Political aphorisms, or, The true maxims of government displayed wherein is likewise proved ... : by way of a challenge to Dr. William Sherlock and ten other new dissenters, and recommended as proper to be read by all Protestant Jacobites.

Political Aphorisms : OR THE True MAXIMS of Government DISPLAYED .

IT is evident that no Rule or Form of Government is prescribed by the Law of God and Nature ; for that then they would be both immutable , and the self-same in all Countries . For the better proof whereof , it is necessary to shew , how far Government proceeds from Nature , and how far from Man ; to wit , that Man is sociable , and inclined to live together in Company , which proceeds from Nature , and consequently also from God , that is Author of Nature ; from whence do proceed all private Houses , then Villages , then Towns , then Castles , then Cities , and then Kingdoms and Common-wealths ( as Aristotle saith in his Book of Politicks ) . Tho Government in like manner , and Jurisdiction of Magistrates , which does follow necessarily upon this living together in Company , be also of Nature ; yet the particular form or manner of this or that Government , in this or that Fashion , as to have many Governors , few , or one , and those either Kings , Dukes , Earls , or the like ; or that they should have this or that Authority more or less , for longer or shorter time , or be by Succession , or Election themselves and their Children , or next in Blood : All these things ( I say ) are not by Law Natural or Divine ( for then , as hath been said , they should be all one in all Countries and Nations ) for God said , Gen. 2. 18. It is not good that Man should be alone , I will make him an Help-meet ( or Assistant like unto himself ) : So that as this first Society of our first Parents was of God , and for so great purpose as the one to help and assist ( not destroy or inslave ) the other : So all other Societies , as proceeding from this first , stand upon the same ground of God's Ordinance , for the self-same end of Mans Utility or Happiness ; all which is confirmed by the Consent and Use of all Nations throughout the World ; which general Consent Cicero calleth Ipsam vocem Naturae , the Voice of Nature her self . For there was never yet any Nation found either of ancient times , or of later days , by the discovery of the Indies , or else-where , where Men living together , had not some kind of Magistrate , or Superior to govern them ; which evidently declareth , that Magistracy is also from Nature , and from God that created Nature ( though not in this or that particular Form : ) which Point our Civil Law doth prove in like manner , in the beginning of our Digest , do origine Iuris civilis & omnium Magistratuum , of the beginning of the Civil Law , and of all Magistrates , which beginning is referred to the first Principle of Natural Instinct , and God's Institution . Though Common-wealths and Government of the same by Magistrates are of Nature ; yet the particular Forms or manner of Governments are not of Nature , but are lest unto every Nation and Country to chuse what Form of Government they like best , and think most fit for the Natures and Conditions of the People .

By the State of Nature we are all equal , there being no Superiority or Subordination one above another ; there can be nothing more rational , than that Creatures of the same Species and Rank promiscuously born to all the same Advantages of Nature , and the use of the same Faculties should also be equal one amongst another , without God by any manifest Declaration of his Will had set one above another , and given him Superiority or Soveraignty . Were it not for the Corruption and Viciousness of degenerate Men , there would be no need of any other State ; for every one in that State being both Judg and Executioner of the Law of Nature , which is to punish according to the Offence committed . Men being partial to themselves , Passion and Revenge is very apt to carry them too far in their own Cases , as well as Negligence and Unconcernedness makes them too remiss in other Mens . This makes every one willingly give up his single Power of punishing to one alone , or more , as they shall think most convenient , and by such Rules as the Community , or those authorized by them to that purpose , shall agree on , with intention in every one the better to preserve himself , his Liberty and Property . What is it but Flattery to the natural Vanity and Ambition of Men , too apt of it self to grow and increase with the Possession of any Power , who would perswade those Monarchs in Authority , that they may do what they please , because they have Authority to do more than others ; since Rational Creatures cannot be supposed , when free , to put themselves into Subjection to another for their own harm , which were to put themselves in a worse Condition than in the State of Nature , wherein they had liberty to defend their Lives and Properties against the Invasions of any Man or Men whatsoever ; whereas by giving up themselves to the absolute Arbitrary Power of any Man , they have disarm'd themselves , and armed him to make a Prey of them when he pleases .

I have been the longer in speaking of the State of Nature , and the natural Instinct to Society and Government , for that it is the Fountain of all the rest that ensueth in a Common-wealth , but if we respect God and Nature , as well might all the diversity of Governments , which have been , and now are in the World , have followed one Law , as so different , but that neither God , nor Nature ( which is from God ) hath prescribed any of those particular Forms , but concurreth or permitteth such which the Common-wealth appoints . Can any Man say that God and Nature did not concur as well with Italy when it had but one Prince , as now when it hath so many , and the like with Germany , and also with Switzerland , which was once one Common-wealth under the Dukes and Marquesses of Austria , and now are divided into thirteen Cantons or Common-wealths , under popular Magistrates of their own ? England also was first a Monarchy under the Britains , and then a Province under the Romans , and after that divided into seven Kingdoms at once , under the Saxons , and after them of the Danes , and then the Normans , and then the French , and now a Monarchy again under the English ; and all this by God's Providence and Permission , who suffered his own peculiar People the Jews to be under divers manner of Governments at divers times ; at first under Patriarchs , Abraham , Isaac and Jacob ; then under Captains , as Moses , Ioshua , and the like ; then under Judges , as Othoniel , Ehud and Gideon ; then under High Priests , as Eli and Samuel ; then under Kings , as Saul , David , and the rest ; then under Captains and High Priests again , as Zorobbabel , Iudas Maccabeus , and his Brethren ; until the Government was lastly taken from them , and they brought under the Power of the Romans . And last of all that God does concur with what Magistrate or Magistrates the Community thinks fit to appoint , is plain by the Testimony of holy Scripture , as when God said to Solomon , By me Kings rule , and Nobles , even all the Iudges of the Earth , Prov. 8. 16. that is , by his Permission they govern , tho chosen by the People ; and St. Paul to the Romans avoucheth , that Authority is not but of God , and therefore he that resisteth Authority , resisteth God , Rom. 13. which is to be understood of Authority , Power and Jurisdiction in it self according to the Laws of every Country .

All Politick Societies began from a voluntary Union and mutual Agreement of Men , freely acting in the choice of their Governours , and Forms of Government .

All Kings receive their Royal Dignity from the Community by whom they are made the Superiour Minister and Ruler of the People .

Aristotle , Cicero , Augustin , Fortescue , and all other Politicians agree , that Kingdoms and Common-wealths were existent before Kings ; for there must be a Kingdom and Society of Men to govern , before there can be a King elected by them to govern them ; and those Kingdoms and Societies of Men had ( for the most part ) some Common Laws of their own free Choice , by which they were governed , before they had Kings , which Laws they swore their Kings to observe , before they would crown or admit them to the Government , as is evident by the Coronation-Oaths of all Christian and Pagan Kings continued to this Day .

The Safety of the People is the Supreamest Law ; and what they by common Consent have Enacted , only for the Publick Safety , they may , without any Obstacle , alter when things require it , by the like common Consent .

