This I am sure, whoever, either
ruler or subject, by force goes about to invade the rights of either
prince or people, and lays the foundation for overturning the
constitution and frame of any just government, he is guilty of the
greatest crime I think a man is capable of, being to answer for all
those mischiefs of blood, rapine, and desolation, which the breaking
to pieces of governments bring on a country; and he who does it is
justly to be esteemed the common enemy and pest of mankind, and is
to be treated accordingly.
231. That subjects or foreigners attempting by force on the
properties of any people may be resisted with force is agreed on all
hands; but that magistrates doing the same thing may be resisted, hath
of late been denied; as if those who had the greatest privileges and
advantages by the law had thereby a power to break those laws by which
alone they were set in a better place than their brethren; whereas
their offence is thereby the greater, both as being ungrateful for the
greater share they have by the law, and breaking also that trust which
is put into their hands by their brethren.
232. Whosoever uses force without right- as every one does in
society who does it without law- puts himself into a state of war with
those against whom he so uses it, and in that state all former ties
are cancelled, all other rights cease, and every one has a right to
defend himself, and to resist the aggressor.
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