Page:William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England (3rd ed, 1768, vol I).djvu/252

236 framed in doubtful words and expreions, with relation to antient laws and contitutions at this time unknown. However, in what form oever it be conceived, this is mot indiputably a fundamental and original expres contract; though doubtles the duty of protection is impliedly as much incumbent on the overeign before coronation as after: in the ame manner as allegiance to the king becomes the duty of the ubject immediately on the decent of the crown, before he has taken the oath of allegiance, or whether he ever takes it at all. This reciprocal duty of the ubject will be conidered in it’s proper place. At preent we are only to oberve, that in the king’s part of this original contract are expreed all the duties that a monarch can owe to his people; viz. to govern according to law: to execute judgment in mercy: and to maintain the etablihed religion. And, with repect to the latter of thee three branches, we may farther remark, that by the act of union, 5 Ann. c. 8. two preceding tatutes are recited and confirmed; the one of the parliament of Scotland, the other of the parliament of England: which enact; the former, that every king at his acceion hall take and ubcribe an oath, to preerve the protetant religion and prebyterian church government in Scotland; the latter, that at his coronation he hall take and ubcribe a imilar oath, to preerve the ettlement of the church of England within England, Ireland, Wales, and Berwick, and the territories thereunto belonging.