A92147:173
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.
That this question may be the clearer, we are to set down these Considerations.
THat this question may be the clearer, we are to set down these Considerations.
1. The question is, Whether the Kingly Office it self come from1 God; I conceive it is, and floweth from the people, not by formal institution; as if the people had by an act of reason, devised and excogitated such a power: God ordained the power; it is from the people only by a virtual emanation, in respect that a community having no Government at all, may ordain a King, or appoint an Aristocracy. But the question is, concerning the designation of the person? Whence is it that this man, rather then this man, is crowned ⟨p. 10⟩King? and whence is it, from God immediately, and only, that this man rather then this man, and this race or family rather then that race and family is chosen for the Crown? or is it from the people also, and their free choice? for the Pastor and the Doctors Office is from Christ only; but that John rather then Thomas be the Doctor or the Pastor, is from the will; and choice of men, the Presbyters and people.
1. The question is, Whether the Kingly Office it self come from1 God; I conceive it is, and floweth from the people, not by formall institution; as if the people had by an act of reason, devised and excogitated such a power: God ordained the power; it is from the people onely by a virtuall emanation, in respect that a community having no Government at all, may ordain a King, or appoint an Aristocracie. But the question is, concerning the designation of the person? Whence is it that this man, rather then this man, is crowned ⟨p. 10⟩King? and whence is it, from God immediatly, and onely, that this man rather then this man, and this race or family rather then that race and family is chosen for the Crowne? or is it from the people also, and their free choise? for the Pastor and the Doctors Office is from Christ onely; but that Iohn rather then Thomas be the Doctor or the Pastor, is from the will; and choice of men, the Presbyters and people.