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^2 Tr^e M A G A 2 I N E of MAG A 2 1 N 2
beings of another Species, made only for
its pleafure.
Fourthly, a good Prince only considers
his elevation as an honourable Servitude,
which by raising him above all. charges
him with the care of all. He knows
that authority is not given Sor his Sake
to whom it is intrusted, but in their behalf
who are to obey it ; and that his
greatest happiness consists in dispensing
his authority to thena with eaSe and Success.—
But arbitrary power thinks all
to be due to itself, and that it owes
nothing to any other, but what it plaafes.
It considers authority as bom.with it,
incorporate with it, and natural to it.
It reigns for the pleasure os reigning,
and for no other end. Grandeur aired
power are its only aim : it has no concern
for the gocd of others ; but tramples
them under its feet, is they stand in
the way of his ambition and domination.
Fifthly, a Prince that would govern
well, is instructed in tow ehential points:
That the peaople are incapable os
absolute liberty. (2) That they do not
delerve abSolote Servitude. Thus he'll
know that there is a wise middle betweeo
a weak government that would
be hurtful to the people, and an unjust
one that would oppress 'em. He takes
no liberty from them but what they
would abufe to their own hurt, and preserves
them in possession of all that liberty,
which is requisite to their happirief"s.
He occupies the first dignity so
keep out the SactioUS, and ^to maintain
good order among his Subjects, but not
to shackle them as slaves. He contents
himself with reigning over an obedient
family, and will not pervert paternal
into defpotic government,— But a delpotic
Prince exacts every thing. hecaufe
Something is his due. He deprives the
people of all theip liberty, hecauSe
be has a right to a part. He does not
acknowledge them as children, becaufet
he wants the bowels os a father. He
looks upon them as slaves, because his
ayes are open to nothing but his power.
Lastly, a Prince worthy of reigning is
always able to give a good reason for
his actions t he is never reduced to
give his wit.L Sor the sele cause of them :
and he considers it as an injury done to
mankind, and to him in particular who
is charged with the government of ment
to be able to give no other reason for
his conduct but instinct and impulse.
But this is precisely what despotic poW.
er glories in. He thinks it mean to
give any other reason for his actions
but his will and pleafure ; takes great
offence at those that ask his motive ;
and only then fancies him Self supreme,
when he has reduced every thing and
person to submit to his whims and pas.
lions. c
In this extravagance therefore, properly
Speaking, arbitrary power consists.
It never examines motives it is enough,
if it be its honour or will to do a thing.
It cannot hear the most prudent remonstrances.
Good reasons opposed
to its will serve to make it more headstrong.
To represent the publick interest
to it is guilt.
A wife Prince, tho' young. who Serioilsly
considers and takes a near view
of a conduct so opposite to reason and
equity, cannot imagine that any one can
preserve his right wits and fall into Such
excesses : but if the best of Princes is
not iipon his guard, he hirnseif may he
tempted to degenerate into them like
others, who Set out with moderation
and ended with tyrany.
^ ^ ^
Whether by Natural Philosophy ewe can
know the END which GoD proposid to
hisnsilf in the Creation of the World.
'|T is rashness in a mortal creature to
| enquire for what end all things were
produced by God, and what reasons the
estcient cause of all propounded to himself
in calling them out of the abyss of
nothing., His Secrets are unseerchable,
and past stoding out : nor docs it be
long to mortal man to question with
his Maker, why he hath done So and
So, Wc ought rather to meditate on
our