In 1543, Philip Melanchthon gave an Oration on the merit of laws. This oration was addressed to professors and students in the university. Many of these students would become pastors or teachers or magistrates. So, the following comments are primarily directed to those who are either teaching students to lead, or who are being taught to lead (both the church and society). That being said, everybody can learn something from the advice that Melanchthon gives here. The purpose of this oration was to instill in the students and professors present the importance of studying the political art, even in tumultuous times. There are a number of interesting comments he makes here, with some relevance for today.
(1) Divine Providence over World Politics. Those who study both scriptures and human history, with any diligence and depth, recognize that Political Turmoil is inevitable and that human realms are always both imperfect and even evil, BUT, that political turmoil, the nations, and their governments, are always obedient to divine providence. Great nations, where respect for the law was predominant, inevitably eventually fall into tyranny, but this is not a hazard; even this is submitted to divine providence:
"We, however, who are educated in God's Church, and know for certain that God is the observer and judge of all of humankind, must know that realms neither originate nor perish by chance. Furthermore, let us sustain ourselves greatly by this consolation: even if God strikes or overturns realms, He nevertheless does not allow His Church to be entirely destroyed." (p. 176)
Or, again, "It is not surprising that those who do not know the causes of this disorder in the realms, and have not learnt from the heavenly teaching how to strengthen their spirit, have always violently hated the realms where rarely the good are leaders...In short, it is insanity to demand in one's heart a state without vices or flaws, amidst the weakness of human nature and the great cruelty of the devil. (p. 178)"
Or, again, "We err all our lives if we believe that there is prosperous wisdom without God. Let us strengthen ourselves with this consolation, particularly amidst these dangers in the world, and let us be aware that while the entire machine of the world is tottering, and human affairs are tumbling down, nevertheless the ruin is supported by God. (p. 179)"
(2) In the light of the first point, "how now shall we live?" What are we to do, when the whole world is tottering, when freedom is replaced by chains, when tyranny once again rises from the ashes of a previously great civilization? "What place is there for wisdom and for our political art, when everything is governed rather by the fury of tyrants and the whims of the mighty? (p. 175)" (Similar questions were asked by C. S. Lewis in his short article "Learning in War-time", and his answers were similar.) Here is what Melanchthon urges the students and professors of the university to do:
(a) The study of the political art is valuable even when nations burn and tyrants rule, so don't lose heart. Continue studying and teaching law (divine, natural, and positive): "it was not in vain that God instilled the laws of nature into human minds. He wanted their explanation to be visible in the writings and works of the sages, and He wanted these to be the rule for the realms and judgments; it is not without value just because other matters cause disturbances in the government...our art is true, shown to humankind by divine providence, and beneficial, even though other matters happen which often curb this wisdom. (p. 176)" Even when chaos reigns, don't stop studying and teaching law. When we abandon the study and teaching of the law (divine, natural, and positive), chaos ensues: "Tyrannies would grow, all erudition would be held in greater contempt, the Church would be neglected even more, and manifold barbarism would ensue. (p. 179)"
Or, again, "Let us therefore not be deterred by the dangers, and let us not become disheartened, even if, again and again, pious, moderate and beneficial counsel is prevented by the injustice of men, or by the usual disorder of human affairs. And let us not abandon the occupation of our study, us in particular, if the work of many of our rank in public counsils [sic] serves the Church of God as well; and if God preserves the Church, He will also preserve the political arts serving the Church. (p. 179)"
(b) Stay faithful to the church, for, "as long as the Church exists there will be assemblies joined to laws (p. 177)"
(c) Fight for freedom. Note, he does not mean, "take up arms and go to war", for adding chaos and strife to chaos and strife is not virtuous. As I have shown in a previous post, Melanchthon thinks that civil disobedience, strife, or demonstrations which disrupt society (even when under the rule of a Tyrant), make things worse than better. He clearly states that if the only way to change the unjust ruling of a Tyrant is through social unrest, then one must obey the Tyrant out of love for their neighbour. Rather, Melanchthon means that we should actively pursue peace and harmony so that the teaching and study of law may continue, "The citizens educated by that instruction would know that barbarous customs must not be permitted, and that one has to fight with joint forces for the defence of freedom, that is, of instruction and of honourable condition. For that reason they desisted from private strife, and upheld harmony among themselves. (p. 177)"
Or, again, "good minds must fight eagerly for the defence of the true laws, because they see that amidst such human weakness and such disorder their authority is often either neglected or suppressed. (p. 178)"
(d) Pray! Pray! Pray! Seek divine aid. Do not rely on your own wisdom, but ask God to act. Melanchthon notes that even the wisest and most well-informed have brought about the downfall of their society by their advice. The heavenly teaching is, rather, that we wait on God. Melanchthon notes that "the heavenly teaching commands us to invoke God, so that He assist this most difficult task, and reminds us that without God's help that political wisdom is often only dreamt of, and pernicious for the cities. Many who were endowed with the greatest intellects, although they loved their country, nevertheless overturned the state by their counsels, because, relying on their wisdom, they set in motion things that were not necessary. (p. 178-79.)" Or, again, "take refuge in God (p. 180)"
(e) Where you are, in the office which God has assigned to you, seek the common good (keeping in mind what God has taught, and the other principles for political activity that Melanchthon has already expounded): "Worthy men must exert themselves, each in his place, in order to benefit the common good. (p. 179)"
(f) Live moderately and piously in these times: "If all these reasons do not induce you to live more moderately and to take refuge in God, what good can my oration do? (p. 180)"
Or, again, "If you deem that God is the maker of things and the judge of our deeds, and you are influenced by the heavenly admonitions, acknowledge Him as the creator of things and as your judge, and obey Him in the duties which He requires by the word of the laws. (p. 180)"
Or, again, "Rouse yourselves to piety and moderation by these examples. (p. 181)"
Or, again, "So you understand that the laws are God's word, and that this political order both has been established by God and is protected to some degree by Him, in order that He become known in human society, and that, united by mutual duties, we show proof of our notion of God and of the Son of God, and mutual benevolence, and that we incite each other to virtue by mutual example (p. 181)."
"I have spoken (p. 181)" [Yes, this was said by Melanchthon a long time before the Mandalorian tv show was even in the minds of its writers! Melanchthon ends many of his orations with these words, "I have spoken."]
All quotes taken from the oration mentioned, in Philip Melanchthon, Orations on Philosophy and Education, ed. Sachiko Kusukawa (Cambridge University Press, 1999).
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