The
nature whereof is, that without a man's own consent it cannot be
taken from him,
Sec. 194. Their persons are free by a native right, and
their properties, be they more or less, are their own, and at
their own dispose, and not at his; or else it is no property.
Supposing the conqueror gives to one man a thousand acres, to him
and his heirs for ever; to another he lets a thousand acres for
his life, under the rent of 501. or 5001. per arm. has not the
one of these a right to his thousand acres for ever, and the
other, during his life, paying the said rent? and hath not the
tenant for life a property in all that he gets over and above his
rent, by his labour and industry during the said term, supposing
it be double the rent? Can any one say, the king, or conqueror,
after his grant, may by his power of conqueror take away all, or
part of the land from the heirs of one, or from the other during
his life, he paying the rent? or can he take away from either the
goods or money they have got upon the said land, at his pleasure?
If he can, then all free and voluntary contracts cease, and are
void in the world; there needs nothing to dissolve them at any
time, but power enough: and all the grants and promises of men in
power are but mockery and collusion: for can there be any thing
more ridiculous than to say, I give you and your's this for ever,
and that in the surest and most solemn way of conveyance can be
devised; and yet it is to be understood, that I have right, if I
please, to take it away from you again to morrow?
Sec.
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