Whereforeamongmen，solongastheyareconsideredaslivingundertheswayofnature，hewhodoesnotyetknowreason，orwhohasnotyetacquiredthehabitofvirtue，actssolelyaccordingtothelawsofhisdesirewithassovereignarightashewhoordershislifeentirelybythelawsofreason。
16:12Thatis，asthewisemanhassovereignrighttodoallthatreasondictates，ortoliveaccordingtothelawsofreason，soalsotheignorantandfoolishmanhassovereignrighttodoallthatdesiredictates，ortoliveaccordingtothelawsofdesire。13ThisisidenticalwiththeteachingofPaul，whoacknowledgesthatprevioustothelaw-thatis，solongasmenareconsideredofaslivingundertheswayofnature，thereisnosin。
16:14Thenaturalrightoftheindividualmanisthusdetermined，notbysoundreason，butbydesireandpower。15Allarenotnaturallyconditionedsoastoactaccordingtothelawsandrulesofreason；nay，onthecontrary，allmenarebornignorant，andbeforetheycanlearntherightwayoflifeandacquirethehabitofvirtue，thegreaterpartoftheirlife，eveniftheyhavebeenwellbroughtup，haspassedaway。16
Nevertheless，theyareinthemeanwhileboundtoliveandpreservethemselvesasfarastheycanbytheunaidedimpulsesofdesire。17Naturehasgiventhemnootherguide，andhasdeniedthemthepresentpoweroflivingaccordingtosoundreason；sothattheyarenomoreboundtolivebythedictatesofanenlightenedmind，thanacatisboundtolivebythelawsofthenatureofalion。
16:18Whatsoever，therefore，anindividualconsideredasundertheswayofnaturethinksusefulforhimself，whetherledbysoundreasonorimpelledbythepassions，thathehasasovereignrighttoseekandtotakeforhimselfashebestcan，whetherbyforce，cunning，entreaty，oranyothermeans；consequentlyhemayregardasanenemyanyonewhohinderstheaccomplishmentofhispurpose。
16:19Itfollowsfromwhatwehavesaidthattherightandordinanceofnature，underwhichallmenareborn，andunderwhichtheymostlylive，onlyprohibitssuchthingsasnoonedesires，andnoonecanattain:itdoesnotforbidstrife，norhatred，noranger，nordeceit，nor，indeed，anyofthemeanssuggestedbydesire。
16:20Thisweneednotwonderat，fornatureisnotboundedbythelawsofhumanreason，whichaimsonlyatman\'struebenefitandpreservation；herlimitsareinfinitelywider，andhavereferencetotheeternalorderofnature，whereinmanisbutaspeck；itisbythenecessityofthisalonethatallindividualsareconditionedforlivingandactinginaparticularway。21Ifanything，therefore，innatureseemstousridiculous，absurd，orevil，itisbecauseweonlyknowinpart，andarealmostentirelyignorantoftheorderandinterdependenceofnatureasawhole，andalsobecausewewanteverythingtobearrangedaccordingtothedictatesofourhumanreason；inrealitythatwhichreasonconsidersevil，isnotevilinrespecttotheorderandlawsofnatureasawhole，butonlyinrespecttothelawsofourreason。
16:22Nevertheless，noonecandoubtthatitismuchbetterforustoliveaccordingtothelawsandassureddictatesofreason，for，aswesaid，theyhavemen\'struegoodfortheirobject。23Moreover，everyonewishestoliveasfaraspossiblesecurelybeyondthereachoffear，andthiswouldbequiteimpossiblesolongaseveryonedideverythingheliked，andreason\'sclaimwasloweredtoaparwiththoseofhatredandanger；thereisnoonewhoisnotillateaseinthemidstofenmity，hatred，anger，anddeceit，andwhodoesnotseektoavoidthemasmuchashecan。[16:3]24Whenwereflectthatmenwithoutmutualhelp，ortheaidofreason，mustneedslivemostmiserably，asweclearlyprovedinChap。V。，weshallplainlyseethatmenmustnecessarilycometoanagreementtolivetogetherassecurelyandwellaspossibleiftheyaretoenjoyasawholetherightswhichnaturallybelongtothemasindividuals，andtheirlifeshouldbenomoreconditionedbytheforceanddesireofindividuals，butbythepowerandwillofthewholebody。25Thisendtheywillbeunabletoattainifdesirebetheironlyguideforbythelawsofdesireeachmanisdrawninadifferentdirection；theymust，therefore，mostfirmlydecreeandestablishthattheywillbeguidedineverythingbyreasonwhichnobodywilldareopenlytorepudiatelestheshouldbetakenforamadman，andwillrestrainanydesirewhichisinjurioustoaman\'sfellows，thattheywilldotoallastheywouldbedoneby，andthattheywilldefendtheirneighbour\'srightsastheirown。
16:26Howsuchacompactasthisshouldbeenteredinto，howratifiedandestablished，wewillnowinquire。
27Nowitisauniversallawofhumannaturethatnooneeverneglectsanythingwhichhejudgestobegood，exceptwiththehopeofgainingagreatergood，orfromthefearofagreaterevil；nordoesanyoneendureanevilexceptforthesakeofavoidingagreaterevil，orgainingagreatergood。28Thatis，everyonewill，oftwogoods，choosethatwhichhethinksthegreatest；and，oftwoevils，thatwhichhethinkstheleast。29Isayadvisedlythatwhichhethinksthegreatestortheleast，foritdoesnotnecessarilyfollowthathejudgesright。30Thislawissodeeplyimplantedinthehumanmindthatitoughttobecountedamongeternaltruthsandaxioms。
16:31Asanecessaryconsequenceoftheprinciplejustenunciated，noonecanhonestlypromisetoforegotherightwhichhehasoverallthings[Endnote26]，andingeneralnoonewillabidebyhispromises，unlessunderthefearofagreaterevil，orthehopeofagreatergood。32Anexamplewillmakethematterclearer。33SupposethatarobberforcesmetopromisethatIwillgivehimmygoodsathiswillandpleasure。34Itisplaininasmuchasmynaturalrightis，asIhaveshown，co-extensivewithmypowerthatifIcanfreemyselffromthisrobberbystratagem，byassentingtohisdemands，Ihavethenaturalrighttodoso，andtopretendtoaccepthisconditions。35Oragain，supposeIhavegenuinelypromisedsomeonethatforthespaceoftwentydaysIwillnottastefoodoranynourishment；andsupposeIafterwardsfindthatwasfoolish，andcannotbekeptwithoutverygreatinjurytomyself；asIamboundbynaturallawandrighttochoosetheleastoftwoevils，Ihavecompleterighttobreakmycompact，andactasifmypromisehadneverbeenuttered。36IsaythatI
