A92147:1226
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.
P. P. Men in sacred Orders in things intrinsically spiritual, have immediately a directive and authoritative power, in order, to all whatsoever, although ministerial only, as related to Christ; but that giveth them no coercive civill power over the Prince, pierce, or per accidens, directly or indirectly, that either the one way or the other, any or many in sacred Order, Pope, or Presbytery, can cite and censure Kings, associate, Covenant or swear to resist him, and force him to submit to the Sceptre of Christ. This power over man God Almighty useth not, much less hath he given it to man, Ps. 110. His people are a willing people, Suadenda non cogenda religio.
P. P. Men in sacred Orders in things intrinsecally spirituall, have immediatly a directive and authoritative power, in order, to all whatsoever, although ministeriall only, as related to Christ; but that giveth them no coercive civill power over the Prince, perse, or per accidens, directly or indirectly, that either the one way or the other, any or many in sacred Order, Pope, or Presbytery, can cite and censure Kings, assocîate, Covenant or sweare to resist him, and force him to submit to the Scepter of Christ. This power over man God Almighty useth not, much lesse hath he given it to man, Ps. 110. His people are a willing people, Suadenda non cogenda religio.
Ans. 1. Pastors have a ministerial power (saith he) in spiritual 1things, but in order to Christ, ergo in order to others it is not ministerial, but Lordly. So here a Lordly power Pastors have over Kings, by the P. P. way. We teach it is ministerial in relation to all, because Ministers can make no Laws as Kings can do, but only as Heralds, declare Christs Laws.
Ans. 1. Pastors have a ministeriall power (saith he) in spirituall 1