laureate plough and in a ploughman which had borne triumph froÌ„ the warres Semblably we reade that Deiotarus king of Armenia was a most diligent husbandman and Xenophon obserueth in the life of Cirus how painefull hee was in tillage and rusticall labour For it is manifest that out of such folke very strong and apt souldiers are chosen and enabled for the warres because through laborious exercise their bodies are better knit and confirmed in health and strength then either merchants or artificers which dwell in the walled townes And hence was it that the Romanes erected without the city those temples to their saint of Medecine Esculapius constantly beleeuing and meaning that villagers were in better health then citizens or such as inhabited walled townes They which haue written of the dignities of agriculture and husbandrie were Chares Parius Hesiodus Apollâ—…dorus and Lemnius in the Greeke language amongst the Latines Cato Varro Columella Virgillius c. And in this order according to my weake inuention and iudgement haue I fashioned and appropriated the politike parts and members of a Common-wealth hauing also giuen soule and life vnto it Now for as much as it behooueth needfully that these members vnder one head and of one body should harmoniously conuerse and consent in loue and sympathie which nature teacheth in our owne bodies by the compassion and succour that one member hath of and in another by supplying health to the common defects and mutually mitigating the maladies in themselues with a kind of reciprocall tolleration passion and consent indifferently I will speake somewhat of that vnitie which God out of his infinite benignitie offereth and teacheth vnto vs of this nation so coupled and aduned vnder your highnesses sanctified scepter The lawes of nature as I said teach vs how pleasant and consonant it is with the spirit of life that all members accord in affection and mutuall aide one towards another Since therefore it hath pleased the true wisedome and omnipotent grace of God to make of these two kingdomes one bodie vnder one head meseemeth it should not sticke in any mans opinion how the same can any way prooue vnfit or vnprofitable Which diuerse more vpon peruerse opinion than any reasonable consideration impudently seeme to beleeue But the wiser sort which though fewest in number are soundest in iudgement perfectly know the contrarie In magna namquè repub multa varia ingenia sunt For the wits of people in a great Commonwealth be variable and many Yea such as are of repugnant opinions considering therefore that by nature euery bodie hath one head onely like one roote from which many braunches vnited in one tree doe spring if it be not a monstrous bodie so semblably should each head haue but one bodie for how deformed and horrible were it in the sight of nature that one head should haue two bodies especially whereas they bee knit by nature from the beginning as these kingdomes both in one roote being all members of one bodie from the first vnited then seuered againe by the great and most mysticall prouidence of Almightie God and now reunited in your Maiesties blessed gouernment for the accomplishment of Gods vnreuealeable and incomprehensible iudgement Since therefore we draw together in one yoake wee may not separate by dissent some with their stiffe neckes behind and others with their obedient heads before for oxen yoaked in such sort can neuer tyll the land nor tread out the corne but leaue it barren and out of order For it is impossible that the labour should succeede well when some kicke with their heeles when they should haue drawne with their heads making a distraction so much more violent through their disobedience by how much more force there is in them that are so distracted and from hence breaketh out the ruine and confusion of all good gouernment and policie which answereth to the saying of our Sauiour Christ Omne regnum in se diuisum desolabitur Euery kingdome diuided in it selfe becommeth desolate And if this should happen against which all good men should make their deprecations that God might auert the calamitie which would impend it Doubtlessely the same cannot but proceede from our owne maleuolence and peruerse distortion according to that true saying of Salust Vbi boni mores nunquam discordia nec auaritia vbi auaritia nunquam boni mores nec vera concordia c. Where good manners and honest fashions are vsed neither can discord nor auarice bee found but where auarice reigneth you shall neuer find good manners nor true charitie And therefore let vs watch and pray that wee fall not into discord at any time after this our blessed vnion composed by that sacred and most charitable hand of our liege soueraigne least by those disastrous means we become fearfull of those nations whoÌ„ otherwise we may retaine in due fear of vs. Turne we therefore with ioyfull vnanimitie one towards another and let vs which haue receiued much light and true glory from so gracious powerfull a king detest all malicious factions and distractions which assuredly breake out of minds and spirits bare of honour and abiect vnto themselues in all vnworthinesse which are persuaded that auarice and ambition are the truest dignities in man more than all his other mentall and intellectuall faculties Firmanda sunt igitur concordiae vincula discordiae mala expellenda Let vs therefore make strong the bonds of our concord and expell the mischiefes of discord For it hath beene our auncient honour and the Brittaine glorie recorded of this Nation by Cornelius Tacitus Commune periculum concordia propulsandum cognouere Britanni in vit Iul. Agricolae The Brittaines by their mutuall and intestine concord knew well how to repell all common dangers to themselues Vnite we therefore cheerefully for according to Socrates this vnion of a Commonwealth is the very worke and scope of friendship and such as are true friends Ettam â—…b vehementiam amoris cupiunt connasci vnum ex duobus fieri Desire euen in the vehement heate of their loue to bee borne together againe and one entire to be made out of two bodies Which vnion or communion of the lawes and liberties with other emoluments answerable to the rule of need and decencie is confirmed by discipline and discipline comprehended in the Lawes and in Philosophie When England and Scotland were separated yet were they brethren for in one Prouerbe they did consent That England was the elder and Scotland the younger brother And of late yeares their accord was so naturall prognosticating this indissoluble vnion that to the breake-necke spight of our enemies our late peace of Englands dauncing in spirituall consolation fed vpon that counsell which the diuine Psalmist vttered Ecce quà m bonum quà m iucundum est fratres habit are in vnum And in the dayes of our fathers when any iarres happened betwixt vs they were such cauils or emulations rather as commonly fall amongst brethren which though they
of vice to giue a liuely spirit to the desire of vertue to maintaine a due proportion in all Offices and to win the constant loue of a Commonwealth with excellent prudence and desert yet without these either in the prince in him that counselleth or in them both no Commonwealth can flourish for the natures of mens wits are threefold that which is principall and sacred can out of his owne iudgement without assistance aduise and execute soundly with all commendable facilitie the second dealeth wisely by direction the third can doe neither the first excellent in it selfe the second laudable by the first the last vnprofitable in all If therefore the prince haue this principall gift then is hee the Sunne to those starres of his Counsell which giue a reasonable light from his influence being a sweet perfection of goodnesse in any Commonwealth And if his Counsellours haue that diuine spirit of Sapience in themselues by Gods ordinance for the weale of his people where the prince hath this second facultie to be directed or perswaded by them yet is that notwithstanding a strong sufficient and good state But if both the Prince and his Counsell hold the substance of all good wisedome in themselues wisely to consult and direct being willing also to be counselled and directed in wisedome without doubt that dominion will flourish and amplifie Contrarily what a wretched and ruinous estate which faileth both in the prince and in his counsell As when God had purposed to destroy the state of Israel he threatened to that nation how children should beare their scepter and feeble persons direct their publicke counsels Which kind of feeblenesse is attributed not vnaptly to foolish and ambicious counsellors whom Salust in one Oration to Caius Iulius Caesar resembleth vnto the superfluous ballase of a ship which as things vnprofitable minimique precij vpon the suddaine violence of any tempest the masters and Officers being puzzled and in distresse hoise first ouer board Neither can it serue that the prince haue all which may be required in himselfe onely but that they which must ayde him in administration of his estate bee furnished with competent knowledge also for as it sufficeth not to keepe the bodie in health by withdrawing all euill humors and infirmities from the head vnlesse the heart with other principall and inward members of the bodie bee semblably with due correspondence attempered in their seuerall functions so doth it not accord that the king being absolute in his parts onely the state also should be safe if his Senatours doe not by some dutifull diligence and proportion of vertues answerable knit all up in perfection For what is hee that can consult and dispatch many serious causes at once and absolutely without helpe Suppose him more found in wisdome and knowledge than Salomon or stronger by three degrees than Hercules yet doth experience in nature teach vs that a necessarie necessitie requireth this election of approoued good Counsellors without which ayde no prince can support the burthen of a kingdome neither can his owne outward sences properly performe those inward Offices which are required towards the ruling of a multitude Besides according with Tacitus No man is so naturally prompt or hath that dexteritie to deale in his owne cause which he shall find in himselfe solliciting for another And in another place Grauissimi principis labores queis orbem terrae capessit egent adminicutis The most serious labours of a prince by which hee winneth the whole earth stand in need of helpes For they to whom much businesse and many people are committed haue much need of counsell Euery good Prince which did formerly gouerne was attended with as many Counsellors as he was with eyes eares and hands Caius Caesar with Quintus Paedius and Cornelius Balbus Augustus with Mecoenas and Agrippa Adrianus with Celsus Saluius and Neratius Marcus Antoninus with Scaeuola Mutianus and Volatianus Seuerus with Papinianus And to be short our late Princes of most fortunate and blessed memorie Queene Elizabeth and your Maiestie with Sir Nicholas Bacon Sir Walter Mildemay Sir Iohn Cheeke Sir Francis Walsingham William Lord Burghley Robert Earle of Leycester Robert Cecyll Earle of Salisburie Sir The. Egerton Lord Elesmere and Chancellor Sir Tho. Sackuylle Earle of Dorset now Lord Treasurer with diuerse others And hence is it that Cicero noteth Not with swiftnesse and bodily strength great matters are ordered but with counsell and authoritie Likewise Salust With