CHAP. XV.
Of Paternal, Political, and Despotical Power,
considered together.
Sec. 169. THOUGH I have had occasion to speak of these
separately before, yet the great mistakes of late about
government, having, as I suppose, arisen from confounding these
distinct powers one with another, it may not, perhaps, be amiss
to consider them here together.
Sec. 170. First, then, Paternal or parental power is
nothing but that which parents have over their children, to
govern them for the children's good, till they come to the use of
reason, or a state of knowledge, wherein they may be supposed
capable to understand that rule, whether it be the law of nature,
or the municipal law of their country, they are to govern
themselves by: capable, I say, to know it, as well as several
others, who live as freemen under that law. The affection and
tenderness which God hath planted in the breast of parents
towards their children, makes it evident, that this is not
intended to be a severe arbitrary government, but only for the
help, instruction, and preservation of their offspring. But
happen it as it will, there is, as I have proved, no reason why
it should be thought to extend to life and death, at any time,
over their children, more than over any body else; neither can
there be any pretence why this parental power should keep the
child, when grown to a man, in subjection to the will of his
parents, any farther than having received life and education from
his parents, obliges him to respect, honour, gratitude,
assistance and support, all his life, to both father and mother.
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