James the First held the highest notions concerning Divine Right. He had a mighty desire to be a great tyrant, but was merely a great driveller. He said on a certain occasion that "_there is an implicit tie among kings, which obligeth them, though there be no other interest or particular engagement, to stick to, and right one another, upon an insurrection of subjects._"--How-ell's Letters, B. 1. §. 2. Letter iii. This obligation among kings _to right one another_, flows from their 'Right Divine to govern wrong!' The _implicit tie_ to suffo-cate liberty, wherever it appears, is co-eval with tyranny--but it was never _openly_ avowed until the present concert of kings. The Holy Alliance is--Despotism shewing itself. ** It was for this king, Charles II., that the phrase, "our Religious king," was invented by the Bishops. If such Vicegerents are by Heaven appointed, The Devil himself may be the Lord s anointed! --De Foe {148} We turn disgusted from the contemplation Nor seek more royal samples of our nation; But leave Posterity to find the place Of other heroes, of another race. Europe, thy thrones have many a name in store, As bright in guilt as any crown'd before; Who, turn'd to Gods, shall shine in Poets' rhymes, And faithful Hist'ry shall record their crimes. The first _Paternal_ ruler of mankind That e'er by primogenial title reign'd, In dignity of government was high But all his kingdom was his family. His subjects--were his household and his wife; His power--to regulate their way of life; His sway--extended not beyond his gate; That was the limit--of his regal state; And every son might from his rule divide, Be King himself, and by himself preside; And when he died, the government went on In natural succession to his son. Next Families of mutual love and unity Together join'd for friendship and _community_; Form'd Laws, and _then_ the natural order was To trust some man to execute the Laws. Hence him they best could trust, they trusted--chose; And thus a _Nation_ and a chief arose, Both constituted by a mutual trust; The people honest and the ruler just. * * No hereditary king ever reigned in the world, but to govern by laws and constitutions which were established _before_ he came to be king.--Coke's Detection, vol. i. p. 13. {149}