right, and not resist the temporal power
although it does wrong. For the poor people believe and do as they see
the spiritual power believing and doing; if they are not set an example
and are not taught, then they also believe nothing and do nothing;
since this power is instituted for no other reason than to lead the
people in faith to God. All this is not found in the temporal power;
for it may do and leave undone what it will, my faith to God still goes
its way and works its works, because I need not believe what it
believes.

Therefore, also, the temporal power is a very small thing in God's
sight, and far too slightly regarded by Him, that for its sake, whether
it do right or wrong, we should resist, become disobedient and quarrel.
On the other hand, the spiritual power is an exceeding great blessing,
and far too precious in His eyes, that the very least of Christians
should endure and keep silent, if it departs a hair's breadth from its
own duty, not to say when it does the very opposite of its duty, as we
now see it do every day.

XIV. In this power also there is much abuse. First, when it follows the
flatterers, which is a common and especially harmful plague of this
power, against which no one can sufficiently guard and protect himself.
Here it is led by the nose, and oppresses the common people, becomes a
government of the like of which a heathen says: "The spider-webs catch
the small flies, but the mill-stones roll through." So the laws,
ordinances and government of one and the same authority hold the small
men, and the great are free; and where the prince is not himself so
wise that he needs nobody's advice, or has such a standing that they
fear him, there will and must be (unless God should do a special
wonder) a childish government.

For this reason God has considered evil, unfit rulers the greatest of
plagues, as He threatens, Isaiah iii, "I will take away from them every
man of valor, and will give children to be their princes and babes to
rule over them." Four plagues God has named in Scripture, Ezekiel xiv.
The first and slightest, which also David chose, is pestilence, the
second is famine, the third is war, the fourth is all manner of evil
beasts, such as lions, wolves, serpents, dragons; these are the wicked
rulers. For where these are, the land is destroyed, not only in body
and property, as in the others, but also in honor, discipline, virtue
and the soul's salvation. For pestilence and famine