Theodore Beza Quotes

French Reformed Protestant theologian, reformer and scholar (1519–1605)

Theodore Beza (Latin: Theodorus Beza; French: Théodore de Bèze or de Besze; 23 June 1519 – 13 October 1605) was a French Calvinist Protestant theologian, reformer and scholar who played an important role in the Protestant Reformation. He was a disciple of John Calvin and lived most of his life in Geneva. Beza succeeded Calvin as the spiritual leader of the Republic of Geneva.

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Alternative Names: Théodore de Bèze • Theodore de Beze • Theodore of Beza

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I have always impugned the Roman hierarchy, but I have never had the intention of opposing the ecclesiastical polity of your Anglican Church. I wish and hope that the sacred and holy society of your bishops may continue and maintain forever the right and title to the government of the Church with all Christian equity and moderation.

If we must put up with what this impious man <nowiki>[</nowiki>Sebastian Castellio<nowiki>]</nowiki> has vomited forth in his preface, what remains to us intact of the Christian religion? ... We must wait for another revelation.

Now you, the whole world's ornament, the Queen
On whose behalf both winds and oceans fight,
Rule on with God, far from ambition seen,
And succour still the pious with your might,
That England you, you England long hold dear,
Whom good men love as much as wicked fear.

The main end of human society is that God be honoured as He should be. Now the Magistrate is set as guard and governor of this society... And though it be his duty, so far as in him lies, to take order that no discord arise among his subjects, yet, since the chief and ultimate end of human society is not that men should live together in peace, but that, living in peace, they should serve God, it is the function of the Magistrate to risk even this outward peace (if no otherwise may it be done) in order to secure and maintain in his land the true service of God in its purity... And it is impossible that he should so preserve and maintain religion unless he suppresses by the power of the sword those who obstinately contemn it and form sects. It remains then to say that those who would that the Magistrate should not concern himself with religion, either do not understand what is the true end of human society or else pretend that they do not.