§. 54. Though I have said above (2) "That all men by nature are
equal," I cannot be supposed to understand all sorts of
"equality." Age or virtue may give men a just precedency. Excellency
of parts and merit may place others above the common level. Birth may subject
some, and alliance or benefits others, to pay an observance to those to whom
Nature, gratitude, or other respects, may have made it due; and yet all this
consists with the equality which all men are in respect of jurisdiction or
dominion one over another, which was the equality I there spoke of as proper to
the business in hand, being that equal right that every man hath to his natural
freedom, without being subjected to the will or authority of any other man.
