Dr. Perdval's Notes and Illujlrations. 63 j 



Note (D) p. 18. 



THE DOCTRINE OF NON-RESISTANCE MERELY 

 SPECULATIVE. 



In the year 16 10, James I. thus exprefles himfelf. In 

 his fpeech to both houfes of parliament. *' As it is atheifm 

 " and blafphemy, in a creature, to difpute what the Deity 

 " may do ; fo it is prefumption and fedition, in a fubjeft, 

 *' to difpute what a king may do, in the height of his power. 

 " Good chriftians," he adds, " will be content with God's will 

 *' revealed in his word ; and good fubjedls will reft in the king's 

 " will, revealed in his law." * The king's fpeech is now always 

 fuppofed, by parliament, to be the fpeech of the minifter. 

 How cruel would it have been on king James's minifters, fays 

 Mr. Horace Wa'pole, if that interpretation had prevailed in his 

 reign ! 



Thofe who adopt the doftrines of indefeafible right, and 

 abfolute dominion, deceive both their fovereign and themfelves ; 

 and fanftion tyranny by fpeculative principles, wliich it is not 

 in human nature to carry into praftice. The judgment and decree 

 of the univerjity of Oxford, faffed in the convocation, July 21, 1683, 

 againjl certain pernicious books and damnable doilrines, defruffive 

 to the facred perfons of princes, their Jl ate and government, iffc. was 

 fully contravened, in its moft eflential point, by the conduft of 

 her own members at the revolution. The decree was drawn up 

 by Dr. .Jane of Chrift Church, who was afterwards one of the 

 four delegates from the univerfity to offer their plate to the 

 Prince of Orange, when on his march to London : And in 1710, 



• See King James's Works. Rapin's Hiftory, vol, II, p. 178. 



