The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 02 (of 11) — Thomas Hobbes — John Shaqi
The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 02 (of 11)
Thomas Hobbes · en
that can arrive to nature: which principles being laid down, I seem from
them to have demonstrated by a most evident connexion, in this little
work of mine, first, the absolute necessity of leagues and contracts,
and thence the rudiments both of moral and of civil prudence. That
appendage which is added concerning the regiment of God, hath been done
with this intent; that the dictates of God Almighty in the law of
nature, might not seem repugnant to the written law, revealed to us in
his word. I have also been very wary in the whole tenour of my
discourse, not to meddle with the civil laws of any particular nation
whatsoever: that is to say, I have avoided coming ashore, which those
times have so infested both with shelves and tempests. At what expense
of time and industry I have been in this scrutiny after truth, I am not
ignorant; but to what purpose, I know not. For being partial judges of
ourselves, we lay a partial estimate upon our own productions. I
therefore offer up this book to your Lordship’s, not favour, but censure
first; as having found by many experiments, that it is not the credit of
the author, nor the newness of the work, nor yet the ornament of the
style, but only the weight of reason, which recommends any _opinion_ to
your Lordship’s favour and approbation. If it fortune to please, that is
to say, if it be sound, if it be useful, if it be not vulgar; I humbly
offer it to your Lordship, as both my glory and my protection. But if in
anything I have erred, your Lordship will yet accept it as a testimony
of my gratitude; that the means of study, which I enjoyed by your
Lordship’s goodness, I have employed to the procurement of your
Lordship’s favour. The God of heaven crown your Lordship with length of
days, in this earthly station; and in the heavenly Jerusalem with a
crown of glory.
Your Honour’s most humble,
and most devoted Servant,
THOMAS HOBBES.
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THE AUTHOR’S
PREFACE TO THE READER.
Reader, I promise thee here such things, which ordinarily promised
do seem to challenge the greatest attention, (whether thou regard
the dignity or profit of the matter treated, or the right method of
handling it, or the honest motive and good advice to undertake it,
or lastly the moderation of the author,) and I lay them here before
thine eyes. In this book thou shalt find briefly described the
duties of men: first, as men; then as subjects; lastly, as
Christians. Under which duties are contained, not only the elements
of the laws of nature and of nations, together with the true
original and power of justice; but also the very essence of
Christian religion itself, so far forth as the measure of this my
purpose could well bear it.