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
helme of gouernment the happinesse of kings and people From Iustice ariseth religion peace truth innocency and true friendship in it Princes are to bee noble iudicious graue seuere inexorable powerfull and full of maiestie neither enclining to the right or left hand to the rich or poore but determining all matters vnder their censure Ansel super ep ad Rom. Ambros de offic as they looke to bee iudged by that supreame Iudge whose Lieutenants they are Finally let subordinate Iudges so administer iustice as they wil be countable to both their heauenly and earthly masters assuring themselues howsoeuer they escape here that there is Vnus Iudex vnum Tribunal incorruptum ante illud stabunt mortales ea in sella quisque sedet qui iudicat vbi si iniuste iudicabitur nec pecunia nec gratia nec falsi testes nec deserti proderunt patroni SECTIO XIIII Of the wrath of Princes when and how they should punish AS clemency slownesse to ire proanesse to mercy Greg. Moral 5. are the diuine and kingly robes of good Princes so furious anger and desire of reuenge are the tyger-like and deformed garments of tyrants by which wisedome is banished iustice is forgotten peace is ouerthrowne the common-wealth ruinated and the gates of crueltie vnlockt and layd open Eras de Iust prin for this cause Princes are carefully setting before them their fatherly affection to their subiects to restraine the impetuous and dangerous inundations of such passions as are preiudiciall to theÌ„selues hurtful to their people and vnworthy the title and dignity of kings Zelus iracundia minuunt dies ideo vitanda non tantum moderationis sed etiam senectutis causa Cotis king of Thracia being naturally chollerick Plut. in Apo and a seuere punisher of offences hauing receiued diuers rare curious wrought but fragile vessels after hee had bountifully rewarded the giuer did breake them all and being asked the cause answered lest I should be moued to anger and seuerely punish my seruants for breaking of them I haue broken them my selfe This worthy Prince did well know that the feare of the king is like the roaring of a Lyon Prouerb 20. and hee that prouoketh him vnto anger sinneth against his owne soule and therefore did remoue such combustible matter as might set a fire his death threatning furie There is nothing more opposit to counsel and deliberation Ira atque cupido consultoâ—es pessimi Salust in bell Iug. Quoties ira animum inuadit menteÌ„ edoma vince te ipsum differ teÌ„pus furoris dum tranquilla mens fuerit fac quod placet Greg. Mor. theÌ„ temerarious and sodaine anger therefore Bias Priaeneus prescribeth delay as a soueraigne remedy against it for by intermission furious passions languishes and the mystie cloudes that oppresse the minde either doe vanish or become lesse Anthenodorus the Phylosopher did aduise Augustus Caesar at such time as hee was angry to rehearse twenty foure Greeke letters In punishing Princes are to keepe such golden meane and temperate mixture betwixt lenitie and seuerity that the subiects bee neither wounded by the one or become insolent by the other Leones quos mansuescere volunt homines iubebat olim Phraotes verbe ibus non cedi nes rursus blanditijs nimium leniendos putabat quia sic nimium superbieuaderent opinibatur itaque blanditijs minis permix is facilius ad mores optatos posse deducere Lastly in punishment if necessity enforce Princes to draw the sword of Iustice great care is to be had that it be done vnwillingly as with weeping eyes Iustice without Mercy is as cruell as Mercy without Iustice is foolish Bern for although Iustice doth tell Princes that not to punish an euill is to allow of an euill yet Mercy oft times pardons those that deserue it not wounds ought to bee healed not hurt Cic. 1. Offic onely incureable members are to be cut off and punishment ought to be agreeable to the fault and without partiality lest some be punished and others escape and finally all priuate respects in punishment are to bee remoued Ambros de vid. lest vnder the shadow of Iustice cruelty and tyranny be sheltered Si omnino misso sanguine fuerit opus considerandum est Principi ac sustinendum ne vltra quam sit necesse incidat cauendum ne maior paena sit quam culpa ne eisdem de causis alij plectantur alij ne appellentur quidem SECTIO XV. Of two sorts of flattery but chiefly of the last that haunts the courts of Princes THere be two chiefe enemies to vertue in all men but are more specially preiudiciall to greatnes the first is the inward 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 2. de fol. 93. proceeding from home-bred weakenesse which dayly suggests store of false coloured imposture Adulator bonuÌ„ quod est abscondit maluÌ„ quod non est mentitur Greg. Mor. 65. The second whereof I am shortly to speake proceedeth from the oyly trowell of the smooth tong of a monstrous man called a flatterer This last sort of flattery is a false prayse of that which is not praise worthy Plato apud Plut. de amic adul or a smooth detracting from the merit of goodnesse Bias apud Plut. ibidem Demost in Philip. decl 3. the waspish honey of an impudent tongue the bondage of the eares the fayned friendship of a false