viathan.

Under the same fears he framed an apology for himself and his
writings; observing, that the exceptionable things in his Leviathan
were not his opinions, so much as his suppositions, humbly submited to
those who had the ecclesiastical power, and never since dogmatically
maintained by him either in writing or discourse; and it is much to be
suspected, as Dr. Kennet observes, that upon this occasion, he began
to make a more open shew of religion and church communion. He now
frequented the chapel, joined in the service, and was generally a
partaker of the sacrament; and when any strangers used to call in
question his belief, he always appealed to his conformity in divine
service, and referred them to the chaplain for a testimony of it.
Others thought it a meer compliance with the orders of the family; and
observed, he never went to any parish church, and even in the chapel
upon Sundays he went out after prayers, and would not condescend to
hear the sermon, and when any friend asked the reason of it, he gave
no other answer but this, that preachers could tell him nothing but
what he knew. He did not conceal his hatred to the clergy; but it was
visible his aversion proceeded from the dread of their civil power and
interest. He had often a jealousy that the bishops would burn him; and
of all the bench he was most afraid of Dr. Seth Ward, bishop of Sarum,
because he had most offended him. Dr. Kennet further observes, that
his whole life was governed by his fears.

In the first Parliament of 1640, while it seemed to favour the
measures of the court, he wrote a little tract in English wherein he
demonstrated as himself tells us, that all the power and rights
necessary for the peace of the kingdom, were inseparably annexed to
the sovereignty of the King's person. But in the second parliament of
that year, when they proceeded fiercely against those who had written
or preached in defence of the regal power; he was the first that fled,
went over into France, and there continued eleven years. Whether from
the dread of assassination, or as some have thought from the notion of
ghosts and spirits, is uncertain, but he could not endure to be left
in an empty house; whenever the earl of Devonshire removed, he would
accompany him; even in his last stage from Chatsworth to Hardwick,
when in a weak condition, he dared not be left behind, but made his
way upon a feather bed in a coach, tho' he survived the journey but a
few days. H