第14章

(18:75)Theseexamples，then，confirmusinourbelief，thateverydominionshouldretainitsoriginalform，and，indeed，cannotchangeitwithoutdangeroftheutterruinofthewholestate。(76)SucharethepointsIhaveherethoughtworthyofremark。

[19:0]CHAPTERXIX-ITISSHOWNTHATTHERIGHTOVERMATTERS

SPIRITUALLIESWHOLLYWITHTHESOVEREIGN，ANDTHAT

THEOUTWARDFORMSOFRELIGIONSHOULDBEINACCORDANCE

WITHPUBLICPEACE，IFWEWOULDOBEYGODARIGHT。

(1)WhenIsaidthatthepossessorsofsovereignpowerhaverightsovereverything，andthatallrightsaredependentontheirdecree，Ididnotmerelymeantemporalrights，butalsospiritualrights；ofthelatter，nolessthantheformer，theyoughttobetheinterpretersandthechampions。(2)Iwishtodrawspecialattentiontothispoint，andtodiscussitfullyinthischapter，becausemanypersonsdenythattherightofdecidingreligiousquestionsbelongstothesovereignpower，andrefusetoacknowledgeitastheinterpreterofDivineright。(3)Theyaccordinglyassumefulllicencetoaccuseandarraignit，nay，eventoexcommunicateitfromtheChurch，asAmbrosiustreatedtheEmperorTheodosiusinoldtime。(4)However，Iwillshowlateroninthischapterthattheytakethismeansofdividingthegovernment，andpavingthewaytotheirownascendancy。(5)Iwish，however，firsttopointoutthatreligionacquiresitsforceaslawsolelyfromthedecreesofthesovereign。

(6)GodhasnospecialkingdomamongmenexceptinsofarasHereignsthroughtemporalrulers。[19:1](7)Moreover，theritesofreligionandtheoutwardobservancesofpietyshouldbeinaccordancewiththepublicpeaceandwell-being，andshouldthereforebedeterminedbythesovereignpoweralone。(8)Ispeakhereonlyoftheoutwardobservancesofpietyandtheexternalritesofreligion，notofpiety，itself，noroftheinwardworshipofGod，northemeansbywhichthemindisinwardlyledtodohomagetoGodinsinglenessofheart。

(19:9)InwardworshipofGodandpietyinitselfarewithinthesphereofeveryone"sprivaterights，andcannotbealienated(asIshowedattheendofChapterVII。)。(10)WhatIheremeanbythekingdomofGodis，I

think，sufficientlyclearfromwhathasbeensaidinChapterXIV。

(11)IthereshowedthatamanbestfulfilsGodslawwhoworshipsHim，accordingtoHiscommand，throughactsofjusticeandcharity；itfollows，therefore，thatwhereverjusticeandcharityhavetheforceoflawandordinance，thereisGod"skingdom。

(19:12)IrecognizenodifferencebetweenthecaseswhereGodteachesandcommandsthepracticeofjusticeandcharitythroughournaturalfaculties，andthosewhereHemakesspecialrevelations；noristheformoftherevelationofimportancesolongassuchpracticeisrevealedandbecomesasovereignandsupremelawtomen。(13)If，therefore，Ishowthatjusticeandcharitycanonlyacquiretheforceofrightandlawthroughtherightsofrulers，Ishallbeablereadilytoarriveattheconclusion(seeingthattherightsofrulersareinthepossessionofthesovereign)，thatreligioncanonlyacquiretheforceofrightbymeansofthosewhohavetherighttocommand，andthatGodonlyrulesamongmenthroughtheinstrumentalityofearthlypotentates。(14)Itfollowsfromwhathasbeensaid，thatthepracticeofjusticeandcharityonlyacquirestheforceoflawthroughtherightsofthesovereignauthority；forweshowedinChapterXVI。thatinthestateofnaturereasonhasnomorerightsthandesire，butthatmenlivingeitherbythelawsoftheformerorthelawsofthelatter，possessrightsco-extensivewiththeirpowers。

(19:15)Forthisreasonwecouldnotconceivesintoexistinthestateofnature，norimagineGodasajudgepunishingman"stransgressions；butwesupposedallthingstohappenaccordingtothegenerallawsofuniversalnature，therebeingnodifferencebetweenpiousandimpious，betweenhimthatwaspure(asSolomonsays)andhimthatwasimpure，becausetherewasnopossibilityeitherofjusticeorcharity。

[19:2](16)Inorderthatthetruedoctrinesofreason，thatis(asweshowedinChapterIV。)，thetrueDivinedoctrinesmightobtainabsolutelytheforceoflawandright，itwasnecessarythateachindividualshouldcedehisnaturalright，andtransferiteithertosocietyasawhole，ortoacertainbodyofmen，ortooneman。(17)Then，andnottillthen，doesitfirstdawnuponuswhatisjusticeandwhatisinjustice，whatisequityandwhatisiniquity。

(19:18)Justice，therefore，andabsolutelyallthepreceptsofreason，includinglovetowardsone"sneighbour，receivetheforceoflawsandordinancessolelythroughtherightsofdominion，thatis(asweshowedinthesamechapter)solelyonthedecreeofthosewhopossesstherighttorule。(19)InasmuchasthekingdomofGodconsistsentirelyinrightsappliedtojusticeandcharityortotruereligion，itfollowsthat(asweasserted)thekingdomofGodcanonlyexistamongmenthroughthemeansofthesovereignpowers；nordoesitmakeanydifferencewhetherreligionbeapprehendedbyournaturalfacultiesorbyrevelation:theargumentissoundinbothcases，inasmuchasreligionisoneandthesame，andisequallyrevealedbyGod，whateverbethemannerinwhichitbecomesknowntomen。

(19:20)Thus，inorderthatthereligionrevealedbytheprophetsmighthavetheforceoflawamongtheJews，itwasnecessarythateverymanofthemshouldyielduphisnaturalright，andthatallshould，withoneaccord，agreethattheywouldonlyobeysuchcommandsasGodshouldrevealtothemthroughtheprophets。(21)Justaswehaveshowntotakeplaceinademocracy，wheremenwithoneconsentagreetoliveaccordingtothedictatesofreason。(22)AlthoughtheHebrewsfurthermoretransferredtheirrighttoGod，theywereabletodosoratherintheorythaninpractice，for，asamatteroffact(aswepointedoutabove)theyabsolutelyretainedtherightofdominiontilltheytransferredittoMoses，whoinhisturnbecameabsoluteking，sothatitwasonlythroughhimthatGodreignedovertheHebrews。(23)Forthisreason(namely，thatreligiononlyacquirestheforceoflawbymeansofthesovereignpower)Moseswasnotabletopunishthosewho，beforethecovenant，andconsequentlywhilestillinpossessionoftheirrights，violatedtheSabbath(Exod。xvi:27)，butwasabletodosoafterthecovenant(Numb。xv:36)，becauseeveryonehadthenyieldeduphisnaturalrights，andtheordinanceoftheSabbathhadreceivedtheforceoflaw。

(19:24)Lastly，forthesamereason，afterthedestructionoftheHebrewdominion，revealedreligionceasedtohavetheforceoflaw；forwecannotdoubtthatassoonastheJewstransferredtheirrighttothekingofBabylon，thekingdomofGodandtheDivinerightforthwithceased。(25)

