The art of rhetoric, with A discourse of the laws of England by Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury.

TO THE READER.

ALtho these pieces may ap∣pear fully to express their own real intrinsic value, as bearing the Image and In∣scription of that great Man Mr. Hobbes; yet since common usage has rendred a Preface to a Book as ne∣cessary as a Porch to a Church, and that in all things some Ceremonies cannot be a∣voided, Mode and Custom in this point is dutifully to be obeyed.

That they are genuine, credible testimo∣ny might be produced; did not the peculiar fineness of thought and expression, and a constant undaunted resolution of maintain∣ing his own Opinions sufficiently ascertain their Author. Besides which, they are now Publish'd from his own true Copies,

an advantage which some of his works have wanted.

The first of them, being an abridgement containing the most useful part of Aristo∣tle's Rhetoric, was written some thirty years since. Mr. Hobbes in his Book of Humane Nature had already describ'd Man, with an exactness almost equal to the original draught of Nature; and in his Elements of Law, laid down the consti∣tution of Government, and shewn by what Arm'd Reason it is maintain'd. And ha∣ving demonstrated in the State of Nature, the Primitive Art of Fighting to be the only medium whereby Men procur'd their ends; did in this design to shew what Power in Societies has succeeded to reign in its stead. I mean the Art of speaking, which by use of Common places of Probability, and know∣ledge in the manners and passions of Man∣kind, throu the working of Belief is a∣ble to bring about whatsoever Interest.

How necessary this Art is to that of Po∣litic, is clearly evident from that mighty force, whereby the Eloquence of the Anci∣ent

Orators captivated the minds of the People. Mr. Hobbes chose to recommend by his Translation the Rhetoric of Ari∣stotle, as being the most accomplish'd work on that Subject, which the World has yet seen, having been admir'd in all Ages, and in particular highly approv'd by the Father of the Roman Eloquence, a very compe∣tent Judge. To this he thought fit to add some small matter relating to that part which concern's Tropes and Figures; as also a short discovery of some little tricks of false and deceitful Reasoning.

The other piece is a Discourse concern∣ing the Laws of England, and has been finish'd many years. Herein he has en∣deavour'd to accommodate the general noti∣ons of his Politic to the particular consti∣tution of the English Monarchy. A de∣sign of no small difficulty, wherein to have succeeded, deserves much Honour; to have perchance miscarryed, deserves easie Par∣don. It has had the good fortune to be much esteem'd by the greatest Men of the Profes∣sion of the Law, and therefore may be pre∣sumed

to contain somewhat excellent. How∣ever 'tis not to be expected, that al Men should submit to his Opinions, yet 'tis ho∣ped none will be offended at the present Pub∣lishing these Papers, since they will not find here any new fantastic Notions, but only such things as have been already asserted with strength of Argument by himself, and other Persons of eminent Learning. To the Public at least this Benefit may accrue, that some able Pen may undertake the con∣troversie, being moved with the desire of that reputation, which will necessarily attend Victory over so considerable an Adver∣sary.