Out of the Book called Scripture and Reason pleaded for Defensive Arms, or the whole Controversie about Subjects taking up of Arms; Published by di∣vers of their learnedst Divines, and ordered to be Printed by the Committee of the House of Commons, April 14. 1643. Which Order is subscribed by John White.
TO Doctor Fern:'s Objection, That though it be said, they intend not to hurt the Kings Person, yet might I not as well have hurt his Person in the day of Battel, a•… any of them that were swept away from ab•…ut him by the fury of the Ordnance, which put no difference twixt King and Common Soul∣diers. Pag. 19.
Page 36They answer by faying, That though this is the hardest case that can be put against Defensive Armes, yet, (first) By what Rule of Conscience or God is a state bound to sacrifize Religion, Laws, and Liberties, rather than endure that the Prince his Life should come into any possibilities of hazard, by defending them against those that in his Name are bent to subdue them? Pag. 18.
Secondly, If he wi•…l needs thrust himself upon the hazard, when he needs not, whose fault is that?—And (a little after in the same* Answer,) As if a King disguized should offer any private violence, a watchman that would not (or even might not) hurt him being known, were without blame, if he knock'd him down or killed him, as he might in like case a disorderly private person. Now in Battel, to many or most, (and especially to the Gunners that give fire to the Ordnance) he is altogether disguised, and so they are blameless in reference to his personal hurt; that fault is wholly his own, and those wicked Counsellors that have thrust him upon the fury of the Battel. Pag. 20.
To Doctor Ferne's saying, It is a marvellous thing, that among so many Prophets reprehending the Kings of Israel and Judah for their Idolatry, cru∣elty, and oppression, none should call upon the Elders of the people, for this duty of resistance.
They Answer, That even in the reign of the best Kings, not onely the Peoples hearts were usually unprepared, and in their greatest seemings, hypocritical and treacherous,—but also the Princes Elders and Nobles were exceedingly corrupt,—Now if they were so bad in good times, who can marvel if they were stark naught, where the King was naught, and helpers, forwarders of his Idolatries, Cruelties, and Oppressions? And why should it then be expected that the Prophets should call upon them to resist the King, be∣ing on their side, and they on his. Pag. 20. 21.
It is not absolutely true, that men are bound Universally, as by an Ordi∣nance of God, to set up, live under Government, in the Doctors sense, that is absolutely, and without power to resist. Pag. 31.
Either all mankind are not bound to be under Government (and all the Doctors te•…ts and reasons are alleged in vain) or else Kings and Mo∣narchs are also under some Government, at least of the Re∣presentative Body of their people, according to what was before alleged from our Lawyers, Rex non habet supe∣riorem praeter legem, &* Curiam Comitum & Baronum, &c. Pag. 32.
We argue not that the people have power to recall that Regal Authority wholly, upon any Case of Mal-administration; All that we plead for is, Page 37 Power to administer a part of it upon Necessity, which he will not administer for good, but rather for evil. And there are not ma∣ny* things that were altogether ours, and in our disposing before we part with them, but are still so far Ours, to use them again in our* Necessity, for that turn at least. (Pag. 35.)
A Prince onely inherits what was given the first of the Nation, or others since by consent of the people; and by written Law or Custome he must claim any power he will exercise, or else he cannot plead any right title to it, and his qualification of power admits of Increase or De∣crease, as he and the people agree and consent. His power is altogether derived by Election and Consent, first and last, whence I will infer* no more but as before, that therefore in Case of necessity the people may use so much of it as may suffice to save themselves from Ruine.* (Pag. 39.)
