The Unlawfulnesse of Subjects, Taking up Armes Against Their..

1679. London: Printed for Peter Parker, 1679. 5th ed. London: Printed for Peter Parker, 1679. 5th ed. An Artful Defense of King Charles I Diggs, Dudley [1613-1643]. The Unlawfulness of Subjects Taking up Arms Against Their Soveraigne, In What Case Soever. Together with Answers to All Objections. A Work Very Seasonable for These Times, And May Serve as a Curb to the Treasonable Practices of Jesuits and Other State-Incendiaries. London: Printed for Peter Parker, 1679. [viii], 144, 155-170, 137-168 pp. Pagination irregular. Text complete. Octavo (6-1/2" x 4-1/4"). Recent period-style three-quarter calf over marbled boards, gilt-edged raised bands and lettering piece to spine. Moderate toning to text, faint dampstaining to a few leaves. Ex-library. Small inkstamp to title page and one other leaf. A handsome copy. $950. * Fifth and final edition. Derived in part from Bracton, Diggs's eloquent defense of the passive obedience of subjects contends that the king is under law as a moral proposition only, which precludes justified rebellion. It was originally published in 1644 as a defense of Charles II. This 1679 reissue was probably a response to the decision of Charles II to dissolve Parliament to prevent its impeachment of Lord Danby, who supervised the investigation into the "Popish Plot." Danby dismissed the plot as a fabrication, which angered Parliament. English Short-Title Catalogue R14579.