his ensuing sorrow life is blinde doubtfull and full of troubles honors swelleth it sorrow extenuates it heate exsicates it surfets oppresse it sadnesse consumes it solitude imprisons it security duls it yong age exalts it youth profuseth it old age makes it feeble and death ruines it what a foolish frailty is it then to feare death when in each or most of these calamities of life we wish death should cease vpon vs. Wherefore seeing the body of man is but the ruinous cottage wherein the soule of man is imprisoned and dayly assaulted with neuer ceasing enemies the best way to auoyd a more glorious sure dwelling place for so heauenly a guest is timely to teach the soule to despise the body that she hath no interest in it is a stranger a pilgrime and a wearied guest trauelling towards her long wished home and vnwillingly detained within the dungeon of corrupt flesh that because death is the way wherby she must arriue at her long wished heauen shee must willingly acquaint her selfe with death to discouer the dangerous ambuscadoes and ensnaring traps that are hidden vnder the ouershadowing groues of greatnesse and prosperitie This serious meditation of death the familiar conuersing with death and timely disiunction of the soule from the body is the right preparation to dye and when death comes boldly with a kingly courage triumphantly demand him in the face Death where is thy sting Maximilian the Emperour caused his tombe fiue yeares before his death be carried whersoeuer hee did goe Ex orat funeb Sueu that by the remeÌ„brance of death he might dislodge ambitious foolish deceitfull wordly affections and be ready with old Swan-singing Simeon to receiue his safe conduct Luc. 2.25.26.27.28.29.30 and say Now Lord lettest thou thy seruant depart im peace for mine eyes haue seene my saluation Secondly death is carefully to be premeditated because the forgetfulnesse of death increaseth the horror and augments the feare of vnexspected death Aug. de mort Omnia repentina grauiora sunt sed premeditatio futurorum malorum lenit eorum aduentum This consideration of the vncertainety and vnexspected comming of death and carefull prouision for his coÌ„ming is able to withstand the furious assaults of fearefull rebellious flesh Petrar dial 28. ambition and down throwing pride of the most powerfull Princes Luc. 21.29 Thess 1.5 Reuel 3.3 is a carefull seruant for the comming of the master a neuer sleeping watch attending the theefe a prouident Oeconomus for laying vp of true store Remember O king sayde Agapetus to Iustinian that death feares not the spenldor of honour or greatnesse Eccl. 12.7 but impartially dâ—uoures Kings and Beggers therefore before his comming lay vp prouision in heauen where no corruption shall haue entry but shall returne to dust ashes from whence it did come Iob. 1.21.7.5 and man borne naked shall goe hence naked death shall finde him as life leaues him and iudgement shall finde him as death leaues him Aâ—g de doct thist Lact. lib. 3. â— 19. Non potest male mori qui bene vixit plerunque mala mors est quam mala vita praecessit nam sicut vita ipsa bonum est cum virtute viuitur malum si cum scelere Ita mors ex praeteritis vitae actibus ponderanda est SECTIO XXV Of mourning for the dead and of Christian and Princely burials LEt such Critickes who condemne mourning sermons Christianorum iustoruÌ„ defunctoruÌ„ corpora quibus taÌ„quam organis ad bona opera vsus est spiritus sanctus officiosa pietate curanda exequtae caelebrand aeâ— sunt Aug. in Pat. and funeral honours to the praise of the faithfull departed consider that ignorance or singularity is the mother of their errour and as it is true that Christians translated from this life Non sunt omissi sed praemissi so is it as true fidelibus defunctis debito honore ac funebri oratione parentare nulla vnquam pietas aut religio vetuit The redoubled groanes of our Sauiour at the death of Lazarus demonstrate that mourning for the dead is a true signe of the pietie of the liuing Iohn 11.33 38. Stephani Martyrium maximis Christianorum planctibus gemitibus fuit coronatum Act. 8.2 Ieremias did bewayle the death of king Icsâ—â—s in the assembly of the people Abraham his wife Sarah Gen. 23.2 the whole house of Israel did mourne for Moses and Aaron thirty dayes Deut. 29.8 King Dauid did lament for the death of Absolon his sonne Sam. 2.19.18 and for the death of Saul his enemy The holy fathers did bemone the death of their Princes and others their friends Ambrose did most richly garnish the hearse of Theodosius with a learned Sermon and eloquent oration Gregorius Nazianzenus mortuum fratreÌ„ CaesariuÌ„ laudauit eiusque memoriam posteris funebri oratione commendauit Greg. de Sepul Hier. in pan Ierome Damascen and all the ancient pillars of the Church did honourably regard the funerall and last honors done to the Christians deceased I cease to speake of honors done to Princes after their death by the Phylosophers and ancient heathen it is dolefully registred that at the tragicall funerals of Achilles Patroclus killed by the Troians Homer Illi Lachrimis non solum arma lugentium rigarentur sed arenae quoque madescerent Old Solon did delight to bee beloued in his life time that at his death the sorrowfull complaints of his friends might accompany him to his graue Ex dic Phil â— â— Iulius Caesar questor Iuliam Amitam vx remque Corneliam pro rostris laudauit All lawes doe warrant such offices as are done at the funerals of such as haue beene profitable to the commonwealth wherein they did liue to be iusta iure acta Iust and the least defacing of sepulchers of the dead or touch of reproach hath beene holden an offence of higher quality then the ruinating of the houses of the liuing or spoken against their persons in their life time In iuris prudentia quotiescunque leges viuentium pugnant cum legibus po-sthumilijs semper preualent posthumiae omniaque iuris priuilegia fulta fauore publico cedunt vincuntur ab vna sola actione funeraria The ancient Christians did accompt it the extremity of persecution that they were compelled sine supremo honore canticorum himnorum to burie their dead in silence Dion apud Stob. I should exceede the limited breuity that I haue enioyned to my selfe if I should recount the various and superstitious funerall rites obserued amongst the heathen or the sumptuous and vnprofitable charges bestowed amongst some Christians Egyptij condiebant Persae cera circum linitos condebant mortuos eosque domi seruabant vt quam maxime permanerent diuturna corpora MagoruÌ„ mos erat non humare corpora nisi a feris antea fuisseÌ„tlaniata Messagetae cognatos propinquos mortuos deuorant ducentes honestius ac rectius a se quam a vermibus commedantur I leaue the funerall fiers wherein anciently Sepulturae Pompa magis est Solarium vinoquam mortuorum praesidium Aug. de cura promort and yet the bodies of the dead haue beene and are consumed to ashes neither will I speake of the precious iewells rich clothes gold siluer seruants horse other conceited fooleries Ioan Boem de morib omn. gen wherewith in diuers Nations Princes are interred I doe onely allow of such honourable buriall of Princes as is obserued amongst Christians which is rather accompanied and condoled with the presence and teares of al good subiects sermons funerall orations and charitable almes thereby in citing the succeeding posterity to imitate the vertues of the deceased prince theÌ„ defaced by superstitious rites or prodigall profusion of superfluous and vnprofitable charge Ecclesia fulgeat in parietibus sed ne egeat in pauperibus lapides auro induantur non vt Ecclesiae filij nudi deserantur FINIS Faults escaped in the Printing Page 2. marge capitum persuasum p. 11. line 16. r. l. 20. r. their p. 21. l. 15. r. sapiunt p. 23. l. 7. r. atergo p. 25. l. 14. r. establisheth 26. l. 17. r. melancholius p. 37. l. 20. 