Selected quad for the lemma: power_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
power_n	government_n	king_n	monarchy_n	2,757	5	9.5091	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85688	Vox cœli, containing maxims of pious policy: wherein severall cases of conscience are briefly discussed; as I. In what subject the supream power of a nation doth reside. II. What is the extent of that power, and in what causes it doth appear, with the due restrictions and limitations thereof according to the Gospell. III. What obedience is due unto that power from all persons, superiour and inferiour, with other cases of great weight, very necessary to reconcile our late differences judiciously stated and impartially ballanced in the scale of the sanctuary. / By Enoch Grey minist	Grey, Enoch.	1649 (1649)	Wing G1968; Thomason E565_20; ESTC R202336	50,311	67

to afford generall content to all men if possible at least to encourage friends to act freely under you You were first sent by the people who elected you to this end who entrusted you with power to act what in your reason conduced most powerfully and effectually to their good liberty and safety Secondly you are continued in the same place and power and left to act in the Commonwealth for such a time as this to save your selves and all that first adhered to you for all shall suffer shall fare alike 'T is folly to dispute your authority for there is no visible authority left in the State for any to act by but yours as most Supreame and againe That power must be obeyed actively in case of scandall and to avoid offence which in other cases may lawfully be d●●●ed Suppose your commands unjust illegall and injuriou● 〈◊〉 against Law against Priviledge yet due obedience 〈◊〉 thereto is more warrantable from our Lord Christ● example in paying tribute unto Caesar then disobedience to the scandall of the Gospell in private persons can be justifiable yea admit the power it selfe usurped as in Athalia yet obedience under it in those persons who want both Call and Authority to reforme or remedy what is irregular is by the Lord commanded and commended And what opposition is against that power is by the Lord himselfe condemned as we see in the case between Rehoboam and Jeroboam But lastly all power is primarily and essentially and originally in and from the people as the first subject they being the creator of all that authority which is derivative It is theirs absolutely and totally by right of possession But because common people have but common capacities and are not competent judges in affairs of most materiall importance tending to publick peace and safety therefore reason and justice hath distributed and committed this power into severall hands that communi concilio such members elected by themselves be they more be they fewer may act and execute those matters for them which they cannot commodiously and immediately act for themselves the people still retaining to themselves that exercise of power which belongs to their peculiar and personall liberties dignities and proprieties in lives and estates in persons and goods as due to themselves or theirs dispersing the former to that end only to strengthen and not to straighten themselves in their proper and native rights The power of Derivatives or Relatives is most eminent in that subject which stands in the nearest relation power is more in the wife then any under the husband in the family heat is more in fire then it is in water made hot by fire Quicquid efficit tale magis est tale those that stand in the nearest relation unto are the liveliest Representation of the People in those is power most transcendent When Pope Julius Secundus had offended the Colledge of Cardinals the representative of the Catholick Church of Rome they sent a citation to summon him who challengeth Supremacy over Kings and kingdoms Church and States notwithstanding all his preheminence his power to answer to certaine depositions they then and there censured and deposed him as insufficient to govern and decreed that that power formerly in him was now lawfully devolved into the hands of the generall Councell and was by them to be disposed of according to order for the rule and government of the universall Church to which order every person was comanded to submit So the Romanes when Tarquinius Superbus had rendred regall government odious to the Commons of Rome by his Tyranny and exorbitancy the Senate deposed him censured him to banishment and altered the frame of the Government from Kings to Consuls it is hence a knowne maxime in civill law and owned by most Nations that he who changeth Government from a Monarchy to a Tyranny loseth the right of the former In France the Patricii Regni in Spaine the person representing that power Justitiae Arregonicae in Hungaria Bohemia Polonia Germania some who have been Patroni Reipublicae the Conservators of their liberties against the invasion of oppressing Tyrants the Protectors of their Lawes these have brought the greatest Princes to the deepest censures Histories are full of instances These States stating this for a fundamentall that treason against a State is more criminall then against a King the whole being greater then a part Those hold every State or Kingdome to be an Independent body no one having denomination over the other neither owing an