Dr. PercivaPs Notes and Illujlrations. 629 



" the refinements of civil life alone fugged."* But the fuppo- 

 fition involves in it no fuch abfurdity. Savages could never 

 affemble together or live in community, without fome common 

 principles of harmony and agreement. And each individual 

 feeling their influence and yielding to their authority, a focial 

 compad was thus eftabliflied without deliberation or formal defign, 

 by laws which refult from the original conftitution of human 

 nature. The veneration of age ; refpeft for fuperior talents or 

 virtues ; a fenfe of juftice, of veracity, and honour ; a regard to 

 common intereft ; the defence agdnft, or invafion of common 

 enemies fubftantiated thefe laws. They were voluntarily acquielced 

 in by all ; they became confirmed by time ; improved by experi- 

 ence ; and enlarged by the progreflive advancement of fociety. 



It is faid, that " if by virtue of a compaft, the fubjefl owes 

 " obedience to government, he ought to abide by the form of 

 " government which he finds eftabliflied, be it ever fo abfurd or 

 *' inconvenient. He is bound by his barg^n." f This objedlion 

 will appear to have no validity, when it is recoUefted that it is 

 not an ordinary bargain or contract, in which two parties are 

 fuppofed, of oppofite interefts ; but an union or partnerfhip, in 

 which all are equally concerned, though with various trufts and 

 defignations. To the firft and neceflary laws of this union, which 

 conftitute the eflence of government, fubmifllon is abfolutely due. 

 Governors, who are the organs of adminiftration, are equally 

 fubjeft to them with the governed. And as thefe governors re- 

 prefent the majefty and authority of the whole, it is evident that 

 the whole, or a majority of the whole (which can alone aft) are 

 fuperior to their reprefentatives ; and may enlarge, circumfgribe, 

 or new-model the authority which they delegate, as they fliall 

 deem moft expedient. The public good however requires that 

 government (hould poflefs ftability, becaufe revolutions are ufually 

 attended with much prefent fuffering and evil. Civil magiftrates, 

 therefore, are inverted with powers and prerogatives adequate to 



* See Paley's Principles of Moral and Political Philofophy, book Vi. 

 ch, 3, p. 416. 4to, 



•f- Idem. p. 421, 



S f 3 extraordinary 



