treated in the ſame manner themſelves, if proper meaſures were not taken to prevent it, they thought fit to make laws for the reward of good men, and the puniſhment of offenders. This firſt gave riſe to juſtice in the world; and from this conſideration it came to paſs, in proceſs of time, that, in the election of a new chief, they had not ſo much, regard to courage and bodily ſtrength, as to wiſdom and integrity: but afterwards, as this kind of government became gradually hereditary inſtead of elective, the heirs of theſe chieftains ſoon began to degenerate from the virtue of their anceſtors, and to behave themſelves as if they thought the main duty of a prince conſiſted in ſurpaſſing all other men in luxury, extravagance, effeminacy, and every ſort of voluptuouſneſs; by which, in a while, they firſt grew odious to their ſubjects, and then ſo jealous for themſelves, that they were forced to diſtreſs and cut off others for their own ſecurity, and at laſt to become downright tyrants. This firſt occaſioned combinations and conſpiracies for the deſtruction of princes; not amongſt the weak and puſillanimous part of their ſubjects, but among ſuch as, being more eminent for their generoſity, magnanimiicy, riches, and birth, could not endure any longer to ſubmit to theſe pitiful and oppreſſive governments.
The multitude, therefore, ſwayed by the authority of the nobles, roſe in arms againſt their prince; and being freed from his yoke, transferred their allegiance to their deliverers, who, being thoroughly diſguſted at monarchy, changed the form of government, and took it into their own hands: after which they conducted both themſelves and the ſtate according to the plan they had formed, preferring the common good to any particular advantage; and behaving, in private as well as public