The lawful Power of making Laws to command whole Politick Societies of Men , belongeth so properly unto the same intire Societies , that for any Prince or Potentate , of what kind soever upon Earth , to exercise the same of himself , and not by express Commission immediately and personally received from God , or else by Authority derived at first from their Consent , upon whose Persons they impose Laws , it is no better than meer Tyranny . Laws they are not therefore , which Publick Approbation hath not made so . Hooker 's Eccl. Pol. l. 1. § . 10.

Whosoever ( says Aristotle ) is governed by a Man without a Law , is governed by a Man , and by a Beast .

As every Man , in the delivery of the Gift of his own Goods , may impose what Covenant or Condition he pleases ; and every Man is Moderator and Disposer of his own Estate . So in the voluntary Institution of a King , and Royal Power , it is lawful for the People , submitting themselves , to prescribe the King and his Successors what Law they please , so as it be not Unreasonable and Unjust , and directly against the Rights of a Supream Governour .

No Man can be born an Absolute King ; no Man can be a King by himself ; no King can Reign without the People . Whereas on the contrary , the People may both be , and are by themselves , and are in Time before a King. By which it appears that all Kings were and are constituted by the People , because , by the Law of Nature , there is no Superiority one above another ; and God has no where commanded the World , or any part thereof , to be governed by this or that Form , or by this or that Person ; therefore all Superiority and Authority must , and does proceed from the People , since , by the Law of God and Nature , there is no Superiority one above another .

Aristotle saith , That the whole Kingdom , City , or Family , is more excellent , and to be preferred before any Part or Member thereof .

Succession was tolerated ( and appointed in the World ) to avoid Competition , and Inter-regnum , and other Inconveniences of Election .

'T is plain , from what hath been said , that all Government proceeds from the People . Now I will prove that they have Authority to put back the next Inheritors to Government , when unfit or uncapable to Govern : And also to dispossess them that are in lawful Possession , if they fulfil not the Laws and Conditions by which , and for which their Dignities were given them ; and when it is done upon just and urgent Causes , and by Publick Authority of the whole Body , the Justice thereof is plain ; as when the Prince shall endeavour to establish Idolatry , contrary to the Laws of the Land ; or any Religion which is repugnant to the Scripture , as Popery , &c. or to destroy the People , or make them Slaves to his Tyrannical Will and Pleasure : For as the whole Body is of more Authority than the Head , and may cure it when out of order ; so may the Weal-Publick cure or purge their Heads , when they are pernitious or destructive to the Body Politick ; seeing that a Body Civil may have divers Heads by Succession or Election , and cannot be bound to one , as a Body Natural is : which Body Natural , if it had Ability to cut off its aking or sickly Head , and take another , I doubt not but it would do it , and that all Men would confess it had Authority sufficient , and Reason so to do , rather than the other Parts should perish , or live in Pain and continual Torment : So may the body Politick chuse another Head and Governour in the room of its destructive One ; which hath been done for many Ages , and God hath wonderfully concurred therein ( for the most part ) with such Judicial Acts of the Common-Wealth against their Evil Princes ; not only prospering the same , but by giving them commonly some notable Successor in Place of the Deprived , thereby both to justify the Fact , and remedy the Fault of him that went before . First , King Saul was slain by the Philistines by God's Appointment , for not fulsilling the Law and Limits prescribed unto him . Ammon was lawful King also , yet was he slain , for that he walked not in the way prescribed him by God , 2 King. 21. and David and Jesiah were made Kings in their rooms , who were two most excellent Princes . Shal●m , Pekahiah , and Pekah , three wicked and idolatrous Kings of Israel , were , by God's just Judgment , slain one after another . And all the Kings of Israel , who violated the Covenant and Conditions annexed to their Crowns , did , for the most part , lose their Lives , and underwent the utter Extirpation of their Posterities from the Crown . Rehoboham ( for only ) threatning to oppress the People , was deserted by them , who chose Jeroboham his Servant in his stead , which was approved on by God.

If I should instance all the Kings over the Children of Israel whom God permitted ( and appointed ) to be slain , and those that were carried away Captive by the Heathens for their unjust Government , I should be too copious . But I will leave the Hebrews , and give you several Examples of the depriving of Evil Princes of the Government , in France , Spain , Portugal , &c. and last of all in Scotland and England ; and of the Happiness and Prosperity that did attend those Kingdoms upon such Acts , which can be imputed to nothing but the Blessing of Almighty God which attended those Proceedings ; and by consequence he approved thereof , and does approve of such Acts.

There has been two great Changes made of the Royal Line in France ; the first from Pharamond to the Line of Pepin , the second from Pepin to Hugo Capet . Childerick the Third was deprived for his Evil Government , and Pepin was chosen King in his stead , whose Posterity reigned for many Years after him , and were brave Kings , as History doth testify .

Lewis the Third , and Charles sirnamed Le-Gross , were both deprived by the States of France for their ill Government , and such who were thought more worthy , appointed in their stead . All French Histories do attribute to these great Changes that have been made by the People , the Prosperity and Greatness of their present Kingdom . Henry the Third , before he was King of France , was chosen King of Polonia : But for departing thence without leave , and not returning at his Day , was deprived by publick Act of Parliament . If I were to mention all the Acts of this Nature throughout Europe , I should be too tedious , therefore I will mention only some few .

In Spain , Flaveo Suintila was deprived for his Evil Government , together with all his Posterity , and Sissinando chosen in his room .

Don Pedro , sirnamed the Cruel , for his injurious Proceedings with his Subjects , they resolved to dethrone him ; and to that intent sent for a Bastard Brother of his , named Henry , that lived in France , desiring him to come , with some French Men , to assist them in that Act , and take the Crown upon himself . Which he did , by the help of the Spaniards , and slew him in Fight hand to hand , and so enjoyed the Crown , as doth his Off-spring to this Day . This Henry was a most Excellent King , as well for his Courage in War , as for his other brave Qualities .

In Portugal , Don Sanco the Second , was deprived , by the Universal Consent of all Portugal , and Don Alanso his Brother set up : Who , amongst other great Exploits , was the first that set Portugal free from all Subjection , Dependance , and Homage to the Kingdom of Castile . And his Son , who was his Successor , builded and founded above forty great Towns in Portugal : Who was likewise a most rare Prince , and his Off-spring ruleth there to this Day .

Cisternus , King of Denmark , for his intolerable Cruelty , was deprived , and his Wife and three Children disinherited , and his Uncle Frederick was chosen King in his stead , whose Off-spring remaineth in the Crown .

In Scotland , the Nobility and Gentry , &c. took Arms against Durstus their King , for his intolerable Cruelty , and slew him and his Confederates in Battel , ( and put by his Sons , lest they should imitate their Father's Vices ) and elected Even , his Brother , King ; who leaving a Bastard Son , the Kingdom was conferred on him . Crathy Cinthus having surprized and slain Donald for his Tyranny , he was unanimously Elected King. Ethus was , for his Evil Government , deprived , and Gregory made King in his stead . Buchanan , a Scots-man , speaking of his Country , saith , That it was free from the beginning , created it self Kings upon this very Law , that the Empire being conferred on them by the Suffrages of the People ; if the Matter required it , they might take it away by the same Suffrages . Of which Law many Footsteps have remained even to our Age.