21. semper it p. 45. l. 8. r. Alcinoique p. 49. l. 6. r. prosunditas l. 5. altitudo p. 55. l. 13. r. contrahes p. 62. l. 3. r. pictori p. 63. l. 9. r. preesse p. 92. l. 6. r. ad p. 98. l. 2. put out and. p. 100. l. 7. r. leges p 183. l. 19. r. Marcellus p. 148. l. 10. superstitious p. 152. r. zelus p. 172. l 4 r. Aenas and Turnus 214. l. 1. r. condiebant in marge r. viuorum
A TABLE-BOOKE FOR PRINCES CONTAINING SHORT Remembrances for the Gouernment of themselues and their EMPIRE Wherein also respectiuely the seuerall Members of State and all sorts of Subiects may finde matter worthy their obseruation By Patricke Scot Esquire Nihil recte inchoatur nisi post Deum fauerit Imperator nec quenquam oportet vel meliora scire vel plura quam principem cuius doctrina omnibus potest prodesse subiectis Veget. in Prol. LONDON Printed by BERNARD ALSOP dwelling in Distaffe-Lane at the Signe of the Dolphin neere Olde Fish-street 1621. TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTIE PRINCE CHARLES the hopefull Prince of Great Brittaine France and Ireland c. SIR IF PHILLIP of Macedon did yeelde no lesse thankes to his false gods that his Sonne Alexander was borne in the time of Aristotle then in blessing him with so hopefull a child your Highnesse hath iust cause to celebrate the Name of the true God that you are the Sonne and Heire of a Mightie King and of a Religious Wise and Learned Father who besides the appointing of godly and learned Tutors in his owne person exceeding Aristotle both in the Theoricke and Practicke of Gouernment hath so seasoned your Highnesse tender yeares with the Giliadlike odoriferous Balme of Diuine and Morall instructions as the sweete perfume thereof hath already rauished the hearts of all loyall Subiects with the extreamitie of ioy and one day by Gods Grace will make knowne to the World the happinesse you haue in your birth-right but the perfection of happinesse in such a Father who hath so emptyed the profound Ocean of Diuine and Humane learning that except borrowed from the rich Treasure of his store nothing that belongs to the true institution of young Alexander can either be found or added Wherefore SIR I humbly beseech your Highnesse to censure these lame Essaies of my barren braine or rather crums falne from the Princely Table of your more then Salomon-like Father as the Widowlike Symboll of my deuotion pleadge of my Faith or Subiect to try your Highnesse clemencie in pardoning or Iustice in condemning of me who haue rashly persumed to prefer my home-spun labours to so powerfull a Mecenas whose approbation or dislike may enrich me with the fulnesse of content or expose me vpon the dangerous Rockes of vntimely sorrow But SIR either in life or death I shall be Your Highnesse humble and true Seruant PATRICK SCOT TO THE GENEROVS READER KNowing Generous Reader that these ill digested labours of mine shal be as well exposed to the byting censure of base and enuious Criticks whose peruerse and obstinate disposition hath taught them to detract from others and forget their owne obliquities as to the view of High borne true Noble and generous Spirits whose birth and education inuites them to looke with a more fauourable aspect vpon the weake endeuours of good meaning For thy better satisfaction I am to aduertise thee that at my first seizing vpon this Subiect a task I grant farre aboue my reach I did not iealously suspect but altogether distrust my owne insufficiencie and therefore did make choyce rather to loose my thus spent time and commit my confused Papers to a fiery tryall then to be the Herald of my owne ignorance hut when I had better aduised I did finde that the Supreame King is well pleased with the least dram of true deuotion that his Vicegerents many great Monarches and braue Princes haue taken in good part the smalest oblations of their meanest Seruants that euery good subiect amongst whom in loyaltie I am inferior to none are by the most strict bonds of allegiance tyed to communicate their talent to the seruice of their Prince and Countrey then I say I did recall my fire-threatning sentence and was content that this obortiue birth should come vnto the world But vpon assurance least thou should expect more then I promise that the Tytle of a Table-Booke might be Charactered vpon the front is piece thereof which very name enforceth rather a necessitous vse for memory then an elaborat intire debating or methodicall disposition of the matter Sith then I hold vp my hand at the bar of thy iudgement I intreate that this ensuing Treatise blemished with the impollished ornaments of Art may be sheltered vnder the wings of thy fauorable censure and the rather because this subiect is more neerely aliyed to truth and sinceritie then to art and affectation So shall I remaine Thy constant welwiller P. S. AVTHOR LIBELLO EIa age nunc roseasque genas frontemque serenam Ostendas Coelo licet immaturè nec omni Parte satis vel comptè sinus collecteue pulchram Caesariem in nodum tamen hand fortasse libelle Monstrum immane tuens te libertatis amicae Munere te placitâ donabit sepe salute Magnanimus Carlus magni generosa propago Patris qui Centum numerans ab origene Reges Omnes sceptriferos omnes decora alta ferentes Bis fese quartum adiungit Bodotria solum Quem dominū Tamisisque colit piscosaque bannae Flumina tu gratum venies caput omnibus illis Queis magè sana bonus finxit praecordia Titan Et non Antyciras opus est dare lintea verum Momorum damnanda bonisque aduersa propago Et qui vipereum spirant ex ore venenum Zoilous atque Theon te sannis omnibus vnum Excipient durumque prement liuoris acerbi Morsibus Interea tu quâ licet vtere sorte Suppliciter venerare atque admirare potentem Parcere Subiectis debellare superbos Et si quem solum submisso poplite Carlum Qui quanuis talem vultu haud dignatur amico Cernere te Charis grates hinc soluere amicis Sis memor labes veteres fractique vigoris disiectum