Page:A Compendium of the Chief Doctrines of the True Christian Religion.djvu/155

Rh who give honour to the Lord, and not to themselves, prefer the salvation of souls to honour and wealth. The honour of any employment is not in the person of him, who officiates therein; but is only adjoined to him on account of the dignity of the office, in which he is employed: and what is thus adjoined, does not properly belong to the person, but to the employment itself, being separated from the person, as soon as he is separated from his office. All personal honour is the honour of wisdom, and of the fear of the Lord.

Priests ought to instruct the people, and to lead them by truths to the good of life: but they must not on any account attempt compulsion in matters of faith, because no one can be compelled to believe contrary to what he thinks in his heart to be true. Every person ought to be allowed the peaceable enjoyment of his religious opinions, howsoever they may differ from those of the priest, on this condition, that he maintains them quietly and peaceably. But if he makes a disturbance, he ought then to be separated from the community: for this is according to the laws of order, on which the priesthood is established. As priests are appointed for the administration of those things, which relate to the divine law and worship; so kings and magistrates are appointed for the administration of those things, which relate to civil law and judgment. But since the king cannot extend his single administration to all persons and cases, therefore governors and magistrates are appointed under him, who are each invested with the power of administration, where that of the king cannot reach. These governors or magistrates, collectively taken, constitute the royalty; but the king himself is the chief or head. Royalty itself is not in the person of the king, but is only adjoined to the person. The king, who