ForthecovenantwherewiththeypromisedtoobeyalltheutterancesofGodwasabrogated；God"skingdom，whichwasbasedthereupon，alsoceased。(26)

TheHebrewscouldnolongerabidethereby，inasmuchastheirrightsnolongerbelongedtothembuttothekingofBabylon，whom(asweshowedinChapterXVI。)theywereboundtoobeyinallthings。(27)Jeremiah(chap。

xxix:7)expresslyadmonishesthemofthisfact:"Andseekthepeaceofthecity，whitherIhavecausedyoutobecarriedawaycaptives，andprayuntotheLordforit；forinthepeacethereofshallyehavepeace。"(28)Now，theycouldnotseekthepeaceoftheCityashavingashareinitsgovernment，butonlyasslaves，being，astheywere，captives；byobedienceinallthings，withaviewtoavoidingseditions，andbyobservingallthelawsofthecountry，howeverdifferentfromtheirown。(29)ItisthusabundantlyevidentthatreligionamongtheHebrewsonlyacquiredtheformoflawthroughtherightofthesovereignrule；whenthatrulewasdestroyed，itcouldnolongerbereceivedasthelawofaparticularkingdom，butonlyastheuniversalpreceptofreason。(30)Isayofreason，fortheuniversalreligionhadnotyetbecomeknownbyrevelation。(31)Wemaythereforedrawthegeneralconclusionthatreligion，whetherrevealedthroughournaturalfacultiesorthroughprophets，receivestheforceofacommandsolelythroughthedecreesoftheholdersofsovereignpower；and，further，thatGodhasnospecialkingdomamongmen，exceptinsofarasHereignsthroughearthlypotentates。

(19:32)WemaynowseeinaclearerlightwhatwasstatedinChapterIV。，namely，thatallthedecreesofGodinvolveeternaltruthandnecessity，sothatwecannotconceiveGodasaprinceorlegislatorgivinglawstomankind。(33)ForthisreasontheDivineprecepts，whetherrevealedthroughournaturalfaculties，orthroughprophets，donotreceiveimmediatelyfromGodtheforceofacommand，butonlyfromthose，orthroughthemediationofthose，whopossesstherightofrulingandlegislating。(34)ItisonlythroughtheselattermeansthatGodrulesamongmen，anddirectshumanaffairswithjusticeandequity。

(19:35)Thisconclusionissupportedbyexperience，forwefindtracesofDivinejusticeonlyinplaceswherejustmenbearsway；elsewherethesamelot(torepeat，againSolomon"swords)befallsthejustandtheunjust，thepureandtheimpure:astateofthingswhichcausesDivineProvidencetobedoubtedbymanywhothinkthatGodimmediatelyreignsamongmen，anddirectsallnaturefortheirbenefit。

[19:3](36)As，then，bothreasonandexperiencetellusthattheDivinerightisentirelydependentonthedecreesofsecularrulers，itfollowsthatsecularrulersareitsproperinterpreters。(37)Howthisissoweshallnowsee，foritistimetoshowthattheoutwardobservancesofreligion，andalltheexternalpracticesofpietyshouldbebroughtintoaccordancewiththepublicpeaceandwell-beingifwewouldobeyGodrightly。(38)Whenthishasbeenshownweshalleasilyunderstandhowthesovereignrulersaretheproperinterpretersofreligionandpiety。

(19:39)Itiscertainthatdutiestowardsone"scountryarethehighestthatmancanfulfil；for，ifgovernmentbetakenaway，nogoodthingcanlast，allfallsintodispute，angerandanarchyreignuncheckedamiduniversalfear。(40)Consequentlytherecanbenodutytowardsourneighbourwhichwouldnotbecomeanoffenceifitinvolvedinjurytothewholestate，norcantherebeanyoffenceagainstourdutytowardsourneighbour，oranythingbutloyaltyinwhatwedoforthesakeofpreservingthestate。(41)Forinstance:itisintheabstractmydutywhenmyneighbourquarrelswithmeandwishestotakemycloak，togivehimmycoatalso；butifitbethoughtthatsuchconductishurtfultothemaintenanceofthestate，Ioughttobringhimtotrial，evenattheriskofhisbeingcondemnedtodeath。

(19:42)ForthisreasonManliusTorquatusishelduptohonour，inasmuchasthepublicwelfareoutweighedwithhimhisdutytowardshischildren。(43)

Thisbeingso，itfollowsthatthepublicwelfareisthesovereignlawtowhichallothers，Divineandhuman，shouldbemadetoconform。(44)Now，itisthefunctionofthesovereignonlytodecidewhatisnecessaryforthepublicwelfareandthesafetyofthestate，andtogiveordersaccordingly；

thereforeitisalsothefunctionofthesovereignonlytodecidethelimitsofourdutytowardsourneighbour-inotherwords，todeterminehowweshouldobeyGod。(45)Wecannowclearlyunderstandhowthesovereignistheinterpreterofreligion，andfurther，thatnoonecanobeyGodrightly，ifthepracticesofhispietydonotconformtothepublicwelfare；

or，consequently，ifhedoesnotimplicitlyobeyallthecommandsofthesovereign。(46)ForasbyGod"scommandweareboundtodoourdutytoallmenwithoutexception，andtodonomananinjury，wearealsoboundnottohelponemanatanother"sloss，stilllessatalosstothewholestate。

(47)Now，noprivatecitizencanknowwhatisgoodforthestate，excepthelearnitthroughthesovereignpower，whoalonehastherighttotransactpublicbusiness:thereforenoonecanrightlypractisepietyorobediencetoGod，unlessheobeythesovereignpower"scommandsinallthings。(48)Thispropositionisconfirmedbythefactsofexperience。(49)Forifthesovereignadjudgeamantobeworthyofdeathoranenemy，whetherhebeacitizenoraforeigner，aprivateindividualoraseparateruler，nosubjectisallowedtogivehimassistance。(50)SoalsothoughtheJewswerebiddentolovetheirfellow-citizensasthemselves(Levit。xix:17，18)，theywereneverthelessbound，ifamanoffendedagainstthelaw，topointhimouttothejudge(Levit。v:1，andDeut。xiii:8，9)，and，ifheshouldbecondemnedtodeath，toslayhim(Deut。xvii:7)。

(19:51)Further，inorderthattheHebrewsmightpreservethelibertytheyhadgained，andmightretainabsoluteswayovertheterritorytheyhadconquered，itwasnecessary，asweshowedinChapterXVII。，thattheirreligionshouldbeadaptedtotheirparticulargovernment，andthattheyshouldseparatethemselvesfromtherestofthenations:whereforeitwascommandedtothem，"Lovethyneighbourandhatethineenemy"(Matt。v:43)，butaftertheyhadlosttheirdominionandhadgoneintocaptivityinBabylon，Jeremiahbidthemtakethoughtforthesafetyofthestateintowhichtheyhadbeenledcaptive；andChristwhenHesawthattheywouldbespreadoverthewholeworld，toldthemtodotheirdutybyallmenwithoutexception；allofwhichinstancesshowthatreligionhasalwaysbeenmadetoconformtothepublicwelfare。[19:4](52)Perhapssomeonewillask:Bywhatright，then，didthedisciplesofChrist，beingprivatecitizens，preachanewreligion?(53)IanswerthattheydidsobytherightofthepowerwhichtheyhadreceivedfromChristagainstuncleanspirits(seeMatt。

x:1)。(54)IhavealreadystatedinChapterXVI。thatallareboundtoobeyatyrant，unlesstheyhavereceivedfromGodthroughundoubtedrevelationapromiseofaidagainsthim；soletnoonetakeexamplefromtheApostlesunlesshetoohasthepowerofworkingmiracles。(55)ThepointisbroughtoutmoreclearlybyChrist"scommandtoHisdisciples，"Fearnotthosewhokillthebody"(Matt。x:28)。(56)Ifthiscommandwereimposedoneveryone，governmentswouldbefoundedinvain，andSolomon"swords(Prov。xxiv:21)，"Myson，fearGodandtheking，"wouldbeimpious，whichtheycertainlyarenot；wemustthereforeadmitthattheauthoritywhichChristgavetoHisdiscipleswasgiventothemonly，andmustnotbetakenasanexampleforothers。

