faithfull unto him which is fit to bee in the middle of his Kingdome as the heart in the middle of the body or the Sunne in the middle of Heaven both to divide himselfe more easily into all the parts of his Dominions and least the furthest parts at one end move whilest the Prince is in the other If hee goe in progresse many times to see his Provinces especially those that are remote 6. If hee gratifie his Courtiers and Attendants in that sort and by such meanes as that hee may seeme not to pleasure them with the hurt and injury of his people as with Monopolies and such like 7. If hee commit the handling of such thingâ— as procure envy or seeme grievous to his Ministers but reserve those things which are gratefull and well pleasing to himselfe as the French Kings who for that purposeâ— as may seeme have erected their Court at Paris which 〈◊〉 the Prince from grudge and envy both with the Nobles and the people 8. If hee borrowes sometimes summes of money of his people though hee have no need and pay the same 〈◊〉 without defalcation of any part by his Exchequer or other Officers 9. If hee avoid all such things as may breed hatred or contempt of his person which may bee done if hee shew himselfe not too light inconstant hard cruell eâ—â—eminate fearefull and dastardly c. But contrariwise Religious grave just valiant c. Whereby appeareth the false Doctrine of the Machivilian Policy with feare the better meanes to keepe the people in obedience then love and reverence of the people towards the Prince 9. If the Prince bee well furnished with Warlike Provision which is to bee rumored and made knowne abroad If it bee knowne that hee is revereneed and obeyed by his people at home 10. If hee provide so much as lieth in him that his Neighbour Kingdomes grow not overmuch in power and Dominion which if it happen hee is to joyne speedily with other Princes which are in like danger to abare that greatnesse and to strengthen himselfe and the rest against it An overfight of the Christian Princes towards the King of Spaine 11. If hee get him Intelligencers by Reward or other meanes to detect or hinder the deâ—ignes of that Prince with whom hee hath differences if any thing bee intentâ—ed against his State Or at least have some of his owne Lydging abroad about that Princes Court under colour of Embassage or some other pretence which must bee Men of skill and Dexterity to serve for that turne 12. To observe the Lawes of his Conntrey and not to encounter them with his Prerogative nor to use it at all where there is a Law for that it maketh a secret and just grudge in the peoples hearts especially if it tender to take from them their commodities and to bestow them upon other of his Courtiers and Ministers 13. To provide especially that that part which favoureth the State as it standethâ— bee more potent then the other that favoureth it not or desireth a change 14. To make specially choyce of good and sound men to beare the place of Magistrates especiall of such as assist the Prince in his Councels and Policies and not to leane overmuch to his owne advise contrary to the rule of Machivill who teacheth that a Prince can have no good Councell except it bee in himselfe his reason because if hee use the Councell of some one hee is in danger to bee overwrought and supplanted by him And if hee Councell with more then hee shall bee distracted with the differences in opinion As if a Prince of great or meane wisedome could not take the judgement of all his Counsellours in any point of Policy or of so many as himselfe thinketh good and to take it either by word or in wrâ—ting and himselfe then in private peruse them all and so after good 〈◊〉 mature deliberation make choice of the best without any destraction or binding himselfe to the direction of one For the Proverbe is true that two eyes see more then one and therefore the advises and consultations of a Senatory State is compared by some to a feast or dinner where many contribute towards the Shot by which meanes they have more variety of dishes and so better fare And yet every man may make choice of that dish that serveth him best for his health and appetite 15. The Prince himselfe is to sit sometimes in place of publique justice and to give an experiment of his wisedome and equity whereby great reverence and estimation is gotten as in the example of Solomen which may seeme the reason why our Kings of England had their Kings bench in place of publique Iustice after the manner of the ancient Kings that sate in the Gate where for better performing of this Princely duty some speciall causes may bee selected which may throughly bee debated and considered upon by the Prince in private with the helpe and advise of his learned Counsell and so bee decided publiquely as before is said by the Prince himselfe At least the Prince is to take accompt of every Minister of publique Iustice that it may bee knowne that hee hath a care of Iustice and doing right to his people which makes the Iusticers also to bee more carefull in performing of their dâ—ties 16. To bee moderate in his taxes and impositions and