The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 03 (of 11)
Thomas Hobbes · en
It is manifest, that men who are in absolute liberty, may, if they
please, give authority to one man, to represent them every one; as well
as give such authority to any assembly of men whatsoever; and
consequently may subject themselves, if they think good, to a monarch,
as absolutely, as to any other representative. Therefore, where there is
already erected a sovereign power, there can be no other representative
of the same people, but only to certain particular ends, by the
sovereign limited. For that were to erect two sovereigns; and every man
to have his person represented by two actors, that by opposing one
another, must needs divide that power, which, if men will live in peace,
is indivisible; and thereby reduce the multitude into the condition of
war, contrary to the end for which all sovereignty is instituted. And
therefore as it is absurd, to think that a sovereign assembly, inviting
the people of their dominion, to send up their deputies, with power to
make known their advice, or desires, should therefore hold such
deputies, rather than themselves, for the absolute representatives of
the people: so it is absurd also, to think the same in a monarchy. And I
know not how this so manifest a truth, should of late be so little
observed; that in a monarchy, he that had the sovereignty from a descent
of six hundred years, was alone called sovereign, had the title of
Majesty from every one of his subjects, and was unquestionably taken by
them for their king, was notwithstanding never considered as their
representative; the name without contradiction passing for the title of
those men, which at his command were sent up by the people to carry
their petitions, and give him, if he permitted it, their advice. Which
may serve as an admonition, for those that are the true, and absolute
representative of a people, to instruct men in the nature of that
office, and to take heed how they admit of any other general
representation upon any occasion whatsoever, if they mean to discharge
the trust committed to them.
[Sidenote: Comparison of monarchy, with sovereign assemblies.]