IX。ButmanythingsarerequiredtotheconservationofinwardPeace,becausemanythingsconcur(ashathbeenshewedintheforegoingChapter)toitsperturbation。Wehavethereshewed,thatsomethingstherearewhichdisposethemindsofmentosedition,otherswhichmoveandquickenthemsodisposed。Amongthosewhichdisposethem,wehavereckonedinthefirstplacecertaineperversedoctrines。ItsthereforethedutyofthosewhohavethechiefAuthority;torootthoseoutofthemindesofmen,notbycommanding,butbyteaching;notbytheterrourofpenalties,butbytheperspicuityofreasons;theLaweswherebythisevillmaybewithstoodarenottobemadeagainstthePersonserring,butagainsttheErroursthemselves。ThoseerrourswhichintheforegoingChapterweaffirmedwereinconsistentwiththequietoftheCommon-weal,havecreptintothemindesofignorantmen,partlyfromthePulpit,partlyfromthedailydiscoursesofmen,whobyreasonoflittleemployment,otherwise,doefindeleasureenoughtostudy;andtheygotintothesemensmindesbytheteachersoftheiryouthinpubliqueschooles。
Whereforealso,ontheotherside,ifanymanwouldintroducesoundDoctrine,hemustbeginfromtheAcademies:There,thetrue,andtrulydemonstratedfoundationsofcivillDoctrinearetobelaid,wherewithyoungmenbeingonceendued,theymayafterwardbothinprivateandpubliqueinstructthevulgar。Andthistheywilldoesomuchthemorecheerfully,andpowerfully,byhowmuchthemselvesshallbemorecertainlyconvincedofthetruthofthosethingstheyprofess,andteach;forseeingatthisdaymenreceivepropositions,thoughfalse,andnomoreintelligible,thenifamanshouldjoynetogetheracompanyoftermesdrawnbychanceoutofanurne,byreasonofthefrequentuseofhearingthem;howmuchmorewouldtheyforthesamereasonentertaintruedoctrinessuitabletotheirownunderstandings,andthenatureofthings?IthereforeconceiveittobethedutyofSupremeOfficerstocausethetrueelementsofcivillDoctrinetobewritten,andtocommandthemtobetaughtinalltheColledgesoftheirseverallDominions。
X。InthenextplaceweshewedthatgriefofmindarisingfromwantdiddisposetheSubjectstoSedition,whichwant,althoughderiv’dfromtheirownluxury,andsloth,yettheyimputeittothosewhogoverntheRealm,asthoughtheyweredrainedandopprestbypubliquePensions。Notwithstandingitmaysometimeshappenthatthiscomplaintmaybejust,namely,whentheburthensoftheRealmareunequallyimposedontheSubjects;
Forthatwhichtoalltogetherisbutalightweight,ifmanywithdrawthemselves,itwilbeveryheavy,nay,evenintollerabletotherest:Neitheraremenwontsomuchtogrieveattheburthenitself,asattheinequality。Withmuchearnestnesthereforemenstrivetobefreedfromtaxes,&inthisconflictthelessehappy,asbeingovercome,doenvythemorefortunate。
Toremovethereforealljustcomplaint,itstheinterestofthepubliquequiet,andbyconsequenceitconcernesthedutyoftheMagistrate,toseethatthepubliqueburthensbeequallyborn。
Furthermore,sincewhatisbroughtbythesubjectstopublickuse,isnothingelsebutthepriceoftheirboughtPeace,itsreasongood,thattheywhoequallyshareinthepeace,shouldalsopayanequallparteitherbycontributingtheirMonies,ortheirlabourstotheCommon-weal。NowitistheLawofNature(bythe15。Articleofthe3。Chapter)thateverymanindistributingrighttoothers,doecarryhimselfequalltoall;whereforeRulersarebythenaturallLawobligedtolaytheburthensoftheCommon-wealequallyontheirSubjects。
XI。Nowinthisplaceweunderstandanequality,notofMoney,butofBurthen,thatistosay,anequalityofreasonbetweentheBurthens,andtheBenefits。ForalthoughallequallyenjoyPeace,yetthebenefitsspringingfromthence,arenotequalltoall;forsomegetgreaterpossessions,otherslesse;
andagaine,someconsumelesse,othersmore。ItmaythereforebedemandedwhetherSubjectsoughttocontributetothepublique,accordingtotherateofwhattheygain,orofwhattheyspend,thatistosay,whetherthepersonsmustbetaxt,soastopaycontributionaccordingtotheirwealth,orthegoodsthemselves,thateverymancontributeaccordingtowhathespends。Butifweconsider,whereMoniesareraisedaccordingtowealth,theretheywhohavemadeequallgain,havenotequallpossessions,becausethatonepreserveswhathehathgotbyfrugality,anotherwastesitbyluxury,andthereforeequallyrejoycinginthebenefitofPeace,theydoenotequallysustainetheBurthensoftheCommon-weal:andontheotherside,wherethegoodsthemselvesaretaxt,thereeveryman,whilehespendshisprivategoods,intheveryactofconsumingthemheundiscernablypayespartduetotheCommon-weal,accordingto,notwhathehath,butwhatbythebenefitoftheRealmhehathhad。Itisnomoretobedoubted,butthattheformerwayofcommandingmoniesisagainstequity,andthereforeagainstthedutyofRulers,thelatterisagreeabletoreason,andtheexerciseoftheirauthority。
XII。Inthethirdplace,wesaidthatthattroubleofmindewhichrisethfromambitionwasoffensivetopubliquePeace。Fortherearesomewhoseemingtothemselvestobewiserthenothers,andmoresufficientforthemanagingofaffairesthentheywhoatpresentdoegovern,whentheycannootherwisedeclarehowprofitabletheirvertuewouldprovetotheCommon-weale,theyshewit,byharmingit;butbecauseambitionandgreedinesseofhonourscannotberootedoutofthemindesofmen,itsnotthedutyofRulerstoendeavourit;butbyconstantapplicationofrewards,andpunishments,theymaysoorderit,thatmenmayknowthatthewaytohonouris,notbycontemptofthepresentgovernment,norbyfactions,andthepopularayre,butbythecontraries。TheyaregoodmenwhoobservetheDecrees,theLawesandRightsoftheirFathers;ifwithaconstantorderwesawtheseadornedwithhonours,butthefactiouspunisht,andhadincontemptbythosewhobearcommand,therewouldbemoreambitiontoobey,thenwithstand。Notwithstandingitsohappenssometimes,thataswemuststrokeahorsebyreasonofhistoomuchfiercenesse,soastiffe-necktsubjectmustbeflatter’dforfearofhispower;butasthathappenswhentherider,sothis,whentheCommanderisindangeroffalling。Butwespeakhereofthose,whoseauthorityandpowerisintire。Theirduty(Isay)itistocherishobedientsubjects,andtodepressethefactiousalltheycan;norcanthepubliquepowerbeotherwisepreserved,northesubjectsquietwithoutit。
