5 - Of the manner how civil power is acquired

Summary

What the nature of power in general, and majesty civil is, hath been declared. The next thing to be considered, is the subject who from it is denominated a sovereign, and we must enquire first, how this power is acquired; [and then] how disposed in a certain subject. As for the acquisition it's certain, man as man, or as a member of a community, cannot have it from himself, but it must be communicated to him from God, who being the universal sovereign is the fountain and original of it, and derives some part of it unto man, and a greater measure unto mortal sovereigns than other men. Yet he doth not this immediately, but mediately for the most part. It's extrinsical, and comes [from elsewhere], not only unto men but angels. A paternal power, which is more natural, is acquired by generation, though sometimes by adoption. This generation from divine benediction is the seminary of all societies, which as societies and communities may be so disposed and complete, as virtually to contain in them a power of a commonwealth, and by a general consent constitute an actual sovereign. The sovereign before he was made such, was not invested with majesty, but it was extrinsical unto him. And here that distinction between the power itself, the designation of the persons governing, and the form of government is worthy taking notice of.