But we see that even before that period the English law began to be improved by taking in foreign learning; we see the canons of several councils mixed indiscriminately with the civil constitutions; and, indeed, the greatest part of the reasoning and equity to be found in them seems to be derived from that source.
Burke notes the early improvements in English law through the incorporation of foreign legal principles and canon law.
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Do they mean to attaint and disable backwards all the kings that have reigned before the Revolution, and consequently to stain the throne of England with the blot of a continual usurpation?
This is the spirit of our Constitution, not only in its settled course, but in all its revolutions.
If kings who did not owe their crown to the choice of their people had no title to make laws, what will become of the statute De tallagio non concedendo? of the Petition of Right? of the act of Habeas Corpus?
An irregular, convulsive movement may be necessary to throw off an irregular, convulsive disease.
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