Because He knew it was the course of things, And _Nature's law_, that men should _choose_ their Kings; He knew the early dictate was his own, That reason acted from himself alone.* * It is alledged, that the vulgar are not capable of judging coucerning principles of government; I answer, they are then not capable of beiug guilty of transgression; for where there is a want of capacity of judgment, there can be no sin. This is a dangerous argument, my Lords, and exposes government to the violence of every one who can overturn it with impunity. You have no defence against any person in this case who is resolute, except superior strength; for the gallows will not frighten a man who is not conscious of guilt, if he has any degree of natural fortitude. Try to persuade the vulgar that there is any case in which they cannot sin, and you will soon perceive what opera-tion it will have upon them. But when you tell them they are not judges of your manouvres of state, they will soon tell you that they cannot transgress what they do not understand and that you require of them more than the Deity requires of them, or even supposes; for he requires no duty without first allowing men to judge of his laws, and makes no laws beyond the reach of their understandings. _Sermons to Asses, ( Ministers qf State,)_ p. 57 {157} "'Tis just," says the Almighty Power, "and sense," (For _actions are the words of Providence_; The mouth of consequences speaks aloud, And Nature's language is the voice of God: "'Tis just," says he, "the people should be shown, The man that wears it, can deserve the crown. Merit will make my choice appear so just, They'll own him fit for the intended trust; Confirm by reason my exalted choice, And make him King by all the people's voice. {158} Let Ammon's troops my people's tents invade, And Israel's trembling sons, to fear betray'd, Fly from th' advancing legions in the fright, Till Jabesh' walls embrace the Ammonite; I'll spirit Saul, and arm his soul for war, The boy they scorn, shall in the field appear; I'll teach the inexperienced youth to light, And flesh him with the slaughter'd Ammonite. The general suffrage then lie'll justly have To rule the people he knows how to save; Their willing voices all the tribes will bring, And make my chosen hero be their King." He speaks, and all the high events obey, The mighty voice of Nature leads the way; The troops of Ammon Israel's tents invade, His mighty fighting sons, to fear betray'd, Fly from th' advancing squadrons in the fright, 'Till Jabesh' walls embrace the Ammonite.