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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