Franco-Gallia - Or, An Account of the Ancient Free State of France, and - Most Other Parts of Europe, Before the Loss of Their - Liberties by François Hotman
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page 3 of 172 (01%)
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tending to justify the Proceedings of the People of _England_ at that
happy juncture; by setting in a true Light our just Rights and Liberties, together with the solid Foundations of our _Constitution:_ Which, in truth, is not ours only, but that of almost all _Europe_ besides; so wisely restor'd and establish'd (if not introduced) by the _Goths_ and _Franks_, whose Descendants we are. These Books have as constantly had some things, called _Answers_, written to them, by Persons of different Sentiments; who certainly either never seriously consider'd, that the were thereby endeavouring to destroy their own Happiness, and overthrow her Majesty's Title to the Crown: or (if they knew what they did) presumed upon the _Lenity_ of that Government they decry'd; which (were there no better Reason) ought to have recommended it to their Approbation, since it could patiently bear with such, as were doing all they could to undermine it. Not to mention the Railing, Virulency, or personal false Reflections in many of those Answers, (which were always the Signs of a weak Cause, or a feeble Champion) some of them asserted the _Divine Right_ of an _Hereditary Monarch_, and the Impiety of _Resistance_ upon any Terms whatever, notwithstanding any _Authorities_ to the contrary. Others (and those the more judicious) deny'd positively, that sufficient _Authorities_ could be produced to prove, that a _free People_ have a _just Power_ to defend themselves, by opposing their _Prince_, who endeavours to oppress and enslave them: And alledged, that whatever was said or done tending that way, proceeded from a Spirit of _Rebellion_, and _Antimonarchical Principles_. To confute, or convince this last Sort of Arguers (the first not being |
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