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But after instructing the people in their reciprocal duties, he asserts 

 the plenitude of monarchial power, and tells them, that their last 

 and only resource, in case of oppression, consists in prayers and 

 tears ; and in support of this he argues with great plausibility, and 

 even force, upon that popular, but dangerous, two-edged theory, an 

 original contract, which he turns to his own advantage. Granting 

 this, says he, who shall judge between the parties to the contract? 

 Certainly not one of themselves ; for then he would be judge and 

 party in iiis own cause. God, then, is the only arbiter between 

 them ; and till he pronounces sentence the people cannot be ab- 

 solved from their obligation to obedience, without the consent of 

 the king, the other contracting party. Shall it be at the option of the 

 multitude to shake off the yoke, which God has imposed upon them, 

 or which they have submitted to voluntarily and for a valuable 

 consideration, whenever they are weary of it ? Shall the sovereign 

 be bound, and the subject free ? 



This representation I have given, not to justify the pretensions of 

 despots, nor to reconcile the people to their usurpations, but to ex- 

 tenuate their guilt by accounting for their delusion. 



Although the ruling passion of James was despotism, the princi- 

 ple of his government was peace, and his natural disposition indul- 

 gence. These seldom combine in the same character. His fa- 

 vourite title was Res Pacificus ; and his motto, Beati Pacifici. 

 Late in life lie boasted, that he had never engaged in a foreign war, 

 as an illustrious ancient gloried in having never caused any one to 

 put on mourning. In James this has been imputed to pusillani- 

 mity ; but his nervous affection at the sight of a drawn sword he 

 derived from the terror of his mother, when Rizzio was murdered 

 in her presence. Sir Kenelm Digby bears witness, that " he was 

 otherwise courageous enough." He betrayed no want of vigour in 



