Page:The Theory of Moral Sentiments.pdf/446

436 wards an enumeration of thoe rules of natural equity, which ought to be enforced by the poitive laws of every country, there is, however, nothing of this kind. Their laws are laws of police, not of jutice. Grotius eems to have been the firt, who attempted to give the world any thing like a ytem of thoe principles which ought to run through, and be the foundation of the laws of all nations; and his treatie of the laws of war and peace, with all its imperfections, is perhaps at this day the mot compleat work that has yet been given upon this ubject. I hall in another dicoure endeaver to give an account of the general principles of law and government, and of the different revolutions they have undergone in the different ages and periods of ociety, not only in what concerns jutice, but in what concerns police, revenue and arms, and whatever ele is the object of law. I hall not, therefore, at preent enter into any further detail concerning the hitory of juriprudence.