(19:57)Idonotpausetoconsidertheargumentsofthosewhowishtoseparatesecularrightsfromspiritualrights，placingtheformerunderthecontrolofthesovereign，andthelatterunderthecontroloftheuniversalChurch；suchpretensionsaretoofrivoloustomeritrefutation。(58)I

cannothowever，passoverinsilencethefactthatsuchpersonsarewoefullydeceivedwhentheyseektosupporttheirseditiousopinions(Iaskpardonforthesomewhatharshepithet)bytheexampleoftheJewishhighpriest，who，inancienttimes，hadtherightofadministeringthesacredoffices。

(59)DidnotthehighpriestsreceivetheirrightbythedecreeofMoses(who，asIhaveshown，retainedthesolerighttorule)，andcouldtheynotbythesamemeansbedeprivedofit?(60)MoseshimselfchosenotonlyAaron，butalsohissonEleazar，andhisgrandsonPhineas，andbestowedonthemtherightofadministeringtheofficeofhighpriest。(61)Thisrightwasretainedbythehighpriestsafterwards，butnonethelessweretheydelegatesofMoses-thatis，ofthesovereignpower。(62)Moses，aswehaveshown，leftnosuccessortohisdominion，butsodistributedhisprerogatives，thatthosewhocameafterhimseemed，asitwere，regentswhoadministerthegovernmentwhenakingisabsentbutnotdead。

(19:62)Inthesecondcommonwealththehighpriestsheldtheirrightabsolutely，aftertheyhadobtainedtherightsofprincipalityinaddition。

(63)Whereforetherightsofthehighpriesthoodalwaysdependedontheedictofthesovereign，andthehighpriestsdidnotpossessthemtilltheybecamesovereignsalso。(64)Rightsinmattersspiritualalwaysremainedunderthecontrolofthekingsabsolutely(asIwillshowattheendofthischapter)，exceptinthesingleparticularthattheywerenotallowedtoadministerinpersonthesacreddutiesintheTemple，inasmuchastheywerenotofthefamilyofAaron，andwerethereforeconsideredunclean，areservationwhichwouldhavenoforceinaChristiancommunity。

(19:65)Wecannot，therefore，doubtthatthedailysacredrites(whoseperformancedoesnotrequireaparticulargenealogybutonlyaspecialmodeoflife，andfromwhichtheholdersofsovereignpowerarenotexcludedasunclean)areunderthesolecontrolofthesovereignpower；noone，savebytheauthorityorconcessionofsuchsovereign，hastherightorpowerofadministeringthem，ofchoosingotherstoadministerthem，ofdefiningorstrengtheningthefoundationsoftheChurchandherdoctrines；

ofjudgingonquestionsofmoralityoractsofpiety；ofreceivinganyoneintotheChurchorexcommunicatinghimtherefrom，or，lastly，ofprovidingforthepoor。

(19:66)Thesedoctrinesareprovedtobenotonlytrue(aswehavealreadypointedout)，butalsoofprimarynecessityforthepreservationofreligionandthestate。(67)Weallknowwhatweightspiritualrightandauthoritycarriesinthepopularmind:howeveryonehangsonthelips，asitwere，ofthosewhopossessit。(68)Wemayevensaythatthosewhowieldsuchauthorityhavethemostcompleteswayoverthepopularmind。

(19:69)Whosoever，therefore，wishestotakethisrightawayfromthesovereignpower，isdesirousofdividingthedominion；fromsuchdivision，contentions，andstrifewillnecessarilyspringup，astheydidofoldbetweentheJewishkingsandhighpriests，andwilldefyallattemptstoallaythem。(70)Nay，further，hewhostrivestodeprivethesovereignpowerofsuchauthority，isaiming(aswehavesaid)，atgainingdominionforhimself。(71)Whatisleftforthesovereignpowertodecideon，ifthisrightbedeniedhim?(72)Certainlynothingconcerningeitherwarorpeace，ifhehastoaskanotherman"sopinionastowhetherwhathebelievestobebeneficialwouldbepiousorimpious。(73)Everythingwoulddependontheverdictofhimwhohadtherightofdecidingandjudgingwhatwaspiousorimpious，rightorwrong。

(19:74)WhensucharightwasbestowedonthePopeofRomeabsolutely，hegraduallyacquiredcompletecontroloverthekings，tillatlasthehimselfmountedtothesummitsofdominion；howevermuchmonarchs，andespeciallytheGermanemperors，strovetocurtailhisauthority，wereitonlybyahairsbreadth，theyeffectednothing，butonthecontrarybytheirveryendeavourslargelyincreasedit。(75)Thatwhichnomonarchcouldaccomplishwithfireandsword，ecclesiasticscouldbringaboutwithastrokeofthepen；wherebywemayeasilyseetheforceandpoweratthecommandoftheChurch，andalsohownecessaryitisforsovereignstoreservesuchprerogativesforthemselves。

(19:76)Ifwereflectonwhatwassaidinthelastchapterweshallseethatsuchreservationconducednotalittletotheincreaseofreligionandpiety；forweobservedthattheprophetsthemselves，thoughgiftedwithDivineefficacy，beingmerelyprivatecitizens，ratherirritatedthanreformedthepeoplebytheirfreedomofwarning，reproof，anddenunciation，whereasthekingsbywarningsandpunishmentseasilybentmentotheirwill。

(77)Furthermore，thekingsthemselves，notpossessingtherightinquestionabsolutely，veryoftenfellawayfromreligionandtookwiththemnearlythewholepeople。(78)ThesamethinghasoftenhappenedfromthesamecauseinChristianstates。

(19:79)PerhapsIshallbeasked，"Butiftheholdersofsovereignpowerchoosetobewicked，whowillbetherightfulchampionofpiety?(80)Shouldthesovereignsstillbeitsinterpreters?"Imeetthemwiththecounter-

question，"Butifecclesiastics(whoarealsohuman，andprivatecitizens，andwhooughttomindonlytheirownaffairs)，orifotherswhomitisproposedtoentrustwithspiritualauthority，choosetobewicked，shouldtheystillbeconsideredaspiety"srightfulinterpreters?"(81)Itisquitecertainthatwhensovereignswishtofollowtheirownpleasure，whethertheyhavecontroloverspiritualmattersornot，thewholestate，spiritualandsecular，willgotoruin，anditwillgomuchfasterifprivatecitizensseditiouslyassumethechampionshipoftheDivinerights。

