Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
I enact this for Laymen too, and I enjoin it also upon all Priests [elders; Greek: πρεσβυτέροις], and upon those commissioned to rule. Come to the aid of the Word, all of you to whom God has given power to aid. It is a great thing to check murder, to punish adultery, to chastise theft; much more to establish piety by law, and to bestow sound doctrine. My word will not be able to do as much in fighting for the Holy Trinity as your Edict, if you will bridle the ill disposed, if you will help the persecuted, if you will check the slayers, and prevent people from being slain. I am speaking not merely of bodily but of spiritual slaughter. For all sin is the death of the soul.
For the reference, see Gregory of Nazianzus on the ruler’s duty to establish piety.
For the reference, see Gregory of Nazianzus on the ruler’s duty to establish piety.
