But be that as it will, these men, it is evident, were
actually free; and whatever superiority some politicians now
would place in any of them, they themselves claimed it not, but
by consent were all equal, till by the same consent they set
rulers over themselves. So that their politic societies all
began from a voluntary union, and the mutual agreement of men
freely acting in the choice of their governors, and forms of
government.
Sec. 103. And I hope those who went away from Sparta with
Palantus, mentioned by Justin, 1. iii. c. 4. will be allowed to
have been freemen independent one of another, and to have set up
a government over themselves, by their own consent. Thus I have
given several examples, out of history, of people free and in the
state of nature, that being met together incorporated and began a
commonwealth. And if the want of such instances be an argument
to prove that government were not, nor could not be so begun, I
suppose the contenders for paternal empire were better let it
alone, than urge it against natural liberty: for if they can give
so many instances, out of history, of governments begun upon
paternal right, I think (though at best an argument from what has
been, to what should of right be, has no great force) one might,
without any great danger, yield them the cause. But if I might
advise them in the case, they would do well not to search too
much into the original of governments, as they have begun de
facto, lest they should find, at the foundation of most of them,
something very little favourable to the design they promote, and
such a power as they contend for.
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