XIII。ButifitbethedutyofPrincestorestrainthefactious,muchmoredoesitconcernthemtodissolveanddissipatethefactionsthemselves。NowIcallafaction,amultitudeofsubjectsgatheredtogether,eitherbymutuallcontractsamongthemselves,orbythepowerofsomeone,withouthisortheirauthoritywhobearthesupremeRule:AfactionthereforeisasitwereaCityinaCity;forasbyanUnionofmeninthestateofnatureaCityreceivesitsbeing,sobyanewunionofsubjects,therearisethafaction。Accordingtothisdefinition,amultitudeofsubjectswhohaveboundthemselvessimplytoobeyanyforreignPrince,orSubject,orhavemadeanyPacts,orLeaguesofmutualldefencebetweenthemselvesagainstallmen,notexceptingthosewhohavethesupremepowerintheCity,isafaction。Alsofavourwiththevulgarifitbesogreat,thatbyitanArmymayberais’d,exceptpubliquecautionbegiven,eitherbyhostages,orsomeotherpledges,containsfactioninit;Thesamemaybesaidofprivatewealth,ifitexceed,becauseallthingsobeymony。Forasmuchthereforeasitistrue,thatthestateofCitiesamongthemselvesisnaturall,andhostile,thosePrinceswhopermitfactions,doeasmuchasiftheyreceivedanenemywithintheirwalls,whichisContrarytothesubjectssafety,andthereforealsoagainsttheLawofnature。
XIV。TherearetwothingsnecessarytotheenrichingofSubjects,Labourandthrift;thereisalsoathirdwhichhelps,towitthenaturallincreaseoftheearthandwater;andthereisafourthtoo,namelytheMilitia,whichsometimesaugments,butmorefrequentlylessensthesubjectsstock。Thetwofirstareonlynecessary。ForaCityconstitutedinanIslandoftheSea,nogreaterthenwillservefordwelling,maygrowrichwithoutsowing,orfishing,bymerchandize,andhandicraftsonly;butthereisnodoubtiftheyhaveaterritory,buttheymaybericherwiththesamenumber,orequallyrich,beingagreaternumber。Butthefourth,namelytheMilitia,wasofoldreckonedinthenumberofthegainingArts,underthenotionofBootingortakingPrey;anditwasbymankind,(disperstbyfamilies)beforetheconstitutionofcivillsocieties,accountedjustandhonourable;forpreying,isnothingelsebutawarrewagedwithsmallforces;AndgreatCommon-weales,namelythatofRome,andAthens,bythespoylesofwarre,forraignetribute,andtheterritoriestheyhavepurchasedbytheirarmes,havesometimessoimprovedtheCommon-wealth,thattheyhavenotonelynotrequiredanypubliquemoniesfromthepoorersortofsubjects,buthavealsodividedtoeachofthembothmoniesandlands。Butthiskindofincreaseofriches,isnottobebroughtintoruleandfashion:FortheMilitiainordertoprofit,islikeaDyewherewithmanylosetheirestates,butfewimprovethem。Sincethereforetherearethreethingsonly,thefruitsoftheearthandwater,LabourandThrift,whichareexpedientfortheenrichingofsubjects,thedutyofCommandersinchief,shallbeconversantonelyaboutthosethree。Forthefirst,thoselaweswillbeusefullwhichcountenancetheartsthatimprovetheincreaseoftheearth,andwater,suchasarehusbandry,andfishing。Forthesecond,allLawesagainstidlenesse,andsuchasquickenindustry,areprofitable;theartofNavigation(byhelpwhereofthecommoditiesofthewholeworld,boughtalmostbylabouronly,arebroughtintooneCity)andtheMechanicks,(underwhichIcomprehendalltheartsofthemostexcellentworkmen)andtheMathematicallsciences,thefountainsofnavigatoryandmechanickemployments,areheldindueesteemandhonour。Forthethird,thoselawesareusefull,wherebyallinordinateexpence,aswellinmeats,asinclothes,anduniversallyinallthingswhichareconsumedwithusage,isforbidden。Nowbecausesuchlawesarebeneficialltotheendsabovespecified,itbelongsalsototheOfficeofsupremeMagistrates,toestablishthem。
XV。ThelibertyofsubjectsconsistsnotinbeingexemptfromtheLawesoftheCity,orthattheywhohavethesupremepowercannotmakewhatLawstheyhaveamindto;butbecauseallthemotionsandactionsofsubjects,arenevercircumscribedbyLawes,norcanbe,byreasonoftheirvariety,itisnecessarythattherebeinfinitecases,whichareneithercommanded,norprohibited,buteverymanmayeitherdoe,ornotdoethem,ashelistshimselfe。Inthese,eachmanissaidtoenjoyhisliberty,andinthissenselibertyistobeunderstoodinthisplace,namely,forthatpartofnaturallRight,whichisgrantedandlefttoSubjectsbythecivillLawes。Aswaterinclosedonallhandswithbanks,standsstillandcorrupts;havingnobounds,itspredstoolargely,andthemorepassagesitfindes,themorefreelyittakesitscurrent;sosubjects,iftheymightdoenothingwithoutthecommandsoftheLawwouldgrowdull,andunwildly,ifall,theywouldbedisperst,andthemoreisleftundeterminedbytheLawes,themorelibertytheyenjoy。Bothextremesarefaulty,forLaweswerenotinventedtotakeaway,buttodirectmensactions,evenasnatureordainedthebanks,nottostay,buttoguidethecourseofthestreame。Themeasureofthislibertyistobetakenfromthesubjects,andtheCitiesgood。Whereforeinthefirstplaceitisagainstthechargeofthosewhocommand,andhavetheauthorityofmakinglawes,thatthereshouldbemorelawesthennecessarilyserveforgoodoftheMagistrate,andhisSubjects;forsincemenarewontcommonlytodebatewhattodo,ornottodo,bynaturallreason,ratherthenanyknowledgeoftheLawes,wheretherearemoreLawesthencaneasilyberemembred,andwherebysuchthingsareforbidden,asreasonofitselfeprohibitesnotofnecessity,theymustthroughignorance,withouttheleastevillintention,fallwithinthecompasseofLawes,asginslaidtoentraptheirharmelesseliberty,whichsupremeCommandersareboundtopreservefortheirsubjectsbytheLawesofnature。
