CHAP. V.
Of Form in the Civil part.
1. THOSE Naturalists that have best written of Generation, do observe that all things procede from an Eg, and that there is in every Eg a Punctum saliens, or a part first mov'd, as the purple Speck observ'd in those of Hens; from the working wherof the other Organs or fit Members are delineated, distinguish'd, and wrought into one Organical Body.
2. A NATION without Government, or fallen into privation of Form, is like an Eg unhatch'd; and the Punctum saliens, or first mover from the corruption of the Former to the generation of the succeding Form, is either a sole Legislator or a Council.
3. A SOLE Legislator, proceding according to Art or Know∣lege, produces Government in the whole piece at once and in perfection. But a Council (proceding not according to Art, or what in a new case is necessary or fit for them, but according to that which they call the Genius of the People still hankering after the things they have bin us'd to, or their old Customs, how plain soever it be made in reason that they can no longer fit them) make patching work, and are Ages about that which is very seldom or never brought by them to any per∣fection; but commonly coms by the way to ruin, leaving the noblest Attemts under reproach, and the Authors of them expos'd to the greatest miserys while they live, if not their Memorys when they are dead and gon to the greatest infamy.
4. IF the Punctum saliens, or first mover in generation of the Form be a sole Legislator, his proceding is not only according to Na∣ture, but according to Art also, and begins with the Delineation of distinct Orders or Members.