and by Acts of the British Parliament are de-
clared to be entitled, to all the natural, essential,
inherent and inseperable Rights, Liberties and
Privileges of Subjects born in Great-Britain, or
within the Realm. Among those Rights are the
following; which no Man, or Body of Men,
consistently with their own Rights as Men and
Citizens, or Members of Society, can for them-
selves give up, or take away from others.
First, "The first fundamental positive Law of
all Commonwealths or States, is the establish-
ing the Legislative Power: As the first funda-
mental natural Law also, which is to govern
even the Legislative Power itself, is the Preser-
vation of the Society."*[asterisk reference mark indicates note
below]
Secondly, The Legislative has no Right to
absolute arbitrary Power over the Lives and
Fortunes of the People: Nor can Mortals as-
sume a Prerogative, not only too high for Men,
but for Angels; and therefore reserv'd for
the
Exercise of the Diety alone.
"The Legislative cannot justly assume to itself
a Power to rule by extempore arbitrary Decrees;
but it is bound to see that Justice is dispensed,
and that the Rights of the Subjects be de-
cided, by promulgated, standing and known
[asterisk reference mark:]* Locke on Government. Salus Populi suprema Lex esto.