XVI。Itisagreatpartofthatlibertywhichisharmlessetocivillgovernment,andnecessaryforeachsubjecttolivehappily,thattherebenopenaltiesdreaded,butwhattheymaybothforesee,andlookfor。andthisisdone,wherethereareeithernopunishmentsatalldefinedbytheLawes,orgreaternotrequiredthenaredefined。Wheretherearenonedefined,therehethathathfirstbrokentheLaw,expectsanindefiniteorarbitrarypunishment,andhisfeareissupposedboundlesse,becauseitrelatestoanunboundedevill;nowtheLawofnaturecommandsthemwhoarenotsubjecttoanycivillLawes,(bywhatwehavesaidinthethirdChapter,Artic。11。)andthereforesupremeCommanders,thatintakingrevengeandpunishing,theymustnotsomuchregardthepastevill,asthefuturegood,andtheysin,iftheyentertainanyothermeasureinarbitrarypunishment,thenthepubliquebenefit。Butwherethepunishmentisdefined,eitherbyaLawprescribed,aswhenitissetdowninplainwords,thathethatshalldoethus,orthus,shallsuffersoandso;orbypractice,aswhenthepenalty,(notbyanyLawprescribed,butarbitraryfromthebeginning)isafterwarddeterminedbythepunishmentofthefirst。delinquent(fornaturallequitycommandsthatequalltransgressorsbeequallypunished);theretoimposeagreaterpenaltythenisdefinedbytheLaw,isagainsttheLawofnature。Fortheendofpunishmentisnottocompellthewillofman,buttofashionit,&makeitsuchashewouldhaveitwhohathsetthepenalty。Anddeliberationisnothingelsebutaweighing,asitwereinscales,theconveniencies,andinconvenienciesofthefactweareattempting;where,thatwhichismoreweighty,dothnecessarilyaccordingtoitsinclinationprevailewithus。IfthereforetheLegislatordothsetalessepenaltyonacrime,thenwillmakeourfearemoreconsiderablewithus,thenourlust;thatexcesseoflustabovethefeareofpunishment,wherebysinneiscommitted,istobeattributedtotheLegislator(thatistosay)
tothesupreme;andthereforeifheinflictagreaterpunishment,thenhimselfehathdeterminedinhisLawes,hepunisheththatinanother,inwhichhesinnedhimselfe。
XVII。Itpertainesthereforetotheharmlesseandnecessarylibertyofsubjects,thateverymanmaywithoutfeare,enjoytherightswhichareallowedhimbytheLawes;foritisinvaintohaveourowndistinguishtbytheLawesfromanothers,ifbywrongjudgement;robbery,theft,theymaybeeagainconfounded。Butitfallsoutso,thatthesedoehappenwhereJudgesarecorrupted;
forthefearwherebymenaredeterredfromdoingevill,arisethnotfromhence,namely,becausepenaltiesareset,butbecausetheyareexecuted;forweesteemethefuturebywhatispast,seldomeexpectingwhatseldomehappens。IfthereforeJudgescorruptedeitherbyGifts,Favour,orevenbypittyitself,dooftenforbeartheexecutionofthePenaltiesduebytheLaw,andbythatmeanesputwickedmeninhopetopasseunpunisht:honestSubjectsencompastwithmurtherers,theevesandknaves,willnothavethelibertytoconversefreelywitheachother,norscarcetostirreabroadwithouthazard;nay,theCityitselfisdissolved,andeverymansrightofprotectinghimselfathisownwillreturnestohim。TheLawofNaturethereforegivesthisprecepttoSupremeCommanders,thattheynotonelydoerighteousnessethemselves,butthattheyalsobypenaltiescausetheJudges,bythemappointed,todoethesame;thatistosay,thattheyhearkentothecomplaintsoftheirSubjects;andasoftasneedrequires,makechoiceofsomeextraordinaryJudges,whomayhearthematterdebatedconcerningtheordinaryones。
Chap。XIV
OfLawesandTrespassesI。Heywholesseseriouslyconsidertheforceofwords,doesometimesconfoundLawwithCounsell,sometimeswithCovenant,sometimeswithRight。TheyconfoundLawwithCounsell,whothink,thatitisthedutyofMonarchsnotonelytogiveeartotheirCounsellours,butalsotoobeythem,asthoughitwereinvainetotakeCounsell,unlesseitwerealsofollowed。WemustfetchthedistinctionbetweenCounsell,andLaw,fromthedifferencebetweenCounsell,andCommand。NowCOUNSELLisapreceptinwhichthereasonofmyobeyingit,istakenfromthethingitselfwhichisadvised;butCOMMANDisapreceptinwhichthecauseofmyobediencedependsonthewilloftheCommander。Foritisnotproperlysaid,ThusIwill,andthusICommand,exceptthewillstandforaReason。NowwhenobedienceisyieldedtotheLawes,notforthethingitself,butbyreasonoftheadviserswill,theLawisnotaCounsell,butaCommand,andisdefinedthus,LAWisthecommandofthatPerson(whetherMan,orCourt)whosepreceptcontainesinitthereasonofobedience;asthePreceptsofGodinregardofMen,ofMagistratesinrespectoftheirSubjects,anduniversallyofallthepowerfullinrespectofthemwhocannotresist,maybetermedtheirLawes。LawandCounsellthereforediffermanyways;Lawbelongstohimwhohathpoweroverthemwhomheadviseth,Counselltothemwhohavenopower。
TofollowwhatisprescribedbyLaw,isduty,whatbyCounsell,isfree-will。Counsellisdirectedtohisendthatreceivesit,Law,tohisthatgivesit。Counsellisgiventononebutthewilling,Laweventotheunwilling。Toconclude,therightoftheCounsellourismadevoidbythewillofhimtowhomhegivesCounsell,therightoftheLaw-giverisnotabrogatedatthepleasureofhimwhohathaLawimposed。
II。TheyconfoundLaw,andCovenant,whoconceivetheLawestobenothingelsebutcertainomologemataorformsofliving,determinedbythecommonconsentofmen:AmongstwhomisAristotle,whodefinesLawonthismanner,Nomosestilogosorismenoskathomologiankoinenpoleos,minuonposdeipratteinekasta,thatistosay,LawisaspeechlimitedaccordingtothecommonconsentoftheCity,declaringeverythingthatweoughttodoe。WhichdefinitionisnotsimplyofLaw,butoftheCivillLaw;foritismanifestthattheDivineLawessprangnotfromtheconsentofmen,noryettheLawesofNature;foriftheyhadtheiroriginallfromtheconsentofmen,theymightalsobythesameconsentbeabrogated;buttheyareunchangeable。Butindeedthat’snorightdefinitionofaCivillLaw;forinthatplaceaCityistakeneitherforonecivillperson,havingonewill,orforamultitudeofmenwhohaveeachofthemthelibertyoftheirprivatewills。Ifforoneperson,thosewords,commonconsent,areillplacedhere,foronepersonhathnocommonconsent;