shouldhaveperfectnaturalrighttodoso，whetherIwasactuatedbytrueandevidentreason，orwhetherIwasactuatedbymereopinioninthinkingI
hadpromisedrashly；whethermyreasonsweretrueorfalse，Ishouldbeinfearofagreaterevil，which，bytheordinanceofnature，Ishouldstrivetoavoidbyeverymeansinmypower。
16:37Wemay，therefore，concludethatacompactisonlymadevalidbyitsutility，withoutwhichitbecomesnullandvoid。38Itis，therefore，foolishtoaskamantokeephisfaithwithusforever，unlesswealsoendeavourthattheviolationofthecompactweenterintoshallinvolvefortheviolatormoreharmthangood。39Thisconsiderationshouldhaveverygreatweightinformingastate。40However，ifallmencouldbeeasilyledbyreasonalone，andcouldrecognizewhatisbestandmostusefulforastate，therewouldbenoonewhowouldnotforsweardeceit，foreveryonewouldkeepmostreligiouslytotheircompactintheirdesireforthechiefgood，namely，theshieldandbucklerofthecommonwealth。41However，itisfarfrombeingthecasethatallmencanalwaysbeeasilyledbyreasonalone；everyoneisdrawnawaybyhispleasure，whileavarice，ambition，envy，hatred，andthelikesoengrossthemindthat，reasonhasnoplacetherein。42Hence，thoughmenmake-promiseswithalltheappearancesofgoodfaith，andagreethattheywillkeeptotheirengagement，noonecanabsolutelyrelyonanotherman\'spromiseunlessthereissomethingbehindit。43Everyonehasbynaturearighttoactdeceitfully。andtobreakhiscompacts，unlessheberestrainedbythehopeofsomegreatergood，orthefearofsomegreaterevil。
16:44However，aswehaveshownthatthenaturalrightoftheindividualisonlylimitedbyhispower，itisclearthatbytransferring，eitherwillinglyorundercompulsion，thispowerintothehandsofanother，heinsodoingnecessarilycedesalsoapartofhisright；andfurther，thattheSovereignrightoverallmenbelongstohimwhohassovereignpower，wherewithhecancompelmenbyforce，orrestrainthembythreatsoftheuniversallyfearedpunishmentofdeath；suchsovereignrighthewillretainonlysolongashecanmaintainhispowerofenforcinghiswill；
otherwisehewilltotteronhisthrone，andnoonewhoisstrongerthanhewillbeboundunwillinglytoobeyhim。
16:45Inthismannerasocietycanbeformedwithoutanyviolationofnaturalright，andthecovenantcanalwaysbestrictlykept-thatis，ifeachindividualhandsoverthewholeofhispowertothebodypolitic，thelatterwillthenpossesssovereignnaturalrightoverallthings；thatis，itwillhavesoleandunquestioneddominion，andeveryonewillbeboundtoobey，underpainoftheseverestpunishment。46AbodypoliticofthiskindiscalledaDemocracy，whichmaybedefinedasasocietywhichwieldsallitspowerasawhole。47Thesovereignpowerisnotrestrainedbyanylaws，buteveryoneisboundtoobeyitinallthings；suchisthestateofthingsimpliedwhenmeneithertacitlyorexpresslyhandedovertoitalltheirpowerofself-defence，orinotherwords，alltheirright。48Foriftheyhadwishedtoretainanyrightforthemselves，theyoughttohavetakenprecautionsforitsdefenceandpreservation；astheyhavenotdoneso，andindeedcouldnothavedonesowithoutdividingandconsequentlyruiningthestate，theyplacedthemselvesabsolutelyatthemercyofthesovereignpower；and，therefore，havingactedaswehaveshownasreasonandnecessitydemanded，theyareobligedtofulfilthecommandsofthesovereignpower，howeverabsurdthesemaybe，elsetheywillbepublicenemies，andwillactagainstreason，whichurgesthepreservationofthestateasaprimaryduty。49Forreasonbidsuschoosetheleastoftwoevils。
16:50Furthermore，thisdangerofsubmittingabsolutelytothedominionandwillofanother，isonewhichmaybeincurredwithalightheart:forwehaveshownthatsovereignsonlypossessthisrightofimposingtheirwill，solongastheyhavethefullpowertoenforceit:ifsuchpowerbelosttheirrighttocommandislostalso，orlapsestothosewhohaveassumeditandcankeepit。51Thusitisveryrareforsovereignstoimposethoroughlyirrationalcommands，fortheyareboundtoconsulttheirowninterests，andretaintheirpowerbyconsultingthepublicgoodandactingaccordingtothedictatesofreason，asSenecasays，\"violentaimperianemocontinuitdiu。\"52Noonecanlongretainatyrant\'ssway。
16:53Inademocracy，irrationalcommandsarestilllesstobefeared:foritisalmostimpossiblethatthemajorityofapeople，especiallyifitbealargeone，shouldagreeinanirrationaldesign:and，moreover，thebasisandaimofademocracyistoavoidthedesiresasirrational，andtobringmenasfaraspossibleunderthecontrolofreason，sothattheymayliveinpeaceandharmony:ifthisbasisberemovedthewholefabricfallstoruin。
16:54Suchbeingtheendsinviewforthesovereignpower，thedutyofsubjectsis，asIhavesaid，toobeyitscommands，andtorecognizenorightsavethatwhichitsanctions。
[16:4]55Itwill，perhaps，bethoughtthatweareturningsubjectsintoslaves:forslavesobeycommandsandfreemenliveastheylike；butthisideaisbasedonamisconception，forthetrueslaveishewhoisledawaybyhispleasuresandcanneitherseewhatisgoodforhimnoractaccordingly:healoneisfreewholiveswithfreeconsentundertheentireguidanceofreason。