(19:82)Thusweseethatnotonlyisnothinggainedbydenyingsuchrightstosovereigns，butonthecontrary，greatevilensues。(83)For(ashappenedwiththeJewishkingswhodidnotpossesssuchrightsabsolutely)rulersarethusdrivenintowickedness，andtheinjuryandlosstothestatebecomecertainandinevitable，insteadofuncertainandpossible。(84)Whetherwelooktotheabstracttruth，orthesecurityofstates，ortheincreaseofpiety，wearecompelledtomaintainthattheDivineright，ortherightofcontroloverspiritualmatters，dependsabsolutelyonthedecreeofthesovereign，whoisitslegitimateinterpreterandchampion。(85)ThereforethetrueministersofGod"swordarethosewhoteachpietytothepeopleinobediencetotheauthorityofthesovereignrulersbywhosedecreeithasbeenbroughtintoconformitywiththepublicwelfare。

[19:5](86)ThereremainsformetopointoutthecauseforthefrequentdisputesonthesubjectofthesespiritualrightsinChristianstates；

whereastheHebrews，sofarasIknow，never，hadanydoubtsaboutthematter。(87)Itseemsmonstrousthataquestionsoplainandvitallyimportantshouldthushaveremainedundecided，andthatthesecularrulerscouldneverobtaintheprerogativewithoutcontroversy，nay，norwithoutgreatdangerofseditionandinjurytoreligion。(88)Ifnocauseforthisstateofthingswereforthcoming，IcouldeasilypersuademyselfthatallI

havesaidinthischapterismeretheorizing，orakindofspeculativereasoningwhichcanneverbeofanypracticaluse。(89)However，whenwereflectonthebeginningsofChristianitythecauseatoncebecomesmanifest。(90)TheChristianreligionwasnottaughtatfirstbykings，butbyprivatepersons，who，againstthewishesofthoseinpower，whosesubjectsthey，were，wereforalongtimeaccustomedtoholdmeetingsinsecretchurches，toinstituteandperformsacredrites，andontheirownauthoritytosettleanddecideontheiraffairswithoutregardtothestate，(91)When，afterthelapseofmanyyears，thereligionwastakenupbytheauthorities，theecclesiasticswereobligedtoteachittotheemperorsthemselvesastheyhaddefinedit:whereforetheyeasilygainedrecognitionasitsteachersandinterpreters，andthechurchpastorswerelookeduponasvicarsofGod。(92)TheecclesiasticstookgoodcarethattheChristiankingsshouldnotassumetheirauthority，byprohibitingmarriagetothechiefministersofreligionandtoitshighestinterpreter。(93)Theyfurthermoreelectedtheirpurposebymultiplyingthedogmasofreligiontosuchanextentandsoblendingthemwithphilosophythattheirchiefinterpreterwasboundtobeaskilledphilosopherandtheologian，andtohaveleisureforahostofidlespeculations:conditionswhichcouldonlybefulfilledbyaprivateindividualwithmuchtimeonhishands。

(19:94)AmongtheHebrewsthingswereverydifferentlyarranged:fortheirChurchbeganatthesametimeastheirdominion，andMoses，theirabsoluteruler，taughtreligiontothepeople，arrangedtheirsacredrites，andchosetheirspiritualministers。(95)Thustheroyalauthoritycarriedverygreatweightwiththepeople，andthekingskeptafirmholdontheirspiritualprerogatives。

(19:96)Although，afterthedeathofMoses，nooneheldabsolutesway，yetthepowerofdecidingbothinmattersspiritualandmatterstemporalwasinthehandsofthesecularchief，asIhavealreadypointedout。(97)Further，inorderthatitmightbetaughtreligionandpiety，thepeoplewasboundtoconsultthesupremejudgenolessthanthehighpriest(Deut。xvii:9，11)。

(98)Lastly，thoughthekingshadnotasmuchpowerasMoses，nearlythewholearrangementandchoiceofthesacredministrydependedontheirdecision。(99)ThusDavidarrangedthewholeserviceoftheTemple(see1

Chron。xxviii:11，12，&c。)；fromalltheLeviteshechosetwenty-fourthousandforthesacredpsalms；sixthousandoftheseformedthebodyfromwhichwerechosenthejudgesandproctors，fourthousandwereporters，andfourthousandtoplayoninstruments(see1Chron。xxiii:4，5)。

(100)Hefurtherdividedthemintocompanies(ofwhomhechosethechiefs)，sothateachinrotation，attheallottedtime，mightperformthesacredrites。(101)Thepriestshealsodividedintoasmanycompanies；Iwillnotgothroughthewholecatalogue，butreferthereaderto2Chron。viii:13，whereitisstated，"ThenSolomonofferedburntofferingstotheLord……

afteracertainrateeveryday，offeringaccordingtothecommandmentsofMoses；"andinverse14，"Andheappointed，accordingtotheorderofDavidhisfather，thecoursesoftheprieststotheirservice。

forsohadDavidthemanofGodcommanded。"(102)Lastly，thehistorianbearswitnessinverse15:"AndtheydepartednotfromthecommandmentofthekinguntothepriestsandLevitesconcerninganymatter，orconcerningthetreasuries。"

[19:6](103)Fromtheseandotherhistoriesofthekingsitisabundantlyevident，thatthewholepracticeofreligionandthesacredministrydependedentirelyonthecommandsoftheking。

(19:104)WhenIsaidabovethatthekingshadnotthesamerightasMosestoelectthehighpriest，toconsultGodwithoutintermediaries，andtocondemntheprophetswhoprophesiedduringtheirreign；Isaidsosimplybecausetheprophetscould，invirtueoftheirmission，chooseanewkingandgiveabsolutionforregicide，notbecausetheycouldcallakingwhooffendedagainstthelawtojudgment，orcouldrightlyactagainsthim[Endnote33]。

(19:105)Whereforeiftherehadbeennoprophetswho，invirtueofaspecialrevelation，couldgiveabsolutionforregicide，thekingswouldhavepossessedabsoluterightsoverallmattersbothspiritualandtemporal。

(106)Consequentlytherulersofmoderntimes，whohavenoprophetsandwouldnotrightlybeboundinanycasetoreceivethem(fortheyarenotsubjecttoJewishlaw)，haveabsolutepossessionofthespiritualprerogative，althoughtheyarenotcelibates，andtheywillalwaysretainit，iftheywillrefusetoallowreligiousdogmastobeundulymultipliedorconfoundedwithphilosophy。

[20:0]CHAPTERXX-THATINAFREESTATEEVERYMAN

MAYTHINKWHATHELIKES，ANDSAYWHATHETHINKS。

[20:1](1)Ifmen"smindswereaseasilycontrolledastheirtongues，everykingwouldsitsafelyonhisthrone，andgovernmentbycompulsionwouldcease；foreverysubjectwouldshapehislifeaccordingtotheintentionsofhisrulers，andwouldesteemathingtrueorfalse，goodorevil，justorunjust，inobediencetotheirdictates。(2)However，wehaveshownalready(ChapterXVII。)thatnoman"smindcanpossiblyliewhollyatthedispositionofanother，fornoonecanwillinglytransferhisnaturalrightoffreereasonandjudgment，orbecompelledsotodo。(3)Forthisreasongovernmentwhichattemptstocontrolmindsisaccountedtyrannical，anditisconsideredanabuseofsovereigntyandausurpationoftherightsofsubjects，toseektoprescribewhatshallbeacceptedastrue，orrejectedasfalse，orwhatopinionsshouldactuatemenintheirworshipofGod。(4)Allthesequestionsfallwithinaman"snaturalright，whichhecannotabdicateevenwithhisownconsent。

