BUT tho' the fear of God was the pretended inducement to all these villanies; yet nothing can be more certain than that they are truly to be ascribed to the want of it. Wherefore none ought to cast of a principle absolutely necessary to the very being of government, meerly because the external profession of it has been abused to the worst Purposes by crafty and ill-designing men, who were destitute of the inward power of it. On the contrary, it is our duty not to let it rest upon the surface of our tongues, but to give it admittance into our breasts, and to implant it deeply in our hearts; and then it will not fail to bring forth the fruits of peaceableness and submission, of obedience and loyalty to the Government under which the merciful providence of almighty God hath placed us; and to restrain us from all seditious and traiterous practices, and from all approaches towards them. For they who would avoid any Crime, must be careful to avoid the steps that lead to it. For which reason the wise king to keep his son from engaging in designs against the State directs him not to meddle with Changers, or, according to our translation, _with them that are given to change_.
IN which direction, it was not the intention of king _Solomon_, to condemn all changes in the laws and government of a kingdom. The supreme power, which in every independent State, is lodged somewhere or other, manifestly implies a power to make such alterations as shall from time to time be judg'd convenient and advantageous. And in the different circumstances of the publick affairs, some changes in the laws will be often necessary, or very expedient; and when they are made be sufficient authority, it is without controversy the duty of subjects to submit to them. And even private persons, when the present laws of their country are very inconvenient and prejudicial to the interests of the people, may lawfully desire an alteration of them, and may commendably endeavour to effect it in a legal manner, by making humble and dutiful application to those who are vested with the legislative power.
BUT they are changers in the bad sense of the word, who go about to change the laws and settled government of a nation, without the consent of those who have authority to do it; or who by illegal and violent methods endeavour to extort the consent of their governours to such terations as they shall propose; as by clamours and menaces and tumultuous assemblies; by forming secret conspiracies, or by openly bearing arms against their soveraign, and by entring into covenants, not to lay down their arms, till they have obtained their unjust demands. They too who by any kind of disloyal Behaviour, or seditious discourse, manifest their aversion to the established government, may with reason be suspected of being given to change; altho' it be not yet their avowed design to effect a change.