Sect, 17. And hence it is, that he who attempts to get
another man into his absolute power, does thereby put himself
into a state of war with him; it being to be understood as a
declaration of a design upon his life: for I have reason to
conclude, that he who would get me into his power without my
consent, would use me as he pleased when he had got me there, and
destroy me too when he had a fancy to it; for no body can desire
to have me in his absolute power, unless it be to compel me by
force to that which is against the right of my freedom, i.e.
make me a slave. To be free from such force is the only security
of my preservation; and reason bids me look on him, as an enemy
to my preservation, who would take away that freedom which is
the fence to it; so that he who makes an attempt to enslave me,
thereby puts himself into a state of war with me. He that, in
the state of nature, would take away the freedom that belongs
to any one in that state, must necessarily be supposed to have a
foundationtofeallathevrest;hasghelthat,hin theestateeofgsociety,
would take away the freedom belonging to those of that society
or commonwealth, must be supposed to design to take away from
them every thing else, and so be looked on as in a state of war.
Sec. 18. This makes it lawful for a man to kill a thief,
who has not in the least hurt him, nor declared any design upon
his life, any farther than, by the use of force, so to get him in
his power, as to take away his money, or what he pleases, from
him; because using force, where he has no right, to get me into
his power, let his pretence be what it will, I have no reason to
suppose, that he, who would take away my liberty, would not,
when he had me in his power, take away every thing else.
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