(20:5)Iadmitthatthejudgmentcanbebiassedinmanyways，andtoanalmostincredibledegree，sothatwhileexemptfromdirectexternalcontrolitmaybesodependentonanotherman"swords，thatitmayfitlybesaidtoberuledbyhim；butalthoughthisinfluenceiscarriedtogreatlengths，ithasnevergonesofarastoinvalidatethestatement，thateveryman"sunderstandingishisown，andthatbrainsareasdiverseaspalates。

(20:6)Moses，notbyfraud，butbyDivinevirtue，gainedsuchaholdoverthepopularjudgmentthathewasaccountedsuperhuman，andbelievedtospeakandactthroughtheinspirationoftheDeity；nevertheless，evenhecouldnotescapemurmursandevilinterpretations。(7)Howmuchlessthencanothermonarchsavoidthem!(8)Yetsuchunlimitedpower，ifitexistsatall，mustbelongtoamonarch，andleastofalltoademocracy，wherethewholeoragreatpartofthepeoplewieldauthoritycollectively。(9)ThisisafactwhichIthinkeveryonecanexplainforhimself。

(20:10)Howeverunlimited，therefore，thepowerofasovereignmaybe，howeverimplicitlyitistrustedastheexponentoflawandreligion，itcanneverpreventmenfromformingjudgmentsaccordingtotheirintellect，orbeinginfluencedbyanygivenemotion。(11)Itistruethatithastherighttotreatasenemiesallmenwhoseopinionsdonot，onallsubjects，entirelycoincidewithitsown；butwearenotdiscussingitsstrictrights，butitspropercourseofaction。(12)Igrantthatithastherighttoruleinthemostviolentmanner，andtoputcitizenstodeathforverytrivialcauses，butnoonesupposesitcandothiswiththeapprovalofsoundjudgment。(13)

Nay，inasmuchassuchthingscannotbedonewithoutextremeperiltoitself，wemayevendenythatithastheabsolutepowertodothem，or，consequently，theabsoluteright；fortherightsofthesovereignarelimitedbyhispower。

[20:2](14)Since，therefore，noonecanabdicatehisfreedomofjudgmentandfeeling；sinceeverymanisbyindefeasiblenaturalrightthemasterofhisownthoughts，itfollowsthatmenthinkingindiverseandcontradictoryfashions，cannot，withoutdisastrousresults，becompelledtospeakonlyaccordingtothedictatesofthesupremepower。(15)Noteventhemostexperienced，tosaynothingofthemultitude，knowhowtokeepsilence。(16)

Men"scommonfailingistoconfidetheirplanstoothers，thoughtherebeneedforsecrecy，sothatagovernmentwouldbemostharshwhichdeprivedtheindividualofhisfreedomofsayingandteachingwhathethought；andwouldbemoderateifsuchfreedomweregranted。(17)Stillwecannotdenythatauthoritymaybeasmuchinjuredbywordsasbyactions；hence，althoughthefreedomwearediscussingcannotbeentirelydeniedtosubjects，itsunlimitedconcessionwouldbemostbaneful；wemust，therefore，nowinquire，howfarsuchfreedomcanandoughttobeconcededwithoutdangertothepeaceofthestate，orthepoweroftherulers；andthis，asIsaidatthebeginningofChapterXVI。，ismyprincipalobject。

(18)Itfollows，plainly，fromtheexplanationgivenabove，ofthefoundationsofastate，thattheultimateaimofgovernmentisnottorule，orrestrain，byfear，nortoexactobedience，butcontrariwise，tofreeeverymanfromfear，thathemayliveinallpossiblesecurity；inotherwords，tostrengthenhisnaturalrighttoexistandwork-withoutinjurytohimselforothers。

(20:19)No，theobjectofgovernmentisnottochangemenfromrationalbeingsintobeastsorpuppets，buttoenablethemtodevelopetheirmindsandbodiesinsecurity，andtoemploytheirreasonunshackled；neithershowinghatred，anger，ordeceit，norwatchedwiththeeyesofjealousyandinjustice。(20)Infact，thetrueaimofgovernmentisliberty。

(20:21)Nowwehaveseenthatinformingastatethepowerofmakinglawsmusteitherbevestedinthebodyofthecitizens，orinaportionofthem，orinoneman。(22)For，althoughmensfreejudgmentsareverydiverse，eachonethinkingthathealoneknowseverything，andalthoughcompleteunanimityoffeelingandspeechisoutofthequestion，itisimpossibletopreservepeace，unlessindividualsabdicatetheirrightofactingentirelyontheirownjudgment。[20:3](23)Therefore，theindividualjustlycedestherightoffreeaction，thoughnotoffreereasonandjudgment；noonecanactagainsttheauthoritieswithoutdangertothestate，thoughhisfeelingsandjudgmentmaybeatvariancetherewith；hemayevenspeakagainstthem，providedthathedoessofromrationalconviction，notfromfraud，anger，orhatred，andprovidedthathedoesnotattempttointroduceanychangeonhisprivateauthority。

(20:24)Forinstance，supposingamanshowsthatalawisrepugnanttosoundreason，andshouldthereforeberepealed；ifhesubmitshisopiniontothejudgmentoftheauthorities(who，alone，havetherightofmakingandrepealinglaws)，andmeanwhileactsinnowisecontrarytothatlaw，hehasdeservedwellofthestate，andhasbehavedasagoodcitizenshould；butifheaccusestheauthoritiesofinjustice，andstirsupthepeopleagainstthem，orifheseditiouslystrivestoabrogatethelawwithouttheirconsent，heisamereagitatorandrebel。

(20:25)Thusweseehowanindividualmaydeclareandteachwhathebelieves，withoutinjurytotheauthorityofhisrulers，ortothepublicpeace；namely，byleavingintheirhandstheentirepoweroflegislationasitaffectsaction，andbydoingnothingagainsttheirlaws，thoughhebecompelledoftentoactincontradictiontowhathebelieves，andopenlyfeels，tobebest。

(20:26)Suchacoursecanbetakenwithoutdetrimenttojusticeanddutifulness，nay，itistheonewhichajustanddutifulmanwouldadopt。

(27)Wehaveshownthatjusticeisdependentonthelawsoftheauthorities，sothatnoonewhocontravenestheiraccepteddecreescanbejust，whilethehighestregardforduty，aswehavepointedoutintheprecedingchapter，isexercisedinmaintainingpublicpeaceandtranquillity；thesecouldnotbepreservedifeverymanweretoliveashepleased；thereforeitisnolessthanundutifulforamantoactcontrarytohiscountry"slaws，forifthepracticebecameuniversaltheruinofstateswouldnecessarilyfollow。

(20:28)Hence，solongasamanactsinobediencetothelawsofhisrulers，heinnowisecontraveneshisreason，forinobediencetoreasonhetransferredtherightofcontrollinghisactionsfromhisownhandstotheirs。(29)Thisdoctrinewecanconfirmfromactualcustom，forinaconferenceofgreatandsmallpowers，schemesareseldomcarriedunanimously，yetalluniteincarryingoutwhatisdecidedon，whethertheyvotedfororagainst。(30)ButIreturntomyproposition。

