The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 03 (of 11) — Thomas Hobbes — John Shaqi
The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 03 (of 11)
Thomas Hobbes · en
By this it appears; that a great family, if it be not part of some
commonwealth, is of itself, as to the rights of sovereignty, a little
monarchy: whether that family consist of a man and his children; or of a
man and his servants; or of a man, and his children, and servants
together: wherein the father or master is the sovereign. But yet a
family is not properly a commonwealth; unless it be of that power by its
own number, or by other opportunities, as not to be subdued without the
hazard of war. For where a number of men are manifestly too weak to
defend themselves united, every one may use his own reason in time of
danger, to save his own life, either by flight, or by submission to the
enemy, as he shall think best; in the same manner as a very small
company of soldiers, surprised by an army, may cast down their arms, and
demand quarter, or run away, rather than be put to the sword. And thus
much shall suffice, concerning what I find by speculation, and
deduction, of sovereign rights, from the nature, need, and designs of
men, in erecting of commonwealths, and putting themselves under
monarchs, or assemblies, entrusted with power enough for their
protection.
[Sidenote: The rights of monarchy from Scripture.]
Let us now consider what the Scripture teacheth in the same point. To
Moses, the children of Israel say thus: _Speak thou to us, and we will
hear thee; but let not God speak to us, lest we die_. (_Exod._ xx. 19.)
This is absolute obedience to Moses. Concerning the right of kings, God
himself by the mouth of Samuel, saith, (_1 Sam._ viii. 11, 12, &c.)
_This shall be the right of the king you will have to reign over you. He
shall take your sons, and set them to drive his chariots, and to be his
horsemen, and to run before his chariots; and gather in his harvest; and
to make his engines of war, and instruments of his chariots; and shall
take your daughters to make perfumes, to be his cooks, and bakers. He
shall take your fields, your vine-yards, and your olive-yards, and give
them to his servants. He shall take the tithe of your corn and wine, and
give it to the men of his chamber, and to his other servants. He shall
take your man-servants, and your maid-servants, and the choice of your
youth, and employ them in his business. He shall take the tithe of your
flocks; and you shall be his servants._ This is absolute power, and
summed up in the last words, _you shall be his servants_. Again, when
the people heard what power their king was to have, yet they consented
thereto, and say thus, (_verse_ 10) _we will be as all other nations,
and our king shall judge our causes, and go before us, to conduct our
wars_. Here is confirmed the right that sovereigns have, both to the
_militia_, and to all _judicature_; in which is contained as absolute
power, as one man can possibly transfer to another. Again, the prayer of
king Solomon to God, was this (_1 Kings_, iii. 9): _Give to thy servant