A Treatise Concerning Civil Government (Volume 7)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1781 Excerpt: ... efpecially crowned Heads, are wifer, or better, or braver, or more ufefully employed than other Mortals. Moreover, according to the foregoing Reprefentation of the Matter it mould alfo follow, . That on the Demife of any of thefe fuper-eminent, exalted Beings, a Kind of Difiblution, or at leaft a Sufpenfion of Government ought to enfue, 'till another Non-pardl could be found out, in order to fill worthily and properly the vacant Throne. ANSWER. This Objection, fmart and plaufible as it mayappear, is wholely grounded on a Miftake, which being removed, the Objection vanifhes. The Miftake is this, That what was neceffary, or expedient at firft, muft continue to be rieceffary, or expedient ever after. Whereas the Courfe of Nature in almoft every Inftance plainly proves the contrary.-. Sir Isaac Newton and Mr. Boyle had Snoft extraordinary natural Talents and Sagacities in their refpe&ive Provinces; which they improved by almoft inceflant Induftry and Application. Their Difcoveries in Aftronomy, Mathematics, Optics, Natural Philofophy, Mechanics, Chemiftry, &c. &c. &c. arewonderiully great and curious. But doth it follow, that.every Man HRift have the Genius ofa BolrtE, ... or a Newton, in order to be benefited, or nlightened by their Difcoveries? And now, that they have led the Way, may not Men of very moderate Capacities, be able to tread in their. Steps? Nay I will go farther, and even afk, may not an illiterate Mechanic illiterate, comparatively fpeaking by Dint of mere Ufe and Praftice, and by the Advantage of having good Models before his Eyes; may not even fuchan one be able to conftruft, or to manage fome of their mod curious Machines in a much better Manner than the great Philofophers themfelves could have done, had they been alive? Surely h...