16:56Actioninobediencetoordersdoestakeawayfreedominacertainsense，butitdoesnot，therefore，makeamanaslave，alldependsontheobjectoftheaction。57Iftheobjectoftheactionbethegoodofthestate，andnotthegoodoftheagent，thelatterisaslaveanddoeshimselfnogood:butinastateorkingdomwherethewealofthewholepeople，andnotthatoftheruler，isthesupremelaw，obediencetothesovereignpowerdoesnotmakeamanaslave，ofnousetohimself，butasubject。58Therefore，thatstateisthefreestwhoselawsarefoundedonsoundreason，sothateverymemberofitmay，ifhewill，befree[Endnote27]；thatis，livewithfullconsentundertheentireguidanceofreason。
16:59Children，thoughtheyareboundtoobeyallthecommandsoftheirparents，areyetnotslaves:forthecommandsofparentslookgenerallytothechildren\'sbenefit。
60Wemust，therefore，acknowledgeagreatdifferencebetweenaslave，ason，andasubject；theirpositionsmaybethusdefined。61Aslaveisonewhoisboundtoobeyhismaster\'sorders，thoughtheyaregivensolelyinthemaster\'sinterest:asonisonewhoobeyshisfather\'sorders，giveninhisowninterest；asubjectobeystheordersofthesovereignpower，givenforthecommoninterest，whereinheisincluded。
16:62IthinkIhavenowshownsufficientlyclearlythebasisofademocracy:Ihaveespeciallydesiredtodoso，forIbelieveittobeofallformsofgovernmentthemostnatural，andthemostconsonantwithindividualliberty。63Initnoonetransfershisnaturalrightsoabsolutelythathehasnofurthervoiceinaffairs，heonlyhandsitovertothemajorityofasociety，whereofheisaunit。Thusallmenremainastheywereinthestateofnature，equals。
16:64ThisistheonlyformofgovernmentwhichIhavetreatedofatlength，foritistheonemostakintomypurposeofshowingthebenefitsoffreedominastate。
65Imaypassoverthefundamentalprinciplesofotherformsofgovernment，forwemaygatherfromwhathasbeensaidwhencetheirrightariseswithoutgoingintoitsorigin。66Thepossessorofsovereignpower，whetherhebeone，ormany，orthewholebodypolitic，hasthesovereignrightofimposinganycommandshepleases:andhewhohaseithervoluntarily，orundercompulsion，transferredtherighttodefendhimtoanother，has，insodoing，renouncedhisnaturalrightandisthereforeboundtoobey，inallthings，thecommandsofthesovereignpower；andwillbeboundsotodosolongastheking，ornobles，orthepeoplepreservethesovereignpowerwhichformedthebasisoftheoriginaltransfer。67Ineedaddnomore。
[16:5]68Thebasesandrightsofdominionbeingthusdisplayed，weshallreadilybeabletodefineprivatecivilright，wrong，justice，andinjustice，withtheirrelationstothestate；andalsotodeterminewhatconstitutesanally，oranenemy，orthecrimeoftreason。
16:69Byprivatecivilrightwecanonlymeanthelibertyeverymanpossessestopreservehisexistence，alibertylimitedbytheedictsofthesovereignpower，andpreservedonlybyitsauthority:forwhenamanhastransferredtoanotherhisrightoflivingashelikes，whichwasonlylimitedbyhispower，thatis，hastransferredhislibertyandpowerofself-defence，heisboundtoliveasthatotherdictates，andtotrusttohimentirelyforhisdefence。70Wrongtakesplacewhenacitizen，orsubject，isforcedbyanothertoundergosomelossorpainincontradictiontotheauthorityofthelaw，ortheedictofthesovereignpower。
16:71Wrongisconceivableonlyinanorganizedcommunity:norcaniteveraccruetosubjectsfromanyactofthesovereign，whohastherighttodowhathelikes。72Itcanonlyarise，therefore，betweenprivatepersons，whoareboundbylawandrightnottoinjureoneanother。73Justiceconsistsinthehabitualrenderingtoeverymanhislawfuldue:injusticeconsistsindeprivingaman，underthepretenceoflegality，ofwhatthelaws，rightlyinterpreted，wouldallowhim。74Theselastarealsocalledequityandiniquity，becausethosewhoadministerthelawsareboundtoshownorespectofpersons，buttoaccountallmenequal，andtodefendeveryman\'srightequally，neitherenvyingtherichnordespisingthepoor。
[16:6]75Themenoftwostatesbecomeallies，whenforthesakeofavoidingwar，orforsomeotheradvantage，theycovenanttodoeachothernohurt，butonthecontrary，toassisteachotherifnecessityarises，eachretaininghisindependence。76Suchacovenantisvalidsolongasitsbasisofdangeroradvantageisinforce:nooneentersintoanengagement，orisboundtostandbyhiscompactsunlesstherebeahopeofsomeaccruinggood，orthefearofsomeevil:ifthisbasisberemovedthecompacttherebybecomesvoid:thishasbeenabundantlyshownbyexperience。77Foralthoughdifferentstatesmaketreatiesnottoharmoneanother，theyalwaystakeeverypossibleprecautionagainstsuchtreatiesbeingbrokenbythestrongerparty，anddonotrelyonthecompact，unlessthereisasufficientlyobviousobjectandadvantagetobothpartiesinobservingit。
78Otherwisetheywouldfearabreachoffaith，norwouldtherebeanywrongdonethereby:forwhoinhispropersenses，andawareoftherightofthesovereignpower，wouldtrustinthepromisesofonewhohasthewillandthepowertodowhathelikes，andwhoaimssolelyatthesafetyandadvantageofhisdominion?79Moreover，ifweconsultloyaltyandreligion，weshallseethatnooneinpossessionofpoweroughttoabidebyhispromisestotheinjuryofhisdominion；forhecannotkeepsuchpromiseswithoutbreakingtheengagementhemadewithhissubjects，bywhichbothheandtheyaremostsolemnlybound。80Anenemyisonewholivesapartfromthestate，anddoesnotrecognizeitsauthorityeitherasasubjectorasanally。Itisnothatredwhichmakesamananenemy，buttherightsofthestate。81Therightsofthestatearethesameinregardtohimwhodoesnotrecognizebyanycompactthestateauthority，astheyareagainsthimwhohasdonethestateaninjury:ithastherighttoforcehimasbestitcan，eithertosubmit，ortocontractanalliance。
