be_v but_o like_o the_o advice_n and_o direction_n which_o the_o king_n council_n give_v the_o king_n which_o no_o man_n say_v be_v a_o law_n to_o the_o king_n igrant_a this_o distinction_n provide_v the_o author_n will_v likewise_o admit_v another_o that_o though_o the_o king_n be_v not_o oblige_v by_o law_n or_o to_o any_o judge_n of_o they_o as_o to_o superior_n or_o as_o to_o the_o compulsory_a power_n of_o they_o yet_o in_o respect_n of_o god_n and_o his_o own_o conscience_n he_o be_v still_o oblige_v to_o observe_v they_o and_o not_o to_o dispense_v with_o they_o in_o those_o case_n which_o the_o law_n do_v not_o give_v he_o a_o power_n so_o to_o do_v and_o since_o it_o be_v true_a that_o it_o be_v the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n annex_v that_o give_v law_n their_o sanction_n therefore_o there_o be_v certain_a reward_n which_o will_v natural_o bless_v prince_n that_o keep_v their_o law_n such_o as_o peace_n of_o conscience_n security_n the_o affection_n of_o their_o people_n etc._n etc._n and_o if_o i_o call_v the_o contrary_a effect_n to_o these_o natural_a punishment_n that_o be_v common_o the_o consequence_n of_o the_o breach_n of_o they_o i_o think_v i_o shall_v not_o speak_v absurd_o since_o the_o author_n himself_o tell_v we_o p._n 93._o albeit_o king_n who_o make_v the_o law_n be_v as_o king_n james_n there_o teach_v we_o above_o law_n yet_o will_v they_o rule_v their_o subject_n by_o the_o law_n and_o a_o king_n govern_v in_o a_o settle_a kingdom_n leave_v to_o be_v a_o king_n &_o degenerate_v into_o a_o tyrant_n so_o soon_o as_o he_o seem_v to_o rule_v it_o be_v there_o print_v in_o the_o copy_n according_a which_o be_v nonsense_n contrary_a to_o his_o law_n and_o certain_o a_o tyrant_n can_v never_o promise_v himself_o security_n either_o from_o his_o own_o conscience_n or_o from_o man_n but_o whereas_o he_o say_v the_o direction_n of_o the_o law_n be_v only_o like_o the_o advice_n which_o the_o king_n council_n give_v he_o which_o no_o man_n say_v be_v a_o law_n to_o he_o be_v false_a for_o the_o king_n council_n shall_v never_o advise_v he_o to_o do_v that_o which_o he_o can_v which_o a_o safe_a conscience_n perform_v but_o the_o king_n conscience_n can_v never_o advise_v he_o to_o break_v those_o law_n that_o be_v the_o boundary_n between_o his_o prerogative_n and_o the_o people_n just_a right_n and_o therefore_o though_o it_o be_v true_a in_o some_o case_n where_o the_o king_n see_v the_o law_n rigorous_a or_o doubtful_a he_o may_v mitigate_v or_o interpret_v the_o execution_n thereof_o by_o his_o judge_n to_o who_o he_o have_v make_v over_o that_o power_n in_o the_o intervall_n of_o parliament_n and_o though_o perhaps_o some_o particular_a statute_n may_v be_v his_o authority_n be_v suspend_v for_o cause_n best_o know_v to_o himself_o and_o council_n yet_o this_o do_v not_o extend_v to_o law_n of_o public_a concernment_n and_o for_o that_o i_o will_v appeal_v to_o the_o conscience_n of_o any_o true_a son_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n whether_o he_o think_v for_o example_n that_o the_o proclamation_n for_o indulgence_n contrary_a to_o the_o statute_n make_v against_o conventicle_n be_v bind_v or_o not_o neither_o be_v this_o that_o follow_v consistent_a with_o what_o the_o author_n have_v say_v before_o that_o although_o a_o king_n do_v frame_v all_o his_o action_n to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o law_n yet_o he_o be_v not_o bind_v thereto_o but_o at_o his_o good_a will_n and_o for_o good_a example_n or_o so_o far_o forth_o as_o the_o general_a law_n of_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n do_v natural_o bind_v he_o for_o in_o such_o sort_n only_o positive_a law_n may_v may_v be_v say_v to_o bind_v the_o king_n not_o by_o be_v positive_a but_o as_o they_o be_v natural_o the_o best_a and_o only_a mean_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n so_o that_o if_o a_o king_n think_v any_o the_o firm_a and_o most_o indispensible_a law_n that_o have_v be_v make_v suppose_v magna_fw-la charta_fw-la or_o the_o statute_n de_fw-fr tallagio_n non_fw-la concedendo_fw-la for_o example_n not_o to_o be_v for_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o commonweal_n it_o be_v but_o his_o declare_v that_o he_o will_v have_v they_o no_o long_o observe_v and_o the_o work_n be_v do_v nor_o will_v this_o that_o follow_v help_v it_o though_o true_a that_o all_o king_n even_a tyrant_n and_o conqueror_n be_v bind_v to_o preserve_v the_o land_n good_n liberty_n and_o life_n of_o