I will end this Narration with Examples out of England , ( before and since the Conquest ) Archigallo , Emerian , Vortigern , Sigibert King of the West-Saxons ; Beornred , and Alured King of Northumberland , were all deprived of their Thrones for their Evil Government , and such who were thought more Worthy preferred in their Stead . King Edwin being deprived for his Unjust Government , the Crown was given to his Brother Edgar , who was one of the rarest Princes that the World had in his Time , both for Peace and War , Iustice , Piety , and Valour : He kept a Navy ( saith Stow ) of three thousand and six hundred Ships , distributed in divers Parts for defence of the Realm , and he built and restored forty seven Monasteries at his own Charge , &c.

The Crown of England hath been altered by the Community , and settled upon those from whom they expected more Justice than from the right Heirs ; Witness the Electing and Crowning of Edelwald and Casebelian ; Egbert not next in Blood , Edward , Adalston , and Harold , who were all Illegitimate ; and Edred , against the Right of his two Nephews , Canutus a Foreigner , and Hardiknute , without Title , and Edward the Confessor , against the Right Heirs .

After the Conquest , Anno. 1087. Robert the Elder Brother was put aside , and William Rufus , the third Son of William the Conqueror , was Elected : After whose Death , Henry the First , his Younger Brother ( though not next Heir ) was chosen by the People , not summoned by Writ . After the Death of Henry the First , Stephen was chosen King against the right of Mand , the Daughter of Henry the First . After his Death Henry the second was admitted King , against the Right of his Mother Maud. After the Death of Richard the First , King John ( Earl of Morton ) was Elected , and Arthur the Right Heir disinherited . Henry the Third was chosen against the Right of Eleanor Prince Arthur's Sister . At the Death of Henry the Third , the States of the Kingdom met and setled the Government , by appointing Officers , and what else was necessary for the Defence of the Realm , and Edward the Fourth was set up by the People during the Life of Henry the Sixth .

Now it is plain , that the Kings and Queens of England , ever since William Rufus's Time , have proceeded from those who were set up by the People against the next Heirs . King Edward the Second , Richard the Second , and Richard the Third , were , for not governing according to the Laws of the Land , deprived of the Government , and Edward the Third , and Henry the Fourth and Seventh , were preferred in their rooms , which were most Rare and Valiant Princes , who have done many Important Acts in this Kingdom , and have raised many Families to Nobility , put down others , changed States both abroad and at home , altered the Course of Descent in the Blood Royal , and the like ; which was unjust , and is void at this Day , if the Changes and Deprivations of the former Kings were unlawful , and consequently all those Princes that have succeeded them ( which yet never failed of a constant Lineal Descent ) were Usurpers ; and those that do pretend to the Crown of England at this Day , have no Title at all , ( which was yet never denied ) for that from those Men they descended , who were put in the place of the aforementioned , deprived by the Common-Wealth : And this is , and hath been the Custom and Practice of all Kingdoms and Common-Wealths , to deprive their Princes for their Evil Government ; and that God hath , and does concur with the same , is plain from the Examples before-mentioned , of the Prosperity and Happiness that hath attended those Acts.

The Barons , Prelates , and Commons took a solemn Oath , That if King John should refuse to grant and confirm their Laws and Liberties , they would wage War against him so long , and withdraw themselves from their Allegiance to him , until he should confirm to them by a Charter , ratified with his Seal , all things which they required : and that if the King should afterwards peradventure recede from his Oath , as they verily believed he would , by reason of his double-dealing , they would forthwith , by seizing on his Castles , compel him to give Satisfaction . He afterwards breaking his Oath and Promise , the Barons said , What shall we do with this wicked King ? if we let him thus alone he will destroy us and our People ; it is expedient therefore that he should be expelled the Throne , we will not have him any longer to reign over us : and accordingly they sent for Lewis the Prince of France , to be their King , and swore Fealty to him , but they afterwards discovering that he had sworn that he would oppress them , and extirpate all their Kindred , they rejected him , and set up Henry the Third .

The Bishops of Hereford , Lincoln , and several Earls , Barons and Knights for each County , being deputed to go to Edward II , and demand a Surrender of the Crown , said to him , That unless he did of himself renounce his Crown and Scepter , the People would neither endure him , or any of his Children , as their Soveraign ; but disclaiming all Homage and Fealty , would elect some other for King who should not be of the Blood ; upon which the King resigned his Crown , &c. By the common Usage of England , which is the common Law of England , Kings may be deprived for evil Government , and others set up in their stead , is plain from the afore-going Examples .

Richard the First being taken Prisoner by the Emperor in his Return from the Holy Land , it was decreed , that the fourth part of all that Year's Rents , and of all the Moveables , as well of the Clergy as of the Laity , and all the Woolls of the Abbots of the Order of Cistersians and of Semphringham , and all the Gold and Silver Chalices , and Treasure of all Churches , should be paid in towards the Ransom of the King , which was done accordingly . If all this was given for the Liberty of one Man ; certainly much more ought to be given now , when all our Liberties and Properties , and even our Religion too lies at stake , if Necessity required it , which God forbid .

By the Law of Nature , Salus Populi , the Welfare of the People , is both the supream and first Law in Government , and the scope and end of all other Laws , and of Government it self ; because the Safety of the Body Politick is ever to be preferred before any one Person whatsoever .

No Human Law is binding which is contrary to the Scripture , or the general Laws of Nature .

Religion doth not overthrow Nature , whose chiefest Principle is to preserve her self ; and God doth not countenance Sin in the greatest , but rewards the Punisher , witness Jehu , &c.

The end for which Men enter into Society , is not barely to live , but to live happily , answerable to the Excellency of their Kind , which Happiness is not to be had out of Society .

All Common-wealths are in a State of Nature one with another .

As Magistrates were designed for a general Good ; so the Obligation to them must be understood so , as to be still in Subordination to the main End ; for the reason of all Law and Government is the Publick Good.

Government being for the benefit of the Governed , and not for the sole advantage of the Governours , but only for theirs with the rest , as they make a part of that Politick Body , each of whose Parts and Members are taken care of , and directed in their peculiar Function for the good of the whole , by the Laws of the Society .

The end of Government being the Preservation of all as much as may be , even the Guilty are to be spared where it can prove no prejudice to the Innocent .

The publick Power of all Society is above every Soul contained in the same Society ; and the Principal use of that Power is to give Laws unto all that are under it , which Laws in such cases we must obey , unless there be reason shewed which may necessarily inforce that the Law of Reason or of God doth injoyn the contrary . Hooker Eccl. Pol. l. 1. §. 10.

T. Cicero saith , there is one Nature of all Men ; that even Nature it self prescribes this , that a Man ought to take care of a Man who ever he be , even for this very cause , that he is a Man. If otherwise , all human Consociation must necessarily be dissolved ; therefore , as there are two Foundations of Justice : First , that no hurt be done to any ; next , that the Profit of all , if it can be done , be advanced .

