The law could not restore life to my dead
carcass: the loss was irreparable; which to prevent, the law of
nature gave me a right to destroy him, who had put himself into a
state of war with me, and threatened my destruction. But in the
other case, my life not being in danger, I may have the benefit
of appealing to the law, and have reparation for my lool. that
way.
Sec. 208. Fourthly, But if the unlawful acts done by the
magistrate be maintained (by the power he has got), and the
remedy which is due by law, be by the same power obstructed; yet
the right of resisting, even in such manifest acts of tyranny,
will not suddenly, or on slight occasions, disturb the
government: for if it reach no farther than some private men's
cases, though they have a right to defend themselves, and to
recover by force what by unlawful force is taken from them; yet
the right to do so will not easily engage them in a contest,
wherein they are sure to perish; it being as impossible for one,
or a few oppressed men to disturb the government, where the body
of the people do not think themselves concerned in it, as for a
raving mad-man, or heady malcontent to overturn a well settled
state; the people being as little apt to follow the one, as the
other.
Sec. 209. But if either these illegal acts have extended to
the majority of the people; or if the mischief and oppression has
lighted only on some few, but in such cases, as the precedent,
and consequences seem to threaten all; and they are persuaded in
their consciences, that their laws, and with them their estates,
liberties, and lives are in danger, and perhaps their religion
too; how they will be hindered from resisting illegal force, used
against them, I cannot tell.
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