Henry in his turn was driven from the throne, and Edward recalled to ſucceed him: The Parliament always following the ſtrongeſt ſide.
This conteſt began in the reign of Henry the ſixth, and was not entirely extinguiſhed till Henry the ſeventh, in whom the families were united; including a period of 67 years, viz. from 1422 to 1489.
In ſhort, Monarchy and Succeſſion have laid (not this or that kingdom only) but the World in blood and aſhes. It is a form of government which the word of God bears teſtimony againſt, and blood will attend it.
If we enquire into the buſineſs of a King, we ſhall find that in ſome countries they have none; and after ſauntering away their lives without pleaſure to themſelves or advantage to the nation, withdraw from the ſcene, and leave their ſucceſſors to tread the ſame idle round. In abſolute Monarchies the whole weight of buſineſs civil and military lies on the King; the children of Iſrael in their requeſt for a King urged this plea, "that he may judge us, and go out before us and fight our battles." But in countries where he is neither a judge nor a general, as in England, a man would be puzzled to know what is his buſineſs.
The nearer any government approaches to a Republic, the leſs buſineſs there is for a King. It is ſomewhat difficult to find a proper name for the government of England. Sir William Meredith calls it a Republic; but in its preſent ſtate it is unworthy of the name, becauſe the corrupt influence of the Crown, by having all the places in its diſpoſal, hath ſo effectually ſwallowed up the power, and eaten out the virtue of the Houſe of Commons (the Republican part in the conſtitution) that the government of England is nearly as Monarchical as that of France or Spain. Men fall out with names, without underſtanding them. For it is the Republican and not the Monarchical part of the conſtitution of England which Engliſhmen glory in, viz. the liberty of chooſing an Houſe of Commons from out of their own body—and it is eaſy to ſee that when Republican virtue fails, ſlavery enſues. Why is the conſtitution of England ſickly? but becauſe Monarchy hath poiſoned the Republic; the Crown hath engroſſed the Commons.
In England a King hath little more to do than to make war and give away places; which, in plain terms, is to impoveriſh the nation, and ſet it together by the ears. A pretty buſineſs indeed for a man to be allowed eight hundred thouſand ſterling a year for, and worſhipped into the bargain! Of more worth is one honeſt man to ſociety, and in the ſight of God, than all the crowned Ruffians that ever lived.
Thoughts on the preſent State of American Affairs.
IN the following pages I offer nothing more than ſimple facts, plain arguments, and common ſenſe: And have no other preliminaries to ſettle with the reader, than that he will diveſt himſelf of prejudice and prepoſſeſſion, and
