230. Nor let any one say, that mischief can arise from
hence, as often as it shall please a busy head, or turbulent
spirit, to desire the alteration of the government. It is true,
such men may stir, whenever they please; but it will be only to
their own just ruin and perdition: for till the mischief be grown
general, and the ill designs of the rulers become visible, or
their attempts sensible to the greater part, the people, who are
more disposed to suffer than right themselves by resistance, are
not apt to stir. The examples of particular injustice, or
oppression of here and there an unfortunate man, moves them not.
But if they universally have a persuation, grounded upon manifest
evidence, that designs are carrying on against their liberties,
and the general course and tendency of things cannot but give
them strong suspicions of the evil intention of their governors,
who is to be blamed for it? Who can help it, if they, who might
avoid it, bring themselves into this suspicion? Are the people
to be blamed, if they have the sense of rational creatures, and
can think of things no otherwise than as they find and feel them?
And is it not rather their fault, who put things into such a
posture, that they would not have them thought to be as they are?
I grant, that the pride, ambition, and turbulency of private men
have sometimes caused great disorders in commonwealths, and
factions have been fatal to states and kingdoms.
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