A92147:583
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.
Ans. The Antecedent is false. The Court that made the King of a private man, a King, is above him; and here are limitations laid on him at his Coronation. 2. The States of Parliament are above him, to censure him. 3. In case of open Tyranny, though the States had not time to convene in Parliament, if he bring on his people an host of Spaniards or foreign Rebels, his own conscience is above him, and the conscience of the people far more, called conscientia terrae, may judge him in so far, as they may rise up and defend themselves.
Ans. The Antecedent is false. The Court that made the King of a private man, a King, is above him; and here are limitations laid on him at his Coronation. 2. The States of Parliament are above him, to censure him. 3. In case of open Tyranny, though the States had not time to conveen in Parliament, if he bring on his people an hoast of Spaniards or forraine Rèbells, his owne conscience is above him, and the conscience of the people farre more, called conscientia terrae, may judge him in so farre, as they may rise up and defend themselves.
Obj. 7. Here the Prelate borrowing from Grotius, Barclay,1 Arnisaeus; (or its possible he be not so far travelled) for Doct. Ferne hath the same. Sovereignty weakened in Aristocracy cannot do• ⟨p. 203⟩its work, and is in the next place to Anarchy and confusion. When Zedekiah was over Lorded by his Nobles, he could neither save himself, nor the people, nor the Prophet the servant of God Jeremiah; nor could David punish Joab, when he was over-awed by that power he himself had put in his hand. To weaken the head, is to distemper the whole body, if any good Prince or his Royal Antecessors be cheated of their sacred right by fraud or force, he may at his fittest opportunity, resume it. What a sin is it to rob God, or the King of their due?
Obj. 7. Here the Prelate borrowing from Grotius, Barclay,