A92147:299
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.
Answ. Frequent elections of a King, at the death of every Prince1 may have, by accident, and through the corruption of our nature, bloody, and tragical sequels, and to eschew these, people may tie and oblige their children to chose one of the first born, Male or Female, as in Scotland and England, of such a line; but I have spoken of the excellency of the title by election, above that of birth, as comparing things according to their own nature together; but give me leave to say, That the posterity are tied to that Line, 1. Conditionally: So the first born, ceteris paribus, be qualified, and have an head to sit at the helm. 2. Elections of Governors would be performed, as in the sight of God; and in my weak apprehension, the person coming nearest to Gods judge, Fearing God, hating covetousness, and to Moses his King, Deut. 17. one who shall read in the Book of the Law, and it would seem now, that gracious morals are to us instead of Gods immediate designation. 3. The genuine and intrinsical end of making Kings, is not simply governing, but governing the best way in peace, honesty, and godliness, 1. Tim. 2. ⟨p. 78⟩Ergo, These are to be made Kings, who may most expeditely procure this end: neither is it my purpose to make him no King, who is not a gracious man, only here I compare title with title.
Answ. Frequent elections of a King, at the death of every Prince1 may have, by accident, and through the corruption of our nature, bloody, and tragicall sequels, and to eschew these, people may tie and oblige their children to chose one of the first born, Male or Female, as in Scotland and England, of such a line; but I have spoken of the excellencie of the title by election, above that of birth, as comparing things according to their own nature together; but give me leave to say, That the posterity are tyed to that Line, 1. Conditionally: So the first born, ceteris paribus, be qualified, and have an head to sit at the helm. 2. Elections of Governours would be performed, as in the sight of God; and in my weak apprehension, the person coming neerest to Gods judge, Fearing God, hating covetousnesse, and to Moses his King,