Leviathan

Thomas HobbesFeb 2015

3.9

Word count: 255K words
Chapters: 727

Summary

The Leviathan is the vast unity of the State. But how are unity, peace, and security to be attained? Hobbes's answer is sovereignty, but the resurgence of interest today in Leviathan is due less to its answers than to its methods. Hobbes sees politics as a science capable of the same axiomatic approach as geometry: he argues from first principles to human nature and on to politics. The book's appeal to the twentieth century lies not just in its elevation of politics to a science but also in its overriding concern for peace.

Editor's review

Hobbes's classic of political philosophy is still read today not chiefly for its conclusions but for its method: he treats politics as a science that can be deduced from first principles like geometry, reasoning from human nature and the state of nature all the way to sovereignty and the construction of the state. Readers will encounter a highly systematic chain of argument—the state conceived as a vast unified body, how peace and security are possible, why sovereignty is necessary—all handled with rigor. Its value lies in offering a framework for understanding political order rather than a light narrative history of ideas. The highlight of reading it is that cool, clear analytical style: definitions, causal deductions, objections and replies advancing layer by layer, like following an architect raising a building. It suits close reading in quiet, uninterrupted stretches, and also rewards reading alongside the English Civil War background and later discussions of sovereignty and the social contract. Note that the original is long and argument-dense, with many long sentences and archaic expressions, so first-time readers may find the pace slowed by its exposition; it is best to grasp the core concepts—state of nature, sovereign, authorization—first, then return for details, to appreciate the appeal of its method.

Who it's for

A good fit for

University students and researchers interested in political philosophy and social contract theory who want a systematic understanding of sovereignty
Readers who need primary-source reading to supplement courses in intellectual history, political science, or law
Advanced self-learners willing to take on dense argument and wanting to train conceptual analysis and deduction
Enthusiasts of public issues concerning how national unity, order, and security are argued

Not a good fit for

General leisure readers hoping for light introductory stories of intellectual history and lacking patience
Beginners not yet familiar with basic concepts of political philosophy who are easily put off by long stretches of argument
Readers who want only the conclusions and are unwilling to follow the reasoning

Reading tips

Read the introduction or preface first to clarify core concepts such as the state of nature, sovereignty, and authorization before entering the main text.
Read chapter by chapter, and after each part restate the chain of argument in your own words to check whether you are keeping up.
Keep pen and paper to record key definitions and steps of reasoning, so you do not lose the thread of argument in long sentences.
Read alongside an introduction to social contract theory to place Hobbes in the context of intellectual history.