much reading and hearing I find that all Nations haue beene prosperous so long as iust counsell preuailed with them but being once with partialitie feare and pleasure corrupted presently their wealth wasted their Empire vanished and slaâ—…erie tyrannized vpon them And as Dionysius Halicarnassaeus writeth the cause why Rome so long flourished was That the gouernours of the Empire were directed by Counsels of the Senate not following their owne opinions for by the assembly of wise Counsellors the princes wisedome is encreased As Capitolinus writeth Bonus fit si bonis amicis vtatur That Prince which maketh vse of good friends is made a good Prince By their Counsels likewise saith Otho the Emperour in Tacitus is the goodnesse and wisedome of princes opened also Salust calleth Prosperitatem regis famam Consiliarij The kings prosperitie to depend vpon the Counsellors fame and so by good inuersion the fame of a Counsellour to depend vpon the kings prosperitie But it is needlesse to stand so much vpon the necessitie thereof being so well knowne to the weakest iudgement A Counsell therefore according to Bodin is a lawfull congregation or assembly of choise persons which aduise the king in times of peace and warre how to gouerne the Commonwealth and as Furio Ceriolano defineth them Counsellors are apt persons chosen for fit businesse in whom there is required good sufficiencie towards the administration of all matters debated in Counsels Demosthenes therefore calleth consultation The chapiter and constancie the base of all vertues I will particularly speake in my third booke of Offices somwhat concerning the Councels of England and hauing in these Offices occasion generally to touch the secret councels of a state also I will breifely write what I haue in part gathered concerning the strict and priuat councell of France omitting the councell at large which is called the Grand Counsell consisting vpon the L. Chauncellour to whom with the maisters of the Requests for their more ease and expedition in publicke businesse with which theyformerly were much entangled king Charles the eight added seuenteene councelours spirituall and temporall After whom his successor Lewes the 12 superadded one prelate and two more counsellours fulfilling the number of 20 besides two secretaries whereof one did serue in place of an actuarie it being further ordayned that these should keepe six moneths continually together in councell betwixt seuen and ten in the forenoone and after dinner betwixt three and fiue houres This Senate therfore which the French king doth
nations by generall suffrages and ioyfull vnanimitie Such was the election of Deioces amongst the Medians of Samothes amongst our auncient Brittaines and amongst the Gaules of Minos in Crete of Numa Pompilius the successour of Romulus who being absent was chosen king of the Romanes vehemently persuaded and vrged to take vpon him that Soueraignetie which hee most peremptorily refused a long time for a true king is the viue patterne and Idaea of all vertues reuerenced amongst his people subiects and vassales as a god vpon earth whose regall authoritie being receiued from the most great and ineffable prouidence grace and secret charter of God vnder the blessed seale of his omnipotencie ought by him in all humilitie to be continually ascribed and reacknowledged to his incomprehensible deitie For God of himselfe being most wise most iust and most good would haue a most wise a most iust and a most good vice-gerent to rule his people in all righteousnes and equitie Yea the barbarous rabble did so wonder and adore their first kings in those former ages that they did faine and comment how they were not dead but translated into heauen amongst their prophane gods Many write that the three speciall vertues of a king are Sapience Iustice and Concord which without doubt are three of the foure triumphant wheeles of his renowned and euerlasting glorie but certaine it is that hee which is verely valiant magnanimious and industrious and he that with assiduitie vigilancie iustice and equitie doth well gouerne his people committed to his faith and sapience after the manner of good shepheards which carefully guide and attend their flockes doth doubtlessely discharge his function by iust meanes well and faithfully Finally these three properties are they which sanctifie him amongst his subiects and through the whole world Clemencie which is the iewell of princes Mercy the Sun-shine of kings and Lenitie being as it were the milke of maiestie The third one people including the Commonwealth which also should acknowledge one only God and one king considering the corporeall resemblance which is betwixt him and God both of them soueraigning ouer our soules and bodies in ecclesiasticall and ciuile lawes for so much as wee be naturally borne vnder that obedience as those other two former by their proper power beare domination ouer the nations of this earth God hauing his vertue of himselfe infinite omnipotent and limitlesse the king holding his authoritie by the deputation grace and sufferance of the most high God as his immediate steward to direct and to see them instructed in his holy Scriptures and commaundements as also with his owne ciuile and politicke sanctions to gouerne them that they might liue in loue peace and vnion together as one flocke obedient and answering vnto the voyce of their spirituall and temporall pastors without wandering or straying from their obedience like lost sheepe which growing wild acknowledge not any shepheard This third estate is diuided into the nobler sort including as well ministers and magistrats immediat and mediate vnder God and the king as the commons and folke out of which are framed all inferior politicke corporations trades and mysteries as I partly touched in these Morals before From those three the sanctified reasonable and absolute bodies of all Commonweales are deriued their soules being drawne from the perfect and authenticall religion deliuered and approued in sacred Scriptures which hold mens hearts in loue feare worship and obedience vnto God to their princes and towards all sorts of people This soule ought as I haue partly declared in the Morals of my third booke like iustice equally to peize it selfe without wauing either to the right or to the left hand further than is warranted by the written word vttered from Gods holy spirit by the mouths of all our Patriarchs the Prophets and Apostles This is the mightiest and most excellent charge which rideth vpon the wings of euery good kings soule presenting him sanctified and without blemish before the precious throne of God The king gouerning and preseruing in peace and good order those nations and people which are by Gods blessed ordinance laid vnder his scepter is properly called the head of this bodie beeing the noblest member thereof and placed in the toppe containing that rich treasure of all the sences exterior and interior as of imagination vnderstanding memorie and common sence whereas all other members beeing subiect and obedient thereunto be partakers of touch onely It likewise giueth liuely faculties to the whole bodie as the Spring head doth to those other riuers which are naturally deriued from it And therefore euery body without a head wanteth his life and sence whereas though it want both legges and armes it may liue and haue his being though lame and miserable In like sort all waters not abounding from a Spring are fennes pooles and marishes mortified and without motion whereas if diuerse armes and riuers braunching from the head were taken away yet would a liuely facultie remayne alwayes in the Spring And therefore the best Philosophers and Physitions as Aristotle and Auicenne accord herein that all sence and motion beginneth in the braine which being temperate maketh a good memory which is gotten by quietnesse by which the memorie groweth rich with knowledge In such similitude and order all the perfect sences and motions of the Commonwealth begin in the prince who being temperate in himselfe shall attaine that rich wise memorie which is by the Morallists and sage Poets called very properly the mother of their nine Muses and thereby like king Salomon become perfect in all sapience and prudence This match is made by tranquilitie for so much as the zealous care and studie to purchase peace maketh euery king blessed and reuerend and in the presence and sight of God and of his people Out of which the glorious renowne honour and good memorie of euery vertuous prince groweth famous in the knowledge of all posteritie for euer euen as for their golden gouernment king Salomon and Octauius Augustus were whose glorie shall endure with this worlds memorie O what a comfort then may rest with the royall spirits and diuine sences of your mightinesse when all these blessings shall be plentifully poured down from God vpon your gracious head with that oyle of gladnesse and vpon the bodie of your kingdomes with that Angelicall Mánna of spirituall goodnesse which was proclaimed at the birth of Christ Iesus in the blessed dayes of Octauian when all the corners of the earth were in a long and deepe silence as after a strong suddaine tempest which excellent foode of peace your blessed Maiestie hath in your sapience from God preserued with grace and amitie to distribute amongst all the nations and princes of Christendome And 〈◊〉 these youâ—… Maiesties heauenly studies and contemplations for the weale and happinesse both of your owne and of other Christian pâ—…es your brethren and their people are infinite and alwayes waking so are we with a sacred and euer burning zeale strongly bound
FOVRE BOOKES of Offices ENABLING PRIVAT persons for the speciall seruice of all good Princes and Policies Made and deuised by BARNABE BARNES LONDON Printed at the charges of George Bishop T. Adams and C. Burbie 1606. TO THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHTIE LORD IAMES by the grace of God King of great Britaine France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. And in him Barnabe Barnes the most humble and loyall Subiect of his Maiestie wisheth the very perfection of all spirituall and temporall felicitie Blessed Soueraigne A Iust King which like a single eye fixt in the righteous scepter of God and by diuine ordination sent as a bright Angell of his worship to gouerne amongst the children of men is hyeroglyphically represented by figure of the sun For as a vertue which vertueth other inferiour Starres it holdeth the golden bridles of the day whose seate is therefore by preheminence esteemed most noble because as a iust Iudge placed in the middest it equaly distributeth light to those other Planets giuing grace to Saturnes grauitie might to Iupiters maiestie fortitude to the force of Mars beneuolence to the beautie of Venus pith to the persuasion of Mercurie with constancie to the Moones mutabilitie by the royall gouernment of his equall power and diuine sapience which moderateth all vnstayed perturbations of his people as the Moone doth by noble influence from it restraine all turbulent and outragious billowes of the violent seas being through domination of this seuenth sphere so metaphysically kept within their bounds that they cannot transgresse nor vsurpe vpon earth The Sunnes Chariot also representing the iudgement seate of imperiall authoritie drawne by foure horses figuring the foure columnes of royall maiestie deciphered