neitheroughthetohavesaid,(declaringwhatwasneedfulltobedone)butcommanding;forwhattheCitydeclares,itcommandsitsSubjects。HethereforebyaCityunderstoodamultitudeofmendeclaringbycommonconsent(imagineitawritingconfirm’dbyVotes)somecertainformesofliving;butthesearenothingelsebutsomemutuallcontractswhichobligenotanyman(andthereforearenoLawes)beforethataSupremePowerbeingconstitutedwhichcancompell,havesufficientremedyagainsttherest,whootherwisearenotlikelytokeepthem。Lawestherefore,accordingtothisdefinitionofAristotle,arenothingelse,butnaked,andweakcontracts,whichthenatlength,whenthereisonewhobyrightdothexercisetheSupremePower,shalleitherbecomeLawes,ornoLawes,athiswillandpleasure:WhereforeheconfoundsContractswithLawes,whichheoughtnottohavedone;
forContractisapromise,Lawacommand。InContractswesay,I
willdothis;InLawes,Doethis。Contractsobligeus,Lawestieusfast,beingobliged。AContractobligethofitself,TheLawholdsthepartyobligedbyvertueoftheuniversallContractofyeeldingobedience;ThereforeinContractitsfirstdeterminedwhatistobedone,beforeweareobligedtodoeit;ButinLawwearefirstobligedtoperforme,andwhatistobedone,isdeterminedafterwards。Aristotlethereforeoughttohavedefinedacivilllawthus,AcivilllawisaspeechlimitedbythewilloftheCity,commandingeverythingbehoofefulltobedone,whichisthesamewiththatwehavegivenaboveinthe6。Chap。art。9。
towit,thatthecivilllawesarethecommandofhim(whetherman,orCourtofmen)whoisenduedwithsupremePowerinthecity,concerningthefutureactionsofhisSubjects。
Contractsobligeus。Tobeobliged,andtobetyedbeingobliged,seemstosomementobeone,andthesamething,andthatthereforehereseemstobesomedistinctioninwords,butnoneindeed。Morecleerlytherefore,Isaythus,Thatamanisobligedbyhiscontracts,thatis,thatheoughttoperformeforhispromisesake;butthattheLawtyeshimbeingobliged,thatistosay,itcompellshimtomakegoodhispromise,forfearofthepunishmentappointedbytheLaw。
III。TheyconfoundLaweswithRight,whocontinuestilltodoewhatispermittedbydivineRight,notwithstandingitbeforbiddenbythecivillLaw:ThatwhichisprohibitedbythedivineLaw,cannotbeepermittedbythecivill,neithercanthatwhichiscommandedbythedivineLaw,beprohibitedbythecivill。NotwithstandingthatwhichispermittedbythedivineRight,thatistosay,thatwhichmaybedonebydivineRight,dothnowhithinderwhythesamemaynotbeforbiddenbythecivillLawes;forinferiourLawesmayrestrainthelibertyallowedbythesuperiour,althoughtheycannotenlargethem。NownaturalllibertyisaRightnotconstituted,butallowedbytheLawes。FortheLawesbeingremoved,ourlibertyisabsolute;Thisisfirstrestrainedbythenaturall,anddivineLawes,theresidueisboundedbythecivillLaw,andwhatremainsmayagainberestrainedbytheconstitutionsofparticularTowns,andSocieties。ThereisgreatdifferencethereforebetweenLaw,andRight;ForLawisafetter,Rightisfreedome,andtheydifferlikecontraries。
IV。AllLawmaybedivided,firstaccordingtothediversityofitsAuthorsintoDivineandhumane。TheDivine,accordingtothetwowayeswherebyGodhathmadeknownhiswilluntomen,istwofold,naturall(ormorall)andpositive;naturallisthatwhichGodhathdeclaredtoallmenbyhiseternallwordbornewiththem,towit,theirnaturallReason;andthisisthatLawwhichinthiswholebookIhaveendeavouredtounfold。Positiveisthat,whichGodhathrevealedtousbythewordofProphesie,whereinhehathspokenuntomenasaman:SucharetheLaweswhichhegavetotheJewesconcerningtheirgovernment,anddivineworship,andtheymaybetermedtheDivinecivillLawes,becausetheywerepeculiartothecivillgovernmentoftheJewes,hispeculiarpeople。Again,thenaturallLawmaybedividedintothatofMen,whichalonehathobtainedthetitleoftheLawofnature,andthatofCities,whichmaybecalledthatofNations,butvulgarlyitistermedtheRightofNations。Thepreceptsofbotharealike,butbecauseCitiesonceinstituteddoeputonthepersonallproprietiesofmen,thatLaw,whichspeakingofthedutyofsinglemen,wecallnaturall,beingapplyedtowholeCities,andNations,iscalledtheRightofNations。AndthesameElementsofnaturalllaw,andRight,whichhavehithertobeenspokenof,beingtransferredtowholeCitiesandNations,maybetakenfortheElementsofthelawes,andRightofNations。
V。Allhumanelawiscivill。Forthestateofmenconsideredoutofcivillsociety,ishostile,inwhich,becauseoneisnotsubjecttoanother,therearenootherLawes,besidethedictatesofnaturallreason,whichisthedivineLaw。ButincivillgovernmenttheCityonely,thatistosay,thatman,orCourt,towhomthesupremepoweroftheCityiscommitted,istheLegislator,andtheLawesoftheCityarecivill。ThecivillLawesmaybedividedaccordingtothediversityoftheirsubjectmatter,intosacred,orsecular;sacredarethosewhichpertaintoReligion,thatistosay,totheceremonies,andworshipofGod(towitwhatPersons,things,places,aretobeconsecrated,andinwhatfashion,whatopinionsconcerningtheDeityaretobetaughtpubliquely,andwithwhatwords,andinwhatordersupplicationsaretobemade,andthelike)andarenotdeterminedbyanydivinepositiveLaw。ForthecivillsacredLawesarethehumaneLawes(whicharealsocalledEcclesiasticall)concerningthingssacred;butthesecularunderagenerallnotion,areusuallycalledthecivillLawes。
