'Tis man felt, that in old Times the Council of the _Amphictions_ was instituted in _Greece_ (as _Suidai_ and others testify) by King _Amphyction_, Son of _Deucalion_; and therein it was ordained, that at a certain appointed Time every Year, _Representatives_ chosen out of the Twelve Commonwealths of _Greece_ shou'd meet at _Thermopylae_, and deliberate concerning all the weighty Affairs of the Kingdom and Commonwealth: For which Reason, _Cicero_ calls this the _Common Council of Graecia_, _Pliny_ calls it the _Publick Council_. We find the like Wisdom in the Constitution of the _German Empire_, wherein the _Emperor_ represents the _Monarchical_ State, the _Princes_ represent the _Aristocratical_, and the _Deputies of the Cities_ the _Democratical_; neither can any Matter of Moment appertaining to the whole _German Republick_ be firm and ratified, but what is first agreed upon in that _great Convention of the Three Estates_. To this End was framed that ancient and famous Law of the _Lacedemonians_, which joyned the _Ephori_ to their _Kings_; "Who, as Plato writes, were designed to be like Bridles to the Kings, and the Kings were obliged to govern the Commonwealth by their Advice and Authority." _Pliny_, lib. 6. cap. 22. makes mention of the like Practice in the Island of _Taprobana_, where the King had thirty Advisers appointed by the People; by whose Counsel he was to be guided in the Government of the Commonwealth; "For fear (says he) lest the King if he had an unlimited Power should esteem his Subjects no otherwise than as his _Slaves_ or his _Cattel_." Furthermore, we find the very same Form of Administration of the Kingdom of England, in _Polydore Virgil_'s History of _England_, lib. 11. where he has this Passage in the Life of _Henry_ the First.--"Before this Time the Kings used to summon a publick Convention of the People in order to consult with them, but seldom: So that we may in some Manner say, that the Institution derived its Original from _Henry_: which took such deep Root, that it has always continued ever since, and still does so; _viz._ That whatever related to the Well governing or Conservation of the _Commonwealth_, ought to be debated and determin'd by the _great Council_. And that if either the _King_ or the _People_ shou'd act any thing _alone_, it shou'd be esteemed _invalid_, and as _nothing_, unless it were first approved and established by the _Authority of that Council_. And for fear this _Council_ shou'd be cumbred with the Opinions of an _unskilful Multitude_, (whose Custom it is to distinguish nothing justly) it was at first establish'd by a certain Law, what _Sort_ of Persons, and what _Numbers_ either of the _Priests_ or of the _People_ shou'd be called to this _Council_, which, after a _French_ Name, they commonly call _A Parliament_; which every King at the Beginning of his Reign uses to hold, and as often afterward as he pleases, or as _Occasion_ requires." Thus far _Polydore Virgil_.