Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/314

 276 Readings in European History Summary. Yet kings are but mortal, The power of God makes itself felt in a moment from one extremity of the earth to another. Royal power works at the same time throughout all the realm. It holds all the realm in position, as God holds the earth. Should God withdraw his hand, the earth would fall to pieces ; should the king's authority cease in the realm, all would be in confusion. Look at the prince in his cabinet. Thence go out the orders which cause the magistrates and the captains, the citizens and the soldiers, the provinces and the armies on land and on sea, to work in concert. He is the image of God, who, seated on his throne high in the heavens, makes all nature move. . . . Finally, let us put together the things so great and so v august which we have said about royal authority. Behold an immense people united in a single person ; behold this holy power, paternal and absolute ; behold the secret cause which governs the whole body of the state, contained in a single head : you see the image of God in the king, and you have the idea of royal majesty. God is holiness itself, good- ness itself, and power itself. In these things lies the majesty of God. In the image of these things lies the majesty of the prince. So great is this majesty that it cannot reside in the prince as in its source; it is borrowed from God, who gives it to him for the good of the people, for whom it is good to be checked by a superior force. Something of divinity itself is attached to princes and inspires fear in the people. The king should not forget this. " I have said," — it is God who speaks, — "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the Most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes." 1 " I have said, Ye are gods "; that is to say, you have in your authority, and you bear on your forehead, a divine imprint. " You are the children of the Most High"; it is he who has established your power for the good of mankind. But, O gods of flesh and blood, gods of clay and dust, " ye shall die like men, and fall like 1 Ps. lxxxii. 6, 7.