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

British Constitution.
S5~;
Qf government would be defective, which did not
provide for its own permanency, in our political reasonings
we consider all such provisions as expedient ;
and are content to accept as a sufficient ground for
a mea~ure, or law, that it is necessary or conducive
to the preservation of the constitution. Yet, in truth,
such provisions are absolutely expedient, and such
an excu:,e final, only whilst the constitution is worth
pre5erving; that is, uatil it can be exchanged for a
better. I premise this distinction, because many
things in the Engli~h, as in every COD!\utution, are to
be vindicated and accounted for, solely from their
tendency to maintain the government in its present
state, and the several parts of it in posses~ion
of the
powers which the constitution has assigned to them;
and because I· would wish it to be' remarked, that
such a considel1tation is always subordinate to another
~the value and usefulness of the' c.onstitution itself.
TIle governlJlent .of England, which has been ~ome~
times called a mixed government, sometimes a limited
Dl0narchy, is formed by a combination 'of the three
regular species of government; the monarchy, residing
in the King; the aristocracy, in the House of
l.ords; and the republic being reFesented by the
House of Commons. The peljectidn i~ltendedby
such a scheme of government ¥, to unite ihe advan-­
tages of the severai simple fonns, and to exclude the
inconveniences. 1'0 what degree this purpose is
attained or attainable in the British constitution;
wherein it is lost sight of or neglected; and by what
l}lCanS it 111ay in allY part be promoted v/itll better
success, the r.eader will b~ enabled to judge, by a sep·
arate recollection of these advantages and inconv~n.
iencies, as enumerated in the preceding chapter, and
a distinct application of each to the political condition
of this country. We will present our remarks upon
the subject in a brief account of the expedient~
whicll the British constitution provides,
1 st, For the interests of its subjects.
2dly, For its own preservation.
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