It is certain, the STUART family did draw that conclusion. But a great
deal too hastily; as may appear from your own observation, that the
exercise of this extraordinary power was committed, or more properly
indulged to them, by the people. This is so strictly true, that from
the first to the last of the TUDOR line, imperious and despotic as
they were of their own nature, no extraordinary stretch of power was
ventured upon by any of them, but under the countenance and protection
of an act of parliament. Hence it was, that the STAR-CHAMBER, though
the jurisdiction of this court had the authority of the common law, was
confirmed by statute; that the proceedings of EMPSON and DUDLEY had the
sanction of parliament; that HENRY the VIIIth’s supremacy, and all acts
of power dependent upon it, had the same foundation: in a word, that
every thing, which wore the face of an absolute authority in the king,
was not in virtue of any supposed inherent prerogative in the crown,
but the special grant of the subject. No doubt, this compliance, and
particularly if we consider the lengths to which it was carried, may
be brought to prove the obsequious and even abject dispositions of the
times; though we allow a great deal, as I think we should, to prudence
and good policy. But then the parliaments, by taking care to make
every addition to the crown their OWN PROPER ACT, left their kings no
pretence to consider themselves as absolute and independent.