第20章 Of the other Lawes of Nature(6)

XXVIII.But the Lawes which oblige Conscience,may be broken by an act,not onely contrary to them,but also agreeable with them,if so be that he who does it be of another opinion:for though the act it self be answerable to the Lawes,yet his Conscience is against them.

XXIX.The Lawes of Nature are immutable,and eternall;What they forbid,can never be lawfull;what they command,can never be unlawfull:For pride,ingratitude,breach of Contracts (or injury),inhumanity,contumely,will never be lawfull;nor the contrary vertues to these ever unlawfull,as we take them for dispositions of the mind,that is,as they are considered in the Court of Conscience,where onely they oblige,and are Lawes.Yet actions may be so diversified by circumstances,and the Civill Law,that what's done with equity at one time,is guilty of iniquity at another;and what suits with reason at one time,is contrary to it another.Yet Reason is still the same,and changeth not her end,which is Peace,and Defence;nor of the minde which the meanes to attaine them,to wit,those vertues we have declar'd above,and which cannot be abrogated by any Custome,or Law whatsoever.

XXX.It's evident by what hath hitherto been said,how easily the Lawes of Nature are to be observ'd,because they require the endeavour onely,(but that must be true and constant)which who so shall performe,we may rightly call him JUST.For he who tends to this with his whole might,namely,that his actions be squar'd according to the precepts of Nature,he shewes clearly that he hath a minde to fulfill all those Lawes,which is all we are oblig'd to by rationall nature.Now he that hath done all he is oblig'd to,is a Just Man.