Sec. 167. The power of calling parliaments in England, as
to precise time, place, and duration, is certainly a prerogative
of the king, but still with this trust, that it shall be made use
of for the good of the nation, as the exigencies of the times,
and variety of occasions, shall require: for it being impossible
to foresee which should always be the fittest place for them to
assemble in, and what the best season; the choice of these was
left with the executive power, as might be most subservient to
the public good, and best suit the ends of parliaments.
Sec. 168. The old question will be asked in this matter of
prerogative, But who shall be judge when this power is made a
right use of ? 1 answer: between an executive power in being,
with such a prerogative, and a legislative that depends upon his
will for their convening, there can be no judge on earth; as
there can be none between the legislative and the people, should
either the executive, or the legislative, when they have got the
power in their hands, design, or go about to enslave or destroy
them. The people have no other remedy in this, as in all other
cases where they have no judge on earth, but to appeal to heaven:
for the rulers, in such attempts, exercising a power the people
never put into their hands, (who can never be supposed to consent
that any body should rule over them for their harm) do that which
they have not a right to do.
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