the holy patriarchs were the arbiters, judges, of public action. But
in this Scripture they who have the sword, are commanded to use it
against those who have shed blood.

41. Thus the problem is here solved that worried Plato and all sages.
They concluded that it is impossible to administer government without
injustice, because all men occupy the same level of dignity and
position. Why did Caesar rule the world? Why did others obey him,
since he was only human like themselves--no better, no stronger and
liable to die as soon as themselves? He was subject to the same
conditions as all men. Hence it seems to be tyranny for him, who was
quite similar to other men, to usurp rulership among men. If he is
like other men it is the highest wrong and injustice to ignore this
similarity, and to foist his rule by force upon others.

42. This is the conclusion at which reason arrives and it cannot
entertain any view to the contrary. But we, having the Word, can see
that we must oppose to such reasoning the command of God, the author
of this order of things. Accordingly, it is for us to render obedience
to the divine order and to endure it, so that to our other sins this
may not be added, that we are disobedient to the will of God at the
very point where we derive benefit in so many ways.

43. To sum up, this passage permits the slaughter of animals for
religious and personal use, but it emphatically forbids the taking of
man's life, because man is made in the image of God. Those who violate
his command he gives into the hands of the authorities to be slain.

V. 7. _And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly
in the earth, and multiply therein._

44. The slaughter of animals having been granted, not only for
sacrifice, but also for food, and the killing of human beings having
been forbidden, we are given the reason why God regards the shedding
of human blood with so much aversion. He desires mankind to multiply
on the earth; but the slaughter of men lays the earth waste and
produces a wilderness. We see this in case of war. God did not create
the earth without purpose. He intended it to be inhabited, Is 45, 18.
He makes it fruitful by rain and sunshine for man's benefit. Therefore
he is displeased with those who remove from the earth its inhabitants.
His will is life, and not death, Ps 30, 5.

45. These and similar sayings of the prophets are based upon promises
like we find here, that God commands man to m