18:75Theseexamples，then，confirmusinourbelief，thateverydominionshouldretainitsoriginalform，and，indeed，cannotchangeitwithoutdangeroftheutterruinofthewholestate。76SucharethepointsIhaveherethoughtworthyofremark。
[19:0]CHAPTERXIX-ITISSHOWNTHATTHERIGHTOVERMATTERS
SPIRITUALLIESWHOLLYWITHTHESOVEREIGN，ANDTHAT
THEOUTWARDFORMSOFRELIGIONSHOULDBEINACCORDANCE
WITHPUBLICPEACE，IFWEWOULDOBEYGODARIGHT。
1WhenIsaidthatthepossessorsofsovereignpowerhaverightsovereverything，andthatallrightsaredependentontheirdecree，Ididnotmerelymeantemporalrights，butalsospiritualrights；ofthelatter，nolessthantheformer，theyoughttobetheinterpretersandthechampions。2Iwishtodrawspecialattentiontothispoint，andtodiscussitfullyinthischapter，becausemanypersonsdenythattherightofdecidingreligiousquestionsbelongstothesovereignpower，andrefusetoacknowledgeitastheinterpreterofDivineright。3Theyaccordinglyassumefulllicencetoaccuseandarraignit，nay，eventoexcommunicateitfromtheChurch，asAmbrosiustreatedtheEmperorTheodosiusinoldtime。4However，Iwillshowlateroninthischapterthattheytakethismeansofdividingthegovernment，andpavingthewaytotheirownascendancy。5Iwish，however，firsttopointoutthatreligionacquiresitsforceaslawsolelyfromthedecreesofthesovereign。
6GodhasnospecialkingdomamongmenexceptinsofarasHereignsthroughtemporalrulers。[19:1]7Moreover，theritesofreligionandtheoutwardobservancesofpietyshouldbeinaccordancewiththepublicpeaceandwell-being，andshouldthereforebedeterminedbythesovereignpoweralone。8Ispeakhereonlyoftheoutwardobservancesofpietyandtheexternalritesofreligion，notofpiety，itself，noroftheinwardworshipofGod，northemeansbywhichthemindisinwardlyledtodohomagetoGodinsinglenessofheart。
19:9InwardworshipofGodandpietyinitselfarewithinthesphereofeveryone\'sprivaterights，andcannotbealienatedasIshowedattheendofChapterVII。。10WhatIheremeanbythekingdomofGodis，I
think，sufficientlyclearfromwhathasbeensaidinChapterXIV。
11IthereshowedthatamanbestfulfilsGodslawwhoworshipsHim，accordingtoHiscommand，throughactsofjusticeandcharity；itfollows，therefore，thatwhereverjusticeandcharityhavetheforceoflawandordinance，thereisGod\'skingdom。
19:12IrecognizenodifferencebetweenthecaseswhereGodteachesandcommandsthepracticeofjusticeandcharitythroughournaturalfaculties，andthosewhereHemakesspecialrevelations；noristheformoftherevelationofimportancesolongassuchpracticeisrevealedandbecomesasovereignandsupremelawtomen。13If，therefore，Ishowthatjusticeandcharitycanonlyacquiretheforceofrightandlawthroughtherightsofrulers，Ishallbeablereadilytoarriveattheconclusionseeingthattherightsofrulersareinthepossessionofthesovereign，thatreligioncanonlyacquiretheforceofrightbymeansofthosewhohavetherighttocommand，andthatGodonlyrulesamongmenthroughtheinstrumentalityofearthlypotentates。14Itfollowsfromwhathasbeensaid，thatthepracticeofjusticeandcharityonlyacquirestheforceoflawthroughtherightsofthesovereignauthority；forweshowedinChapterXVI。thatinthestateofnaturereasonhasnomorerightsthandesire，butthatmenlivingeitherbythelawsoftheformerorthelawsofthelatter，possessrightsco-extensivewiththeirpowers。
19:15Forthisreasonwecouldnotconceivesintoexistinthestateofnature，norimagineGodasajudgepunishingman\'stransgressions；butwesupposedallthingstohappenaccordingtothegenerallawsofuniversalnature，therebeingnodifferencebetweenpiousandimpious，betweenhimthatwaspureasSolomonsaysandhimthatwasimpure，becausetherewasnopossibilityeitherofjusticeorcharity。
[19:2]16Inorderthatthetruedoctrinesofreason，thatisasweshowedinChapterIV。，thetrueDivinedoctrinesmightobtainabsolutelytheforceoflawandright，itwasnecessarythateachindividualshouldcedehisnaturalright，andtransferiteithertosocietyasawhole，ortoacertainbodyofmen，ortooneman。17Then，andnottillthen，doesitfirstdawnuponuswhatisjusticeandwhatisinjustice，whatisequityandwhatisiniquity。
19:18Justice，therefore，andabsolutelyallthepreceptsofreason，includinglovetowardsone\'sneighbour，receivetheforceoflawsandordinancessolelythroughtherightsofdominion，thatisasweshowedinthesamechaptersolelyonthedecreeofthosewhopossesstherighttorule。19InasmuchasthekingdomofGodconsistsentirelyinrightsappliedtojusticeandcharityortotruereligion，itfollowsthatasweassertedthekingdomofGodcanonlyexistamongmenthroughthemeansofthesovereignpowers；nordoesitmakeanydifferencewhetherreligionbeapprehendedbyournaturalfacultiesorbyrevelation:theargumentissoundinbothcases，inasmuchasreligionisoneandthesame，andisequallyrevealedbyGod，whateverbethemannerinwhichitbecomesknowntomen。
19:20Thus，inorderthatthereligionrevealedbytheprophetsmighthavetheforceoflawamongtheJews，itwasnecessarythateverymanofthemshouldyielduphisnaturalright，andthatallshould，withoneaccord，agreethattheywouldonlyobeysuchcommandsasGodshouldrevealtothemthroughtheprophets。21Justaswehaveshowntotakeplaceinademocracy，wheremenwithoneconsentagreetoliveaccordingtothedictatesofreason。22AlthoughtheHebrewsfurthermoretransferredtheirrighttoGod，theywereabletodosoratherintheorythaninpractice，for，asamatteroffactaswepointedoutabovetheyabsolutelyretainedtherightofdominiontilltheytransferredittoMoses，whoinhisturnbecameabsoluteking，sothatitwasonlythroughhimthatGodreignedovertheHebrews。23Forthisreasonnamely，thatreligiononlyacquirestheforceoflawbymeansofthesovereignpowerMoseswasnotabletopunishthosewho，beforethecovenant，andconsequentlywhilestillinpossessionoftheirrights，violatedtheSabbathExod。xvi:27，butwasabletodosoafterthecovenantNumb。xv:36，becauseeveryonehadthenyieldeduphisnaturalrights，andtheordinanceoftheSabbathhadreceivedtheforceoflaw。
19:24Lastly，forthesamereason，afterthedestructionoftheHebrewdominion，revealedreligionceasedtohavetheforceoflaw；forwecannotdoubtthatassoonastheJewstransferredtheirrighttothekingofBabylon，thekingdomofGodandtheDivinerightforthwithceased。25
