Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- Principal events in Filmer's life
- Bibliographical note
- The authorship and dating of some works attributed to Filmer
- A note on the text
- Abbreviations and sources
- Patriarcha
- The Free-holders Grand Inquest
- The Anarchy of a Limited or Mixed Monarchy
- The Necessity of the Absolute Power of all Kings
- Observations Concerning the Originall of Government, upon Mr Hobs ‘Leviathan’, Mr Milton against Salmasius, H. Grotius ‘De Jure Belli’
- Observations Upon Aristotles Politiques Touching Forms of Government, Together with Directions for Obedience to Governours in dangerous and doubtfull times
- Select biographical notes
- Textual notes
- Index
- Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought
The Necessity of the Absolute Power of all Kings
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- Principal events in Filmer's life
- Bibliographical note
- The authorship and dating of some works attributed to Filmer
- A note on the text
- Abbreviations and sources
- Patriarcha
- The Free-holders Grand Inquest
- The Anarchy of a Limited or Mixed Monarchy
- The Necessity of the Absolute Power of all Kings
- Observations Concerning the Originall of Government, upon Mr Hobs ‘Leviathan’, Mr Milton against Salmasius, H. Grotius ‘De Jure Belli’
- Observations Upon Aristotles Politiques Touching Forms of Government, Together with Directions for Obedience to Governours in dangerous and doubtfull times
- Select biographical notes
- Textual notes
- Index
- Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought
Summary
THE NECESSITY OF The Absolute Power of all KINGS: And in particular, OF THE KING OF ENGLAND
*The Necessity of the Absolute Power of all Kings: and in particular, of the King of England*.325
To majesty or sovereignty belongeth an absolute power not subject to any law. [Bodinp.88]
It behoveth him that is a sovereign, not to be in any sort subject to the command of another; whose office *it is*326 to give laws *unto*327 his subjects, to abrogate laws unprofitable, and in their stead to establish other; which he cannot do, that is himself subject unto laws, or to others which have command over him: and *that is it for*328 which the law saith, that the prince is acquitted from the power of the laws. [Bodin p. ‘73’ = 91]
The laws, ordinances, letters patents, privileges and grants of princes, have no force but during their life; if they be not ratified by the express consent, or at least by sufferance of the prince following, who had knowledge thereof. [Bodin p. ‘73’ = 91–2]
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- Filmer: 'Patriarcha' and Other Writings , pp. 172 - 183Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1991
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