[16:7]82Lastly，treasoncanonlybecommittedbysubjects，whobycompact，eithertacitorexpressed，havetransferredalltheirrightstothestate:asubjectissaidtohavecommittedthiscrimewhenhehasattempted，forwhateverreason，toseizethesovereignpower，ortoplaceitindifferenthands。83Isay，hasattempted，forifpunishmentwerenottoovertakehimtillhehadsucceeded，itwouldoftencometoolate，thesovereignrightswouldhavebeenacquiredortransferredalready。
16:84Ialsosay，hasattempted，forwhateverreason，toseizethesovereignpower，andIrecognizenodifferencewhethersuchanattemptshouldbefollowedbypubliclossorpublicgain。85Whateverbehisreasonforacting，thecrimeistreason，andheisrightlycondemned:inwar，everyonewouldadmitthejusticeofhissentence。86Ifamandoesnotkeeptohispost，butapproachestheenemywithouttheknowledgeofhiscommander，whatevermaybehismotive，solongasheactsonhisownmotion，evenifheadvanceswiththedesignofdefeatingtheenemy，heisrightlyputtodeath，becausehehasviolatedhisoath，andinfringedtherightsofhiscommander。87Thatallcitizensareequallyboundbytheserightsintimeofpeace，isnotsogenerallyrecognized，butthereasonsforobedienceareinbothcasesidentical。88Thestatemustbepreservedanddirectedbythesoleauthorityofthesovereign，andsuchauthorityandrighthavebeenaccordedbyuniversalconsenttohimalone:if，therefore，anyoneelseattempts，withouthisconsent，toexecuteanypublicenterprise，eventhoughthestatemightaswesaidreapbenefittherefrom，suchpersonhasnonethelessinfringedthesovereignsright，andwouldberightlypunishedfortreason。
16:89Inorderthateveryscruplemayberemoved，wemaynowanswertheinquiry，whetherourformerassertionthateveryonewhohasnotthepracticeofreason，may，inthestateofnature，livebysovereignnaturalright，accordingtothelawsofhisdesires，isnotindirectoppositiontothelawandrightofGodasrevealed。90ForasallmenabsolutelywhethertheybelessendowedwithreasonormoreareequallyboundbytheDivinecommandtolovetheirneighbourasthemselves，itmaybesaidthattheycannot，withoutwrong，doinjurytoanyone，orliveaccordingtotheirdesires。
16:91Thisobjection，sofarasthestateofnatureisconcerned，canbeeasilyanswered，forthestateofnatureis，bothinnatureandintime，priortoreligion。92NooneknowsbynaturethatheowesanyobediencetoGod[Endnote28]，norcanheattaintheretobyanyexerciseofhisreason，butsolelybyrevelationconfirmedbysigns。93Therefore，previoustorevelation，nooneisboundbyaDivinelawandrightofwhichheisnecessarilyinignorance。94Thestateofnaturemustbynomeansbeconfoundedwithastateofreligion，butmustbeconceivedaswithouteitherreligionorlaw，andconsequentlywithoutsinorwrong:thisishowwehavedescribedit，andweareconfirmedbytheauthorityofPaul。95Itisnotonlyinrespectofignorancethatweconceivethestateofnatureaspriorto，andlackingtheDivinerevealedlawandright；butinrespectoffreedomalso，wherewithallmenarebornendowed。
16:96IfmenwerenaturallyboundbytheDivinelawandright，oriftheDivinelawandrightwereanaturalnecessity，therewouldhavebeennoneedforGodtomakeacovenantwithmankind，andtobindthemtheretowithanoathandagreement。
16:97Wemust，then，fullygrantthattheDivinelawandrightoriginatedatthetimewhenmenbyexpresscovenantagreedtoobeyGodinallthings，andceded，asitwere，theirnaturalfreedom，transferringtheirrightstoGodinthemannerdescribedinspeakingoftheformationofastate。
98However，Iwilltreatofthesemattersmoreatlengthpresently。
[16:8]99ItmaybeinsistedthatsovereignsareasmuchboundbytheDivinelawassubjects:whereaswehaveassertedthattheyretaintheirnaturalrights，andmaydowhatevertheylike。
16:100Inordertoclearupthewholedifficulty，whicharisesratherconcerningthenaturalrightthanthenaturalstate，Imaintainthateveryoneisbound，inthestateofnature，toliveaccordingtoDivinelaw，inthesamewayasheisboundtoliveaccordingtothedictatesofsoundreason；namely，inasmuchasitistohisadvantage，andnecessaryforhissalvation；but，ifhewillnotsolive，hemaydootherwiseathisownrisk。
101Heisthusboundtoliveaccordingtohisownlaws，notaccordingtoanyoneelse\'s，andtorecognizenomanasajudge，orasasuperiorinreligion。102Such，inmyopinion，isthepositionofasovereign，forhemaytakeadvicefromhisfellow-men，butheisnotboundtorecognizeanyasajudge，noranyonebesideshimselfasanarbitratoronanyquestionofright，unlessitbeaprophetsentexpresslybyGodandattestinghismissionbyindisputablesigns。103Eventhenhedoesnotrecognizeaman，butGodHimselfasHisjudge。
[16:9]104IfasovereignrefusestoobeyGodasrevealedinHislaw，hedoessoathisownriskandloss，butwithoutviolatinganycivilornaturalright。105Forthecivilrightisdependentonhisowndecree；andnaturalrightisdependentonthelawsofnature，whichlatterarenotadaptedtoreligion，whosesoleaimisthegoodofhumanity，buttotheorderofnature-thatis，toGod\'seternaldecreeunknowntous。
16:106ThistruthseemstobeadumbratedinasomewhatobscurerformbythosewhomaintainthatmencansinagainstGod\'srevelation，butnotagainsttheeternaldecreebywhichHehasordainedallthings。
