Of resisting of violence.
* 1.1 19 A christian man is not forbidden, but that he may repell violence by violence; when either he is suddenlie set vpon in a desolate place, or can not otherwise call for aid and helpe of the magistrate. For séeing the lawes made by a iust magistrate, doo giue this leaue vnto him; he dooth not this act as a priuate man, but as a publike minister, armed by iust and publike lawes. * 1.2 Christ said, If a man giue to the a blowe on thy right cheeke, turne vnto him the other. But this must be doone, when thou séest, that by this meanes thou maist profit thy brother, or that it furthereth the aduancement of Gods glorie. And out of these cases, * 1.3 it is not necessarie so to doo, as both Christ and Paule by their example haue taught. But while we repell violence by violence, we must vse a moderation of a iust de∣fense of our selues, (as the lawiers speake,) that we séeke not to hurt or to kill him, that dooth vs violence. And this must be diligentlie regarded, that with as litle harme to him as thou canst, thou repell from thée his force or violence. Vn∣doubtedlie, if it had not béene lawfull to repell violence by violence; the apostles following Christ would not haue borne swords with them. But they had swords: for they said vnto Christ, at his last supper; * 1.4 Behold heere be two swords. And Peter, when Christ should be taken; Shall we smite (saith he) with the sword? * 1.5 Héereby it is manifest enough, that the apostles to this vse ware swords. If this had béene repugnant to the lawe of God, Christ would neuer haue permit∣ted it: for he was a most earnest mainteiner of the commandements of his father.