On the contrary, when they required him to renounce forever the power to punish any freeman, unless by the consent of his peers, they intended those powers should judge of, and try, the whole case on its merits, independently of all arbitrary legislation, or judicial authority, on the part of the king.
Spooner asserts that the intention behind limiting the king's power was to ensure that juries could judge cases on their merits, free from arbitrary rule.
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More from Lysander Spooner
When two men meet one upon the highway, or in the wilderness, have they a right to dispose of his life, liberty, or property at their pleasure, simply because they are the more numerous party?
What else than ignorance of the law is it that excuses persons under the years of discretion, and men of imbecile minds?
The presumption clearly is that all were eligible.
Any restriction upon the exercise of this right is a restriction upon his rightful power of providing for, and accomplishing, his own well-being.