almost ready to come forth I haue resuted Euidently prouing that the Church being a part of the State it cannot bee without apparant danger to the same to admit of forraigne Iurisdiction in managing matters Ecclesiasticall but that such affaires ought alwaies to bee ordered by those who beare the Soueraignety or some other by their appointment within the same State 3 It may bee further demanded wherefore the h Liu. lib. 7. hist Rom. Romanes alwaies confessed and acknowledged that they were more obliged and indebted to Numa then to Romulus THis question Right Honourable out of the Romanes owne History is thus resolued Affirming that Romulus though founder of their Citty left little or nothing vnto them but their names to be called Romanes But Numa being the chiefe bringer in of Religion perpetuated the same and seemed to giue vnto them their very essence and being and as it were to cause the prosperous successe of their State For Romulus saith the History brought in the forme of a Common wealth which was likely not to be durable but might end with himselfe But his Successor Numa vpon the bringing in the continuall practise and exercise of Religion did in such wise forme and frame the Common-wealth that though himselfe should shortly die yet there was left an euident meane and way to make it durable for many ages 4 To the same purpose it may be demanded wherefore the i Liu. lib. 10. Hist Rom. Romanes did make more account of Religion then all other Nations VVAs it because they plainely saw that the setling Religion in the State was the firmest prop they could rely vpon for the vpholding conseruing and perpetuating of their Common-wealth and that it would serue most fitly for the bringing in of Military Discipline and Armes to which they were most addicted and without which they iudged their State could not stand Or was it rather for that they vnder this pretence as those who knew how to make vse of Religion did practise it ore fortunately and with better successe then others to retaine and keepe those which were good in their allegeance and obedience and to curbe and restraine those who were ill disposed from committing euill or persisting and continuing in their lewd courses as likewise to k Liu. lib. 3. Circa legem Terentillam pacifie the seditious l Liu. lib. 3. circa creationem tribulorum plebis consulari dignitate reconcile such Subiects as were iustly offended and grieued with the Rulers and the gouernment m Liu. lib. 5. retaine their Military Discipline and keep their Souldiers in good order n Liu. lib. 10. get credite and authority to their Commanders enterprise warres and to bring them to a happy end 5 Againe it may bee demanded to the same purpose wherefore the Romanes euen in their greatest streights and difficulties did rather vse the pretext and colour of religion to expedite and helpe themselues then any other meanes whatsoeuer WAs it because o Francise Guicciardin they were perswaded that the Common-people did rather iudge by the shadowes then the substances of things Or was it not for that cause alone but rather for that they found by experience that men are more throughly moued and thinke themselues faster tyed vpon an p Liu. lib. 3. oath taken which hath his dependancie vpon Religion then by any Lawes or Statutes whatsoeuer 6 It may further bee demanded wherefore in former times men generally were more religious then they are in these dayes WAs it because that in those elder times there was not that contempt of Religion and neglect of God his seruice as is now in these moderne dayes Or was it rather because in those more happy times it was held altogether vnlawfull for any man to make what construction he list of an oath when hee had taken it and thereout to frame rules of liuing to himselfe according to his owne liking but to fashion his life and manners rather to such lawes as were giuen and imposed vpon him to obserue 7 It may finally be demanded wherefore seeing there is but one truth there are at this day so many and sundry opinions about Religion euen among Christians themselues IS it because the Clergie themselues in diuers poynts disagree being distracted into factions and writing and disputing one against another which the rude and ignorant multitude once seeing do thereby take vpon them to dispute of Diuinitie to establish their fond and foolish opinions in matters of Religion which in no wise belonged vnto them to meddle withall Or may it bee for that sometime yong Schollers either in yeares learning or discretion taking vpon them to preach teach or write doe propound false or vnsound Doctrine to the people whose corrupt opinions once set abroach as though it were a shame for them to change them vpon more mature deliberation into better do continually bestirre themselues and employ their wits rather to confirme then amend their errors Or is this the reason rather for that the followers of any Sect whatsoeuer study to tread in their first Teachers steps and obserue such courses and customes as formerly haue beene prescribed vnto them SECT I. CHAP. II. Of the best forme of a Common-wealth 1 It may bee demanded wherefore according to many mens opinions the Monarchy or sole rule of one ought to be preferred before other formes of gouernement IS it because that a Cic. de legibus lib. 3. Iustinus Hâ—storicus lib. 1 in initio Monarchy is the most ancient kinde of gouernment seeing that the name of Monarchy and Empire was first in the world Or is it because this kinde of gouernement best agreeth to b Salust in Epistolis nature as is to be seene by all or the most of all other creatures in whom this image and shadow of one to rule ouer the rest may plainly appeare Or is it because it is most agreeable to c Tacit. 