ForthecovenantwherewiththeypromisedtoobeyalltheutterancesofGodwasabrogated；God\'skingdom，whichwasbasedthereupon，alsoceased。26
TheHebrewscouldnolongerabidethereby，inasmuchastheirrightsnolongerbelongedtothembuttothekingofBabylon，whomasweshowedinChapterXVI。theywereboundtoobeyinallthings。27Jeremiahchap。
xxix:7expresslyadmonishesthemofthisfact:\"Andseekthepeaceofthecity，whitherIhavecausedyoutobecarriedawaycaptives，andprayuntotheLordforit；forinthepeacethereofshallyehavepeace。\"28Now，theycouldnotseekthepeaceoftheCityashavingashareinitsgovernment，butonlyasslaves，being，astheywere，captives；byobedienceinallthings，withaviewtoavoidingseditions，andbyobservingallthelawsofthecountry，howeverdifferentfromtheirown。29ItisthusabundantlyevidentthatreligionamongtheHebrewsonlyacquiredtheformoflawthroughtherightofthesovereignrule；whenthatrulewasdestroyed，itcouldnolongerbereceivedasthelawofaparticularkingdom，butonlyastheuniversalpreceptofreason。30Isayofreason，fortheuniversalreligionhadnotyetbecomeknownbyrevelation。31Wemaythereforedrawthegeneralconclusionthatreligion，whetherrevealedthroughournaturalfacultiesorthroughprophets，receivestheforceofacommandsolelythroughthedecreesoftheholdersofsovereignpower；and，further，thatGodhasnospecialkingdomamongmen，exceptinsofarasHereignsthroughearthlypotentates。
19:32WemaynowseeinaclearerlightwhatwasstatedinChapterIV。，namely，thatallthedecreesofGodinvolveeternaltruthandnecessity，sothatwecannotconceiveGodasaprinceorlegislatorgivinglawstomankind。33ForthisreasontheDivineprecepts，whetherrevealedthroughournaturalfaculties，orthroughprophets，donotreceiveimmediatelyfromGodtheforceofacommand，butonlyfromthose，orthroughthemediationofthose，whopossesstherightofrulingandlegislating。34ItisonlythroughtheselattermeansthatGodrulesamongmen，anddirectshumanaffairswithjusticeandequity。
19:35Thisconclusionissupportedbyexperience，forwefindtracesofDivinejusticeonlyinplaceswherejustmenbearsway；elsewherethesamelottorepeat，againSolomon\'swordsbefallsthejustandtheunjust，thepureandtheimpure:astateofthingswhichcausesDivineProvidencetobedoubtedbymanywhothinkthatGodimmediatelyreignsamongmen，anddirectsallnaturefortheirbenefit。
[19:3]36As，then，bothreasonandexperiencetellusthattheDivinerightisentirelydependentonthedecreesofsecularrulers，itfollowsthatsecularrulersareitsproperinterpreters。37Howthisissoweshallnowsee，foritistimetoshowthattheoutwardobservancesofreligion，andalltheexternalpracticesofpietyshouldbebroughtintoaccordancewiththepublicpeaceandwell-beingifwewouldobeyGodrightly。38Whenthishasbeenshownweshalleasilyunderstandhowthesovereignrulersaretheproperinterpretersofreligionandpiety。
19:39Itiscertainthatdutiestowardsone\'scountryarethehighestthatmancanfulfil；for，ifgovernmentbetakenaway，nogoodthingcanlast，allfallsintodispute，angerandanarchyreignuncheckedamiduniversalfear。40Consequentlytherecanbenodutytowardsourneighbourwhichwouldnotbecomeanoffenceifitinvolvedinjurytothewholestate，norcantherebeanyoffenceagainstourdutytowardsourneighbour，oranythingbutloyaltyinwhatwedoforthesakeofpreservingthestate。41Forinstance:itisintheabstractmydutywhenmyneighbourquarrelswithmeandwishestotakemycloak，togivehimmycoatalso；butifitbethoughtthatsuchconductishurtfultothemaintenanceofthestate，Ioughttobringhimtotrial，evenattheriskofhisbeingcondemnedtodeath。
19:42ForthisreasonManliusTorquatusishelduptohonour，inasmuchasthepublicwelfareoutweighedwithhimhisdutytowardshischildren。43
Thisbeingso，itfollowsthatthepublicwelfareisthesovereignlawtowhichallothers，Divineandhuman，shouldbemadetoconform。44Now，itisthefunctionofthesovereignonlytodecidewhatisnecessaryforthepublicwelfareandthesafetyofthestate，andtogiveordersaccordingly；
thereforeitisalsothefunctionofthesovereignonlytodecidethelimitsofourdutytowardsourneighbour-inotherwords，todeterminehowweshouldobeyGod。45Wecannowclearlyunderstandhowthesovereignistheinterpreterofreligion，andfurther，thatnoonecanobeyGodrightly，ifthepracticesofhispietydonotconformtothepublicwelfare；
or，consequently，ifhedoesnotimplicitlyobeyallthecommandsofthesovereign。46ForasbyGod\'scommandweareboundtodoourdutytoallmenwithoutexception，andtodonomananinjury，wearealsoboundnottohelponemanatanother\'sloss，stilllessatalosstothewholestate。
47Now，noprivatecitizencanknowwhatisgoodforthestate，excepthelearnitthroughthesovereignpower，whoalonehastherighttotransactpublicbusiness:thereforenoonecanrightlypractisepietyorobediencetoGod，unlessheobeythesovereignpower\'scommandsinallthings。48Thispropositionisconfirmedbythefactsofexperience。49Forifthesovereignadjudgeamantobeworthyofdeathoranenemy，whetherhebeacitizenoraforeigner，aprivateindividualoraseparateruler，nosubjectisallowedtogivehimassistance。50SoalsothoughtheJewswerebiddentolovetheirfellow-citizensasthemselvesLevit。xix:17，18，theywereneverthelessbound，ifamanoffendedagainstthelaw，topointhimouttothejudgeLevit。v:1，andDeut。xiii:8，9，and，ifheshouldbecondemnedtodeath，toslayhimDeut。xvii:7。
19:51Further，inorderthattheHebrewsmightpreservethelibertytheyhadgained，andmightretainabsoluteswayovertheterritorytheyhadconquered，itwasnecessary，asweshowedinChapterXVII。，thattheirreligionshouldbeadaptedtotheirparticulargovernment，andthattheyshouldseparatethemselvesfromtherestofthenations:whereforeitwascommandedtothem，\"Lovethyneighbourandhatethineenemy\"Matt。v:43，butaftertheyhadlosttheirdominionandhadgoneintocaptivityinBabylon，Jeremiahbidthemtakethoughtforthesafetyofthestateintowhichtheyhadbeenledcaptive；andChristwhenHesawthattheywouldbespreadoverthewholeworld，toldthemtodotheirdutybyallmenwithoutexception；allofwhichinstancesshowthatreligionhasalwaysbeenmadetoconformtothepublicwelfare。[19:4]52Perhapssomeonewillask:Bywhatright，then，didthedisciplesofChrist，beingprivatecitizens，preachanewreligion?53IanswerthattheydidsobytherightofthepowerwhichtheyhadreceivedfromChristagainstuncleanspiritsseeMatt。
