165. And therefore he that will look into the history of England
will find that prerogative was always largest in the hands of our
wisest and best princes, because the people observing the whole
tendency of their actions to be the public good, or if any human
frailty or mistake (for princes are but men, made as others)
appeared in some small declinations from that end, yet it was
visible the main of their conduct tended to nothing but the care of
the public. The people, therefore, finding reason to be satisfied with
these princes, whenever they acted without, or contrary to the
letter of the law, acquiesced in what they did, and without the
least complaint, let them enlarge their prerogative as they pleased,
judging rightly that they did nothing herein to the prejudice of their
laws, since they acted conformably to the foundation and end of all
laws- the public good.
166. Such God-like princes, indeed, had some title to arbitrary
power by that argument that would prove absolute monarchy the best
government, as that which God Himself governs the universe by, because
such kings partake of His wisdom and goodness. Upon this is founded
that saying, "That the reigns of good princes have been always most
dangerous to the liberties of their people.
Pages:
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161