ty and freedom. The first
Proof we shall give of this, is, what _Procopius_ in his first Book of
the Gothick Wars relates. The _Franks_ (says he) were anciently by a
general name call'd _Germans_; but after they exceeded their Limits,
they obtain'd the name of _Franks_: Of the same Opinion I find _Gregory
of Tours_, the _Abbot_ of _Ursperg_; _Sigibertus_ and _Ado_ of _Vienne_,
and _Godfrey_ of _Viterbo_ to have been, _viz._ That they had the Name
of _Franks_ from their _freedom_, and from their _ferocity_, (alluding
to the sound, of the words _Francos Feroces_), because they refused to
serve as Soldier under _Valentinian_ the Emperor, and to pay Tribute as
other Nations did. A second Proof may be that of _Cornelius Tacitus_,
who in his 20th Book, speaking of the _Caninesates_, whom we have
formerly demonstrated to have been the very-next Neighbours, if not the
true _Franks_ themselves, and, of their Victory over the _Romans_, he
has this expression: _Clara ea victoria, &c._ "That Victory (says he) was
of great Reputation to them immediately after it, and of great Profit in
the Sequel; for having by that Means got both Weapons and Ships into
their Possession, which before they were in great want of; their Fame
was spread over all _Germany_ and _Gaul_, as being the first beginners
of liberty;" _Libertatis Auctores celebrabantur._ For the _Germans_
thereupon sent Ambassadors, offering their Assistance. May the _Omen_
prove lucky! and may the _Franks_ truly and properly deserve that name;
who after having shaken off that Yoke of _Slavery_, imposed upon them by
_Tyrants_, have thought fit to preserve to themselves a commendable
_liberty_ even under the Domination of _Kings_: _For to obey a King is
not servitude_: neither are all who are govern'd by Kings, presently for
that Reason to be counted _Slaves_, but such as submit themselves to the
unbounded Will of a _Tyrant_, a _Thief_, and _Executioner_, as Sheep
resign themselves to the Knife of the Butcher. Such as these deserve to
be called by the vile names of _Servants_ and _Slaves_.

Therefore the _Franks_ had always _Kings_, even at that very time when
they profess'd themselves the _vindicators_ and _assertors_ of the
_publick liberty_: And when they constituted _Kings_, they never
intended they shou'd be _Tyrants_ or _Executioners_, but _keepers_ of
their _Liberties, Protectors, Governors_ and _Tutors_. Such, in short,
as we shall describe hereafter, when we come to give a