“Here, then is the sovereign power with which the pastors of the Church, by whatever name they be called, ought to be endowed. That they may dare boldly do all things by God’s Word; may compel all worldly power, glory, wisdom, and exaltation to yield to and obey his majesty; supported by his power, may command all from the highest even to the last; may build up Christ’s household and cast down Satan’s; may feed the sheep and drive away the wolves; may instruct and exhort the teachable; may accuse, rebuke, and subdue the rebellious and stubborn; may bind and loose; finally, if need be, may launch thunderbolts and lightnings; but do all things in God’s Word.”
-John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion 4.8.9 (pp. 1156-1157)
