Self-preservation is no Plea for the People.
True. No, ye may not; for many Reasons. First, it makes you Judges; not only when those Laws take Place, but also what they are. Secondly, the Government is Dissolved, if Subjects may go off or on at pleasure. Thirdly, Self-Preservation is the Plea only of Individuals; and there can be no Colour for the exposing of the Publick in favour of Particulars. What would ye think of a Common Seaman that in a Storm should throw the Steers-man Overboard, and set himself at the Helm? Or of a Souldier that shou'd refuse a Dangerous Post for fear of being knock'd on the Head, when the whole Army, depends upon the Maintaining of That Pass.
Citt. Pray'e tell me what it is that you call Government, and how far it extends? for you were saying even now, that the Reason of all Governments is alike.
What Government is.
Certain Priviledges essential to Government.
True. Government is the Will, and Power of a Multitude, United in some One Person, or More, for the Good, and safety of the whole. You must not take it that all Governments are alike; but the Ratio of all Governments is the same in some Cases. As in the Instance of Self-Preservation; which is only Pleadable by the Supream Magistrate, in Bar to all General Exceptions; for he is First, presumed in Reason, to be vested with all Powers necessary for the Defence, and Protection of the Community: without which his Authority is Vain. He is Secondly, Oblig'd in Duty to exert those Powers for the Common Good: and he is Thirdly, entrusted with the Judgment of all Exigences of State, be they Greater or Lesse; wherein the Publick Good may be concern'd. Now put the Case that a Magistrate should make a wrong Judgment of Matters, and misemploy those Powers; it were an Infelicity in the Administration; but the Sacredness of Authority is still the same: And he is a Mad man, that plucks down his House, because it rains in at the Window. And in case of the Magistrate, it is not so much He, as They; for the King is (as I said before) the United Power and Will of the People. And so Fare ye well.
The End.
Transcribers Note
1. 'Fraudulant' changed to 'Fraudulent'. (Introdution)
2. 'deux ex machina' changed to 'deus ex machina'. (Introdution)
3. Closing bracket inserted. (The mean ways of promoting their Designs.)
4. Possibly this should be 'Gaols' rather than 'Goals'. (The way of getting hands in and about _London_.)
5. Possibly this should be 'Gaol' rather than 'Goal'. (A Salvo for a Lye.)
6. 'Dop' should read 'Drop'. (Consciences of State or Interest.)
7. 'original' changed to 'Origin'. (PUBLICATIONS IN PRINT 1964-1965- 109.)_Errata._ (From the original, these errors have been corrected)
Page 1. line 24. for his, reade [this].
p. 3. l. 27. for Religion r. [Religions];
p.11 l. 25. for Hands, r. [Heads].
p.22. l. 9. for on all r. [on to all].