107Wemaybeasked，whatshouldwedoifthesovereigncommandsanythingcontrarytoreligion，andtheobediencewhichwehaveexpresslyvowedtoGod?shouldweobeytheDivinelaworthehumanlaw?108Ishalltreatofthisquestionatlengthhereafter，andwillthereforemerelysaynow，thatGodshouldbeobeyedbeforeallelse，whenwehaveacertainandindisputablerevelationofHiswill:butmenareverypronetoerroronreligioussubjects，and，accordingtothediversityoftheirdispositions，arewontwithconsiderablestirtoputforwardtheirowninventions，asexperiencemorethansufficientlyattests，sothatifnoonewereboundtoobeythestateinmatterswhich，inhisownopinionconcernreligion，therightsofthestatewouldbedependentoneveryman\'sjudgmentandpassions。109Noonewouldconsiderhimselfboundtoobeylawsframedagainsthisfaithorsuperstition；andonthispretexthemightassumeunboundedlicense。110Inthisway，therightsofthecivilauthoritieswouldbeutterlysetatnought，sothatwemustconcludethatthesovereignpower，whichaloneisboundbothbyDivineandnaturalrighttopreserveandguardthelawsofthestate，shouldhavesupremeauthorityformakinganylawsaboutreligionwhichitthinksfit；allareboundtoobeyitsbehestsonthesubjectinaccordancewiththeirpromisewhichGodbidsthemtokeep。
16:111However，ifthesovereignpowerbeheathen，weshouldeitherenterintonoengagementstherewith，andyieldupourlivessoonerthantransfertoitanyofourrights；or，iftheengagementbemade，andourrightstransferred，weshouldinasmuchasweshouldhaveourselvestransferredtherightofdefendingourselvesandourreligionbeboundtoobeythem，andtokeepourword:wemightevenrightlybeboundsotodo，exceptinthosecaseswhereGod，byindisputablerevelation，haspromisedHisspecialaidagainsttyranny，orgivenusspecialexemptionfromobedience。112Thusweseethat，ofalltheJewsinBabylon，therewereonlythreeyouthswhowerecertainofthehelpofGod，and，therefore，refusedtoobeyNebuchadnezzar。
113Alltherest，withthesoleexceptionofDaniel，whowasbelovedbytheking，weredoubtlesscompelledbyrighttoobey，perhapsthinkingthattheyhadbeendeliveredupbyGodintothehandsoftheking，andthatthekinghadobtainedandpreservedhisdominionbyGod\'sdesign。114Ontheotherhand，Eleazar，beforehiscountryhadutterlyfallen，wishedtogiveaproofofhisconstancytohiscompatriots，inorderthattheymightfollowinhisfootsteps，andgotoanylengths，ratherthanallowtheirrightandpowertobetransferredtotheGreeks，orbraveanytortureratherthanswearallegiancetotheheathen。115InstancesareoccurringeverydayinconfirmationofwhatIhereadvance。116TherulersofChristiankingdomsdonothesitate，withaviewtostrengtheningtheirdominion，tomaketreatieswithTurksandheathen，andtogiveorderstotheirsubjectswhosettleamongsuchpeoplesnottoassumemorefreedom，eitherinthingssecularorreligious，thanissetdowninthetreaty，orallowedbytheforeigngovernment。117WemayseethisexemplifiedintheDutchtreatywiththeJapanese，whichIhavealreadymentioned。
[17:0]CHAPTERXVII-ITISSHOWNTHATNOONECAN，OR
NEED，TRANSFERALLHISRIGHTSTOTHESOVEREIGNPOWER。
OFTHEHEBREWREPUBLIC，ASITWASDURINGTHELIFETIME
OFMOSES，ANDAFTERHISDEATH，TILLTHEFOUNDATION
OFTHEMONARCHY；ANDOFITSEXCELLENCE。LASTLY，OF
THECAUSESWHYTHETHEOCRATICREPUBLICFELL，ANDWHY
ITCOULDHARDLYHAVECONTINUEDWITHOUTDISSENSION。
[17:1]1Thetheoryputforwardinthelastchapter，oftheuniversalrightsofthesovereignpower，andofthenaturalrightsoftheindividualtransferredthereto，thoughitcorrespondsinmanyrespectswithactualpractice，andthoughpracticemaybesoarrangedastoconformtoitmoreandmore，mustneverthelessalwaysremaininmanyrespectspurelyideal。2
Noonecaneversoutterlytransfertoanotherhispowerand，consequently，hisrights，astoceasetobeaman；norcanthereeverbeapowersosovereignthatitcancarryouteverypossiblewish。3Itwillalwaysbevaintoorderasubjecttohatewhathebelievesbringshimadvantage，ortolovewhatbringshimloss，ornottobeoffendedatinsults，ornottowishtobefreefromfear，orahundredotherthingsofthesort，whichnecessarilyfollowfromthelawsofhumannature。4Somuch，Ithink，isabundantlyshownbyexperience:formenhaveneversofarcededtheirpowerastoceasetobeanobjectoffeartotherulerswhoreceivedsuchpowerandright；anddominionshavealwaysbeeninasmuchdangerfromtheirownsubjectsasfromexternalenemies。5Ifitwerereallythecase，thatmencouldbedeprivedoftheirnaturalrightssoutterlyasnevertohaveanyfurtherinfluenceonaffairs[Endnote29]，exceptwiththepermissionoftheholdersofsovereignright，itwouldthenbepossibletomaintainwithimpunitythemostviolenttyranny，which，Isuppose，noonewouldforaninstantadmit。
17:6Wemust，therefore，grantthateverymanretainssomepartofhisright，independenceonhisowndecision，andnooneelse\'s。
7However，inordercorrectlytounderstandtheextentofthesovereign\'srightandpower，wemusttakenoticethatitdoesnotcoveronlythoseactionstowhichitcancompelmenbyfear，butabsolutelyeveryactionwhichitcaninducementoperform:foritisthefactofobedience，notthemotiveforobedience，whichmakesamanasubject。
17:8Whateverbethecausewhichleadsamantoobeythecommandsofthesovereign，whetheritbefearorhope，orloveofhiscountry，oranyotheremotion-thefactremainsthatthemantakescounselwithhimself，andneverthelessactsashissovereignorders。9Wemustnot，therefore，assertthatallactionsresultingfromaman\'sdeliberationwithhimselfaredoneinobediencetotherightsoftheindividualratherthanthesovereign:
asamatteroffact，allactionsspringfromaman\'sdeliberationwithhimself，whetherthedeterminingmotivebeloveorfearofpunishment；