in these insuing offices leadeth him through the Zodiak of the twelue Morall vertues in and through which hee raigneth and gouerneth vpon earth in comfort peace and plentie blessing the foure mightiest Princes of this world with the light of his countenance as in ministring fire to Vulcanus ◅to Pallas the gray morning and balmy verdure of Ayre which repurifieth her vnderstanding with knowledge to the great towering Goddesse Ops that motherly fruitfulnesse which crowneth Ceres Bacchus Minerua Pales with corne wine oyle and milke lastly to Neptune and Thetis that infinite seed ingendred and multiplied of them in the waters so that those foresaid Elements out of whose vertues all creatures liuing vegetant are by diuine ordinance composed receiue life and influence from the Sunne This kingly Planet likewise holdeth dominion ouer the torments of hell which should seem to be made out of the excesse and poison of those foure Elements as is euident by those angels which fell from the three hierarchies for their sins in pride disobedience sloath wrath enuie lecherie and gluttonie for by the diuine musicke of Orpheus these furies and torments were appeased so that hee brought thence his wife Eur◅dice For Phoebus is by the philosophicall Poets mythologically called the God and Patron of Musicke Prophecies and Chirurgerie which was to life expressed by that holy King Dauid who being both a blessed Prophet and diuine in lyricall musicke had by force of his melodie charmed that euill spirite wherewith King Saul was possessed Onely the chyrurgeries wherein true Princes are principally skilled appeare in the sac◅ed notice and cure of those inward diseases and griefes that infect and macerate their flockes which they like good and fatherly Shepheardes should heale with good Lawes and Discipline And yet your Grace hath that oyle of grace and comfort powred vpon you more then your fellow-princes to cure all mischieuous and infistulated impostumes which GOD smiteth vpon the iawes of his people to make your glories the more in healing and his glories infinite by those blessings bestowed vpon your annointed hands which diseases are otherwise remedilesse being a diuine gift from aboue to that holy King Edward your Maiesties antecessor and after him to the rest of his sanctified seed by sacred direction legacied as hath formerly beene to the Kings of France also Wherefore your Highnesse being Vnctus in regem sacerdotem cum vnguento laetitiae super omnes terrae reges socios tuos fitly resemble this bright Planet in his cleerest Maiestie euen as that most sacred Psalmist King Dauid also both for your Poeticall faculties as in respect of your diuine Priest-hood and chirurgerie hauing by good experience more then any man liuing euer did tasted of the wonderfull wisedome and loue of God who by such strange wayes surpassing humane reason hath wrought out your Graces fortune in the weale of vs your louing and loyall subiects farre beyond all the wily machinations plots and imaginations of men which haue as your Royaltie well knoweth beene manifoldly frustrated that it might bee performed which God had ordained and promised by the mouthes of diuers soothsaying Augers to perfect and establish in your seede the true tryumphant and vniuersall Christian Monarchie Howbeit as no man liuing can haue a sweeter taste or cleerer declaration of Gods vnspeakable power beyond all the soundest counsels resolutions of our mortal Princes then your Grace hath had in all actions considering the strange meanes that hath been wrought by God through the plots of men destined to other purposes to make your name glorious and that your royall seede might inherite this Empire so neede wee not doubt but that like a good Physition your Maiestie as it hath already graciously begun the cure of some small diseases in this kingdome which God onely left vnto your gacious wisedome that the whole body might be kept cleane and at ease shall auspiciously continue the same to be the same vnder the golden rodde of your right royall posteritie foreuer by strong purgation and correction of the proud chollerick and melancholick humors thereof which is the true methode of a kingly Phisition and shall doubtlesly bring the head and whole bodie to perfect peace and health Against the Sunne vpon which no reasonable creature can stedfastly fixe his mortall eyes least they be dazeled infeebled or blinded with the pretious cleeretie thereof being another type of sacred Maiestie that imperiall bird soueraigning ouer the swift fethered creatures of the ayre by nature opposeth his sight as Orus Apollo writeth in his hieroglyphiks how the Sages of Aegypt and Chaldaean Priests whē they would signifie diuine power humane Empire preheminence blood or victorie did pourtraict an Eagle What miracles he findeth through his stedfast sharpe and penetrating inspection within that sanctified Orbe of bright vertue may be referred to those misticall naturallists which in the Metaphysicall cardes of their reason haue obscurely shadowed those things that by mythologies are out of many curious heades from farre shot at by some neere hit and by very few truely touched Caius Iul. Caesar to whom this Land with others contributed gaue in his ensigne of golde a blacke Eagle perpendicularly mounting which Plinie noteth in the nature of that bird For it is written that ouer
foure Counsels besides the Senate and gentlemen of that state The first called Consilio de Saui which prudently deliberate and deale in all the land causes the second in like sort called Consilio de Saui appertaining the Admiraltie Consilio de deci Consilio de setti Vpon which last seuen the whole burthen of that Commonwealth and of the Seignories thereof is amply reposed Like vnto which sometimes we reade how the state of Sparta was or if a Democracie like the present state of Swizzerland or if the gouernment thereof be referred to the King and to his Nobles as now in Denmarke and in other ages at Rome when the kings raigned vntill the Tarquines or to the King and to his Commons as in Persia or to the Nobles and people together as at Rome after their Kings were cried downe at Athens once and at this day in Florence Siene with other free states of Italie or to the King with his nobles and people respectiuely as is common in Germany Poleland Arragon When he hath entred into such knowledge then is it fit that he consider by the diseases and by the causes procuring them which forme is good and which bad for if this life which I tearme to bee the forme of gouernment bee sicke or diseased it is required that the Counsellor should play the part of a wise Physition by purgations diets vomites bloud-lettings or other remedies to medicine and rectifie the state of that bodie where such policie laboureth After such notes let him measure by what seuerall formes these or any such principalities were conserued and lost by what lawes and magistrates they were and must bee succoured in troublesome times If hee bee wanting herein how shall hee giue aduice vnto the Prince or State in any troublesome or difficult seasons towards the cure of any desperate diseases or wounds happening vnto the Common-wealth Or without this knowledge how shall hee direct him in his behauiour towards friends confederates enemies or others for their benefite or annoyance Hee should in like case haue perfect knowledge in the plots heads and grounds of all sedicions and troubles with the wayes to suppresse them whether the Prince his force bee knit vp in bagges or locked vp in the peoples hearts what and how many wayes may bee found with honest colour to breake peace against him that neuer gaue occasion thereof whether it bee more meere that Princes encounter their enemies without their owne territories or expect them in campe at home All which is taught by the iudicious reading of Hystories In this my Counsellor I would require much readinesse and quicknesse of wit for moderate sharpenesse and dexteritie compose the heads bodies and fect of all good actions That light therefore which beautifieth euerie noble and excellent wit must be diuine singular and vnusuall Howbeit a politicall wit if I may so tearme it Quasinatum ad congregationem societatem As instituted to congregate and advnâ—… people as Freigius defineth the same most excellently magnifieth a Counsellor for thereby doth hee referre all things vnto the common societie to the coniunction vnion or collection of people and companies reforming and wisely preuenting all ciuile and dangerous distractions and diuisions amongst the multitude This is that wit which euery gentleman that purposeth to trauaile into forraine countries ought to be possessed of and without it Caelum non animum mutat He changeth his nation and not his condition Because it teacheth him the formes constitutions augmentations diminutions mutations lawes religions rites and iudgements of those nations where he soiourneth It is the true guide and sweet companion of iourneyes and peregrination according to the saying of Socrates in Xenophon Generosumest omnifauore dignum ingenium cui sunt cordi disciplinae politicae That wit is generous and deserueth all fauour which taketh delight in politicall discipline The apparant tokens properties of such a wit are when in answering they seeme prompt sound short in apprehension quicke iudicious attentiue in teaching methodicall and luculent in ieasting pleasant and circumspect in serious matters diligent warie likewise in the whole course of his owne nature so carefull as he may make effectuall tokens appeare of his great loue respect of vertue Moreouer a noble wit neuer walketh in wayes vulgarly frequented neuer speaketh after the vulgar fashion neuer is mercinarie neuer abruptly breaketh off a period but doth all things with exceeding decencie No man which is verely worthied in regard of his wit that taketh any delight in base and common matters sayth Seneca Et magna quae sunt ingenia aegrè serunt iniuriam Mightie wits cannot easily brooke iniuries according to Salust Other garbes and attributes are likewise obserued in these wits as in the entertainement which proceedeth from such ingenuous persons being performed with a liberall and most cheerefull courtesie and sweetly seasoned with a gracious and plausible discourse Such a wit turneth and looketh into good and euill embracing and extolling the one rebuking and eschewing the other by good discretion not fearing malice or offence All actions flourishing out of it are cheerefull and perfected with a commendable spirit working alwayes in meditation contemplation comprehension and as it were a palpitation of all things exercised in much reading conference and societie with people of all conditions and humors busied in knowledge of matters past present and to come studying to be generally wel skilled in all laudable arts neuer slouthfull neuer wearie triumphing in many labours vexations and troubles Quippè secundaeres sapientum animos fatigunt Such a wit should seeme was in Scipio Africanus whose businesse seemed most great when his action was least Nec vnquam minus solus fuit quam cum solus esset Prudentissimus etenim quisque maximè negotiosus est Neither was he euer lesse at leisure than when he was alone in priuat For euery man which is most prudent is least at leisure And hence is this in Salust Non enim votis nec supplicijs multebribus auxilia deorum comparantur sed vigilando agendo benè consulendo prosperè omnia cedunt For God doth not send his succours to men onely because they doe with a broken spirit obserue strict vowes and make prayers but hee doth admit a generall good successe to them that are vigilant industrious and verely prudent Such wits sweetly flourish in youth and plentifully fructifie resembling as Plato compareth it a fruitfull meddow They bee the grounds of all knowledge being studiously tilled and manured with liberall arts and morall philosophie for as great burthens which cannot be lifted by the strength of many men vnited will bee with one engine easily mooued and turned so wit will sometimes effect which other helpes cannot I doe not meane in this place of subtile and fierie wits which are more fit for innouation than administration of matters prone vnto rebellious and sedicious factions which Salust luculently describeth in the person
