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50 - A true warning to all worthy men of Antwerp, 1581

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 February 2012

E. H. Kossman
Affiliation:
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands
A. F. Mellink
Affiliation:
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands
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Summary

This pamphlet was undoubtedly written in 1581, although author, place and year of publication are not indicated. The author tries to refute the arguments used by people opposed to the declaration of the States General on Philip's dismissal. Agreeing that the privileges such as the Joyeuse Entrée do not allow the subjects to depose a prince he develops a theory obviously derived from the Vindiciae contra tyrannos and other writings.

God has created men free and wants them to be governed justly and righteously and not wilfully and tyrannically. This is why He did not give any single man in this world permission to do what he likes nor declared any one exempt from punishment. He has set His will alone as a rule for justice. Justice and God's will serve for man's guidance. For this reason the people and States of the country bind the king or lord whom they install and swear him in to conditions which they think useful and fitting for the country. Thus it is made clear that the king does not own the provinces. Otherwise we should all be unfree and slaves, and all our possessions, even ourselves, our wives and children would belong to the king in the same way as a horse or an ox belongs to an owner. But the lord of the country is only a vicar of God, a shepherd of the people, a father of the country who administers righteousness and justice to all.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1975

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