account of their actions each unto other but only to those by whom they are entrusted One State may as well take liberty to prejudge another in matter of vote with as much reason as they may in matter of fact and what State would tolerate such usurpation neither are consociated kingdoms further concerned in the affairs each of other but for mutuall helpefulnesse to the remotion of common dangers by the conjunction of Councels and powers still preferring their Liberties priviledges and interests distinct peculiar and intire The end of consociation being to strengthen not to straighten each other in their proper due and native rights to equals appertaine only a power of equality not of subjection What Trajanus the Emperour desired of the Senate of Rome that that sword received from them might by them be drawne against himselfe should he rule amongst them contrary unto law is not unknowne I will not mention the law of Conradus the Emperour knowne to every Historian 't is a fundamentall Rule in all Politicks Instituere destituere est ejusdem potestatis and in Divinity it holds as firm shall he that hates right governe saith Job that the Hypocrite raigne not lest the people be insnared Solomon tels us that a poor and wise child is better then an old and foolish King who will not be admonished for out of Prison he commeth to raigne whereas he that is borne to a Kingdome becommeth poore The power of a King is potestas juris non injuriae subjects will not cannot alwayes beare In all States it was ever held pernicious to permit any man to grow so great so mighty that no man might or durst controle him In Scotland at a generall Assembly convened 1553. this conclusion was determined by universall consent Principes omnes t●m suprem● quam inferiores c. All Rulers supream or inferiour may and ought to be reformed or deposed by those by whom they are confirmed or admitted unto office as oft as they break their promise by oath to their subjects because the Prince is no lesse bound unto his Subjects then the Subject is unto him and therefore that oath which ought to be kept by both the breach thereof is to be reformed equally in both according to the laws of the kingdome and the conditions made by either party They tell us in their Histories that such acts as be intolerable in private persons are much lesse to bee favoured in Princes because Regis

willing to do doe publick service or prejudice having estate or esteem parts or authority for any such imployment martiall or civill This consideration is none of the least nor of the least advantage to promote an establishment to preserve a safe a sure peace not only with respect to the Militia of the State but to all Civill offices in every Corporation City Towne Village or in any Court whatsoever in the Common-wealth 2. Prudence not only to furnish a formidable Navy in trusty hands at present but for future incouragement unto Sea-men to do a● the State of Spair to gain ●en for all services by Sea or land with mony and good pay Our ships are the walls and bulwarks of these Islands thereby not only the State is secured but the Trade preserved and the necessities of the poor supplyed to the great advantage of the Nation Wherefore Queen Elizabeth of famous memory afforded Sea-men and Souldiers the best encouragement beyond all others because they served for the good of the whole poore Seamen shee freed from all taxes for goods imported and exported whereby she gained their hearts was enabled hereby for any service became terrible to the whole world rendred this Common-wealth secure prosperous and peaceable beyond all others Merchants being thereby ●ncouraged 3 Prudence to secure and strengthen all the Ports Forts Havens and Harbors with the Inland Garrisons of the Common-wealth to examine the strength thereof and how each is furnished with all manner of provision powder bullet match cordage arms and Ordinance that upon any invasion or occasion there may be no want in our Magazines and that a true Bill of Account be rendred to the Councell of State and those stores maintained constantly preserved without imbe●lement 4. Prudence to supply the treasure of the Kingdom so much exhausted of so great concernment of so necessary use money being the sinews of War that there may be a sufficient stock at all times for all publick services should Seamen Souldiers and other servants to the State want their due pay discontented at home and corrupted abroad would not this hazard our Publick affaires States must consider the necessities of poore men who cannot forbear their wages nor allow of time and days for receipt nor pay fees to procure their dear earned wages a great grievance to the subject crying in the eares of God creating a generall murmur in the hearts of all men whereby such States discourage the hearts weaken the hands of those without whose service they cannot subsist in the time of need 5. Prudence to prevent the combinations and underminings of fained and male-contented friends The old Serpent still retaines his principles Divide Impera hee works upon such persons by such instruments fit to effect and perfect this design by men of parts of reputation with the people by them staining the honor of the persons of the actions of our worthies by malicious calumniations by vile aspersions only to prejudice their upright intentions in