Page:St. Paul's behaviour towards the civil magistrate.pdf/19

 thought that laws were a sufficient curb to the arbitrary will of the executive power: but in vain did he contend in his days; in vain have the wisest of men discoursed in all ages; and in vain is absolute power controuled by success of arms in our own times, if we can live to be persuaded, either that there is no difference in governments; or that there is no guard in laws against arbitrary power; nor any force in them but what must bend to the will of those whose office it is to execute and defend them. A lasting liberty is founded upon laws; and is the result of a good constitution of government, as health is of a right constitution of body. In this also, like wealth, that it is valued most by those who know the taste of it, under the first apprehension, or sense of the want of it, but little prized by thoughtless men under secure and unshaken enjoyment; whilst slavery, like sickness, to those who never tasted it, seems nothing; and to those who have been oppressed long enough to forget what liberty is, becomes the more tolerable; as a bodily indisposition doth to such as know not, or despair of, a better state. But is it not very unaccountable, that blessings should be undervalued by weak men or that security which should recommend them; nay, that curses should be invited down from Heaven in the room of them?