Proheme of his Hystories doth affirme Will teach vs what ought to be the principall scope of our desires and detestations This which summoneth all creatures of all countries and fashions as to a generall muster imitating his diuine prouidence which in heauenly iustice and bountie bestoweth vpon euerie man according to demerit all vertuous actions are eternized by the penne of Hystorie so farre doth it surpasse the sage counsels and golden sentences of our forefathers and former Philosophers as times continuance comprehendeth more examples than one mans age This is it which maketh young mens iudgements of parill ripenesse with old age grounding aged persons in the depth of wisedome to whome long experience hath alreadie ministered a dayly triall of causes It maketh priuate men fit for Empire and Emperours earnest in vertue for victories heartening souldiours to giue a courageous charge vpon perils for honour of their countries terrifying malefactors propagating Soueraignetie by good example deuising lawes inuenting arts preferring vertuous actions enfranchised from mortalitie declaring it selfe a memorable and perfect marble-register of misdeedes and generally beneuolent This is it which aged time onely nourisheth when it eateth vp all things besides this is the patterne of eloquence the true mirrour of Philosophie the garden of knowledge and hence is it that Aristotle in his Politickes writeth how the skill of actions and Histories of deedes done most import a Counsellor to learne because things future are like their parent which came before them vpon which all euents of actions commonly depend Hee therefore which in noble Hystorie shall contemplate and meditate vpon the life of a good Prince or Counsellor may find somewhat alwayes worth his own obseruation and practise according to that saying of Seneca Aliquis vir bonus elegendus est nobis ac semper ante oculos habendus vt sic viuamus tanquam illo spectanti omnia faciamus tanquam illo videnti We must propose some one good man for our patterne and alwayes looke vpon him with the eyes of our mind that wee may so liue as if hee were looking vpon vs and so deale as if all our actions were performed in his sight Let a souldiour liue fortie yeares in seruice great and of continuall commaund as great Alexander and Caius Caesar escape in many conflicts as Anniball and Cato receiue so many wounds as Scipio and Scaeua triumph in so many victories subuert so many cities deuise so many stratagemes consult vpon so many leagues and truces enterparley with so many princes spending the full glasse of his time during those yeeres in magnificent actions and noble consultations onely like Cirus Themistocles Epaminondas Cimon Fabius Pelopidas and infinite others auncient and late yet shall one moneths reading in Liuie Plutarch Diodorus Thucydides Polybius Xenophon Dion and some few more which haue eternally recorded all the memorable actions and vertues of them all open more vnto him without bloudshead if hee will studiously conferre and reasonably remember than euer the seruice of many more yeeres with the slaughters of Myriads of souldiors could expresse The knowledge of all persons the meaning of all matters the depth of all secrets is locked vp in Hystorie In it wee find that inestimable treasure of the Lawes by which Commonweales were first ordered and instituted in the sentences of sage and prudent men confirming societies in peace and magnifying them by vertues like Physicke which is an hystoricall commemoration or rapsodie of experiments made by Physitions of old by whose Aphorismes and Precepts our Physitions direct their iudgements and medicines it is a methodicall Schoole-master of humane life examplifying the fashions and natures of people a certaine experience of their actions a sound and prudent Counsellor in difficult affaires The cruelties and exceeding lust of Domitian and of Nero which may be read in Tacitus hath power to terrifie princes from those vices which are recorded of them when also they peruse the lamentable stories of Caligula that Fax fex hominum That fire-brand and filth of men When they reuolue the monstrous obscoenities of Heliogabalus who was amongst the people a Cannon by word scorne and obloquie when they shall looke into the leaues of Maximus his life than whom no man was a more cruell slaughter man of his countrey finding what horrible epethites denominations and attributes were worthely throwne or as it were spit into the blacke legend of his bloudie gouernment being called in diuers places Busyris Phalar is Typhon what better precedent can remaine in detestation of vice Contrariwise the blessed and peaceable reigne of Octauian the goodnesse and gracious condition of Traian of Pertinax of Titus and some others are vehement prouocations to confirme and encourage Princes in iustice and honestie For euen as women which curiously fashion and attire their heads and bodies by their glasse which representeth vnto them all vndecent and comely guizes will presently shew themselues abroad amongst the people finding their bodies by that myrrour pleasingly garnished so Princes by the like resemblance find in the glasse of hystories that which giueth spurs to their vertues and policie The case is lamentable and I haue many times with heauinesse thought it how few be the Chronologiers and Historians of our age how doubtfull and vnfaithfull much of their matter how fearefully and vainly seduced by misprizion and affection Sure I am that infinite actions remaine worthie the penne of hystories nay that which men write of their own princes and nation tendeth lesse to truth than vnto vaine-glorie but that which is written by men of forraine princes people such as Mercury Gallobelgicus falsely proclaimed in his Annales of the world is both vncertaine fallacious and strongly sauouring of malice blind zeale and partiall motions of the mind Whereas if men would faithfully search out by the true records and memorials of realmes and Commonweales the vertuous and vicious actions of princes and people how would it instigate and deterre the well and ill affected rulers and commons of the world to take hold and detestation of goodnes euill In reading of them therefore we must carefully quote the map of actions with the times places the causes executions and euents of things wherein some did prosper and others perish with the reasons why those were gracious and these vnwelcome If any glorious matter happened whether it came by chaunce or felicitie by vertue or good counsell what impediments in contrarie did cause it miscarry A Counsellor should also consider by this knowledge what alterations haue formerly beene as in the realmes of England Scotland Fraunce Ireland Spaine Denmarke Italy with other Nations what Families possessed the Crownes of them and by what titles and meanes how long what the causes of those mutations were how many of euery familie did reigne which of the princes was most religious valiant wise and fortunate which not how many battailes euery prince fought against whom at what time where and vpon what occasion what warres
visendum exhibet non diuitias decori sed ipse illis est flagitio For that person which buildeth a house or towne and garnisheth it with armes hangings and other workes making euery thing more specious therein than himselfe is not honourable in regard of his riches but meerely scandalizeth them through his owne imperfections Such gaynes as Vsurers Publicanes and Iewes of that profession make to liue vpon by the destruction of others is most abhominable and odious for so much as it gayneth by coynes Whereas it is euident that coynes were not deuised because they should both beget and beare fruit of themselues being a thing hatefull and repugnant to nature but ordained therefore that other commodities by meanes of exchange should yeeld vs benefite thereby For Tacitus to prooue this writeth That the old Germanes when coyne was first vsed amongst them did onely loue it for commerce and exchange of marchandize Etiam quod argentum magis quam aurum sequebantur nulla affectatione animi sed quianumerus argenteorum facilior vsui est promiscua vilia mercantibus Euen because they did more desire to haue siluer than gold not for any vaine affectation of their mind but because the number and value of their siluer coynes was more fit for their vse in buying and selling of diuerse cheape things of sundry natures Semblably those trades of adulterat marchandize and traffique in buying or selling of wares which are enriched by perfidious brocage leasings and such dishonesties bee very contemptible Panders likewise and bruitish baudes the ministers of licencious voluptuositie with mercenarie Players Buffones Fidlers Iugglers Flatterers and couening companions liuing vpon any kind of vnlawfull and dishonest shifts by the confusion of ingenuous persons of a liberall nature young and vnexperienced in worldly guile are most loathsome and filthie Let that therefore which is the fountaine and profession of maintenance to them that are house-holders be iust honest and profitable that which is so gotten also let it be frugally spent and husbanded as it is commendably gayned that euery man according to his place apport and qualitie may maintaine that decent state which shall best answere to the glory of his owne countrey where hee breatheth But if O Domus antiqua might in Ciceroes time bee spoken of many when this crooked world was sixteene hundred yeeres and more younger than it is and not growne to that extreame auarice vnto which all aged creatures of nature by course more and more encline what may be said of those pompous buildings at this day which haue chimneyes without fires lodgings without strangers kitchins without meat faire hals without that old and comely guard of stout yeomanrie for which England hath beene formerly famoused In choice of a wife if a man might so haue it this were to bee wished that men towards thirtie yeeres of their age ioyne in marriage with some young woman not much aboue twentie both of them equall in substance and birth so neere as may be well brought vp in modestie good huswiferie prudent of honest parentage not disparaging him in any thing neither proud nor malicious and froward but such as may both loue him well and be worthely beloued againe the persons their state and qualitie considered ouer whom he may not vpon any iealous misconstructions villanous suspect or opinionatiue report of malicious tongues beare a heauie hand without certaine and manifest