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Show [48] [ 49 ] well happen, in which the exercife of every authority of Parliament over flair kingdom i; power, comprehended in the broade-fi idea of not quefiioned; and yet there are many things legiflature, might become, in its time and cir- indubitably included in the abftraé't idea of that power, and which carry no abfolute injultice in themfelves, which, being contrary to the opinions and feelings of the people, can as little be exercifed, as if Parliament in fuch cafes had been pofiefled of no right at all. I fee no abf'craé't reafon, which can be given, why the fame power that made and repealed- jealous, could not, under the aél‘ual circum- the High Commiflion Court and the Star fiances of our Plantations, be at all preferved in any of its members, but by the greatefl: refervein its application ; particularly in thofe delicate points, in which the feelings of mankind are the molt irritable. They who thought otherwife, have found a few more difficulties in their work, than (I hope) they were thoroughly aware of, when they undertook the prefent bufinefs. Chamber, might not revive them again; and thefe courts, warned by their former fate, only the invidious branch of taxation that will be refilled, but that no other given part of legiflative rights can be fafely exercifed, without regard to the general opinion of thofe who are to be governed. That general opinion is the vehicle, and organ of legiflative omnipotence. Without this, the extent of legiflative power may be a theory to entertain the mind, but it is nothing in the direétion of affairs. would be as unquefiionable, as the competence, of that Parliament, which lhould make fuch attempts. lfany thing can be fuppofed out of, the power of human legillature, it is Religion; I admit however that the ellablithed religion of this country has been three or four times altered by aét ofparliament; and therefore that a fiatute binds even in that cafe. But we may very fafely affirm, that notwithfianding this apparent omnipotence, it would be now found as impoliible for King and Parliament to change the eitablilhed religion of this country, as it was to King 7mm: alone, when he attempted to make iuch an alteration without a Parliament. In efee't, to follow, not to force the publick inclination; to The compleatnefs of the legillative give a direélion, a form, a technical drefs and authority a fpecifiek .w I mufi beg leave to obferve, that it is not might poflibly exercife their powers with fome degree of jul'tice. But the madnefs ' ‘e‘ "'3"? w -‘- a timer: 7&5 13'iwa-r‘022g‘3‘ : a 3152‘ -.r:-',".'~r,-. cumf'tances, not a little expedient for the peace and union of the Colonies amongfl: themfelves, as well as for their perfeét harmony with Great-Britain. Thinking f0, (perhaps erroneoully) but being honefily of that opinion, I was at the fame time very fure, that the authority of whichI was f0 |