CHAPTER XCI
INTERPRETATION OF ROMANS 13: 5–7 (CONTINUED)
First, Paul speaks of the pagan powers, and then he addresses those of the household of faith, saying,
for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.1
(This applies for the inner circle of the believers. From it the authority of the king is excluded, together with his right of fees, taxes, tolls, tithes, and customs. Here he cannot subjugate his brother. There is no fear in brotherly love, but brotherly love casts out fear.2:)
You do not impose a bridge-toll on your brother, for – as a Christian – you would liefer carry him across on your shoulder. True Christian faith has no need of sovereignty and authority.
The Church of Rome has allied herself with the state, and now they both drink together the blood of Christ, one from a chalice, and the other from the ground where it was spilled by the sword.. . .
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