apparance of her dishonest carriage but in all his actions towards her demeane himselfe honestly godly decently benignely mildly beeing directed by the rule of Christianitie that though he know himselfe to be the head of that double vnited bodie yet he may so repute and esteeme of her as of that other halfe of himselfe ioyning with her in equall care and diligence towards the vertuous education and instruction of his children as hee did with her in procreation of them considering that education is the first second and third part of life without which according to Philosophie all learning is as it were armed iniquitie the definition of Education is Liberorum tà m in sanitate totius corporis quà m in singularum partium concinnitate diligens conserâ—…tio The parents diligent conseruation of their children both in health of bodie and in a generall cleanely propernesse through all parts And in this sort also Ciantor the scholler of Xenocrates hath distributed mans life the first part to bee bestowed in vertuous contemplation and practise the second in recreation and exercise for corporall health the third for honest pleasures and the fourth for the iust acquisition and collection of treasure So that the first threescore yeeres haue reference to the education as well for particular as generall gouernment whether Oeconomicall or Politicall the second prouideth in arming himselfe for death to benefit posteritie The care of a wife is also to ioyne with her husband in prouision for her children that they be furnished with corporall necessaries answerable to her estate exercising them in true religion and obedience disciplining them in arts and trades according to their natures and capacities or as his faculties require He must also keepe a iust audite of his gettings and expences ordering and husbanding his goods with such a prouident hand as that somewhat alwayes according to the proportion of his liuing be with a fatherly foresight reserued each yeere towards their stocke and prosperitie to come Howbeit if he be noble or of such worth as that by the vertues paines worthinesse of his antecessors hee need not to labour for his liuing but hath of his owne without industrie to supplie that charge then must he so moderate and attemper himselfe to frugalitie that he neither seeme prodigall nor couetous but liberall and like himselfe suiting with his place and condition If he liue by trade his apprentises must be well vsed and diligently taught his science and cunning if otherwise keeping and retaining seruants for his traine and countenance with workmen which attend his labour for wages he should see that they bee with good respect and answerable to their qualities entertained and kept in their offices hauing their wages and hire benignely and carefully paied vnto them at times fit and limited prouiding that they grow not insolent contentious or malicious amongst themselues but temperate and honest The respects which ought to be required in a wife are a diligent and dayly care of her house that she personally looke to those houshold commodities and seruices her selfe as is fit that she behaue her selfe honestly towards her husband that she be no scold nor maliciously demeane her selfe that she teach and instruct her children and women seruants in modest conuersation knowledge and behauior that she bee not proud neither sumptuous nor sluttish which those sweet Oracles of wisedome and Oratorie king Salomon and blessed Paul haue diuinely and luculently declared as is read in holy scriptures That if strength serue she giue sucke to her owne children her selfe for as much
from cheerefull and franke hearted spirits contâ—…ually to pray for the perpetuitle thereof with your selfe and with your sanctified issue successiuely to the ioyfull time of our spirituall redemption The heart which containâ—… that spirit of mouing and life by me formerly compared to the forme of gouernment being also the seaâ—… of sapience and of intelligence according to the Physicall saying Corsapit and that of Salomon Da seruo tuo cor intelligens vtâ—…sciat discernere bonum à malo Giue vnto thy seruant an vnderstanding heart to discerne or iudge betwixt good and euill by correspondent faculties gouerneth next to the head in sence and sympathie from which as I said counsell is deriued and by which all theâ—…e faculties are grounded in the mind of man which I may call The immedâ—… vertue of the scâ—…le vpon which mans dignitie dependeth if it be surely fastened in reason that mind being as Philosophers write pure liquid and diuine Wherefore the heart being the precious casket or receptacle thereof I doe resemble to the bodie of this secret counsell for as at the time of conception it is infused hath his principall residence in the heart and with it the soueraigne ladie which is the quintessence thereof being the immortall soule conioyneth with it in this mortall tabernacle so doth the forme or state of the Common wealth with religion establish themselues by the sapience of this counsell The members whereof as one heart inseparable should accord in wisdome consultation and liuely spirit to aduance and put in practise the lawes and precepts of God and of the king Moreouer to that which is meditated and conceiued in the head this heart openeth not to discouer the mind but vpon wise preconsultation and precaution hauing fiâ—…t â—…rtely sifted and discussed euery matter twice or thrice through the pure searle of reason like gold repurified vpon the teste till which time it doth not coÌ„mit any thing to the execution of arms hands fingers of the body the right arme therof being analogically coÌ„pared to the magistrats of â—…rie iustice and the left to ciuill ministers deputed by the king â—…o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such as are iudges holding the balance of equitie which I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…to the left arme and other meaner magistrates supplying the place of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And therefore that excellent Law-father saith that a king is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lege intellectus regituâ—… a corporall god gouerned by the law of vnderstanding Which vnderstanding as I said is conteined in the heart Successiuely the liuer being nurse of that bloud which from thence in great conduits issueth and is through little veins and pipes decently distributed vnto the members of that bodie resembleth the princes treasure This beeing bred and nourished in euery part as it correspondently feedeth and nourisheth theÌ„ againe doth harmoniously keepe this politick body liuely and in health each member according to nature in his seuerall functions imparting comfort to another as in the prince to retaine the tranquilitie of his subiects appeareth by beneuolent retribution and dispensation of their subsidies for their vniuersall prosperitie In this alike as sapience or intelligence gouerneth in the heart so doth the loue of mony in the liuer Cogit enim amare iecur For the liuer procureth loue in creatures And euen by how much the more bloud encreaseth in the body so much the more lust moueth in the members which aptly consenteth with that old Poeticall prouerbe Crescit amor nummi quantum ipsa pecunia crescit The loue of money doth as much encrease as the money doth Also the lungs I compare vnto lawes because from thence as Auicen and Hippocrates write all organes of the voice are drawne according to the saying Pulmo loquitur The liuer giueth speech for the law is not improperly called Oraculum Reipub. lying next vnto the liuer and heart of the Commonwealth which ought to be kept incorrupt because it is so full of pipes as by the least contageon and putrifaction therein the same wil infect endanger the whole bodie and when those pipes are stopped the spirit of life mouing is extinct so that the body perisheth Semblably when the voice of the CommoÌ„wealth and legall proceedings are stopped which I resemble vnto those pipes the forme of policie being also compared to the life of a kingdom by that default is defaced the whole bodies ruine ensuing thereupon And hence are those reuerend Iudges which interprete those laws called Prudents and Sages whose sentences haue formerly retained the same force that lawes ratified as is noted in the beginning of my third booke The head which is the rich treasure-house of these lawes being resembled vnto the prince purely and precisely distributeth and interpreteth all difficulties according to the direction of Gods blessed grace and diuine spirit which worketh in his conscience guiding him in the way of truth with all innocencie and sinceritie so that he will not suffer any thing to proceed from his iudgement and heart in counterfeisance or any verball formalitie to blind and deceiue the simpler sort to satisfie the present impositions of his owne appetite as that wicked Florentine secretarie did aduise princes but it must proceed from a sincere and iust heart which is liberall of the knowledge of equitie with which God hath enriched his heart for the weale of his people according to Architas the Pythagorean Bonum non sempèr beatuÌ„est quando quideÌ„ non in possessione virtutis veruÌ„ in vsu beatitudo cernitur c. That which is good attaineth not a blessed end alwayes because beatitude is not discerned in him which hath the possession of vertue but in him which practiseth it Like him that hath not power to see in vtter darkenesse Out of that head this heart that liuer and these lungs are composed those liberall Artists and Philosophers which in and by them are cherished in euery politicke body such as are instructed in Schooles Colledges and Academies The loynes and thighes I resemble not vnfitly to the true Nobilitie vpon whom for their vertues meerely such honours are by the prince diuolued fortifying and ennobling euery kingdome with their monuments and posteritie according to the precise estimate and attribute of true honour which is as it were a due reuerence bestowed vpon persons in testimoniall of their vertue or an externall token of the Princes or of the peoples good opinion of him that is honoured being Essentiall and Subiectiue in respect of the person which imparteth honour Materiall and Obiectiue regarding him that receiueth honour The ribbes bulke and other baser entrailes may bee likened to the folke and meaner yeomanrie which guard and impale those estates being called the bodie which according to Philosophie being composed of that earthly kind of beginnings serueth as a certaine vessell or receptacle of the mind or rather more properly the prison or sepulchre of those other excellent mentall perfections which contaminate and infect them with a grosse contageon
