There is a sixth doctrine plainly and directly against the essence of a commonwealth; and it is this, “that the sovereign power may be divided.” For what is it to divide the power of a commonwealth, but to dissolve it; for powers divided mutually destroy each other. And for these doctrines men are chiefly beholding to some of those that making profession of the laws, endeavour to make them depend upon their own learning, and not upon the legislative power.