A treatise of civil policy

2 Assert. When the covenant is betwixt God, on the one part, and the King, Priests, and people on the other part, it is true, if the one perform for his part to God, the whole duty, the other is acquitted; as if two men be indebted to one man ten thousand pounds, if the one pay the whole sum, the other is acquitted: but the King and People are not so, contracting parties in covenant with God, as that they are both indebted to God for one and the same sum of complete obedience, so as if the King pay the whole sum of obedience to God, the people is acquitted; and if the People pay the whole sum, the King is acquitted: for every one standeth obliged to God for himself; for the people must do all that is their part, in acquitting the King from his Royal duty, that they may free him and themselves both from punishment, if he disobey the King of Kings: Nor doth the Kings obedience acquit the people from their duty. And Arnisaeus dreamed, if he believed that we make King and People this way party contractors in covenant with God. Nor can two co-partners in covenant with God, so mutually compel one another to do their duty; for we hold, that the covenant is made betwixt the King and the People, betwixt mortal men; but they both bind themselves before God to each other. But, saith Arnisaeus, It belongeth to a Praetor or Ruler, who is above both King and People, to ¹compel each of them; the King to perform his part of the covenant to the people, and the people to perform their part of the covenant to the King. Now there is no Ruler but God, above both King and People. But let me answer: The consequence is not needful, no more then when the King of Judah and the King of Israel make a covenant to perform ⟨p. 101⟩mutual duties one to another: no more then it is necessary that there should be a King and superior Ruler above the King of Israel and the King of Judah, who should compel each one to do a duty to his fellow King; for the King and People are each of them above, and below others in divers respects: The People, because they create the man King, they are so above the King, and have a virtual power to compel him to do his duty: and the King, as King, hath an authoritative power above the People, because Royalty is formally in him, and originally and virtually only in the People; therefore may he compel them to their duty, as we shall hear anon;

2 Assert. When the covenant is betwixt God, on the one part, and the King, Priests, and people on the other part, it is true, if the one performe for his part to God, the whole duty, the other is acquitted; as if two men be indebted to one man ten thousand pounds, if the one pay the whole summe, the other is acquitted: but the King and People are not so, contracting parties in covenant with God, as that they are both indebted to God for one and the same sum of compleat obedience, so as if the King pay the whole summe of obedience to God, the people is acquitted; and if the People pay the whole summe, the King is acquitted: for every one standeth obliged to God for himselfe; for the people must doe all that is their part, in acquitting the King from his Royall duty, that they may free him and themselves both from punishment, if he disobey the King of Kings: Nor doth the Kings obedience acquit the people from their duty. And Arnisaeus dreamed, if he believed that we make King and People this way partie contractors in covenant with God. Nor can two co-partners in covenant with God, so mutually compell one another to doe their duty; for we hold, that the covenant is made betwixt the King and the People, betwixt mortall men; but they both bind themselves before God to each other. But, saith Arnisaeus, It belongeth to a Pretor or Ruler, who is above both King and People, to