University of Virginia Library

If the Magistrates shal refuse to put Masse-mongers, and false Preachers to death, the people in seeing it performed, doe shew that zeale of God, which was in Phinees destroying the adulterous, and in the Israelites against the Beniamites Good-man. p. 196.

Earthly Princes doe bereaue themselues of authority when they erect themselues against God, yea they are vnworthy to be accounted in the number of men, and therefore we must rather spit in their faces then obey them. Calum. in c. 6. Danie. vers. 22. 25.

There are vices inherent in the persons of Princes, though they be lawfully established by succession, or election, viz. vngodlines, couetousnes, ambitiō, cruelty, luxury, leachery, & such like sinnes which Tyrants delight in: what shal be done in this case to these Princes? I answer that it belongs to the Superiour powers, such as are the seauen Electours in the Empire, and the States-men of the Kingdome almost in euery Monarchy, to restraine the fury of Tyrants, which if they doe not, they are traytours to their Countries, and shal before the Lord giue an account of their treachery. Beza confess. an. 1560. p. 216. see. Caluin. Inst. lib. 4. c. 20. Sect. 31.

Kings and cheif Magistrates, are the vassals of the Kingdom, and of the Common-wealth where they rule; wherefore they may be dispossessed and deiected when they shal obstinately attempt any thing against the feudal Lawes of the Kingdome, and this (saith he a little before) may be done with a good conscience. Danæus lib. 3. Pol. Christian. c. 6. Beza Epist. 24.

The Peeres of the Kingdom or the publike assembly of States ought to destroy him, either by peaceable practizes or open warre. Fenners sacra Theol. l 5. c. 15. p. 185.

If the Noblemen & other inferiour Magistrates for feare should refuse to reforme religion, the rest of the people might doe it in that case themselues. Goodm. p. 196. 87. 34. 35. 185. 180. 184. &c. See also Knox hist. Scot. p. 49, 50.

The people may arraigne their Prince. Buch. de iure regni, pag. 62.

Euil Princes ought by the Law of God to be deposed, and inferiour Magistrates ought cheifly to doe it. Goodman, p. 144. 145. examples allowed of Kings deposed. Edw. Rich. 2. Christian of Denmark &c. Obed. 100. See more in Knox hist. p. 371. appel. p. 28. 30. 56. & in M. Sutcliff's answer p. 71. it is said, that this Doctrine (of punishing, deposing, and killing of Kings) was commended by the most learned in those parts, which were (saith he) Caluin, Beza, & certaine Englishmen: affirming moreouer that the same doctrine, or (to vse his owne words) disobedience rather against Princes was taught by Buchanan, Knox, Hotroman in his Francogallia, Beza de iure magistratuum in subditos, vindiciæ cont. Tyrannos, Vrsinus, &c. See also pag. 95. and the same likewise auerred by D. Bancrofts Suruey, p. 48. and Dang. posit. p. 18. See more before at 4.

Subiects when they endure publike and manifest wrong, may lawfully become suppliants to forraine States, and craue their ayde against their Princes, and other Kings ought to take vpon them their defence and protection. Bucanus, loc. com. Theol. loc. 17. p. 845. & this doctrine saith the learned protestant M. Owen, was published at the earnest request of Beza and Gonlartius. Herod. & Pil. p. 13. & 53.

The people haue right to bestow the crowne at their pleasure. Buchan. de iure regni p. 13.

By the word of God a priuate man (hauing some special inward motion) may kil a Tyrant, &c. or otherwise a priuate man may doe so, if he be commanded or permitted by the Common-wealth. Obed. p. 10. See more ib. p. 99. 103.

It were good that rewards were appointed by the people for such as should kil Tyrants, as commonly there is for those that haue killed either wolues or beares, &c. Buchan. de iure regni, p. 40.

I am of opinion with the old people of Rome, that of al good actions the murther of a Tyrant is most commendable. Euseb. Philad. dial. 1.

If magistrates transgresse God's lawes themselues, and command others to doe the like, they loose that honour and obedience, which otherwise is due vnto them; and ought no more to be taken for Magistrates, but to be examined, and punished as priuate transgressours. Goodman p. 119. 139. See more before at. 2.

If Princes be Tyrants against God and his truth, their subiects are freed from their oaths of obedience. Knox, to Engl. and Scotland. fol. 78.

That is, arraigne them, examine and punish them as priuate transgressours: wherof see before at 7. & 14. & Obed. pag. 111. where it is sayd, That Iudges ought by the law of God, to summon Princes before them, for their crimes, & to proceed against them, as against al other offenders.