A92147:792
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.
Lex, Rex. › Question 26: QUEST. XXVI. Whether the King be above the Law or no?
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.
For the Prophets never rebuke the people for non-performing the duty of offensive wars against their enemies; but where God gave a special command, and response, from his own Oracle, that they should fight: And if God was pleased never to command the people to rise against a Tyrannous King, they did not sin where they had no commandment of God: but I hope we have now a more sure word of prophecy to inform us. 5. The Prelate conjectureth Moses his miracles, and the deliverance of the people, by dividing the Red Sea, was to forbid, and condemn, defensive wars of people against their King; but he hath neither Scripture, nor Reasons to do it. The end of these miracles, was to Seal to Pharaoh the Truth of Gods calling of Moses and Aaron, to deliver the people, as is clear, Exod. 4. 1, 2, 3, 4. compared with Chap. 7. vers. 8, 9, 10. And that the Lord might get to himself a name on all the earth, Rom. 9▪ 17. Exod. 9. 16. and 13. 13, 14. and 15. 1, 2, 3. & seq. But of the Prelates conjectural end, the Scripture is silent, and we cannot take an excommunicated mans word. What I said of Pharaoh, who had no• •is Crown from Israel, that I say of Nebuchadnezzar, and the Kings of Persia, keeping the people of God captive.
For the Prophets never rebuke the people for non-performing the dutie of offensive wars against their enemies; but where God gave a speciall command, and responce, from his own Oracle, that they should fight: And if God was pleased never to command the people to rise against a Tyrannous King, they did not sin where they had no commandment of God: but I hope we have now a more sure word of prophecie to inform us. 5. The Prelate conjectureth Moses his miraeles, and the deliverance of the people, by dividing the Red Sea, was to forbid, and condemn, defensive wars of people against their King; but he hath neither Scripture, nor Reasons to do it. The end of these miracles, was to Seal to Pharaoh the Truth of Gods calling of Moses and Aaron, to deliver the people, as is clear,