Copyright information
By Thomas Hobbes
THE INTRODUCTION
PART 1 OF MAN
CHAPTER I. OF SENSE
CHAPTER II. OF IMAGINATION
Memory
Dreams
Apparitions Or Visions
Understanding
CHAPTER III. OF THE CONSEQUENCE OR TRAYNE OF IMAGINATIONS
Trayne Of Thoughts Unguided
Trayne Of Thoughts Regulated
Remembrance
Prudence
Signes
Conjecture Of The Time Past
CHAPTER IV. OF SPEECH
Originall Of Speech
The Use Of Speech
Abuses Of Speech
Names Proper & Common Universall
Subject To Names
Use Of Names Positive
Negative Names With Their Uses
Words Insignificant
Understanding
Inconstant Names
CHAPTER V. OF REASON, AND SCIENCE.
Reason What It Is
Reason Defined
Right Reason Where
The Use Of Reason
Of Error And Absurdity
Causes Of Absurditie
Science
Prudence & Sapience, With Their Difference
Signes Of Science
CHAPTER VI. OF THE INTERIOUR BEGINNINGS OF VOLUNTARY MOTIONS
Motion Vitall And Animal
Endeavour; Appetite; Desire; Hunger; Thirst; Aversion
Contempt
Good Evill
Pulchrum Turpe; Delightfull Profitable; Unpleasant Unprofita
Delight Displeasure
Pleasure Offence
Pleasures Of Sense; Pleasures Of The Mind; Joy Paine Griefe
The Will
Formes Of Speech, In Passion
Good And Evill Apparent
Felicity
Praise Magnification
CHAPTER VII. OF THE ENDS OR RESOLUTIONS OF DISCOURSE
Judgement, or Sentence Final; Doubt
Science Opinion Conscience
Beliefe Faith
CHAPTER VIII. OF THE VERTUES COMMONLY CALLED INTELLECTUAL;
Intellectuall Vertue Defined
Wit, Naturall, Or Acquired
Good Wit, Or Fancy; Good Judgement; Discretion
Prudence
Craft
Acquired Wit
Giddinesse Madnesse
Rage
Melancholy
Insignificant Speech
CHAPTER IX. OF THE SEVERALL SUBJECTS OF KNOWLEDGE
CHAPTER X. OF POWER, WORTH, DIGNITY, HONOUR AND WORTHINESS
Power
Worth
Dignity
To Honour and Dishonour
Titles of Honour
Worthinesse Fitnesse
CHAPTER XI. OF THE DIFFERENCE OF MANNERS
What Is Here Meant By Manners
A Restlesse Desire Of Power, In All Men
Love Of Contention From Competition
Civil Obedience From Love Of Ease
From Feare Of Death Or Wounds
And From Love Of Arts
Love Of Vertue, From Love Of Praise
Hate, From Difficulty Of Requiting Great Benefits
And From Conscience Of Deserving To Be Hated
Promptnesse To Hurt, From Fear
And From Distrust Of Their Own Wit
Vain Undertaking From Vain-glory
Ambition, From Opinion Of Sufficiency
Irresolution, From Too Great Valuing Of Small Matters
And From The Ignorance Of Naturall Causes
And From Want Of Understanding
Credulity From Ignorance Of Nature
Curiosity To Know, From Care Of Future Time
Naturall Religion, From The Same
CHAPTER XII. OF RELIGION
Religion, In Man Onely
First, From His Desire Of Knowing Causes
From The Consideration Of The Beginning Of Things
From His Observation Of The Sequell Of Things
Which Makes Them Fear The Power Of Invisible Things
And Suppose Them Incorporeall
But Know Not The Way How They Effect Anything
But Honour Them As They Honour Men
And Attribute To Them All Extraordinary Events
Foure Things, Naturall Seeds Of Religion
Made Different By Culture
The Absurd Opinion Of Gentilisme
The Causes Of Change In Religion
Injoyning Beleefe Of Impossibilities
Doing Contrary To The Religion They Establish
Want Of The Testimony Of Miracles
CHAPTER XIII. OF THE NATURALL CONDITION OF MANKIND,
From Equality Proceeds Diffidence
From Diffidence Warre
Out Of Civil States,
The Incommodites Of Such A War
In Such A Warre, Nothing Is Unjust
The Passions That Incline Men To Peace
CHAPTER XIV. OF THE FIRST AND SECOND NATURALL LAWES, AND OF
Right Of Nature What
Liberty What
A Law Of Nature What
Naturally Every Man Has Right To Everything
The Fundamental Law Of Nature
The Second Law Of Nature
What it is to lay down a Right
Renouncing (or) Transferring Right What; Obligation Duty Jus
Not All Rights Are Alienable
Contract What
Covenant What
Free-gift
Signes Of Contract Expresse
Signes Of Contract By Inference
Free Gift Passeth By Words Of The Present Or Past
Merit What
Covenants Of Mutuall Trust, When Invalid
Right To The End, Containeth Right To The Means
No Covenant With Beasts
Nor With God Without Speciall Revelation
No Covenant, But Of Possible And Future
Covenants How Made Voyd
Covenants Extorted By Feare Are Valide
The Former Covenant To One, Makes Voyd The Later To Another
A Mans Covenant Not To Defend Himselfe, Is Voyd
No Man Obliged To Accuse Himselfe
The End Of An Oath; The Forme Of As Oath
No Oath, But By God
An Oath Addes Nothing To The Obligation
CHAPTER XV. OF OTHER LAWES OF NATURE
The Third Law Of Nature, Justice
Justice And Injustice What
Justice Not Contrary To Reason