all_o their_o subject_n not_o by_o any_o municipal_a law_n so_o much_o as_o the_o natural_a law_n of_o a_o father_n which_o bind_v they_o to_o ratify_v the_o act_n of_o their_o forefather_n and_o predecessor_n in_o thing_n necessary_a for_o the_o public_a good_a of_o the_o subject_n all_o which_o be_v very_o well_o but_o if_o this_o monarch_n thus_o succeed_v in_o the_o place_n of_o the_o natural_a father_n be_v the_o sole_a judge_n of_o what_o thing_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o common_a good_a what_o if_o he_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o keep_v these_o child_n for_o child_n and_o subject_n slave_n be_v all_o one_o with_o this_o author_n as_o some_o unnatural_a father_n do_v as_o cheap_a as_o they_o can_v or_o to_o make_v the_o most_o of_o they_o will_v let_v they_o enjoy_v no_o more_o but_o the_o scanty_a necessary_n of_o life_n and_o will_v think_v fair_a water_n brown_a bread_n and_o wooden_a shoe_n sufficient_a for_o a_o farmer_n and_o 300_o l._n or_o 400_o l._n per_fw-la annum_fw-la enough_o in_o conscience_n for_o a_o country_n gentleman_n or_o desire_v to_o be_v absolute_a and_o therefore_o to_o have_v a_o constant_a stand_a army_n to_o raise_v money_n with_o as_o some_o monarch_n do_v and_o be_v resolve_v that_o for_o the_o future_a all_o the_o just_a right_n and_o privilege_n of_o his_o clergy_n nobility_n and_o people_n shall_v signify_v nothing_o will_v take_v all_o the_o overplus_n of_o his_o child_n estate_n eave_v they_o no_o more_o than_o a_o poor_a and_o miserable_a subsistence_n he_o may_v lawful_o do_v what_o he_o will_v with_o his_o own_o and_o it_o be_v all_o his_o upon_o the_o first_o intimation_n of_o his_o pleasure_n by_o edict_n or_o proclamation_n but_o perhaps_o some_o honest_a divine_a may_v start_v up_o and_o tell_v he_o he_o will_v be_v damn_v for_o thus_o abuse_v his_o power_n or_o break_v his_o coronation_n oath_n what_o what_o if_o this_o father_n of_o his_o people_n shall_v laugh_v at_o he_o for_o a_o fool_n and_o think_v himself_o too_o cunning_a to_o believe_v any_o such_o thing_n or_o what_o if_o his_o son_n or_o successor_n be_v resolve_v not_o to_o run_v his_o head_n any_o more_o into_o the_o snare_n of_o a_o coronation_n oath_n but_o find_v himself_o invest_v in_o all_o the_o absolute_a power_n of_o his_o predecessor_n without_o any_o unjust_a act_n of_o his_o own_o since_o we_o know_v prince_n seldom_o loose_a any_o thing_n they_o have_v once_o get_v will_v exercise_v it_o as_o he_o please_v for_o his_o own_o humour_n or_o glory_n and_o think_v himself_o not_o oblige_v in_o conscience_n to_o restore_v any_o of_o those_o right_n his_o predecessor_n have_v ursupe_v upon_o his_o people_n i_o know_v not_o what_o benefit_n this_o may_v be_v to_o the_o prince_n but_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a of_o it_o will_v very_o little_o mend_v the_o subject_n condition_n to_o be_v tell_v their_o former_a monarch_n be_v damn_v or_o that_o this_o may_v follow_v he_o when_o they_o be_v now_o slave_n nor_o be_v this_o a_o mere_a chimaera_n since_o a_o neighbour_a people_n over_o against_o we_o lose_v their_o liberty_n by_o much_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o proceed_v and_o therefore_o this_o author_n have_v find_v out_o a_o very_a fit_a interpretation_n of_o the_o king_n coronation_n oath_n 1556._o vide_fw-la juramenta_fw-la regis_fw-la quando_fw-la coronatur_fw-la old_a stat._n ed_z 1556._o for_o whereas_o he_o use_v to_o swear_v that_o he_o will_v cause_v equal_a and_o upright_a justice_n to_o be_v administer_v in_o all_o his_o judgement_n and_o to_o use_v discretion_n with_o mercy_n and_o truth_n according_a to_o his_o power_n and_o that_o the_o just_a law_n and_o custom_n quas_fw-la vulgus_fw-la elegerit_fw-la i_o will_v not_o translate_v it_o shall_v choose_v to_o be_v observe_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n yet_o our_o author_n will_v have_v the_o king_n oblige_v to_o keep_v no_o law_n but_o what_o he_o in_o his_o discretion_n judge_n to_o be_v upright_o which_o be_v to_o make_v the_o oath_n signify_v just_a nothing_o as_o i_o have_v prove_v already_o wherein_o he_o abominable_o pervert_v the_o sense_n of_o this_o oath_n for_o that_o which_o he_o put_v first_o be_v real_o last_v and_o the_o word_n by_o which_o he_o swear_v to_o observe_v the_o law_n and_o custom_n grant_v by_o king_n edward_n and_o other_o his_o predecessor_n be_v absolute_a and_o without_o
