Page:A Declaration of the People's Natural Right to a Share in the Legislature (1775) (IA declarationofpeo00shar).djvu/288



So that “the Powers that be” cannot bind the conscience when they exceed just limits, any more than the threats of a lawless Banditti; and therefore we may truly say of all the Branches of the Legislature together, (I mean their united authority,) what the ingenious Mr. Sadler said particularly concerning the House of Commons; viz. “When they are FREE-EST, they have Limits; for they be not infinite. Nay, when they are most free, they are most bound to good Orders, and to Right-Reason.” Sadler's Rights, p. 135.

It would be happy for this kingdom if all Members of Parliament were sensible of these indispensible limitations; and therefore, though I have thought it my duty to oppose what Judge Blackstone has unfortunately allowed concerning the imaginary Omnipotence of Parliament,