The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 06 (of 11)
Thomas Hobbes · en
_B._ They must punish then the most of those that have had their
breeding in the Universities. For such curious questions in divinity are
first started in the Universities, and so are all those politic
questions concerning the rights of civil and ecclesiastic government;
and there they are furnished with arguments for liberty out of the works
of Aristotle, Plato, Cicero, Seneca, and out of the histories of Rome
and Greece, for their disputation against the necessary power of their
sovereigns. Therefore I despair of any lasting peace amongst ourselves,
till the Universities here shall bend and direct their studies to the
settling of it, that is, to the teaching of absolute obedience to the
laws of the King, and to his public edicts under the Great Seal of
England. For I make no doubt, but that solid reason, backed with the
authority of so many learned men, will more prevail for the keeping of
us in peace within ourselves, than any victory can do over the rebels.
But I am afraid that it is impossible to bring the Universities to such
a compliance with the actions of state, as is necessary for the
business.
_A._ Seeing the Universities have heretofore from time to time
maintained the authority of the Pope, contrary to all laws divine,
civil, and natural, against the right of our Kings, why can they not as
well, when they have all manner of laws and equity on their side,
maintain the rights of him that is both sovereign of the kingdom, and
head of the Church?
_B._ Why then were they not in all points for the King’s power,
presently after that King Henry VIII was in Parliament declared head of
the Church, as much as they were before for the authority of the Pope?