Covenants Not Discharged By The Vice Of The Person To Whom M
Justice Of Men, And Justice Of Actions What
Justice Of Manners, And Justice Of Actions
Nothing Done To A Man, By His Own Consent Can Be Injury
Justice Commutative, And Distributive
The Fourth Law Of Nature, Gratitude
The Fifth, Mutuall accommodation, or Compleasance
The Sixth, Facility To Pardon
The Seventh, That In Revenges, Men Respect Onely The Future
The Eighth, Against Contumely
The Ninth, Against Pride
The Tenth Against Arrogance
The Eleventh Equity
The Twelfth, Equall Use Of Things Common
The Thirteenth, Of Lot
The Fourteenth, Of Primogeniture, And First Seising
The Fifteenth, Of Mediators
The Sixteenth, Of Submission To Arbitrement
The Seventeenth, No Man Is His Own Judge
The Eighteenth, No Man To Be Judge, That Has In Him Cause Of
The Nineteenth, Of Witnesse
A Rule, By Which The Laws Of Nature May Easily Be Examined
The Lawes Of Nature Oblige In Conscience Alwayes,
The Laws Of Nature Are Eternal;
And Yet Easie
The Science Of These Lawes, Is The True Morall Philosophy
CHAPTER XVI. OF PERSONS, AUTHORS, AND THINGS PERSONATED
Person Naturall, And Artificiall
The Word Person, Whence
Actor, Author; Authority
Covenants By Authority, Bind The Author
But Not The Actor
The Authority Is To Be Shewne
Things Personated, Inanimate
Irrational
False Gods
The True God
A Multitude Of Men, How One Person
Every One Is Author
An Actor May Be Many Men Made One By Plurality Of Voyces
Representatives, When The Number Is Even, Unprofitable
Negative Voyce
PART II. OF COMMON-WEALTH
CHAPTER XVII. OF THE CAUSES, GENERATION, AND DEFINITION OF A
The End Of Common-wealth, Particular Security
Which Is Not To Be Had From The Law Of Nature:
Nor From The Conjunction Of A Few Men Or Familyes
Nor From A Great Multitude, Unlesse Directed By One Judgemen
And That Continually
Why Certain Creatures Without Reason, Or Speech,
Do Neverthelesse Live In Society, Without Any Coercive Power
The Generation Of A Common-wealth
The Definition Of A Common-wealth
Soveraigne, And Subject, What
CHAPTER XVIII. OF THE RIGHTS OF SOVERAIGNES BY INSTITUTION
The Act Of Instituting A Common-wealth, What
The Consequences To Such Institution, Are
I. The Subjects Cannot Change The Forme Of Government
From this Institution of a Common-wealth are derived all the
2. Soveraigne Power Cannot Be Forfeited
3. No Man Can Without Injustice Protest Against The
4. The Soveraigns Actions Cannot Be Justly Accused By The Su
5. What Soever The Soveraigne Doth, Is Unpunishable By The S
6. The Soveraigne Is Judge Of What Is Necessary For The Peac
And Judge Of What Doctrines Are Fit To Be Taught Them
7. The Right Of Making Rules, Whereby The Subject May
8. To Him Also Belongeth The Right Of All Judicature
9. And Of Making War, And Peace, As He Shall Think Best:
10. And Of Choosing All Counsellours, And Ministers,
11. And Of Rewarding, And Punishing, And That (Where No
12. And Of Honour And Order
These Rights Are Indivisible
And Can By No Grant Passe Away Without Direct
The Power And Honour Of Subjects Vanisheth In The Presence
Soveraigne Power Not Hurtfull As The Want Of It,
CHAPTER XIX. OF THE SEVERALL KINDS OF COMMON-WEALTH BY INSTI
The Different Formes Of Common-wealths But Three
Tyranny And Oligarchy, But Different Names Of Monarchy, And
Subordinate Representatives Dangerous
Comparison Of Monarchy, With Soveraign Assemblyes
Of The Right Of Succession
Succession Passeth By Expresse Words;
Or, By Not Controlling A Custome;
Or, By Presumption Of Naturall Affection
To Dispose Of The Succession, Though To A King Of Another Na
CHAPTER XX. OF DOMINION PATERNALL AND DESPOTICALL
Wherein Different From A Common-wealth By Institution
The Rights Of Soveraignty The Same In Both
Dominion Paternall How Attained Not By Generation, But By Co
Or Education;
Or Precedent Subjection Of One Of The Parents To The Other
The Right Of Succession Followeth The Rules Of The Rights Of
Despoticall Dominion, How Attained
Not By The Victory, But By The Consent Of The Vanquished
Difference Between A Family And A Kingdom
The Right Of Monarchy From Scripture
Soveraign Power Ought In All Common-wealths To Be Absolute
CHAPTER XXI. OF THE LIBERTY OF SUBJECTS
Liberty What
What It Is To Be Free
Feare And Liberty Consistent
Liberty And Necessity Consistent
Artificiall Bonds, Or Covenants
Liberty Of Subjects Consisteth In Liberty From Covenants
Liberty Of The Subject Consistent With Unlimited Power Of Th
The Liberty Which Writers Praise, Is The Liberty Of Soveraig
Liberty Of The Subject How To Be Measured
Subjects Have Liberty To Defend Their Own Bodies,