1. Annal reason that the body of an Empire being but one should likewise be swayed by the discretion of one sole Ruler Or is this rather the reason because that neither in a d Tacit. 4. Annal popular estate where many gouerne nor in an Aristocracie where a few sway the scepter there can be possible any long concord and agreemeÌ„t among them Or is it because that both in e Tacit. 1. Annal Liu. lib. 5. Democracies and Aristocracies it hath bin euer obserued euer great store of good wits which may bee fitted and accomodated to all times and occasions better then other formes of gouernement Or might this rather bee their reason because they obserued that this forme of gouernement was not so subiect to n Arist Polit. 5. alteration or to grow into tyranny For to speake as they would haue the thing to be o The opinion of Machiauel lib. 1. Disputat Cap. 5. though these few of the Clarissimi who sway the gouernement be naturally ambitious notwithstanding when they see
THE FIRST PART OF THE DISQVISITION OF TRVTH CONCERNING POLITICAL AFFAIRES HANDLED In two seuerall Sections The first whereof by way of certaine questions probleme-wise propounded and answered consisteth of foureteene Chapters Written by Henry Wright LONDON Printed by NICHOLAS OKHS 1616. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE SIR JOHN JOLLES Knight Lord Maior of the Citie of LONDON AND To the Right Worshipfull the rest of the Aldermen his Brethren c. Right Honourable Right Worshipfull ALthough I very well know that no man almost in handling any politique discourse could euer satisfie the expectation of such as were skilfull or vnskilfull in the exercising acting and managing of such affaires the one because they could not vnderstand the other for that they were most what too curious neuer regarding any thing more then the vse thereof for seruing the time present yet for the great respect I haue euer borne to the Honourable Citie of London wherein I haue had the most part of my liuing and abiding and in particular to your Honour and Worships the worthy gouernours therof whom I know to be iudicious yet free from curiosity I haue aduentured to propound to the world my priuate conceipts touching that subiect May it please your Honour and Worships therefore till better grow to accept these first fruits of my barren-braine and by your fauourable approuing of them to protect defend them against the snarlings of blacke-mouth'd Momists who are euer more ready to carpe at other mens writings then to amend them or to suffer any of their owne once to view the light The matter I borrowed as you may perceiue out of the best and most approued Authours and Historiographers the forme frame and disposition of the worke is mine owne which such as it is together with my best seruices I commend to your Honour and Worships and your selues to the grace of God and so rest By your Honour and Worships euer ready to be commanded Henry Wright SECT 1. CHAP. 4. Of a Kingdome How it may be got how kept how it may be increased how made lasting and durable and lastly how it may bee lost or ouer-throwne by hatred contempt c. SECT 1. CHAP. 5. Of Councell Councellors and the choosing of them Of running middle courses The great good which redoundeth to a Prince being well-aduised and how he may discerne good counsel from bad aduice SECT 1. CHAP. 6. Of Example the vse and abuse thereof in a Common-wealth SECT 1. CHAP. 7. Of wits manners and dispositions of diuers Countries Nations and Cities as well free as seruile SECT 1. CHAP. 8. Of benefits and when to be bestowed of ingratitude and how a friend may bee purchased that a man may trust to SECT 1. CHAP. 9. Of estimation and credit of authoritie publique and priuate of Seueritie strictnesse of gouernement Constancie Pietie and Prouidence SECT 1. CHAP. 10. Of glory and renowne the desire thereof profitable to the Common-wealth Of power and greatnesse and the acquiring thereof Of ambition and vnlawfull desire of reigning Of eminent places and their being free for the most part from practises of treasons c. SECT 1. CHAP. 11 Of Studies dispositions c. and whence the diuersity thereof may proceed Of learning c. how necessary for a Prince Of intelligence and the vse and benefit thereof SECT 1. CHAP. 12. Of peace and the conditions thereof Of the state and affaires of Princes Of Embassages Embassadours c. SECT 1. CHAP. 13. Of