The power of the crown was acknowledged to flow from no other fountain than that of a contract with the people.

Allegiance and protection were declared reciprocal ties depending upon each other.

The representatives of the nation made a regular claim of rights in behalf of their constituents; and William III.

ascended the throne in consequence of an express capitulation with the people.

Yet, on this occasion, the zeal of the parliament towards their deliverer seems to have overshot their attachment to their own liberty and privileges: or at least they neglected the fairest opportunity that ever occurred, to retrench those prerogatives of the crown to which they imputed all the late and former calamities of the kingdom.