important precursor to Leviathan

The first collected edition, misleading named 'The Third Edition', of Hobbes' important precursor to Leviathan, The Elements of the Law, printed here together with his discourse on freewill, Of Liberty and Necessity.

Elements was completed in 1640, shortly after the dissolution of the Short Parliament, and was initially circulated in manuscript form until 1650 when the work was printed in two parts under the titles Human Nature and De Corpore Politico. 'Starting with an account of human psychology and a powerful analysis of the origins (and the necessity) of the state, it mounted a strong defence of royal authority in such matters as the imposition of taxation' (ODNB).

The third work, Of Free Will and Necessity, was first published in 1654 without Hobbes' consent. It consists of his side of a fierce debate on the subject of freewill and necessity with the exiled Bishop of Derry, John Bramhall (1594-1653), following their meeting in 1645.

First collected edition; 8vo (18.5 x 12 cm); pen and pencil notes to front free endpaper recto, small closed tear to margin of first divisional title, a little creasing; contemporary calf, rebacked, corners rubbed with minor loss, spine cap chipped, very good; [16], 317, [3]pp.

ESTC R12077; Wing H2266; MacDonald/Hargreaves 103.