discord and faction whereof they take their beginnings and of the nourishing or not nourishing of them in a common-wealth SECT 1. CHAP. 14. Of Sedition mutinie and defection of the greatest part of the people in a State and of standing Nâ—wtrall or part-taking The chiefe Authors whom I haue followed in compiling of this worke Alphabetically set downe A AVgustine Aristotle Amianus Attius Aulus Politicus Aristophanes B The Bible Petrus Bembus C Quintus Curtius Philippus Cominaeus Capitolinus Marcus Tullius Cicero Cladianus Philippus Camerarius D Dant an Italian Poet. Dio Cassius Diodorus Siculus Demosthenes E Euripides F Valerius Flaccus G Franciscus Guicardinus Aulus Gellius H Horatius Herodotus I Iuuenall Iosephus L Lactantius Lucretius Lucanus Titus Liuius M Machiavell Valerius Maximus O Ouidius P Plaro Plutarchus Phauorinus Philosophus Polybius Plautus Plinius Pindarus Pacuvius Q Quintilianus R Henricus Ranzovius S Salustius Stobaeus Seneca Suetonius T Tholozanus Thucidides Cornelius Tacitus V Velleius Vegetius X Xenophon Z Zimera Problem ⧠THE FIRST PART OF THE DISQVISITION OF TRVTH Concerning Politicall Affaires SECT I. CAP. I. Of Religion and the force thereof whereupon and how it commeth to passe that there be such and so many diuersities and differences of Opinions concerning the same 1 It may bee demanded wherefore the wisest a Licurgus Solon Epaminondas Numa Xenophon Law-giuers did euer conclusionally determine that the care of Religion and all holy things should belong vnto the Prince WAs it because they thought it fit that that which was b Diogenes apud Stobaeum best and most worthy to bee had in honour should bee honoured of the best and him who bare the chiefest rule in the Monarchy or State Or was it rather because they wisely considered that c Xenophon Paedia Cyri. l. 8. if their Subiects feared God they would bee the more loath to do any thing which might redound to the hurt of one another or attempt any thing against the Prince Or was it not for these causes alone but rather likewise d Arist Rhet. ad Alex. for the augmenting and enlarging of their Empire and Dominions as though the Diuine Powers were more prone propitious and fauourable towards those that serue them then vnto any others Or to conclude was it for the generall good of a Common-wealth as a certaine e Lactantius de ira Cap. 12â— Diuine plainely protested who held that Religion and the Feare of God were the surest bands for conseruing of Humane Society 2 It may further bee demanded how farre a Prince ought to take care of matters concerning Religion OVght hee as some do thinke to take care for the examination of the truth or falshood of that Religion which hee professeth and in all Ecclesiasticall matters to take vpon him to bee chiefe Iudge and Determiner of them according to his owne municipall Lawes Or ought hee rather as others imagine to bee a defender onely of that Religion which formerly hath beene receiued or afterwards is propounded or obtruded vnto him f The opinion of all Princes and States not subiect to the Pope This latter may be thought an vniust limitation that any Prince or State should bee so curbed and as touching the former g The opinion of the Church of Rome and her adhâ—rents others thinke that a Prince hath no free power or authority to constitute or determine Ecclesiasticall businesse but that by bare permission onely hee may haue a meere inspection into them Which monstrous Opinion in a Treatise
greatly desire to be accounted well-deseruing of their owne people as those to whom it more properly belongeth and therefore they must needs oppose such and grow in distaste of them Or is it for that all men generally by their owne corrupt nature are lesse prone prompt and ready to requite a good turne then to reuenge an iniury Or may this rather bee the reason for that the Prince or g Vpon this very conceite the Venetians put to death Lauderanus because hee pacified a commotion by his owne authority as Petrus Bem bus reporteth in his Venetian History State groweth into suspicion of such kinde of men least they should affect innouation or seeke to tyrannise 3 It may further bee demanded why kindnesses and good will are oftentimes requited with ingratitude and vnthankfulnesse IS it because that he which neither can nor hath any desire to remunerate him to whom hee is so much indebted will either forget them or perswade himselfe and the world that no such kindnesses were offered vnto him or receiued by him Or may this be the reason that those men who haue beene as it were driuen and by fatall necessity compelled to receiue kindnesse of other men should afterwards grow ashamed of it that they should bee thought to haue had neede of such meanes 4 Seeing that no man can deny but that the vse of friends is such and so great that many times a man may bee driuen to relye his whole estate thereupon It may bee demanded how a man may bee ascertained that hee hath purchased a true friend SHall hee giue confidence to him whom hee hath h Guicchardine bound by grace and benefites Or