The people were not represented in the parliaments at the time of Magna Carta, but only the archbishops, bishops, earls, barons, and knights; so that little or nothing would have been gained for liberty by Coke's idea that parliament had a legislative power.
Spooner critiques the representation in the parliaments at the time of Magna Carta, arguing it did not truly represent the people.
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One answer is, that this power, which juries have of judging of the law, is not a power of absolute decision in all cases.
And yet these reasons, which are really no reasons at all, are the only ones, so far as I know, that have ever been offered for this absurd and brutal doctrine.
And he can rightfully be held to no greater knowledge of the law than this.
Proud from victory, and with their swords in their hands, would they surrender their liberties to a private man?