That all Magistates and Governours do proceed from the People , is plain from the following Examples in Scripture ; Deut. 16. 18 , 19. the Children of Israel are commanded to make Judges and Officers throughout their Tribes . Deut. 17. 14 , 15. When thou art come into the Land , &c. and shalt say , I will set a King over me , like as all the Nations that are about me : Thou shalt in any wise set him King over thee , whom the Lord thy God shall choose : One from among thy Brethren shalt thou set over thee ; thou mayst not set a Stranger over thee . So God did only reserve to himself the Nomination of their King ; by which he designed to make his People more happy than they could expect by their own peculiar Choice ; he knowing the Heart of Man , and Corruption of his Nature , would be sure to nominate such who was most fit to govern his People .

God did not require the Jews to accept of him for King whom he should chuse , but left it to their own free Will , whether they would accept him or no , is plain from the following Examples . Upon the Death of Saul , David was set up by the Appointment of Almighty God , yet there was only the Tribe of Judah that followed David and made him King , eleven Tribes following Ishbosheth , Saul's Son , whom they made King ; and though David had a long War against the House of Saul , yet he calls them not Rebels , neither do we find that God punished them , or sent any Judgment upon them for not accepting of David as King ; and when Rechab and Banah had slain Ishbosheth , and brought his Head to David at Hebron , saying , Behold the Head of thine Enemy ! yet David , instead of rewarding them , caused them to be slain for killing of Ishbosheth , whom he calls a righteous Person , not a Rebel : After whose Death all those Tribes came to David , and made a Compact with him for the performance of such Conditions which they thought necessary for the securing of their Liberty before they made him King : 2 Sam. Chap. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5. The making of Solomon King by David his Father , was not thought sufficient without the Peoples Consent , else why did the People anoint Solomon , and make him King the second time . We read , Judg. 8. 21 , 22 , 23. that after Gideon had slain Zebah and Zalmunna with the Midianites , the Children of Israel said unto Gideon , Rule thou over us , both thou and thy Sons , and thy Sons Son also ; for thou hast delivered us from the Hand of Midian . But he refusing their Offer , they afterwards made his Bastard-Son Abimelech King , though he had threefoore and ten lawfully-begotten Sons . Zimri having slain Baasha King of Israel , reigned in his stead , but the Children of Israel hearing thereof , rejected him , and made Omri the Captain of the Host King of Israel , 1 Kings 16. 15 , 16. The Kingdom of Edom appointed a Deputy to rule over them instead of a King , and gave him Royal Authority , there being then no King in Edom , 1 Kings 22. 47. See Macchab. 9. 28 , 29 , 30. & 13. 8 , 9. & 14. 41 to 49. By which it is further apparent that their Kings and Governours were chosen by the People .

As propinquity of Blood is a great Preheminence towards the attaining of any Crown , yet it doth not bind the Common-wealth to yield thereto , and to admit at hap-hazard every one that is next by Succession of Blood , ( as was falsly affirmed by R. L'estrange and many others , when the Parliament would have disinherited the Duke of York as unfit to govern this Nation , he being a Papist ) if weighty Reasons require the contrary , because she is bound to consider well and maturely the Person that is to enter , whether he be like to perform his Duty and Charge to be committed to him : For to admit him that is an Enemy or unfit to govern , is to consent to the destroying of the Common-wealth . See how God dealt in this point with the Children of Israel , 1 Sam. 8. after he had granted to them the same Government as the other Nations round about them had , whose Kings did ordinarily reign by Succession as ours do at this day , and as most of the Kings of the Jews did afterwards : yet that this Law of succeeding by Proximity of Birth , though for the most part it should prevail , yet He shewed plainly that upon just Causes it might be altered , as in the case of Saul , who left behind him many Children , yet not any of them succeeded him , except Ishbosheth , who was not his eldest Son , who was anointed King by Abner the general Captain of that Nation , to whom eleven Tribes followed , until he was slain ; and then they chose David . And Jonathan , Saul's other Son , so much praised in holy Scripture , being slain in War , his Son Mephibosheth did not succeed in the Crown , though by Succession he had much greater Right to it than David . God promised David that his Seed should reign ( for ever ) after him — Yet we do not find this performed to any of his elder Sons , nor to any of their Offspring , but only to Solomon his younger and tenth Son. Rehoboam , the lawful Son and Heir of King Solomon , coming to Shichem , where all the People of Israel were assembled together for his Coronation and admission to the Crown , ( for until that time he was not accounted true King ) who refusing to ease them of some heavy Impositions which they had received from his Father , ten Tribes of the twelve refuse to admit him their King , and chose Jeroboam his Servant , and made him their lawful King , and God allowed thereof ; for when Rehoboam had prepared an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen Men , who were Warriours , to reduce those ten Tribes to the Obedience of their Natural Prince , God commanded them to desist by his Prophet Shemaiah , and so they did . These and the like Determinations of the People about admitting or refusing of Princes to reign or not to reign over them , when their Designments are to good Ends , and for just Causes , are allowed by God , and oftentimes are his own special Drifts and Dispositions , though they seem to come from Man.

He who is set up or made King by the Consent of the People , hath a just Title against the next Heir of the Blood and his Issue , who are put by the Crown ; else most of the Princes now reigning in Europe would be Usurpers , and want good Titles to their Crowns , they or their Ancestors being set up by the People , which were not the right Heirs of the Royal Stock .

The Laws of the Commonwealth is the very Soul of a Politick Body .

Kings and Emperors always have been , are , and ought to be subject to the Laws of their Kingdoms ; not above them , to violate , break or alter them at their pleasures , they being obliged by their Coronation-Oaths , in all Ages and Kingdoms , inviolably to observe them : for St. Paul saith , A Prince is the Minister of God for the Peoples Good , and Tribute and Custom are paid to him , that he may continually attend thereto .

The Defence and Procuration of the Common-wealth is to be managed to the benefit of those who are committed , not of those to whom it is committed . A just Governour for the benefit of the People , is more careful of the Publick Good and Welfare , than of his own private Advantage .

Allegiance is nothing but Obedience according to Law , which when the Prince violates , he has no Right to Obedience .

There is a mutual Obligation between the King and People , which whether it be only Civil or Natural , tacit , or in express Words , can be taken away by no Agreements , violated by no Law , rescinded by no Force .

A Kingdom is nothing else but the mutual Stipulation between the People and their Kings .

The supream Authority of a Nation belongs to those who have the Legislative Authority reserved to them ; but not to those who have only the Executive , which is plainly a Trust when it is separated from the Legislative Power ; and all Trusts by their Nature import , That those to whom they are given are accountable , though no such Condition is specified .

If the Subject may in no case resist , then there can be no Law , but the Will and Pleasure of the Prince : for whoever must be opposed in nothing , may do every thing ; then all our Laws signify no more than so many Cyphers : And what are the Law-makers but so many Fools or Mad-men , who give themselves trouble to no purpose ? For if the King is not obliged to govern by those Laws that they make , to what purpose are the People to obey such Laws ?

Whether another has Right to my Goods , or , if he demand them , I have no Right to keep them , is all one .