x:1。54IhavealreadystatedinChapterXVI。thatallareboundtoobeyatyrant，unlesstheyhavereceivedfromGodthroughundoubtedrevelationapromiseofaidagainsthim；soletnoonetakeexamplefromtheApostlesunlesshetoohasthepowerofworkingmiracles。55ThepointisbroughtoutmoreclearlybyChrist\'scommandtoHisdisciples，\"Fearnotthosewhokillthebody\"Matt。x:28。56Ifthiscommandwereimposedoneveryone，governmentswouldbefoundedinvain，andSolomon\'swordsProv。xxiv:21，\"Myson，fearGodandtheking，\"wouldbeimpious，whichtheycertainlyarenot；wemustthereforeadmitthattheauthoritywhichChristgavetoHisdiscipleswasgiventothemonly，andmustnotbetakenasanexampleforothers。
19:57Idonotpausetoconsidertheargumentsofthosewhowishtoseparatesecularrightsfromspiritualrights，placingtheformerunderthecontrolofthesovereign，andthelatterunderthecontroloftheuniversalChurch；suchpretensionsaretoofrivoloustomeritrefutation。58I
cannothowever，passoverinsilencethefactthatsuchpersonsarewoefullydeceivedwhentheyseektosupporttheirseditiousopinionsIaskpardonforthesomewhatharshepithetbytheexampleoftheJewishhighpriest，who，inancienttimes，hadtherightofadministeringthesacredoffices。
59DidnotthehighpriestsreceivetheirrightbythedecreeofMoseswho，asIhaveshown，retainedthesolerighttorule，andcouldtheynotbythesamemeansbedeprivedofit?60MoseshimselfchosenotonlyAaron，butalsohissonEleazar，andhisgrandsonPhineas，andbestowedonthemtherightofadministeringtheofficeofhighpriest。61Thisrightwasretainedbythehighpriestsafterwards，butnonethelessweretheydelegatesofMoses-thatis，ofthesovereignpower。62Moses，aswehaveshown，leftnosuccessortohisdominion，butsodistributedhisprerogatives，thatthosewhocameafterhimseemed，asitwere，regentswhoadministerthegovernmentwhenakingisabsentbutnotdead。
19:62Inthesecondcommonwealththehighpriestsheldtheirrightabsolutely，aftertheyhadobtainedtherightsofprincipalityinaddition。
63Whereforetherightsofthehighpriesthoodalwaysdependedontheedictofthesovereign，andthehighpriestsdidnotpossessthemtilltheybecamesovereignsalso。64RightsinmattersspiritualalwaysremainedunderthecontrolofthekingsabsolutelyasIwillshowattheendofthischapter，exceptinthesingleparticularthattheywerenotallowedtoadministerinpersonthesacreddutiesintheTemple，inasmuchastheywerenotofthefamilyofAaron，andwerethereforeconsideredunclean，areservationwhichwouldhavenoforceinaChristiancommunity。
19:65Wecannot，therefore，doubtthatthedailysacredriteswhoseperformancedoesnotrequireaparticulargenealogybutonlyaspecialmodeoflife，andfromwhichtheholdersofsovereignpowerarenotexcludedasuncleanareunderthesolecontrolofthesovereignpower；noone，savebytheauthorityorconcessionofsuchsovereign，hastherightorpowerofadministeringthem，ofchoosingotherstoadministerthem，ofdefiningorstrengtheningthefoundationsoftheChurchandherdoctrines；
ofjudgingonquestionsofmoralityoractsofpiety；ofreceivinganyoneintotheChurchorexcommunicatinghimtherefrom，or，lastly，ofprovidingforthepoor。
19:66Thesedoctrinesareprovedtobenotonlytrueaswehavealreadypointedout，butalsoofprimarynecessityforthepreservationofreligionandthestate。67Weallknowwhatweightspiritualrightandauthoritycarriesinthepopularmind:howeveryonehangsonthelips，asitwere，ofthosewhopossessit。68Wemayevensaythatthosewhowieldsuchauthorityhavethemostcompleteswayoverthepopularmind。
19:69Whosoever，therefore，wishestotakethisrightawayfromthesovereignpower，isdesirousofdividingthedominion；fromsuchdivision，contentions，andstrifewillnecessarilyspringup，astheydidofoldbetweentheJewishkingsandhighpriests，andwilldefyallattemptstoallaythem。70Nay，further，hewhostrivestodeprivethesovereignpowerofsuchauthority，isaimingaswehavesaid，atgainingdominionforhimself。71Whatisleftforthesovereignpowertodecideon，ifthisrightbedeniedhim?72Certainlynothingconcerningeitherwarorpeace，ifhehastoaskanotherman\'sopinionastowhetherwhathebelievestobebeneficialwouldbepiousorimpious。73Everythingwoulddependontheverdictofhimwhohadtherightofdecidingandjudgingwhatwaspiousorimpious，rightorwrong。
19:74WhensucharightwasbestowedonthePopeofRomeabsolutely，hegraduallyacquiredcompletecontroloverthekings，tillatlasthehimselfmountedtothesummitsofdominion；howevermuchmonarchs，andespeciallytheGermanemperors，strovetocurtailhisauthority，wereitonlybyahairsbreadth，theyeffectednothing，butonthecontrarybytheirveryendeavourslargelyincreasedit。75Thatwhichnomonarchcouldaccomplishwithfireandsword，ecclesiasticscouldbringaboutwithastrokeofthepen；wherebywemayeasilyseetheforceandpoweratthecommandoftheChurch，andalsohownecessaryitisforsovereignstoreservesuchprerogativesforthemselves。
19:76Ifwereflectonwhatwassaidinthelastchapterweshallseethatsuchreservationconducednotalittletotheincreaseofreligionandpiety；forweobservedthattheprophetsthemselves，thoughgiftedwithDivineefficacy，beingmerelyprivatecitizens，ratherirritatedthanreformedthepeoplebytheirfreedomofwarning，reproof，anddenunciation，whereasthekingsbywarningsandpunishmentseasilybentmentotheirwill。
77Furthermore，thekingsthemselves，notpossessingtherightinquestionabsolutely，veryoftenfellawayfromreligionandtookwiththemnearlythewholepeople。78ThesamethinghasoftenhappenedfromthesamecauseinChristianstates。
19:79PerhapsIshallbeasked，\"Butiftheholdersofsovereignpowerchoosetobewicked，whowillbetherightfulchampionofpiety?80Shouldthesovereignsstillbeitsinterpreters?\"Imeetthemwiththecounter-
question，\"Butifecclesiasticswhoarealsohuman，andprivatecitizens，andwhooughttomindonlytheirownaffairs，orifotherswhomitisproposedtoentrustwithspiritualauthority，choosetobewicked，shouldtheystillbeconsideredaspiety\'srightfulinterpreters?\"81Itisquitecertainthatwhensovereignswishtofollowtheirownpleasure，whethertheyhavecontroloverspiritualmattersornot，thewholestate，spiritualandsecular，willgotoruin，anditwillgomuchfasterifprivatecitizensseditiouslyassumethechampionshipoftheDivinerights。
