They introduced the idea of the right and obligation of lesser magistrates, magistrates,

Magistratus Inferiores, to protect the people who are equally under their jurisdiction

as they are under that of the higher level of government.

Defense against a superior magistrate who persecutes the true religion by arms is granted to an inferior magistrate when they deny that this religion of ours is the true one and deem that their war is therefore just.

Pious magistrates are not only able, but even have an

obligation to resist them as far as they are able to defend the true doctrine, worship of God,

life, modesty, and the property of their subjects, and to preserve them against such great

tyranny, following the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572,

in which thousands of French Protestants were murdered by agents of the French monarchy,

Theodore Beezer in Geneva introduced into the reform tradition the idea of the obligation of lesser magistrates to resist tyranny if he who has received the

royal dignity either by being elected thereto or by hereditary right openly departs from

those conditions under which he was expressly recognized and approved as king who would be inclined to doubt that

the subordinate magistrates of the kingdom and further the very provinces also and the cities whose administration has been entrusted to them

are automatically free from their oath insofar as they have right to set themselves

against the undisguised oppression of that kingdom whose defense and protection they

undertook by oath each in accordance with his own office.

On the Rights of Magistrates 1574, he clarifies and narrows the operation of this principle

writing, we are discussing open and manifest tyranny and tyrants of that type who cannot admit

or endure any admonishments whatever.

In other words, the invocation of this principle for minor infractions

would be a dangerous disturbance of the public peace, and thus not at all for the common good.

Thus, the Declaration of Independence cites a long train of abuses and useurpations, pursuing invariably the same object,

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