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

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nothing other than to serve the utility of others, as parents rule their children, and a man his wife.
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… [§ 27] Universal power
is called pre-eminent, primary, and supreme not because it is above law or absolute, but in respect to particular and special
subordinate power that depends upon it, arises and flows from it, returns in time to it, and is furthermore bound to definite
places. Such is the power that is given to universal administrators, and to special heads of provinces as their deputies, delegates,
administrators, procurators, and ministers. All have only the use and exercise of power for the benefit of others, not the
ownership of it.
[§ 28] THIS RIGHT OF THE REALM ( jus regni) is twofold. It pertains both to the welfare of the soul and to the care of the body.
Religion, by recognizing and worshiping God, seeks the welfare of the soul. The care of this life seeks the welfare of the body.
Prayers are to be poured forth “for kings and all who are in high positions, that under them we may lead a peaceful and quiet life
in all piety and respectfulness.”
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We are trained “to renounce all impiety and worldly desires, and to live temperately, justly,
and piously in the present world.”
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We should live temperately toward ourselves, justly toward our neighbor, and piously
toward God. Piety is to be understood according to the first table of the Decalogue, and justice according to the second. Polybius
says that the desirable and stable condition of a commonwealth is one in which holy and blameless life is lived in private, and
justice and clemency flourish in public.
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[§ 29] Each part of this right of the realm about which we have spoken consists of universal symbiotic communion
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and of its
administration. We will first discuss this universal communion,
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and later its administration.
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[§ 30] Universal symbiotic
communion is the process by which the members of a realm or universal association communicate everything necessary and
useful to it, and remove and do away with everything to the contrary. And therefore this right of the realm pertaining to
symbiosis and communion can be described as living lawfully, as nourishing life, and as sharing something in common.
[§ 31] Universal symbiotic communion is both ecclesiastical and secular. Corresponding to the former are religion and piety,
which pertain to the welfare and eternal life of the soul, the entire first table of the Decalogue. Corresponding to the latter is
justice, which concerns the use of the body and of this life, and the rendering to each his due, the second table of the Decalogue.
In the former, everything is to be referred immediately to the glory of God; in the latter, to the utility and welfare of the people
associated in one body. [§ 32] These are the two foundations of every good association. Whenever a turning away from them
has begun, the happiness of a realm or universal association is diminished. …
[§ 33] Ecclesiastical communion of the realm
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is the process by which those means that pertain to the public organizing and
conserving of the kingdom of Christ ( regnum Christi) are established, undertaken, and communicated according to his will
throughout the territory of this universal association. This is done to the eternal glory of God and for the welfare of the realm. [§
34] Whence the ecclesiastical and sacerdotal right of sovereignty of the realm is called the business of Jehovah. Within the
boundaries of the realm, this right guides the enjoyment of a pious life by which we acknowledge and worship God in the present
world. …
[§ 35] This sacerdotal or ecclesiastical right is properly instituted in the territory of the realm when the same public and
uncorrupted worship of God is established, practiced, and conserved according to the will of God in the individual cities and
provinces or members of the realm, and when the general care of it is expressed by the universal association. [§ 36] This care
is expressed, first and foremost, by the public introduction, establishment, and conservation of religion and uncorrupted worship
of God, as they are approved by sacred writings, in the territory of the realm, and in all the cities and provinces thereof. “Seek
first the kingdom of God.”
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“For the fear of the Lord is the beginning of understanding.”
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All members, both individually and
collectively, are obligated to the profession of this religion and divine worship. … [§ 37] The true and pure religion and worship
of God are to be established not by a majority of the citizens, nor by the weight or vote of men, but by the Word of God alone,
according to their agreement with faith.
[§ 38] Public schools provide for the conserving of true religion and the passing of it on to later generations, for informing the
life and customs of citizens, and for acquiring knowledge of the liberal arts. Schools are to be opened in the cities and provinces
of the commonwealth in order that professors and instructors of liberal arts may publicly teach, that they may distribute prizes
and honors for merit, and that they may confer upon their scholars the insignia of the master, the licentiate, and the doctor. In
these schools the seeds of piety and virtue are adroitly poured into the youth from sacred writings and the more human liberal
arts, so that good citizens may go forth as pious, manly, just and temperate persons. … [§ 39] Moreover, these schools are the
custodians of the keys of science and doctrine, by which the resolution of all doubt is sought and the way of salvation is
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