19:82Thusweseethatnotonlyisnothinggainedbydenyingsuchrightstosovereigns，butonthecontrary，greatevilensues。83ForashappenedwiththeJewishkingswhodidnotpossesssuchrightsabsolutelyrulersarethusdrivenintowickedness，andtheinjuryandlosstothestatebecomecertainandinevitable，insteadofuncertainandpossible。84Whetherwelooktotheabstracttruth，orthesecurityofstates，ortheincreaseofpiety，wearecompelledtomaintainthattheDivineright，ortherightofcontroloverspiritualmatters，dependsabsolutelyonthedecreeofthesovereign，whoisitslegitimateinterpreterandchampion。85ThereforethetrueministersofGod\'swordarethosewhoteachpietytothepeopleinobediencetotheauthorityofthesovereignrulersbywhosedecreeithasbeenbroughtintoconformitywiththepublicwelfare。
[19:5]86ThereremainsformetopointoutthecauseforthefrequentdisputesonthesubjectofthesespiritualrightsinChristianstates；
whereastheHebrews，sofarasIknow，never，hadanydoubtsaboutthematter。87Itseemsmonstrousthataquestionsoplainandvitallyimportantshouldthushaveremainedundecided，andthatthesecularrulerscouldneverobtaintheprerogativewithoutcontroversy，nay，norwithoutgreatdangerofseditionandinjurytoreligion。88Ifnocauseforthisstateofthingswereforthcoming，IcouldeasilypersuademyselfthatallI
havesaidinthischapterismeretheorizing，orakindofspeculativereasoningwhichcanneverbeofanypracticaluse。89However，whenwereflectonthebeginningsofChristianitythecauseatoncebecomesmanifest。90TheChristianreligionwasnottaughtatfirstbykings，butbyprivatepersons，who，againstthewishesofthoseinpower，whosesubjectsthey，were，wereforalongtimeaccustomedtoholdmeetingsinsecretchurches，toinstituteandperformsacredrites，andontheirownauthoritytosettleanddecideontheiraffairswithoutregardtothestate，91When，afterthelapseofmanyyears，thereligionwastakenupbytheauthorities，theecclesiasticswereobligedtoteachittotheemperorsthemselvesastheyhaddefinedit:whereforetheyeasilygainedrecognitionasitsteachersandinterpreters，andthechurchpastorswerelookeduponasvicarsofGod。92TheecclesiasticstookgoodcarethattheChristiankingsshouldnotassumetheirauthority，byprohibitingmarriagetothechiefministersofreligionandtoitshighestinterpreter。93Theyfurthermoreelectedtheirpurposebymultiplyingthedogmasofreligiontosuchanextentandsoblendingthemwithphilosophythattheirchiefinterpreterwasboundtobeaskilledphilosopherandtheologian，andtohaveleisureforahostofidlespeculations:conditionswhichcouldonlybefulfilledbyaprivateindividualwithmuchtimeonhishands。
19:94AmongtheHebrewsthingswereverydifferentlyarranged:fortheirChurchbeganatthesametimeastheirdominion，andMoses，theirabsoluteruler，taughtreligiontothepeople，arrangedtheirsacredrites，andchosetheirspiritualministers。95Thustheroyalauthoritycarriedverygreatweightwiththepeople，andthekingskeptafirmholdontheirspiritualprerogatives。
19:96Although，afterthedeathofMoses，nooneheldabsolutesway，yetthepowerofdecidingbothinmattersspiritualandmatterstemporalwasinthehandsofthesecularchief，asIhavealreadypointedout。97Further，inorderthatitmightbetaughtreligionandpiety，thepeoplewasboundtoconsultthesupremejudgenolessthanthehighpriestDeut。xvii:9，11。
98Lastly，thoughthekingshadnotasmuchpowerasMoses，nearlythewholearrangementandchoiceofthesacredministrydependedontheirdecision。99ThusDavidarrangedthewholeserviceoftheTemplesee1
Chron。xxviii:11，12，&c。；fromalltheLeviteshechosetwenty-fourthousandforthesacredpsalms；sixthousandoftheseformedthebodyfromwhichwerechosenthejudgesandproctors，fourthousandwereporters，andfourthousandtoplayoninstrumentssee1Chron。xxiii:4，5。
100Hefurtherdividedthemintocompaniesofwhomhechosethechiefs，sothateachinrotation，attheallottedtime，mightperformthesacredrites。101Thepriestshealsodividedintoasmanycompanies；Iwillnotgothroughthewholecatalogue，butreferthereaderto2Chron。viii:13，whereitisstated，\"ThenSolomonofferedburntofferingstotheLord……
afteracertainrateeveryday，offeringaccordingtothecommandmentsofMoses；\"andinverse14，\"Andheappointed，accordingtotheorderofDavidhisfather，thecoursesoftheprieststotheirservice。
forsohadDavidthemanofGodcommanded。\"102Lastly，thehistorianbearswitnessinverse15:\"AndtheydepartednotfromthecommandmentofthekinguntothepriestsandLevitesconcerninganymatter，orconcerningthetreasuries。\"
[19:6]103Fromtheseandotherhistoriesofthekingsitisabundantlyevident，thatthewholepracticeofreligionandthesacredministrydependedentirelyonthecommandsoftheking。
19:104WhenIsaidabovethatthekingshadnotthesamerightasMosestoelectthehighpriest，toconsultGodwithoutintermediaries，andtocondemntheprophetswhoprophesiedduringtheirreign；Isaidsosimplybecausetheprophetscould，invirtueoftheirmission，chooseanewkingandgiveabsolutionforregicide，notbecausetheycouldcallakingwhooffendedagainstthelawtojudgment，orcouldrightlyactagainsthim[Endnote33]。
19:105Whereforeiftherehadbeennoprophetswho，invirtueofaspecialrevelation，couldgiveabsolutionforregicide，thekingswouldhavepossessedabsoluterightsoverallmattersbothspiritualandtemporal。
106Consequentlytherulersofmoderntimes，whohavenoprophetsandwouldnotrightlybeboundinanycasetoreceivethemfortheyarenotsubjecttoJewishlaw，haveabsolutepossessionofthespiritualprerogative，althoughtheyarenotcelibates，andtheywillalwaysretainit，iftheywillrefusetoallowreligiousdogmastobeundulymultipliedorconfoundedwithphilosophy。
[20:0]CHAPTERXX-THATINAFREESTATEEVERYMAN
MAYTHINKWHATHELIKES，ANDSAYWHATHETHINKS。
[20:1]1Ifmen\'smindswereaseasilycontrolledastheirtongues，everykingwouldsitsafelyonhisthrone，andgovernmentbycompulsionwouldcease；foreverysubjectwouldshapehislifeaccordingtotheintentionsofhisrulers，andwouldesteemathingtrueorfalse，goodorevil，justorunjust，inobediencetotheirdictates。2However，wehaveshownalreadyChapterXVII。thatnoman\'smindcanpossiblyliewhollyatthedispositionofanother，fornoonecanwillinglytransferhisnaturalrightoffreereasonandjudgment，orbecompelledsotodo。3Forthisreasongovernmentwhichattemptstocontrolmindsisaccountedtyrannical，anditisconsideredanabuseofsovereigntyandausurpationoftherightsofsubjects，toseektoprescribewhatshallbeacceptedastrue，orrejectedasfalse，orwhatopinionsshouldactuatemenintheirworshipofGod。4Allthesequestionsfallwithinaman\'snaturalright，whichhecannotabdicateevenwithhisownconsent。