Are Not Bound To Hurt Themselves;
Nor To Warfare, Unless They Voluntarily Undertake It
The Greatest Liberty Of Subjects, Dependeth On The Silence O
In What Cases Subjects Absolved Of Their Obedience To Their
In Case Of Captivity
In Case The Soveraign Cast Off The Government From Himself A
In Case Of Banishment
In Case The Soveraign Render Himself Subject To Another
CHAPTER XXII. OF SYSTEMES SUBJECT, POLITICALL, AND PRIVATE
The Divers Sorts Of Systemes Of People
In All Bodies Politique The Power Of The Representative Is L
By Letters Patents
And The Lawes
When The Representative Is One Man, His Unwarranted Acts His
When It Is An Assembly, It Is The Act Of Them That Assented
When It Is An Assembly, They Onely Are Liable That Have Asse
If The Debt Be To One Of The Assembly, The Body Onely Is Obl
Protestation Against The Decrees Of Bodies Politique
Bodies Politique For Government Of A Province, Colony, Or To
Bodies Politique For Ordering Of Trade
A Bodie Politique For Counsel To Be Give To The Soveraign
A Regular Private Body, Lawfull, As A Family
Private Bodies Regular, But Unlawfull
Systemes Irregular, Such As Are Private Leagues
Secret Cabals
Feuds Of Private Families
Factions For Government
CHAPTER XXIII. OF THE PUBLIQUE MINISTERS OF SOVERAIGN POWER
Publique Minister Who
Ministers For The Generall Administration
For Speciall Administration, As For Oeconomy
For Instruction Of The People
For Judicature
For Execution
Counsellers Without Other Employment Then To Advise
CHAPTER XXIV. OF THE NUTRITION, AND PROCREATION OF A COMMON-
And The Right Of Distribution Of Them
All Private Estates Of Land Proceed Originally
Propriety Of A Subject Excludes Not The Dominion Of The Sove
The Publique Is Not To Be Dieted
The Places And Matter Of Traffique Depend, As Their Distribu
The Laws Of Transferring Property Belong Also To The Soverai
Mony The Bloud Of A Common-wealth
The Conduits And Way Of Mony To The Publique Use
The Children Of A Common-wealth Colonies
CHAPTER XXV. OF COUNSELL
Counsell What
Differences Between Command And Counsell
Exhortation And Dehortation What
Differences Of Fit And Unfit Counsellours
CHAPTER XXVI. OF CIVILL LAWES
Civill Law what
The Soveraign Is Legislator
And Not Subject To Civill Law
Use, A Law Not By Vertue Of Time, But Of The Soveraigns Cons
The Law Of Nature, And The Civill Law Contain Each Other
Provinciall Lawes Are Not Made By Custome, But By The Sovera
Some Foolish Opinions Of Lawyers Concerning The Making Of La
Law Made, If Not Also Made Known, Is No Law
Unwritten Lawes Are All Of Them Lawes Of Nature
Nothing Is Law Where The Legislator Cannot Be Known
Difference Between Verifying And Authorising
The Law Verifyed By The Subordinate Judge
By The Publique Registers
By Letters Patent, And Publique Seale
The Interpretation Of The Law Dependeth On The Soveraign Pow
All Lawes Need Interpretation
The Authenticall Interpretation Of Law Is Not That Of Writer
The Interpreter Of The Law Is The Judge Giving Sentence Viva
The Sentence Of A Judge, Does Not Bind Him, Or Another Judge
The Difference Between The Letter And Sentence Of The Law
The Abilities Required In A Judge
Divisions Of Law
Another Division Of Law
Divine Positive Law How Made Known To Be Law
Another Division Of Lawes
A Fundamentall Law What
Difference Between Law And Right
And Between A Law And A Charter
CHAPTER XXVII. OF CRIMES, EXCUSES, AND EXTENUATIONS
A Crime What
Where No Civill Law Is, There Is No Crime
Ignorance Of The Law Of Nature Excuseth No Man
Ignorance Of The Civill Law Excuseth Sometimes
Ignorance Of The Soveraign Excuseth Not
Ignorance Of The Penalty Excuseth Not
Punishments Declared Before The Fact, Excuse From Greater Pu
Nothing Can Be Made A Crime By A Law Made After The Fact
False Principles Of Right And Wrong Causes Of Crime
False Teachers Mis-interpreting The Law Of Nature Secondly,
And False Inferences From True Principles, By Teachers
By Their Passions;
Presumption Of Riches
And Friends
Wisedome
Hatred, Lust, Ambition, Covetousnesse, Causes Of Crime
Fear Sometimes Cause Of Crime, As When The Danger Is Neither
Crimes Not Equall
Totall Excuses
Excuses Against The Author
Presumption Of Power, Aggravateth
Evill Teachers, Extenuate
Examples Of Impunity, Extenuate
Praemeditation, Aggravateth
Tacite Approbation Of The Soveraign, Extenuates
Comparison Of Crimes From Their Effects
Laesae Majestas
Bribery And False Testimony
Depeculation
Counterfeiting Authority
Crimes Against Private Men Compared
Publique Crimes What
CHAPTER XXVIII. OF PUNISHMENTS, AND REWARDS
