framed in doubtful words and expreſſions, with relation to antient laws and conſtitutions at this time unknown[1]. However, in what form ſoever it be conceived, this is moſt indiſputably a fundamental and original expreſs contract; though doubtleſs the duty of protection is impliedly as much incumbent on the ſovereign before coronation as after: in the ſame manner as allegiance to the king becomes the duty of the ſubject immediately on the deſcent of the crown, before he has taken the oath of allegiance, or whether he ever takes it at all. This reciprocal duty of the ſubject will be conſidered in it’s proper place. At preſent we are only to obſerve, that in the king’s part of this original contract are expreſſed all the duties that a monarch can owe to his people; viz. to govern according to law: to execute judgment in mercy: and to maintain the eſtabliſhed religion. And, with reſpect to the latter of theſe three branches, we may farther remark, that by the act of union, 5 Ann. c. 8. two preceding ſtatutes are recited and confirmed; the one of the parliament of Scotland, the other of the parliament of England: which enact; the former, that every king at his acceſſion ſhall take and ſubſcribe an oath, to preſerve the proteſtant religion and preſbyterian church government in Scotland; the latter, that at his coronation he ſhall take and ſubſcribe a ſimilar oath, to preſerve the ſettlement of the church of England within England, Ireland, Wales, and Berwick, and the territories thereunto belonging.
- ↑ In the old folio abridgment of the ſtatutes, printed by Lettou and Machlinia in the reign of Edward IV, (penes me) there is preſerved a copy of the old coronation oath; which, as the book is extremely ſcarce, I will here tranſcribe. Ceo eſt le ſerement que le roy jurre a ſoun coronement: que il gardera et meintenera lez droitez et lez franchiſez de ſaynt eſgliſe grauntez auncienment dez droitez roys chriſtiens dEngletere, et quil gardera toutez ſez terrez honoures et dignities droiturelx et franks del coron du roialme dEngletere en tout maner dentierte fanz null maner damenuſement, et lez droitez diſpergez dilapidez ou perdux de la corone a ſoun poiair reappeller en launcien eſtate, et quil gardera le peas de ſeynt eſgliſe et al clergie et al people de bon accorde, et quil face faire en toutez ſez jugementez owel et droit juſtice oue diſcrecion et miſericorde, et quil grauntera a tenure lez leyes et cuſtumez du roialme, et a ſoun poiair lez face garder et affermer que lez gentez du people avont faitez et eſliez, et les malveys leyz et cuſtumes de tout ouſtera, et ferme peas et eſtablie al people de ſoun roialme en ceo garde eſgardera a ſoun poiair: come Dieu luy aide. Tit. ſacramentum regis. fol. m. ij.