20:5Iadmitthatthejudgmentcanbebiassedinmanyways，andtoanalmostincredibledegree，sothatwhileexemptfromdirectexternalcontrolitmaybesodependentonanotherman\'swords，thatitmayfitlybesaidtoberuledbyhim；butalthoughthisinfluenceiscarriedtogreatlengths，ithasnevergonesofarastoinvalidatethestatement，thateveryman\'sunderstandingishisown，andthatbrainsareasdiverseaspalates。
20:6Moses，notbyfraud，butbyDivinevirtue，gainedsuchaholdoverthepopularjudgmentthathewasaccountedsuperhuman，andbelievedtospeakandactthroughtheinspirationoftheDeity；nevertheless，evenhecouldnotescapemurmursandevilinterpretations。7Howmuchlessthencanothermonarchsavoidthem!8Yetsuchunlimitedpower，ifitexistsatall，mustbelongtoamonarch，andleastofalltoademocracy，wherethewholeoragreatpartofthepeoplewieldauthoritycollectively。9ThisisafactwhichIthinkeveryonecanexplainforhimself。
20:10Howeverunlimited，therefore，thepowerofasovereignmaybe，howeverimplicitlyitistrustedastheexponentoflawandreligion，itcanneverpreventmenfromformingjudgmentsaccordingtotheirintellect，orbeinginfluencedbyanygivenemotion。11Itistruethatithastherighttotreatasenemiesallmenwhoseopinionsdonot，onallsubjects，entirelycoincidewithitsown；butwearenotdiscussingitsstrictrights，butitspropercourseofaction。12Igrantthatithastherighttoruleinthemostviolentmanner，andtoputcitizenstodeathforverytrivialcauses，butnoonesupposesitcandothiswiththeapprovalofsoundjudgment。13
Nay，inasmuchassuchthingscannotbedonewithoutextremeperiltoitself，wemayevendenythatithastheabsolutepowertodothem，or，consequently，theabsoluteright；fortherightsofthesovereignarelimitedbyhispower。
[20:2]14Since，therefore，noonecanabdicatehisfreedomofjudgmentandfeeling；sinceeverymanisbyindefeasiblenaturalrightthemasterofhisownthoughts，itfollowsthatmenthinkingindiverseandcontradictoryfashions，cannot，withoutdisastrousresults，becompelledtospeakonlyaccordingtothedictatesofthesupremepower。15Noteventhemostexperienced，tosaynothingofthemultitude，knowhowtokeepsilence。16
Men\'scommonfailingistoconfidetheirplanstoothers，thoughtherebeneedforsecrecy，sothatagovernmentwouldbemostharshwhichdeprivedtheindividualofhisfreedomofsayingandteachingwhathethought；andwouldbemoderateifsuchfreedomweregranted。17Stillwecannotdenythatauthoritymaybeasmuchinjuredbywordsasbyactions；hence，althoughthefreedomwearediscussingcannotbeentirelydeniedtosubjects，itsunlimitedconcessionwouldbemostbaneful；wemust，therefore，nowinquire，howfarsuchfreedomcanandoughttobeconcededwithoutdangertothepeaceofthestate，orthepoweroftherulers；andthis，asIsaidatthebeginningofChapterXVI。，ismyprincipalobject。
18Itfollows，plainly，fromtheexplanationgivenabove，ofthefoundationsofastate，thattheultimateaimofgovernmentisnottorule，orrestrain，byfear，nortoexactobedience，butcontrariwise，tofreeeverymanfromfear，thathemayliveinallpossiblesecurity；inotherwords，tostrengthenhisnaturalrighttoexistandwork-withoutinjurytohimselforothers。
20:19No，theobjectofgovernmentisnottochangemenfromrationalbeingsintobeastsorpuppets，buttoenablethemtodevelopetheirmindsandbodiesinsecurity，andtoemploytheirreasonunshackled；neithershowinghatred，anger，ordeceit，norwatchedwiththeeyesofjealousyandinjustice。20Infact，thetrueaimofgovernmentisliberty。
20:21Nowwehaveseenthatinformingastatethepowerofmakinglawsmusteitherbevestedinthebodyofthecitizens，orinaportionofthem，orinoneman。22For，althoughmensfreejudgmentsareverydiverse，eachonethinkingthathealoneknowseverything，andalthoughcompleteunanimityoffeelingandspeechisoutofthequestion，itisimpossibletopreservepeace，unlessindividualsabdicatetheirrightofactingentirelyontheirownjudgment。[20:3]23Therefore，theindividualjustlycedestherightoffreeaction，thoughnotoffreereasonandjudgment；noonecanactagainsttheauthoritieswithoutdangertothestate，thoughhisfeelingsandjudgmentmaybeatvariancetherewith；hemayevenspeakagainstthem，providedthathedoessofromrationalconviction，notfromfraud，anger，orhatred，andprovidedthathedoesnotattempttointroduceanychangeonhisprivateauthority。
20:24Forinstance，supposingamanshowsthatalawisrepugnanttosoundreason，andshouldthereforeberepealed；ifhesubmitshisopiniontothejudgmentoftheauthoritieswho，alone，havetherightofmakingandrepealinglaws，andmeanwhileactsinnowisecontrarytothatlaw，hehasdeservedwellofthestate，andhasbehavedasagoodcitizenshould；butifheaccusestheauthoritiesofinjustice，andstirsupthepeopleagainstthem，orifheseditiouslystrivestoabrogatethelawwithouttheirconsent，heisamereagitatorandrebel。
20:25Thusweseehowanindividualmaydeclareandteachwhathebelieves，withoutinjurytotheauthorityofhisrulers，ortothepublicpeace；namely，byleavingintheirhandstheentirepoweroflegislationasitaffectsaction，andbydoingnothingagainsttheirlaws，thoughhebecompelledoftentoactincontradictiontowhathebelieves，andopenlyfeels，tobebest。
20:26Suchacoursecanbetakenwithoutdetrimenttojusticeanddutifulness，nay，itistheonewhichajustanddutifulmanwouldadopt。
27Wehaveshownthatjusticeisdependentonthelawsoftheauthorities，sothatnoonewhocontravenestheiraccepteddecreescanbejust，whilethehighestregardforduty，aswehavepointedoutintheprecedingchapter，isexercisedinmaintainingpublicpeaceandtranquillity；thesecouldnotbepreservedifeverymanweretoliveashepleased；thereforeitisnolessthanundutifulforamantoactcontrarytohiscountry\'slaws，forifthepracticebecameuniversaltheruinofstateswouldnecessarilyfollow。