If the King sue me by pretence of Law , and endeavour to take away my Money , my House or my Land , I may defend them by the Law ; but if he comes armed to take away my Liberty , Life and Religion , which are mine by the Laws of God and Man , may I not secure them with a good Conscience ?

Every Man has a Right to preserve himself , his Rights and Priviledges , against him who has no Authority to invade them : And this was the Case of Moses , who seeing an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew he slew him . And Samson made War upon the Philistines for burning his Wife and her Father , who were both but private Persons , who knew they could have no other kind of Justice against them , but what the Law of Nature gives every Man.

We ought ( saith the Learned Junius Brutus in his Discourse of Government ) to consider that all Princes are born Men. We cannot therefore expect to have only perfect Princes , but rather we ought to think it well with us if we have gained but indifferent ones : therefore the Prince shall not presently be a Tyrant if he keep not measure in some things , if now and then he obey not Reason , if he more slowly seek the Publick Good , if he be less diligent in administring Justice . For seeing a Man is not set over Men as if he were some God , as he is over , Beasts , but as he is a Man born in the same Condition with them : as that Prince shall be proud , who will abuse Men like Beasts ; so that People shall be unjust , who shall seek a God in a Prince , and a Divinity in this frail Nature . But truly if he shall wilfully subvert the Republick ; if he shall wilfully pervert the Laws ; if he shall have no care of his Faith , none of his Promises , none of Justice , none of Piety ; if himself become an Enemy of his People , or shall use all or the chiefest Notes we have mentioned , then verily he may be judged a Tyrant , that is , an Enemy of God and Men : And by how much longer he is tolerated , the more intolerable he becomes , and they may act against him whatever they may use against a Tyrant either by Law or just Force . Tyranny is not only a Crime , but the Head , and , as it were , the heap of all Crimes ; therefore is he so much the more wicked than any Thief , Murtherer , or sacrilegious Person , by how much it is more grievous to offend many and all , than particular Persons . Now if all these be reputed Enemies , if they be capitally punished , if they suffer pains of Death , can any invent a Punishment worthy so horrid a Crime ?

The Laws are the Nerves and Sinews of Society ; and as the Magistrate is above the People , so is the Law above the Magistrate , or else there can be no Civil Society .

He who makes himself above all Law , is no Member of a Common-wealth , but a meer Tyrant .

If a Magistrate , notwithstanding all Laws made for the well-governing a Community , will act plainly destructive to that Community , they are discharged either from Active or Passive Obedience , and indispensibly obliged by the Law of Nature to Resistance .

Is it not reasonable and just I should have a right to destroy him who threatens me with Destruction ? for by the Fundamental Law of Nature , Man being to be preserved as much as possible , when all cannot be preserved , the Safety of the Innocent is to be preferred ; I say , he who having renounced his Reason , the common Rule and Measure God hath given to Mankind , by endeavouring to destroy me , is thereby become as a Beast of Prey , and ought to be treated accordingly .

The Laws ( says Tully ) are above the Magistrates , as the Magistrates are above the People .

He who is destructive to the Being of another , hath quitted the Reason which God hath given to be the Rule betwixt Man and Man of Justice and Equity , hath put himself into the State of War with the other , and is as noxious as any savage Beast that seeks his Destruction .

No Man in Civil Society can be exempted from the Laws of it : for if there be no Appeal on Earth , for Redress or Security against any Mischief the Prince may do , then every Man in that Society is in a State of Nature with him , in respect of him .

Thucidides l. 2. saith , Not only those are Tyrants who reduce other into Servitude , but much rather those , who when they may repulse that Violence , take no care to do it ; but especially those who will be called the Defenders of Greece and the Common Country , but yet help not their oppressed Country .

If a Man may be a Wolf to a Man , nothing forbids but that a Man may be a God to a Man , as it is in the Proverb . Therefore Antiquity hath enrolled Hercules amongst the number of the Gods , because he punished and tamed Procrustes , Busyris , and other Tyrants , the Pests of Mankind , and Monstets of the World. So also the Roman Empire , as long as it stood free , was often called the Patrocine against the Robberies of Tyrants , because the Senate was the Haven and Refuge of Kings , People and Nations .

It is as lawful , and more reasonable , to prevent the overthrowing of our Religion , Laws , Rights and Priviledges , fro● any Man or Men whatsoever amongst our selves , as from a foreign Power ; because one acts contrary to the Laws of God and the Country , and the other being not subject to the Laws of the Country , can be no ways bound by it .

It was thought no Injustice in the Ship to call out the Prophet , when they found he was likely to prove the Wrack of them all ; and the Almighty shewed he approved of their Act , by quieting the Storm when he was gone . The Scripture , that hath set us none but good Example , tells us , That some Princes should not have one of their Race left that pisseth against the Wall : Now what were their Faults but Idolatry and Oppression of their People ? Then how can it be a Sin in a Nation to free themselves from an idolatrous and oppressing King ? When it is done by the greatest and most considerable part thereof , it does silently imply a Consent of God ; for it cannot be Covetousness or Ambition that moves such a Multitude .

When once the Christian Religion is become a part of the Subjects Property by the Laws and Constitutions of the Country , then it is to be considered as one of their principal Rights : and so may be defended as well as any other Civil Right ; since that those different Forms of Government that the Jews were under , is no Rule for the Government of any Nation or People whatsoever .

The Principles of Natural Religion give those who are in Authority , no Power at all , but only secure them in the Possession of that which is theirs by the Laws of the Country .

That Cause is just which defends the Laws , which protects the Common Good , which shall preserve the Realm : And that Cause is unjust which violates the Laws , defends the Breakers of the Laws , protects the Subverters of the Country . That is just which will destroy Tyrannical Government ; that unj●st which would abolish just Government ; that lawful which tends to the Publick Good , that unlawful which tends to the Private .

But alas , that Bug-bear Dagon of Passive Obedience , is a Notion crept into the World , and most zealously , and perhaps as ignorantly defended : Here all our Laws and Decrees , by which we are governed , are of the Peoples Choice ; first made by the Subject , and then confirmed by the King. Here a King cannot take our Sons and Daughters , our Fields and Vineyards away , unless we please to give him them .

Where was the Doctrine of Passive Obedience , when Elisha prayed for Blindness to come upon those who were sent by the King of Syria to fetch him ? And when he commanded the Door to be shut , and the Messenger to be held fast who was sent for his Head by the King of Israel ? And when Azariah , with fourscore valiant Priests , thrust out Uzziah , their lawful King , out of the Temple ? And when Elijah destroyed the two Captains with Fire from Heaven , with the hundred Men under their Command , who were sent at twice , by King Ahaziah , to fetch him ? And when the Children of Israel slew Amasiah , their lawful King , for his Idolatry , without any appointment in Scripture , or prophecy of his Downfal ? and yet that is no where called Rebellion , neither were they punished by his Son , whom they had made King in his Father's stead . And when Mattathias slew the King's Commissioner , for compelling Men to Idolatry ? And when Mattathias and his Friends pulled down the Altars which were adapted to Idols , 1 Macc. 2. 25 , 45.

