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An Introduction to the Following Discourse.
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8 An Introduction to the Following Discourse. * Cicero, De Officiis, I.19. [MP 71, 9–16 Oct. 1651] 1 When the Senators of Rome, in their publike Decrees and Orations, began to comply with and court the People, calling them Lords of the world; how easie a matter was it then for Gracchus to perswade them to un-Lord the Senate? In like manner,when Athens was quitted of Kings, the Power was no sooner declared to be in the People, but immediately they took it, and made [2] sure of it in their own hands, by the advice of Solon, that excellent Lawgiver: for, as Cicero saith,There is a natural desire of Power and Sovereignty in every man: so that if any have once an opportunity to seize, they seldom neglect it; and if they are told it is their due, they venture life and all to attain it.* If a People once conceive they ought to be free, this conception is immediately put in practice; and they free themselves.Their first care is to see, that their Laws, their Rights, their Deputies, their Officers, and all their Dependents, be setled in a state of freedom. This becoms like the Apple of the eye; the least grain, atome, or touch, will grieve it: it is an espoused virgin; they are extreme jealous over it. Introduction to Following Discourse 9 Thus strangely affected were the Roman people, that if any one among them (though ne’er so deserving) were found to aspire, they presently fetch’d him down, as they did the gallant Maelius and Manlius ; yea,their2 jealousie was so great,that they observ-[3]ed every man’s looks, his very nods, his garb, and his gait, whether he walked, conversed , and lived as a friend of Freedom among his neighbours. The supercilious eye, the lofty brow, and the grand paw were accounted Monsters, and no Character3 of Freedom; so that it was the special care of the wiser Patriots, to keep themselves in a demure and humble posture,for the avoiding of suspicion.Hence it was,that Collatinus, one of their Freedoms Founders, and of the first Consuls, living in some more State than ordinary, and keeping at too great a distance from the people, soon taught them to forget his former merits: insomuch, that they not onely turned him out of his Consulship, but quite out of the City into Banishment. But his Colleague Brutus, and that wise Man Valerius Publicola, by taking a contrary course,preserved themselves and their reputation.For,the one sacrificed his Children,those living Monuments of his House, to make the vulgar amends for an inju-[4]ry: the other courted them with the Title of Majesty, laid the Fasces, the Ensigns of Authority at their Feet, fixt all appeals at their Tribunals, and levelled the lofty Walls of his own stately House, for fear they should mistake it for a Castle. Thus also did Menenius Agrippa, Camillus, and other eminent Men in that popular State: so that by these4 means they made themselves the Darlings of the people, whilst many others of a more Grandee-humor, soon lost their Interest and Reputation. Thus you see, that5 when a Peoples Right is once declared to them, it is almost impossible to keep it, or take it from them. 6 It is pity, that the people of England, being born as free as any people in the World, should be of such a supple humor and inclination, to bow under the ignoble pressures of an Arbitrary Tyranny, and so unapt to learn what true Freedom is.It is an inestimable Jewel,of more worth than your Estates,or your Lives: it consists not in a License to do what [5] you list, but in these few particulars: First, in having wholesome Laws suted to every Man’s state and condition. Secondly, in a due and easie course of administration, as to Law and Justice, that the Remedies of Evil may [18.234.139.149] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 14:32 GMT) 10 The Excellencie of a Free-State be cheap and speedy. Thirdly, in a power of altering Government and Governours upon occasion. Fourthly, in an uninterrupted course of successive Parliaments, or Assemblies of the People. Fifthly, in a free Election of Members to sit in every Parliament, when Rules of Election are once established.By enjoying these onely,a people are said to enjoy their...