* * * * *

CHAP. X.

_The Form and Constitution of the_ Francogallican
_Government_.

These Things being thus briefly premised, we think it proper now to set
forth in what Manner the Kingdom of _Francogallia_ was constituted. And
we have already made it plain, that the _People_ reserv'd to themselves
all the Power not only of _Creating_, but also of _Abdicating_ their
_Kings_. Which Form of Government 'tis manifest our Ancestors had;
before they were brought under by the _Romans_, "So that _the People_
(as _Caesar_ tells us) _had no less authority and Power over their
Kings, than the Kings had over the People_. Populus non minus in Regem,
quam rex in populum imperii ac Potestatis retinet." Altho' 'tis probable
the _Franks_ did not derive this Constitution of their Commonwealth from
the _Gauls_; but from their Countrymen, the _Germans_; of whom
_Tacitus_, lib. de mor. _Germ._ says,--"Regibus non est infinita aut
libera Potestas. Their _Kings_ have not an _Arbitrary_ or _Unlimited
Power_." Now 'tis manifest, that no Form of Government is more remote
from Tyranny, than this: for not one of the three distinguishing Marks,
or Characteristicks of _Tyranny_, which the old Philosophers make
mention of, can be found in the Form and Constitution of our Government.
First, as to a forced Obedience; _i. e._ that a King shou'd rule over a
People against their Wills; we have shewn you already, that the _Supreme
Power_, both of _Electing_ and _Abdicating_ their _Kings_, was in the
_People_. Secondly, as to a Life-guard composed of Foreigners, (which
they reckon the Second Mark of _Tyranny_); so far were our
_Francogallian_ Kings from making use of Mercenary Strangers for their
Guards, that they had not so much as their own Countrymen and Citizens,
for that Purpose; but placed their whole Trust and Confidence in the
Love and Fidelity of their Subjects; which they thought a sufficient
Guard.

As an Argument of this, we may observe what _Gregory of Tours_ writes,
lib. 7. cap. 18. and _Aimoinus_, lib. 3. cap. 63.--"King _Gontrannus_
being inform'd by an ordinary Fellow at _Paris_, that _Faraulphus_ lay
in Wait for him, presently began to secure his Person by Guards and
Weapons; so that he went no whither (not even to the Holy Places)
without being surrounded with armed Men and Soldiers." We have at
present a very famous History extant of St. _Lewis_, written by that
excellent Person _Joann