bee much violent for the time yet they continue but a little time and now the title of brethren is gone in respect of the body politicke for wee bee much neerer than before Hengist hath married with Scota euen as Henry your Maiesties royall father the sonne of L. Matthew Stuarte and of Ladie Margaret who married with your mother Mary daughter to king Iames the fourth and to the Dutchesse of Longueuille after the death of her first husband king Frauncis the second grandchild by the first ventre vnto that good prince of renowned memorie king Henry the seuenth as your Highnesses father was by the second ventre so that it may most fitly be said concerning that blessed coniunction of those two faire and peaceable planets Nuper ex atrocissimis bellorum ciuilium vulneribus paulispèr respirantem amplexi sunt libertatem huius insulae Iacobus quartus Margareta Scotorum coniugio sociati c. Out of the late most bitter wounds of ciuile warres Iames the fourth and Margaret being knit in wedlocke together haue embraced the liberties of this Island euen when it began to faint and draw a weake breath This happie marriage of those two beneuolent planets portendeth the weale of Christendome for in it by a double vnion twice vnited in bloud once by the sacred vnion of the two royall families of Yorke and Lancaster and after by that second vnion in marriage of a daughter and a sonne that a mother and this a father both of them out of the bodies of king Henry and Queene Elizabeth is this match made betwixt Hengyst and Scota more firme than euer at the first when Brutus raigned ouer them before their separation in the persons of Locryn and Albanact Iam non sunt duo sed caro vna Which sacred circumscription was figured and stamped in a peece of coyne of your late royall parents vpon their vnion figuratiuely presaging this vnion also Since therefore these nations thus coupled in one bodie be both of them knit vp in your Maiesties royall person and posteritie there is not any doubt but that they will liue loue and accord in sincere vnitie together perfecting and accomplishing that generall peace of conscience which was begun and yet continued from the first of your Maiesties late dearest sister her beginning in reigne euen to this instant of your gracious gouernment your Highnesse representing the person of this auncient Brittaine comprehending the new spouse Scotland within your princely bodie though your royall residence be kept with vs as in the bride-groomes chamber hath that vbiquitie by God graunted you touching the ciuile supremacie which his omnipotencie retaineth ouer all creatures For though your Grace being head doe not really touch certaine parts of your Commonwealths bodie yet that power and vertue which is contained in your heart liuer and lungs doth gouerne and moderate in those places by direction of that head which commaundeth and predominateth all the members insomuch as they neede not say that the bridegroome is taken from them and that they shall fast because they conuerse with him in power feasting with vs vnder his goodnesse for wee bee children of the bride-chamber all alike And it is not to bee doubted but that this new bride will declare her true loue and loyall demeanure towards her husband whatsoeuer sedicious or malecontented spirits mistrust or misconster for shee is from the first bud of her youth acquainted with her husband hauing a perfect and infallible notice by long tryall and hath sincerely plighted her faith What is he then worthie that would in the roote of all bitternesse seuer the barke from the tree by nefarious breach of this blessed vnion that I may speake vulgarly sowing the seede of dissention of intestine garboyle and burlyment amongst auncient brethren by making the peaceable members of one bodie to rebell against themselues and against the will of God Let them that haue scarcely sucked so much as of the vile dregs of nature iudge hereof For if two weake ones vnited make a competent strength then certainely two nations so combined and of such force beeing seuerall such as haue borne battaile and confounded the puissantest princes of Christendome may very well grow most mightie by their vnited force whereas if they should not now confirme themselues in vnfained amitie which God hath commaunded it must necessarily follow that it had beene a million fold better for them that they neuer had knit in that nuptiall band together for then will they both of them loose their owne forces in mutuall resistance opening their glories to the spoyle of base and despised enemies We now stand one in more need of another than euer we did before if wee consider it and onely because we haue incorporated our hearts lawes and obediences together vnder one God and one King which hath not beene of so many hundred yeeres past Nam vtrumque per se indigens alterum alterius auxilio indiget For both of them being single and standing in some neede of succour may stand one the other in steede with their owne succours This if wee ponder with franke and honourable accord and shall ioyfully rouse vp and vnite our noble spirits together with all heroycall obedience and true magnanimitie vnder our dread Soueraigne for him against his enemies as we haue alreadie done our kingdomes for if we will endeuour and accommodate our selues but to this our blessing of vnitie which euery vaine foole vnlesse the false tempter bewitch him will apprehend with all comfort profered from so sweete good and gracious hands of the Lord of our hoastes then Neque orbis terrarum neque cunctae gentes conglobatae mouere aut contundere queant hoc imperium Neither the whole world nor all the nations and people of this earth assembled in hostile troupes shall haue power to shiuer or batter down this our Empire Hereof let vs prudently consider being a matter of such high consequence for no mans imagination apprehension precaution or prouidence can bee so strong in this case as is requisite Nam de futuro nemo omnium satis callidus prudensque est Let vs therefore prudently consider and it shall appeare how both these kingdomes which were so long seuered heretofore haue beene from the first remembrance which is remayning of this Island since it was first inhabited by Brutus who shared it amongst his sonnes and after him long and many times made one bodie and how standeth then the present state of them in comparison Euen as one auncient tree lopped off from the bole wherein by processe of time diuers old Danish Saxon and French graffes haue beene planted which take their vertue from the roote of that ancient Brittaine stocke including England Scotland and Wales by times continuance reincorporate and flourishing out againe in one fruitfull tree So that in the persons of your Grace and of your sweete spouse in whome the fruits of all these nations now prosper these seuerall plants graciously sprout
thy God reioyce in thee c. This is that blessing which hath beene so long prediuined and promised so that our auncestors in many fore-passed ages haue heartely longed to see the same but could not Let vs therefore which haue gotten this iewell highly rate and esteeme it and as we wish for the continuance of that peace which dependeth thereupon so let vs embrace and defend the same least the prouerbe bee verefied amongst vs with our calamitie That Enuie succeedeth our first glorie that we make not foes of our fellowes and fellowes of our foes Accord we therefore with ioyfull endeauours in vnanimitie because peace and friendship cannot possibly reigne together in people of diuerse and variable minds Let vs esteeme our selues all alike in libertiâ—… without ambicious crowding or thronging in for prioritie ascribing all earthly power and preheminence to the Soueraign of our nation and liuing togeher as men commorant in one familie Qui eodem igne fumo vtuntur c. Let vs like those auncient noble Romanes dilate and propagate our honours by sociable amitie rather than to repine at any iust and profitable equalitie to the pernicious confusion and ruine of our estates in generall Thus shall wee stirie vp our discontâ—…nted spirits if in vs any such wildâ—…e of ambition reigne to maintaine to protect and to glorifie those liberties which we possesse and by these meanes shall no forraine enemies dare to complain or repine against any thing in vs but of our greatnesse and amplitude By these meanes shall good fashions bee followed ciuill and martiall exercises embraced and practised concord and firme amitie shall be confirmed and encreased inuiolably both amongst our selues our old friends and new confederates This if we shall presently ponder and put in practise with the true vigour of our vertues then shall we not haue cause to curse our owne imaginations and foresights like foolish pilotes which when a tempest is apparant and alreadie begun lamentably threaten and as it were aftertell of the calamitie setting men to worke when all humane hopes are past or like to the imprudent gouernours of cities which when the first sedicious sparkes are kindled and breake forth to the ruine of their states which otherwise might haue beene antiuerted by their precaution spend the remnant of their time of succour in wayling and weeping But if my zeale carie mee too farre to make a question of that which many peraduenture wise do think needlesse and impertinent I craue pardon assuring my selfe that the diuell beeing confusion himselfe will bee very busie to make a disorder amongst the people of God that he might supplant the root of our true Christian glory Since therfore the blessed time of our vnion is accomplished and perfected we shall not need to doubt but that this our bride and bridegroome shal flourish like a garden inclosed and abound in precious vertue like a spring and fountain of happinesse which is sealed vp Neither is it to bee doubted or imagined which some friuolous opinions haue cast out that it cannot long and easily brooke your Maiesties absence as if according to the vulgar prouerb the chiefe person of maiestie being out of sight should be banished out of her loyall mind also for as I said they might know how the diuine spirit doth not call kings by the name of gods in vaine for so much as this royall vbiquitie disperseth their soueraigne power lawes and authoritie through all the parts of this world For we know that Fraunce which is much larger had not many ages past diuers great and free principalities contained within her bounders which by match and vnion as this of ours is and through the disobedience of some ambicious princes are now firme and annexed as parts and members of that crowne such as were Normandie little Brittaine Aquitaine Orleance and others and likewise in the kingdome of Spaine where at one time Aragon Castile Granada Corduba Gallicia Andelosia being all of theÌ„ little kingdomes were seuerally gouerned and Portugall also lately knit vnto king Philips Crowne All which principalities and prouinces are gouerned in peace by Presidents and Counsels established in them There seemeth then no reason to the contrary why Scotland should not containe it selfe and continue loyall shadowed vnder the royall curtaine of your gracious authoritie by that sapience which in your diuine policie is and shall be dispersed amongst them For they cannot be such impious barbarous and vnthankfull creatures as to forget their faith and allegeance vnto him that from his cradle was and is so dearely affied in them and which hath since the first spiracle of his reason expressed such mildnes and gouerned amongst them with such moderation benignitie Moreouer the nobles and gentlemen of that nation are in this age by the maruellous beneficence of God and Nature morethan euer ingenuous liberall honourable and for the most part vertuously affected desirous to learne knowledge good fashion which oftentimes I did obserue in the conditions of theÌ„ for the most part insomuch as it is a wonder that a region which was sometimes held and reported to bee rude and barbarous could affoord so many ciuile and gallant spirits which last good and honorable inclination is generally seene