History of Presbyterianism that they should be, in a considerable degree civil¬ ized. No savage would be willing to endure the re¬ straints of civilized life. Nor can it be proved that persons ever entered into such a compact. This is allowed even by those who make use of it to explain the theory of government. But they believe that they did still enter into it. It is very necessary that their consent should be explicit. But some say that although this theory is only imaginary, it may be justly employed to illustrate the nature of civil government. But falsehood can never be necessary or useful for the illustration of truth. Many other absurdities which it is not necessary to mention follow from this scheme. Government is founded on the will of God . This is evident from reason. That God wills the happi¬ ness of all mankind cannot be doubted. But without government this end could not be gained. It is nec¬ essary in order to the safety of their labor, life, prop¬ erty, peace, religion, morals. And the same thing is also shown in the scriptures. "The powers that be are ordained of God ." We do not mean that God has instituted any particular form of government. This he never did, except in the case of the Israelites. He has left men to insti¬ tute whatever form of government may be most suited to their condition. Some forms may be more fitted to one state of society, and others to another. But God willed the existence of government. What¬ ever government most promotes the happiness of 248