A Hind Let Loose: Or, An Historical Representation of the Testimonies of the Church of Scotland for the Interest of Christ. With the True State Thereof in All Its PeriodsShields, Alexander
History
A Hind Let Loose: Or, An Historical Representation of the Testimonies of the Church of Scotland for the Interest of Christ. With the True State Thereof in All Its Periods
Shields, Alexander
Church of Scotland -- Controversial literature; Church of Scotland -- History; Covenanters; Scotland -- Church history
few of his subjects here and there did profess, who in regard of their
paucity were never in capacity to be looked upon as the body of the
people, impowering him as their public servant; (which was their case)
and a prince persecuting that religion, which was professed by the body
of the nation, when they set him up. In this latter case, men of great
sense have denied he should be owned for a prince, because then he is
stated against the common good. This was our case under the former king,
and yet under this, though all professors be not now persecuted, the
public religion and ancient reformation is persecuted in a few, whom he
intends to destroy, and in their destruction to bury it. (3.) There is
a difference betwixt a prince persecuting religion, publicly owned and
received of his subjects, yet never approved nor confirmed by law (as it
was not in the primitive times) and a prince persecuting religion
ratified and established by the laws of the land, which is our case. It
will seem clear to every soul, not benighted with court darkness, that
he then of course, and by law, falleth from his right in this case,
because now he is not only stated against the common good, but against
the very laws by which the subjects must be ruled. Then he ruleth not as
a prince, to whom the law giveth his measures and bounds, but rageth as
a tiger and tyrant, and ought to be carried towards as such. (4.) There
is a difference betwixt a prince suppressing that religion established
by law, which he never professed, nor never gave his consent to these
laws (as might be the case of some of the Arian emperors) though it be
unlawful for any people to set up any mortal over them, who is not in
this case bound to the good behaviour; and a prince, opposing and
oppressing that religion, which himself hath professed, and is ratified
by laws with his own consent: which was our case under the former king,
who did give the most solemn ratification of them that ever was given,
but afterwards most perfidiously retracted it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account