on, was extorted from the unwilling
prince, who but imagined that liberty was at last secured, and that the
laws would thenceforth maintain themselves in opposition to arbitrary
authority? But what was the event? A right was indeed acquired to the
people, or rather their ancient right was more exactly defined; but as
the power of invading it still remained in the prince, no sooner did an
opportunity offer, than he totally disregarded all laws and preceding
engagements, and made his will and pleasure the sole rule of government.
Those lofty ideas of monarchical authority, which he has derived from
his early education, which are united in his mind with the irresistible
illusions of self-love, which are corroborated by his mistaken
principles of religion, it is in vain to hope that, in his more advanced
age, he will sincerely renounce from any subsequent reflection or
experience. Such conversions, if ever they happen, are extremely
rare; but to expect that they will be derived from necessity, from the
jealousy and resentment of antagonists, from blame, from reproach, from
opposition, must be the result of the fondest and most blind credulity.
These violences, however necessary, are sure to irritate a prince
against limitations so cruelly imposed upon him; and each concession
which he is constrained to make, is regarded as a temporary tribute paid
to faction and sedition, and is secretly attended with a resolution of
seizing every favorable opportunity to retract it. Nor should we imagine
that opportunities of that kind will not offer in the course of human
affairs. Governments, especially those of a mixed kind, are in continual
fluctuation: the humors of the people change perpetually from one
extreme to another: and no resolution can be more wise, as well as more
just, than that of employing the present advantages against the
king, who had formerly pushed much less tempting ones to the utmost
extremities against, his people and his parliament. It is to be feared,
that if the religious rage which has seized the multitude be allowed
to evaporate, they will quickly return to the ancient ecclesiastical
establishment; and with it embrace those principles of slavery which it
inculcates with such zeal on its submissive proselytes. Those patriots
who are now the public idols, may then become the objects of general
detestation; and equal shouts of joy attend their ignominious execution,
with those which second their present advantage