robur non inficiatè recedas Denique quae Momus iaculatur spicula sorti Sperne animo neque vim quae ea dextra mittat atundo Vel spacium euadet totum vel perforet ictum THE TABLE Sect. 1. OF the condition and true happinesse of Princes Sect. 2. What benefit commeth to a Prince by good education and learning Sect. 3. Of the vertuous life of Princes of the election of their Councellours Officers and Seruants Sect. 4. What generall obseruations the happy and quiet Gouernment of a Prince requireth Sect. 5. By what meanes the generous minds of Princes are knowne Sect. 6. Of Nobilitie Sect. 7. Antidotes against the poysoning of vaine glorie and ambitious thoughts that intoxicates the minds of young Princes Sect. 8. How Princes ought to moderate their power Sect. 9. Whose Image good and bad Princes represent by what Epithetes they are knowne and of their seuerall actions Sect. 10. By what meanes a Prince may secure himselfe in his Kingdome and obtaine the loue of his Subiects Sect. 11. Princes ought to be easie in giuing accesse and ready to heare the complaints of the oppressed poore Sect. 12. Of the necessity of Princes knowledge in the affaires of their Empire and presence so farre as is possible
Brit. c. Rex in Epist ad Carol. Prin. Suet. in Fla. dom if Princes set before their eyes the infinite dangers to which they are subiect to what burthen they are tyed how full of thorny cares and commonly how short the life of greatnesse is It was not without cause that Caesar did complaine vpon the misery of Princes subiect to perfidious machinations Conditio Principum miserima est vbi timentur infidiae proditoriae◠fraudes doli editiones inimicitiae venena Reinh. Lor. detestable treasons deceitfull conspiracyes and intoxicate poysonings they cannot in safety goe abroad without a guard neyther take meate before some other taste it they must in peace liue armed not onely against the inuasion of forraine enemyes but intestine and domesticke friendes one betrayes them another deceiues them others flatters them they are the subiects of all discourse the obiects of all mens eyes from all which the vulgar are secured Nulla enim aconita bibuntur fictilibus tunc illa time cū pocula sumas gemmata lato sitinum ardebit in auro Iuuenal Sat. 10. they are neither subiect to feares nor feared or enuied of any their earthen cups yeeld them drinke to quench their thirst but not to extinguish their life hunger makes their browne bread sweete labour their sleepe quiet small fire keepes them from cold course clothes shelters their nakednes and an innocent life crownes their death By which it is euident that Princes must eyther acknowledge the weight of their office what intricate difficulties and dangers are in the right exercising thereof that they are set vpon the theater of the world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Epist or tyrant like resolue that the Common-wealth must be the stage of their insolent life and wished for death The continuall toyles whereunto Princes are subiect made Caesar oft-times wish to bee exonered of so heauy a burthen Reinh. Lor. hath beene the cause that many wise and learned Princes haue preferred priuate life before publike greatnesse Iacob mag Brit. c. Rex de inaugurat Prin. fol. 122. Lastly let the serious meditation of the strict accompt that Princes must giue serue to curbe the insolent affecting of gouernment the time will shortly come death sparing no more Kings than beggars when hee must yeeld vp his accompts according to the greatnesse of his talent before such a Iudge Vidi mortuos magnos pusillos stantes inconspectu throni Reuel 20. from whom all the Monarches in the world are not able to appeale and whom they cannot deterre deceiue or corrupt what strickt account will hee take what seuere iudgment will hee pronounce against such as either haue vniustly vsurped his authority Omne animi vitium tanto conspectius in se crimen habet quanto maior qui peccat habetur Iuuen Sat. 8. or being lawfully placed in his throne vpon earth haue intruded themselues or not acquit them of the trust committed to them Agapetus Iustinianum admonuit vt talem se prestaret erga subditos vt famulos qualem Deum futurum erga se exoptaret It is then manifest that good Princes to whom the incessant care of then charge is more deare then the mad and foolish desire of preheminence are not happy by the externall shadowes of greatnesse but by shewing themselues great in ouerruling their disordered affectiōs which is none of the least but rather the perfection of humane actions and then in the establishing and keeping of good lawes Eras instit Prin. in the administration of Iustice in rewarding the vertuous and punishing the vicious in exalting the humble obedient and beating downe the proud oppressours in repressing of enemies and cherishing of friendes in punishing treasonable practises and detesting inposturing flattery in chastising detractions and discountenancing hollow-hearted hypocrites 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Epist and finally to bee such as they care not who looke vnto their most secret actions or outward gesture These and the like bee true kingly functions the rich iewells that adornes diademes and are the happinesse of Kinges not consisting in temporary momentary pleasures or deceitfull vices but vpon the neuer perishing delights that are builded vpon the vnremoueable rocke of vertue vnto which no man can ascend but by the steppes of diuine wisedome 1. Reg. c. 3. Salomon in whose choise it was to aske what hee pleased did well know that this was the ladder by which Iacob did reach vp to heauen and the life of kingly maiesty therefore he did not aske riches vaine glory or worldly pleasures but wisedome neither worldly wisdome but such whereby in vprightnesse and vnderstanding he might execute his royall function Eras apo 4. Philip of Macedon was desirous that his sonne Alexander should not giue his mind to corruptible riches but to the study of philosophy Reinh. Loc. These great Princes did wisely inform thēselues that wisedome and learning are the Herculian pillars of Kings without which their conditiō although embellished with the glory of Salomon the Empire of Alexander the armies of Xerxes the riches of Craesus and other whatsoeuer vanities nature doth produce or art inuent is more miserable then the poorest Codrus Ludo. Hilles lib. 1. or dispised Lazarus It is then religious wisedome seconded by good education learning that dignifies Princes in their youth accompanies them in their life and glorifies them after death O vitae religio conseruatrix tu coelitus demissa interris animos vera virtute imples tu diuinarum humanarumque rectrix tu imperia sceptra iudicia vt firma vt legitima sunt facis tu priuatorum fortunam moderaris tu populos in fide ac officio contines in te vna bene beateque viuendi firmamentum existit demum