Where was the Doctrine of Passive Obedience when the Edomites revolted from Jehoram , and made themselves a King ? And Libnah did also revolt , because of his Evil Government , 2 Chron. 21. without any appointment , or foretelling of their Revolt by God in Scripture , or being call●d Rebels . And when Saul's Subjects swore that Saul should not kill Jonathan ; and they reseued him that he died not ? 1 Sam. 14. 45. And when David ( though a private Man ) armed himself with six hundred Men , no doubt but he designed to have fought Saul and his Army , if the Men of Keliah would have assisted him , and have been true to him ; when he enquired of the Lord , Whether the Men of Keliah would deliver him and his Men into the Hands of Saul ? upon the Lord 's answering , They would deliver them up , he and his Men departed the City , 1 Sam. 23. Can any Man imagine their meaning was to run up and down the Country together , and fly before Saul and his Army , if they had been able to cope with any Number he could bring or send against them ? If Resistance was Unlawful , and a Sin , surely David , a Man after God's own Heart , would have known it ; and then he would not have involved the six hundred Men that came to his Assistance in the Sin of Rebellion , but have told them , that the Prince was not to be resisted , though never so great a Tyrant .

Where was the Doctrine of Passive Obedience , when Constantine the Great aided the oppressed Christians and Romans , against the Tyranny and Persecution of the Emperors , Maxentius and Maximinius , with Force of Arms , with which he conquered those Persecutors in several Battels , fought against them at the Christians earnest Importunity ? And when the Primitive Christians resisted Lucinius their Emperor , for persecuting them contrary to Law ; and Constantine the Great joined with them , who held it his Duty , saith Eusebius , to deliver an infinite multitude of Men , by cutting off a few wicked Ones , as the Pests and Plagues of the Time. And when the Primitive Christians of Constantinople opposed Asper's being made Emperor ; but Leo being named , they consented thereto . And when the Christians , under the King of Persia , resisted him for persecuting them , and was assisted by Theodosius the Roman Emperor , who told the King of Persia , He was ready to defend them , and no ways to see them suffer for Religion ? And when the Christians of Armenia the Greater , made a League with the Romans for the securing of their Persons and their Religion , against the Persians under whom they lived ? And when the Novatians , assisted by the Orthodox , resisted and beat the Macedonians , though they were assisted by Constantius the Emperor , with four thousand Men to drive them from Paplelagonia ? And when the Primitive Christians destroyed Julian's Idolatrous Temple in his Reign ?

Where was the Doctrine of Passive Obedience , when the Lutheran Churches defended themselves against the Emperor Charles the Fifth ? And when the Protestants of Austria took up Arms , Anno 1608 , against Matthias King of Hungaria , for denying them the free Exercise of their Religion ? And when Queen Elizabeth assisted the Hollanders against their lawful Soveraign ? And when she assisted the Protestants of France , against their lawful Soveraigns Charles the Ninth , and Henry the Third ? And when King Charles the First , and the Bishops and Clergy of England assisted the Protestants of France ? And when the Protestant Princes of Germany invited Gustavus Adolphus , King of Sweeden , to come into Germany to assist the Protestants against their lawful Prince for persecuting them ? And when the Protestants joined with him upon his Arrival ? And when King Charles the First assisted them with Men from England ? So that , according to this Christian Doctrine of Passive Obedience , Queen Elizabeth , and King Charles the First , with the Bishops and Clergy of England , and several other Princes and States , have been guilty of St. Paul's Damnation ; for they that are a ding and assisting to Rebels , are as guilty as those that are actually in it .

Lucifer Calaritanus , a famous Christian , wrote a Book against Constantius the Emperor , which he sent him to read ; wherein he calls him , and his Idolatrous Bishops , Blasphemers ; and charges him with inviting the Christians to Idolatry , and tells him , he ought to be put to Death for so doing , by the Command of God , in Deut. 13. where God says , That he that ( but ) intices secretly to Idolatry , shall be put to death . And this was approved on by the great Bishop Athanasius , and those Christians that were with him , who calls it , The Light of Truth , the Doctrine of the True Faith : How came you ( says he to Calaritanus ) to understand the Sense and Meaning of the Scripture so perfectly , if the Holy Ghost had not assisted you in it ? Now I would sain know , whether he that is aiding and assisting towards the bringing in of Idolatry , ( as the Popish Religion is ) is not as worthy of Death , as he that only inticeth to Idolatry ? And this is the Case of many who call themselves of the Church of England , who are for the Restoration of King James , and by consequence of Idolatry .

Surely if God had commanded the Yoke of Subjection to the Tyrannical Will of Princes , 't is strange that neither the Prophets , Elisha and Elijah , nor Azariah , nor David with his Followers , nor the Jews under their Kings , nor the Primitive Christians after their Religion was established by Laws , nor any of the Reformed Churches , should not have known this Doctrine of Passive Obedience .

In the Barons Wars , under Simon of Monfort , the King and his Sons were taken Prisoners ; but the Prince escaping , fights Simon and kills him : The Historians of those Times calls him not a Rebel or a Traytor , but a Martyr for the Liberties of Church and State.

If Resistance be unlawful upon any Account whatsoever , then were all those People guilty of Rebellion , who in all Ages have resisted or turned out their Evil and Destructive Kings and Governours ; and then the Jews were guilty of this Sin , for slaying and turning out several of their Kings , without any appointment from God in Scripture . So likewise the Primitive Christians did involve themselves under the Guilt of St. Paul's Damnation , for resisting of their Kings and Emperors ; and likewise the Christians in all Ages since , who have resisted their Princes by turning them out , &c. And then Bishop Athanasius , ( Author of our Creed ) and those Christians with him , did also come under the Guilt of St. Paul's Damnation , for approving of Calaritanus's Book , which , according to the Doctrine of Passive Obedience , was a Treasonable and Rebellious Book ; for the Incendiaries to Rebellion , are as guilty as they that are actually in it . And then all those Princes that have been set up by the People , in the room of those whom they have turned out , ( for their Evil Government ) were Usurpers ; and consequently all those who have succeeded them , where the Descent of the Blood is altered , are intruders , Usurpers , and no lawful Kings .

Were the Doctrine of Passive Obedience , without reserve , a True Doctrine , no doubt but we should have had a better Account thereof than from a few Court-Divines , who have most learnedly interpreted the Will and Pleasure of the Prince against the Laws of Nature , or of the Country , to be the Powers which St. Paul requires Obedience unto , under the pain of Damnation . So by consequence the Law ceaseth to be the Powers ; then we are in a worse condition than in the State of Nature .

With what Face can any Man assert that Passive Obedience , without reserve , is the Doctrine of the Gospel ? which is charging God with as palpable a Contradiction as any two things can be , it being diametrically opposite to the Law of Self-preservation , which is the Law of Nature , and the Decree of the Almighty , which Law is Sacred , and not to be infringed by any Man.

God never commanded any thing contrary to the Law of Nature , unless it were in the Case of Abraham in commanding of him ( as a tryal of his Faith ) to offer up his Son Isaac .

