Calvinism - pagina 24

Calvinism and

666

[Oct.

and offers the people a natural protection against despotism and ambitious schemes. This is system. There is consequence in this. It is altogether different from the plan of the French theorists, who also clamor for liberties, but begin with a recital of the vir-

tues of the citizen, in order presently,

pointed, to reclaim this to liberties

by absolution and

them

when

herein disap-

surprising abuse of these

by the conp

perjury,

d'etat and

by ostracism. Finally, from the sovereignty of

And

eign authority of his word.

God

it is

follows the sover-

scarcely credible

how

greatly the study of the Old Testament especially, has ministered to the

development of our constitutional liberties. Geneva and Scotland,

All writers on Calvinistic public law, in

Holland and France, in England and America, from first to last, have defended the liberties of the people with apNot for the sake of repeals to the public law of Israel.

in

modern times. Of this show the danger and monstrosity may Calvin says: "Others of such a demand, to me its falseness and folly have been establishing Mosaic institutions in

sufficiently

But

demonstrated."

of the prophets,

in

in that

voluntary ministry

the prerogatives of the people's councils

Kahdl), in the peculiar right of the tribes and heads of families, and especially in the manner of the election of their first king, there was manifest a principle of political liberty, (the

which by the very despotic authority.

force of its inspiration excluded every

Of Saul

it is

written that he

was made

king both by anointing and by lot; and also, that after the all the people went to Gilgal and there

liberation of Jabesh "

they made Saul king." In like manner it is told of David, that he was consecrated by Samuel, but that nevertheless at

Hebron he was anointed king by the

elders of Judah.

Nor

did he obtain the crown of the apostate tribes until their elders

crowned him

in

Hebron.

fore, that the Calvinistic

VOL.

LII.

NO.

208,

Is

statesmen, 6

it

not self-evident, there-

who took no

steps with-

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