Sec. 131. But though men, when they enter into society,
give up the equality, liberty, and executive power they had in
the state of nature, into the hands of the society, to be so far
disposed of by the legislative, as the good of the society shall
require; yet it being only with an intention in every one the
better to preserve himself, his liberty and property; (for no
rational creature can be supposed to change his condition with an
intention to be worse) the power of the society, or legislative
constituted by them, can never be supposed to extend farther,
than the common good; but is obliged to secure every one's
property, by providing against those three defects above
mentioned, that made the state of nature so unsafe and uneasy.
And so whoever has the legislative or supreme power of any
common-wealth, is bound to govern by established standing laws,
promulgated and known to the people, and not by extemporary
decrees; by indifferent and upright judges, who are to decide
controversies by those laws; and to employ the force of the
community at home, only in the execution of such laws, or abroad
to prevent or redress foreign injuries, and secure the community
from inroads and invasion. And all this to be directed to no
other end, but the peace, safety, and public good of the people.
CHAP.
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