nihil in Principe nec populo praeclarum est quod non a te ortum ducat tuoque illustratur splendore SECTIO II. What benefit commeth to a Prince by good education and learning AS the most fertill ground without culture Eras de instit Prin. is not only barren in the production of wholsome fruits but doth ouergrowe with thistles and hurtfull weedes So the minde of man without education is not onely infertill in the propagation of vertue but naturally inclined to bring foorth ignorance voluptuousnesse and all other vices Prou. 22.15 Salomon saith that foolishnesse is tied to the heart of a young man Nemo nascitur sapiens sed fit Senec. de ira and cannot bee vntied but by instruction There is no man borne good neither Prince howsoeuer nobly descended without wholsome doctrine did prooue himselfe worthy of Empire It concerneth therfore generous high borne and ingenuous Princes Cic. 2. Tusc quaest to follow the study of good letters to honour loue and retaine the professors of liberall Arts and to bee proficient in them The benefits thereof are many the effects admirable and the reward inestimable First vertuous education begetteth a habit of vertue Aelian Lamp and
fieri philosophuÌ„ Plut. in apo but superiour by learning in his exile being asked what he had learned by Plato answered that by Philosophy he had learned to vndergoe equally the estate of a Prince and beggar Gellius l. 2. Eightly a learned Prince doth willingly enolyne to wisdome and vertue Gellius l. 2. he followeth the one shunneth the other not for feare but for loue of themselues The Cubiculars of the Persian Kings were enioyned euery morning to put their master in minde of his kingly office by these wordes Arise O King and goe about the publike affaires Heron. ad Heliod A learned Prince needeth no such aduertisement Philosophi ponuâ—t â—uatuor species perturbationum dolorem metuÌ„ spem Letitiam quibus hominum vulgus vt procellosuÌ„ mare fluctibus inquietatur Arist pol. before hee goeth to bed hee premeditates the next dayes worke in his bed hee consults vpon it and at his arising hee executes his setled designes hee is neither ouercome with sorrow feare hope ioy and other vulgar violent perturbations but willingly followes those wholesome lawes he doth enact for others Aristotle being demanded what hee had profited by Philosophy answered That hee had learned to doe those things willingly that others did for feare of the Law Oderunt peccare boni virtutis amore Oderunt peccare mali formidine poenae Ninthly giuing of answers Eloquentia principibus magno ornamento est Cic. 4. de finib vsing perswasions resoluing of questions discoursing of lawes conferring of honours defence of things proposed or done are inseparably annexed to the office of a King vnto all which hee must bee by learning inabled lest hee expose himselfe to the censure of ignorance or become the subiect of smothered laughter and future contempt The words of a Prince are like the oracles of Apollo no sooner spoken Plato de rep but taken holde of by all men therfore great care is to be taken that his wordes his orations his answeres and demandes be consonant to the to the dignity of a Prince Plato did pronounce the state happy where a wise and learned King did raigne for said hee learning is the only and chiefe happinesse and ignorance the greatest ill vpon the first depends all humane felicity Isocrates ad Demoniac vpon the last assured misery Aristippus made choyse rather to bee a begger then vnlearned because by the one hee wanted onely externall and temporall riches but by the other humanity knowledge and endlesse wealth Sola omnium possessionum immortalis scientia Wherefore to conclude this point learning keepes states from returning to their former Chaos of confusion Cic. pro Arch. Aug. super psal 101. it is the sun that enlightens the minde of Princes and being remooued gouernment by disorder turnes into tyranny and is obscured with the darke cloudes of ignorance Alphonsus Aragonum Rex cum audisset quendam dixisse non decere principem scire literas fertur exclamasse eam vocem bouis esse non hominis cum a rationis iuditio non profecta sed insulso belluinae ruditatis instinctu fuisset effusa SECTIO III. Of the vertuous life of Princes of the election of their Councellors officers and seruants THere be three inseparable companions that ought to accompany Princes Impera tibi impera seruis impera subditis Sociad First the care of themselues Secondly the care of their subiects Thirdly the care and iudicious choyce of Councellours Virtutes Principis per omniuÌ„ imperiorum corpora diffunduntur Senec. de Clement officers and seruants The first is the rule whereby the second and third are squared the good life of a Prince is the fountaine from whence the waters of life of countrey city and court flow The Prince is the head they the members he is of no lesse force in their politicke body then the head in a naturall which being crasie or diseased imparts sicknesse or death to the weaker parts Princes are of star-like influence vpon inferiour bodies If the ayre bee infected with an epidemicall quality they that dwell therein cannot be very sound If Princes bee giuen to goodnesse and vertue the subiects and seruants like apes imitate them if vicious 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Epist Ex Plut. they exceed in all licenciousnesse and insolency This exemplary life of Princes was the ground-stone whereon Platoes Republicke was builded Fla. vopisc in aurel old Solons faithfull counsell to Princes was to goe before their people in vertue and goodnes which precedency is the maintainer of piety honesty and obedience Secundum iudicem populi sic ministri eius Eccles 10.2 saith the Wiseman Philostrat lib. 9. The Annals of all nations demonstrate that whatsoeuer vertues or vices Princes haue followed such were the patternes from whence the life of subiectes and seruants were drawne Ex dione cassio lib. 9. Efficacissimum est exhortationis genus Principem hoc facere quod ab alijs fieri velit As this personall care is the first royall wisedome and the frame of good gouernment Opera danda vt Princeps suos mores integros incorruptos praestet reipublicae quoad licet omnes subditos proceres aulicos ac ministros sui similes habeat Eras in stit prin so is the wise election and making choyce of counsell and helpes for supporting the heauy burthen of a diadem the next neighbouring vertue Certum est Principem non posse sua scientia cuncta complecti itaque conciliari eorum quae inter homines sunt diuinissimum est Princes then are first to consult with that supreme King by whom they raigne hee is Magni consilij Angelus admirabilis consiliarius Esa 9.6 Humana consilia castigantur quaÌ„do Coelestibus praeferuÌ„tur Max. lib. 1. without this counsell all other is erronious and full of danger Dauid consulebat dominum antequam facta ardua agrediretur Next vnto diuine consultation the helpe of counsellours and fit persons for seconding so weightie a charge offereth it selfe to the iudicious view of Princes and wherein the following cognizances are to be obserued First that such as are admitted to so honourable a place bee religious fearing God Ambros 3. de offic and of vpright life Consiliorum gubernaculum lex diuina in consilijs acquirendis plurimum adiungit vitae probitas Secondly Principi coÌ„sule non dulciora sed optima Solon apud Laert. that they be fidi rerum hominumque periti faithfull in counsell skilful in affayres and conditions of people Thirdly that they be free of flattery tantum nocet adulatio in consilijs quantum veritas consilij Fourthly that they may bee wise graue well affected and seene in matters of State of good experience and such as by their various fortunes haue learned the art of counselling Ioan. Pall. par 1. ca. 9. Mihi fortuna multis rebus ereptis vsum dedit bene suadendi saith Mithridates Fifthly counsellours must bee