VI。Again,thecivillLaw(accordingtothetwoofficesofthe。Legislator,whereofoneistojudge;theothertoconstrainmentoacquiescetohisjudgements)hathtwoparts;theonedistributive,theothervindicative,orpenall。Bythedistributiveitis,thateverymanhathhisproperRight,thatistosay,itsetsforthRulesforallthings,wherebywemayknowwhatisproperlyours,whatanothermans;soasothersmaynothinderusfromthefreeuseandenjoymentofourown;andwemaynotinterruptothersinthequietpossessionoftheirs;andwhatislawfullforeverymantodoeoromit,andwhatisnotlawfull。
VindicativeisthatwherebyitisdefinedwhatpunishmentshallbeinflictedonthemwhobreaktheLaw。
VII。Nowdistributive,andvindicative,arenottwoseverallSpeciesoftheLawes,buttwopartsofthesameLaw。ForiftheLawshouldsaynomore,but(forexample)whatsoeveryoutakewithyournetintheSea,beityours,itsinvain;Foralthoughanothershouldtakethatawayfromyouwhichyouhavecaught,ithindersnot,butthatitstillremainsyours;forinthestateofnaturewhereallthingsarecommontoall,yours,andothers,areallone,insomuchaswhattheLawdefinestobeyours,wasyoursevenbeforetheLaw,andaftertheLawceasesnottobeeyours,althoughinanothermanspossession。WhereforetheLawdothnothing,unlesseitbeeunderstoodtobeesoyours,asallothermenbeforbiddentointerruptyourfreeuse,andsecureenjoymentofitatalltimes,accordingtoyourownwill,andpleasure。Forthisisthatwhichisrequiredtoaproprietyofgoods,notthatamanmaybeabletousethem,buttousethemalone,whichisdonebyprohibitingotherstobeanhinderancetohim。Butinvaindoetheyalsoprohibitanymen,whodoenotwithallstrikeafearofpunishmentintothem;invainthereforeistheLaw,unlesseitcontainbothparts,thatwhichforbidsinjuriestobedone,andthatwhichpunisheththedoersofthem。Thefirstofthemwhichiscalleddistributive,isProhibitory,andspeakstoall;thesecondwhichisstyledvindicative,orpaenary,ismandatory,andonelyspeakstopubliqueMinisters。
VIII。Fromhencealsowemayunderstand,thateverycivillLawhathapenaltyannexedtoit,eitherexplicitly,orimplicitly;Forwherethepenaltyisnotdefined,neitherbyanywriting,norbyexampleofanyonewhohathsufferedthepunishmentofthetransgressedLawtherethepenaltyisunderstoodtobearbitrary,namely,todependonthewilloftheLegislator,thatistosay,ofthesupremeCommander。ForinvainisthatLawwhichmaybebrokenwithoutpunishment。
IX。NowbecauseitcomesfromthecivillLawes,boththateverymanhavehisproperRight,anddistinguishtfromanothers,andalsothatheisforbiddentoinvadeanothersRights,itfollowes,thatthesePrecepts(Thoushaltnotrefusetogivethehonourdefin’dbytheLawesuntothyParents:ThoushaltnotkillthemanwhomtheLawesforbidtheetokill:ThoushaltavoidallcopulationforbiddenbytheLaws:ThoushaltnottakeawayanothersgoodsagainsttheLordswill:ThoushaltnotfrustratetheLawsandJudgementsbyfalsetestimony)areCivillLawes。ThenaturallLawescommandthesamethingsbutimplicitly。forthelawofnature(ashathbeensaidinthe3。Chap。Art。2。)
commandsustokeepcontracts,andthereforealsotoperformeobediencewhenwehavecovenantedobedience,andtoabstainefromanothersgoodswhenitisdetermin’dbythecivillLawwhatbelongstoanother。ButallSubjects(bythe13。Art。ofthe6。
Chap。)docovenanttoobeyhiscommandswhohaththesupremepower,thatistosaythecivillLawes,intheveryconstitutionofgovernment,evenbeforeitispossibletobreakthem。FortheLawofnaturedidobligeinthestateofnature,wherefirst(becausenaturehathgivenallthingstoallmen)nothingdidproperlybelongtoanother,andthereforeitwasnotpossibletoinvadeanothersright;next,whereallthingswerecommon,andthereforeallcarnallcopulationslawfull;Thirdly,wherewasthestateofWarre,andthereforelawfulltokill;Fourthly,whereallthingsweredeterminedbyeverymansownjudgement,andthereforepaternallrespectsalso:Lastly,wheretherewerenopubliquejudgements,andthereforenouseofbearingwitnesse,eithertrue,orfalse。
X。SeeingthereforeourobligationtoobservethoseLaws,ismoreancientthenthepromulgationoftheLawsthemselves,asbeingcontainedintheveryconstitutionoftheCity,bythevertueofthenaturallLawwhichforbidsbreachofCovenant,theLawofnaturecommandsustokeepallthecivillLaws;forwherewearetyedtoobedience,beforeweknowwhatwillbecommandedus,thereweareuniversallytyedtoobeyinallthings。Whenceitfollowes,thatnocivilLawwhatsoever,whichtendsnottoareproachoftheDeity(inrespectofwhom,Citiesthemselveshavenorightoftheirown,andcannotbesaidtomakeLawes)canpossiblybeagainsttheLawofnature;forthoughtheLawofnatureforbidtheft,adultery,&c。yetifthecivillLawcommandustoinvadeanything,thatinvasionisnottheft,adultery,&c。
ForwhentheLacedemoniansofoldpermittedtheiryouthsbyacertaineLaw,totakeawayothermensgoods,theycommandedthatthesegoodsshouldnotbeeaccountedothermens,buttheirownwhotookthem;andthereforesuchsurreptionswerenothefts。Inlikemanner,copulationsofheathenSexes,accordingtotheirLawes,werelawfullmarriages。
XI。ItsnecessarytotheessenceofaLaw,thattheSubjectsbeacquaintedwithtwothings,First,whatmanorCourthaththesupremepower,thatistosay,theRightofmakingLawes。
Secondly,whattheLawitselfsayes;forhethatneitherkneweithertowhomorwhatheistyedto,cannotobey,andbyconsequenceisinsuchacondition,asifhewerenottyedatall。IsaynotthatitisnecessarytotheessenceofaLaw,thateitherone,ortheotherbeperpetuallyknown,butonelythatitbeonceknowne;andiftheSubjectafterwardforgeteithertheRighthehathwhomadetheLaw,ortheLawitself,thatmakeshimnolessetyedtoobey,sincehemighthaveremembredit,hadhehadawilltoobey。
