Lex Rex

Published in 1644, Samuel Rutherford's Lex, Rex challenged royal absolutism by asserting that rulers are subject to the law, emphasizing limited government, constitutionalism, and the notion that authority derives from both divine right and the consent of the governed. Through a series of questions, Rutherford advocates for the people's right to resist tyranny through peaceful means and highlights the importance of government serving the common good. Despite facing persecution, the ideas in Lex, Rex have had a lasting influence on modern political philosophy and the development of democratic principles.