The Definition Of Punishment
Right To Punish Whence Derived
Private Injuries, And Revenges No Punishments
Nor Denyall Of Preferment
Nor Pain Inflicted Without Publique Hearing
Nor Pain Inflicted By Usurped Power
Nor Pain Inflicted Without Respect To The Future Good
Naturall Evill Consequences, No Punishments
Hurt Inflicted, If Lesse Than The Benefit Of Transgressing,
Where The Punishment Is Annexed To The Law, A Greater Hurt I
Hurt Inflicted For A Fact Done Before The Law, No Punishment
The Representative Of The Common-wealth Unpunishable
Hurt To Revolted Subjects Is Done By Right Of War, Not
Punishments Corporall
Capitall
Ignominy
Imprisonment
Exile
The Punishment Of Innocent Subjects Is Contrary To The Law O
But The Harme Done To Innocents In War, Not So
Reward, Is Either Salary, Or Grace
Benefits Bestowed For Fear, Are Not Rewards
Salaries Certain And Casuall
CHAPTER XXIX. OF THOSE THINGS THAT WEAKEN, OR TEND TO THE DI
Want Of Absolute Power
Private Judgement Of Good and Evill
Erroneous Conscience
Pretence Of Inspiration
Subjecting The Soveraign Power To Civill Lawes
Attributing Of Absolute Propriety To The Subjects
Dividing Of The Soveraign Power
Imitation Of Neighbour Nations
Imitation Of The Greeks, And Romans
Mixt Government
Want Of Mony
Monopolies And Abuses Of Publicans
Popular Men
Excessive Greatnesse Of A Town, Multitude Of Corporations
Liberty Of Disputing Against Soveraign Power
Dissolution Of The Common-wealth
CHAPTER XXX. OF THE OFFICE OF THE SOVERAIGN REPRESENTATIVE
The Procuration Of The Good Of The People
By Instruction & Lawes
Against The Duty Of A Soveraign To Relinquish Any Essentiall
Objection Of Those That Say There Are No Principles Of Reaso
Objection From The Incapacity Of The Vulgar
Subjects Are To Be Taught, Not To Affect Change Of Governmen
Nor Adhere (Against The Soveraign) To Popular Men
And To Have Dayes Set Apart To Learn Their Duty
And To Honour Their Parents
And To Avoyd Doing Of Injury:
And To Do All This Sincerely From The Heart
The Use Of Universities
Equall Taxes
Publique Charity
Prevention Of Idlenesse
Good Lawes What
Such As Are Necessary
Such As Are Perspicuous
Punishments
Rewards
Counsellours
Commanders
CHAPTER XXXI. OF THE KINGDOME OF GOD BY NATURE
The Scope Of The Following Chapters
Who Are Subjects In The Kingdome Of God
A Threefold Word Of God, Reason, Revelation, Prophecy
Sinne Not The Cause Of All Affliction
Divine Lawes
Honour And Worship What
Severall Signes Of Honour
Worship Naturall And Arbitrary
Worship Commanded And Free
Worship Publique And Private
The End Of Worship
Attributes Of Divine Honour
Actions That Are Signes Of Divine Honour
Publique Worship Consisteth In Uniformity
All Attributes Depend On The Lawes Civill
Not All Actions
Naturall Punishments
The Conclusion Of The Second Part
PART III. OF A CHRISTIAN COMMON-WEALTH
CHAPTER XXXII. OF THE PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN POLITIQUES
What It Is To Captivate The Understanding
How God Speaketh To Men
By What Marks Prophets Are Known
The Marks Of A Prophet In The Old Law, Miracles, And Doctrin
Miracles Ceasing, Prophets Cease, The Scripture Supplies The
CHAPTER XXXIII. OF THE NUMBER, ANTIQUITY, SCOPE, AUTHORITY,
Of The Books Of Holy Scripture
Their Antiquity
The Pentateuch Not Written By Moses
The Book of Joshua Written After His Time
The Booke Of Judges And Ruth Written Long After The Captivit
The Like Of The Bookes Of Samuel
The Books Of The Kings, And The Chronicles
Ezra And Nehemiah
Esther
Job
The Psalter
The Proverbs
Ecclesiastes And The Canticles
The Prophets
The New Testament
Their Scope
The Question Of The Authority Of The Scriptures Stated.
Their Authority And Interpretation
CHAPTER XXXIV. OF THE SIGNIFICATION OF SPIRIT, ANGEL, AND IN
Body And Spirit How Taken In The Scripture
Spirit Of God Taken In The Scripture Sometimes For A Wind, O
Secondly, For Extraordinary Gifts Of The Understanding
Thirdly, For Extraordinary Affections
Fourthly, For The Gift Of Prediction By Dreams And Visions
Fiftly, For Life
Sixtly, For A Subordination To Authority
Seventhly, For Aeriall Bodies
Angel What
Inspiration What
CHAPTER XXXV. OF THE SIGNIFICATION IN SCRIPTURE OF KINGDOME
Kingdom Of God Taken By Divines Metaphorically But In The Sc
The Originall Of The Kingdome Of God
That The Kingdome Of God Is Properly His Civill Soveraignty
Sacred What
Degrees of Sanctity
Sacrament
CHAPTER XXXVI. OF THE WORD OF GOD, AND OF PROPHETS
Word What
The Words Spoken By God And Concerning God, Both Are Called
Secondly, For The Effect Of His Word