XII。TheknowledgeoftheLegislatordependsontheSubjecthimselfe;fortherightofmakingLawescouldnotbeconferr’donanymanwithouthisowneconsent,andcovenant,eitherexprest,orsuppos’d;exprest,whenfromthebeginningtheCitizensdoethemselvesconstituteaformeofgoverningtheCity,orwhenbypromisetheysubmitthemselvestotheDominionofanyone;orsuppos’datleast,aswhentheymakeuseofthebenefitoftheRealme,andLawes,fortheirprotectionandconservationagainstothers。FortowhoseDominionwerequireourfellowSubjectstoyeeldobedienceforourgood,hisDominionweacknowledgetobelegitimatebythatveryrequest。AndthereforeignoranceofthepowerofmakingLawes,canneverbeasufficientexcuse;foreverymanknoweswhathehathdonehimselfe。
XIII。TheknowledgeofthelawesdependsontheLegislator,whomustpublishthem,forotherwisetheyarenotLawes;forLawisthecommandoftheLaw-maker,andhiscommandistheDeclarationofhisWill;itisnotthereforeaLaw,exceptthewilloftheLaw-makerbedeclar’d,whichisdonebypromulgation。
Nowinpromulgationtwothingsmustbemanifest,whereofoneis,thatheortheywhopublishaLaw,eitherhavearightthemselvestomakeLawes,orthattheydoeitbyauthorityderiv’dfromhimorthemwhohaveit;theotheristhesenseoftheLawitselfe。
Now,thatthefirst,namelypublishtLawesproceedfromhimwhohaththesupremecommand,cannotbemanifest(speakingexactlyandphilosophically)toany,butthemwhohavereceivedthemfromthemouthoftheCommander;therestbeleeve,butthereasonsoftheirbeliefearesomany,thatitisscarcepossibletheyshouldnotbelieve。AndtrulyinaDemocraticalCitywhereeveryonemaybepresentatthemakingofLawsifhewill,hethatshallbeabsent,mustbeleevethosethatwerepresent;butinmonarchiesandAristocraties,becauseitsgrantedbuttofewtobepresent,andopenlytohearethecommandsofthemonarchortheNobles,itwasnecessarytobestowapoweronthosefewofpublishingthemtotherest。AndthuswebeleevethosetobetheEdictsandDecreesofPrinces,whicharepropoundedtousforsuch,eitherbythewritings,orvoicesofthem,whoseofficeitistopublishthem。Butyetwhenwehavethesecausesofbeliefe,thatwehaveseenthePrince,orsupremeCouncellconstantlyusesuchCounsellors,Secretaries,publishers,andseales,andthelikeargumentsforthedeclaringofhiswill;thathenevertookanyauthorityfromthem;thattheyhavebinpunishtwhonotgivingcredittosuchlikepromulgationshavetransgresttheLaw;notonelyhewhothusbelievingshallnotobeytheEdictsandDecreessetforthbythemiseverywhereaccus’d,buthethatnotbelieving,shallnotyieldobedience,ispunisht。Fortheconstantpermissionofthesethingsisamanifestsigneenough,andevidentdeclarationoftheCommanderswill;providedtherebenothingcontain’dintheLaw,EdictorDecree,derogatoryfromhissupremepower:Foritisnottobeimagin’dthathewouldhaveoughttakenfromhispowerbyanyofhisOfficersaslongasheretainesawilltogoverne。Nowthesenseofthelaw,whenthereisanydoubtmadeofit,istobetakenfromthemtowhomthesupremeauthorityhathcommittedtheknowledgeofcauses,orJudgements;fortojudgeisnothingelsethenbyinterpretationtoapplythelawestoparticularcases。NowwemayknowwhotheyarethathavethisOfficegrantedthem,inthesamemanner,asweknowwhotheybethathaveauthoritygiventhemtopublishLaws。
XIV。Againethecivilllawaccordingtoitstwofoldmannerofpublishing,isoftwosorts,written&unwritten;Bywritten,Iunderstandthatwhichwantsavoice,orsomeothersigneofthewilloftheLegislatorthatitmaybecome。aLaw。ForallkindofLawsareofthesameagewithmankinde,bothinnature,andtime,andthereforeofmoreantiquitythentheinventionofletters,andtheArtofwriting。Whereforenotawriting,butavoiceisnecessaryforawrittenlaw。thisaloneisrequisitetothebeing,thattotheRemembranceofaLaw;forwereade,thatbeforeletterswerefoundoutforthehelpofmemory,thatLawescontractedintoMeetre,werewonttobesung。Theunwrittenisthatwhichwantsnootherpublishingthenthevoiceofnature,ornaturallreason;sucharethelawesofnature。ForthenaturallLawalthoughitbedistinguishtfromthecivill,forasmuchasitcommandstheWill,yetsofarreforthasitrelatestoouractionsitiscivill;forexample,thissame,Thoushaltnotcovet,whichonelyappertainestotheminde,isanaturallLaw,onely。butthis,Thoushaltnotinvade,isbothnaturallandcivill。ForseeingitisimpossibletoprescribesuchuniversallRules,wherebyallfuturecontentionswhichperhapsareinfinite,maybedetermined,itstobeunderstoodthatinallcasesnotmentionedbythewrittenlawes,thelawofnaturallequityistobefollowed,whichcommandsustodistributeequallytoequals;
andthisbythevertueofthecivilllaw,whichalsopunisheththosewhoknowinglyandwillinglydoeactuallytransgressethelawesofnature。
XV。Thesethingsbeingunderstood,itappearesfirst,ThattheLawesofNature,althoughtheyweredescrib’dintheBooksofsomePhilosophers,arenotforthatreasontobetermedWrittenlawes:andthattheWritingsoftheInterpretersoftheLawes,werenoLawes,forwantoftheSupremeAuthority;noryetthoseorationsoftheWise,(thatistosay)Judges,butsofarreforthasbytheconsentoftheSupremepowertheypartintocustome;
andthatthentheyaretobereceivedamongtheWrittenlawes,notfortheCustomessake(whichbyitsownforcedothnotconstituteaLaw)butfortheWilloftheSupremeCommander,whichappearesinthis,thathehathsuffer’dhisSentence,whetherequall,orunequall,topasseintocustome。
XVI。Sinne,initslargestsignification,comprehendseverydeed,wordandthought,againstrightreason。Foreverymanbyreasoningseeksoutthemeanestotheendwhichhepropoundstohimselfe。Ifthereforehereasonright(thatistosay,beginningfrommostevidentprinciples,hemakesadiscourseoutofconsequencescontinuallynecessary,)hewillproceedeinamostdirectway;otherwisehee’lgoeastray,thatistosay,hewilleitherdoe,say,orendeavour,somewhatagainsthisproperend:
whichwhenhehathdone,hewillindeedinreasoningbesaidtohaveerred,butinactionandwilltohavesinned;forsinfolloweserrour,justastheWilldoththeunderstanding:Andthisisthemostgenerallacceptionoftheword,underwhichiscontain’deveryimprudentaction,whetheragainsttheLaw,astooverthrowanothermanshouse,ornotagainsttheLaw,astobuildhisowneupontheSand。
