On the Foundation of Civil Government. 483 



nion to be exercifed ? What evidence have we 

 of the exiftence of the grant at all ? Do any of 

 the prefent rulers throughout the univerfe derive 

 their right from this fource, mediately or im- 

 mediately ? May it not be faid of every ufurper, 

 as well as of the moft legitimate monarch, '' the 

 powers that be are ordained of God ?" All thefe 

 queftions may be put, and ought to be refolved 

 before this anfwer can be admitted, but I have 

 not hitherto met with a folution of any of them. 

 And it is to be obferved, that no claim of this 

 kind can be admitted which is not clear, pre- 

 cife, and incontrovertible. Nor does the bur- 

 den of proof lie upon the people. If a fellow- 

 creature informs- me, that I and my pofterity are 

 bound to obey his commands, it is not for me 

 to prove that 1 am not fo bound, but for him to 

 prove that I am. 



2. From patriarchal authority and fucceffive dele- 

 gat ion from the pa triarchs. 



This is the exploded hypothefis of Sir R. 

 Filmer j but granting, for a moment, what can 

 never be eftablifhed, the right of the patriarchs 

 to govern during the period of their exiftence, 

 who can prove a right in them to tranfmit their 

 power to others who come not under the fame 

 venerable defcription, or the uninterrupted de- 

 fcent, or fuccefllon, of thofe who would now 

 arrogate the tranfmiffion ? 



I i 2 3. From 



