Page:A discourse upon the origin and foundation of the inequality among mankind (IA discourseuponori00rous).pdf/210

ing the old Materials. Society at firſt conſiſted merely of ſome general Conventions which all the Members bound themſelves to obſerve, and for the Performance of which the whole Body became Security to every Individual. Experience was neceſſary to ſhew the great Weakneſs of ſuch a Conſtitution, and how eaſy it was for thoſe, who infringed it, to eſcape the Conviction or Chaſtiſement of Faults, of which the Public alone was to be both the Witneſs and the Judge; the Laws could not fail of being eluded a thouſand Ways; Inconveniencies and Diſorders could not but multiply continually, till it was at laſt found neceſſary to think of committing to private Perſons the dangerous Truſt of public Authority, and to Magiſtrates the Care of enforcing Obedience to the People: for to ſay that Chiefs were elected before Confederacies were formed, and that the Miniſters of the Laws