TO MY WORTHY FRIEND MR. GLEN.[3]

WORTHY SIR,

I received here in Florence, two days since, a letter from you of the 19th of January. It was long by the way; but when it came it did thoroughly recompence that delay. For it was worth all the pacquets I had received a great while together. All that passeth in these parts is equally news, and therefore no news; else I would labour to requite your letter in that point, though in the handsome setting down of it, I should still be your inferior.

I long infinitely to see those books of the Sabbaoth[4], and am of your mind they will put such thoughts into the heads of vulgar people, as will confer little to their good life. For when they see one of the ten commandments to be _jus humanum_ merely, (as it must be if the Church can alter it), they will hope also that the other nine may be so too. For every man hitherto did believe that the ten commandments were the moral, that is, the eternal law.

I desire also to see Selden’s _Mare Clausum_, having already a great opinion of it.

You may perhaps, by some that go to Paris, send me those of the Sabbaoth, for the other being in Latin, I doubt not to find it in the Rue St. Jaques.

We are now come hither from Rome, and hope to be in Paris by the end of June. I thank you for your letter, and desire you to believe that I can never grow strange to one, the goodness of whose acquaintance I have found by so much experience. But I have to write to so many, that I write to you seldomer than I desire; which I pray pardon, and esteem me

Your most affectionate friend and humble servant THO. HOBBES.

_Florence, Apr. (6)/(16) 1636._

My Lord and Mr. Nicholls, and all our company commend them to you.

Footnote 3:

Probably George Glen, who was installed Prebend of Worcester in 1660, and died in 1669.

Footnote 4:

The History of the Sabbath. In two books. By Peter Heylyn. 4to. 1636.