an answer at present, that since all princes and rulers of independent
governments all through the world, are in a state of nature, it is plain
the world never was, nor ever will be, without numbers of men in that
state. I have named all governors of independent communities, whether
they are, or are not, in league with others: for it is not every compact
that puts an end to the state of nature between men, but only this one of
agreeing together mutually to enter into one community, and make one body
politic; other promises, and compacts, men may make one with another, and
yet still be in the state of nature. The promises and bargains for
truck, &c. between the two men in the desert island, mentioned by
Garcilasso de la Vega, in his history of Peru; or between a Swiss and an
Indian, in the woods of America, are binding to them, though they are
perfectly in a state of nature, in reference to one another: for truth
and keeping of faith belongs to men, as men, and not as members of
society.
Sect. 15. To those that say, there were never any men in the state of
nature, I will not only oppose the authority of the judicious Hooker,
Eccl. Pol. lib. i. sect. 10, where he says, The laws which have been
hitherto mentioned, i.e. the laws of nature, do bind men absolutely, even
as they are men, although they have never any settled fellowship, never
any solemn agreement amongst themselves what to do, or not to do: but
forasmuch as we are not by ourselves sufficient to furnish ourselves with
competent store of things, needful for such a life as our nature doth
desire, a life fit for the dignity of man; therefore to supply those
defects and imperfections which are in us, as living single and solely by
ourselves, we are naturally induced to seek communion and fellowship with
others: this was the cause of men's uniting themselves at first in
politic societies. But I moreover affirm, that all men are naturally in
that state, and remain so, till by their own consents they make
themselves members of some politic society; and I doubt not in the sequel