Johannes Althusius: Politica - Hubertlerch.com - HubertLerch.com

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supreme magistrate consists in his inspection, defense, care, and direction of ecclesiastical matters. But the execution and
administration of ecclesiastical offices belong to the clergy ( personae ecclesiasticae). … There is therefore a twofold
administration of ecclesiastical matters. One part pertains to the magistrate, and the other to the clergy. Each directs and obeys
the other, and each helps the other in the distinct administration entrusted to it, according to the example of Moses and Aaron.
The administration of the supreme magistrate directs the clergy as long as he enjoins them to perform the parts of their office
according to the Word of God, and orders and arranges for other things that are necessary for establishing, conserving, and
transmitting to posterity the true worship of God.
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On the other hand, the supreme magistrate is subject to the administration
and power of the clergy with respect to censures, admonitions, and whatever concerns eternal life and salvation.
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[ § 6 ] In the
administration of ecclesiastical matters the magistrate does nothing without the counsel and consent of the clergy based on the
Word of God.
[§ 7] This administration is imposed upon the magistrate by the mandate of God, as we have said, and is supported by
examples of pious men and by arguments from reason. … So Moses began his magistracy with this administration, which he later
confirmed by a paschal lamb.
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Gideon began his with the erection of an altar.
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David brought the ark of the covenant to
Jerusalem at the beginning of his reign.
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Joash restored the house of the Lord at the beginning of his administration,
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as did
Hezekiah and Josiah.
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And every supreme magistrate should admonish his subjects to the worship of God. …
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[§ 8] The arguments from reason over and beyond the mandate of God and the examples given are weighty and significant. For
a sound worship and fear of God in the commonwealth is the cause, origin, and fountain of private and public happiness. On the
other hand, the contempt of God, and the neglect of divine worship, are the causes of all evil and misfortune. Moreover, the
Christian religion not only subordinates the bodies and goods of pious subjects to the magistrate, but even lays their souls and
consciences under obligation to him, and shapes them to obedience. It nourishes peace and concord, disapproves all scandals, and
makes men pious and just. For this reason, even though the Christians in the early church suffered the gravest persecutions, they
nevertheless did not forsake or oppose their magistrate, but are known to have devoted themselves constantly to peace. That the
profession and practice of orthodox religion are the cause of all public and private happiness is evident from the fact that piety
holds the promise of benediction that supporters of it will receive in this life and the next. … [§ 9] Furthermore, the advantages
that derive to the entire commonwealth from these subjects who are worshipers of God—and, on the other hand, the evils and
perils into which the commonwealth is precipitated by the ungodly–ought to lead the magistrate to a love and zeal for
ecclesiastical administration. Even an evil commonwealth is supported and sustained by the pious. The reason is that because of
their presence it suffers less from the just wrath of God, and thus avoids punishments that it deserves. … [§ 10] Consequently,
the magistrate before anything else, and immediately from the beginning of his administration, should plant and nourish the
Christian religion as the foundation of his imperium. If he does this, all the virtues will flourish among his subjects, and he will be
prospered in his actions. …
[§ 13] This ecclesiastical administration is perfomed chiefly through two duties. The first is the introduction of orthodox religious
doctrine and practice in the realm. The other is the conservation, defense, and transmission to posterity of this doctrine and
practice. [§ 14] The former duty is employed in seeing that God is rightly known and worshiped, and the latter that the true
understanding or comprehension of God thrives throughout the realm, and the right worship of God is maintained freely and
publicly by each and all in the whole realm, without any fear or peril. By these two duties of the magistrate, the kingdom of God
is raised up and preserved among men in this political society.
[§ 15] By a religious covenant ( pactum religiosum) the magistrate, together with the members of the realm commonly and
solemnly consenting in councils of the realm, promise to God the performance of this twofold duty. They agree assiduously to
perform this service by which God may be constantly and truly known and worshiped by each and all in the entire realm. And in
this agreement they recognize their realm to be under God, and they promise to him fidelity and obedience as subjects and
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vassals. “For the earth and the fullness thereof are God’s.” “He is the Lord of lords, and the King of kings.” He is the
proprietary lord of all creatures, and concedes their administration to him whom he wills. But he does not thereby lose his own
authority ( jus), as we have said concerning the ephors.
Examples of this religious covenant are readily to be found. “You have made a promise to Jehovah this day that he will be your
God, that you will walk in his ways, that you will observe his statutes, his precepts, and his judgments, and will give heed to his
voice. Jehovah has made a promise to you this day that you will be a special people to him, as he said to you, provided you
observe all his precepts, and that he will lift you up above all peoples that he has made, with praise, renown, and glory, and that
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