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1498 u c h a p t e r x v u Moderation in obtaining Empire. I. If there be some Rules of Equity which we cannot dispense with, and some Acts of Humanity which we laudably exercise towards privatePersons , tho’ not bound to it in Rigour, we are so much more obliged to observe the former, and it is so much more commendable to practise the latter, towards a whole Nation, or part of one, as the Injury done to a great Number of People is more enormous, and the good done to a Multitude is more considerable, than that which we do to a single Person . As other Things may be obtained in a just War, so the Right of the Sovereign over a People, and the Right which the People themselves have, in Regard to the Sovereignty, maybe acquired;butonly so far as the Degree of the Punishment due to their Crimes, or the Value of any other Debt, may justify. To which we may also add, the Necessity to avoid some extraordinary Danger. But this last Reason is for the most part joined with the other two, which yet, either in making Peace, or in managing a Victory, is chiefly to be considered. For in other Cases we may abate of our Right, from a Principle of Goodness and Indulgence, but in a publick Danger it is a cruel Compassion to trust too much to a conquered Enemy. Thus Isocrates addresses Philip, 1 It will be necessary for you so far to subdue the Barbarians, as to secure your own Country from all Danger. I. (1) Epist. II. Ad Philip. p. 409. Edit. H. Steph. I. How far internal Justice allows the gaining of Empire. moderation in obtaining empire 1499 II. 1. Sallust 1 records of the antient Romans, Our Ancestors, the most religious of all Men, took nothing from the Vanquished, but thePowertohurt. A Reflection well worthy of a Christian: And to this Purpose he tells us in another Place, 2 Wise Men make War for the Sake of Peace, and undergo Labour in Hopes of Rest. Aristotle often said, 3 The Design of War is Peace, and Rest of Labour. And this is the Meaning of Cicero’s excellentSaying, 4 War should be undertaken for no other Reason but to procure a firm Peace. And the same Author again, Wars are to be undertaken for this End, that we may live securely in Peace. 2. Agreeably to this our Christian Divines teach us, that the End of War is to remove those Things which disturb Peace. Before the Days of Ninus, as we have before observed out of Trogus, 5 theCustomwasrather to defend the Bounds of a State, than to enlarge 6 them. Every one’s Dominion was limited within his own Country. Kings did not seek for Empire to themselves, but Glory to their People; and contenting themselves with the Victory, would not rule over the Conquered. To which State St. Augustin would reduce us, if possibly he could. 7 Let them consider , says he, that it does not belong to good Men to endeavour at the enlarging their Dominion: To which he adds, It is a greater Happinesstohave a peaceable Neighbour, than to subdue an ill one in War. And the Prophet II. (1) Neque victis quidquam,praeterinjuriaelicentiam,eripiebant, [nostrimajores, religiosissimi mortales] Bell. Catilinar. Cap. XII. Edit. Wass. 2. Postremo sapientes, paucis caussa bellum gerunt, laborem spe otii sustentant. Orat. I. ad Caesar. De Reb. ordinand. Cap. XL. 3. Politic. Lib. VII. Cap. XV. See also the foregoing Chapter, and Ethic. ad Nichom . Lib. X. Cap. VII. 4. Bellum autem ita suscipiatur, ut nihil aliud, nisi pax quaesita videatur, De Offic. Lib. I. Cap. XXIII. 5. Fines imperii tueri, magis quam proferre, &c. Justin, Lib. I. Cap. I. Num. 3, 4. 6. The Emperor Alexander told Artaxerxes King of Persia, that every Princeought to be contented with his own Possession, and not undertake a great War, for the Sake of extending his Frontiers. Grotius. This Passage is in Herodian, Hist. Lib. VI. Cap. II. Num. 9. Edit. Boecler. I see no Reason for our Author’s having put in the Beginning of it, e ◊n toi ÷c i ◊díoic o¤roic, instead of e ◊n toi ÷c tw ÷ n i ◊díwn o¤roic. The Correction is not at all necessary, admitting our Author had believed the Reading faulty. 7. [[There is no footnote associated with this number in...

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