Author
Stephen Junius Brutus
Stephen Junius Brutus (fl. 1579) was a Huguenot political theorist whose pseudonymous treatise Vindiciae Contra Tyrannos (1579) synthesized Reformed theology with classical republicanism to construct a systematic justification for resistance against tyrannical rulers. Writing in the context of the French Wars of Religion, Brutus developed influential arguments grounded in covenant theology that positioned magistrates and the people as divinely ordained checks on monarchical power, thereby establishing foundational principles for early modern theories of limited government and popular sovereignty. His work profoundly shaped subsequent Protestant political thought and contributed significantly to the intellectual genealogy of constitutional resistance doctrine.
From Vindiciae Contra Tyrannos
IT is a thing well-becomming the Majesty of an Emperour, to acknowledge himself bound to obey the Laws. Our authority depending on the authority of the Laws, and in very deed to submit the principallity to Law, is a greater thing then to beare rule. We therfore make it known unto all men, by the Declaration of this our Edict, that Wee doe not allow Our selves, or repute it lawfull to doe any thing contrary to this. Justine in the second Book, speaks thus of Lycargns, Law-giver to the Lacedemonians, He gave Laws to the Spartans which had not any: and was as much renowned for his diligent observing of them himself, as for his discreet Inventing of them: For he made no Laws for others, to the obedience whereof he did not first submit himself. Fashioning the people to obey willingly, and the Prince to Govern uprightly. THIS…
More from the opening, and the full contents →
Works in the Library 1
Passages Stephen Junius Brutus cites most
Bible verses most often cited across this work. Each links to everything in the library on that verse.
Browse the full Reformed theology catalog — 1,234 primary sources from Calvin to Spurgeon.
Search Stephen Junius Brutus on Commonplace
Ask any question and AI synthesizes answers from across Stephen Junius Brutus's works and the full library of 1,234 Reformed primary sources.