ese principles, so far from being deemed a novelty
introduced by James's influence, passed so smoothly, that no historian
has taken notice of them: they were never the subject of controversy,
or dispute, or discourse; and it is only by means of Bishop Overall's
Convocation Book, printed near seventy years after, that we are
acquainted with them. Would James, who was so cautious, and even timid,
have ventured to begin his reign with a bold stroke, which would have
given just ground of jealousy to his subjects? It appears from that
monarch's Basilicon Doron, written while he was in Scotland, that the
republican ideas of the origin of power from the people, were at that
time esteemed Puritanical novelties. The patriarchal scheme, it is
remarkable, is inculcated in those votes of the convocation preserved by
Overall; nor was Filmer the first inventor of those absurd notions.]

[Footnote 63: NOTE LLL, p. 514. That of the honest historian Stowe seems
not to have been of this number. "The great blessings of God," says
he, "through increase of wealth in the common subjects of this land,
especially upon the citizens of London; such within men's memory, and
chiefly within these few years of peace, that, except there were now
due mention of some sort made thereof, it would in time to come be held
incredible," etc. In another place, "Amongst the manifold tokens and
signs of the infinite blessings of Almighty God bestowed upon this
kingdom, by the wondrous and merciful establishing of peace within
ourselves, and the full benefit of concord with all Christian nations
and others; of all which graces let no man dare to presume he can speak
too much; whereof in truth there can never be enough said, neither was
there ever any people less considerate and less thankful than at this
time, being not willing to endure the memory of their present happiness,
as well as in the universal increase of commerce and traffic throughout
the kingdom, great building of royal ships and by private merchants, the
repeopling of cities, towns, and villages, beside the discernible and
sudden increase of fair and costly buildings, as well within the city
of London as the suburbs thereof, especially within these twelve years,"
etc.]

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The History of England in Three
Volumes, Vol.I., Part D., by David Hume

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