What They Said

"And truly when we see the wicked bear sway here beneath, let us know that it is a part of God’s justice. Where does it come from that things are so troubled and that some men attain to offices by wicked bribery and partiality, and others by purchase to soon after make their hand again from the poor people by fleecing one and devouring another. It is because God,perceiving us unworthy to be governed by Him, gives the bridle to Satan. You see then that all the wrongs which reign are God’s scourges for our sins as we have seen here previously. Seeing it is so, it behooves us to consider that when the princes and judges of the earth are wicked, God intends to give a greater gloss to His own justice, that it may be known to us how it is He that afflicts us, and by that means punishes the offenses which we have committed, showing that we do not deserve to have Him come near us, but rather to withdraw Himself from us and make us feel that because we are disordered and have shaken off His yoke, and have become like wild beasts, we are worthy to have the devil reign over us and the wicked men which are His underlings and by His appointment."

John Calvin