Another division of laws is into “natural” and “positive.” “Natural” are those which have been laws from all eternity; and are called not only “natural” but also “moral” laws; consisting in the moral virtues, as justice, equity, and all habits of the mind that conduce to peace and charity, of which I have already spoken in the fourteenth and fifteenth chapters.

“Positive” are those which have not been from eternity; but have been made laws by the will of those that have had the sovereign power over others; and are either written or made known to men by some other argument of the will of their legislator.