 Struggles, whereby this great Business was finally effected. It was not suddenly brought to pass; it was the Work of many Ages; while
Britain,
like
Antaeus,
though often defeated, rose more vigorous and reinforced from every Foil. Of Times long passed, what stupendous Characters, what sacred Names! what watchful Councils! what bloody Effusions! what a People of Heroes! what Senates of Sages! How hath the Invention of Nature been stretched! how have the Veins of the Valiant been exhausted, to form, support, reform, and bring to Maturity this unexampled Constitution, this Coalescence and grand Effort of every human Virtue, BRITISH LIBERTY!
[Here follows Mr.
Fenton
's short System of the Beauties and Benefits of our Constitution. But, if the Reader loves Amusement, preferable to Instruction; he is at liberty to pass it over, and proceed in the Story.]
The REGAL ESTATE.
THE KING, in the Constitution of
Great Britain,
is more properly the King
of
than a King
over
the People, united to them, One of them, and contained in them. At the same time that he is acknowledged the Head of their Body, he is their principal Servant or Minister, being the Deputee of their executive Power.
His Claim to the Throne is not a Claim, as of some Matter of Property or personal Right; he doth not claim but is claimed by the People in their Parliament; and he is claimed or called upon, not to the Investiture of Possessions, but the Performance of Duties. He is called upon to govern the People according to the Laws by which they, themselves, have consented to be governed; to cause Justice and Mercy to be dispensed throughout the Realm; and, to his utmost, to execute, protect, and maintain the Laws of the Gospel of God, and the Rights and Liberties of all the People without distinction. --And this he swears on the Gospel of God to perform --And thus, as all Others owe
Allegiance
to the King;
the King himself oweth Allegiance to the Constitution.
The Existence of a King, as One of the three Estates, is immutable, indispensable, and indefeisible. The Constitution cannot subsist without a King. But then, his personal Claim of Possession, and of hereditary Succession to the Throne, is, in several Instances, precarious and defeasible. As, in Case of any natural Incapacity to govern; or of an open Avowal of Principles incompatible with the Constitution; or in Case of Overt-Acts demonstrative of such Principles; or of any Attempt to sap, or overthrow