when need doth require to use the Subjects purse to doe it by Parliaments and with their consents making the cause apparant unto them and shewing his unwillingnesse in charging them Finally â—o to use it that it may seeme rather an offer from his Subjects then an exaction by him 17. To stop small beginnings unto this end to compound the dissentious that arise amongst the Nobles with Caution that such as are free bee not drawne into parts whereby many times the Prince is endangered and the whole Common-wealth set in a combustion as in the example of the Barons Warres and the late Warres of France which grew from a quarrell betwixt the Guision faction and the other Nobility 18. To stirre up the people if they grow secure and negligent of armour and other provision for the Common-wealth by some rumour or feare of danger at-home to make them more ready when occasion requireth But this seldome to bee used least it bee supposed a false Alarme when there is need indeed 19. To have speciall care that his children especially the heire apparent have such bringing up as is meet for a King viz. in learning specially of matters pertaining to State and in Marshall exercise contrary to the practize of many Princes who suffer their children to bee brought up in pleasure and to spend their time in hunting c. which by reason oâ— their defects afterwards is a cause of mis-government and alteration of State 2. Kingdomes new gotten or purchased by force are preserved by these meanes 1. FIrst if they have beene Subjects before to his Ancestours or have the same tongue manners
which every Common wit cannot discerne but men expert in Policy 9. To provide that that part bee ever the greater in number and power which favours the State as now it stands This is to bee observed as a very Oracle in all Common-wealths 10. To observe a meane in all the degrees and to suffer no part to exceed or decay overmuch As first for preâ—erments to provide that they bee rather small and short then great and long And if any bee growne to overmuch greatnesse to withdraw or diminish some part of his honour Where the Sophismes are to bee practized viz. to doe it by parts and degrees to doe it by occasion or colour of Law and not all at once And if that way serve not to advance some other of whose vertue and faithfulnesse wee are fully assured to as high a degree or to greater honour and to bee the friends and followers of him that excelleth above that which is meet As touching wealth to provide that thoâ—e of the middle sort as before was said bee more in number and if any grow high and overcharged with wealth to use the Sophismes of a Popular State viz. to send him on EmbaÌ„sâ—ages and forramâ— Negotiations or employ him in some office that hath great charges and litle honour c. To which end the Edelishiâ— served in some Common-wealths 11. To suppresse the factions and quarrels of the Nobles and to keepe other that are yet free from joyning with them in their partakings and factions 12. To encrease or remit the Common taxes and contributions according to the wealth or want of the people and Common-wealth If the people bee increased in wealth the taxes and subsidies may bee increased If they bee poore and their wealth diminish specially by dearth want of traffique c. to forbeare taxes and impositions or to take litle Otherwise grudge and discontentments must needs follow The Sophismes that serve for impositions are these and other of like sort to pretend businesse of great charge as Warre building of Ships making of Havens Castles Fortifications c. for the Common defence sometimes by Lotteries and like devises wherein some part may bee bestowed the rest reserved for other expences but Princely dealing needs no pretences 13. To provide that the Discipline and training of Youth of the better sort bee such as agreeth with that Common-wealth As that in a Kingdome the Sonnes of Noble-men to bee attendant at the Court that they may bee accustomed to obedience towards the Prince In the Senatory State that the Sonnes of the Senatours bee not idly noâ— over daintily brought up but well instructed and trained up in learning tongues and Martiall exercise that they may bee able to beare that place in the Common-wealth which their Father held and contrary wise in a Popular State 14. To take heed least their Sophismes or secret practizes for the continuance and maintenance of that State bee not discovered least by that means they refuse and disappoint themselves but wisely used and with great secreflie Particuler Rules Rules and Axiomes for preserving of a Kingdome Hereditary Conquered Kingdomes Hereditary are preserved at home by the ordering 1. HImselfe viz. By the tempering and moderation of the Princes power and prerogative For the lesse and more temperate their power and state is the more firme and stable is their Kingdome and Government because they seeme to be further off from a Master-like and Tyrannicall Empire and lesse unequall in condition to the next degree to wit the Nobility and so lesse subject to grudge and envy 2. Nobility viz. By keeping that degree