Protection is the only cause of Allegiance and Obedience , is plain , from the Example of David and his six hundred Men , who were protected from Saul and his Army , by Achish King of the Philistines , who gave them Ziklag to live in , and David and his Men fought for the Philistines against the Geshurites , Gezrites and the Amalekites . and subdued them . David owed no Allegiance to Saul , who sought his destruction , is plain ; for when Achish told David that he and his Men should go with him to fight against the Children of Israel ; David offered his service , and said to Achish , Surely thou shalt know what thy Servant can do . Then Achish said unto David , Therefore I will make thee keeper of my Head for ever . So David and his Men went in the rear of the Army ; and when the Lords of the Philistines would not let David and his Men fight for them , lest they should betray them into the hands of Saul and his Army , then David expostulated with Achish , and said , What have I done ? and what hast thou found in thy Servant , so long as I have been with thee unto this day , that I may not go fight against the Enemies of my Lord the King ? 1 Sam. Chap. 27 , 28 , 29. This is a plain case , that David intended to fight Saul and his Army . Now the Intention of the Mind is as bad as the Act ; and yet it is no ways said , that David repented thereof , or of his arming the six hundred Men ( before mentioned ) with design to sight his lawful Soveraign King Saul .

The Primitive Christians took Protection to be the only cause of Allegiance : For when Julian the Apostate was chosen Emperor of the Romans , ( not by the free Consent of the People , but ) by the Souldiers , during the Life of Constantius the lawful Possessor of the Throne . The Christians did not reckon themselves obliged to fight for Constantius against Julian ; for they troubled not their Heads with the Rights of Princes .

Agustus , tho he had violently usurped the Throne , yet he was confirmed in it by the People and Senate of Rome , who established it in his Family by a long Prescription , when St. Paul's and St. Peter's Epistles were wrote , of Obedience to the Laws to Kings and Magistrates : so that we see that Obedience was required to an Usurper under the pain of Damnation , when the Government was confirmed to him by the People , that is , by the Majority , for it cannot be thought that every Body consented thereto .

Apolonius Thyanaeus , writing to the Emperor Domitian , saith , These things have I spoken concerning Laws ; which if thou shalt not think to reign over thee , then thy self shalt not reign .

In Matrimony , which is the nearest and strictest Obligation of all others , by which those who were two , are made one Flesh , if one Party forsakes the other , the Apostle pronounceth the Party forsaked to be free from all Obligation , because the Party deserting violates the chief Conditions of Marriage , &c. 1 Cor. 7. 15. And shall not the People be much more absolved from their Allegiance to that King who has violated his Oath , and the Laws of the Land , the very cause for which they swear Allegiance to him ?

Absolute Monarchy is inconsistent with Civil Society ; and therefore can be no Form of Civil Government , which is to remedy the Inconveniencies of the State of Nature .

No Man , or Society of Men , have Power to deliver up their Preservation , or the Means of it , to the absolute Will of any Man ; and they will have always a right to preserve what they have not Power to part with .

No Power can exempt Princes from the Obligation , to the Eternal Laws of God and Nature .

As no Body can transfer to another more Power than he has in himself , and no Body has an Absolute Arbitrary Power over himself , or over any other , to destroy his own Life , or take away the Life and Property of another ; therefore a Man cannot give such Authority to any , or subject himself to the Arbitrary Power of another : for the Law of Nature is an Eternal Rule to all Men , whose Actions must be conformable to that Law , which is the Will of God. For the Fundamental Law of Nature being the Preservation of Mankind , no human Law can be good or valid against it ; and much less the Will and Pleasure of a Prince against the Law and Custom of the Country , which shall be prejudicial to the Subject .

As the Happiness and Prosperity of Kingdoms depend upon the Conservation of their Laws ; if the Laws depend upon the Lust of one Man , would not the Kingdom fall to ruin in a short space ? But the Laws are better and greater than Kings , who are bound to obey them . Then is it not better to obey the Laws , rather than the King ? Who can obey the King violating the Law ? Who will or can refuse to give Aid to the Law when infringed ?

It is impossible any Body in a Society should have a right to do the Community harm .

All Kings and Princes are , and ought to be bound by the Laws , and are not exempted from them , and this Doctrine ought to be inculcated into the Minds of Princes from their Infancy .

Let the Prince be either from God , or from Men , yet to think that the World was created by God , and in it Men , that they should serve only for the benefit and use of Princes , is an Absurdity as gross as can be spoken ; since God hath made us free and equal : But Princes were ordained only for the Peoples benefit , that so they might innocently preserve Human and Civil Society with greater Facility , helping one the other with mutual Benefits .

In all Disputes between Power and Liberty , Power must always be proved , but Liberty proves it self ; the one being founded upon positive Law , the other upon the Law of Nature .

With what Ignorance do some assert , that Adam was an Absolute Monarch , and that Paternal Authority is an Absolute Authority ? for that the Father of a Family governs by no other Law than by his own Will , and the Father is not to be resisted by his Child ? and that Adam had a Monarchical , Absolute , Supream , Patornal Power ? and that all Kingly Authority is a Fatherly Authority , and therefore irresistable ? and that no Laws can bind the King , or annul this Authority ?

How could Adam be an Absolute Monarch , when God gave him the Herbs but in common with the Beasts ? Gen. 1. 29 , 30. Can it be thought that God gave him an Absolute Authority of Life and Death over Man , who had not Authority to kill any Beast to satisfy his Hunger ? certainly he had no Absolute Dominion over even the Brutal part of the Creatures ( much less over Man ) who could not make that use of them as was permitted to Noah and his Sons , Gen. 9. 3. where God says , Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you ; even , as the green Herbs , have I given you all things . Is it not as reasonable to believe , that God would have cursed Adam if he had killed his Son Abel , as Cain for killing him ? Cain was very sensible every one had , by the Law of Nature , a right to kill him for being guilty of Blood , when he said , every one that found him should slay him , Gen. 4. 14. God made no exemption to the greatest Man living who should be guilty of innocent Blood , when he said , He that sheddeth Mans Blood , by Man shall his Blood be shed , Gen. 9. 6. neither Noah or his Sons were exempted from this great Law ; and therefore could have no absolute Authority : since God has no where given any Man such Authority , there can be no such Authority ; for the Community cannot make themselves Slaves by investing such an Authority in any Man : should they do it , it is not binding , it being against the Law of Nature .

If Noah was Heir to Adam ( I ask ) which of Noah's Sons was Heir to him ? for if by Right it descended to all his Sons , then it must have descended to all their Sons , and so on ; if so , then are all Men become equal and independent , as being the Off-spring of Adam and Noah : If it descended only to the eldest , and so on , then there can be but one lawful Monarch in the World , and who that is , is impossible to be found out ; so that Paternal Monarchical Authority , take it which way you will , it comes to just nothing at all .

Where human Institution gives it not , the First-born has no right at all above his Brethren .

No Man has an absolute Authority over the Creatures ( much less over Mankind ) because they were given ( for the use of all Men ) as occasion should serve : should any Man or Men destroy them for their Will and Pleasure , beyond what is necessary for the use of Man , or for his Preservation , it would be a Sin , and therefore could be no Authority ; for God authorizes no Man to commit a Sin , tho he often permits it .

