PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

140 O:ztb against Bribery.
I 2. The oath does not require obedience t~ such
commands cf the king, as are l!D:ui:IOrizcd by b,,-.)
No ad obedience is implied by the tenos of the
oath: the fide!il! there promised, is intendfd of fidelity
in opposition to his enemies, and not in opposition
to law; and IlIkgiafV4 at the u~ ~. oolJ signi­
l.1:erefore, if
fI. ~Cf to lavftd_~m~ds.
the ~ould issue a proc1alJJ3tion, levying money ~
or Dnposiog any service or re-'lraint upon the subject,
beyond what the crown is impowered by law to enjoin,
there would exiQ no 50rt of obligation to obey
S!lch a procbm2tion~ in conseq3ence of having taken
the oath of allegiance.
/ S. The oath docs not require that w, ihouid con·
tinue our allegiance to the king, after he is actually
and absolutely deposed, driven into exile, c:arr;-ed
away captive, cr otherwise rendered incapable of exercising
the regai oftice, whether by his unit or
without it.) The promise of allegiance implies, and
is understOod by all parties to suppose, that the persG1l
to whom the promise is made continues king; contin.
ues, that is, to exercise the power and aftord the p:-otecrion,
which belongs to the office of king: for it is
the posses5ion of this power, which makes such a par.
ticular person the object of th~ oath; wilbont it,
why should I swear allegiance to this man, rather
than to any man in the kingdom? B.:-side which, the
contrary doctrine is burthened with this consEquence,
that every conquest, revolution of government, or
disaster which behIs the person of the prince, must be
followed by perpetual and irremediable anarchy.
=
CHA~urER XIX. I
OATH AGAINST BRIBERY IN THE ELEC­
TI()N OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.
( "I no s\vear I have not received, or had,
oy myself, or any person whatsoever, in trust for me,