such for slaues as had vniustly depraued him hee did meekely tell them if they did so any more hee would complaine to their masters Non homines occidit sed ciuiliter illis exprobarit intempestiuam maledicentiam seruitutem maledicentiae praemium SECTIO VI. Of Nobilitie WHere the seede of honour hath a true discent from nobilitie of ancestors a ground of vertue springing by noble deserts continued with wisdome and maintained with care a fruitfull haruest and plentifull winter cannot but follow for as subiects are most easily inclined to follow ancient nobilitie so oftimes vertue followes nobilitie of blood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 2. fol. 97 and is the chiefe meanes whereby Princes attaine to the due respect of neighboring friendes and subiects Yet this nobility of ancestors is not so to bee relyed vpon as if it could adde any thing except seconded by goodnesse to the dignity of Princes Salust in Iul. For nobility is the act of time and dieth with the Father if the Son be not alike vertuous Chrysost in Math. Nobilitas cognatorum non valet nisi fuerimus nos ipsi boni Nobility then by discent without vertue is rather an imaginary and vulgar opinion then reall and true nobilitie Nam genus proauos quae noÌ„ fecimus ipsi Vix ea nostra voco It is a ridiculous and ostentiue humour Francis Petr. dial 6. to glory in the merit of others vertue for certainly the splendour of ancestours is the greatest staine that can taint degenerating posterity the very name of a Prince imposeth a necessity of well doing vpon Kings to this purpose Chrysostome sayth well Ille clarus ille sublimis ille tunc integram nobilitatem suam putet qui dedignatur seruire vitijs ab eis non vult superari Iphicrates the sonne of a Shoo-maker preferred to Emperiall dignitie being taxed by degenerate Hermodius for the basenesse of his birth Eras apo answered I am the beginner of my nobilitie but thou the extinguisher of thine Caius Marius did glory in the multitude of wounds hee had receiued in defence of his Countrey not in the glorious monuments or images of his Ancestours Iuuenal â—at 5. Iuuenall did hang Publius Plancus who vsed to boast himselfe discended from the noble family of Drusus by the nose intimating to all succeeding proud glistering Thrasoes that like Statues are good for nothing but to looke vpon or talke of the nobility powerfulnesse vertues and riches of their Ancestours that they are worthy to be laughed at Frontinus gaue charge before his death that no monument should bee built for him For sayd hee if I haue liued vertuously my memorie shall not perish Eras 8. apo neyther needeth any Monument of Gold Marble or Brasse but if I dye viciously I am worthie of none they shal rather reuiue my infamy then illustrate my memory Qui vere clarus videri velit ne ostentet sculptas aut coloribus ad vmbratas imagines in quibus si quid verae laudis est id pectori debetur sed potius virtutis monumenta moribus exprimat SETCIO VII Antidotes against the poysoning of vaine glory and ambitious thoughts that intoxicates the mindes of young Princes ALthough greatnesse hath euer many soothers in vice Eras instit Prin. persons of base condition attending and hemming it round with perswasions of selfe conceite yet is earthly glory a deceiuable picture drawne with false colours blemished with euery breath the worke of fortune blindly imparted to the good and bad On the contrary the true suruey of greatnesse is a diuine worke and able to restraine the most powerful monarches from the dangerous pathes of pride tyranny Plin. Paniger and ambitious aspiring Supra non extra homines Princeps non minus hominem se quam hominibus praeesse cogitet This serious examination hath the true originall from the due consideration what Princes are in their conception in their birth in their life and what they shall be after death Is vitam aequa lance pensitauerit qui semper fragilitatis humanae memor fuerit Hiron in Math. They are as all men conceiued in sinne borne naked lesse able then many more base creatures to take food or helpe themselues they liue not onely exposed to humane diseases and worldly cares to which priuate men are subiect but to many miseries from which the vulgar are exempted after their death they must bee food for wormes and againe with all men assume those same bodies and in them receiue a correspondent reward as they haue vsed their talent Princes are to consider that all goodnesse is the free gift of God Eras in Mil. Christ freely bestowed vpon them for the weale of them and their subiects but euery disordered affection proceedeth from the corruption of nature and enclineth vnto tyranny They ought to thinke that their Vicegerency from God is their greatest glory Fortunam tuaÌ„ O Princeps pressis manibus tene lubrica est nec in vito teneri potest impone foelicitati fraenos facilius eam Reges Curt. lib. 8. that they are to exercise it but for a short time that although they bee entituled to all such glorious titles as may exalt swelling pride yet who knoweth but to morrow they may bee where all kings before them are the foode of Serpents and Worms All flesh is but Dust and Ashes and therefore hath no cause to be prowd It is like to the grasse of the field this day greene to morrow withered Brittle is the greatnesse that fadeth in a moment An ignoras magnos arbores diu crescere vna hora extirpari idem Curt. If Princes had the wisedome of Solomon the beautie of Absolon the strength of Sampson the riches of Craesus and the long life of Methusalem what shall all these fayling vanities auayle except by a vertuous raigne in this short kingdome of cares August de natu gra they so dignifie themselues that they may bee entailed to an euerlasting kingdome of Ioyes Where be the glorious shewes of most powderfull Monarchs whose pride builded high aspiring Babylon whose ambition one world could not containe Ambros in exam where bee the inuincible Emperours that did ouer-rule the world the horse out-landish attire nuÌ„ber of attendants leaders of troops and al other false pleasures that did atttend vpon pride are they not turnd into ashes doth not the least push of death make shepheards and kings equal was not the birth of those great Cedars of Lebanon weake their life inconstant their death putrifaction looke into their sepulchers and discerne who was a king who was a subiect who was rich who was poore finde out if thou canst the victor from the conquered the strong from the weake the beautifull from the deformed or trye some cause of humane arrogancie Agap ad Iustin thou shalt finde pride and ambition neither amongst the counsels of the wise nor bodies of the dead Factus
