A92147:181
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.
4. Arg. Hence I argue▪ if there be no calling or title on earth to tie the Crown to such a Family and Person, but the suffrages of the people; then have the line of such a family, and the persons now, no calling of God, no right to the crown, but only by the suffrages of the people, except we say that there be no lawful Kings on earth now, when Prophetical unction and designation to Crowns are ceased, contrary to express Scripture, Rom. 13. 1, 2, 3. 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.
4. Arg. Hence I argue▪ if there be no calling or title on earth to tie the Crown to such a Familie and Person, but the suffrages of the people; then have the line of such a familie, and the persons now, no calling of God, no right to the crown, but only by the suffrages of the people, except we say that there be no lawfull Kings on earth now, when Propheticall unction and designation to Crowns are ceased, contrary to expresse Scripture, Rom. 13. 1, 2, 3. 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.
But there is no title on earth now to tie crowns to families, to persons, but only the suffrages of the people: for, 1. Conquest without the consent of the people, is but royal latrocinie, as we shall see. 2. There is no prophetical and immediate calling to Kingdoms now. 3. The Lords giving of Regal parts is somewhat; but I hope Royalists will not deny but a child young in years and judgment, may be a lawful King. 3. Mr. Maxwell his appointing of the Kingly office, doth no more make one man a lawful King, then another: for this were a wide consequence. God hath appointed that Kings should be; ergo, John a Stiles is a King; yea, ergo, David is a King: It followeth not. Therefore it remaineth only, that the suffrages of the people of God is that just title and divine calling that Kings have now to their crowns. I presuppose they have gifts to govern from God.