and due proportion that neither they exceed not in number more then the Realme or State can beare as the Scottish Kingdome and sometime the English when the Realme was overcharged with the numbers of Dukes Earles and other Nobles whereby the Authority of the Prince was ecclipsed and the Realme troubled with their factions and ambitions Nor that any one excell in honour power or wealth as that hee resemble another King within the Kingdome as the House of Lancaster within this Realme To that end not to load any with too much honour or preferrement because it is hard even for the best and worthiest Men to beare their greatnesse and high fortune temperately as appeareth by infinite examples in all States The Sophismes for preventing or reforming this inconvenience are to bee used with great caution and wisedome If any great person bee to bee abated not to deale with him by calumniation or forged matter and so to cut him off without desert especially if hee bee gratious among the people after the Machivilian policy which besides the Injustice is an occasion many times of greater danger towards the Prince Nor to withdraw their honour all at once which maketh a desperate discontentment in the party and a commiseration in the people and so greater love if hee bee gratious for his vertue and publique service Nor to banish him into forraine Countries where hee may have oportunity of practizing with forraine States whereof great danger may ensue as in the Examples of Coriolanus Henry the fourth and such like But to use these and the like Sophismes viz. To abate their greatnesse by degrees as David Ioabs Iustinian Bellisarius c. To advance some other Men to as great or greater honour to shadow or over-mate the greatnesse of the other To draw from him by degrees his friends and followers by preferrements rewards and other good and lawfull meanes especially to bee provided that these great men bee not employed in great or powerfull affaires of the Common-wealth whereby they may have more oportunity to sway the State 3. People viz. so to order and behave himselfe that hee bee loved and reverenced of the people For that the Prince need not greatly feare home-conspiracies or forraine invasion if hee bee firmely loved of his owne people The reason for that the Rebell can neither hope for any forces for so great enterprise noâ— any refuge being discovered and put to flight if the multitude affect their Prince But the Common people being once offended hath cause to feare every moving both at home and abroad This may bee effected by the Prince if hee use meanes and art of getting the favour of the people and avoid those things that breed hatred and contempt viz. if hee sâ—â—me as a â—utor or a Father to love the people and to protect them if hee maintaine the Peace of his Kingdome For that nothing is more Popular nor more pleasing to the people then is peace 4. If hee shew himselfe oftentimes gratiously yet with State and Majesty to his people and receive complaints of his suppliants and such like 5. If hee sit himselfe sometimes in open Courts and place of Justice that hee may seeme to have a 〈◊〉 of Justice among his people If hee bestow many benefits and graces upon that City which hee maketh the seat of his Empire and so make it sure and
degrees to conspire against him as Brutus Cassius c. against Caesar 2. Feare viz. Of danger when one or more dispatch the Prince by secret practise or force to prevent his owne danger as Artabanus did Xerxes 3. Lust or Lecâ—ery as Tarquinius Superbus by Brutus Pisistratinde by Armodius Appius by Virginius Chiefe 4. Contempt For vile quality and base behaviour as Sardanapalus by Arbaces Dionisiuâ— the younger by Dion Other degrees 5. Contumely When some great disgrace is done to some of great Spirit who standeth upon his honour and reputation as Caligula by Chaereas Other degrees 6. Hope of Advancement or some great profit as Mithidrates Anâ—barsanes Alteration without violence CAuses of alteration without violence are 1. Excesse of the State when by degrees the State groweth from that temper and mediocrity wherein it was or should have bee setled and exceedeth in power riches and absolutnes in his kind by the ambition covetousnesse of the Chiefes immoderate taxes and impositions c. applying all to his owne benefit without respect of other degrees and so in the end changeth it selfe into another State or forme of Government as a Kingdome into a Tyranny an Olygarchy into an Aristocraty 2. Excesse of some one or more in the Common-wealth viz. When some one or more in a Common-wealth grow to an excellency or excesse above the rest either in honour wealth or vertue and so by permission and popular favour are advanced to the Soveraignty By which meanes Popular States grow into Olygarchies and Olygarchies and Aristocraties into Monarchies For which cause the Athenians and some other free States made their Lawes of Ostrocismos to banish any for a time that should excell though it were in vertue to prevent the alteration of their State which because it is an unjust law t' is better to take heed at