1. We have, in the sixth chapter and the second article, so derived the original of institutive or political government from the consent of the multitude, that it appears they must either all consent, or be esteemed as enemies. Such was the beginning of God’s government over the Jews instituted by Moses, (Exod. xix. 5-8): _If ye will obey my voice indeed_, &c. _Ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests_, &c. _And Moses came and called the elders of the people_, &c. _And all the people answered, and said: All that the Lord hath spoken we will do._ Such also was the beginning of Moses’s power under God, or his vicegerency, (Exod. xx. 18-19): _And all the people saw the thunderings and lightenings, and the noise of the trumpet_, &c. _And they said unto Moses, speak thou unto us, and we will hear._ The like beginning also had Saul’s kingdom, (1 Sam. xii. 12, 13): _When ye saw that Nahash king of the children of Ammon came out against you, ye said unto me, nay, but a king shall reign over us, when the Lord your God was your king. Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired._ But the major part only consenting, and not all; for there were certain _sons of Belial_, who said, (1 Sam. x. 27), _How shall this man save us? And they despised him_; those who did not consent, were put to death as enemies. And the people said unto Samuel (1 Sam. xi. 12): _Who is he that said, shall Saul reign over us? Bring the men, that we may put them to death._ [Sidenote: The power of judicature, and determination of wars, depend on the will of the supreme officer.] 2. In the same sixth chapter, the sixth and seventh articles, I have showed that all _judgment_ and _wars_ depend upon the will and pleasure of him who bears the supreme authority; that is to say, in a _monarchy_, on a monarch or king; and this is confirmed by the people’s own judgment. 1 Sam. viii. 20; _We also will be like all the nations, and our king shall judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles._ And what pertains to _judgments_, and all other matters whereof there is any controversy, whether they be _good_ or _evil_, is confirmed by the testimony of King Solomon, (1 Kings iii. 9): _Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and evil._ And that of Absolom, (2 Sam. xv. 3): _There is no man deputed of the king to hear thee._ [Sidenote: They who have the supreme authority are by right unpunishable.]