reape much fruite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 li. 2. fol 93. Eccles 1. by conferring things past with things present Nihil nouum sub sole there they shall finde the true proportion liuely colours and bright shining lustre of vertue and the vgly deformed shape of black neuer dying infamy Principibus bonis nihil melius contra nihil peius tyrrannis qui eius modi belluae sunt vt non alia sub sole portenta neque noxia neque magis omnibus inuisa SECTIO X. By what meanes a Prince may secure himselfe in his kingdome and obtaine the loue of his subiects AS wisedome which is the brightnesse of the euerlasting light the vndefiled myrror of the Maiesty of God and image of his goodnesse is the sure ground of the stately pillar of gouernement Prudentiae ad omnis res humanos vsus sed ad imperium maxime quod sine ea non solum infirmum sit sed nullum Lip lib. 3.1 so is the fauour of subiects the maintainer of so glorious building and the kingdomes that are gouerned by the vertue of Princes and loue of subiects are most quiet and firme The most vndomeable beasts are made more easily mylde by gentle familiar vsage then by roughnesse or stripes and the loue of Subiects without which Princes can neuer be secured is sooner conciliate by beneuolence then by vnbridled authoritie and crueltie Mat. 5. Blessed are the meeke in heart for they shall possesse the inheritance of the earth Psalm 36. and shall be delighted in the multitude of peace was not written in vayn but for the instruction of kings establishing of kingdomes by the fruits of wisdome not by the effects of Phalarisme Diog. lib. 2 Ciuibus placere stude habet id multum gratiae was the worthy sentence of Bias for sayd he if Princes should desire to equall or exceed Cecrops in nobilitie Policrates in happinesse Craesus in riches Xerxes in armies Caesar in victories and Pompey in tryumphs Eras in paneg ad Philip. no helpes can so auayle them as the vnited and true loue of subiects which is the impregnable strength and neuer emptyed treasure of kings Claudiam in uonsul honor Non sic excubiae non circumstantia pila quam tutator amor The Empire of kings ouer their subiectes is compared to the command of fathers ouer their children or masters ouer their schollers Senec. de Clement as he is no louing father that beates his son for euery slight fault and no lesse cruell master that punisheth his scholler for the natural defects of his sight or hearing So many rigorous precedeÌ„ts of punishment are no lesse disgracefull to a king Ferina est rabies sanguine gaudere vulneribus abiecto homine in Siluestre animal transire Rhen. Lor. then many buryals to a Physition Seueritas amittit assiduitate authoritatem The more remisse kings gouerne the more they are honored loued and obeyed no vertue becommeth them better then clemency neither more surely bindeth the hearts of people What is more ioyfull then to rule with the applause of men Who dares imagine any harme against that Prince that is meeke and mercifull vnder whose sheltring wings Iustice Peace Security and Honours flourish Eccl. 10 15. Luke 1.52 14.11 Meekenesse and Mercy establisheth the throne of a king Pride and Crueltie ouerthrowes the seate of a Tyrant Psalm Sedes diuum superborum distruxit D us sedere fecit mites pro eis The house of the wicked shall be ouerturned but the tabernacles of the godly shall florish Let the short raigne and tragicall end of Dionysius Caligula Vitellius and many others whose tyrrannous life hastned their wished yet immature death confirme that no tyranny is of long continuance that such are much deceiued that dreames stabilitie Eccles 10.10 18.19 1. Sam. 2.7.8 Thales Milesius interroganti quid difficile seneÌ„ inquit videre tyraÌ„num ap Stob. Cic. 5. offic or securitie to Princes without goodnesse Existimatum demum te tuto regnare cum volentibus imperas the Prince that wants the fauour of his people hath lost his chief guard and that Prince that is fearfull to many must of necessitie be afrayd of many Non sunt adamantina imperij vincula quae Dionysius Tyrannus dictitabat ex Plut. Dionysius the Tyrant excruciated with this feare did make choice to suffer the paine of singeing the haire of his beard with hot fire rather then coÌ„mit his conscious life to the trust of a Barbors rasor Acl. Soart Alexander Pharees neuer entered his Queenes chamber before diligent seareh was made that no priuate weapon were hidden in it yet if wee will wade into the shallow brookes of the heathen wee shall find that the liues of these and thousands more of heathen Princes was tyrannous their death miserable but we Christians learne our lesson from our maker Mihi vindicta vltio mea est ego retribuam sayth the Lord. Deut. 32. Rom. 11. We must thinke our sins the iust cause of our afflictions and that God sometimes sends wicked kings to the punishmeÌ„t of wicked people Dabo reges in surore meo Osee 13. Qui malum rectoreÌ„ patitur Deum non accuset quia sui fuit meriti peruersi rectoris subiacere ditioni Gre. sup Iob. and as God giueth them for the punishment of sinne so must Gods people onely by repentance and amendment submit themselues to his pleasure in whose hands are the hearts of kings It is not lawfull to think an ill thought of kings far lesse to lay hands on the Lords annointed Potestas omni siue bona siue mala à deo est Itaque potest tibus siue bonis siue malis honortribuendus est Augu. contra Manichae Let not the haÌ„d but the hart of a traitor be acursed let his flesh be carnage to the foules of the aire his bowels sacrificed to the hangmaÌ„ his memory eternised vpon the tables of blacke infamy But to come to my purpose Rein. Lor. Isay a Prince hath many gates to receiue the fauour loue of his people amongst which I shall shortly poynt at foure First because pride is hatefull to all men Eccles 10.7 Cic. de orâ—t Senec. Epist 18. Princes shall shun the enuy that comes therby if they do not boast of their high fortune power riches or what else is more deare vnto them accounting no otherwise of them Plut. in Pol. then as of the vncertaine goods of fortune and that they can auayle them no further but according to the good or bad vse of them Potentiae in insuetudo â—ungatur piâ—lâ—ag apud â—â—ob Modestie and humility are no lesse eminent in Princes then subiects and are the actractiue Adamants that drawes the loue of subiects to their king Greg. moral 17. we do see the motion of the Sunne is most slow when it is highest in his Zodiake So the more highly greatnesse is promoted it