therefore，eitherdominiondoesnotexist，andhasnorightsoveritssubjects，orelseitextendsovereveryinstanceinwhichitcanprevailonmentodecidetoobeyit。10Consequently，everyactionwhichasubjectperformsinaccordancewiththecommandsofthesovereign，whethersuchactionspringsfromlove，orfear，orasismorefrequentlythecasefromhopeandfeartogether，orfromreverence。compoundedoffearandadmiration，or，indeed，anymotivewhatever，isperformedinvirtueofhissubmissiontothesovereign，andnotinvirtueofhisownauthority。
17:11Thispointismadestillmoreclearbythefactthatobediencedoesnotconsistsomuchintheoutwardactasinthementalstateofthepersonobeying；sothatheismostunderthedominionofanotherwhowithhiswholeheartdeterminestoobeyanother\'scommands；andconsequentlythefirmestdominionbelongstothesovereignwhohasmostinfluenceoverthemindsofhissubjects；ifthosewhoaremostfearedpossessedthefirmestdominion，thefirmestdominionwouldbelongtothesubjectsofatyrant，fortheyarealwaysgreatlyfearedbytheirruler。12Furthermore，thoughitisimpossibletogovernthemindascompletelyasthetongue，neverthelessmindsare，toacertainextent，underthecontrolofthesovereign，forhecaninmanywaysbringaboutthatthegreatestpartofhissubjectsshouldfollowhiswishesintheirbeliefs，theirloves，andtheirhates。13
Thoughsuchemotionsdonotariseattheexpresscommandofthesovereigntheyoftenresultasexperienceshowsfromtheauthorityofhispower，andfromhisdirection；inotherwords，invirtueofhisright；wemay，therefore，withoutdoingviolencetoourunderstanding，conceivemenwhofollowtheinstigationoftheirsovereignintheirbeliefs，theirloves，theirhates，theircontempt，andallotheremotionswhatsoever。
17:14Thoughthepowersofgovernment，asthusconceived，aresufficientlyample，theycanneverbecomelargeenoughtoexecuteeverypossiblewishoftheirpossessors。15This，Ithink，Ihavealreadyshownclearlyenough。
16ThemethodofformingadominionwhichshouldprovelastingIdonot，asIhavesaid，intendtodiscuss，butinordertoarriveattheobjectI
haveinview，IwilltouchontheteachingofDivinerevelationtoMosesinthisrespect，andwewillconsiderthehistoryandthesuccessoftheJews，gatheringtherefromwhatshouldbethechiefconcessionsmadebysovereignstotheirsubjectswithaviewtothesecurityandincreaseoftheirdominion。
[17:2]17Thatthepreservationofastatechieflydependsonthesubjects\'fidelityandconstancyincarryingouttheorderstheyreceive，ismostclearlytaughtbothbyreasonandexperience；howsubjectsoughttobeguidedsoasbesttopreservetheirfidelityandvirtueisnotsoobvious。
18All，bothrulersandruled，aremen，andpronetofollowaftertheirlusts。19Thefickledispositionofthemultitudealmostreducesthosewhohaveexperienceofittodespair，foritisgovernedsolelybyemotions，notbyreason:itrushesheadlongintoeveryenterprise，andiseasilycorruptedeitherbyavariceorluxury:everyonethinkshimselfomniscientandwishestofashionallthingstohisliking，judgingathingtobejustorunjust，lawfulorunlawful，accordingashethinksitwillbringhimprofitorloss:
vanityleadshimtodespisehisequals，andrefusetheirguidance:envyofsuperiorfameorfortuneforsuchgiftsareneverequallydistributed
leadshimtodesireandrejoiceinhisneighbour\'sdownfall。20Ineednotgothroughthewholelist，everyoneknowsalreadyhowmuchcrime。
resultsfromdisgustatthepresent-desireforchange，headlonganger，andcontemptforpoverty-andhowmen\'smindsareengrossedandkeptinturmoilthereby。
17:21Toguardagainstalltheseevils，andformadominionwherenoroomisleftfordeceit；toframeourinstitutionssothateveryman，whateverhisdisposition，maypreferpublicrighttoprivateadvantage，thisisthetaskandthisthetoil。22Necessityisoftenthemotherofinvention，butshehasneveryetsucceededinframingadominionthatwasinlessdangerfromitsowncitizensthanfromopenenemies，orwhoserulersdidnotfearthelatterlessthantheformer。23WitnessthestateofRome，invinciblebyherenemies，butmanytimesconqueredandsorelyoppressedbyherowncitizens，especiallyinthewarbetweenVespasianandVitellius。24SeeTacitus，Hist。bk。iv。foradescriptionofthepitiablestateofthecity。
17:25Alexanderthoughtprestigeabroadmoreeasytoacquirethanprestigeathome，andbelievedthathisgreatnesscouldbedestroyedbyhisownfollowers。26Fearingsuchadisaster，hethusaddressedhisfriends:
\"Keepmesafefrominternaltreacheryanddomesticplots，andIwillfrontwithoutfearthedangersofbattleandofwar。27Philipwasmoresecureinthebattlearraythaninthetheatre:heoftenescapedfromthehandsoftheenemy，hecouldnotescapefromhisownsubjects。28Ifyouthinkoverthedeathsofkings，youwillcountupmorewhohavediedbytheassassinthanbytheopenfoe。\"Q。Curtius，chap。vi。
17:29Forthesakeofmakingthemselvessecure，kingswhoseizedthethroneinancienttimesusedtotrytospreadtheideathattheyweredescendedfromtheimmortalgods，thinkingthatiftheirsubjectsandtherestofmankinddidnotlookonthemasequals，butbelievedthemtobegods，theywouldwillinglysubmittotheirrule，andobeytheircommands。
30ThusAugustuspersuadedtheRomansthathewasdescendedfromAEneas，whowasthesonofVenus，andnumberedamongthegods。31\"Hewishedhimselftobeworshippedintemples，likethegods，withflamensandpriests。\"Tacitus，Ann。i。10。
17:32AlexanderwishedtobesalutedasthesonofJupiter，notfrommotivesofpridebutofpolicy，asheshowedbyhisanswertotheinvectiveofHermolaus:\"Itisalmostlaughable，\"saidhe，thatHermolausaskedmetocontradictJupiter，bywhoseoracleIamrecognized。33AmIresponsiblefortheanswersofthegods?34Itofferedmethenameofson；
