They all started as Catholics, or their ancestors did, and the modern sense of it (natural law) comes straight through Aquinas, whom they probably read. Or they got it via someone else who got it via Aquinas.
“Divine right” is another matter. The Catholic view is in fact that “natural law” trumps “divine right”, as does, well, actual divinity. It is a limited concept and not part of any conception of “natural law”.
That makes sense. He got the ball started for people to think along these lines.
“Divine right” is another matter. The Catholic view is in fact that “natural law” trumps “divine right”, as does, well, actual divinity. It is a limited concept and not part of any conception of “natural law”.
Yes, Catholicism has often had an uneasy relationship with Monarchy throughout it's history. I can see this.