heart and the chiefe Anuil whereon the diuell forgeth his most poysoned weapons or it is the Ioab or Iudas like kisse of a smiling countenance the poyson of truth playne dealing and honesty that Camelion-like can turne it selfe into all colours Plut. de dist amic adul following the fortune of Princes and not themselues Plutarch not without cause giueth warning to Princes of the twofold cunning of flatterers First sayth he they faine ignorance of all matters of moment whereof loyaltie should oblige them eyther freely to admonish or louingly aduise but in friuolous indifferent or light affayres they shew their care and officiousnesse If a Cobweb bee in the Princes Chamber or a Fustian doublet oft times lined with more true loyalty and sufficiencie then such glistering worme-spun statutes can containe be in the chamber of presence theÌ„ keeps the flatterer a stur cryes out vpon his fellow seruants chamber keepers and vshers for as knauish Empirickes for curing a sore in the foote August ad Cassal cutteth the haire in the head or pareth the nayles of the hand so flattering Mountebanks neuer touch those things which they ought Beata mens quae nec adulatur nec credit adumilanti Hier. deâ—â—riten In obsequio comitas ad sit adulaâ—io omnium vitiorum nu trix procul amoueatur Cic. in Lâ—l and are onely busie in matters pernitious or triuiall It is musicke able to make an honest mans teeth ake to see a young Catecumenist flatterer after some short trauels bought perhaps at a deare rate
receiued their petitions hee did throw them all into the riuer Axis by which carelesse discouery of himself he did mightily exasperate and alieanate the hearts of his people Good princes are to direct their course by the compasse of a good conscience a quite contrary way they are not to throw the groanes of their subiects in the riuers of obliuion Beroal de opt statu neither in the all consuming fire of carelesnesse or commit them to such persons who endeares more their owne priuate gaine then the publicke good but are to appoynt them seasons of hearing and returne them louing and Princely answers Erasm instit princ If sometime multiplicity of state affaires withdraw them they are carefull that their deligates neither carelesly deferre hearing nor coueteously exact vpon suitors Persarum reges domi abditi vitaÌ„ exigebant omniaqueregni nego tia rejiciebant in coÌ„siliarios ac officiarios Eras ee instit princ Senec. de clement The obscure life of the Persian kings and coÌ„mitting all the affaires of state to subordinate persons was neuer approued of the wise and euer recorded to their discredit Lastly to trusse vp al it is the glory of kings to imitate those famous Princes that did equally administer iustice giue easie accesse louing answers strengthening the weake and rewarding the vertuous and punishing the wicked and were carefull that their Deligates did second their expectation in the trust committed to them-This kingly function rauisheth the hearts of subiects to their Prince and freeth Princes from the propheticall sensure Eccles 27. Pricincipes tui infideles socij farum omnes diligunt munera sequuntur retributiones Pupillo non indicant causa viduae non ingreditur ad illos SECTIO XII Of the necessitie of Princes knowledge in the affaires of their Empire and presence so farre as is possible in the administration of Iustice THe ancient Hierogliphicke description of Princes Deus in coelo constituit soleÌ„ omnia fulgore suo per. lustrantem ita inter homines principem cuius oculorum perspicacitas luceret in populo cunctisque perspiceret colocauit Iust Caesar Homer Illiad picturing scepters with eyes did mystically containe the most necessarie parts of the office of kings whose quicke seeing eyes must see into the most darke corners of their dominions The Sunne is the eye of the world but sees not but the king giues light to his subiects must with Eagles eyes looke vpon all subiects pry into all Courts obserue Iudges and Officers lest the golden cloaked reasons of the rich or corrupted ouersway the innocency of the poore Princes are the keepers or as Homer calls them shepheards of their people Studeat imprimis princeps regionum ac ciuitatum situm consuetudines ingenia instituta populos cognoscere Erasm de instit princip Ne subditi a Deo optimo maximo sibi concrediti a lupis rapacibus deuorentur They are exactly to know the true estate and peccant humours of their people to which they may easily attaine by Geography History frequent progresse and sure intelligence by these they shall learne the scituation of their seuerall Countreys or Prouinces the customes Princeps taÌ„ acutè quam serpens Epidaurus cernere debet quid in cancellarijs quid in dicasterijs agant an Iustis iudicijs iudicetur populus Macrob. li. 2 Deligat princeps quosdaÌ„ vel aulicorum vel subditorum non aâ—uaros sed fide charitate conspicuos quos clanculuÌ„ ad singulos regni terminos ableget expiscatum perceptum omnes vel relaxationes vel agrauationes imperij Arist Pol. liues and manners of their people It is written to the prayse of King Ierion that hee had many hands more feete and but one minde by which hee gouerned his people That many other wise Princes haue secretly employed such