shall hee trust him who hath any waies neede of his helpe Or shall hee rather repose his confidence in him who is bound i Pindarus vnto him by hauing equall profite and share in any businesse which they shall ioyntly attempt and obtaine SECT I. CHAP. IX Of Estimation and Credit of Authoritie publique and priuate Seueritie strictnesse of Gouernment Constancie Pietie and Prouidence 1 Seing Authoritie is the prop of kingdomes and that it is of the most men confessed that the maiesty of an Empire consisteth in the splendor grace and defence thereof it may bee demanded how a Prince might beget such a reuerent opinion of himselfe amongst his subiects forreigners likewise whereby he might become both admired and feared SHall he effect this if he institute such a forme of gouernment which is a Cicero pro milone seuere constant and strict bearing an hard ouer those whom he ruleth Or shall he attaine therunto the better if hauing b Mach. Prin. Tholoz home-bred strength forces he continually keepe them about him and haue them in a readinesse Or if he be destitute of such forces doe straight wayes take a course to prouide them else-where Or shall he compasse this the rather if he excell other Princes in the c Claudian 3. integrity and soundnesse of his manners fashions and good conditions Or shall he yet the better effect this if hee delight still d So Ferdinand King of Spain and Henry the 5. King of England grew famous to be in action and grow famous for well performing of what hee vndertaketh Or shall he likewise obtaine his purpose if in cases of difference betwixt Princes he e Mach. Prin. Cap. 21. cut off all respects of Newtrality and declare himselfe for one of them Or shall he this way come to his ends if he giue this testimony to the world that hee is a louer of vertue honouring all excellent men of what sort and Art soeuer Or finally shall he this way compasse his desires if hee giue incouragement and hope to his subiects whom hee gouerneth that they shall liue quietly vnder his protection and peaceably go about their affaires and businesses in what kinde soeuer they shall traffique or deale 2 It may further be demanded wherefore it concerneth a Prince so deeply to be highly esteemed both at home and abroade IS it for that f Fran. Guicch estimation and authority once lost which may easily be done can hardly or neuer be recouered againe Or is it for that g Idem estimation and authority in martiall affaires is of so great consequence that the effecting of any businesse of import doth wholly seeme to depend thereupon Or may it be for this reason rather that it shall be much more difficult for him whose credit and estimation beginneth to decay to defend himselfe and his estate from the least dangers then for him who keepeth vp his estimation and hath it imprinted in the hearts of his subiects or souldiers to effect great matters though his meanes be weaker Or may it be for this reason likewise for that it sometimes importeth a Prince to set his authority vpon the tentors and stretch it beyond his ability for the effecting and performing of some great enterprise Now a Prince shall neuer bring this to passe vnlesse his subiects and souldiers be perswaded that his power authority and estimation is greater then indeed it is but if they be thereof once perswaded he shall haue that done readily freely and of their owne accords which otherwise he should neuer haue had granted much lesse extorted from them against their wils 3 It may further be demanded how a Prince may compasse it to be feared of his subiects and withall get himselfe great reputation thereby SHall he doe this if he vse them h Fran. Guich rigorously and oftentimes inflict seuere punishments vpon them For they will easily be brought to stand in feare of him whom they know both can and will correct them and bring them into order especially if they perceiue him by his naturall inclination to be thereunto addicted Or shall hee finally effect this the rather if he neuer vse a stronger i Guicchardine medicine then the nature of the disease or strength of his sicke subiects are able to beare 4 It may further bee demanded how a subiect may gaine himselfe reputation with the common people SHall he doe this if he be k Mach. disp cap. 34. descended of noble Auncestors who haue approued themselues braue and excellent men in the carriage of themselues and managing of great actions Or shall he do this the rather if he betake himselfe to a wise and well setled course of life conuersing with none as neere as he can but with excellent men and such are vertuous Or shall he yet effect this the better if in his younger yeares he shall performe any thing either publickly or priuately which in it selfe is memorable and withall is honest Or shall he attaine thereunto likewise if being trusted with the l Mach. Prin. cap. 21. managing of publique affaires of his Countrey he discharge himselfe well thereof hauing rather an eye that his actions may redound to the good of the common-wealth then to his owne or other mens priuate how neere or