the affections of the vulgar and to obstruct their faithfull indeavors whatsoever is contradictory to the corrupt and ambitious end● of such though most sutable to the present exigence● of State conducible to the good of the republick these persons vigorously oppose therein accomplishing the designes of open adversaries beyond the greatest confederation with them pleading for but by their acts and violence wholly undermining the Publick like the sons of Kora● who did not pretend the absolute eradication of government nor the deposition of Moses and Aaron ab offi●i● but intended a more equall distribution of power Moses and Aaron invading the rig●●● and liberties of that people as 〈…〉 themselves yet this act tended to sedition to 〈…〉 that 〈…〉 of government 〈…〉 to violate the 〈…〉 fear on the peoples part and therefore is punished from heaven with the saddest sorest judgments but the worst design i● that if the people cannot be divided from you such will s●●k to divide you from them or if that prevail not to divide your among your selves the first is dangerous but this last is deadly 6 Prudence to regulate future elections that the persons elected for plety toward God for justice towards men for prudence in publick affairs for resolution courage and faithfulnesse be such as that no respect unto themselves nor the fear nor yet the favour of others may poyse them from the zealous and conscionable pursuit of any cause of publike advantage although attended with personall prejudices accompanied with the greatest difficulties Hee is a publick person who hath a publick spirit who is more divine then popular more popular then personall who seeks his particular interest least the honor of God the affairs of the Lord Christ and of his Kingdom and Gospel most earnestly The Electors to be persons wise judicious and well affected Power distributed into safer hands is not lost either to the benefit of the whole or to the good of every part it concerns every part that the whole be safe it concerns the whole body to preserve every member from perill no society can be safe without preserving its due parts whereof it is compounded from being hurt It is a martiall rule that every Souldier carries his neighbors life in his hands in breaking his ranks he loseth his own for betraying his fellow Souldiers Those who betray the publick justice deprive them of a private liberty Esa● by his prophanenesse lost both blessing and birthright which Jacob inherited 7. Prudence to look up all publick counsells so securely so secretly that such matters as are to be debated Communi concilio none be present at who lie under any cloud of suspition none who hold any correspondency with publick enemies who will impart the debates and resolutions of State to such who prejudice the enterprises and frustrate the designes thereof 8. Prudence to indeavour the friendship of forain States and Kingdoms if with honor though with the expence of som treasure the same might be purchased this conduceth much to the good successe and happy events of all affairs domestick or forain both in respect of Councell and strength on all necessary and urgent occasions I shall also add the priviledg it would be to this State to have such a golden key by the side thereof as would open the closest cabbinet counsells of all forain States especially of such who may design to prejudice the peace and prosperity of this It is unknown how much this State had been damnified if some whom I could name had not been faithfull and wise in the due observance of these last rules persons worthy all honor pitie but some character of speciall honour should be set upon them and theirs by whom Parliament City and Countrey have been preserved and delivered ere they knew their danger then imminent when the whole dreamt of security by Treaties I cannot remember the mischief● then intended without horror nor the care of those Worthies without the privity

of the House to prevent them without honor they being acquainted by certain intelligence with the endeavours of forain Princes the highest resolutions deepest designes secret motions subtill intentions military provisions and martiall preparations of domestick and forain enemies the cabinet-counsell of the enemy being opened to Sir Hen. Mild●●● when to no other beside him who made as wise as faithfull improvement of his intelgence to the good of the whole in apparent perill as any one man in this Republick 2. Concerning Fortitude Resolution and Courage without which the honor of the day and the goodnesse or beauty of the way is lost I shall add a word or two Statesmen under the Gospell have higher precepts better presidents stronger reasons to stand up and ingage for the defence of their liberties then C●riu● S●ipio Cato among the Romans then Themistocles 〈◊〉 Aristi●●es among the Athenians a Roman Lace●em●●ian or Ath●ni●● may be very zealous for civill liberties as wee read in 〈◊〉 in Cicero and other authors what Livius what 〈◊〉 and many others acted and suffered for the obtaining of their civill 〈◊〉 with what resolution courage they resisted those who opposed yea but proposed such rules or counselled to such 〈◊〉 as ●ended to the infringement thereof deposing some banishing others putting others to death and confiscating the goods of all such as they reputed enemies Christians under the Gospell