A92147:971
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. 1. This Text no more proveth that Kings should not be resisted, then it proveth that rich men, or liberal men, or other Judges inferior, should not be resisted, for [Greek or Hebrew] signifieth all that, and it signifieth liber all, Isa. 32. 5. And ver. 8. the same word is. 2. Deodat. and Calvin say, the meaning is, Learn from the respect that is due to earthly princes, the reverence due to the Sovereign Lord, Mal. 1. 8. for it is not convenient to reproach earthly Kings, and and to say to a Prince, [Greek or Hebrew] Belial, a word of reproach, signifying extreme wickedness. And you may not say to a man of place, [Greek or Hebrew] an extremely wicked man, so are the words taken, as signifying most vile and wicked men, 1 Sam. 2. 12. 1 Sam. 10. 27. 2 Sam. 24. 6. Psal. 1. 1, 6. Psal. 11. 5. Psal. 12. 8. Prov. 16. 4. Psa. 146. 9. and in infinite places. For [Greek or Hebrew] is a word of extreme reproach, coming from [Greek or Hebrew] sine, non, and [Greek or Hebrew] profuit, Jud. 19. 22. a most naughty and a lewd man, or from [Greek or Hebrew] jugum, a lawless man, who hath cast off all yokes of Gods or Mans Law. So then1 the meaning is, It is unlawful to reproach earthly Princes and men of place, far more is it unlawful to reproach the Judge of the whole earth with injustice. And what then? We may not reproach the King, as Shimei cursed King David. Ergo, it is unlawful to resist the King in any tyrannous act: I shall deny the consequence. Nay, as Pineda observeth, if the Royalist press the words literally, it shall not be lawful for Prophets to reprove Kings of their sins. Christ called Herod a Fox, Elijah Ahab, one that troubled