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