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

'~O be delivered from tIle uneasiness which it feels, to
compute either th~ peril, or expen~e of the remedy.
Political innovations commonly produce many effects
besides trlose that are intended. r!'he direct consequence
is often the least important. Incidental, remote,
and unthought of e\rils or advantages freq'lelLtly
exceed the good that is designed, or the mischief"
that is foreseen. It is from the silent and un.
observed operation; from the ob:,cure progress of
causes, set at work f(~r different purposes, that the
greatest revolutions take their rise. \Vhen Elizabeth,
and her ilnlnediat.e successor~ applied themselves
to the encouragement and regulation of trade, by
many wise law~, they knew not, that, together with
wealth and industry, they were diffusing a consciousness
of strength and independency, which would not
long endure, under the forms of a mixed government,
the dominion of arbitrary princes. . '''hen it
was debated whether the mutiny act, the law by
\vhicl1 the arolY is· governed and maintained, should
be temporary or perpetual, littj\~ else, probably, occurred
to tIle advocates of an annual bill, than the expediency
of retaining a control over the most dangerous
prerogative of the crown-the direction and
CO!limand ,)t" a standing a,n1Y: whereas, in its effect,
this siilgle reservation has altered the whole frame
and quality of- tIle Brj{i~h constitution.
For since,
in consequence of the military system, which prey-ails
in neighbouring and rival nation~, as well as on ac·
count of the internal exigences of government, a
standing army ·has become essential to the safety and
adnlini,tration of the empire; it enables parliament,
by di~continuing
this necessary provi ,ion, so to en.
force its resolutions upon an yother subject, as to render
the king's dissent to 3. law, which has received
the approbation of both houses, too dangerous an experiment
any longer to be advised. A contest between
the king and parliament, cannot now be per.
~5evered in, witheut a dissolution of the government.
Lastly, when the constitu.tion conferred upon the
~rown thr nomination to all employments in the