, xx, d. Beſides this our lorde came not to beare rule in earth, after ye faſhyō of this world as the Iewes imagined, thinking that Meſſias ſhoulde come lyke Salomon, here to reigne, and as Pilate feared.
Therfore ſayde the lorde wel.Ihon. xviii e My kyngdome is not of this worlde.*actum i, … mat xxvi f ma…, xxv in c tam viii, e ephe. i, iiii For he aſcended vp to heauē, ſitteth on the right hande of the father, hauyng al kynges ſubiected to hym, and al the worlde, in ye whiche now he rayneth by hys worde and ſpirite, whiche alſo he ſhall come to iudge at the laſte daye.mat xxv: c rom, xiii, d …i cor. …, vltimo, iiiii, a i pet, iiii a ac…. x..
And although chriſt denyeth hys kyngdome to be of this world, yet he neuer denyed but that kynges and princes of the worlde ſhoulde come into his churche, in the whiche they ſhuld ſerue the lorde, not only as men but as kynges and prynces. For kyngs can not ſerue the lorde as kinges otherwiſe thā by exercyſyng that wherfore they be made kynges. And vnleſſe chriſtian kynges myghte remayne in their office. and gouerne kyngedomes after their rule and lawes of chriſte how coulde chriſt be called the kynge of kings, & lorde of lordes. Therfore where the lorde ſaid, the kynges of the earthe do raygne ouer them but you not ſo, he ſpake this only to hys apoſtles ſtryuyng for ſuperiorite, as thoughe he would ſay. Prynces raygnynge in the worlde be not putte down from their thrones & ſeates by my doctrine.
For mi doctryne doth not abolyſh polycie / office, nor magiſtrate in the world or in ye church. The magiſtrate he ſhall raigne, but you not ſo, you ſhal not raygne, ye ſhal not be princes, but teachers of the worlde, and ſeruauntes of the churche. Thus in fewe wordes hauehave we anſwered to the obiections of the Anabaptyſtes, which we hauehave confuted alſo in other places. Hetherto I thynk it ſufficiently declared, that a chriſten man not only maye, but oughte alſo to beare rule and office, yf it be ryghtfully offered vntounto hym.
But before we knyt vp this diſputatiō,The daie of ſubiectes. we wil touch now breifly what is ye office of ſubiectes, what eueryevery one oweth to his magiſtrate. Fyrſt it is the parte of ſubiectes, to hauehave a reuerende and honorable eſtimation of their princes and powers. And ſo to reuerence them as goddes meſſyngers and miniſtres. Alſo outwardly to exhibite ſuche homage vntounto them as eueryevery mans countreye requireth. It is a foule thinge yf ſubiectes vnreuerently ſhulde behaue theim ſelues to their magiſtrates. But a falſe and a lyghte opinion ones conceiued of any thing doth ſoone brynge a contempte of the ſame: Therefore here be to be gathered certayne open teſtimonies of the ſcripture, wherby to engendre into eueryevery mans mynd a dewe exiſtimation and reuerēce toward hys magiſtrate.
