John Locke, who argued against the supposed divine right of Kings supposed by Sir Robert Filmer.
Both Locke and Sir Robert used the Christian bible as the basis for God's word, and Locke stayed more true to it. Just as Martin Luther stayed more true to it than the political elites of his day.
Both cases underscore the need for us to know well and really believe the Christian bible...since it was the hypocrites who didn't really follow it that caused the problems cited.
It's a mixed bag.
This is an extraordinary moment, even in a trial like this, extraordinary from beginning to end. The roles have been temporarily reversed, Menocchio had seized the initiative and had attempted to persuade the judge: "I beg you, sir, listen to me." Who here is taking the side of a higher culture, who the side of popular culture? It's not easy to say.
- The Cheese and the Worms by Carlo Ginzburg
This is the story of the trial for heresy and eventual execution by burning of an Italian miller named Menocchio, who held many opinions on the creation of the world, and other subjects. I recommend it.