Thirdly, For The Words Of Reason And Equity
Divers Acceptions Of The Word Prophet
Praediction Of Future Contingents, Not Alwaies Prophecy
The Manner How God Hath Spoken To The Prophets
To The Extraordinary Prophets Of The Old Testament He Spake
God Sometimes Also Spake By Lots
Every Man Ought To Examine The Probability Of A Pretended Pr
All Prophecy But Of The Soveraign Prophet Is To Be Examined
CHAPTER XXXVII. OF MIRACLES, AND THEIR USE
A Miracle Is A Work That Causeth Admiration
And Must Therefore Be Rare, Whereof There Is No Naturall Cau
That Which Seemeth A Miracle To One Man, May Seem Otherwise
The End Of Miracles
The Definition Of A Miracle
That Men Are Apt To Be Deceived By False Miracles
Cautions Against The Imposture Of Miracles
CHAPTER XXXVIII. OF THE SIGNIFICATION IN SCRIPTURE OF ETERNA
Place Of Adams Eternity If He Had Not Sinned, The Terrestria
Texts Concerning The Place Of Life Eternall For Beleevers
Ascension Into Heaven
The Place After Judgment, Of Those Who Were Never In The Kin
The Congregation Of Giants
Lake Of Fire
Utter Darknesse
Gehenna, And Tophet
Of The Literall Sense Of The Scripture Concerning Hell
Satan, Devill, Not Proper Names, But Appellatives
Torments Of Hell
The Joyes Of Life Eternall, And Salvation The Same Thing,
The Place Of Eternall Salvation
Redemption
CHAPTER XXXIX. OF THE SIGNIFICATION IN SCRIPTURE OF THE WORD
Church The Lords House
Ecclesia Properly What
In What Sense The Church Is One Person Church Defined
A Christian Common-wealth, And A Church All One
CHAPTER XL
The Soveraign Rights Of Abraham
Abraham Had The Sole Power Of Ordering The Religion Of His O
No Pretence Of Private Spirit Against The Religion Of Abraha
Abraham Sole Judge, And Interpreter Of What God Spake
The Authority Of Moses Whereon Grounded
Moses Was (Under God) Soveraign Of The Jews, All His Own Tim
All Spirits Were Subordinate To The Spirit Of Moses
After Moses The Soveraignty Was In The High Priest
Of The Soveraign Power Between The Time Of Joshua And Of Sau
Of The Rights Of The Kings Of Israel
The Practice Of Supremacy In Religion, Was Not In The Time O
After The Captivity The Jews Had No Setled Common-wealth
CHAPTER XLI. OF THE OFFICE OF OUR BLESSED SAVIOUR
Three Parts Of The Office Of Christ
His Office As A Redeemer
Christs Kingdome Not Of This World
The End Of Christs Comming Was To Renew The Covenant Of The
Part Of His Office
The Preaching Of Christ Not Contrary To The Then Law Of The
The Third Part Of His Office Was To Be King (Under His Fathe
Christs Authority In The Kingdome Of God Subordinate To His
One And The Same God Is The Person Represented By Moses, And
CHAPTER XLII. OF POWER ECCLESIASTICALL
Of The Holy Spirit That Fel On The Apostles
Of The Trinity
The Power Ecclesiasticall Is But The Power To Teach
An Argument Thereof, The Power Of Christ Himself
From The Name Of Regeneration
From The Comparison Of It, With Fishing, Leaven, Seed
From The Nature Of Faith:
From The Authority Christ Hath Left To Civill Princes
What Christians May Do To Avoid Persecution
Of Martyrs
Argument From The Points Of Their Commission
To Preach
And Teach
To Baptize;
And To Forgive, And Retain Sinnes
Of Excommunication
The Use Of Excommunication Without Civill Power.
Of No Effect Upon An Apostate
But Upon The Faithfull Only
For What Fault Lyeth Excommunication
Of Persons Liable To Excommunication
Of The Interpreter Of The Scriptures Before Civill Soveraign
Of The Power To Make Scripture Law
Of The Ten Commandements
Of The Judicial, And Leviticall Law
The Second Law
The Old Testament, When Made Canonicall
Of The Power Of Councells To Make The Scripture Law
Of The Right Of Constituting Ecclesiasticall Officers In The
Matthias Made Apostle By The Congregation.
Paul And Barnabas Made Apostles By The Church Of Antioch
What Offices In The Church Are Magisteriall
Ordination Of Teachers
Ministers Of The Church What
And How Chosen What
Of Ecclesiasticall Revenue, Under The Law Of Moses
In Our Saviours Time, And After
The Civill Soveraign Being A Christian Hath The Right Of App
The Pastorall Authority Of Soveraigns Only Is De Jure Divino
Christian Kings Have Power To Execute All Manner Of Pastoral
The Civill Soveraigne If A Christian, Is Head Of The Church
Cardinal Bellarmines Books De Summo Pontifice Considered
The First Book
The Second Book
The Third Book
The Fourth Book
Texts For The Infallibility Of The Popes Judgement In Points
Texts For The Same In Point Of Manners
Of The Popes Temporall Power
CHAPTER XLIII. OF WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR A MANS RECEPTION INT
