A92147:287
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.
Mr. Symmons saith that birth is the best title to the Crown, because 1after the first of the family had been anointed, unction was no more used in that family, (unless there arose a strife about the Kingdom, as betwixt Solomon and Adonijah, Joash and Athalia) the eldest son of the predecessor was afterward the chosen of the Lord, his birth-right spake the Lords appointment, as plainly as his fathers unction. Ans. It is a conjecture that unction was not used in the ⟨p. 74⟩family, after the first unction, except the contest was betwixt two Brethren, that is said, not proved, for a King. 23. 30. when good Josiah was killed, and there was no contest concerning the Throne of that beloved Prince, the people of the Land took Jehoahaz his son and anointed him, and made him King in his fathers stead; and the Priests were anointed, Levit. 6. 22. yea, all the Priests were anointed, Num. 3. 8. yet read we not in the History, where this or this▪ man was anointed. 2. In that Adonijah, Solomons elder Brother was not King, it is clear, That Gods anointing, and the peoples electing,2 made the right to the Crown, and not birth. 3. Birth de facto did design the man, because of Gods special promises to Davids house; but how doth a typical descent made to David, and some others by Gods special promise, prove, that birth is the birthright, and lawful call of God to a Crown in all after ages? For as gifts to reign, goeth not by birth, so neither doth Gods title to a Crown go.
Mr. Symmons saith that birth is the best title to the Crowne, because 1after the first of the family had been anoynted, unction was no more used in that family, (unlesse there arose a strife about the Kingdome, as betwixt Solomon and Adonijah, Ioash and Athalia) the eldest sonne of the pred•cessor was afterward the chosen of the Lord, his birth-right spake the Lords appointment, as plainly as his fathers unction. Ans. It is a conjecture that unction was not used in the