of whose integritie and loue to the publicke good they were well assured to take true information of the remisnesse or strictnesse of gouernement in what estate publicke and priuate affaires did remaine how the people were affected to obedience and vertuous liuing whether Iudges Magistrates and Officers were enclined to Iustice and vpright dealing to the publicke good or their priuate gaine that after true notice thereof Presentia principis facit omnia iusto ordine procedere Arist AecoÌ„ such mysty cloudes as did ouer shadow their people might by the Sunshine of reformation be dispersed But although this secret enquirie by others is prayse worthy yet is the presence of princes so farre as is possible of much more consequence Non tam feliciter procedunt Si magna paruis licet componere vt oculus Cresini fertilissimum agrum ita principis oculus paruam tempublicam florentissimam reddit Agricol in prouerb Ger. quae oculis agis alienis quam quae oculo domini praesente administrantur Cajus Furius Cresinus being accused for the practising of sorcery in multiplying the encrease of a little field of corne answered Omnia instrumenta mea rustica in forum affero venificia mea Quirites haec sunt Then layde hee open his diligence his paines and continuall presence Principe dormitante suboriri solent impostores fraudulenti fenaeratores auari exactores iniusti qui suis stipendijs nunquam contenti miseros subditos concutiunt exhauriunt perdunt Rhein Lor. then which there is nothing more beseeming Princes in their royall office neither more profitable for subiects in the augmentation of their priuate gaine for to what greater indignity or contempt can Princes bee lyable then to cecity and senslesse stupiditie by which they doe not feele the abuses whereby vnder the vayle of their princely authority the poore are oppressed the sweat and oft times the blood of the miserable and weak is exhausted the possessions houses fields goods of widdowes and orphants by these that in wickednesse and authority are powerfull are either deceytfully purloyned or violently bereft By the strickt obseruation or carelesse neglect of this princely suruay many famous kingdomes haue florished or beene vtterly ruinated amongst which I wil illustrate this poynt by a short view of the causes of the large dominions long continuance and sodaine ouerthrow of the Romaine Empire Romani propter oculatissimam in publices functiones intentionem atque conseruatas iustitiae leges Val. Max. lib. 4. sapientissimi atque optimi duces vbique gentium caelebrati sunt Rectores ac domini totius ferme terrarum orbis floruerunt tantisper dum Iustitiae studium atque concordiae in imperio suo non emarcuerunt at postquam ambitio simultas luxus ac pecuniae libido quae generis humani certissimae pestes ingruerunt statim praepotens illud imperium praeclara dignitas atque gentis omnibus stupenda Populi Romani maiestas ad nihilum redacta corruit in memorabile cunctis mundi gubernatoribus exemplum SECTIO XIII Of Lawes and Iustice ALL humane lawes may bee reduced to a threefold diuision viz. to the lawes of nature
the Power of Alexander Fron. lib. 1. cap. 2. Plut in Pos lib. 2. did send a Citizen of courage as banished to entreat the protection of Alexander who being retayned did skrew himselfe into the councell of Alexander and discouer his Intention to the State of Carthage These and the like be the wise Pollicies of Princes all which are euer to be warranted by a safe conscience and good ends Vbi Leonina pellis non pertingit oportet Vulpinam sed semper ad bonum finem assuere SECTIO XVIII Vpon whom Ecclesiasticall Functions by Princes are to be conferred THere be three inseparable companions whereupon the sole felicity of wel-gouerned CoÌ„monwealths doe depend Greg. in Regist The first is the right education of Youth the second Religious and holy Pastors the third Vpright and Iust Magistrates Without the first the second and third cannot subsist and without the second the first and third are without effect for without good education there can bee neither holy Pastor nor iust Magistrate without religion Learning and Iustice are improfitable for this cause Episcopi sacris literis eruditi sint Patres non Domini Hier. ad Paul aduers Luc. Epist Paul Princes are carefully to prouide that the care of the soules of their people bee not committed to wicked or ignorant Pastors Causa sunt ruinae populi sacerdotes mali quoniam peccatorum participes fiunt qui ministeria quod aiunt portantibus asinis curam animarum crediderunt aut ineptos homines exemplaria posuerunt Church benefices are not rashly to be conferred vpon euery one but vpon such who in good workes Tit. 1.6 2. Paral. 17. 