“Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God.”
John Knox, the Thundering Scot, was a substantial figure during the Reformation. Like Calvin, he spoke on issues between the Church and the State. Though neither used the term “lesser magistrate” as a doctrine, only a cursory look into his writings shows why he is included in the list of prominent figures for the doctrine.
“To resist a tyrant, is not to resist God, nor yet His ordinance.”
“Be not deceived, my lords. You are placed in authority for another purpose than to flatter your king in his folly and blind rage… by your gravity, counsel, and admonition, you are bound to correct and repress whatsoever you know him to attempt expressly repugning to God’s word, honour, glory, or what you shall espy him to do (be it by ignorance, or be it by malice) against his subjects great or small.”
“For now the common song for all man is, we must obey our kings, be they good or be that bad; for God has so commanded. But horrible shall the vengeance be, that shall be 
poured forth upon such blasphemers of God his holy name and ordinance. For it is no less blasphemy to say, that God hath commanded kings to be obeyed, when they command impiety, than to say, that God by his precept is author and maintainer of all iniquity. True it is that God has commanded kings to be obeyed, but like true it is, that in things which they commit against His glory when cruelly without cause they rage against her brethren, the members of Christ’s body, He hath commanded no obedience. Rather he hath approved, yea, and greatly rewarded such as have opposed themselves to their ungodly commandments and blind rage, as in the three children, of Daniel and Ebedmelech, it is evident. The three children would neither bow nor stoop before the golden image at the command of the great king Nebuchadnezzar…Such men, I say, as prefer man to God..”
The History of the Reformation of Religion in Scotland
By John Knox 1558
The French Connection: MLMGA Part 1
Confessing Resistance: MLMGA Part 2
A Wee Dram of Thunder: MLMGA Part 3
Reform and Resist: MLMGA Part 4
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Cover Art from THE MIGHTY WEAKNESS OF JOHN KNOX, by Douglas Bond
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