The Law of God and Nature gives the Father no absolute Dominion over the Life , Liberty or Estate of his Child , and therefore he can have no absolute Authority ; and where there is no absolute Authority , there can be no absolute Subjection due . There is an eternal Obligation on Parents to nourish , preserve , and bring up their Off-spring , and under these Circumstances Obedience is due , and not otherwise . What is a Father to a Child more than another Person , when he endeavours to destroy him ? Nay , is he not so much the more odious as the Act is more barbarous , for a Father to endeavour to destroy his own Off-spring , than for another Person endeavouring it ? certainly in such a case no Passive Obedience can be due , it tending to his Destruction ( not for his Good ) which is no Fatherly Act , and therefore not to be submitted to .

He that lets any Person whatsoever destroy him , when it is in his power to preserve his Life by defending himself , does tacitly consent to his own Death , and therefore is guilty of his own Blood as well as he that destroys him : Whereas by defending himself , there can be but one guilty of Blood , ( which is the Invader ) in which Defence , if he kills the other , his Blood lies at his own door : By which it follows , that Passive Obedience to unjust Violence is a Sin , but resisting such Violence is no Sin , but the Duty of every Man. The first Duty that I owe is to God , the second to my self in preserving my self , &c. the third to my Parent and Soveraign , in obeying them in all things reasonable and lawful .

By all the Precepts in Scripture which require Obedience to Parents , Homage and Obedience is as due to the one as to the other ; for 't is nowhere said , Children obey your Father , and no more ; the Mother is mentioned before the Father in Lev. 19. 3. Ye shall fear every Man his Mother , and his Father . Sure Solomon was not ignorant what belonged to him as a King , or a Father , when he said , My Son , hear the Instructions of thy Father , and forsake not the Law of thy Mother : And our Saviour says , Matth. 15. 4. Honour thy Father and Mother . And Ephes. 6. 1. Children , obey your Parents , &c. If Paternal Authority be an absolute Authority , I ask , Whether it be in the eldest of the Family ? if so , Whether a Grandfather can dispense with his Grand-Child's paying the Honour due to his Parents by the fifth Commandment ? 'T is evident in common Sense , the Grandfather cannot discharge the Grand-Child from the Obedience due to his Parents , neither can a Father dispense with his Child's Obedience due to the Laws of the Land ; therefore the Obedience required to Parents in Scripture is not to an absolute Authority , for there can be no absolute Authority where there is an Authority above it .

With what Folly and Ignorance do some assert , That the Kings of England are Absolute , as proceeding from William the Conqueror ? To which I answer , That a Conqueror has no right of Dominion ( much less any Absolute Authority ) over the Wife and Children of the Conquered , or over those who assisted not against him .

Conquest may claim such a Right as Thieves use over those whom they can master , which is a Right of Tenure , but no Tenure of Right .

Conquest may restore a Right , Forfeiture may lose a Right , but 't is Consent only that can transact or give a Right .

There is no other Absolute Power , than over Captives taken in a just War.

If the Possession of the whole Earth was in one Person , yet he would have no Power over the Life or Liberty of another , or over that which another gets by his own Industry , for Propriety in Land gives no Man Authority over another .

William the Conqueror made a League or Compact with the Nobles and Lords of the Land , to the performance of which , he takes an Oath to observe the ancient Laws of the Realm , established by his Predecessors the Kings of England , and especially of Edward the Confessor ; as likewise did Henry the First , with the Emendations his Father had made to them . Stephen who succeeded Henry , made a Compact , and promiseth a Meloration of their Laws according to their Minds . William Rufus , Henry the First , and Stephen get the Consent of the People by promising to grant them their usual Laws , and ancient Customs . Henry the First , Richard the First , King John , and Richard the Second , oblige themselves at their Coronations to grant them , and then the People consented to own them as their King ; and Richard the First , and King John were conjured by the Arch-bishops not to take upon them the Crown , unless they intended to perform their Oaths . If any King refused so to do , the Nobles thought it their Concern to hinder his Coronation , till he had either made or promised this Engagement .

What can be more absurd than to say , That there is an absolute Subjection due to a Prince , whom the Laws of God. Nature and the Country , have not given such Authority ? as if Men were made as so many Herds of Cattel , only for the Use , Service and Pleasure of their Princes .

But some do object , That the anointing of Kings at their Coronations makes their Persons Sacred , Unquestionable and Irresistable , for any Tyrannical or Exorbitant Actions whatsoever . To which I answer , That every Christian's Baptism is a Sacrament of Christ's Institution ; a Spiritual Unction and Sanctification which makes a Person as sacred , yea more holy than the Anointing of Kings can or doth of it self , ( that being no Sacrament ) a Truth which no Christian can , without Blasphemy , deny : And yet no Christian is exempted from Resistance , Censure , or Punishments , according to the nature of his Crime ; and therefore the Anointing of Kings at their Coronations cannot do it ; it being a Ceremony of the Jews , not instituted by Christ , or any ways commanded to be continued by the Apostles , or their Successors ; it signifying only the chusing or preserring one before another , and so became the Ceremony of consecrating to any special Office , and so was ordinarily used in the enstalling Men to Offices of any Eminency .

The Reign of a good King resembles that of Heaven , over which there is but one God , for he is no less beloved of the Vertuous than feared of the Bad ; and if human Frailty could admit a Succession of good Kings , there were no comparison , Power being ever more glorious in one , than when it is divided .

'T is not the Title of a King , but the Power ( which is the Laws ) which is invested in him , which makes the difference betwixt him and other Men in the executing of this Power : his Person is sacred , and not to be resisted , he being above every Soul contained in the same Society , and therefore cannot be resisted , or deprived of his Office by any part , or by the whole Community , without the greatest Sin of Robbery and Injustice imaginable .

If a Government ( say some ) may be disturbed for any unlawful Proceedings of the Governour , or his Ministers , how can any Government be safe ? To which I answer , That it is not lawful for every private Man to fly into the Bosom of his Prince , for he is no competent Judg , be he of never so great a Quality ; else a King was the most miserable Man living , lying at the Mercy of every desperate Fellow's Censure .

It is impossible for one , or a few oppressed Men , to disturb the Government , where the Body of the People do not think themselves concerned in it , and that the Consequences seem not to threaten all ; yea when it does , yet the People are not very forward to disturb the Government ; as in King Charles the Second's time , when the Charters were condemned , and seized upon in order to make us Slaves , and the Laws perverted to the loss of many innocent Lives , and many other Oppressions too many to insert , and yet no body offered to disturb the Government ; I say , till the Mischief be grown general , and the Designs of the Rulers become notorious , then , and then only , will the People be for righting themselves .

Whosoever , either Ruler or Subject , by Force goes about to invade the Rights of either Prince or People , and lays the Foundation for overturning the Constitution and Frame of any just Government , he is guilty of the greatest Crime , I think , a Man is capable of , being to answer for all those Mischiefs of Blood , Rapine and Desolation , which the breaking to pieces of Governments brings on a Country ; and he who does it , is justly to be esteemed the Common Enemy and Pest of Mankind , and is so to be treated accordingly ; and how far the late King James was guilty of this , I leave the World to judg .

FINIS .