Schaff - History of the Christian Church Vol. 8 - Media Sabda Org

391
Calvin discusses the nature and function of Civil Government at length, and
with the ability and wisdom of a statesman, in the last chapter of his
Institutes.
He holds that the Church is consistent with all forms of government and
social conditions, even with civil servitude (1 Cor. 7:21). But some kind of
government is as necessary to mankind in this world as bread and water,
light and air; and it is far more excellent, since it protects life and property,
maintains law and order, and enables men to live peaceably together, and
to pursue their several avocations.
As to the different forms of government, Calvin discusses the merits of
monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy. All are compatible with Christianity
and command our obedience. All have their advantages and dangers.
Monarchy easily degenerates into despotism, aristocracy into oligarchy or
the faction of a few, democracy into mobocracy and sedition. He gives the
preference to a mixture of aristocracy and democracy. He infused a more
aristocratic spirit into the democratic Republic of Geneva, and saw a
precedent in the government of Moses with seventy elders elected from the
wisest and best of the people. It is safer, he thinks, for the government to
be in the hands of many than of one, for they may afford each other
assistance, and restrain arrogance and ambition.
Civil government is of divine origin. “All power is ordained of God” (Rom.
13:1). “By me kings reign, and princes decree justice” (Prov. 8:15). The
magistrates are called “gods “(Ps. 82:1, 6; a passage indorsed by Christ,
John 10:35), because they are invested with God’s authority and act as his
vicegerents. “Civil magistracy is not only holy and legitimate, but far the
most sacred and honorable in human life.” Submission to lawful
government is the duty of every citizen. To resist it, is to set at naught the
ordinance of God (Rom. 13:3, 4; comp. Tit. 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13, 14). Paul
admonishes Timothy that in the public congregation “supplication, prayers,
intercessions, thanksgivings be made for kings and for all that are in high
places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and
gravity” (1 Tim. 2:1, 2). We must obey and pray even for bad rulers, and
endure in patience and humility till God exercises his judgment. The
punishment of evildoers belongs only to God and to the magistrates.
Sometimes God punishes the people by wicked rulers, and punishes these
by other bad rulers. We, as individuals, must suffer rather than rebel. Only
in one case are we required to disobey,—when the civil ruler commands us