the beginning to prevent the meanes that none should grow to that hight and excellency then to use so sharp and unjust a remedy FINIS A METHOD how to make use of the Booke before in the reading of Story DAVID being seventy yeares of age was of wisedome memory c. sufficient to governe his Kingdome 1. Reg. Chap. 1. Old age is not ever unfit for publique Government DAvid being of great yeares and so having â— cold dry and impotent body married with Abishag a faire Maide of the best complection through his whole Realme to revive his body and prolong his lifeâ— 1. Reg. Chap. 1. Verse 3. Example of the like practise in Charles the fifth DAvid being old and impotent of body by the 〈◊〉 of his Nobles and Phisitions married a young Maide called Abishag to warme and preserve his old body Observation VVHether David did well in marrying a Maide and whether it bee lawfull for an old decayed and impotent man to marry a young woman or on the other side for an old-worne and decrepite woman to marry a young and lusty man For the Affirmative ARG. The end of marriage is Society and mutuall comfort but there may bee Society and mutuall comfort in a marriage betwixt an old and young party Ergo 't is lawfull Answ. Society and comfort is an use and effect of marriage but none of the principall end is of marriage which are 1. Procreation of Children and so the continuance of mankind 2. The Avoiding of â—ornication As for comfort and society they may bee betwixt man and man women and women where no marriage isâ— And therefore no proper ends of marriage The Negative ARG. 1. That conjunction which hath no respect to the right and proper ends for which marriage was ordained by God is no lawfull marriage But the conjunction betwixt an old impotent and young party hath no respect to the right end for which marriage was ordained by God Therefore it is no lawfull marriage 2. No contract wherein the party contracting bindeth himselfe to an impossible condition or to doe that which hee cannot doe is good or lawfull But the contract of marriage by an impotent person with a young party bindeth him to an impossible condition to doe that which hee cannot doe viz. to performe the duties of marriage Therefore it is unlawfull For the same caâ—se the civill law determineth a nullity in these marriages except the woman know before the infirmity of the man in which case she can have no wrong being a thing done with her owne knowledge and consent because Volenti ne fit injuria In legem Iulian de adulteriis leg. Si uxor c. It provideth further for the more certainty of the infirmity that three yeares bee expired before the dissolution of the marriage because that men that have beene infirme at the first by reason of sicknesse or some other accident afterwards proved to bee sufficient De repudiis leg. in causis Defence for David in marrying Abishag 1. IT was rather a Medicine then a marriage without any evill or disordered affection 2. It was by the perswasion of his Nobles and Phisitians 3. It was for the publique good to prolong the life of a worthy Prince 4. It was with the knowledge and consent of the young Maid who was made acquainted with the Kings infirmity and to what end shee was married unto him who if shee did it for the Common good and for duties sake having withall the guift of continency shee is to bee commended if for ambition or some vaine respect it is her owne and not Davids fault Politicall Nobility Adoniah aspiring to the Kingdome FIrst tooke the advantage of Davids affection and kindnesse towards him and made him secure of any ill dealing Secondly of his age and infirmities disabling his father as unfit for Government Thirdly blazed his title and right to the Crowne Fourthly got him Chariots Horsemen and Footemen and a guard to make shew of State Fiftly being a comly and goodly person made a Popular shew of himselfe and his qualities Sixtly joyned to himselfe in faction Ioab the Generall of the army who was in displeasure for murdering of Abner and Amasa and feared that David would supply Benajah into his place and so was discontented And Abiather the high Priest that was likewise discontented with David for the preferrement of Zadoch Seventhly had meetings with them and other his confederates under a pretence of a vow and offering at the Fountaine of Raguell in the confines of Iudaea Eightly made a shew of Religion by Sacrificing c. Ninthly made himselfe familiar with the Nobles and people and entertained them with feasting Tenthly drew into his part the chiefe officers of the Court and Servants to the King by Rewards Familiarity c. Elevently disgraced and abased the Competitour and such as hee knew would take part with him and concealeth his ambition and purpose from them Twelftly had Ionathan a favorite of the Court and neere about the King to give him intelligence if any thing were discovered and moved at the Court whilest himselfe was in hand about his practize Observations Wayes
