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were very likely to submit to his punishment； and all join with him against the offender； in their turns； giving him thereby
power to execute his sentence against any transgression； and so in effect make him the law…maker； and governor over all that remained in conjunction with his family。 He was fittest to be trusted； paternal affection secured their property and interest under his care； and the custom of obeying him； in their childhood； made it easier to submit to him； rather than to any other。 If therefore they must have one to rule them； as government is hardly to be avoided amongst men that live together； who so likely to be the man as he that was their common father； unless negligence； cruelty； or any other defect of mind or body made him unfit for it？ But when either the father died； and left his next heir； for want of age； wisdom； courage； or any other qualities； less fit for rule； or where several families met； and consented to continue together； there； it is not to be doubted； but they used their natural freedom； to set up him； whom they judged the ablest； and most likely； to rule well over them。 Conformable hereunto we find the people of America； who （living out of the reach of the conquering swords； and spreading domination of the two great empires of Peru and Mexico） enjoyed their own natural freedom； though； caeteris paribus； they commonly prefer the heir of their deceased king； yet if they find him any way weak； or uncapable； they pass him by； and set up the stoutest and bravest man for their ruler。 Sec。 106。 Thus； though looking back as far as records give us any account of peopling the world； and the history of nations； we commonly find the government to be in one hand； yet it destroys not that which I affirm； viz。 that the beginning of politic society depends upon the consent of the individuals； to join into； and make one society； who； when they are thus incorporated； might set up what form of government they thought fit。 But this having given occasion to men to mistake； and think； that by nature government was monarchical； and belonged to the father； it may not be amiss here to consider； why people in the beginning generally pitched upon this form； which though perhaps the father's pre…eminency might； in the first institution of some commonwealths； give a rise to； and place in the beginning； the power in one hand； yet it is plain that the reason； that continued the form of government in a single person； was not any regard； or respect to paternal authority； since all petty monarchies； that is； almost all monarchies； near their original； have been commonly； at least upon occasion； elective。 Sec。 107。 First then； in the beginning of things； the father's government of the childhood of those sprung from him； having accustomed them to the rule of one man； and taught them that where it was exercised with care and skill； with affection and love to those under it； it was sufficient to procure and preserve to men all the political happiness they sought for in society。 It was no wonder that they should pitch upon； and naturally run into that form of government； which from their infancy they had been all accustomed to； and which； by experience； they had found both easy and safe。 To which； if we add； that monarchy being simple； and most obvious to men； whom neither experience had instructed in forms of government； nor the ambition or insolence of empire had taught to beware of the encroachments of prerogative； or the inconveniences of absolute power； which monarchy in succession was apt to lay claim to； and bring upon them； it was not at all strange； that they should not much trouble themselves to think of methods of restraining any exorbitances of those to whom they had given the authority over them； and of balancing the power of government； by placing several parts of it in different hands。 They had neither felt the oppression of tyrannical dominion； nor did the fashion of the age； nor their possessions； or way of living； （which afforded little matter for covetousness or ambition） give them any reason to apprehend or provide against it； and therefore it is no wonder they put themselves into such a frame of government； as was not
only； as I said； most obvious and simple； but also best suited to their present state and condition； which stood more in need of defence against foreign invasions and injuries； than of multiplicity of laws。 The equality of a simple poor way of living； confining their desires within the narrow bounds of each man's small property； made few controversies； and so no need of many laws to decide them； or variety of officers to superintend the process； or look after the execution of justice； where there were but few trespasses； and few offenders。 Since then those； who like one another so well as to join into society； cannot but be supposed to have some acquaintance and friendship together； and some trust one in another； they could not but have greater apprehensions of others； than of one another： and therefore their first care and thought cannot but be supposed to be； how to secure themselves against foreign force。 It was natural for them to put themselves under a frame of government which might best serve to that end； and chuse the wisest and bravest man to conduct them in their wars； and lead them out against their enemies； and in this chiefly be their ruler。 Sec。 108。 Thus we see； that the kings of the Indians in America； which is still a pattern of the first ages in Asia and Europe； whilst the inhabitants were too few for the country； and want of people and money gave men no temptation to enlarge their possessions of land； or contest for wider extent of ground； are little more than generals of their armies； and though they command absolutely in war； yet at home and in time of peace they exercise very little dominion； and have but a very moderate sovereignty； the resolutions of peace and war being ordinarily either in the people； or in a council。 Tho' the war itself； which admits not of plurality of governors； naturally devolves the command into the king's sole authority。 Sec。 109。 And thus in Israel itself； the chief business of their judges； and first kings； seems to have been to be captains in war； and leaders of their armies； which （besides what is signified by going out and in before the people； which was； to march forth to war； and home again in the heads of their forces） appears plainly in the story of lephtha。 The Ammonites making war upon Israel； the Gileadites in fear send to lephtha； a bastard of their family whom they had cast off； and article with him； if he will assist them against the Ammonites； to make him their ruler； which they do in these words； And the people made him head and captain over them； Judg。 xi； ii。 which was； as it seems； all one as to be judge。 And he judged Israel； judg。 xii。 7。 that is； was their captain…general six years。 So when lotham upbraids the Shechemites with the obligation they had to Gideon； who had been their judge and ruler； he tells them； He fought for you； and adventured his life far； and delivered you out of the hands of Midian； Judg。 ix。 17。 Nothing mentioned of him but what he did as a general： and indeed that is all is found in his history； or in any of the rest of the judges。 And Abimelech particularly is called king； though at most he was but their general。 And when； being weary of the ill conduct of Samuel's sons； the children of Israel desired a king； like all the nations to judge them； and to go out before them； and to fight their battles； I。 Sam viii。 20。 God granting their desire； says to Samuel； I will send thee a man； and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel； that he may save my people out of the hands of the Philistines； ix。 16。 As if the only business of a king had been to lead out their armies； and fight in their defence； and accordingly at his inauguration pouring a vial of oil upon him； declares to Saul； that the Lord had anointed him to be captain over his inheritance； x。 1。 And therefore those； who after Saul's being solemnly chosen and saluted king by the tribes at Mispah； were unwilling to have him their king； made no other objection but this； How shall this man save us？ v。 27。 as if they should have said； this man is unfit to be our king； not
having skill and conduct enough in war； to be able to defend us。 And when God resolved to transfer the government to David； it is in these words； But now thy kingdom shall not continue： the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart； and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people； xiii。 14。 As if the whole kingly authority were nothing else but to be their general： and therefore the tribes who had stuck to Saul's family； and opposed David's reign； when they came to Hebron with terms of submission to him； they tell him； amongst other arguments they had to submit to him as to their king； that he was in effect their king in Saul's time； and therefore they had no reason but to receive him as their king now。 Also （say they） in time past； when Saul was ki