20:28Hence，solongasamanactsinobediencetothelawsofhisrulers，heinnowisecontraveneshisreason，forinobediencetoreasonhetransferredtherightofcontrollinghisactionsfromhisownhandstotheirs。29Thisdoctrinewecanconfirmfromactualcustom，forinaconferenceofgreatandsmallpowers，schemesareseldomcarriedunanimously，yetalluniteincarryingoutwhatisdecidedon，whethertheyvotedfororagainst。30ButIreturntomyproposition。
20:31Fromthefundamentalnotionsofastate，wehavediscoveredhowamanmayexercisefreejudgmentwithoutdetrimenttothesupremepower:fromthesamepremiseswecannolesseasilydeterminewhatopinionswouldbeseditious。32Evidentlythosewhichbytheirverynaturenullifythecompactbywhichtherightoffreeactionwasceded。33Forinstance，amanwhoholdsthatthesupremepowerhasnorightsoverhim，orthatpromisesoughtnottobekept，orthateveryoneshouldliveashepleases，orotherdoctrinesofthisnatureindirectoppositiontotheabove-
mentionedcontract，isseditious，notsomuchfromhisactualopinionsandjudgment，asfromthedeedswhichtheyinvolve；forhewhomaintainssuchtheoriesabrogatesthecontractwhichtacitly，oropenly，hemadewithhisrulers。34Otheropinionswhichdonotinvolveactsviolatingthecontract，suchasrevenge，anger，andthelike，arenotseditious，unlessitbeinsome。corruptstate，wheresuperstitiousandambitiouspersons，unabletoenduremenoflearning，aresopopularwiththemultitudethattheirwordismorevaluedthanthelaw。
20:35However，Idonotdenythattherearesomedoctrineswhich，whiletheyareapparentlyonlyconcernedwithabstracttruthsandfalsehoods，areyetpropoundedandpublishedwithunworthymotives。36ThisquestionwehavediscussedinChapterXV。，andshownthatreasonshouldneverthelessremainunshackled。37Ifweholdtotheprinciplethataman\'sloyaltytothestateshouldbejudged，likehisloyaltytoGod，fromhisactionsonly-
namely，fromhischaritytowardshisneighbours；wecannotdoubtthatthebestgovernmentwillallowfreedomofphilosophicalspeculationnolessthanofreligiousbelief。38Iconfessthatfromsuchfreedominconveniencesmaysometimesarise，butwhatquestionwaseversettledsowiselythatnoabusescouldpossiblyspringtherefrom?39Hewhoseekstoregulateeverythingbylaw，ismorelikelytoarousevicesthantoreformthem。40
Itisbesttograntwhatcannotbeabolished，eventhoughitbeinitselfharmful。41Howmanyevilsspringfromluxury，envy，avarice，drunkenness，andthelike，yetthesearetolerated-vicesastheyare-becausetheycannotbepreventedbylegalenactments。42Howmuchmorethenshouldfreethoughtbegranted，seeingthatitisinitselfavirtueandthatitcannotbecrushed!43Besides，theevilresultscaneasilybechecked，asIwillshow，bythesecularauthorities，nottomentionthatsuchfreedomisabsolutelynecessaryforprogressinscienceandtheliberalarts:fornomanfollowssuchpursuitstoadvantageunlesshisjudgmentbeentirelyfreeandunhampered。
20:44Butletitbegrantedthatfreedommaybecrushed，andmenbesobounddown，thattheydonotdaretoutterawhisper，saveatthebiddingoftheirrulers；neverthelessthiscanneverbecarriedtothepitchofmakingthemthinkaccordingtoauthority，sothatthenecessaryconsequenceswouldbethatmenwoulddailybethinkingonethingandsayinganother，tothecorruptionofgoodfaith，thatmainstayofgovernment，andtothefosteringofhatefulflatteryandperfidy，whencespringstratagems，andthecorruptionofeverygoodart。
20:45Itisfarfrompossibletoimposeuniformityofspeech，forthemorerulersstrivetocurtailfreedomofspeech，themoreobstinatelyaretheyresisted；notindeedbytheavaricious，theflatterers，andothernumskulls，whothinksupremesalvationconsistsinfillingtheirstomachsandgloatingovertheirmoney-bags，butbythosewhomgoodeducation，soundmorality，andvirtuehaverenderedmorefree。46Men，asgenerallyconstituted，aremostpronetoresentthebrandingascriminalofopinionswhichtheybelievetobetrue，andtheproscriptionaswickedofthatwhichinspiresthemwithpietytowardsGodandman；hencetheyarereadytoforswearthelawsandconspireagainsttheauthorities，
thinkingitnotshamefulbuthonourabletostirupseditionsandperpetuateanysortofcrimewiththisendinview。47Suchbeingtheconstitutionofhumannature，weseethatlawsdirectedagainstopinionsaffectthegenerousmindedratherthanthewicked，andareadaptedlessforcoercingcriminalsthanforirritatingtheupright；sothattheycannotbemaintainedwithoutgreatperiltothestate。
20:48Moreover，suchlawsarealmostalwaysuseless，forthosewhoholdthattheopinionsproscribedaresound，cannotpossiblyobeythelaw；
whereasthosewhoalreadyrejectthemasfalse，acceptthelawasakindofprivilege，andmakesuchboastofit，thatauthorityispowerlesstorepealit，evenifsuchacoursebesubsequentlydesired。
20:49TotheseconsiderationsmaybeaddedwhatwesaidinChapterXVIII。
intreatingofthehistoryoftheHebrews。50And，lastly，howmanyschismshavearisenintheChurchfromtheattemptoftheauthoritiestodecidebylawtheintricaciesoftheologicalcontroversy!51Ifmenwerenotalluredbythehopeofgettingthelawandtheauthoritiesontheirside，oftriumphingovertheiradversariesinthesightofanapplaudingmultitude，andofacquiringhonourabledistinctions，theywouldnotstrivesomaliciously，norwouldsuchfuryswaytheirminds。52Thisistaughtnotonlybyreasonbutbydailyexamples，forlawsofthiskindprescribingwhateverymanshallbelieveandforbiddinganyonetospeakorwritetothecontrary，haveoftenbeenpassed，assopsorconcessionstotheangerofthosewhocannottoleratemenofenlightenment，andwho，bysuchharshandcrookedenactments，caneasilyturnthedevotionofthemassesintofuryanddirectitagainstwhomtheywill。53Howmuchbetterwoulditbetorestrainpopularangerandfury，insteadofpassinguselesslaws，whichcanonlybebrokenbythosewholovevirtueandtheliberalarts，thusparingdownthestatetillitistoosmalltoharbourmenoftalent。54
Whatgreatermisfortuneforastatecanbeconceivedthenthathonourablemenshouldbesentlikecriminalsintoexile，becausetheyholddiverseopinionswhichtheycannotdisguise?55What，Isay，canbemorehurtfulthanthatmenwhohavecommittednocrimeorwickednessshould，simplybecausetheyareenlightened，betreatedasenemiesandputtodeath，andthatthescaffold，theterrorofevil-doers，shouldbecomethearenawherethehighestexamplesoftoleranceandvirtuearedisplayedtothepeoplewithallthemarksofignominythatauthoritycandevise?
