A92147:1183
A treatise of civil policy
A treatise of civil policy: being a resolution of forty three questions concerning prerogative, right and privilege, in reference to the supreme prince and the people. / By Samuel Rutherford professor of divinity of St Andrews in Scotland.A treatise of civil policy: being a resolution of forty three questions concerning prerogative, right and priviledge, in reference to the supream prince and the people. / By Samuel Rutherford professor of divintiy of St Andrews in Scotland.
London, : Printed and are to be sold by Simon Miller at the Star in St Pauls Church-yard near the West end., 1657 i.e. 1656
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. This ordinance of the people giving lawful power to a King, for the governing of the people in peace and godliness, is Gods good pleasure, and hath just reasons and causes. But that the people make over a power to one man, to act all the inconveniences above named, I mean the bloody and destructive inconveniences, hath nothing of God, or reason in it.
3. This ordinance of the people giving lawfull power to a King, for the governing of the people in peace and godlinesse, is Gods good pleasure, and hath just reasons and causes. But that the people make over a power to one man, to act all the inconveniences above named, I mean the bloody and destructive inconveniences, hath nothing of God, or reason in it.
P. Prelate. The reasons of this opinion are, 1. If Power sovereign were not in one, he could not have strength enough to act all necessary parts and acts of government. 2. Nor to prevent divisions which attend multitudes, or many endowed with equal power; and the Authors say, They must part with their native right entirely, for a greater good, and to prevent greater evils. 3. To resume any part of this power, of which the people have totally devested themselves, or to limit it, is to disable Sovereignty from government, loose the sinews of all society, &c▪
P. Prelate. The reasons of this opinion are, 1. If Power soveraigne were not in one, he could not have strength enough to act all necessary parts and acts of government. 2. Nor to prevent divisions which attend multitudes, or many indowed with equall power; and the Authors say, They must part with their native right entirely, for a greater good, and to prevent greater evills. 3. To resume any part of this power, of which the people have totally devested themselves, or to limit it, is to disable Soveraignty from government, loose the sinewes of all society, &c▪