Moses the God of Aaron, or the Power and Duty of Princes in Sacred Matters

refused; however, God gave him his brother Aaron as a companion, who would be his Prophet and speak words on his behalf. Therefore, since Moses was to command Pharaoh in the place of God original: "vice Dei", so that he would permit the Israelites to depart from Egypt, and Aaron was given to him as a Prophet to whom Moses would command what should be said according to the word of the Lord (Exodus 7:1). For this reason, Moses was called the "God of Aaron" by God himself. Furthermore, even after Aaron had been established by God as the High Priest original: "summo Pontifice", Moses exercised authority over sacred matters original: "imperium sacrorum", just like other Kings, who are likewise called "gods" A reference to the biblical tradition where rulers are called "gods" (elohim) because they act as God's representatives on earth..

I have demonstrated, therefore, that the Prince has authority over all aspects of religion, and I have done so from the canonical Scripture alone, setting aside the arguments of Natural Law and the examples of the Roman Emperors original: "Cæsarum Augustorum", who are recorded as having exercised authority over sacred matters outside of the authority of Scripture. I have hardly mentioned Natural Law for this reason: those who deny the authority over sacred matters owed to the Prince are generally those who have not studied Natural Law and are ignorant of the principles of true Political Science original: "Politicæ".

As for the examples of Princes that historians have recorded for posterity, I have not included them for this reason: if they are examined closely, many objections can be raised against them. Constantine the Great, to mention him at least—both because of the title of this writing and because it pertains to authority over sacred matters considered generally—was the first