XVII。ButwhenwespeakoftheLawes,thewordSinneistakeninamorestrictsense,andsignifiesnoteverythingdoneagainstrightreason,butthatonelywhichisblameable,andthereforeiscall’dmalumculpae,theevilloffault;butyetifanythingbeculpableitisnotpresentlytobeterm’dasinne,orfault,butonelyifitbeblameablewithreason。Wemustthereforeenquirewhatistobeblameablewithreason,whatagainstreason。Suchisthenatureofman,thateveryonecallsthatgoodwhichhedesires,andevillwhichheeschewes;andthereforethroughthediversityofouraffections,ithappensthatonecountsthatgood,whichanothercountsevill;andthesamemanwhatnowheesteem’dforgood,heimmediatelylooksonasevill;andthesamethingwhichhecallsgoodinhimselfe,hetearmesevillinanother。Forweallmeasuregoodandevillbythepleasureorpaineweeitherfeeleatpresent,orexpecthereafter。Nowseeingtheprosperousactionsofenemies(becausetheyincreasetheirhonours,goods,andpower)andofequalls,(byreasonofthatstrifeofhonourswhichisamongthem)bothseemeandareirkesome,andthereforeevilltoall;andmenusetoreputethoseevill,thatistosay,tolaysomefaulttotheirchargefromwhomtheyreceiveevill;itsimpossibletobedeterminedbytheconsentofsinglemenwhomthesamethingsdoenotpleaseanddisplease,whatactionsare,andwhatnottobeblam’d。Theymayagreeindeedinsomecertainegenerallthings,asthattheft,adultery,andthelikearesinnes,asiftheyshouldsaythatallmenaccountthosethingsevilltowhichtheyhavegivennameswhichareusuallytakeninanevillsense;butwedemandnotwhethertheftbeaSinne,butwhatistobeterm’dtheft,andsoconcerningotherinlikemanner。Forasmuchthereforeasinsogreatadiversityofcensurers,whatisbyreasonblameable,isnottobeemeasur’dbythereasonofonemanmorethenanother,becauseoftheequalityofhumanenature,andtherearenootherreasonsinbeing,butonelythoseofparticularmen,andthatoftheCity,itfollowes,thattheCityistodeterminewhatwithreasonisculpable:Soasafault,thatistosay,aSINNE,isthat,whichamando’s,omits,sayes,orwills,againstthereasonoftheCity,thatis,contrarytotheLawes。
XVIII。ButamanmaydoesomewhatagainsttheLawesthroughhumaneinfirmity,althoughhedesiretofulfillthem,andyethisactionasbeingagainsttheLawes,isrightlyblam’d,andcall’daSinne。Buttherearesome,whoneglecttheLawes,andasoftasanyhopeofgainandimpunitydothappeartothem,noconscienceofcontractsandbetrothedfaithcanwithholdthemfromtheirviolation。Notonlythedeeds,buteventhemindesofthesemenareagainsttheLawes。Theywhosinneonelythroughinfirmity,aregoodmenevenwhentheysinne;buttheseevenwhentheydoenotsin,arewicked。Forthoughboththeaction,andthemindberepugnanttotheLawes,yetthoserepugnanciesaredistinguishtbydifferentappellations,fortheirregularityoftheactioniscalledadikema,unjustdeed;thatofthemindadikia,andkakia,injustice,andmalice;thatis,theinfirmityofadisturbedsoule,thisthepravityofasobermind。
XIX。ButseeingthereisnosinwhichisnotagainstsomeLaw,andthatthereisnoLawwhichisnotthecommandofhimwhohaththesupremepower,andthatnomanhathasupremepowerwhichisnotbestowedonhimbyourownconsent;inwhatmannerwillhebesaidtosinne,whoeitherdeniesthatthereisaGod,orthathegovernstheworld,orcastsanyotherreproachuponhim?Forhewillsay,thatheneversubmittedhiswilltoGodswill,notconceivinghimsomuchastohaveanybeing。Andgrantingthathisopinionwereerroneous,andthereforealsoasin,yetwereittobenumbredamongthoseofimprudenceorignorance,whichbyrightcannotbepunished。Thisspeechseemssofarreforthtobeadmitted,thatthoughthiskindofsinbethegreatestandmosthurtful,yetisittoberefer’dtosinsofimprudence;butthatitshouldbeexcusedbyimprudenceorignorance,isabsurd。FortheAtheistispunishteitherimmediatelybyGodhimselfe,orbyKingsconstitutedunderGod;
notasaSubjectispunishedbyaKing,becausehekeepsnottheLawes,butasoneenemybyanother,becausehewouldnotacceptoftheLawes;thatistosay,bytheRightofwarre,astheGiantswarringagainstGod:ForwhosoeverarenotsubjecteithertosomecommonLord,oronetoanother,areenemiesamongthemselves。
(Yetisittobereferredtosinsofimprudence)ManyfindfaultthatIhavereferr’dAtheismetoimprudence,andnottoinjustice;yeabysomeitistakenso,asifIhadnotdeclaredmyselfeanenemybitterenoughagainstAtheists:Theyobjectfarther,thatsinceIhadelsewheresaidthatitmightbeknownethereisaGod,bynaturallreason,IoughttohaveacknowledgedthattheysinatleastagainsttheLawofnature,andthereforearenotonlyguiltyofimprudence,butinjusticetoo。ButIamsomuchanenemytoAtheists,thatIhavebothdiligentlysoughtfor,andvehementlydesiredtofindsomeLawwherebyImightcondemnethemofinjustice;butwhenIfoundnone,IenquirednextwhatnameGodhimselfedidgivetomensodetestedbyhim。
NowGodspeaksthusoftheAtheist:Thefoolhathsaidinhisheart,thereisnoGod。thereforeIplacedtheirsinneinthatrankwhichGodhimselfereferresto;next,IshewthemtobeenemiesofGod。ButIconceivethenameofanenemytobesometimessomewhatsharper,thenthatofanunjustman。Lastly,I
affirmethattheymayunderthatnotionbejustlypunishtbothbyGod,andsupremeMagistrates,andthereforebynomeanesexcuseorextenuatethissinne。NowthatIhavesaidthatitmightbeknownbynaturallreasonthatthereisaGod,issotobeunderstood,notasifIhadmeantthatallmenmightknowthis,excepttheythinkthatbecauseArchimedesbynaturallreasonfoundoutwhatproportionthecirclehathtothesquare,itfollowesthence,thateveryoneofthevulgarcouldhavefoundoutasmuch。Isaytherefore,thatalthoughitmaybeknownetosomebythelightofreasonthatthereisaGod,yetmenthatarecontinuallyengagedinpleasures,orseekingofrichesandhonour,alsomenthatarenotwonttoreasonaright,orcannotdoit,orcarenottodoeit,lastly,fools,inwhichnumberareAtheists,cannotknowthis。
