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when he had a fancy to it; for no body can deſire to have me in his abſolute power, unleſs it be to compel me by force to that which is againſt the right of my freedom, i. e. make me a ſlave. To be free from ſuch force is the only ſecurity of my preſervation; and reaſon bids me look on him, as an enemy to my preſervation, who would take away that freedom which is the fence to it; ſo that he who makes an attempt to enſlave me, thereby puts himſelf into a ſtate of war with me. He that, in the ſtate of nature, would take away the freedom that belongs to any one in that ſtate, muſt neceſſarily be ſuppoſed to have a deſign to take away every thing elſe, that freedom being the foundation of all the reſt; as he that, in the ſtate of {{ls}ociety, would take away the freedom belonging to thoſe of that ſociety or common-wealth, muſt he ſuppoſed to deſign to take away from them every thing elſe, and ſo be looked on as in a ſtate of war.

§. 18. This makes it lawful for a man to kill a thief who has not in the leaſt hurt him, nor declared any deſign upon his life, any farther than, by the uſe of force, ſo to get him in his power, as to take away his money, or what he pleaſes, from him; becauſe uſing force, where he has no right, to get me into his power, let his pretence be what it will, I have no reaſon to ſuppoſe, that he, who would take away my liberty, would