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PRINTED FOR D. 1. EATON, AT THE COCK AND SWINE,

NO. 74, NEWGATE-STREET,

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ON

GOVERNMENT.

CHA P. II.

SECT. XXIII.

This is the best government, which beft provides for war. OUR author, having huddled up all popular and

mixed governments into one, has, in fome measure, forced me to explain the various conftitutions and principles upon which they are grounded: but as the wisdom of a father is feen, not only in providing bread for his family, or increafing his patrimonial eftate, but in making all poffible provifion for the fecurity of it; fo that government is evidently the beft, which, not relying upon what does at first enjoy, seeks to increase the number, strength, and riches, of the people; and by the beft difcipline to bring the power fo improved into fuch order as may be of moft ufe to the public. This comprehends all things conducing to the adminiftration of justice, the prefervation of

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peace, and the increase of commerce, that the

people, being pleased with their present condition, may be filled with love to their country, encouraged to fight boldly for the public caufe, which is their own; and as

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men

men do willingly join with that which profpers, that ftrangers may be invited to fix their habitations in such a city, and to espouse the principles that reign in it. This is neceffary for several reasons; but I fhall principally infift upon one, which is, that all things in their beginning are weak: the whelp of a lion newly born has neither ftrength nor fierceness. He that builds a city, and does not intend it should encrease, commits as great an abfurdity, as if he should defire his child might ever continue under the fame weaknefs in which he is born. If it do not grow, it must pine and perish; for in this world nothing is permanent; that which does not grow better will grow worfe. This increase also is useless, or perhaps hurtful, if it be not in ftrength, as well as in riches, or number: for every one is apt to feize upon ill-guarded treasures; and the terror that the city of London was poffeffed with, when a few Dutch fhips came to Chatham, fhews, that no numbers of men, though naturally valiant, are able to defend themselves, unless they be well armed, difci-, plined, and conducted. Their multitude brings confufion: their wealth, when it is like to be made a prey, increases the fears of the owners; and they, who, if they were brought into good order, might conquer a great part of the world, being deftitute of it, durft not think of defending themselves.

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If it be faid, that the wife father, mentioned by me, endeavours to fecure his patrimony by law, not by force; I answers that all defence terminates in force; and if a private man does not prepare to defend his eftate with his own' force, it is because he lives under the protection of

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the law, and expects the force of the magistrate should be a fecurity to him: but kingdoms and commonwealths, acknowledging no fuperior, except God alone, can reafonably hope to be protected by him only; and by him, if with induftry and courage they make use of the means he has given them for their own defence. God helps those who helps themselves; and men are by feveral reafons (fuppofe to prevent the increafe of a fufpected power, induced to fuccour an induftrious and brave people: but' fuch as neglect the means of their own prefervation, are ever left to perish with fhame. Men cannot rely upon any league: the ftate that is defended by one potentate against another becomes a flave to the protector: mercenary foldiers always want ridelity or courage, and most commonly both. If they are not corrupted or beaten by the invader, they make a prey of their mafters. Thefe are the followers of camps, who have neither faith nor piety, but prefer gain before right. They who expofe their blood to fale, look where they can make the best bargain, and never fail of pretences for following their interefts.

their wealth,

Moreover, private families may by feveral arts increase as they increase in number; but when a people multiplies (as they will always do in a good climate under a good government) fuch an enlargement of territory as is neceffary for their fubfiftence can be acquired only by war. This was known to the northern nations that invaded the Roman empire; but for want of

-Ibi fas, ubi maxima merces, Lucan,

fuch

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