Over the rest of the
people, if there were any that consented not to the war, and over
the children of the captives themselves or the possessions of either
he has no power, and so can have, by virtue of conquest, no lawful
title himself to dominion over them, or derive it to his posterity;
but is an aggressor, and puts himself in a state of war against
them, and has no better a right of principality, he, nor any of his
successors, than Hingar, or Hubba, the Danes, had here in England,
or Spartacus, had be conquered Italy, which is to have their yoke cast
off as soon as God shall give those under their subjection courage and
opportunity to do it. Thus, notwithstanding whatever title the kings
of Assyria had over Judah, by the sword, God assisted Hezekiah to
throw off the dominion of that conquering empire. "And the Lord was
with Hezekiah, and he prospered; wherefore he went forth, and he
rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not" (II Kings
18. 7). Whence it is plain that shaking off a power which force, and
not right, hath set over any one, though it hath the name of
rebellion, yet is no offence before God, but that which He allows
and countenances, though even promises and covenants, when obtained by
force, have intervened.
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