A copy of this publication is in the British Museum Library. It is in folio and occupies four pages.
An Historical and Political Discourse of the Laws and Government of England, from the first times to the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. With a vindication of the ancient way of Parliaments in England. Collected from some manuscript notes of John Selden, Esq.; by Nathaniel Bacon, of Gray's Inn, Esquire. London. 1682.
This is one of the reprints of the original edition of 1651. For publishing this reprint, a prosecution was instituted against John Starkey. The following is a copy of the indictment against him:--
Londonia. Juratores pro domino Rege super sacramentum suum præsentant quod Johannes Starkey nuper de Londonia Stationer machinans et intendens Serenissimum Dominum nostrum Carolum Secundum Dei gratia Angliæ Scotiæ Franciæ et Hiberniæ Regem Fidei Defensorem &c. supremum et naturalem Dominum suum et regimen suum in odium infamiam et contemptum inter subditos suos inducere et inferre ac pacem et communem tranquillitatem hujus regni Angliæ perturbare vicesimo die Junii anno regni dicti domini Regis nunc tricesimo quarto apud Londoniam videlicet in parochia Sancti Dunstani in Occidente in Warda de Farringdon extra London prædicta vi et armis &c. falso seditiose et malitiose impressit et publicavit et imprimi et publicari causavit quendam librum scandalosum intitulatum _The continuation of the Historicall and Politicall Discourse of the Laws and Government of England until the end of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth with a vindication of the antient way of Parliaments in England_. In quo quidem libro de et concernente præfato domino Rege nunc continentur hæc falsa ficta et scandalosa verba sequentia videlicet, _I do easily grant that Kings have many Occasions and Opportunities to beguile their People, yet can they do nothing as Kings, but what of right they ought to doe: They may call Parliaments, but neither as often or seldome as they please, if the Statute-Laws of this Realme might take place._ Et in altera parte ejusdem libri continentur hæc falsa et scandalosa verba sequentia videlicet, _And though Kings may be chiefe Commanders, yet they are not the chiefe Rulers_. In malum et pernitiosissimum exemplum omnium aliorum in consimili casu delinquentium ac contra pacem dicti domini regis nunc coronam et dignitatem suas &c.[226]