(20:31)Fromthefundamentalnotionsofastate，wehavediscoveredhowamanmayexercisefreejudgmentwithoutdetrimenttothesupremepower:fromthesamepremiseswecannolesseasilydeterminewhatopinionswouldbeseditious。(32)Evidentlythosewhichbytheirverynaturenullifythecompactbywhichtherightoffreeactionwasceded。(33)Forinstance，amanwhoholdsthatthesupremepowerhasnorightsoverhim，orthatpromisesoughtnottobekept，orthateveryoneshouldliveashepleases，orotherdoctrinesofthisnatureindirectoppositiontotheabove-

mentionedcontract，isseditious，notsomuchfromhisactualopinionsandjudgment，asfromthedeedswhichtheyinvolve；forhewhomaintainssuchtheoriesabrogatesthecontractwhichtacitly，oropenly，hemadewithhisrulers。(34)Otheropinionswhichdonotinvolveactsviolatingthecontract，suchasrevenge，anger，andthelike，arenotseditious，unlessitbeinsome。corruptstate，wheresuperstitiousandambitiouspersons，unabletoenduremenoflearning，aresopopularwiththemultitudethattheirwordismorevaluedthanthelaw。

(20:35)However，Idonotdenythattherearesomedoctrineswhich，whiletheyareapparentlyonlyconcernedwithabstracttruthsandfalsehoods，areyetpropoundedandpublishedwithunworthymotives。(36)ThisquestionwehavediscussedinChapterXV。，andshownthatreasonshouldneverthelessremainunshackled。(37)Ifweholdtotheprinciplethataman"sloyaltytothestateshouldbejudged，likehisloyaltytoGod，fromhisactionsonly-

namely，fromhischaritytowardshisneighbours；wecannotdoubtthatthebestgovernmentwillallowfreedomofphilosophicalspeculationnolessthanofreligiousbelief。(38)Iconfessthatfromsuchfreedominconveniencesmaysometimesarise，butwhatquestionwaseversettledsowiselythatnoabusescouldpossiblyspringtherefrom?(39)Hewhoseekstoregulateeverythingbylaw，ismorelikelytoarousevicesthantoreformthem。(40)

Itisbesttograntwhatcannotbeabolished，eventhoughitbeinitselfharmful。(41)Howmanyevilsspringfromluxury，envy，avarice，drunkenness，andthelike，yetthesearetolerated-vicesastheyare-becausetheycannotbepreventedbylegalenactments。(42)Howmuchmorethenshouldfreethoughtbegranted，seeingthatitisinitselfavirtueandthatitcannotbecrushed!(43)Besides，theevilresultscaneasilybechecked，asIwillshow，bythesecularauthorities，nottomentionthatsuchfreedomisabsolutelynecessaryforprogressinscienceandtheliberalarts:fornomanfollowssuchpursuitstoadvantageunlesshisjudgmentbeentirelyfreeandunhampered。

(20:44)Butletitbegrantedthatfreedommaybecrushed，andmenbesobounddown，thattheydonotdaretoutterawhisper，saveatthebiddingoftheirrulers；neverthelessthiscanneverbecarriedtothepitchofmakingthemthinkaccordingtoauthority，sothatthenecessaryconsequenceswouldbethatmenwoulddailybethinkingonethingandsayinganother，tothecorruptionofgoodfaith，thatmainstayofgovernment，andtothefosteringofhatefulflatteryandperfidy，whencespringstratagems，andthecorruptionofeverygoodart。

(20:45)Itisfarfrompossibletoimposeuniformityofspeech，forthemorerulersstrivetocurtailfreedomofspeech，themoreobstinatelyaretheyresisted；notindeedbytheavaricious，theflatterers，andothernumskulls，whothinksupremesalvationconsistsinfillingtheirstomachsandgloatingovertheirmoney-bags，butbythosewhomgoodeducation，soundmorality，andvirtuehaverenderedmorefree。(46)Men，asgenerallyconstituted，aremostpronetoresentthebrandingascriminalofopinionswhichtheybelievetobetrue，andtheproscriptionaswickedofthatwhichinspiresthemwithpietytowardsGodandman；hencetheyarereadytoforswearthelawsandconspireagainsttheauthorities，

thinkingitnotshamefulbuthonourabletostirupseditionsandperpetuateanysortofcrimewiththisendinview。(47)Suchbeingtheconstitutionofhumannature，weseethatlawsdirectedagainstopinionsaffectthegenerousmindedratherthanthewicked，andareadaptedlessforcoercingcriminalsthanforirritatingtheupright；sothattheycannotbemaintainedwithoutgreatperiltothestate。

(20:48)Moreover，suchlawsarealmostalwaysuseless，forthosewhoholdthattheopinionsproscribedaresound，cannotpossiblyobeythelaw；

whereasthosewhoalreadyrejectthemasfalse，acceptthelawasakindofprivilege，andmakesuchboastofit，thatauthorityispowerlesstorepealit，evenifsuchacoursebesubsequentlydesired。

(20:49)TotheseconsiderationsmaybeaddedwhatwesaidinChapterXVIII。

intreatingofthehistoryoftheHebrews。(50)And，lastly，howmanyschismshavearisenintheChurchfromtheattemptoftheauthoritiestodecidebylawtheintricaciesoftheologicalcontroversy!(51)Ifmenwerenotalluredbythehopeofgettingthelawandtheauthoritiesontheirside，oftriumphingovertheiradversariesinthesightofanapplaudingmultitude，andofacquiringhonourabledistinctions，theywouldnotstrivesomaliciously，norwouldsuchfuryswaytheirminds。(52)Thisistaughtnotonlybyreasonbutbydailyexamples，forlawsofthiskindprescribingwhateverymanshallbelieveandforbiddinganyonetospeakorwritetothecontrary，haveoftenbeenpassed，assopsorconcessionstotheangerofthosewhocannottoleratemenofenlightenment，andwho，bysuchharshandcrookedenactments，caneasilyturnthedevotionofthemassesintofuryanddirectitagainstwhomtheywill。(53)Howmuchbetterwoulditbetorestrainpopularangerandfury，insteadofpassinguselesslaws，whichcanonlybebrokenbythosewholovevirtueandtheliberalarts，thusparingdownthestatetillitistoosmalltoharbourmenoftalent。(54)

Whatgreatermisfortuneforastatecanbeconceivedthenthathonourablemenshouldbesentlikecriminalsintoexile，becausetheyholddiverseopinionswhichtheycannotdisguise?(55)What，Isay，canbemorehurtfulthanthatmenwhohavecommittednocrimeorwickednessshould，simplybecausetheyareenlightened，betreatedasenemiesandputtodeath，andthatthescaffold，theterrorofevil-doers，shouldbecomethearenawherethehighestexamplesoftoleranceandvirtuearedisplayedtothepeoplewithallthemarksofignominythatauthoritycandevise?

