Sec. 126. Thirdly, In the state of nature there often wants
power to back and support the sentence when right, and to give it
due execution, They who by any injustice offended, will seldom
fail, where they are able, by force to make good their injustice;
such resistance many times makes the punishment dangerous, and
frequently destructive, to those who attempt it.
Sec. 127. Thus mankind, notwithstanding all the privileges
of the state of nature, being but in an ill condition, while they
remain in it, are quickly driven into society. Hence it comes to
pass, that we seldom find any number of men live any time
together in this state. The inconveniencies that they are
therein exposed to, by the irregular and uncertain exercise of
the power every man has of punishing the transgressions of
others, make them take sanctuary under the established laws of
government, and therein seek the preservation of their property.
It is this makes them so willingly give up every one his single
power of punishing, to be exercised by such alone, as shall be
appointed to it amongst them; and by such rules as the community,
or those authorized by them to that purpose, shall agree on. And
in this we have the original right and rise of both the
legislative and executive power, as well as of the governments
and societies themselves.
Pages:
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117