be_v so_o far_o from_o a_o commonwealths-man_n that_o for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o reverence_v monarchy_n above_o all_o other_o form_n of_o government_n and_o shall_v be_v as_o willing_a to_o have_v it_o unmixed_a it_o be_v that_o by_o which_o god_n almighty_a govern_v the_o universe_n can_v humane_a nature_n be_v long_o trust_v with_o it_o and_o can_v we_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o his_o vicegerent_n on_o earth_n will_v as_o easy_o imitate_v those_o divine_a attribute_n of_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n as_o they_o be_v prone_a to_o lay_v claim_n to_o his_o absolute_a power_n for_o as_o where_o those_o perfection_n direct_v the_o sceptre_n a_o prince_n be_v to_o be_v love_v and_o reverence_v as_o the_o best_a representative_a of_o the_o divine_a nature_n so_o the_o exercise_n of_o a_o absolute_a unlimited_a power_n without_o these_o can_v create_v no_o other_o idea_n in_o man_n mind_n than_o what_o the_o barbarous_a indian_n have_v of_o those_o terrible_a god_n they_o worship_v to_o who_o though_o they_o often_o make_v oblation_n of_o what_o be_v dear_a to_o they_o yet_o it_o be_v upon_o no_o high_a motive_n of_o devotion_n than_o that_o they_o thereby_o hope_v to_o cajole_v they_o not_o to_o do_v they_o any_o mischief_n and_o will_v soon_o cast_v they_o off_o if_o they_o know_v how_o to_o get_v rid_v of_o they_o therefore_o the_o fault_n be_v not_o in_o the_o government_n as_o absolute_a but_o in_o humane_a nature_n which_o be_v not_o often_o find_v sufficient_a at_o least_o for_o above_o one_o or_o two_o succession_n to_o support_v and_o manage_v so_o unlimited_a a_o power_n in_o one_o single_a person_n as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v and_o for_o this_o i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o look_v over_o the_o catalogue_n of_o all_o the_o persian_a roman_a and_o turkish_a monarch_n that_o have_v ever_o succeed_v in_o so_o many_o hundred_o of_o year_n and_o see_v how_o many_o good_a one_o they_o will_v find_v among_o they_o and_o who_o true_o consider_v the_o good_a and_o prosperity_n of_o that_o empire_n which_o god_n have_v trust_v they_o withal_o the_o effect_n of_o which_o absolute_a power_n be_v very_o well_o know_v to_o the_o satirist_n who_o live_v under_o it_o when_o he_o thus_o shrewd_o observe_v nihil_fw-la est_fw-la quod_fw-la credere_fw-la de_fw-la se_fw-la non_fw-la possit_fw-la cum_fw-la laudatur_fw-la diis_fw-la aequa_fw-la potestas_fw-la juven_n sat._n 4._o and_o how_o much_o christian_a religion_n have_v alter_v the_o case_n i_o desire_v all_o observe_a reader_n to_o consult_v the_o late_a history_n of_o france_n and_o muscovy_n and_o other_o despotic_a government_n in_o europe_n but_o since_o the_o government_n of_o this_o nation_n as_o now_o establish_v i_o conceive_v the_o best_a in_o its_o kind_n as_o most_o equal_a and_o beneficial_a both_o to_o the_o prince_n and_o people_n so_o that_o it_o be_v only_o their_o fault_n who_o will_v go_v off_o from_o it_o if_o they_o be_v not_o both_o prince_n and_o people_n the_o happy_a in_o the_o world_n i_o hope_v i_o may_v without_o sin_n wish_v those_o accurse_a from_o god_n who_o will_v remove_v our_o ancient_a landmark_n and_o pull_v up_o all_o limit_n between_o prerogative_n and_o law_n and_o who_o as_o it_o may_v just_o be_v fear_v will_v mislead_v prince_n enslave_v mankind_n and_o if_o occasion_n be_v sacrifice_n both_o to_o their_o own_o private_a interest_n and_o ambition_n the_o like_a i_o may_v say_v of_o those_o who_o will_v destroy_v this_o ancient_a government_n and_o set_v up_o a_o democracy_n among_o we_o since_o i_o know_v not_o which_o be_v worst_a to_o be_v knaw_v to_o death_n by_o rat_n or_o devour_v by_o a_o lion_n nor_o be_v it_o that_o i_o be_o conscious_a to_o myself_o of_o have_v write_v any_o thing_n in_o these_o ensue_a sheet_n contrary_a to_o law_n destructive_a to_o government_n or_o that_o obedience_n which_o all_o good_a subject_n owe_v their_o prince_n and_o his_o law_n which_o have_v make_v i_o forbear_v prefix_v my_o name_n to_o this_o treatise_n since_o perhaps_o some_o of_o those_o motive_n which_o may_v persuade_v this_o author_n to_o forbear_v it_o in_o the_o treatise_n he_o publish_v may_v likewise_o have_v the_o same_o effect_n upon_o i_o especial_o since_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o what_o i_o have_v here_o write_v will_v provoke_v those_o craftsman_n who_o esteem_v this_o notion_n of_o our_o author_n by_o which_o they_o expect_v to_o get_v both_o riches_n and_o honour_n as_o the_o diana_n that_o fall_v down_o from_o