A Discourse of the Commonweal of This Realm of England. Folger Documents of Tudor and Stuart Civilization.

Schutzumschlag etwas abgenutzt, insgesamt etwas berieben, vergilbt, insgesamt in gutem Zustand / Dust jacket a bit worn, overall a bit rubbed, yellowed, overall in good condition. - In 1650, shortly after the overthrow of Charles I in favor of Independent rule, Marchamont Nedham, one of the best-known journalists in England, published The Case of the Commonwealth of England, Stated. Nedham wrote this tract to prove �the equity, utility, and necessity of submission to the present government.� He hoped it would persuade the people to lose their hostility toward the new Commonwealth. Ned- ham�s book is republished here for the first time since the two original editions of 1650. The editor has included the appendix of the second edition with its excerpts from Hobbes and Salmasius. Also included are Nedham�s illuminating marginal references and citations with an identification of their sources whenever possible. The introduction explains the significance of The Case and establishes the historical background for it and its author. Nedham wrote his treatise in hope that it would induce his readers to favor the new regime. He skillfully defends the legitimacy of a government which acquired its title by the sword, and he praises the �excellency of a free state above kingly government.� Nedham argues that anyone who fails to support the government in power, even if he feels it to be illegal, cannot expect to benefit in any way from that government.