20:56Hethatknowshimselftobeuprightdoesnotfearthedeathofacriminal，andshrinksfromnopunishment；hismindisnotwrungwithremorseforanydisgracefuldeed:heholdsthatdeathinagoodcauseisnopunishment，butanhonour，andthatdeathforfreedomisglory。
20:57Whatpurposethenisservedbythedeathofsuchmen，whatexampleinproclaimed?thecauseforwhichtheydieisunknowntotheidleandthefoolish，hatefultotheturbulent，lovedbytheupright。58Theonlylessonwecandrawfromsuchscenesistoflatterthepersecutor，orelsetoimitatethevictim。
20:58Ifformalassentisnottobeesteemedaboveconviction，andifgovernmentsaretoretainafirmholdofauthorityandnotbecompelledtoyieldtoagitators，itisimperativethatfreedomofjudgmentshouldbegranted，sothatmenmaylivetogetherinharmony，howeverdiverse，orevenopenlycontradictorytheiropinionsmaybe。59Wecannotdoubtthatsuchisthebestsystemofgovernmentandopentothefewestobjections，sinceitistheonemostinharmonywithhumannature。60Inademocracythemostnaturalformofgovernment，aswehaveshowninChapterXVI。
everyonesubmitstothecontrolofauthorityoverhisactions，butnotoverhisjudgmentandreason；thatis，seeingthatallcannotthinkalike，thevoiceofthemajorityhastheforceoflaw，subjecttorepealifcircumstancesbringaboutachangeofopinion。61Inproportionasthepoweroffreejudgmentiswithheldwedepartfromthenaturalconditionofmankind，andconsequentlythegovernmentbecomesmoretyrannical。
[20:4]62Inordertoprovethatfromsuchfreedomnoinconveniencearises，whichcannoteasilybecheckedbytheexerciseofthesovereignpower，andthatmen\'sactionscaneasilybekeptinbounds，thoughtheiropinionsbeatopenvariance，itwillbewelltociteanexample。63Suchanoneisnotvery，fartoseek。64ThecityofAmsterdamreapsthefruitofthisfreedominitsowngreatprosperityandintheadmirationofallotherpeople。65Forinthismostflourishingstate，andmostsplendidcity，menofevery，nationandreligionlivetogetherinthegreatestharmony，andasknoquestionsbeforetrustingtheirgoodstoafellow-
citizen，savewhetherheberichorpoor，andwhetherhegenerallyactshonestly，orthereverse。66Hisreligionandsectisconsideredofnoimportance:forithasnoeffectbeforethejudgesingainingorlosingacause，andthereisnosectsodespisedthatitsfollowers，providedthattheyharmnoone，payeverymanhisdue，andliveuprightly，aredeprivedoftheprotectionofthemagisterialauthority。
20:67Ontheotherhand，whenthereligiouscontroversybetweenRemonstrantsandCounter-RemonstrantsbegantobetakenupbypoliticiansandtheStates，itgrewintoaschism，andabundantlyshowedthatlawsdealingwithreligionandseekingtosettleitscontroversiesaremuchmorecalculatedtoirritatethantoreform，andthattheygiverisetoextremelicence:further，itwasseenthatschismsdonotoriginateinaloveoftruth，whichisasourceofcourtesyandgentleness，butratherinaninordinatedesireforsupremacy，68Fromalltheseconsiderationsitisclearerthanthesunatnoonday，thatthetrueschismaticsarethosewhocondemnothermen\'swritings，andseditiouslystirupthequarrelsomemassesagainsttheirauthors，ratherthanthoseauthorsthemselves，whogenerallywriteonlyforthelearned，andappealsolelytoreason。69Infact，therealdisturbersofthepeacearethosewho，inafreestate，seektocurtailthelibertyofjudgmentwhichtheyareunabletotyrannizeover。
20:70Ihavethusshown:-
71I。Thatitisimpossibletodeprivemenofthelibertyofsayingwhattheythink。
72II。Thatsuchlibertycanbeconcededtoeverymanwithoutinjurytotherightsandauthorityofthesovereignpower，andthateverymanmayretainitwithoutinjurytosuchrights，providedthathedoesnotpresumeuponittotheextentofintroducinganynewrightsintothestate，oractinginanywaycontrary，totheexistinglaws。
20:73III。Thateverymanmayenjoythislibertywithoutdetrimenttothepublicpeace，andthatnoinconveniencesarisetherefromwhichcannoteasilybechecked。
74IV。Thateverymanmayenjoyitwithoutinjurytohisallegiance。
75V。Thatlawsdealingwithspeculativeproblemsareentirelyuseless。
76VI。Lastly，thatnotonlymaysuchlibertybegrantedwithoutprejudicetothepublicpeace，toloyalty，andtotherightsofrulers，butthatitisevennecessary，fortheirpreservation。77Forwhenpeopletrytotakeitaway，andbringtotrial，notonlytheactswhichalonearecapableofoffending，butalsotheopinionsofmankind，theyonlysucceedinsurroundingtheirvictimswithanappearanceofmartyrdom，andraisefeelingsofpityandrevengeratherthanofterror。78Uprightnessandgoodfaitharethuscorrupted，flatterersandtraitorsareencouraged，andsectarianstriumph，inasmuchasconcessionshavebeenmadetotheiranimosity，andtheyhavegainedthestatesanctionforthedoctrinesofwhichtheyaretheinterpreters。79Hencetheyarrogatetothemselvesthestateauthorityandrights，anddonotscrupletoassertthattheyhavebeendirectlychosenbyGod，andthattheirlawsareDivine，whereasthelawsofthestatearehuman，andshouldthereforeyieldobediencetothelawsofGod-inotherwords，totheirownlaws。80Everyonemustseethatthisisnotastateofaffairsconducivetopublicwelfare。81Wherefore，aswehaveshowninChapterXVIII。，thesafestwayforastateistolaydowntherulethatreligioniscomprisedsolelyintheexerciseofcharityandjustice，andthattherightsofrulersinsacred，nolessthaninsecularmatters，shouldmerelyhavetodowithactions，butthateverymanshouldthinkwhathelikesandsaywhathethinks。
20:82IhavethusfulfilledthetaskIsetmyselfinthistreatise。
[20:5]83ItremainsonlytocallattentiontothefactthatIhavewrittennothingwhichIdonotmostwillinglysubmittotheexaminationandapprovalofmycountry\'srulers；andthatIamwillingtoretractanythingwhichtheyshalldecidetoberepugnanttothelaws，orprejudicialtothepublicgood。84IknowthatIamaman，andasamanliabletoerror，butagainsterrorIhavetakenscrupulouscare，andhavestriventokeepinentireaccordancewiththelawsofmycountry，withloyalty，andwithmorality。
EndofPart4of4。
AUTHOR\'SENDNOTESTOTHETHEOLOGICO-POLITICALTREATISE
CHAPTERXVI。
[Endnote26]。1\"Noonecanhonestlypromisetoforegotherightwhichhehasoverallthings。\"2Inthestateofsociallife，wheregeneralrightdetermineswhatisgoodorevil，stratagemisrightlydistinguishedasoftwokinds，goodandevil。3ButinthestateofNature，whereeverymanishisownjudge，possessingtheabsoluterighttolaydownlawsforhimself，tointerpretthemashepleases，ortoabrogatethemifhethinksitconvenient，itisnotconceivablethatstratagemshouldbeevil。
