_Prop._ I. There is no doubt but it is both lawful and a duty to defend ourselves by such convenient means as are likely to attain their end, and are not contrary to any law, of God or man. We must defend our neighbour if he be assaulted or oppressed, and we must love our neighbour as ourselves. _Prop._ II. This self-defence by force, is then lawful, when it is necessary, and other more gentle means have been uneffectual, or have no place (supposing still that the means be such as the law of God or man forbiddeth not). _Prop._ III. And it is necessary to the lawfulness of it, that the means be such as in its nature is like to be successful, or like to do more good than harm. But on the other side, _Prop._ I. We may not defend ourselves by any such force as either the laws of God or our rulers, thereto authorized by him, shall forbid. For, 1. The laws are made by such as have more power over our lives, than we have over them ourselves. 2. And they are made for the good of the commonwealth; which is to be preferred before the good or life of any single person. And whatever selfish infidels say, both nature and grace do teach us to lay down our lives, for the welfare of the church or state, and to prefer a multitude before ourselves. Therefore it is better to be robbed, oppressed, or killed, than to break the peace of the commonwealth. _Prop._ II. Therefore a private man may not raise an army to defend his life against his prince, or lawful governor. Perhaps he might hold his hands if personally he went about to murder him, without the violation of the public peace; but he cannot raise a war without it. _Prop._ III. We may not do that by blood or violence, which might be done by persuasion, or by any lawful, gentle means: violence must be used, even in defence, but in case of true necessity. _Prop._ IV. When self-defence is like to have consequents so ill, as the saving of ourselves cannot countervail, it is then unlawful _finis gratia_, and not to be attempted. _Prop._ V. Therefore if self-defence be unlikely to prevail, our strength being inconsiderable, and when the enemy is but like to be the more exasperated by it, and our sufferings like to be the greater; nature and reason teach us to submit, and use the more effectual (lawful) means. _Quest._ VI. Is it lawful to take away another's life, in the defending of my purse or estate? _Answ._ 1. You must again distinguish between such defence as the law of the land alloweth, and such as it forbiddeth. 2. Between what is necessary, and what is unnecessary. 3. Between a life less worth than the prize which he contendeth for, and a life more worth than it, or than mine own. 4. Between the simple defence of my purse, and the defence of it and my life together. 5. Between what I do with purpose and desire, and what I do unwillingly through the assailant's temerity or violence.