have as much reason having power and opportunity to preserve what God and Nature hath invested them with and being lost to restore those rights a● their native birth right Let prophane Esau's under-value their freedoms Paul a Roman will defend his priviledges and valiant Shammah his field of of ●●ntils who stands his ground when deserted by the people against an Army of the Philistims whom he conquers Joabs argument may put us upon higher Acts our liberties being superlative Be valiant saith he for our people and for the Cities of our God and let the Lord doe what i●. good in his owne sight Be valiant for the Lord and for his truth saith Jeremy When men have more valour for their civill then they have for divine liberties more resolution and courage in those causes which concerne themselves and the outward man then those which concerne the Lords honour their souls eternall welfare they act but at Heathens who did many heroick Acts but what singular thing doe yee the Acts of Christians should be performed with the greatest respect to God We will not lose civil immunities because the price of the bloud of our ancestors the inheritance of our fore-fathers Naboth would not therefore part with his vineyard no not to the King although he would have purchased it and given him to the full value thereof But Gospell liberties are transcendent to take from our children and posterities their glory y●a Gods glory to deprive them of that legacy and deed of gift bequeathed them by Christ in his last testament the price of his precious bloud is such sacriledge as there is no robbery like unto it under heaven and desperate is that State where all men are willing to captivate their souls for the freedome of their bodies to presse their consciences to death to save their goods The Apostle who perswadeth us to seek freedom● a● the hands of the Supreame Power doth also advise us so to use that liberty that it be not a cloak of malitiousness of pride of presumption of selfe-willednesse so to use it as not to abuse authority as not to pervert or inforce the supream power of a State to patronage our private and sinfull interests to own our violent attempts or unwarrantable engagements but to be as the servants of Christ for humility honour and affection towards all who have the Image of God upon them and in the feare of God to give the greatest civill respect to those in authority be they good be they bad Therefore the act of such who would diminish the divine authority of the Magistrate who endeavour to take that from him which God hath given him or would enforce him to give what is not his to give is so full of sinfull presumption and detestable usurpation that such cannot but feare to perish in the gaine-saying of Corah Also such who would perswade the Magistrate to part with his restrictive power in matters of religion invite him to give that sword given him by God into the hands of furious men who would destroy all government violate all bands both sacred and civill and with as much right and some will plead reason too who are against magistratical authority and would levell all into an equality these may desire his restrictive power in naturall and in civill acts yea with as much reason and right also they may abridge parents and masters of their restrictive authority over children and servants H●●●esco referens as they may deprive the Magistrate of his To gaine our owne liberty with the losse of Christs argueth want of resolution for were such willing to subject their wills and consciences to Gods word to obedience to his divine Will a● well by suffering as by acting when called thereunto they would not transgresse the bounds to adventure upon such preposterous courses Because former Representatives presumed too much shall future assume nothing no not a power of restraint v●●orum stupori qui non exhorrescunt True Resolution must be fetched from heaven through God we shall do valiantly that resolution which is accompanied with a dependance on our owne wisdome ●or strength is to rest upon an Arme of flesh is to make a lye our refuge To maintaine the strength of your resolution two considerations are worthy your observance 1 The consideration of the goodnesse of your ●●use every cause is good so farre forth as God is engaged therein Arise O Lord saith the Prophet plead thine owne cause The more you engage for God the more you engage God unto you You know that text and how it is applyed by Rehobeam against Jeroboam we keep the charge of the Lord our God but yee have forsaken him God himself is with us ●ight ye not against him for ye shall not prosper Yee know how H●z●kiah incouraged his Souldiers when they went forth against the Army of Senacherib be not afraid for all the multitude that is with him for there be moe with us with him is an arm of flesh but with us is the Lord our God to fight our battell● If the Lord be ingaged in a cause who dare appear against him to ingage therein without God procures but war and blood in Kingdom● lasting troubles continual miseries as we see in the cases of Asa Jehosap●at Josia● good Kings yet for some small miscarriages for comparatively they were not great they procured unto themselves and to their Kingdoms wrath The particular acts of publick persons are prejudiciall to the publick State to the whole Nation and when the Lord hath any