he temporal
power; for it may do and leave undone what it will, my faith to
God still goes its way and works its works, because I need not
believe what it believes.

Therefore, also, the temporal power is a very small thing in
God's sight, and far too slightly regarded by Him, that for its
sake, whether it do right or wrong, we should resist, become
disobedient and quarrel. On the other hand, the spiritual power
is an exceeding great blessing, and far too precious in His eyes,
that the very least of Christians should endure and keep silent,
if it departs a hair's breadth from its own duty, not to say when
it does the very opposite of its duty, as we now see it do every
day.

[Sidenote: The Errors of Temporal Authority]

XIV. In this power also there is much abuse. First, when it
follows the flatterers, which is a common and especially harmful
plague of this power, against which no one can sufficiently guard
and protect himself. Here it is led by the nose, and oppresses
the common people, becomes a government of the like of which a
heathen says: "The spider-webs catch the small flies, but the
mill-stones roll through." So the laws, ordinances and government
of one and the same authority hold the small men, and the great
are free; and where the prince is not himself so wise that he
needs nobody's advice, or has such a standing that they fear him,
there will and must be (unless God should do a special wonder) a
childish government.

For this reason God has considered evil, unfit rulers the
greatest of plagues, as He threatens, Isaiah iii, "I will take
away from them every man of valor, and will give children to be
their princes and babes to rule over them." [Is. 3:2] Four
plagues God has named in Scripture, Ezekiel xiv. [Ezek. 14:13
ff.] the first and slightest, which also David chose [2 Sam.
24:13 f.], is pestilence, the second is famine, the third is war,
the fourth is all manner of evil beasts, such as lions, wolves,
serpents, dragons; these are the wicked rulers. For where these
are, the land is destroyed, not only in body and property, as in
the others, but also in honor, discipline, virtue and the soul's
salvation. For pestilence and famine make people good and rich;
but war and wicked rulers bring to naught everything that has to
do with temporal and eternal.

[Sidenote: Wisdom Needed in the Exercise of Authority]

XV. A prince must also be very wise and not at all times
undertake to enforce his own will,