acquiescencewasbynomeansforeigntomypresentdesigns。35WouldthattheIndiansalsowouldbelievemetobeagod!36Warsarecarriedthroughbyprestige，falsehoodsthatarebelievedoftengaintheforceoftruth。\"
Curtius，viii，。Para，8。37Inthesefewwordshecleverlycontrivestopalmoffafictionontheignorant，andatthesametimehintsatthemotiveforthedeception。
17:38Cleon，inhisspeechpersuadingtheMacedonianstoobeytheirking，adoptedasimilardevice:foraftergoingthroughthepraisesofAlexanderwithadmiration，andrecallinghismerits，heproceeds，\"thePersiansarenotonlypious，butprudentinworshippingtheirkingsasgods:forkingshipistheshieldofpublicsafety，\"andheendsthus，\"I，myself，whenthekingentersabanquethall，shouldprostratemybodyontheground；othermenshoulddothelike，especiallythosewhoarewise\"Curtius，viii。
Para。66。39However，theMacedoniansweremoreprudent-indeed，itisonlycompletebarbarianswhocanbesoopenlycajoled，andcansufferthemselvestobeturnedfromsubjectsintoslaveswithoutinterestsoftheirown。40Others，notwithstanding，havebeenablemoreeasilytospreadthebeliefthatkingshipissacred，andplaysthepartofGodontheearth，thatithasbeeninstitutedbyGod，notbythesuffrageandconsentofmen；andthatitispreservedandguardedbyDivinespecialprovidenceandaid。
41Similarfictionshavebeenpromulgatedbymonarchs，withtheobjectofstrengtheningtheirdominion，buttheseIwillpassover，andinordertoarriveatmymainpurpose，willmerelyrecallanddiscusstheteachingonthesubjectofDivinerevelationtoMosesinancienttimes。
[17:3]42WehavesaidinChap。V。thataftertheHebrewscameupoutofEgypttheywerenotboundbythelawandrightofanyothernation，butwereatlibertytoinstituteanynewritesattheirpleasure，andtooccupywhateverterritorytheychose。43AftertheirliberationfromtheintolerablebondageoftheEgyptians，theywereboundbynocovenanttoanyman；and，therefore，everymanenteredintohisnaturalright，andwasfreetoretainitortogiveitup，andtransferittoanother。44Being，then，inthestateofnature，theyfollowedtheadviceofMoses，inwhomtheychieflytrusted，anddecidedtotransfertheirrighttonohumanbeing，butonlytoGod；withoutfurtherdelaytheyall，withonevoice，promisedtoobeyallthecommandsoftheDeity，andtoacknowledgenorightthatHedidnotproclaimassuchbypropheticrevelation。45Thispromise，ortransferenceofrighttoGod，waseffectedinthesamemanneraswehaveconceivedittohavebeeninordinarysocieties，whenmenagreetodivestthemselvesoftheirnaturalrights。46Itis，infact，invirtueofasetcovenant，andanoathseeExod。xxxiv:10，thattheJewsfreely，andnotundercompulsionorthreats，surrenderedtheirrightsandtransferredthemtoGod。47Moreover，inorderthatthiscovenantmightberatifiedandsettled，andmightbefreefromallsuspicionofdeceit，GoddidnotenterintoittilltheJewshadhadexperienceofHiswonderfulpowerbywhichalonetheyhadbeen，orcouldbe，preservedinastateofprosperityExod。xix:4，5。48ItisbecausetheybelievedthatnothingbutGod\'spowercouldpreservethemthattheysurrenderedtoGodthenaturalpowerofself-preservation，whichtheyformerly，perhaps，thoughttheypossessed，andconsequentlytheysurrenderedatthesametimealltheirnaturalright。
[17:4]49Godalone，therefore，helddominionovertheHebrews，whosestatewasinvirtueofthecovenantcalledGod\'skingdom，andGodwassaidtobetheirking；consequentlytheenemiesoftheJewsweresaidtobetheenemiesofGod，andthecitizenswhotriedtoseizethedominionwereguiltyoftreasonagainstGod；and，lastly，thelawsofthestatewerecalledthelawsandcommandmentsofGod。50ThusintheHebrewstatethecivilandreligiousauthority，eachconsistingsolelyofobediencetoGod，wereoneandthesame。51Thedogmasofreligionwerenotprecepts，butlawsandordinances；pietywasregardedasthesameasloyalty，impietyasthesameasdisaffection。52Everyonewhofellawayfromreligionceasedtobeacitizen，andwas，onthatgroundalone，accountedanenemy:thosewhodiedforthesakeofreligion，wereheldtohavediedfortheircountry；
infact，betweencivilandreligiouslawandrighttherewasnodistinctionwhatever。{inBiblicalHebrew，therewasnowordforwhatwecallReligion。\"
ModernHebrewhasselectedawordwhoserootis\"knowledge。\"}53ForthisreasonthegovernmentcouldbecalledaTheocracy，inasmuchasthecitizenswerenotboundbyanythingsavetherevelationsofGod。
17:54However，thisstateofthingsexistedratherintheorythaninpractice，foritwillappearfromwhatweareabouttosay，thattheHebrews，asamatteroffact，retainedabsolutelyintheirownhandstherightofsovereignty:thisisshownbythemethodandplanbywhichthegovernmentwascarriedon，asIwillnowexplain。
17:55InasmuchastheHebrewsdidnottransfertheirrightstoanyotherpersonbut，asinademocracy，allsurrenderedtheirrightsequally，andcriedoutwithonevoice，\"WhatsoeverGodshallspeaknomediatorormouthpiecebeingnamedthatwillwedo，\"itfollowsthatallwereequallyboundbythecovenant，andthatallhadanequalrighttoconsulttheDeity，toacceptandtointerpretHislaws，sothatallhadanexactlyequalshareinthegovernment。[17:5]56ThusatfirsttheyallapproachedGodtogether，sothattheymightlearnHiscommands，butinthisfirstsalutation，theyweresothoroughlyterrifiedandsoastoundedtohearGodspeaking，thattheythoughttheirlasthourwasathand:fulloffear，therefore，theywentafreshtoMoses，andsaid，\"Lo，wehaveheardGodspeakinginthefire，andthereisnocausewhyweshouldwishtodie:
