BOOK III PART II
resign their native liberty. There is, therefore,
something mutual engaged on the part of the
magistrate, viz, protection and security; and it
is only by the hopes he affords of these advan-
tages, that he can ever persuade men to sub-
mit to him. But when instead of protection and
security, they meet with tyranny and oppres-
sion, they are freeed from their promises, (as
happens in all conditional contracts) and return
to that state of liberty, which preceded the in-
stitution of government. Men would never be
so foolish as to enter into such engagements as
should turn entirely to the advantage of others,
without any view of bettering their own con-
dition. Whoever proposes to draw any profit
from our submission, must engage himself, ei-
ther expressly or tacitly, to make us reap some
advantage from his authority; nor ought he
to expect, that without the performance of his