It did not create and give powers to government in a manner a constitution does; but was, as far as it went, of the nature of a re-conquest, and not a constitution; for could the nation have totally expelled the usurpation, as France has done its despotism, it would then have had a constitution to form.
The history of the Edwards and the Henries, and up to the commencement of the Stuarts, exhibits as many instances of tyranny as could be acted within the limits to which the nation had restricted it.

The Stuarts endeavoured to pass those limits, and their fate is well known.

In all those instances we see nothing of a constitution, but only of restrictions on assumed power.
After this, another William, descended from the same stock, and claiming from the same origin, gained possession; and of the two evils, James and William, the nation preferred what it thought the least; since, from circumstances, it must take one.

The act, called the Bill of Rights, comes here into view.

What is it, but a bargain, which the parts of the government made with each other to divide powers, profits, and privileges?
You shall have so much, and I will have the rest; and with respect to the nation, it said, for your share, You shall have the right of petitioning.