Wherefore, if the king shall show an hatred,
not only to some particular persons, but sets himself against the body
of the commonwealth, whereof he is the head, and shall, with
intolerable ill-usage, cruelly tyrannise over the whole, or a
considerable part of the people; in this case the people have a
right to resist and defend themselves from injury; but it must be with
this caution, that they only defend themselves, but do not attack
their prince. They may repair the damages received, but must not,
for any provocation, exceed the bounds of due reverence and respect.
They may repulse the present attempt, but must not revenge past
violences. For it is natural for us to defend life and limb, but
that an inferior should punish a superior is against nature. The
mischief which is designed them the people may prevent before it be
done, but, when it is done, they must not revenge it on the king,
though author of the villany. This, therefore, is the privilege of the
people in general above what any private person hath: That
particular men are allowed, by our adversaries themselves (Buchanan
only excepted), to have no other remedy but patience; but the body
of the people may, with respect, resist intolerable tyranny, for
when it is but moderate they ought to endure it.
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