(20:56)Hethatknowshimselftobeuprightdoesnotfearthedeathofacriminal，andshrinksfromnopunishment；hismindisnotwrungwithremorseforanydisgracefuldeed:heholdsthatdeathinagoodcauseisnopunishment，butanhonour，andthatdeathforfreedomisglory。

(20:57)Whatpurposethenisservedbythedeathofsuchmen，whatexampleinproclaimed?thecauseforwhichtheydieisunknowntotheidleandthefoolish，hatefultotheturbulent，lovedbytheupright。(58)Theonlylessonwecandrawfromsuchscenesistoflatterthepersecutor，orelsetoimitatethevictim。

(20:58)Ifformalassentisnottobeesteemedaboveconviction，andifgovernmentsaretoretainafirmholdofauthorityandnotbecompelledtoyieldtoagitators，itisimperativethatfreedomofjudgmentshouldbegranted，sothatmenmaylivetogetherinharmony，howeverdiverse，orevenopenlycontradictorytheiropinionsmaybe。(59)Wecannotdoubtthatsuchisthebestsystemofgovernmentandopentothefewestobjections，sinceitistheonemostinharmonywithhumannature。(60)Inademocracy(themostnaturalformofgovernment，aswehaveshowninChapterXVI。)

everyonesubmitstothecontrolofauthorityoverhisactions，butnotoverhisjudgmentandreason；thatis，seeingthatallcannotthinkalike，thevoiceofthemajorityhastheforceoflaw，subjecttorepealifcircumstancesbringaboutachangeofopinion。(61)Inproportionasthepoweroffreejudgmentiswithheldwedepartfromthenaturalconditionofmankind，andconsequentlythegovernmentbecomesmoretyrannical。

[20:4](62)Inordertoprovethatfromsuchfreedomnoinconveniencearises，whichcannoteasilybecheckedbytheexerciseofthesovereignpower，andthatmen"sactionscaneasilybekeptinbounds，thoughtheiropinionsbeatopenvariance，itwillbewelltociteanexample。(63)Suchanoneisnotvery，fartoseek。(64)ThecityofAmsterdamreapsthefruitofthisfreedominitsowngreatprosperityandintheadmirationofallotherpeople。(65)Forinthismostflourishingstate，andmostsplendidcity，menofevery，nationandreligionlivetogetherinthegreatestharmony，andasknoquestionsbeforetrustingtheirgoodstoafellow-

citizen，savewhetherheberichorpoor，andwhetherhegenerallyactshonestly，orthereverse。(66)Hisreligionandsectisconsideredofnoimportance:forithasnoeffectbeforethejudgesingainingorlosingacause，andthereisnosectsodespisedthatitsfollowers，providedthattheyharmnoone，payeverymanhisdue，andliveuprightly，aredeprivedoftheprotectionofthemagisterialauthority。

(20:67)Ontheotherhand，whenthereligiouscontroversybetweenRemonstrantsandCounter-RemonstrantsbegantobetakenupbypoliticiansandtheStates，itgrewintoaschism，andabundantlyshowedthatlawsdealingwithreligionandseekingtosettleitscontroversiesaremuchmorecalculatedtoirritatethantoreform，andthattheygiverisetoextremelicence:further，itwasseenthatschismsdonotoriginateinaloveoftruth，whichisasourceofcourtesyandgentleness，butratherinaninordinatedesireforsupremacy，(68)Fromalltheseconsiderationsitisclearerthanthesunatnoonday，thatthetrueschismaticsarethosewhocondemnothermen"swritings，andseditiouslystirupthequarrelsomemassesagainsttheirauthors，ratherthanthoseauthorsthemselves，whogenerallywriteonlyforthelearned，andappealsolelytoreason。(69)Infact，therealdisturbersofthepeacearethosewho，inafreestate，seektocurtailthelibertyofjudgmentwhichtheyareunabletotyrannizeover。

(20:70)Ihavethusshown:-

(71)I。Thatitisimpossibletodeprivemenofthelibertyofsayingwhattheythink。

(72)II。Thatsuchlibertycanbeconcededtoeverymanwithoutinjurytotherightsandauthorityofthesovereignpower，andthateverymanmayretainitwithoutinjurytosuchrights，providedthathedoesnotpresumeuponittotheextentofintroducinganynewrightsintothestate，oractinginanywaycontrary，totheexistinglaws。

(20:73)III。Thateverymanmayenjoythislibertywithoutdetrimenttothepublicpeace，andthatnoinconveniencesarisetherefromwhichcannoteasilybechecked。

(74)IV。Thateverymanmayenjoyitwithoutinjurytohisallegiance。

(75)V。Thatlawsdealingwithspeculativeproblemsareentirelyuseless。

(76)VI。Lastly，thatnotonlymaysuchlibertybegrantedwithoutprejudicetothepublicpeace，toloyalty，andtotherightsofrulers，butthatitisevennecessary，fortheirpreservation。(77)Forwhenpeopletrytotakeitaway，andbringtotrial，notonlytheactswhichalonearecapableofoffending，butalsotheopinionsofmankind，theyonlysucceedinsurroundingtheirvictimswithanappearanceofmartyrdom，andraisefeelingsofpityandrevengeratherthanofterror。(78)Uprightnessandgoodfaitharethuscorrupted，flatterersandtraitorsareencouraged，andsectarianstriumph，inasmuchasconcessionshavebeenmadetotheiranimosity，andtheyhavegainedthestatesanctionforthedoctrinesofwhichtheyaretheinterpreters。(79)Hencetheyarrogatetothemselvesthestateauthorityandrights，anddonotscrupletoassertthattheyhavebeendirectlychosenbyGod，andthattheirlawsareDivine，whereasthelawsofthestatearehuman，andshouldthereforeyieldobediencetothelawsofGod-inotherwords，totheirownlaws。(80)Everyonemustseethatthisisnotastateofaffairsconducivetopublicwelfare。(81)Wherefore，aswehaveshowninChapterXVIII。，thesafestwayforastateistolaydowntherulethatreligioniscomprisedsolelyintheexerciseofcharityandjustice，andthattherightsofrulersinsacred，nolessthaninsecularmatters，shouldmerelyhavetodowithactions，butthateverymanshouldthinkwhathelikesandsaywhathethinks。

(20:82)IhavethusfulfilledthetaskIsetmyselfinthistreatise。

[20:5](83)ItremainsonlytocallattentiontothefactthatIhavewrittennothingwhichIdonotmostwillinglysubmittotheexaminationandapprovalofmycountry"srulers；andthatIamwillingtoretractanythingwhichtheyshalldecidetoberepugnanttothelaws，orprejudicialtothepublicgood。(84)IknowthatIamaman，andasamanliabletoerror，butagainsterrorIhavetakenscrupulouscare，andhavestriventokeepinentireaccordancewiththelawsofmycountry，withloyalty，andwithmorality。

EndofPart4of4。

AUTHOR"SENDNOTESTOTHETHEOLOGICO-POLITICALTREATISE

CHAPTERXVI。

[Endnote26]。(1)"Noonecanhonestlypromisetoforegotherightwhichhehasoverallthings。"(2)Inthestateofsociallife，wheregeneralrightdetermineswhatisgoodorevil，stratagemisrightlydistinguishedasoftwokinds，goodandevil。(3)ButinthestateofNature，whereeverymanishisownjudge，possessingtheabsoluterighttolaydownlawsforhimself，tointerpretthemashepleases，ortoabrogatethemifhethinksitconvenient，itisnotconceivablethatstratagemshouldbeevil。

[Endnote27]。(1)"Everymemberofitmay，ifhewill，befree。"(2)

Whateverbethesocialstateamanfinds；himselfin，hemaybefree。(3)