in the most of them being a speciall braunch of temperance drawne from modestie noted by the Philosophers and touched in the Morals of my first booke Shall any man then amongst the people of your Maiesties Nations bee so stubborne as to withstand this diuine ordinance or so proud amongst the seditious that dare appeale from this so charitable and peaceable decree For besides that royall Maiestie shall discountenance him the very Cannon of those ciuile lawes which are approued established throughout all Christendome vniuersally shall vtterly condemne them by that prerogatiue which is granted to your Highnesse in these words Rex Angliae est monarcha in suo regno à cuius sententia non appellatur quia praefectus multorum pralatorum est sui regni Much more priuiledge then is included in your Highnesse in whom is iustly planted the soueraigne right and inheritance of both these kingdomes now made one Nation Since therefore this head including your regall grace being prudently busied in continuall contemplation premeditation conference of things past present and to come which are noted to be the very faculties of prudence doth with a zealous and pastorall care tender vnto the heart being the iewell-house of vnderstanding and sapience the weale of this politicall body which it by mature deliberation disgesteth for the chiefe good thereof euen as the liuer with bloud the vocall organes and arme of iustice by pronounciation and distribution of the lawes and euery part in his particular function is ayding towards the preseruation hereof in health and tranquilitie so should this head with all these mentall faculties and that body with all his members conioyntly labour aboue all things to preserue the soule pure and blemishlesse
for onely by that grace the countenance which is the exterior pulchritude of this head is made cheerefull as saith Salomon by this the heart receiueth vigor and courage the liuer a long life the lights which are indeed the very lights of this politicke bodie receiue illumination and power for out of the mouths of very babes and sucklings the strength thereof shall be deliuered as it was by little Daniell By this the hands are made strong and the fingers ◅ght to breake a bow of steele this couereth the bodie with fatnesse girdeth the loynes with gladnesse and poureth marrow into the bones lastly this maketh the feete of that bodie like Harts feete swift and liuely for transportation and inuection of all commodities and earthly blessings making the whole bodie strong and lustie like an Eagle This is the consummation and perfection of all the first and last of Gods blessings in euery kingdome to preserue the soule being the true religion spotlesse and without schismes or heresies so neere as the princes wisedome can Which your sacred Maiesty to the most high pleasure of God to the Commonweale of his Church and to the vnspeakable comfort of your people haue done in your royall edicts and prouisions against the Papists and Puritanes within your realmes and dominions Without this zeale and studious worship of God we well know that all the mentall faculties which are guided by the light of naturall reason with all the vertues intellectuall and spirit of liuing are all of them mortified in man And therefore your Maiesties sanctitie and pietie shineth amongst the members of this bodie which are set to continuall care and diligence how to keepe a cleane soule within a sound bodie against the time when our annoynted Sauiour and shepheard shall call the kings of this earth which are his Officers vnder him to bring in their flockes then in the first ranke shall your Grace being one of his best stewards deliuer vp out of your two faire sheepefolds Brittaine and Ireland the fairest and goodliest troupe in obedience and number with cleere white fleeces of pure wooll sound and entire before the blessed Lambe immaculate that your Highnesse may with thē receiue the wages of eternall life before the most high and euer-liuing God which great audite how soone it will bee summoned and how suddaine since it is hidden in that vnreuealeable booke of Gods incomprehensible mysteries from humane knowledge it behooueth all princes that they haue their accounts readie least they beeing taken vnprouided bee cast out with the wicked and reprobate sheepheards of Israell Since therefore God hath preuented your Grace with the blessings of goodnesse and hath set a crowne of pure gold vpon your head since hee hath graunted vnto you long life euen for euer and euer since your honour is in his saluation onely since this worship and glorie is imposed vpon your Highnesse since hee hath giuen you euerlasting felicitie and made you glad with the ioy of his countenance because your Grace his annoynted did put your whole confidence in him Certaine it is which hee promised by the spirit of his kingly Prophet That his boundlesse mercie shall not suffer you to miscarrie euen when so many shepheards of his people shall be consumed in your sight by the spirit of his nosthrils vanishing like smoake out of the presence of his iustice the angels of Gods sword and indignation scattering them and in all diligent obseruation of wise men which by the computation of times and conference of prophecies as well those that were first deliuered from the spirit of God in the Patriarks and holy Prophets as by the diuination of our Sauiour Iesus Christ himselfe in the Gospels and in all humane ◅dence and Mathematicall iudgements of Philosophers by the course and motions of nature it is apparant that this world gaspeth and languisheth as being readie to be dissolued and as I may fitly compare it in the taste of a sapient palate to Vinum fugiens which is alreadie spent vnto the lees Since therefore your most royall Maiestie reuiueth in your owne person and posteritie this old Brittaine league as a second Cadwallader but doubtlesse vnder the ioyfull and propitious comfort of the Gospell like to bee most fortunate in your domination vnlike to the first Cadwallader who was the last and vnfortunate king of great Brittaine that reigned before your Highnesse and fled from the wrathfull countenance of Gods deuouring Angell which then with plague and pestilence vnpeopled this land What more happinesse can wee wish or meditate vpon in this mortall life than after the time of our corruption and sinfull seruitude to be ioyned all in one flocke vnder Christ Iesus euen as in this life wee liue and breathe together after that happinesse vnder the blessed pasturage of our annoynted shepheard vnder God Doubtlessely were it not a vaine prophecie mee seemeth that should bee performed in your Grace which was long-since presaged of Arture king of the great and lesse Brittaine who was a most zealous captaine in the cause of Christ that a little while before the consummation of the world hee should come againe perfecting all that goodnesse to the Christian Church which by his taking away was then newly begun What is he that shall in these later times sacke these proud wals of Antichrist Shall not he first arise out of the North Certaine it is that if any shall demolish that proud tower of Babell and supplant from the lowest foundations that synagogue of superstition by casting out the Symoniacall money-changers from the Temple by purging all cleane for the great audite and euerlasting supper of our soules it is your sacred and highly renowned Maiestie and as Carl. signifying Charles which interpreteth noblenesse and magnanimitie is one of your Maiesties names well according with your most gracious and heroicall nature so doth your most excellent highnesse as a right renowned champion in the cause of God want nothing towards the execution and consummation of this euer triumphant enterprize but perfection of time to make all absolute Gird then thy sword vnto thy thigh O thou most mightie according to thy worship and renowne Good lucke haue thou with thine honour ride on because of the word of truth of meekenesse and of righteousnesse and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things for thine arrowes are sharpe and will subdue those people that are thine enemies thy seate is euerlasting and thy scepter righteous for thou louest equitie loathing iniquitie therefore hath God annointed thee with the oyle of gladnesse aboue thy fellowes Hence is it that thou art fairer than the children of men hence is it that thy lippes ouerflow with grace because God hath euerlastingly blessed thee Then with a valiant courage and diuine spirit from aboue wee may liue to see your blessed Grace aduauncing your selfe in the name of God like Iudas Maccab◅s in his holy warres against Gods enemies which arose and like a gyant harnessed
disposition of God gouerned by the heauens so that these inferior bodies are ruled and moued by power of the superior And hence is that saying of Aristotle Necessario mundum hunc inferiorem superioribus motibus esse contiguum vt omnis eius virtus inde gubernetur It must of necessitie be that this inferiour world neighboureth the superiour powers and motions to the end the force and vertue thereof might bee gouerned and disposed from aboue To confirme this also S. Augustine holdeth opinion Corpora haec grossiora regi atque moueri per corpora subtiliora That these our grosler bodies bee ruled and mooued by force of those bodies which are more subtile This art as well for the rule of Nauigation which proceedeth from knowledge of the celestiall bodies as for those other secrets issuing out of the mysticall indicials of the Mathematicians is more precious to them that haue it than any worldly felicitie for so much as they commonly which are possessed thereof contemne all transitorie pleasures and glorie Wherefore that noble Poet Virgil concerning that nature of the Planets writeth thus Foelix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas Atque metus omnes inexorabile fatum Subiecit pedibus Being this in effect Happie is he that comprehendeth the causes of things and doth by diuine power subiect all feare and inexorable fate Also Iuuenall the Satyrist concerning the beneuolence of the ascendent towards certaine persons at certaine times vnder his subiection writeth Plus etenim fati valet hora benigni Quâ—… site Veneris commendet epistola Marti For the good houre of a beneuolent fate auayleth more with all persons than the commendatorie letters of Venus could euer haue preuayled with Mars Howbeit those that will certainely iudge of ensuing chaunces though they be most studious and learned in this mysticall part of Astrologie which is called the superstitious or Metaphysicall aâ—… bee many times deceiued in their owne curiositie according to the saying of Thomas Aquine Licet corpora coelestia habeant inclinationem non tamen imponunt necessitatem licet home inclinetur secundum dispositionem corporis ad aliquod vitium tamen per rationem arbitrij potest aliud facere Albeit the coelestiall bodies haue a kind of inclination to somewhat yet they doe not impose a necessitie thereunto and albeit persons encline according to their corporeall disposition to some vice yet may they by the rule of their owne will decline from it which to me seemeth a Theologicall paradox Hence was it that Socrates excused the Philosopher which according to Physiognomie condemned him of incontinence Notwithstanding sometimes they will vpon their coniecturals diuine very neere and oftentimes truly for the confirmation