How Did European Rulers Justify the Growth of State Authority

How did European rulers justify the growth of state authority and the expansion of government bureaucracies in the wake of the Thirty Years' War?

A) They claimed that it was necessary to build a larger civilian authority in order to prevent a military coup.
B) They argued that the state was the only means through which order and prosperity could return to Europe.
C) They carefully cultivated their royal images in order to outwardly demonstrate their authority.
D) They built up large military reserves of returning soldiers to quell civilian unrest and support their policies.