Propositions and principles of diuinitie propounded and disputed in the vniuersitie of Geneua, by certaine students of diuinitie there, vnder M. Theod. Beza, and M. Anthonie Faius ... Wherein is contained a methodicall summarie, or epitome of the common places of diuinitie. Translated out of Latine into English, to the end that the causes, both of the present dangers of that Church, and also of the troubles of those that are hardlie dealt vvith els-vvhere, may appeare in the English tongue.

PRINCIPLES VPON THE FIFTH COMMANDEMENT OF GODS LAVVE. XXXIIII. (Book 34)

1 HAuing alreadie expounded the commandemēts of the first Table, which do properlie and pecu∣liarlie appertaine vnto the true and lawfull worship of God: it is meete that wee lay open the commandements of the second, which do containe our dutie towardes our neighbor, & first we will deale with the first precept therof.

2 This commandement therefore may bee verie aptlie deuided into two heads that is, into the commandement it self, properly so called, and the promise.

3 In the commandement, are distinguished (by setting down one sort for the whole) the diuers degrees of the cal∣lings appointed by God, to the behoofe of mans societie: namlie, to the end that euery man should walke with great care in his owne calling, neuer turning his eies from the bounds therof.

4 Therefore children (which is the first degree of mans societie) are commanded to honor their father & mother, which thing also nature it self doth teach. By this name are comprehended both these from whence we are come, and also those that issue from vs, together with our kinsfolke, both by father and by mother, our allies, and our coun∣trie it self: and in like sort, those are heere comprehended vnto whom we are bound to performe anie obedience, ei∣ther by reason of their high place and authoritie, as kings Magistrates, Lords, Maisters: or by reason of their age, as olde men, or those vnto whom we are bound for some be∣nefite, or by any other knot of dutie.

3 The word (HONOR) containeth three things, reue∣rence, obedience, and thankfulnes.

6 Reuerence is the acknowledgement & regard, which is yeelded by the inferiours, vnto the superiors, not only in bodie, but also in mind. So the sonne is bound to honor & reuerence both his parents, the subject his gouernor, the yonger honor his elder in years, & to be short, one man to an other.

7 Obedience is the execution of the commādemēt gi∣uen by the superiour, performed cheerfully and reddily by the inferiour, as far as lieth in him: therefore sonnes are boūd willingly to submit thēselues vnto their parents, and subjects vnto their gouernors: and to obey their commā∣dements with all their might.

The Anabaptists then, do withstād both God & nature, who think, that there ought to be no vse of magistrats a∣mongst christians, but that they are to be abolished.

8 We are yet to take heed, that we yeeld not to our pa∣rents, Magistrats, or yet to anie man, more than is meete: that is, that we haue them not in Gods steed.

And therefore they do greeuouslie sinne, who hold, that whatsoeuer pleaseth the Prince, ought to haue the force of a law.

9 Thankfulnes doth then, manifest it self, when as we do freelie acknowledge, that we owe a dutie, vnto al those of whome we haue receaued anie benefite, and are readie to repay them againe, and that in fuller measure if we bee able. Neither is it anie thing against this point, that fa∣thers doe lay vp for their children, and not contrariwise: for it commeth often to passe, that parentes doe stand in neede of the helpe and support of their children.

10 Euen as honor is to be yeelded vnto superiours: so on the other side, those that are aboue others in degree, ar bound to performe their duty towards their inferiours.

11 Parents therefore must take the care of their chil∣dren, but so as they do not suffer them to haue too much of their owne will: that is, that they doe not loue those whome they haue begotten, either more, or otherwise thē is meet. Of which sort was the loue of ELIE towardes his sonnes, HOPHNIE and PHINEAS: whereas it is their dutie fatherlie to chastise their offences.

12 It is the dutie also of Magistrats to regard the welth of their subjects, to appoint, and by wise counsell to enact and ordaine those things, which belong to their quiet and peaceable estate in this life. But as for those things which appertaine vnto the saluation of our soules, and doe be∣long to the causes, preceptes, and meanes to obtaine the same, it belongeth not vnto Magistrats to prescribe them: but it is an especiall part of their dutie, both to see, accor∣ding vnto the authority graunted vnto them, that the true worship of God bee lawfullie established according to his word, in the countries that are vnder their gouernement: and also to defend the same being once established, against the violaters thereof, euen by punishing them with death, if the case so require.

13 In this commandement also, the flockes are bound to obey their Pastors, and ouerseers; and also cheerefullie to honour them, and prouide for their maintenance: as

they on the other side, are bound with great conscience & care to feede their flocks committed vnto them.

14 Yet can neither the subjects with a good conscience obey their Magistrats, when they command them thinges that are manifestlie impious and vnjust, nor the flockes yeelde obedience vnto their false Pastors, who goe astraie from the will of God.

15 Yet it is not lawfull for priuate men, to rise or op∣pose themselues violentlie against the Magistrates, that deale tyranniouslie with them: but it is their dutie, when anie such thing commeth to passe, either to betake them∣selues to praiers and pacience, (which notwithstanding muste not carie vs away from that which God requireth of vs,) or to flie vnto them vnto whome the Lawe hath giuen authoritie to bridle and to restraine such tyrants.

16 The particuler actions of some, which seemeth to giue leaue to priuate men to take armour against a tyrant, are not rashly to be drawne into example.

17 Briefly we affirme, that within this commandement our neighbour also is comprehended: that is, euerye man (our enemies and all) vnto whome wee may doe good in the Lord: because the lawes of nature it selfe, do bind man vnto man.

18 Hitherto concerning the commandement. The pro∣mise adjoined vnto the obseruation therof, is anexed vnto it, first to the end that men might bee more and more stir∣red vp to yeeld the said honour. Secondly, that it shoulde be as it were, an earnest-pennie of the diuine couenaunt. Wherein also, mention is made of that land, which the Lorde had appoynted, as it were, a pledge of his coue∣naunt.

19 This promise belongeth vnto vs, not as far as wee consider the same, as it was sometimes made vnto the peo∣ple of the Iewes, concerning that holie land: but in regard that wheresoeuer wee bee, the earth is the Lords, and in what countrie soeuer we dwell, the same is graunted vnto vs by the gift of God.

20 Now this promise is meruelouslie agreeable vnto

the commandement it selfe, whereby the prolonging con∣tinuance of this life, is promised vnto him that honoureth those, that were the instruments of the life which he enjoy∣eth.

21 And euen as a long and a prosperous life is promi∣sed vnto obedient Sonnes; so on the other side, all disobe∣dient, vnthankful, and obstinat Children, are assured of the punishment of infamie, joyned with diuers and great cala∣mities and torments.

22 Neither are we therfore to conclude, that this pro∣mise is vaine, because neither those are alwaies long liued, who performe this dutie, neither yet al the breakers of this commaundement doe die in their youth. For the Lorde doth so dispose the blessings of this life, as he thinketh ex∣pedient; and the sooner hee calleth hence those that are o∣bedient vnto their Parents, by so much the sooner he bles∣seth them: now the long life of the rebellious, do so com∣mend the pacience of God, as notwithstanding, it becom∣meth a curse vnto them.

Defended by IOHN GIGORDVS Baeterrensis Occitanus.