whereof I will cite one notable thing which I did reade in Cassanans the Burgundian To whome beeing at supper with the Confallionere di guisticia in Milan vpon occasion in discourse it was for a meere truth by diuerse affirmed That a famous Astrologer in that citie had presaged to Giouanni Galliaceo maria Viscomi the fifth Duke of that State how he should be mortally wounded by some vassale about him wherupon to the Duke demaunding of his owne fate his answere was My death must be publicke by the fall of a peece of timber But the Duke willing to preiudice or antiuert the fate by some other suddaine death denounced against the Mathematician gaue peremptorie sentence That hee should loose his head because he had entermeddled with the calculation of his natiuitie And as he was conducted to the place of execution from the port of a Tower vnder which he passed called Le Dome suddenly the top thereof fell downe and he with a piece of timber had his braines crusht out a multitude with the Confallioniere and other executioners in the companie were by that ruine slaine also Likewise the Duke himselfe that same yeare vpon Saint Stephens day in the great Church of San Stephano in Milan was by one of his slaues bloudily and cruelly butchered in the presence of many Noblemen and others And now to conclude with the Morall force of Philosophie which as Plato did esteeme was the chiefest blessing in any Commonwealth When Philosophers were Kings and Kings Philosophers For it reacheth the difference betwixt vertues and vices what are the extreames of good and euill how to rule priuat families what authorities and offices belong to fathers husbands and maisters the difference betwixt instruments hauing life and liuelesse the maintenance of priuate persons the vertues and discipline of magistrates the best formes of gouernment the true meanes and knowledge to sustaine cities being in danger of subuersion and how with excellent lawes to rectifie them Hence is it that Cicero doth in admiration and great loue thereof proclaime in his questions Tusculane O Philosophie the rule of life the touch-stone of vertue antidote of vice But hereof haue I spoken more at large in the morals of these offices before Wherfore he which is fostered with that diuine Manna sheweth himself the same in all parts of his life contemning worldly treasures abiding faithfull appearing valiant in the Guard and loyall maintenance of truth and armed with constancâ—… defieth feare and these are the verie fruits of Phylosophy such a man is not altered by time deiected by necessitie infected with insolence nor wearied with the bad dealings of reprobate persons such a counsellor doth liue well and vnderstandeth well which is a sure signe of sapience he consulteth well which is a principall point of prudence and gladly would haue all well which is a true token of iustice adde herevnto his owne doing which is a manifest marke of perseuerance Such persons wholly relie vpon their owne vertues yeelding honour to such as are in grace with the prince yet not committing any priuate secrets to their knowledge and iudgements In all things they shew themselues circumspect moderate diligent and discreet There remaineth one speciall Caueat after all these obseruations for counsellors which through their worthinesse and vertues haue attained a singular loue affiance of their Prince to be credited and vsed in all the most serious important causes of the Commonwealth which is that neither the great grace of their princes nor the multitudes of honors and superiorities heaped vpon them neither any vaine gaping vpon the popular aire after which men growne insolent vpon their greatnesse commonly breathe driue them into practises ambitious which are through want of due pietie towards God and to their Soneraigne without any season of iustice or honestie commenced Considering therefore first what this pestilent and infernall fire is because in many Commonwealths that hath oftentimes been the greatest enemie which theirowne countries wombe and breasts hath bred and fostered I will in some principles discouer the detestable nature members and fruites of monstrous and ambitious persons as they be liuely declared at large by diuers which haue seene humane sacrifices and sepulchres ouerflowing with ciuill blood
Cato of Vtica did in Africke instruct his souldiers how to beare themselues amongst a swarme of mortall stings how to suffer heat hunger thirst sickenesse for this vertue fenceth and prepareth his mind against all wounds inflicted in fight and Quintus Fabius likewise whom I mentioned in my second booke That Generall therefore which is verely valiant will in the effusion and smoking current of his owne blood that from him washeth away all spots of shame and deformities fight most eagerly considering that his most grace and highest commendation in conflict is to stand stedfast foote to foote without giuing any ground or turning his face away from the aduersarie vnlesse good aduantages and opportunities require the same He likewise that can with most ingenious fortitude discouer auoyd and turne the fallacies engines and mischiefes of his enemies vpon their owne heads and he semblably who being wounded rewounded and surrewounded vpon the face will not shrinke nor yeeld himselfe but holding a secret combat betwixt dolor and glory fighteth in blood sweate and dust vnto the last spiracle of his life not doubling his body nor faintly staggering vnder the weight of his enemies arme neither touching the ground during the combat with hands or knees It is likewise honorably noted in the combattant that shall wound his foes vpon their heads foreheads or other nobler members which obseruations Vegetius specially requireth in the fanteries if therefore this be considered Vtifortem animū gerant quantoque sibi in praelio minus pepercissent tanto tutiores fore that they beare a valiant spirit and that they shall better and more safely defend their bodies and honours by how much more earnest and lesse sparing they be of themselues then will this noble vertue of patience and true fortitude victoriously flourish in the hearts of all good souldiers This vertue doth as Cicero defineth consist in suffering continuall and voluntarie toyle and hardnesse vpon honest profitable termes which is a firme and constant toleration of humane affaires when with a mind and spirit vnbroken we beare all calamities which may happen this long sufferance of griefe and trauaile must be grounded vpon some honest cause for if vnder the reuerend and demure roabes thereof hatred wealth or honour being riotous and ruffionlike companious be concealed then is it not any branch of fortitude but the extreamitie thereof importing a sauage and reasonlesse hardinesse Patience consisteth in suffering iniuries and in cheerefull bearing all the crosses of fortune herein is the Prouerbe compleat that Patience is victorie for in repressing his owne affection a man both subdueth himselfe and his aduersarie whereas in contrary being subiected and made a vassall vnto the scourge of his owne appetites he wilfully submitteth himselfe to that brutish yoake being prouoked by wrath and desire onely let vs neglect wrong and it is easily vanquished leauing vengeance to the benefit of time and to the powerfull iudgement of the great iudge and avenger For according to blessed Paul In hauing patience we doe the will of God by which we receiue the promise of saluation And Salomon that oracle of wisedome confirming it in a parable or wise concealed sentence saith That he which is slow to wrath is better then the mightie man and he that ruleth the mind exceedeth a conqueror of cities Moreouer God himselfe when he discended in a cloud to Moses proclaimed his mercie manifested in patience when he cryed before his face The Lord the Lord is strong mercifull and gratious slow to anger and full of goodnesse and trueth reseruing mercie for thousands forgiuing sinne and iniquitie And thence is it that holy Paul calleth him the God of patience and consolation which ensueth it admonishing the Thessalonians in another place to be patient towards all sorts of men Patience therefore being a principall member of fortitude giueth vs a conquest and possession of our owne soules in peace and comfort pouertie exile losse of parents friends children sorow reproch contempt seruitude grieuous sicknesse blindnesse with all the miserable defects and mischiefes of nature and fortune if a man ponder that his life is by course of mortalitie full of vexation and heauinesse are nothing and therefore iust honor inuiteth him to combate or wrestle willingly with all calamities that he may purchase a glorious and renounced victorie ouer them rather then like a foolish coward wilfully to trust himselfe without courageous resistance into the iawes of ineuitable troubles as by some dastardly mancipation of himselfe that though he be broken by it yet it may be said that he was not subdued but as it were voluntarily sacrificed vnto it for no man is said to feele griefe but he that complaineth of it Them that in desperate causes as in respect of pouertie disgrace captiuitie or in amorous passion should kill or cast away themselues for such persons Aristotle termeth effeminate I cannot hold to be verely valiant whereas it is the part of true valor to beare in equall ballance of minde m◅hiefe and prosperitie a sure token of cowardize and idlenesse also to distrust faint or filthily to be deiected in troubles Impacience which is the softnesse of a minde echewing labour and the tolleration of dolor opposeth it such as are afraid to take paines and to be grieued thinking sorrowes vnsufferable which patience teacheth vs to tollerate are in this opposition and such likewise as cannot beare honours and prosperitie with moderation but become insolent without measure are in as much fault or more Perseuerance likewise is another branch of fortitude being a constant perpetuall and considerate apprehension of reason conuersing in the former perfections repressing their contraries and yoaking them to discretion for without constancie equabilitie which is the geometricall proportion from the centre to the iust circumference of fortitude no man can be called truely valiant Lenitie with a giddy disposition of humane affaires withstandeth it this either through effeminacie doth vnaduisedly yeeld it selfe prisoner to troubles and cannot indure the burthen of them or with pertinacitie when reason ought to change it doth arrogantly and contumaciously persist in a friuolous opinion and so much for the morall knowledge of Chieftaines fit for euery worthy souldior to learne and exercise Casar extolleth this noble gift of perseuerance in a souldior whereas in contrary the coward and he which forsaketh his colours is punished with death Also mutuall loue and charitie should be dispersed amongst them so that as they partake in paines and passion they should likewise perseuere declaring themselues companions in consolation according to the saying of blessed Paul Militarie charitie dependeth vpon two speciall points vpon the ayding and seconding of our fellow-souldiers in extremities and vpon constant perseuerance in maintenance thereof when truth and equitie stande with their quarrels There be certaine of the liberall Sciences likewise most needfull towardes the knowledge of all martiall Gouernours namely the studies of Arithmetick and