Patriarcha: or the Natural Power of Kings.[bound with] The Free-holders Grand Inquest, Touching Our Sovereign Lord the King And His Parliament. To which are added Observations upon Forms of Government. Together with Directions for Obedience to Governours in Dangerous and Doubtful Times. and... by Robert Filmer - 1680

London: Walter Davis Book-binder, 1680 A very good copy of the 1st edition of Robert Filmer's important political work on government. Robert Filmer (c1588-1653) was a political theorist and is best known for Patriarcha which was probably begun in 1620, but was not published until after his death. His thesis on the right of kings, initially well-regarded, was taken apart by John Locke and came in for considerable criticism. It is now seen as an important work, which set the framework for debate on forms of government. This copy has been newly rebound in half leather with marbled boards and with title label to spine. New endpapers have been added and the frontispiece, which was missing, added in facsimile. Contents: title page; copy of a letter by Peter Heylyn 5pp; contents list 5pp; errata 1p; text pp 1-141 Finis. (There is mispagination - 101-111; 126-128-128-129 but the text is continuous.); blanks 2; title page 'The Free-holders Grand Inquest 1679; author's preface 7pp; title pages - 'Reflection concerning the original of government' 1679, 'The Anarchy of a limited or mixed monarchy' 1679, and 'An Advertisement to the Jury-Men of England touching witches' 1679; the argument 1p; The free-holders grand inquest pp 1-88; half title 'Observations upon Aristotle's Politiques..; preface 10pp; text pp 1-76; half title 'Observations concerning the original..' ; preface 5pp; text pp 1-72; half title - 'The Anarchy of a limited...'; preface 4pp; text pp 257-312; the end; half title 'an advertisement to the jury...'; text 4pp; Difference between English and Hebrew Witches pp 313-346; finis. There is a mispagination - 318-320-320 but text is continuous; and a paper flaw hole in the bottom margin of p 343. Contents are in very good clean condition with light toning to paper. A scarce work.