BOOK III PART II
mind, and consequently that promises impose
no natural obligation.
To confirm this, we may subjoin some other
reflections concerning that will, which is sup-
posed to enter into a promise, and to cause
its obligation. It is evident, that the will alone
is never supposed to cause the obligation, but
must be expressed by words or signs, in or-
der to impose a tye upon any man. The ex-
pression being once brought in as subservient
to the will, soon becomes the principal part of
the promise; nor will a man be less bound by
his word, though he secretly give a different
direction to his intention, and with-hold him-
self both from a resolution, and from willing an
obligation. But though the expression makes
on most occasions the whole of the promise,
yet it does not always so; and one, who should