The Difficulty Of Obeying God And Man Both At Once
Is None To Them That Distinguish Between What Is, And What I
All That Is Necessary To Salvation Is Contained In Faith And
What Obedience Is Necessary;
And To What Laws
In The Faith Of A Christian, Who Is The Person Beleeved
The Causes Of Christian Faith
Faith Comes By Hearing
Proved From The Scope Of The Evangelists
From The Sermons Of The Apostles:
From The Easinesse Of The Doctrine:
From Formall And Cleer Texts
From That It Is The Foundation Of All Other Articles
In What Sense Other Articles May Be Called Necessary
That Faith, And Obedience Are Both Of Them Necessary To Salv
What Each Of Them Contributes Thereunto
Obedience To God And To The Civill Soveraign Not Inconsisten
Or Infidel
CHAPTER XLIV. OF SPIRITUALL DARKNESSE FROM MISINTERPRETATION
The Kingdome Of Darknesse What
The Church Not Yet Fully Freed Of Darknesse
Four Causes Of Spirituall Darknesse
Errors From Misinterpreting The Scriptures, Concerning The K
As That The Kingdome Of God Is The Present Church
And That The Pope Is His Vicar Generall
And That The Pastors Are The Clergy
Error From Mistaking Consecration For Conjuration
Incantation In The Ceremonies Of Baptisme
In Marriage, In Visitation Of The Sick, And In Consecration
Errors From Mistaking Eternall Life, And Everlasting Death
As The Doctrine Of Purgatory, And Exorcismes, And Invocation
The Texts Alledged For The Doctrines Aforementioned Have Bee
Answer To The Text On Which Beza Infereth
Explication Of The Place In Mark 9.1
Abuse Of Some Other Texts In Defence Of The Power Of The Pop
The Manner Of Consecrations In The Scripture, Was Without Ex
The Immortality Of Mans Soule, Not Proved By Scripture To Be
Eternall Torments What
Answer Of The Texts Alledged For Purgatory
Places Of The New Testament For Purgatory Answered
Baptisme For The Dead, How Understood
CHAPTER XLV. OF DAEMONOLOGY, AND OTHER RELIQUES OF THE RELIG
The Originall Of Daemonology
What Were The Daemons Of The Ancients
How That Doctrine Was Spread
Why Our Saviour Controlled It Not
The Scriptures Doe Not Teach That Spirits Are Incorporeall
The Power Of Casting Out Devills, Not The Same It Was In The
Another Relique Of Gentilisme, Worshipping Images, Left In T
Answer To Certain Seeming Texts For Images
What Is Worship
Distinction Between Divine And Civill Worship
An Image What Phantasmes
Fictions; Materiall Images
Idolatry What
Scandalous Worship Of Images
Answer To The Argument From The Cherubins, And Brazen Serpen
Painting Of Fancies No Idolatry: Abusing Them To Religious W
How Idolatry Was Left In The Church
Canonizing Of Saints
The Name Of Pontifex
Procession Of Images
Wax Candles, And Torches Lighted
CHAPTER XLVI. OF DARKNESSE FROM VAIN PHILOSOPHY, AND FABULOU
What Philosophy Is
Prudence No Part Of Philosophy
No False Doctrine Is Part Of Philosophy
Nor Learning Taken Upon Credit Of Authors
Of The Beginnings And Progresse Of Philosophy
Of The Schools Of Philosophy Amongst The Athenians
Of The Schools Of The Jews
The Schoole Of Graecians Unprofitable
The Schools Of The Jews Unprofitable
University What It Is
Errors Brought Into Religion From Aristotles Metaphysiques
Errors Concerning Abstract Essences
Nunc-stans
One Body In Many Places, And Many Bodies In One Place At Onc
Absurdities In Naturall Philosophy, As Gravity The Cause Of
Quantity Put Into Body Already Made
Powring In Of Soules
Ubiquity Of Apparition
Will, The Cause Of Willing
Ignorance An Occult Cause
One Makes The Things Incongruent, Another The Incongruity
Private Appetite The Rule Of Publique Good:
And That Lawfull Marriage Is Unchastity
And That All Government But Popular, Is Tyranny
That Not Men, But Law Governs
Laws Over The Conscience
Private Interpretation Of Law
Language Of Schoole-Divines
Errors From Tradition
Suppression Of Reason
CHAPTER XLVII. OF THE BENEFIT THAT PROCEEDETH FROM SUCH DARK
He That Receiveth Benefit By A Fact, Is Presumed To Be The A
That The Church Militant Is The Kingdome Of God, Was First T
And Maintained Also By The Presbytery
Infallibility
Subjection Of Bishops
Exemptions Of The Clergy
The Names Of Sacerdotes, And Sacrifices
The Sacramentation Of Marriage
The Single Life Of Priests
Auricular Confession
Canonization Of Saints, And Declaring Of Martyrs
Transubstantiation, Penance, Absolution
Purgatory, Indulgences, Externall Works
Daemonology And Exorcism
School-Divinity
The Authors Of Spirituall Darknesse, Who They Be
Comparison Of The Papacy With The Kingdome Of Fayries
A REVIEW, AND CONCLUSION

