me, ſhall ſlay me; ſo plain was it writ in the hearts of all mankind.
§. 12. By the ſame reaſon may a man in the ſtate of nature puniſh the leſſer breaches of that law. It will perhaps be demanded, with death? I anſwer, each tranſgreſſion may be puniſhed to that degree, and with ſo much ſeverity, as will ſuffice to make it an ill bargain to the offender, give him cauſe to repent, and terrify others from doing the like. Every offence, that can be committed in the ſtate of nature, may in the ſtate of nature be alſo puniſhed equally, and as far forth as it may, in a common-wealth: for though it would be beſides my preſent purpoſe, to enter here into the particulars of the law of nature, or its meaſures of puniſhment; yet, it is certain there is ſuch a law, and that too, as intelligible and plain to a rational creature, and a ſtudier of that law, as the poſitive laws of common-wealths; nay, poſſibly plainer; as much as reaſon is eaſier to be understood, than the fancies and intricate contrivances of men, following contrary and hidden intereſts put into words; for ſo truly are a great part of the municipal laws of countries, which are only ſo far right, as they are founded on the law of nature, by which they are to be regulated and interpreted.
§. 13. To this ſtrange doctrine, viz. That in the ſtate of nature every one has the executive power of the law of nature, I doubt not but it
will
