These dictates of reason, men used to call by the name of laws, but improperly: for they are but conclusions, or theorems concerning what conduceth to the conservation and defence of themselves; whereas law, properly, is the word of him, that by right hath command over others. But yet if we consider the same theorems, as delivered in the word of God, that by right commandeth all things; then are they properly called laws. ------- CHAPTER XVI. OF PERSONS, AUTHORS, AND THINGS PERSONATED. [Sidenote: A person what.] A PERSON, is he, _whose words or actions are considered, either as his own, or as representing the words or actions of another man, or of any other thing, to whom they are attributed, whether truly or by fiction_. [Sidenote: Person natural, and artificial.] When they are considered as his own, then is he called a _natural person_: and when they are considered as representing the words and actions of another, then is he a _feigned_ or _artificial person_. [Sidenote: The word person, whence.] The word person is Latin: instead whereof the Greeks have πρόσωπον, which signifies the _face_, as _persona_ in Latin signifies the disguise, or _outward appearance_ of a man, counterfeited on the stage; and sometimes more particularly that part of it, which disguiseth the face, as a mask or vizard: and from the stage, hath been translated to any representer of speech and action, as well in tribunals, as theatres. So that a _person_, is the same that an _actor_ is, both on the stage and in common conversation; and to _personate_, is to _act_, or _represent_ himself, or another; and he that acteth another, is said to bear his person, or act in his name; in which sense Cicero useth it where he says, _Unus sustineo tres personas; mei, adversarii, et judicis_: I bear three persons; my own, my adversary’s, and the judge’s; and is called in divers occasions, diversly; as a _representer_, or _representative_, a _lieutenant_, a _vicar_, an _attorney_, a _deputy_, a _procurator_, an _actor_, and the like. Of persons artificial, some have their words and actions _owned_ by those whom they represent. [Sidenote: Actor.] And then the person is the _actor_; [Sidenote: Author.] and he that owneth his words and actions, is the AUTHOR: in which case the actor acteth by authority. For that which in speaking of goods and possessions, is called an _owner_, and in Latin _dominus_, in Greek κύριος speaking of actions, is called author. And as the right of possession, is called dominion; [Sidenote: Authority.] so the right of doing any action, is called AUTHORITY. So that by authority, is always understood a right of doing any act; and _done by authority_, done by commission, or licence from him whose right it is. [Sidenote: Covenants by authority, bind the author.]