If the term legem terraehad included laws enacted by the king himself, the whole chapter of Magna Carta, now under discussion, would have amounted to nothing as a protection to liberty; because it would have imposed no restraint whatever upon the power of the king.
Spooner argues that if the king's laws were included in the term 'legem terrae', Magna Carta would fail to protect liberty.
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If the authority be vested in the government, the governmnt is absolute, and the people have no liberties except such as the government sees fit to indulge them with.
Juries would refuse to enforce a tax against a man who had never agreed to pay it.
All other laws, it is optional with each man to obey, or not, as he may choose.
One answer is, that this power, which juries have of judging of the law, is not a power of absolute decision in all cases.