PREFACE.
Virtue and Vice, I am sure we have already felt the grievous Effects of it in many things, and especially in the unhappy Division between the Two Houses. For I will venture to affirm, that if other Measures had been taken, some Incendiaries durst never have presumed to invade the Privileges of the House of Commons, and to asperse those worthy Members of it, whose chief Study and Care (to or their immortal Honour be it said) seems to have been the Defence of the Prerogative; whilst their Opponents were endeavouring to advance their own Usurping Judicature above it, to direct the Crown in the Disposition of all Offices, and to circumscribe even its Executive Power; which when once done, there is an end of Monarchical Government in England; and we may call our Princes by what Illustrious Names and Titles we please, but they will