[Endnote27]。1\"Everymemberofitmay，ifhewill，befree。\"2
Whateverbethesocialstateamanfinds；himselfin，hemaybefree。3
Forcertainlyamanisfree，insofarasheisledbyreason。4NowreasonthoughHobbesthinksotherwiseisalwaysonthesideofpeace，whichcannotbeattainedunlessthegenerallawsofthestateberespected。
5Thereforethemoreheisfree，themoreconstantlywillherespectthelawsofhiscountry，andobeythecommandsofthesovereignpowertowhichheissubject。
[Endnote28]。1\"NooneknowsbynaturethatheowesanyobediencetoGod。\"2WhenPaulsaysthatmenhaveinthemselvesnorefuge，hespeaksasaman:forintheninthchapterofthesameepistleheexpresslyteachesthatGodhasmercyonwhomHewill，andthatmenarewithoutexcuse，onlybecausetheyareinGod\'spowerlikeclayinthehandsofapotter，whooutofthesamelumpmakesvessels，someforhonourandsomefordishonour，notbecausetheyhavebeenforewarned。3AsregardstheDivinenaturallawwhereofthechiefcommandmentis，aswehavesaid，toloveGod，Ihavecalleditalawinthesamesense，asphilosophersstylelawsthosegeneralrulesofnature，accordingtowhicheverythinghappens。4FortheloveofGodisnotastateofobedience:itisavirtuewhichnecessarilyexistsinamanwhoknowsGodrightly。5Obediencehasregardtothewillofaruler，nottonecessityandtruth。6NowasweareignorantofthenatureofGod\'swill，andontheotherhandknowthateverythinghappenssolelybyGod\'spower，wecannot，exceptthroughrevelation，knowwhetherGodwishesinanywaytobehonouredasasovereign。
7Again；wehaveshownthattheDivinerightsappeartousinthelightofrightsorcommands，onlysolongasweareignorantoftheircause:assoonastheircauseisknown，theyceasetoberights，andweembracethemnolongerasrightsbutaseternaltruths；inotherwords，obediencepassesintoloveofGod，whichemanatesfromtrueknowledgeasnecessarilyaslightemanatesfromthesun。8ReasonthenleadsustoloveGod，butcannotleadustoobeyHim；forwecannotembracethecommandsofGodasDivine，whileweareinignoranceoftheircause，neithercanwerationallyconceiveGodasasovereignlayingdownlawsasasovereign。
CHAPTERXVII。
[Endnote29]。1\"Ifmencouldlosetheirnaturalrightssoastobeabsolutelyunableforthefuturetoopposethewillofthesovereign\"2
TwocommonsoldiersundertooktochangetheRomandominion，anddidchangeit。Tacitus，Hist。i:7。
[Endnote30]。1SeeNumbersxi。28。Inthispassageitiswrittenthattwomenprophesiedinthecamp，andthatJoshuawishedtopunishthem。2
Thishewouldnothavedone，ifithadbeenlawfulforanyonetodelivertheDivineoraclestothepeoplewithouttheconsentofMoses。3ButMosesthoughtgoodtopardonthetwomen，andrebukedJoshuaforexhortinghimtousehisroyalprerogative，atatimewhenhewassowearyofreigning，thathepreferreddeathtoholdingundividedswayNumb。xi:14。4ForhemadeanswertoJoshua，\"Enviestthouformysake?5WouldGodthatalltheLord\'speoplewereprophets，andthattheLordwouldputHisspirituponthem。\"6Thatistosay，wouldGodthattherightoftakingcounselofGodweregeneral，andthepowerwereinthehandsofthepeople。7ThusJoshuawasnotmistakenastotheright，butonlyastothetimeforusingit，forwhichhewasrebukedbyMoses，inthesamewayasAbishaiwasrebukedbyDavidforcounsellingthatShimei，whohadundoubtedlybeenguiltyoftreason，shouldbeputtodeath。8See2Sam。xix:22，23。
[Endnote31]。1SeeNumbersxxvii:21。2ThetranslatorsoftheBiblehaverenderedincorrectlyverses19and23ofthischapter。3ThepassagedoesnotmeanthatMosesgavepreceptsoradvicetoJoshua，butthathemadeorestablishedhimchiefoftheHebrews。4ThephraseisveryfreguentinScriptureseeExodus，xviii:23；1Sam。xiii:15；Joshuai:9；1Sam。
xxv:80。
[Endnote32]1\"TherewasnojudgeovereachofthecaptainssaveGod。\"2TheRabbisandsomeChristiansequallyfoolishpretendthattheSanhedrin，called\"thegreat\"wasinstitutedbyMoses。3Asamatteroffact，Moseschoseseventycolleaguestoassisthimingoverning，becausehewasnotabletobearalonetheburdenofthewholepeople；butheneverpassedanylawforformingacollegeofseventymembers；onthecontraryheorderedeverytribetoappointforitself，inthecitieswhichGodhadgivenit，judgestosettledisputesaccordingtothelawswhichhehimselfhadlaiddown。4Incaseswheretheopinionsofthejudgesdifferedastotheinterpretationoftheselaws，MosesbadethemtakecounseloftheHighPriestwhowasthechiefinterpreterofthelaw，orofthechiefjudge，towhomtheywerethensubordinatewhohadtherightofconsultingtheHighPriest，andtodecidethedisputeinaccordancewiththeanswerobtained。5Ifanysubordinatejudgeshouldassert，thathewasnotboundbythedecisionoftheHighPriest，receivedeitherdirectlyorthroughthechiefofhisstate，suchanonewastobeputtodeathDeut。
xvii:9bythechiefjudge，whoeverhemightbe，towhomhewasasubordinate。6ThischiefjudgewouldeitherbeJoshua，thesupremecaptainofthewholepeople，oroneofthetribalchiefswhohadbeenentrusted，afterthedivisionofthetribes，withtherightofconsultingthehighpriestconcerningtheaffairsofhistribe，ofdecidingonpeaceorwar，offortifyingtowns，ofappointinginferiorjudges，&c。7Or，again，itmightbetheking，inwhomallorsomeofthetribeshadvestedtheirrights。8IcouldcitemanyinstancesinconfirmationofwhatIhereadvance。9Iwillconfinemyselftoone，whichappearstomethemostimportantofall。10WhentheShilomitishprophetanointedJeroboamking，he，insodoing，gavehimtherightofconsultingthehighpriest，ofappointingjudges，&c。11Infactheendowedhimwithalltherightsoverthetentribes，whichRehoboamretainedoverthetwotribes。12
ConsequentlyJeroboamcouldsetupasupremecouncilinhiscourtwithasmuchrightasJehoshaphatcouldatJerusalem2Chron。xix:8。13ForitisplainthatneitherJeroboam，whowaskingbyGod\'scommand，norJeroboam\'ssubjects，wereboundbytheLawofMosestoacceptthejudgmentsofRehoboam，whowasnottheirking。14Stilllessweretheyunderthejurisdictionofthejudge，whomRehoboamhadsetupinJerusalemassubordinatetohimself。15According，therefore，astheHebrewdominionwasdivided，sowasasupremecouncilsetupineachdivision。16ThosewhoneglectthevariationsintheconstitutionoftheHebrewStates，andconfusethemalltogetherinone，fallintonumerousdifficulties。