8 - Of the disposition of power civil, and the several forms of government

Summary

After the acquisition both of civil and ecclesiastical power, follows the disposition of both, which will take up a great part of this first book. And first of the manner of disposing civil power. This disposition seems to be the same with acquisition, because it cannot be acquired but by a certain subject. Neither can it be said properly to be actually acquired, but at the very same time, and by this very act it's placed in that subject. Yet because power civil may be so communicated and acquired, […] it may be disposed of several ways: and from these several ways of disposing, arise several distinctions and differences of commonwealths. I thought good to make disposition a distinct thing from acquisition, and so handle it for the better understanding of this particular. I will [first] premise some general observations; [then] briefly declare the several ways of disposing majesty, and the several forms of governments. [I shall then] enquire into the constitution of the commonwealth of England; [and finally] deliver some things concerning our condition in these late times.

The observations are these: The [first] which belongs unto that of acquisition, is that no power can be fully acquired, till it be accepted of as well as communicated. For, no man can be bound to be a sovereign against his will.

[Second], that majesty is then disposed, when it is placed and ordered in a certain constant subject, which thereby may be enabled and bound to protect and govern.