ought to be the more setled calme Salomon to this purpose giueth aduice My sonne Eccles 3. in all thy workes embrace meeknesse and thou shalt be loued aboue the glory of men Secondly there be two things peculiar vnto kings of themselues iust and lawfull whereof the timely or vntimely pressing auayleth much to conciliate the loue or dislike of subiectes The first is imposing and raysing of subsidies for the publicke good and maintaining of the great charges of kings although they be as due to them from their people as iustice clemency Rom 13.6 Mat. 22.21 Mar. 12.17 Luc. 20. and protection is from Princes to subiects yet are they to bee imposed as seldome as may be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 2. de fol. 99. and onely when the weighty affaires of Princes and state so requires Ieroboam by imposing heuy burthēs exactiōs vpon his people was punished by the cutting off ten tribes frō his kingdomes Pater meus cecedit vos flagellis ego cedam vos scorpionibus 1. Reg. 11. wherby is intimated to future posterity that altaints of tirantlike oppressiō base auarice euer liable to contēpt are frō kings far to be remoued Phil. Com. 10. The other obseruatiō is in making of new or reforming ancient lawes or customs crept into abuse Xen. in Cir. or remouing such as at the institution were profitable yet for the present time are either hurtfull or not necessary Legis legibus non recreatae marcescunt Plat. de leg in all which Princes are to keep such tēperate mean as their proceedings may bee warranted by the generall consent of the most wise and best sort of subiects Arest 5. pol and freed from all suspition of particular ends or rashnes Nouum omne Dion 22. Thuc. 6. quod incognitū est suspectū est The very name of nouelty is oft times more offensiue to state thē the benefit that cōmes therby profitable For this cause Princes somtimes tolerate such things as without the preiudice of the Common-wealth and their royall dignity may be suffered otherwise things that haue had long continuace are by little and little to bee reformed Si quid eiusmodi erit vt ferri possit aut tollerare conueniet aut commode ad meliorem vsum deflectere Thirdly if Princes shewe themselues affable and exorable not vindictiue and seuere in the rigorous execution of lawes for euery light offence they shall much obliege the fauour and obedience of their subiects for as impunity begetteth contempt of lawes so frequent punishment ingenerates hatred senslesse stupiditie carelesnesse contentious repugnancie Marcus Antonius was so familiar with his subiects that hee did louingly name some father some son according to their dignities qualities This Princely familiarity made him so beloued Quae hoc tempore habemus bona ob nullam aliam causam adepti sumus quā ob praestitā obedientiā principi Pith. apud Stob. Salust ad Caesar in his life time at his death so condoled with the brinish teares of his sorrowfull subiects that it is recorded to his neuer dying prayse Cum extremum diem clausisset tantus illius amor eo die regij funeris claruit vt nemo illum non plangendum censuerit Fourthly because animaduersion in the liues and manners of people euen in matters whereof penall lawes takes little or no hold is powerfull in conquering the loue of subiects and to eternise the memoryes of Princes with true glory They are carefully to curbe blasphemy luxury Iuuenal Sa. 6. Tacit. 12 Anal. Drunkennesse prodigality idlenesse and such other vices as are in all ages and sorts people repugnant to godlines or good manners Prauas artes malasque libidines ab iuuentute prohibebūt a senibus eas voluptates quas eorum aetas sine dedecore non attingit ab vniuersa plebe otium They are carefully to preserue their people from blood-sucking vsury Vbi diuitiarum cupido inuasit neque disciplina neque bonae artes satis pollent itaque merito princeps pecuniaestudium tollet aut quo ad res feret minuet atque alligabit illud vtbibus vetus faenebre malum Arist pol. 7. Tacit. 6. anal Plin. paneg exorbitant extortion so oft accursed in Gods sacred word accounted with traitrous Iudas his 30. peeces the price of blood Lastly Princes are to forbid all sumptuous riot and prodigally profused charges in building ne nimis struant aut instruant in house keeping or dyet ne luxus mensae profusis sumptibus exerciatur That in clothing a deeent modestie amongst all degrees sexes and ages be kept Ne vestis promiscua viris faeminis nobilibus plebeijs nam conuiuiorum luxuria vestium aegrae ciuitatis indicia sunt SETCIO XI Princes ought be easie in giuing accesse and ready to hoare the complaints of the oppressed and poore THe hearing of the causes of subiectes the iust ballancing determining them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 2. fol. 35. Diues rogans in tormentis non exauditur quia rogantem pauperem non exaudiuit in terris August hode diuit is the chiefe part of a kings office Mercy and truth establisheth the throne of kings but hee that regardeth not the crye of the poore shall cry and not be heard To this purpose S. August aduiseth Princes to be easie in giuing of accesse hearing of the complaints of all men Quia inauditi atque indefensi tanquam innocentes pereunt Moses did heare the people frō morning til euening Exod. 18.19 Salomon did wisely determine the cause of a poore prostitute harlot 1. Reg. 3.17 His father Dauid did delight in vpright iudgement Suet. in Caes But to leaue this diuine Ocean and come to the shallow riuers of the heathen Octauius Augustus did sometimes spend whole dayes and best part of the night in the administration of iustice Alexander Seuerus did the like Acl. Spart and did seuerely punish such subordinate Magistrates as were found slacke in their office Methridates did minister iustice in 21. languages to the people vnder his Empire Imperatorem stantem mori oportet hoc est in causis audiendis rebusque componendis strenuum erectum vsque at extremum vitae momentum oportere As the people do much magnifie and honor such Princes as willingly doe heare their complaynts and determine their causes So doe they contemptuously although secretly hate those whose pryde tyranous answers and difficill accesse do vnworthily challenge the name of Empyre Amongst these was Demetrius who after two years attendance did returne the Athenian Embassadours without answer and at another time did publish Mulier quae dam Adrianum Caesarem rogauit vtse audiret cui ille otiū mihi non est illade inde clamans ait noli ergo imperar Ex Plut. that vpon a certain day ensuing hee would heare the complaints of such as were greeued but when at the prefixed time hee had liberally