surelythisgreatfirewillconsumeus:ifwehearagainthevoiceofGod，weshallsurelydie。57Thou，therefore，gonear，andhearallthewordsofourGod，andthounotGodshaltspeakwithus:allthatGodshalltellus，thatwillwehearkentoandperform。\"
17:58Theythusclearlyabrogatedtheirformercovenant，andabsolutelytransferredtoMosestheirrighttoconsultGodandinterpretHiscommands:
fortheydonotherepromiseobediencetoallthatGodshalltellthem，buttoallthatGodshalltellMosesseeDeut。v:20aftertheDecalogue，andchap。xviii:15，16。59Moses，therefore，remainedthesolepromulgatorandinterpreteroftheDivinelaws，andconsequentlyalsothesovereignjudge，whocouldnotbearraignedhimself，andwhoactedamongtheHebrewsthepart，ofGod；inotherwords，heldthesovereignkingship:healonehadtherighttoconsultGod，togivetheDivineanswerstothepeople，andtoseethattheywerecarriedout。60Isayhealone，forifanyoneduringthelifeofMoseswasdesirousofpreachinganythinginthenameoftheLord，hewas，evenifatrueprophet，consideredguiltyandausurperofthesovereignrightNumb。xi:28[Endnote30]。61Wemayherenotice，thatthoughthepeoplehadelectedMoses，theycouldnotrightfullyelectMoses\'ssuccessor；forhavingtransferredtoMosestheirrightofconsultingGod，andabsolutelypromisedtoregardhimasaDivineoracle，theyhadplainlyforfeitedthewholeoftheirright，andwereboundtoacceptaschosenbyGodanyoneproclaimedbyMosesashissuccessor。62IfMoseshadsochosenhissuccessor，wholikehimshouldwieldthesolerightofgovernment，possessingthesolerightofconsultingGod，andconsequentlyofmakingandabrogatinglaws，ofdecidingonpeaceorwar，ofsendingambassadors，appointingjudges-infact，dischargingallthefunctionsofasovereign，thestatewouldhavebecomesimplyamonarchy，onlydifferingfromothermonarchiesinthefact，thatthelatterare，orshouldbe，carriedoninaccordancewithGod\'sdecree，unknowneventothemonarch，whereastheHebrewmonarchwouldhavebeentheonlypersontowhomthedecreewasrevealed。63Adifferencewhichincreases，ratherthandiminishesthemonarch\'sauthority。64Asfarasthepeopleinbothcasesareconcerned，eachwouldbeequallysubject，andequallyignorantoftheDivinedecree，foreachwouldbedependentonthemonarch\'swords，andwouldlearnfromhimalone，whatwaslawfulorunlawful:norwouldthefactthatthepeoplebelievedthatthemonarchwasonlyissuingcommandsinaccordancewithGod\'sdecreerevealedtohim，makeitlessinsubjection，butrathermore。[17:6]65However，Moseselectednosuchsuccessor，butleftthedominiontothosewhocameafterhiminaconditionwhichcouldnotbecalledapopulargovernment，noranaristocracy，noramonarchy，butaTheocracy。66Fortherightofinterpretinglawswasvestedinoneman，whiletherightandpowerofadministeringthestateaccordingtothelawsthusinterpreted，wasvestedinanothermanseeNumb。xxvii:21
[Endnote31]。
17:67Inorderthatthequestionmaybethoroughlyunderstood，Iwilldulysetforththeadministrationofthewholestate。
68First，thepeoplewerecommandedtobuildatabernacle，whichshouldbe，asitwere，thedwellingofGod-thatis，ofthesovereignauthorityofthestate。69Thistabernaclewastobeerectedatthecostofthewholepeople，notofoneman，inorderthattheplacewhereGodwasconsultedmightbepublicproperty。70TheLeviteswerechosenascourtiersandadministratorsofthisroyalabode；whileAaron，thebrotherofMoses，waschosentobetheirchiefandsecond，asitwere，toGodtheirKing，beingsucceededintheofficebyhislegitimatesons。
17:71He，asthenearesttoGod，wasthesovereigninterpreteroftheDivinelaws；hecommunicatedtheanswersoftheDivineoracletothepeople，andentreatedGod\'sfavourforthem。72If，inadditiontotheseprivileges，hehadpossessedtherightofruling，hewouldhavebeenneithermorenorlessthananabsolutemonarch；but，inrespecttogovernment，hewasonlyaprivatecitizen:thewholetribeofLeviwassocompletelydivestedofgoverningrightsthatitdidnoteventakeitssharewiththeothersinthepartitionofterritory。73Mosesprovidedforitssupportbyinspiringthecommonpeoplewithgreatreverenceforit，astheonlytribededicatedtoGod。
17:74Further，thearmy，formedfromtheremainingtwelvetribes，wascommandedtoinvadethelandofCanaan，todivideitintotwelveportions，andtodistributeitamongthetribesbylot。75Forthistasktwelvecaptainswerechosen，onefromeverytribe，andwere，togetherwithJoshuaandEleazar，thehighpriest，empoweredtodividethelandintotwelveequalparts，anddistributeitbylot。76Joshuawaschosenforthechiefcommandofthearmy，inasmuchasnonebuthehadtherighttoconsultGodinemergencies，notlikeMoses，aloneinhistent，orinthetabernacle，butthroughthehighpriest，towhomonlytheanswersofGodwererevealed。77Furthermore，hewasempoweredtoexecute，andcausethepeopletoobeyGod\'scommands，transmittedthroughthehighpriests；tofind，andtomakeuseof，meansforcarryingthemout；tochooseasmany，armycaptainsasheliked；tomakewhateverchoicehethoughtbest；tosendambassadorsinhisownname；and，inshort，tohavetheentirecontrolofthewar。78Tohisofficetherewasnorightfulsuccessor-indeed，thepostwasonlyfilledbythedirectorderoftheDeity，onoccasionsofpublicemergency。79Inordinarytimes，allthemanagementofpeaceandwarwasvestedinthecaptainsofthetribes，asIwillshortlypointout。
80Lastly，allmenbetweentheagesoftwentyandsixtywereorderedtobeararms，andformacitizenarmy，owingallegiance，nottoitsgeneral-in-