Chap. V.
That the Impediments of Englands greatness, are but contingent and removable.
The disunion of the Territories of England is an impediment of its greatness. The different Legislatures another impediment. The colonies belonging to England a diminution to the Empire.THE first Impediment of Englands greatness is, that the Territories thereunto belonging, are too far asunder, and England divided by the Sea into many several Islands and Countries; and I may say, into so many Kingdoms, and several Governments, (viz.) there be Three distinct Legislative Powers in England, Scotland, and Ireland; the which instead of uniting together, do often cross one anothers Interest; putting Bars and Impediments upon one anothers Trades, not only as if they were Foreigners to each other, but sometimes as Enemies.
[1]2. The Islands of Jersey and Gernsey, and the Isle of Man, are under Jurisdictions different from those, either of England, Scotland, or Ireland. |[88]|
3. The Government of New-England (both Civil and Ecclesiastical) doth so differ from that of his Majesties other Dominions, that 'tis hard to say what may be the consequence of it.
And the Government of the other Plantations, doth also differ very much from any of the rest; although there be not naturally substantial reasons from the Situation, Trade, and Condition of the People, why there should be such differences.
From all which it comes to pass, that small divided remote Governments, being seldom able to defend themselves, the Burthen of protecting of them all, must lye upon the chief Kingdom England; and so all the smaller Kingdoms and Dominions, instead of being Additions are really Diminutions[2]; but the same is remedied by making Two such Grand Councils, as may equally represent the whole Empire, one to be chosen by the King, the other by the People[2]. The Wealth of a