of such as aspire to the Kingdome and Markes to discerne them FIrst they wind into the Princes favour by service officiousnesse flattery c. to plant him in a good opinion of their loyalty and faithfulnesse thereby to make him secure of their practises 2. They take advantage of the Princes infirmities age impotency negligence sexe c. And worke upon that by disabling the Prince and secret detracting of his person and Government 3. They blaze their Title and claime to the Crowne if they have any with their friends and favourers 4. They provide them in secret of extraordinary forces and furniture for the warres make much of good souldiours and have a pretence if it bee espied of some other end as for the Kings honour or service and to bee in readines against forraine enemies c. 5. They make open shew of their best qualities and comlines of their person which though it bee vaine as a dumbe shew it is very effectuall to winne the liking of the popular sort which according to the rule of the election of Kings in the Bees Common-wealth thinke that Foâ—ma est digna imperare Activity Nobility Ancestry c. 6. To have their blazers abroad to set out their vertues and to prepare their friends in every Province 7. To draw into their part and make sure unto them of the chiefe Peeres men of best quality such as are mightiest and most gratious with the Souldiours and the Military men and most subtill and politique especially such as bee ambitious and discontent with the State 8. To have meetings fâ—r conference under some pretence of some ordinary â—aâ—â—er in some convenient place not toâ— neere nor too farre of but where friends may best resort and assemble unto them without suspition 9. To take up a shew and pretence of Religion more then before and beyond the practise of their former life 10. They use popular curtesie which in a great person is very effectuall feasting liberality gaming c. 11. To bee over liberall and winne to them by guifts familiarity c. the chiefe Officers of the Court and Governours of Shires 12. To have some neere about the Prince to keepe them in credite and remove suspition if any rise 13. To disgrace such as they know to bee sure and faithfull to the Prince and present State or to the Competitour and to bring them into contempt by slander detraction and all meanes they can and to concealâ— the designes from them least they bee discovered before they bee ripe 14. To have some spie neere about the Prince to advertise them if any inckling of suspition arise whilest themselves are practising Note the practises of Absolon 2. Sam. Chap. 16. and of Cyrus minor in Xenophon {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} cap. 1. Politicall Prince David being a most worthy and excellent Prince for wisedome valour religion and justice and so highly deserving of the Common-wealth yet growne into age grew withall into contempt â—nd had many both of his Nobles and Common-people that fell from him first with Absolon then with Adoniah who affected the Kingdome and rebelled against him For remedy whereof hee stirred up himselfe to publique actions which might shew his vigour and sufficiency to mannage the affaires of his Kingdome 1. AFter the victory against Absolon hee forced himselfe to forbeare mourning and shewed himselfe to his discontented Army when all were like to fall from him for his unreasonable sorrow and lamentation for his Sonne 2. After the victory hee caused a generall convention to bee assembled of the whole nation to bring him home with honour to Ierusalem which was a renewing and re-establishing of him 2. Sam. 19. 12. 3. Hee gave an experiment of his power and authority by deposing a person of great authority and estimation to wit Ioab Generall Captaine of the Army and advancing Amasa to his place 4. Hee sent kind Messengers to Ierusalem and to other chiefe and head Townes and speciall men of Iudeâ— his contributes putting them of their alliance with him with these words that they were of his owne flesh and bloud with protestation of his speciall love and affection towards them to provoke them with like kindnesse and affection towards him 5. Hee assembled a Parliament of his whole Realme and tooke occasion upon the designing of his Successour to commend unto them the succession of his House and the continuance and maintenance of Gods true worship and religion then established and gave a grave and publique charge to his Successour now designed touching the manner of his government and maintaining oâ— Religion 1. Chron. 12. 13. 6. Hee shewed his bounty and magnificence in congesting matter for the building of the Temple as gold silver brasse c. And caused it to bee published and made known to the Parliament and whole Nation 1. Chron. 22. 13. 7. Hee revived the Church Government and set it in a right order assigning to every Church Officers his place and function 8. Hee suppressed the faction of Adoniah and ordained Solomon his Successour 1. Reg. 1. 22. By these meanes hee retained his Majesty and authority in his old age as appeareth by th' effect for that being bedred hee suppressed the faction of Adoniah which was growne mighty and was set on foote with his bare commandement and signification of his pleasure and so hee died in peace FINIS