Not one Bradshaw, Cromwell, or Ireton left, to
form a high commission court to manufacture and
execute an ex post facto law, and destroy a life which
all law forbade to be attempted.*

But leave we these revolting doctrines, which can

* It may not be irrelevant, in winding up this part of the subject, to
mention a conversation between a warm-minded young senator and
the cool-judging venerable Lord Eldon, on the disposal of Buonaparte,
when he was brought prisoner to Plymouth. " Might he not be tried
and executed as a murderer and treaty-breaker, under the law of
nations," asked the younger politician. " I should have no objection,"
replied Lord Eldon, *< to sit upon his trial, and even pass sentence, if
you will draw the indictment.** The young senator was mute.
SECT. I. THE RIGHT OF RESISTANCE. 37

do no good ; and whose only effect can be to inflame
more violently brains already too much heated.
I am glad, therefore, to turn to something like
redeeming qualifications of the right of resistance,
which Sir James has preached ; and which, though
only arising from prudential motives, and recanting
no principle, however dangerous, are so wisely con-
ceived, and so clearly expressed, that it cannot but
do good to those who may be led away by his theo-
ries, to observe what mischiefs he himself allows they
may engender in the practice.