jupiter_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o they_o be_v angry_a with_o any_o man_n that_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o pull_v off_o the_o specious_a vail_n with_o which_o they_o have_v cover_v it_o and_o show_v it_o as_o it_o real_o be_v a_o wooden_a idol_n of_o their_o own_o make_n and_o if_o they_o know_v the_o man_n will_v according_a to_o the_o usual_a course_n of_o those_o who_o abound_v more_o in_o malice_n than_o reason_n quit_v the_o matter_n and_o fall_v upon_o the_o person_n of_o their_o antagonist_n and_o endeavour_v to_o stir_v up_o both_o the_o great_a vulgar_a and_o the_o small_a vulgar_a as_o mr._n cowley_n ingenious_o term_n man_n of_o title_n without_o sense_n beside_o all_o which_o join_v with_o the_o small_a opinion_n i_o have_v of_o my_o own_o performance_n or_o that_o i_o think_v these_o paper_n capable_a to_o transmit_v my_o name_n to_o posterity_n yet_o if_o i_o be_v sure_o i_o can_v do_v it_o however_o write_v against_o a_o ingenious_a gentleman_n long_o since_o decease_v and_o who_o good_a name_n upon_o all_o account_n i_o design_v not_o to_o diminish_v yet_o i_o shall_v not_o think_v it_o generous_a to_o raise_v myself_o a_o fame_n to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o another_o man_n and_o therefore_o my_o request_n to_o you_o be_v that_o you_o will_v believe_v i_o write_v these_o obscrvation_n for_o no_o other_o end_n than_o for_o the_o truth_n and_o in_o defence_n of_o the_o government_n as_o it_o be_v establish_v and_o the_o just_a right_n and_o liberty_n of_o all_o true_a englishman_n all_o which_o i_o pray_v god_n preserve_v as_o long_o as_o the_o sun_n and_o moon_n endure_v i_o be_o your_o friend_n philalethes_n observation_n upon_o a_o treatise_n call_v patriarcha_fw-la and_o several_a other_o miscellany_n late_o publish_v under_o the_o name_n of_o sir_n robert_n filmer_n baronet_n chap._n i._n the_o reason_n why_o i_o choose_v to_o begin_v these_o observation_n with_o this_o treatise_n of_o the_o natural_a right_n of_o king_n rather_o than_o with_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n though_o publish_v long_o before_o it_o be_v because_o be_v as_o i_o suppose_v write_v after_o the_o rest_n and_o on_o purpose_n to_o assert_v monarchy_n to_o be_v jure_fw-la divino_fw-la be_v likely_a to_o contain_v the_o author_n most_o mature_a thought_n and_o be_v write_v with_o better_a connection_n than_o his_o other_o tract_n contain_v the_o substance_n of_o they_o all_o which_o be_v design_v not_o so_o much_o to_o establish_v a_o hypothesis_n as_o to_o observe_v the_o weakness_n of_o other_o man_n and_o be_v publish_v at_o several_a time_n and_o on_o divers_a occasion_n give_v we_o but_o the_o same_o notion_n repeat_v according_a as_o the_o tenet_n in_o the_o author_n he_o write_v against_o need_v as_o he_o think_v a_o confutation_n which_o how_o far_o they_o do_v deserve_v it_o i_o leave_v to_o the_o reader_n to_o judge_v and_o therefore_o shall_v not_o take_v upon_o i_o to_o defend_v any_o man_n opinion_n though_o never_o so_o great_a or_o learned_a far_o than_o i_o conceive_v they_o agreeable_a to_o right_a reason_n nor_o shall_v i_o trouble_v myself_o to_o criticise_v on_o every_o small_a error_n or_o mistake_n in_o this_o author_n write_n but_o only_o set_v myself_o to_o consider_v such_o main_a argument_n as_o appear_v to_o be_v found_v on_o false_a or_o mere_a precarious_a principle_n not_o concern_v myself_o with_o his_o other_o treatise_n but_o as_o they_o contain_v some_o other_o reason_n or_o new_a matter_n than_o i_o find_v here_o page_n 2._o the_o design_n of_o this_o treatise_n be_v against_o a_o opinion_n maintain_v by_o some_o divine_n and_o several_a learned_a man_n that_o mankind_n be_v natural_o endow_v and_o bear_v with_o freedom_n from_o subjection_n and_o at_o liberty_n to_o choose_v what_o form_n of_o government_n it_o please_v and_o that_o the_o power_n which_o any_o one_o man_n have_v over_o other_o be_v at_o first_o bestow_v according_a to_o the_o discretion_n of_o the_o multitude_n page_n 3._o this_o opinion_n he_o say_v be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o father_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n that_o it_o contradict_v the_o doctrine_n and_o history_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o constant_a practice_n of_o all_o ancient_a monarchy_n and_o the_o very_a principle_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o upon_o this_o doctrine_n the_o jesuit_n and_o favourer_n of_o the_o
