Page:Two Treatises of Government.djvu/28

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14
Of Government.

argument, as Sir Robert puts it, will hold as well for one as the other: but of this, more in its due place.

§. 12. All that I take notice of here, is, that this is all our author ſays in this firſt, or any of the following chapters, to prove the abſolute power of Adam, which is his great principle: and yet, as if he had there ſettled it upon ſure demonſtration, he begins his ſecond chapter with theſe words, By conferring theſe proofs and reaſons, drawn from the authority of the ſcripture. Where thoſe proofs and reaſons for Adam's ſovereignty are, bating that of Honour thy father, above mentioned, I confeſs, I cannot find; unleſs what he ſays, p. 11. In theſe words we have an evident confeſſion, viz. of Bellarmine, that creation made man prince of his poſterity, muſt be taken for proofs and reaſons drawn from ſcripture, or for any ſort of proof at all: though from thence by a new way of inference, in the words immediately following, he concludes, the royal authority of Adam ſufficiently ſettled in him.

§. 13. If he has in that chapter, or any where in the whole treatiſe, given any other proofs of Adam's royal authority, other than by often repeating it, which, among ſome men, goes for argument, I deſire any body for him to ſhew me the place and page, that I may be convinced of my miſtake, and acknowledge my overſight. If no ſuch argu-ments