414 Mr, hVintpey on the Impropriety of allowing 
To maintain an argument, not founded on 
juft principles, is like putting to fea without 
compafs or chart. As the vefiel would be the 
fport of the waves and winds ; fo would fuch 
a reafoner lie at the mercy of the boifterous 
ftorms of his paftions, and the uncertain bias 
of his inclinations. To avoid both, let us 
premife certain proportions, where truth is not 
only confonant to reafon, but confirmed by ex¬ 
perience, and acknowledged fads. 
PROPOSITIONS. 
1. The prime objed of civil fociety, is the 
happinefs of the members of whom it is com- 
pofed. No government can be juft, whofe 
fupport and defence do not extend to the equal, 
and indifcriminate benefit of the whole. 
2. Though the good and protedion of each 
individual, is either virtually implied, or for¬ 
mally conditioned or articled for; yet it cannot 
juftly extend further, than may be confident 
■with public good ; for, the rights of all men are 
the fame, and it is fnocking to common fenfe to 
fuppofe, that one man, or one clafs of men, 
might, with juftice, be made rich, great, 
and happy, by the mifery and fufferings of a 
hundred men, or at the expence of the reft of 
the community. No government ever intended 
men ftiould Yivzupon one another, but be equally 
advantaged 