likewise_o in_o denmark_n the_o author_n himself_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o kingdom_n be_v limit_v for_o he_o can_v not_o before_o the_o late_a war_n with_o sweden_n either_o make_v war_n or_o peace_n raise_v money_n or_o make_v law_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o his_o senate_n who_o be_v a_o constant_a representative_a of_o all_o the_o nobility_n but_o for_o the_o election_n of_o a_o new_a king_n or_o for_o the_o make_n of_o new_a law_n the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o nobility_n and_o clergy_n be_v to_o be_v present_a and_o consent_n as_o for_o scotland_n the_o government_n of_o it_o have_v always_o so_o much_o resemble_v england_n that_o it_o be_v now_o the_o same_o prince_n i_o shall_v not_o say_v more_o of_o it_o but_o that_o it_o have_v always_o be_v a_o limit_a if_o not_o a_o mix_a government_n in_o sweden_n the_o king_n power_n be_v much_o the_o same_o only_o the_o commons_o have_v representative_n in_o the_o assembly_n of_o estate_n which_o they_o have_v not_o in_o poland_n and_o denmark_n but_o in_o denmark_n and_o sweden_n the_o king_n until_o of_o late_o that_o they_o become_v hereditary_a be_v never_o receive_v or_o own_v as_o lawful_a until_o they_o be_v crown_v and_o have_v swear_v to_o observe_v and_o maintain_v the_o law_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o privilege_n of_o the_o nobility_n and_o people_n but_o the_o author_n think_v he_o have_v get_v a_o great_a advantage_n because_o he_o find_v that_o in_o poland_n and_o denmark_n the_o commons_o have_v no_o representative_n in_o the_o assembly_n of_o estate_n and_o that_o therefore_o in_o some_o limit_a monarchy_n the_o whole_a community_n in_o its_o underive_v majesty_n do_v not_o ever_o convene_v to_o justice_n which_o signify_v little_a for_o these_o that_o be_v now_o the_o nobility_n may_v be_v heir_n to_o those_o that_o once_o have_v the_o whole_a propriety_n of_o the_o country_n in_o their_o hand_n when_o these_o kingdom_n be_v erect_v and_o so_o though_o the_o body_n of_o the_o people_n increase_v yet_o the_o ancient_a nobility_n never_o admit_v they_o into_o a_o share_n of_o the_o government_n as_o in_o venice_n without_o doubt_n all_o the_o ancient_n planter_n of_o those_o island_n have_v vote_n in_o the_o government_n and_o it_o be_v then_o popular_a though_o it_o be_v now_o restrain_v to_o the_o ancient_a family_n or_o those_o new_a one_o they_o now_o admit_v and_o be_v much_o such_o a_o other_o cavil_n as_o that_o in_o england_n before_o the_o reduce_v the_o nobiles_fw-la minores_fw-la to_o two_o knight_n of_o the_o shire_n the_o commons_o have_v no_o vote_n in_o the_o great_a council_n or_o parliament_n which_o opinion_n see_v confute_v in_o mr._n petyt_n treatise_n of_o the_o ancient_a right_n of_o the_o commons_o of_o england_n and_o in_o the_o learned_a treatise_n call_v jani_fw-la anglorum_fw-la facies_fw-la nova_fw-la and_o this_o appear_v more_o plain_o in_o denmark_n where_o every_o lord_n of_o a_o manor_n or_o territory_n be_v a_o nobleman_n and_o have_v a_o vote_n in_o the_o diet_n or_o assembly_n of_o the_o estate_n or_o else_o it_o may_v have_v begin_v as_o in_o poland_n which_o be_v but_o a_o association_n of_o so_o many_o petty_a prince_n for_o mutual_a defence_n under_o a_o elective_a head_n who_o when_o they_o enter_v into_o this_o confederac_n reserve_v to_o themselves_o the_o power_n they_o have_v before_o over_o their_o subject_n and_o vassal_n which_o how_o absolute_a that_o be_v any_o man_n may_v find_v that_o understand_v the_o sclavonian_n genius_n in_o so_o much_o that_o from_o the_o absolute_a subjection_n of_o that_o people_n to_o their_o lord_n we_o have_v the_o word_n slave_n to_o this_o day_n but_o the_o author_n himself_o confess_v the_o kingdom_n of_o poland_n to_o be_v limit_v but_o it_o be_v only_o by_o the_o nobility_n who_o be_v for_o all_o this_o force_a to_o please_v the_o king_n and_o to_o second_v his_o will_n to_o avoid_v discord_n which_o be_v very_o true_a and_o be_v requisite_a in_o all_o limit_a government_n that_o the_o king_n nobility_n and_o people_n shall_v agree_v and_o as_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n to_o comply_v with_o his_o desire_n as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v without_o give_v up_o their_o liberty_n life_n and_o fortune_n absolute_o to_o his_o disposal_n so_o it_o be_v he_o to_o answer_v his_o people_n desire_n in_o all_o thing_n which_o be_v for_o their_o benefit_n not_o that_o i_o praise_v the_o form_n of_o government_n in_o poland_n