The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 06 (of 11)
Thomas Hobbes · en
_B._ If they acknowledged the right of the sword, they were neither just
nor wise to oppose the present government, set up and approved by all
the forces of the three kingdoms. The principles of this House of
Commons were, no doubt, the very same with theirs that began the
rebellion; and would, if they could have raised a sufficient army, have
done the same against the Protector; and the general of their army
would, in like manner, have reduced them to a Rump. For they that keep
an army, and cannot master it, must be subject to it as much as he that
keeps a lion in his house. The temper of all the Parliaments, since the
time of Queen Elizabeth, has been the same with the temper of this
Parliament; and shall always be such, as long as the Presbyterians and
men of democratical principles have the like influence upon the
elections.
_A._ After, they resolved concerning the other House, that during this
Parliament they would transact with it, but without intrenching upon the
right of the peers, to have writs sent to them in all future
Parliaments. These votes being passed, they proceed to another, wherein
they assume to themselves the power of the militia. Also to show their
supreme power, they delivered out of prison some of those that had been,
they said, illegally committed by the former Protector. Other points
concerning civil rights and concerning religion, very pleasing to the
people, were now also under their consideration. So that at the end of
this year the Protector was no less jealous of the Parliament, than of
the council of officers at Wallingford House.
_B._ Thus it is when ignorant men will undertake reformation. Here are
three parties, the Protector, the Parliament, and the Army. The
Protector against Parliament and army, the Parliament against army and
Protector, and the army against Protector and Parliament.