A brief disquisition of the law of nature according to the principles and method laid down in the Reverend Dr. Cumberland's (now Lord Bishop of Peterboroughs) Latin treatise on that subject : as also his confutations of Mr. Hobb's principles put into another method : with the Right Reverend author's approbation.

The Heads of the Third Principle.

That there is a mutual will or desire in all men of hurting each other.

His Argument proposed, That tho some men according to a natural Equality will al∣low to other men the same things as to them∣selves; yet that the major part of men are not so modest, but will arrogate to themselves honour above others, or else will assault other mens Goods, or Persons, out of a false esteem of their own Power; from thence arises a ne∣cessity of others defending their Persons and Goods against them. This proved also from

the great Contention arising among men from strife of wit; And lastly from many desiring the same thing at once. Sect. 1.

Answer. None but Fools and wicked Men can have a desire to hurt those that have done them no injury; so that this does not reach all men, nor yet that even these have a will to hurt all men alike, but only those that stand in their way, or whose Goods they desire. Self-defence argues no desire of hurting o∣thers. Sect. 2.

Answer to his 2d Argument, from mens contention of wit; difference of Opinion, no real ground of mens destroying each other. Sect. 3.

Answer to his Argument, from mens de∣sire to think well of themselves, and to con∣temn others; viz. That this Observation doth not reach all men, but only those foolish and unreasonable men he describes. Sect. 4.

Answer to his Argument, from many men desiring the same thing at once. This, tho true, among Brutes and wicked, and unrea∣sonable Men, yet doth not reach all Mankind, since Reason dictates the contrary; God hath bestowed enough of the necessaries of life a∣mong Mankind in the state of Nature, so that they need not fight for them. Sect. 5.