Here nowe all princes and ſupercious muſt take hede leſt through their vnſemeable and diſſolute lyfe they bringe them ſelues into contempt / & ſo by theire owne default leſe al their authoritie amō geſt the people. Trulye god hym ſelfe diſdaineth not to cal princes and rulers by his awn propre name euen gods the places be Exo, xxi. and Pſal. lxxxii.Exod, xxi. Pſal. lxxxii. The apoſtles called them ye meſſengers and myniſters of god, ye places be. Ro. xiii i. Pet, ii.Rom xiii a i pet ii b Who wyl not magnifye with al reuerence gods, and gods myniſters, thorough, whome he worketh ſaluation to the people. He that reiecteth the meſſinger, rei…ctyth him which ſent hym. Who ſo honoreth the meſſenger, ſemeth to beſtowe his honor moſt vponupon ye ſender. Alſo ſaith Salomon. prouer. xvi.prou. xvi Diuination is in the lyppes of the kinge therfore his hart doth not tranſgreſſe. And. Eccleſi. viii.eccleſi viii it is my parte to obſerue the commaundement of the kynge, & to hauehave regard to the othe of god. Item prou. xxiiii.Prou xxiiii Mi chyld feare god, and feare thy kynge and kepe no reſorte with the ſclaundederers. For their perdition ſhall ryſe quickly.…om. xiii. Saint Paul likwiſe Whoſoeuer ſayth he reſiſteth the hyer powers reſiſteth gods ordination, and they which ſhall reſiſt that, ſhall receiue to theym ſelues iudgement. Concernyng this matter I hauehave entreated alſo vppon ye v. commaundement, Than let the ſubiectes pray for ye princes & magiſtrates yt god may graunt them ſapience,ſubiectes to praye for theire princes prudence fortitude, temperaūce iuſtice, dew ſeuerite meiknes and other vertues, to leade thē in hys wayes and preſerue them from all euyll that we maye lyue peaceably & honeſtly in this world This doth ſ. paule requyre of ſubiectes, i. Timo. ii.i timo. ii Iere, xxix, And Ierem. xxix Many be ſlouthfull and negligent in this part and that maketh them ſome tyme to be pynched & feyle that they wold not. And worthely. For yf they wolde do theyr deutye in prayng for their magiſtrates earneſtly / they ſhuld hauehave better, In the olde church what a feruent ſtudy they had to pray for their magiſtrat the wordes of Tertullianus in his Apo. ca. xxx doth wel declare,tertul. apolgeti. ca, xxx, ſaynge. Let vsus pray always for al rulers, & kynges & Emperours, that they maye hauehave longe lyfe, a quiet raigne, a ſayfe houſe, valiant ſouldiours, faythfull counſailers, honeſt ſubiectes, a peaceable world, & what ſo euer man or Emperour or kyng would hauehave obtayned.
Obedience of ſubiectesSubiectes alſo ought to obei the lawes of magiſtrates yf they be good & equale and ſo to obeye them, that it be with al holy reuerence and harty religion, as obeyinge not the lawes of men but of gods miniſters.i pet ii b For Peter byddeth vsus be obedient for the lorde.rom xiii b Titum iii And Paule ſayth ſubiectes muſte be obediēt not only for diſpleaſur but alſo for conſcience ſake. That is we muſt obeye oure magiſtrates. not only for feare leaſt we be punyſhed for contempte and diſobedience, but leſte we ſynne againſte god and our owne conſcience condempne vsus. We declared before in the fifte commaundement by diuerſe teſtimonies & examples of ſcripture, that we be not bownd to obeye the commaundemente of magiſtrates,We be not bounde to obey magiſtrates in thī ges contrary to god in thinges vnlawful and againſt the worde of god The Apoſtles and chriſtianes of the primatiue church wold rather be impriſoned, baniſhed,Rom viii … ii cor iiii and v pſa xliiii e ſpoyled deuoured of beaſtes, ſlayne wyth ſword, burned with fier and hanged, than to obey wycked and vnlawful commaundementes. The bleſſed martyr and byſhop PolycarpusPolycarpus anſweringe to the vnderconſul of Rome ſaid. Our doctrin is, ſayth he, to princes & powers ſuch as be of god to gyue honor, ſuch honor as is not contrarye to the rule of our religion.
And Ihon ChriſoſtomeChryſoſt… to Gainam ſayd. Yt is not lawful for an Emperour whiche is the mayneteiner of godlynes, to attempt ani thynge agaynſte the commaundementes of god.
Fynally Subiectes let them giuegiveSubei…s to pay trybute to the magiſtrat tribute, yea their bodies and lyfe alſo whan nede is for the defence of their mageſtrate, & countre, as I declared in the .v. commaundement, the lorde expreſſely commaundeth in the goſpel. GiueGive to god thoſe thinges which are gods,mark xxii, e and xvii d, rom xiii b & to themperoure the thinges which are the Emperours. Whoſo euer be ſlacke nygarde, or any thynge drawynge backe in this part they be greatly to be reproued, Tributes be dewe to the magiſtrate as the rewarde of his labor, and as the ſynewe of publick vtilite and quietnes. For what man euer goyth to warre vponupon his awne charge and ſtipend. EueryEvery man lyueth vponupon his labor which he ſuſteneth. The magiſtrat doth labor the prynce doth labour in gouernīg yt cōmē wealth and kepyng peace. He omytteth his owne priuate buſines at home wherby els he myght prouyde for him ſelfe. Therfore it wer againſt al reaſon yf he ſhulde not be maintayned with publike charges. Alſo it is requiſet that kyngdomes & publik weales be well appoynted with ſufficient ryches,Rycheſſe be neceſſary …o the publyke word. to ayde them with al in warres, in dearth, in fyers and other calamites, in reparations, or in repellyng of greater daungers, here I ſpeake nothing now of publike buyldinges as of kepynge vp the walles fortreſſes, trenches, diches hauēs brygges, hye ways, fountaynes, condithes, the court haull, the market place, with many other.