since_o of_o all_o those_o that_o own_o the_o name_n of_o king_n i_o be_o so_o far_o of_o the_o author_n mind_n as_o to_o think_v it_o most_o liable_a to_o civil_a dissension_n but_o before_o i_o dismiss_v this_o subject_a i_o must_v take_v notice_n of_o a_o mistake_n in_o the_o last_o page_n of_o this_o author_n present_a treatise_n which_o be_v that_o the_o people_n or_o community_n in_o all_o these_o three_o realm_n be_v as_o absolute_a vassal_n as_o any_o in_o the_o world_n which_o be_v not_o true_a unless_o it_o be_v affirm_v of_o the_o vilain_n or_o vassal_n of_o the_o nobility_n which_o be_v grant_v be_v more_o absolute_a vilain_n than_o we_o be_v in_o england_n but_o as_o for_o the_o free_a bear_v suecia_n see_v pontanus_n hist_n dan._n soterus_a de_fw-mi stat._n suecia_n or_o ordinary_a freeholders_n in_o denmark_n and_o sweden_n and_o for_o the_o merchant_n and_o artificer_n dwell_v in_o town_n and_o city_n they_o have_v all_o their_o distinct_a privilege_n and_o be_v free_a both_o their_o person_n and_o fortune_n and_o can_v be_v oppress_v by_o the_o nobility_n nor_o tax_v but_o by_o the_o diet_n or_o assembly_n of_o estate_n but_o perhaps_o the_o author_n friend_n may_v now_o cavil_v and_o say_v that_o these_o be_v no_o monarchy_n at_o all_o because_o a_o monarchy_n be_v the_o government_n of_o one_o alone_a in_o which_o neither_o nobility_n nor_o people_n have_v any_o share_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o than_o that_o these_o people_n call_v their_o government_n monarchy_n as_o participate_v more_o of_o that_o then_o any_o other_o form_n and_o they_o be_v own_v to_o be_v true_a king_n all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o if_o the_o gentleman_n of_o the_o author_n opinion_n will_v quarrel_v about_o word_n my_o business_n be_v not_o to_o dispute_v from_o grammar_n but_o reason_n so_o that_o these_o kingdom_n may_v be_v call_v monarchy_n as_o they_o be_v in_o europe_n but_o if_o these_o gentleman_n think_v it_o not_o fit_a to_o call_v they_o so_o let_v they_o consider_v how_o much_o all_o this_o author_n discourse_n will_v concern_v our_o government_n in_o england_n or_o elsewhere_o in_o europe_n have_v now_o take_v a_o short_a view_n of_o the_o ancient_a government_n of_o most_o of_o the_o modern_a kingdom_n that_o have_v be_v erect_v since_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n we_o will_v conclude_v with_o the_o government_n of_o our_o own_o country_n and_o inquire_v whether_o ever_o it_o be_v a_o absolute_a despotic_a monarchy_n or_o no._n as_o for_o the_o original_a of_o the_o saxon_a government_n it_o be_v evident_a out_o of_o tacitus_n and_o other_o author_n that_o the_o ancient_a german_n from_o who_o our_o saxon_a ancestor_n descend_v and_o of_o which_o nation_n they_o be_v a_o part_n never_o know_v what_o belong_v to_o a_o absolute_a despotic_a power_n in_o their_o prince_n and_o after_o the_o saxon_n come_v in_o and_o the_o heptarchy_n have_v be_v erect_v in_o this_o island_n the_o ancient_a form_n of_o government_n be_v not_o alter_v as_o i_o shall_v prove_v by_o and_o by_o therefore_o though_o the_o monkish_a writer_n of_o those_o time_n have_v be_v short_a and_o obscure_a in_o that_o which_o be_v most_o material_a in_o a_o history_n viz._n the_o form_n of_o their_o government_n and_o manner_n of_o succession_n to_o the_o crown_n among_o they_o stuff_v up_o their_o book_n with_o unnecessary_a story_n of_o miracle_n and_o foundation_n of_o church_n and_o abbey_n yet_o so_o much_o be_v to_o be_v pick_v out_o of_o they_o that_o the_o government_n of_o the_o westsaxons_a which_o be_v that_o on_o which_o our_o monarchy_n be_v graft_v be_v not_o despotical_a but_o limit_v by_o law_n that_o the_o king_n can_v not_o seize_v man_n land_n or_o good_n without_o process_n that_o he_o can_v not_o make_v law_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o his_o wittena_n gemote_a or_o great_a counsel_n nor_o take_v away_o man_n life_n without_o a_o legal_a trial_n by_o their_o peer_n treatise_n see_n mr._n petyt_n be_v preface_n to_o his_o forementioned_a treatise_n and_o that_o this_o government_n have_v never_o be_v alter_v but_o confirm_v by_o their_o successor_n both_o of_o the_o danish_a and_o norman_a race_n as_o appear_v by_o their_o charter_n and_o confirmation_n and_o many_o confirmation_n of_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la and_o other_o statute_n as_o there_o be_v no_o man_n that_o be_v but_o moderate_o verse_v in_o the_o
