And where-ever there are any number of men,
however associated, that have no such decisive power to appeal
to, there they are still in the state of nature.
Sec. 90. Hence it is evident, that absolute monarchy, which
by some men is counted the only government in the world, is
indeed inconsistent with civil society, and so can be no form of
civil-government at all: for the end of civil society, being to
avoid, and remedy those inconveniencies of the state of nature,
which necessarily follow from every man's being judge in his own
case, by setting up a known authority, to which every one of that
society may appeal upon any injury received, or controversy that
may arise, and which every one of the* society ought to obey;
where-ever any persons are, who have not such an authority to
appeal to, for the decision of any difference between them, there
those persons are still in the state of nature; and so is every
absolute prince, in respect of those who are under his dominion.
(*The public power of all society is above every soul
contained in the same society; and the principal use of that
power is, to give laws unto all that are under it, which laws in
such cases we must obey, unless there be reason shewed which may
necessarily inforce, that the law of reason, or of God, doth
enjoin the contrary, Hook.
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