 | Leviathan, or, The matter, forme, & power of a common-wealth ecclesiasticall and civill |  |
TO
MY MOST HONOR'D FRIEND
Mr FRANCIS GODOLPHIN of Godolphin.
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Honor'd Sir,
YOUR most worthy Brother Mr Sidney Godolphin, when he lived,
was pleas'd to think my studies something, and otherwise to oblige me, as you know,
with real testimonies of his good opinion, great in themselves, and the greater for the
worthiness of his person. For there is not any virtue that disposeth a man, either to
the service of God, or to the service of his Country, to Civil Society, or private
Friendship, that did not manifestly appear in his conversation, not as acquired by
necessity, or affected upon occasion, but inherent, and shining in a generous constitution
of his nature. Therefore in honor and gratitude to him, and with devotion to your self, I
humbly Dedicate unto you this my discourse of Commonwealth. I know not how the world will
receive it, nor how it may reflect on those that shall seem to favor it. For in away beset
with those that contend, on one side for too great Liberty, and on the other side for too
much Authority, 'tis hard to pass between the points of both unwounded. But yet, me thinks,
the endeavor to advance the Civil Power, should not be by the Civil Power condemned; nor
private men, by reprehending it, declare they think that Power too great. Besides, I speak
not of the men, but (in the Abstract) of the Seat of Power, (like to those simple and unpartial
creatures in the Roman Capitol, that with their noise defended those within it, not because
they were they, but there,) offending none, I think, but those without, or such within (if
there be any such) as favor them. That which perhaps may most offend, are certain Texts of
Holy Scripture, alleged by me to other purpose than ordinarily they use to be by others. But
I have done it with due submission, and also (in order to my Subject) necessarily; for they
are the Outworks of the Enemy, from whence they impugn the Civil Power. If notwithstanding
this, you find my labor generally decried, you may be pleased to excuse your self, and say
I am a man that love my own opinions, and think all true I say, that I honored your Brother,
and honor you, and have presum'd on that, to assume the Title (without your knowledge) of
being, as I am,
Your most humble, and most obedient servant,
| Leviathan, or, The matter, forme, & power of a common-wealth ecclesiasticall and civill | |