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

[THE RIGHT OF] REFORMATION

original: "religionis" (continued from previous page) [as if the care of] religion had been granted by God [to others—such as the clergy], since even among them many are found who violate the word of God, as witnessed by both the Holy Spirit and experience. Indeed, there is less danger to be feared for both the state original: "respublica"; the common-wealth or civil society and for religion from the right over sacred matters jus sacrorum: the legal authority of a ruler to govern the external affairs and organization of the church within their territory when the Prince term: "Princeps"; the sovereign ruler himself exercises it, than if others were to exercise that same power.

For the Prince has been commanded by God to introduce and preserve the true religion through his sovereign power and his laws. This command was not given to the ministry or to other subjects; the former the ministers ought only to teach, while the latter the subjects ought to attend to the private care of their own salvation. Furthermore, it is said that "the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He will" (Proverbs 21:1). We see also that in the Papacy the Roman Catholic Church system almost no salvific truth remained once the Bishops, and especially the Roman Prelate original: "Praeful romanus"; referring to the Pope, took away the rights over sacred matters from the Lords of the lands. I need not even mention the calamity that Germany suffered because of this. By contrast, among the Jewish people, where the Kings (and they alone) exercised authority over sacred matters, the true religion was repeatedly restored.

§. XX. In the meantime, it must be observed that the damages and inconveniences which states often suffer do not arise from religion itself, nor from the Prince's right over sacred matters, but from the abuse of both and from the vice of men. Examples of this include: if a Prince persecutes those devoted to the true religion; if he wishes to force subjects to a religion (whether true or false) by fire and sword; or if subjects become a burden to the state under the pretense of religion and expect to be supported by it; or if those who, under the title of religion...