1. That conformity to what is _ordered_ or commanded is not the true generic idea of _the right_ in itself. What is ordered or commanded can only interpret _the right_, when the command itself conforms to the essential good, as in the case of the Divine will. This is always _right_, because it so conforms, or is always an expression of the essential good. Hence, the _good_ is the true generic idea of _the right_. This alone can interpret _the right_ in any case. Therefore, although man, in virtue of his constitution as a pure intelligence, has the _power_ to do _wrong_, he has not, and never can have, _the right_ to do wrong. For wrong is the negative of right; and any thing, whether attribute, quality, opinion, doctrine, or act--every thing, whether moral or physical--to be _right_, must be of the nature of the _good_: all else is _wrong, not right_. And it further follows, that the only true subjective _right_ which any man has to exercise his power of self-control, is in doing that which is good, and not in doing that which is evil. 2. The _natural rights_ of man are, First--The essential good in his possession by natural endowment, and which is therefore inalienable. And, Second--The necessary conditions, whatever they may be, of the operation of the inherent good as an active principle. Some of these are inalienable, and others are alienable. To this view of natural rights the common usage of language conforms. 3. The _acquired rights_ of man are, such good, in the form of benefits or privileges, as results to him from the performance of duty. LECTURE V. THE DOCTRINES OF RIGHTS APPLIED TO GOVERNMENT. Government, human as well as Divine, is a necessity of man’s fallen condition--All men concur in this--Man did not originate government: he has only modified the form--The legitimate objects of government, and the means which it employs to effect these objects--The logical inferences: 1. Although he has the power, he has no right to do wrong; 2. As a fallen being, he is, without a government over him, liable to lose the power of self-control--What are the rights of man: 1. In a state of infancy; 2. In a state of maturity; and, 3. In a savage or uncivilized state--Civil government is not founded on a concession of rights.