Page:The Net of Faith.pdf/641

216* does not kill the innocent, but that it is the law that does it. And God can kill since He is the giver of life and death: "It is I who slay, ami bring to life." therefore the kings whom God has authorized to rule can kill in the exercise of their justice. It is also said to the Romans that those who do such things deserve to die. And about the judges he says that they do not wear the sword in vain, but serve God. The judge is justified to comdemn to death in accordance with the Scripture which says, "as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here ani slay them before me!" Then he mentions also Cyprian who, referring to the place in the Old Testament where God says to the tribe,

He says this in explanation of another text, "remembering the commandment, Matathias slaughtered those who offered sacrifices to the idols." And since these things were commanded Deut. 32:39.

Rom. 1:32.

Rom. 13:4.

Luke 19:27. the item in "Petri Zatecensis liber diurnus," in, p. 309: "Item homicidium in punitione malorum fieri dixit, probans per illud Romanorum 13: "Non sum sine causa," etc. Item Lucae 19: "Inimicos meos," etc."

Deut. 13: 6 & 9.

I-Macc. 2: 24.