Full Idea
It is plain that shaking off a power which force, and not right, hath set over any one, though it have the name of rebellion, yet it is no offence against God.
Gist of Idea
Rebelling against an illegitimate power is no sin
Source
John Locke (Second Treatise of Government [1690], 196)
Book Reference
Locke,John: 'Two Treatises of Government' [Everyman 1988], p.217
A Reaction
[He cites Hezekiah at 2 Kings 18.7] At this time the English Civil War was referred to as the 'Great Rebellion' (so this is an interesting and brave remark of Locke's), though few people would think that Charles I had illegitimate power.