"It being thus manifest that the power of kings and magistrates is nothing else but what only is derivative, transferred, and committed to them in trust from the people to the common good of them all, in whom the power remains fundamentally and cannot be taken from them without a violation of their natural birthright, and seeing that from hence Aristotle, and the best of political writers, have defined a king, him who governs to the good and profit of his people, and not for his own ends--it follows from necessary causesthat the titles of sovereign lord, natural lord, and the like, are either arrogancies or flatteries, not admitted by emperors and kings of best note, and disliked by the church both of Jews (Isaiah 26,13) and ancient Christians, as appears by Tertullian and others. Although generally the people of Asia, and with them the Jews also, especially since the time they chose a king against the advice and counsel of God, are noted by wise authors much inclinable to slavery."
John Milton
Tenure of Kings and Magistrates
1649
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