There be alſo publike officers of iuſtice, as ſergeantes, herodes of armes, watchemen and diuerſe ſuch moo wher as yf money be not preſent, how can any kyngdome and commen wealthe ſtand longe.Richer work men Therfore they whyche deny trybute, deny the dew ſtipend of mens labour, yea & ſeke ye ſubuerſion of the comen wealthe. They which be ſlack and vnluſteful in publik labours & workes, do ſynne not agaynſte one ruler, but agaīſt ye whole body of ye comenalte. And commenly it is ſo ſeene ſuch lyſtles & lither labourers littel to be bleſſed of god and ſeldom to thryue.
Yet mageſtrates & princes here muſt be aduertiſed, to louelove their ſubiectes committed to their faith and tuition, to ſpare them as gentyllye as they can, to beare with them, and not to pyntche them wt to importunat exactiones.exactions Thys may be done, yf they wylbe temperant, and abſtayne from all ſuperfluouſe exceſſe and pryde. Lette a good prynce thus conſidre wt hī ſelfe,a goodly … ſon for prynces howe vnequal it is for his courte to ouerflowe all, withal exceſſe and ſuperfluyte, and all hys other cyties and ſubiectes to be pī ched by the belly at home. Let rulers of realmes remembre, tributes, taxes & cuſtomes to be publyke and not priuate goodes.
God hateth pollers and extorcioners. God abhorreth vnmeaſurable exactions, taxes or tolles. God doth execrate tyrannies ſtyll pylelinge the people. He doth bleſſe gentyl and moderate prynces.
The iuſt concorde of ſubiectes auayleth more in peace and out of peace,A goldē ſentence than monye vniuſt. And ſtronger is the realm with leſſe aboundaunce,Good ſubiectes marke this leſſon. and more concorde betwyxt the ſuperiours and inferiours, than with infinite treaſures, where magiſtrates & ſubiectes do not agree.
This is no lye / Commen experience teſtifieth the ſame.
Thus much good audience, hauehave I entreated concernyng magiſtrates vponupon the occaſion of the ſyxte commaundement thou ſhalt not kyl declaring as brefly as I culd vnderunder your charitable audience, why magiſtrates be ordeyned of god, what is their duety to their ſubiectes. What is the deutye of ſubiectes to thē. Now let vsus proſtrat our ſupplication to god that of his clemency he wyl ſo graunte both to the magiſtrates & to ye ſubiectes, that they maye both walke worthy to their vocation.
God graunt. Amen.
☞Of ſedicion Inſurreccion, and rebellion, and their punyſhemente reade theſe places.
Num, xvi fig. xx. a. Iudicū. ix. d. e. f. xii. a. b. ii. Reg. xx. iii. reg. i. a. i. Heſter. ii. d. Act. v. e. xix. c. xviii. b. …
¶Seke peace, and enſue it.
¶Pſalm. xxxiii. i, pet. iii.
The feare of the Lord is the begynning of wiſdome,
¶Pſal cxi. b. prou, ix, b. Iob, xxviii. c. Eccle. i, c,
¶Imprīted for Gwalter Lynne dwellynge vponupon Somers Kaye by Byllynges gate. In the yeare of our lord god. M.D.Xlix, The xxiii, day of Auguſt,
❀Cum gratia & priuilegio ad imprimendum ſolum
End of the text · Henrich Bullinger, Sermon Concerning Magistrates (1549)