Leviathan eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 732 pages of information about Leviathan.

Leviathan eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 732 pages of information about Leviathan.

Wherein Different From A Common-wealth By Institution And this kind of Dominion, or Soveraignty, differeth from Soveraignty by Institution, onely in this, That men who choose their Soveraign, do it for fear of one another, and not of him whom they Institute:  But in this case, they subject themselves, to him they are afraid of.  In both cases they do it for fear:  which is to be noted by them, that hold all such Covenants, as proceed from fear of death, or violence, voyd:  which if it were true, no man, in any kind of Common-wealth, could be obliged to Obedience.  It is true, that in a Common-wealth once Instituted, or acquired, Promises proceeding from fear of death, or violence, are no Covenants, nor obliging, when the thing promised is contrary to the Lawes; But the reason is not, because it was made upon fear, but because he that promiseth, hath no right in the thing promised.  Also, when he may lawfully performe, and doth not, it is not the Invalidity of the Covenant, that absolveth him, but the Sentence of the Soveraign.  Otherwise, whensoever a man lawfully promiseth, he unlawfully breaketh:  But when the Soveraign, who is the Actor, acquitteth him, then he is acquitted by him that exorted the promise, as by the Author of such absolution.

The Rights Of Soveraignty The Same In Both But the Rights, and Consequences of Soveraignty, are the same in both.  His Power cannot, without his consent, be Transferred to another:  He cannot Forfeit it:  He cannot be Accused by any of his Subjects, of Injury:  He cannot be Punished by them:  He is Judge of what is necessary for Peace; and Judge of Doctrines:  He is Sole Legislator; and Supreme Judge of Controversies; and of the Times, and Occasions of Warre, and Peace:  to him it belongeth to choose Magistrates, Counsellours, Commanders, and all other Officers, and Ministers; and to determine of Rewards, and punishments, Honour, and Order.  The reasons whereof, are the same which are alledged in the precedent Chapter, for the same Rights, and Consequences of Soveraignty by Institution.

Dominion Paternall How Attained Not By Generation, But By Contract Dominion is acquired two wayes; By Generation, and by Conquest.  The right of Dominion by Generation, is that, which the Parent hath over his Children; and is called Paternall.  And is not so derived from the Generation, as if therefore the Parent had Dominion over his Child because he begat him; but from the Childs Consent, either expresse, or by other sufficient arguments declared.  For as to the Generation, God hath ordained to man a helper; and there be alwayes two that are equally Parents:  the Dominion therefore over the Child, should belong equally to both; and he be equally subject to both, which is impossible; for no man can obey two Masters.  And whereas some have attributed the Dominion to the Man onely, as being of the more excellent Sex; they misreckon in it.  For there is not always that difference of strength or prudence between the man

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Leviathan from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.