honors they could invent, by publick rewards, consecration
of Statues, and crown of Laurel upon such worthy Patriots;
and as if all on earth were too little, they inroll'd them in
heaven among their Deities. And all this they did out of a
noble sense of Commonweal interest, knowing that the life
of Liberty consists in a strict hand and zeal against Tyrants
and Tyranny, and by keeping persons in power from all the
occasions of it; which cannot be better done, then (according
to the custome of all States that are really free) by leaving
them liable to account; which happinesse was never
seen yet under the Sun, by any Law or Custome established,
save onely in those States, where all men are brought to cast
of Subjection as well as Rule, and the government settled in
a due succession of Authority, by consent of the people.
But yet we find this principle of Liberty in calling supreme
Officers to account, was never totally extinct in other Forms;
For, though the difficulty in questioning them is usually very
great, because of the advantages which they draw to themselves,
and the opportunities that they have to frame practices
of their own, through long continuance in authority, yet
we can collect Precedents out of all Nations, where by it appears,
that the people have many times conquer'd all difficulties,
and run the hazard of all extremities, rather then
they would be accessary to the losse of their own Freedom,
and leave mankind without noble examples of justice upon
the proudest of all standing Powers, whether Kings or others.
First for Kings, give me leave to shew (what I once published
upon another occasion) that tis no new thing for Kings
to be deprived, or punish't with death for their crimes in government;
We read of Amon, King of Judah, that was
slain by a part of the people, Because he walked not in the
way of the Lord. And though another part of the people
were angry at it, and avenged his death upon those that did
it, yet questionlesse the execution was just, according to the
law of God, which was (without respect of persons) that Idolaters
should die the death. And no doubt the punishment