But this no more makes a man a member of
that society, a perpetual subject of that commonwealth, than it
would make a man a subject to another in whose family he found it
convenient to abide for some time, though, whilst he continued in
it, he were obliged to comply with the laws and submit to the
government he found there. And thus we see that foreigners, by
living all their lives under another government, and enjoying the
privileges and protection of it, though they are bound, even in
conscience, to submit to its administration as far forth as any
denizen, yet do not thereby come to be subjects or members of that
commonwealth. Nothing can make any man so but his actually entering
into it by positive engagement and express promise and compact. This
is that which, I think, concerning the beginning of political
societies, and that consent which makes any one a member of any
commonwealth.
Chapter IX
Of the Ends of Political Society and Government
123. IF man in the state of Nature be so free as has been said, if
he be absolute lord of his own person and possessions, equal to the
greatest and subject to nobody, why will he part with his freedom,
this empire, and subject himself to the dominion and control of any
other power? To which it is obvious to answer, that though in the
state of Nature he hath such a right, yet the enjoyment of it is
very uncertain and constantly exposed to the invasion of others; for
all being kings as much as he, every man his equal, and the greater
part no strict observers of equity and justice, the enjoyment of the
property he has in this state is very unsafe, very insecure.
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