XX。SeeingthatfromthevertueoftheCovenantwherebyeachSubjectistyedtotheothertoperformabsoluteanduniversallobedience(suchasisdefinedaboveChap。6。art。13。)totheCity,thatistosay,totheSoveraignpower,whetherthatbeonemanorCouncel,thereisanobligationderivedtoobserveeachoneofthecivillLawes,sothatthatCovenantcontainsinitselfalltheLawsatonce;itismanifestthatthesubjectwhoshallrenouncethegenerallCovenantofobedience,dothatoncerenouncealltheLawes。Whichtrespasseissomuchworsethenanyotheronesinne,byhowmuchtosinnealwayes,isworsethentosinneonce。AndthisisthatsinwhichiscalledTREASON;anditisawordordeedwherebytheCitizen,orSubject,declaresthathewillnolongerobeythatmanorCourttowhomthesupremepoweroftheCityisentrusted。AndtheSubjectdeclaresthissamewillofhisbydeed,whenheeitherdoth,orendeavourstodoviolencetotheSoveraignsPerson,ortothemwhoexecutehiscommands;ofwhichsortareTraytors,Regicides,andsuchastakeuparmesagainsttheCity,orduringawarre,flyetotheenemiesside。Andtheyshewthesamewillinword,whoflatlydenythatthemselvesorothersubjectsaretyedtoanysuchkindofobedience,eitherinthewhole,ashewhoshouldsaythatweemustnotobeyhim(keepingtheobediencewhichweowetoGodintire)simply,absolutely,anduniversally;orinpart,ashewhoshouldsay,thathehadnoRighttowagewarreathisownwill,tomakePeace,listsouldiers,leviemonies,electingMagistrates,andpubliqueMinisters,enactingLawes,decidingcontroversies,settingpenalties,ordoingoughtelse,withoutwhichtheStatecannotstand。AndtheseandthelikewordsanddeedsareTreasonbythenaturall,notthecivillLaw。Butitmaysohappen,thatsomeactionwhichbeforethecivillLawwasmade,wasnotTreason,yetwillbecomesuch,ifitbedoneafterwards。
AsifitbedeclaredbytheLaw,thatitshallbeaccountedforasignofrenouncingpubliqueobedience(thatistosayforTreason)ifanymanshallcoynmonies,orforgethePrivieSeale,hethatafterthatDeclarationshalldoethis,willbenolesseguiltyofTreasonthentheother。Yethesinneslesse,becausehebreakesnotalltheLawsatonce,butoneLawonly;fortheLawbycallingthatTreasonwhichbynatureisnotso,dothindeedbyRightsetamoreodiousname,andperhapsamoregrievouspunishmentontheguiltypersons,butitmakesnotthesinneitselfemoregrievous。
XXI。ButthatsinnewhichbytheLawofnatureisTreason,isaTransgressionofthenaturall,notthecivillLaw。Forsinceourobligationtocivillobedience,byvertuewhereofthecivillLawesarevalid,isbeforeallcivillLaw,andthesinofTreasonisnaturallynothingelsebutthebreachofthatobligation;itfollowesthatbythesinofTreason,thatLawisbrokenwhichprecededthecivillLaw,towit,thenaturall,whichforbidsustoviolateCovenants,andbetrothedfaith。ButifsomeSoveraignPrinceshouldsetforthaLawonthismanner,Thoushaltnotrebell,hewouldeffectjustnothing:ForexceptSubjectswerebeforeobligedtoobedience,thatistosay,nottorebell,allLawisofnoforce;nowtheobligationwhichobligethtowhatwewerebeforeobligedto,issuperfluous。
XXII。Henceitfollowes,thatRebels,Traytors,andallothersconvictedofTreason,arepunishtnotbycivill,butnaturallRight;thatistosay,notascivillSubjects,butasEnemiestotheGovernment,notbytheRightofSoveraignty,andDominion,butbytheRightofWarre。
XXIII。TherearesomewhothinkthatthoseactswhicharedoneagainsttheLaw,whenthepunishmentisdeterminedbytheLawitselfe,areexpiated,ifthepunishedwillinglyundergoethepunishment;andthattheyarenotguiltybeforeGodofbreakingthenaturallLaw(althoughbybreakingthecivillLawes,webreakthenaturalltoo,whichcommandustokeepthecivill)
whohavesufferedthepunishmentwhichtheLawrequired;asifbytheLaw,thefactwerenotprohibited,butapunishmentweresetinsteadofaprice,wherebyalicencemightbeboughtofdoingwhattheLawforbids。Bythesamereasontheymightinferretoo,thatnotransgressionoftheLawwereasin,butthateverymanmightenjoythelibertywhichhehathboughtbyhisownperill。
ButwemustknowthatthewordsoftheLawmaybeunderstoodinatwofoldsense,theoneascontainingtwoparts(ashathbeendeclaredaboveintheseventhArt。)namelythatofabsolutelyprohibiting,as,Thoushaltnotdoethis;andrevenging,as,hethatdoththis,shallbepunisht;Theother,ascontainingacondition,forexample,Thoushaltnotdoethisthing,unlessethouwiltsufferpunishment;andthus,theLawforbidsnotsimply,butconditionally。Ifitbeunderstoodinthefirstsense,hethatdothit,sins,becausehedothwhattheLawforbidstobedone;ifinthesecond,hesinsnot,becausehecannotbesaidtodoewhatisforbiddenhim,thatperformsthecondition;Forinthefirstsense,allmenareforbiddentodoeit;inthesecond,theyonlywhokeepthemselvesfromthepunishment。Inthefirstsense,thevindicativepartoftheLawobligethnottheguilty,buttheMagistratetorequirepunishment;inthesecond,hehimselfethatowesthepunishmentisobligedtoexactit,tothepaymentwhereof,ifitbecapitall,orotherwisegrievous,hecannotbeobliged。ButinwhatsensetheLawistobetaken,dependsonthewillofhimwhohaththeSoveraignty。WhenthereisthereforeanydoubtofthemeaningoftheLaw,sincewearesuretheysinnenotwhodoeitnot,itwillbesinifwedoeit,howsoevertheLawmayafterwardbeexplained;forsotodoethatwhichamandoubtswhetheritbeasinornot,whenhehathfreedometoforbearit,isacontemptoftheLawes,andthereforebythe28。Art。ofthethirdChapter,asinagainsttheLawofnature。VainthereforeisthatsamedistinctionofobedienceintoActiveandPassive,asifthatcouldbeexpiatedbypenaltiesconstitutedbyhumanedecrees,whichisasinneagainsttheLawofnature,whichistheLawofGod;orasthoughtheysinnednot,whosinneattheirownperill。
第4章