CHAP. III.
Vpon what accidents and tumults in Rome the Tribune of the people was created, by which the Commonwealth became more perfect.
ACcording to the judgment of all Authors who have written of Civil Government, and the examples of all History, it is necessary to who-ever would establish a Govern∣ment and perscribe Laws to it, to presuppose all men naturally bad and that they will shew and exert that natural malignity as often as they have occasion to do it securely, for though it may possibly lie concealed for some time, it is for some secret reason which want of pre∣sident and experience renders invisible; but time discovers it afterwards, and is therefore justly called the Father of truth.
After the expulsion of the Tarquins there appeared in Rome a very great union betwixt the Senate and people; the Senate seemed to have deposited their old arrogance, and taken up a gentleness and humility that rendred them grateful even to the meanest mecha∣nick: in this manner they curb'd and constrained their evil designs as having no hopes of success while the Tarquins were living, who were formidable to the Nobility of themselves and would be much more, if the people by any ill usage should be animated to joyn with them, and this was the true ground of their hypocrisie. But no sooner were the Tarquins dead, and the Nobility discharged of their fear, but they began to expectorate, and spit out the venome had lain so long in their stomachs against the people using them with all ima∣ginable injury and contempt, which carriage of theirs gives good testimony to my asser∣tion, that man is naturally wicked, never does well but upon necessity; and when at any time it is at his choice, and he may follow his own genius with freedom, all things run im∣mediately into disorder and confusion; and that saying is not without reason, That Reputa∣tion and poverty make men industrious, but it is Laws which make them good: otherwise, if people did well of themselves, Laws would be useless; but where that is not to be expe∣cted, Laws become necessary. No sooner were the Tarquins removed, and the authority and terror where-with they kept the Senate in awe, but it was thought fit to find out some new invention that might restrain the Nobility, and keep them in the same circles of hu∣manity and justice as the Tarquins had done whilst they were alive: at length, after many squables and contentions betwixt the people and them, all was accommodated by the crea∣tion of a Tribune for the security of the people, which Tribune was to be invested with such authority and priviledge as might enable him to become afterwards an Arbitor betwixt them, and a stop for the future to the insolence of the Nobility.