Heavenly Doctrine (Tafel) n. 322

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322. The regal office consists in administering according to the laws of the realm, and in judging according to these laws, from a principle of justice. A king who regards the laws as above himself, is wise; but he who considers himself as being above the law, is not wise. A king who looks upon the laws as above himself, places the regal office in the law, and the law rules over him; for he knows that the law means justice, and all justice, which is justice, is Divine. But he who looks upon himself as being above the laws, places the regal office in himself, and either believes himself to be the law, or that the law which is justice, is derived from himself; hence he arrogates to himself that which is Divine; when yet he ought to be under it.


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