comitum_fw-la &_o omnium_fw-la sapientum_fw-la seniorum_fw-la &_o populorum_fw-la totius_fw-la regni_fw-la and_o whoever_o will_v but_o examine_v the_o say_a collection_n of_o sr._n henry_n spelman_n will_v find_v almost_o all_o the_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n confirm_v if_o not_o make_v in_o the_o wittena_n gemote_a the_o great_a synod_n or_o council_n so_o that_o what_o this_o author_n say_v of_o the_o difference_n of_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o several_a kingdom_n during_o the_o heptarchy_n make_v nothing_o against_o we_o as_o long_o as_o we_o can_v prove_v that_o in_o the_o main_a the_o government_n of_o they_o all_o be_v alike_o in_o the_o three_o great_a liberty_n of_o the_o subject_n viz._n trial_n by_o a_o man_n equal_n and_o absolute_a propriety_n in_o land_n and_o good_n which_o the_o king_n can_v not_o just_o take_v from_o they_o and_o a_o right_a to_o join_v in_o the_o make_n of_o all_o law_n and_o raise_v public_a tax_n or_o contribution_n for_o war._n so_o that_o without_o doubt_v these_o wittena_n gemote_n or_o great_a council_n be_v ordain_v for_o some_o noble_a and_o high_a purpose_n then_o either_o to_o give_v the_o king_n advice_n what_o war_n to_o make_v or_o what_o law_n to_o make_v or_o bare_o to_o remonstrate_v their_o grievance_n as_o this_o and_o some_o other_o modern_a author_n will_v have_v it_o for_o what_o king_n will_v call_v so_o great_a a_o multitude_n those_o ancient_a parliament_n consist_v of_o to_o be_v his_o councillor_n or_o will_v call_v together_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o a_o nation_n only_o to_o be_v make_v acquaint_v with_o their_o grievance_n which_o he_o may_v have_v know_v with_o great_a ease_n to_o himself_o and_o less_o charge_n to_o the_o subject_n by_o have_v they_o find_v by_o the_o grand_a inquest_n in_o the_o county-court_n and_o so_o to_o have_v be_v present_v to_o he_o by_o the_o earl_n or_o alderman_n of_o each_o particular_a county_n whereas_o we_o find_v these_o great_a council_n employ_v in_o business_n of_o a_o high_a nature_n such_o as_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o king_n charter_n the_o propose_v of_o law_n the_o election_n of_o archbishop_n &_o other_o great_a officer_n so_o that_o the_o high_a any_o man_n will_v look_v back_o the_o more_o large_a &_o uncontrollable_a he_o will_v find_v the_o power_n of_o this_o great_a assembly_n since_o before_o the_o conquest_n and_o afterward_o too_o we_o find_v they_o to_o have_v often_o elect_v king_n when_o the_o child_n of_o their_o last_o king_n be_v either_o minor_n or_o suppose_a unfit_a to_o govern._n so_o that_o whoever_o will_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o consult_v our_o ancient_a saxon_a and_o english_a historian_n will_v find_v that_o there_o be_v never_o ancient_o any_o fundamental_a or_o unalterable_a law_n of_o succession_n nor_o be_v it_o fix_v for_o any_o two_o descent_n in_o a_o right_a line_n from_o father_n to_o son_n without_o interruption_n until_o henry_n the_o three_o and_o then_o it_o last_v so_o but_o four_o generation_n reckon_v he_o for_o the_o first_o and_o as_o for_o these_o particular_a law_n or_o custom_n the_o author_n mention_n whether_o king_n edgar_n or_o alfred_n first_o collect_v they_o as_o be_v also_o correct_v and_o confirm_v by_o both_o the_o edward_n to_o wit_n the_o elder_a and_o the_o confessor_n they_o still_o owe_v their_o authority_n to_o the_o king_n 1â—9_n vi._n lambert_n de_fw-fr priscis_fw-la anglorum_fw-la legibus_fw-la p._n 1â—9_n and_o his_o baron_n and_o his_o people_n as_o malmesbury_n before_o assert_n as_o for_o the_o danish_a law_n they_o never_o prevail_v but_o in_o those_o country_n which_o the_o dane_n entire_o conquer_a which_o consist_v most_o of_o they_o as_o norfolk_n suffolk_z and_o cambridge-shire_n but_o as_o for_o the_o rest_n of_o england_n it_o be_v govern_v by_o its_o own_o law_n and_o enjoy_v its_o ancient_a custom_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o king_n knute_n and_o his_o successor_n of_o the_o danish_a race_n 146._o see_v the_o charter_n of_o k._n knute_n quote_v by_o mr._n peâ—yt_n in_o his_o say_a treatise_n pag._n 146._o but_o to_o come_v to_o the_o author_n next_o reason_n why_o there_o can_v be_v no_o fundamental_a law_n in_o this_o kingdom_n viz._n because_o the_o common_a law_n be_v unwritten_a doubtful_a and_o difficult_a can_v but_o be_v a_o uncertain_a rule_n to_o govern_v by_o which_o be_v against_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n which_o always_o ought_v to_o be_v certain_a this_o be_v