1. The Secular Ruler must consider his subjects.
understanding, above all books and masters, wisely to rule his subjects. (1Kng 3:9)1
Therefore I know of no law to prescribe for a prince, but I will simply instruct him what the attitude of his heart and mind ought to be with respect to all laws, counsels, decisions and actions — so that if he governs himself thereby, God will surely grant him the power to carry out all laws, counsels, and actions in a proper and godly way.
1. The Secular Ruler must consider his subjects.
He must consider his subjects and rightly dispose his heart toward them in this matter. He does this if he applies his whole mind to making himself useful and serviceable to them, and does not think, "Land and people are mine; I will do as I please;" but thinks thus, "I belong to land and people; I must do what is profitable and good for them. My concern must be, not how I may rule and be haughty, but how they may be protected and defended by a good peace." And he should picture Christ, and say to himself, "Behold, Christ the chief Ruler came and served me; he did not seek to have power, profit, and honor from me, but only considered my need; and he did all He could that I might have power, profit and honor from Him and through Him. I will do the same, not seeking my own advantage in my subjects, but seeking their advantage, and thus serve them by my office, protect them, give them audience and support, so that they, and not I, may benefit and profit by it." Thus a prince should in his heart empty himself of his power and authority, and interest himself in the need of his subjects, dealing with it as though it were his own need. Thus Christ did for us; and these are the proper works of Christian love.
You say, Who then would be a prince? For that would make the position of a prince the worst on earth, full of trouble, labor, and sorrow. Where would there be room for the princely pleasures, such as dancing, hunting, racing, gaming, and similar worldly enjoyments? I answer, We are not prescribing now how a temporal prince shall live, but how a temporal prince shall be a Christian, in order that he may also reach heaven. Who does not know that a prince is a rare bird in heaven? I do not speak because I have any hope that princes will give heed, but because there might possibly be one of them who would be a Christian, and would like to know what he ought to do. For I am sure that God's Word will neither turn nor bend to princes; rather, the princes must bend themselves according to it. It is enough for me to point out that it is not impossible for a prince to be a Christian, though it is a rare thing, and surrounded with difficulties. If they would so manage that their dancing, hunting and racing were done without injury to their subjects, and if they would otherwise conduct their office in love toward them, then God would not be so hard as to begrudge them their dancing, hunting and racing. But it would follow of itself that, if they served and cared for their subjects as their office requires, many a fine dance, hunt, race and game would have to be abandoned.
2. The Secular Ruler must beware his counselors.
He must beware of the high and mighty, and of his counselors, and so conduct himself toward them that he despises none, and trusts none enough to leave everything to him. For God cannot tolerate either. He once spoke by a donkey (Num 22:28);2 therefore no man is to be despised, no matter how humble he is. On the other hand, He permitted the highest angel
1 1Kng 3:9 "Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"
2 Num 22:28 Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?"
to fall from heaven (Rev 12:9);1 therefore no man is to be trusted, no matter how wise, holy, and great he is — but one must give a hearing to all and wait to see through which one of them God will speak and act. For the greatest harm done at court is when a prince enslaves his mind to the high and mighty and to the flatterers, and does not look into things himself.
This is because, when a prince fails and plays the fool, not only one person is affected, but the land and the people must bear the result of such foolishness. Therefore a prince should bestow only so much trust and power upon his rulers that he will still keep the reins of government in his own hand. He must keep his eyes open and give attention and, like
Jehoshaphat, ride through the land and observe everywhere how the government and the law is administered (2Chr 19:4 ff.). In this way he will learn for himself that one must not implicitly trust any man. For you have no right to think that another will interest himself in you and in your land so deeply as you yourself, unless he is filled with the Spirit and is a good Christian. The natural man does not do it. Since, however, you do not know whether he is a Christian, or how long he will behave as one, you cannot safely depend on him.
Beware especially of those who say, "Gracious lord, why does your grace not trust me more?
Who is so willing to serve your grace," etc.? Such a man is certainly not guileless, but desires to be lord in the country, and make a jackanapes of you.2 If he were a true and pious
Christian, he would be quite willing if you were to trust him with nothing, and would praise you for keeping so careful a watch on him; for he acts in accordance with God's will and therefore he is willing and can bear to have his acts brought to the light by you or anyone else. As Christ says in John 3:21, "He that does well comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, for they are wrought in God." The former, however, would blind your eyes, and act under cover of darkness. As Christ also says in the same place, "Every one that does evil hates the light, lest his deeds be punished." (John 3:20) Therefore, beware of him. And if he complains about it, say, "Friend, I do you no wrong; God is not willing that I trust myself or any other man. Find fault with God, then, because He will have it so; or find fault that He has not made you more than human — although, even if you were an angel, since Lucifer was indeed not to be trusted, I would not trust you completely; for we should trust God alone."
Let no prince think that he shall fare better than David, who is an example to all princes. He had so wise a counselor named Ahithophel, that the text says of him, "The counsel which Ahithophel counseled availed as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God." (2Sam 16:28)
Nevertheless he fell, and sank so low that he sought to betray, killm and destroy David, his own lord. Then David had to learn that no man is to be trusted. (2Sam 17:1 ff.)3 Why do you suppose God permitted such a horrible example to occur, and to be recorded, if not in order to warn the princes and lords against the most perilous misfortune that may befall them, so that they might trust no one. For it is most deplorable when flatterers reign at court, or when the prince depends on others, puts himself in their hands, and lets everyone do as he will.
You say, perhaps, that if no one is to be trusted, then how will one rule land and people? I answer, You should entrust and take the risk; but you should not trust and depend except on God alone. You must certainly entrust the offices to someone, and take a chance with him; but you should not trust him other than as one who may fail you, and whom you must watch with unfailing vigilance. A driver has confidence in the horses and wagon he drives; yet he does not let them go their own way, but holds the reins and the lash in his hand and does not
1 Rev 12:9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
2 That is, make a monkey out of you, referring to a monkey who dances for an organ grinder, to entertain.
3 2Sam 17:1 Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Now let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight," etc.