innobedientiae By exercise soldiers becom skilfull in their armes strong in their bodyes and couragious in their mindes Demet. In omni praelio non tam multitudo virtus indocta quam ars exercitium solent praestare victoriam Oft-times skill and exercise effect more in warre then multitude or vertue without skill On the contrary Socra apud Stob. Zenon apud Diog. lib. 7. Pith. in suis praecept idlenesse as it doth to all men doth infect the bodyes and minds of souldiers with a senslesse securitie and dulnesse to doe good and stirres them vp to all such vices as may offend others and are the staines of reputation and breach of good lawes therefore great Captaines can neuer bee assured of exspected successe without keeping of souldiers in dayly exercise Although Asia had no vse of ships yet lest the souldiers might be dulled or corrupted by idlenesse order was giuen to build ships for one wittily sayth homo sanus otiosus quam febricitans multo miserior est a man that is in health idle is in a more dangerous estate then he that is in an ague Secondly luxury of souldiers makes them become senselesse of reputation effeminate and soft and is to be choaked in the birth lest enchanting Circes change Vlisses followers into swine or luxurious Campania blemish the famous victories of Hannibal and in the end deliuer him vp as a subiect to adorne the Trophes of his most contemned enemies Thirdly by discipline souldiers are to be restrained from rapes ryots and disorders Marcus Cato did enact that the hand of him that committed theft should be cut off Lycias that whosoeuer did offer iniury ryots or abandon his place without cōmand should be seuerely punished Manlius Torquatus filium quod ipso ignorante ad dimicandum discenderat Val. Max. mactari iussit satius iudicans patrem forte filio quam patria militari disciplina carere This great Captaine did preferre the care of discipline to his victorious sonne but as in all other rigorous execution of Iustice so in military discipline seuerity is to be inflicted first Emendandi causa that the party punished may be therby bettred for sometimes seuerity cutteth off many that thereafter might proue profitable members in the body of an army Veget. lib. 5 Plat. Epist Secondly seuerity is to bee vsed cum dignitas eius in quem peccatur tuenda est ne pretermissa animaduersio contemptum pariat When neglect of punishment begetteth contempt against the person of commanders and good lawes Thirdly Salust ad Caes de rem ord punishment must haue its force vt metu penae ceteri terreantur that examplary punishment vpon corrupt and vncurable members may terrefie others The necessitie of military discipline is demonstrate Pub. Mim by the benefite that commeth to Princes by it and by the losses that idlenesse confusion the neglect thereof doe beget Alexander Macedo exiguam manum militarem a patre suscepit Val. Max. Quin. Curt sed doctam qua asuefacta militiae orbem terrarum aggressus innumeras hostium strages fudit the small but skilfull force that Alexander did receiue from his father did challenge the whole world and subdue infinite number of enemies The Romane Empire was begun augmented and continued by military discipline and obseruation of good lawes Polib lib. 6. cap. 7. vtterly euerted by luxury idlenesse and the like consuming plagues The fearefull name of Xerxes by foolish confidence was ecclipsed by two shamefull ouerthrowes giuen him at Thermopilas Salamine where too late hee did complaine Se habere multos homines raro autem disciplina tenaces SECTIO XXIIII Of the meditation and preparation of Princes against the day of death AS there is nothing more certain thē deaths neuer failing arrest neither more irreconciliable terrible dāgerous enemy to the corrupt sons of Adam then death Greg. Mor. 18. So is there no more heauē pleasing care then the watchful attendance for death no truer badge of fortitude then the couragious defiance of death no such glorious victory as in the triumph ouer death This due meditation preparation against the cōming of death is the Anuill whereon the armes that must conquer him are forged Bernard Moral 18. The victorious ouercomming of death is the crowne of a good life here Aug. de mort and the earnest of assured happinesse hereafter and ought to be common to all men and proper to Princes First least greatnesse honours riches power or other deceitfull vanities transport them make them forgetfull of human condition inuegle the eyes of their soules with security of long life or make the remēbrance of death bitter O mors quam amara est memoria tua homini pacem habenti in sulstantijs suis Prouerb 8.31 Eclles Solomon who had long enioyed honor riches and whatsoeuer else might dignifie and exalt him did in end draw the short conclusion that all things vnder heauen are vanitas vanitatis that the onely true comfort in this earthly kingdome is in exspectation of a better hereafter and that the soule staruing-pleasures after which he had formerly hungred were but vanities and vexation of spirit When sickenesse or old age the harbengers of inexorable death such Princes to yeelde nature her due they may thus meditate and reason with thēselues Aegritudo senectus mortis nuncij sunt Chrys hom 5. death is not to be feared where a good life hath prepared the way to heare of death is no nouelty that they with al men are borne to dye that all their auncestors are by death dissolued what numbers of Monarchs are before them that all shall follow them that death is the end of miseries entry to true happinesse in heauen where incorrupt treasure abides them that the mercie-Master the true Samaritan and great Physition of soules hath a salue for euery sore that hee did cure the woman whose faith was great saued his Apostles whose faith was little and hath promised by the similitude of the Mustard seed to receiue in his kingdome the widdowes mite Math. 8.25.26.13.31 Si possemus super talem ascendere speculum de quo vniuersam terram sub pedibus cerneremus iam tibi ostenderem mundi ruinas gētes gētibus reges regibus regna regnis collisa alios torqueri alios necari alios absorberi fluctibus alios in seruitutem trahi hic nuptias illi planctum illos nasci istos mori Hieron ad Heled or the least dram of sauing faith To these meditations may be added the weakenesse shortnes and frailtie of the life of man subiect to sicknesse pouerty iniuries violence and millions of downe-throwing miseries yea miserable man is dayly tormented with the chief pleasures of life Delicacy of meates begetteth cruditie indigestion strong drinke palsie and trembling lust stupidity weakning of the body riches enuy in possessing of them and sorrow in leauing of thē in one word euery Ioy hath