almost_o the_o same_o argument_n as_o the_o papist_n make_v use_n of_o against_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n only_o their_o reason_n be_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a because_o they_o be_v write_v and_o need_v a_o expositor_n viz._n the_o church_n or_o tradition_n but_o with_o author_n it_o be_v contrary_a the_o law_n be_v doubtful_a because_o unwritten_a whereas_o all_o that_o understand_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o law_n of_o england_n know_v very_o well_o that_o the_o common_a law_n who_o authority_n depend_v not_o on_o any_o set_a form_n of_o word_n but_o the_o sense_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o law_n be_v much_o less_o doubtful_a and_o make_v few_o dispute_n then_o the_o statute-law_n but_o though_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o many_o thing_n in_o the_o common_a law_n be_v doubtful_a and_o difficult_a yet_o in_o the_o main_n and_o fundamental_a part_n of_o it_o but_o just_a now_o recite_v it_o be_v plain_a enough_o as_o the_o scripture_n though_o doubtful_a or_o obscure_a in_o some_o thing_n yet_o be_v plain_a and_o certain_a in_o all_o point_n necessary_a for_o salvation_n and_o why_o it_o be_v hard_a for_o a_o ordinary_a country_n fellow_n in_o a_o civil_a government_n to_o know_v when_o he_o be_v condemn_v to_o be_v hang_v without_o trial_n or_o to_o have_v his_o good_n or_o money_n take_v from_o he_o by_o a_o fellow_n in_o a_o red-coat_n without_o any_o law_n then_o for_o he_o to_o judge_n in_o the_o state_n of_o nature_n when_o another_o man_n lie_v with_o his_o wife_n or_o go_v about_o to_o rob_v or_o murder_v he_o i_o know_v not_o his_o last_o reason_n against_o make_v common_a law_n only_o to_o be_v the_o foundation_n when_o magna_n charta_n be_v exclude_v from_o be_v according_a to_o mr._n h._n a_o fundamental_a law_n and_o also_o all_o '_o other_o statute_n from_o be_v limitation_n to_o monarchy_n since_o the_o fundamental_a law_n only_o be_v to_o be_v judge_n and_o these_o be_v statute_n law_n or_o superstructure_n this_o be_v also_o mere_a sophistry_n since_o no_o man_n in_o metaphor_n or_o similitude_n ever_o expect_v a_o absolute_a truth_n but_o what_o if_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la be_v fundamental_a law_n before_o either_o king_n stephen_n or_o king_n john_n grant_v it_o and_o that_o they_o do_v but_o restore_v what_o some_o of_o their_o predecessor_n have_v before_o by_o oppression_n take_v from_o their_o subject_n since_o there_o be_v little_a or_o none_o of_o it_o but_o be_v part_n of_o king_n edward_n law_n and_o consequent_o the_o ancient_a saxon_a law_n before_o the_o conquest_n and_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o all_o other_o constitution_n in_o limit_a monarchy_n as_o suppose_v in_o denmark_n the_o crown_n which_o be_v before_o elective_a be_v now_o by_o the_o concession_n of_o the_o estate_n become_v successive_a i_o believe_v no_o man_n of_o this_o author_n opinion_n will_v deny_v that_o this_o be_v not_o now_o a_o fundamental_a law_n in_o that_o kingdom_n and_o can_v never_o be_v alter_v without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o king_n and_o the_o estate_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v a_o law_n that_o follow_v after_o the_o government_n be_v institute_v nor_o can_v i_o see_v any_o reason_n why_o this_o rule_n may_v not_o hold_v as_o well_o on_o the_o people_n side_n as_o the_o king_n why_o rule_n of_o play_n may_v not_o be_v make_v as_o well_o after_o the_o gamester_n be_v in_o at_o play_n as_o when_o they_o first_o begin_v and_o may_v not_o be_v as_o well_o call_v fundamental_a law_n of_o the_o game_n since_o if_o they_o be_v not_o observe_v it_o may_v be_v lawful_a for_o any_o of_o the_o gamester_n to_o fling_v up_o his_o card_n and_o play_v no_o more_o though_o he_o be_v at_o play_n with_o the_o author_n natural_a monarch_n his_o own_o father_n but_o our_o author_n will_v not_o leave_v off_o so_o but_o must_v give_v we_o one_o stab_a paragraph_n more_o against_o fundamental_a law_n which_o be_v thus_o '_o true_o the_o conscience_n of_o all_o mankind_n be_v a_o pretty_a large_a tribunal_n for_o these_o fundamental_a law_n to_o pronounce_v sentence_n in_o it_o be_v very_o much_o that_o law_n which_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n be_v dumb_a and_o always_o need_v a_o judge_n to_o pronounce_v sentence_n shall_v now_o be_v able_a to_o speak_v and_o pronounce_v sentence_n themselves_o such_o a_o sentence_n sure_o must_v