FAQ

Is this book suitable for readers with no philosophy background to read directly?

Reading it cold with no background is not recommended. Hobbes's argument deduces from human nature and the state of nature, with dense concepts and long sentences; without a basic framework of political philosophy, it is easy to remember only the conclusions and miss the method. Read an introduction to social contract theory first, then return to the original.

What should I focus on most when reading this book?

Rather than only remembering conclusions about how the state ought to be, focus on how he reasons from first principles to politics: how human nature is defined, how the state of nature is set up, how the necessity of sovereignty is argued. The method itself is why the book continues to be discussed.

Why is its appeal said to lie in method rather than answers?

The material notes that renewed attention today stems less from its answers than from its method: Hobbes treats politics as a science that can be deduced from axioms like geometry. Understanding this way of arguing is more rewarding than remembering specific claims.

What if the argument feels too long to follow while reading?

Break the book into argumentative units: after each passage, write down the premises and conclusions, then continue. When you hit a long sentence, find the subject, predicate, and key definitions first; do not get tangled in modifiers. If needed, read chapter summaries first and return to the main text with questions in mind.

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About the author

Thomas Hobbes Author · British · 1588–1679

Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) was an English philosopher and a major representative of social contract theory. He is best known for Leviathan, a work that systematically discusses the origins of the state, the power of the sovereign, and the conditions that sustain political order, and that has had a lasting influence on the history of Western political thought. Hobbes examined political questions within a framework of human nature and order, arguing rigorously and defining concepts clearly, often proceeding step by step in a way that gives his writing a marked theoretical character. He used the idea of contract to explain the formation of political community, an approach later discussed and answered by thinkers of different persuasions. One of his works is included in this catalogue under the category of motivational growth; public information on the details of his life is limited, so readers may begin with the work itself and appreciate its argumentative style and intellectual concerns.