Forcertainlyamanisfree，insofarasheisledbyreason。(4)Nowreason(thoughHobbesthinksotherwise)isalwaysonthesideofpeace，whichcannotbeattainedunlessthegenerallawsofthestateberespected。

(5)Thereforethemoreheisfree，themoreconstantlywillherespectthelawsofhiscountry，andobeythecommandsofthesovereignpowertowhichheissubject。

[Endnote28]。(1)"NooneknowsbynaturethatheowesanyobediencetoGod。"(2)WhenPaulsaysthatmenhaveinthemselvesnorefuge，hespeaksasaman:forintheninthchapterofthesameepistleheexpresslyteachesthatGodhasmercyonwhomHewill，andthatmenarewithoutexcuse，onlybecausetheyareinGod"spowerlikeclayinthehandsofapotter，whooutofthesamelumpmakesvessels，someforhonourandsomefordishonour，notbecausetheyhavebeenforewarned。(3)AsregardstheDivinenaturallawwhereofthechiefcommandmentis，aswehavesaid，toloveGod，Ihavecalleditalawinthesamesense，asphilosophersstylelawsthosegeneralrulesofnature，accordingtowhicheverythinghappens。(4)FortheloveofGodisnotastateofobedience:itisavirtuewhichnecessarilyexistsinamanwhoknowsGodrightly。(5)Obediencehasregardtothewillofaruler，nottonecessityandtruth。(6)NowasweareignorantofthenatureofGod"swill，andontheotherhandknowthateverythinghappenssolelybyGod"spower，wecannot，exceptthroughrevelation，knowwhetherGodwishesinanywaytobehonouredasasovereign。

(7)Again；wehaveshownthattheDivinerightsappeartousinthelightofrightsorcommands，onlysolongasweareignorantoftheircause:assoonastheircauseisknown，theyceasetoberights，andweembracethemnolongerasrightsbutaseternaltruths；inotherwords，obediencepassesintoloveofGod，whichemanatesfromtrueknowledgeasnecessarilyaslightemanatesfromthesun。(8)ReasonthenleadsustoloveGod，butcannotleadustoobeyHim；forwecannotembracethecommandsofGodasDivine，whileweareinignoranceoftheircause，neithercanwerationallyconceiveGodasasovereignlayingdownlawsasasovereign。

CHAPTERXVII。

[Endnote29]。(1)"Ifmencouldlosetheirnaturalrightssoastobeabsolutelyunableforthefuturetoopposethewillofthesovereign"(2)

TwocommonsoldiersundertooktochangetheRomandominion，anddidchangeit。(Tacitus，Hist。i:7。)

[Endnote30]。(1)SeeNumbersxi。28。Inthispassageitiswrittenthattwomenprophesiedinthecamp，andthatJoshuawishedtopunishthem。(2)

Thishewouldnothavedone，ifithadbeenlawfulforanyonetodelivertheDivineoraclestothepeoplewithouttheconsentofMoses。(3)ButMosesthoughtgoodtopardonthetwomen，andrebukedJoshuaforexhortinghimtousehisroyalprerogative，atatimewhenhewassowearyofreigning，thathepreferreddeathtoholdingundividedsway(Numb。xi:14)。(4)ForhemadeanswertoJoshua，"Enviestthouformysake?(5)WouldGodthatalltheLord"speoplewereprophets，andthattheLordwouldputHisspirituponthem。"(6)Thatistosay，wouldGodthattherightoftakingcounselofGodweregeneral，andthepowerwereinthehandsofthepeople。(7)ThusJoshuawasnotmistakenastotheright，butonlyastothetimeforusingit，forwhichhewasrebukedbyMoses，inthesamewayasAbishaiwasrebukedbyDavidforcounsellingthatShimei，whohadundoubtedlybeenguiltyoftreason，shouldbeputtodeath。(8)See2Sam。xix:22，23。

[Endnote31]。(1)SeeNumbersxxvii:21。(2)ThetranslatorsoftheBiblehaverenderedincorrectlyverses19and23ofthischapter。(3)ThepassagedoesnotmeanthatMosesgavepreceptsoradvicetoJoshua，butthathemadeorestablishedhimchiefoftheHebrews。(4)ThephraseisveryfreguentinScripture(seeExodus，xviii:23；1Sam。xiii:15；Joshuai:9；1Sam。

xxv:80)。

[Endnote32](1)"TherewasnojudgeovereachofthecaptainssaveGod。"(2)TheRabbisandsomeChristiansequallyfoolishpretendthattheSanhedrin，called"thegreat"wasinstitutedbyMoses。(3)Asamatteroffact，Moseschoseseventycolleaguestoassisthimingoverning，becausehewasnotabletobearalonetheburdenofthewholepeople；butheneverpassedanylawforformingacollegeofseventymembers；onthecontraryheorderedeverytribetoappointforitself，inthecitieswhichGodhadgivenit，judgestosettledisputesaccordingtothelawswhichhehimselfhadlaiddown。(4)Incaseswheretheopinionsofthejudgesdifferedastotheinterpretationoftheselaws，MosesbadethemtakecounseloftheHighPriest(whowasthechiefinterpreterofthelaw)，orofthechiefjudge，towhomtheywerethensubordinate(whohadtherightofconsultingtheHighPriest)，andtodecidethedisputeinaccordancewiththeanswerobtained。(5)Ifanysubordinatejudgeshouldassert，thathewasnotboundbythedecisionoftheHighPriest，receivedeitherdirectlyorthroughthechiefofhisstate，suchanonewastobeputtodeath(Deut。

xvii:9)bythechiefjudge，whoeverhemightbe，towhomhewasasubordinate。(6)ThischiefjudgewouldeitherbeJoshua，thesupremecaptainofthewholepeople，oroneofthetribalchiefswhohadbeenentrusted，afterthedivisionofthetribes，withtherightofconsultingthehighpriestconcerningtheaffairsofhistribe，ofdecidingonpeaceorwar，offortifyingtowns，ofappointinginferiorjudges，&c。(7)Or，again，itmightbetheking，inwhomallorsomeofthetribeshadvestedtheirrights。(8)IcouldcitemanyinstancesinconfirmationofwhatIhereadvance。(9)Iwillconfinemyselftoone，whichappearstomethemostimportantofall。(10)WhentheShilomitishprophetanointedJeroboamking，he，insodoing，gavehimtherightofconsultingthehighpriest，ofappointingjudges，&c。(11)Infactheendowedhimwithalltherightsoverthetentribes，whichRehoboamretainedoverthetwotribes。(12)

ConsequentlyJeroboamcouldsetupasupremecouncilinhiscourtwithasmuchrightasJehoshaphatcouldatJerusalem(2Chron。xix:8)。(13)ForitisplainthatneitherJeroboam，whowaskingbyGod"scommand，norJeroboam"ssubjects，wereboundbytheLawofMosestoacceptthejudgmentsofRehoboam，whowasnottheirking。(14)Stilllessweretheyunderthejurisdictionofthejudge，whomRehoboamhadsetupinJerusalemassubordinatetohimself。(15)According，therefore，astheHebrewdominionwasdivided，sowasasupremecouncilsetupineachdivision。(16)ThosewhoneglectthevariationsintheconstitutionoftheHebrewStates，andconfusethemalltogetherinone，fallintonumerousdifficulties。