1. Tim. 1. Pet. 2.3 sound doctrine and irreproueable life are worthy of so high a calling Good king Iehosophat is a patterne for succeeding Princes in making choyce and preferring men learned and holy Princeps dignos soluÌ„ in via domini probatos eliget ac beneficijs ornabit noÌ„ currentes euehet lupos hiantes Isidor Etym. cap. 2. Nauis praelatorum tribus lateribus compacta esse debet cordis puritate conscientia bona fide non ficta Bernard in fest Magd. Serm. for none can preach except they bee sent and none are sent who by simony pride and ambition or other indirect meanes intrude themselues into the Lords haruest seeking their priuate ends and not Gods glory Finally as Plato did thinke no man fit for gouernment but such who did vnwillingly vndergoe the heauy burthen thereof So Princes are to preferre none to Ecelesiasticall functions but godly learned honest men whose merit rather then desire of dignity challengeth such place Princeps imprimis eos suspectos habeat qui se negotijs ingerunt ambitiosi qui sua quaerunt non quae Dei sunt qui denique voti compotes vel praece vel praecio fieri contendunt SECTIO XIX Of Church controuersies ciuill contentions seditious Pamphlets infamous Libels and how carefully by Princes they are to bee repressed ALL Controuersies may bee reduced to Ecclesiasticall or Ciuill such as concerne the Church are either touching the true worship of God or high mysteries of saluation of which it is true Non seruatur vnitas in credendo nisi eadem sit in colendo Or they are of matters of discipline Church policie and indifferent the first are broached and entertained either by Athiests Idolatrous suspitious Hereticks or conceited Schismatickes the second are set on foote and vpholden by seditious Sunt quos ambitio impellâ— qui priuatim degeneres in publicum exitiosi nihil spei nisi per discordias habent Tac. 11. Anal ambitious singular or ignorant persons who preferre fishing in turbulent waters their own priuate ends to their duty to Princes their obedience to their superiours to the care of their flocke or peace of the Church accounting it their chiefest honour to call in question things indifferent and by refractory repugnancy Arte contra dicendi omnia in dubium vertere Plato de scient I wil not enter into the first sort of Church controuersies because they are sufficiently conuinced by the sacred scriptures and many orthodoxall Councels The controuersies themselues of the second sort are also already determined by the generall consent of the Church and writings of many religious and no lesse learned neither doe I intend to plow the spacious fields of ciuill contentions I leaue them to the wisedome of Princes Tit. cap. 3.10 and to such graue and learned Iudges to whom the subordinate determining of causes amongst subiects is committed I wil onely in few words touch the seuerall parts of my deuision First Athiests Idolatrous superstitious heretickes and obstinate schismatickes are eyther by sound doctrine and charitable perswasions to bee reduced to the right way Tit. cap. 3.10 or as tares from the wheate or the sowre leauen of the Pharises to be distinguished and separated from loyall and dutifull subiects lest the good be corrupted or the whole lumpe infected The others who affects certain cognizances badges of curiosity Anarchie confused parity or false named purity euer holden dangerous in all sound gouernment seeks to correspond amongst theÌ„selues be separated froÌ„ the church not knowing or not seeming to know tam sunt mores quidam schismatici quam dogmata schismatica I leaue them to the care of such prouident Princes as without doubt in a fit time will obuiate such euils as with draws the obedience of subiects or disturbes the peace of the Church If my request might haue due respect amoÌ„gst such persons Satagunt inquirentes quae subter terâ—am sunt supra coelum Tacit. 4 Anal. Ioan. 19.23 I should sincerely wish that they would wisely perpend that the supreme Bishop did recommend peace vnto the Church that whosoeuer sowes dissention in the Church rents the seamelesse coate of the Lord of the church that without brotherly loue Qui secundum Deum est zela à superna potentia dependet diuina quadam aâ— moderata concinnaque ratione gubernatur Niceph. Greg. lib. 6. Chrys sup Iohan. hom 7. blinde zeale doth not profit but leades to destructioÌ„ Vbi zelus contentio ibi inconstantia omne opus prauum That the bonds of religion are our faith our baptisme and not our ceremony our policy that such who are giuen to vnfruitfull and vnnecessary controuersies vnswadles the church of her bonds of peace opens a gap to all disorder and scandall 1. Cor. 7.12 25.11.16 giues aduantage to the common enemy to make musicke by their discord Let theÌ„ remember that insanae disputationes a Satana suggeruuntur That they would doe much better to leaue the turbulent and ouer-weaning Opinions of these Times and reuiue the blessed proceedings of the Apostles and Fathers of the Primitiue Church which was in the like or greater cases not to enter into assertions and necessitous positions but to deliuer counsels and aduices Saint Paul was content to say Ego
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
those things which doe belong to the dignity or indignity of affaires neither comming short or exceeding a Princely decorum Fourthly that they bee couragious in suffering free hearted in giuing thankfull in rewarding mercifull in pardoning and setting aside their priuate respects referre all to the publike good Plato de rep Vt tutela sic procuratio reipublicae ad vtilitatem eorum qui comissi sunt non ad eorum quibus comissa est gerenda est Fiftly that Princes manure the whole body of their Empire by the equall distribution of iustice lest by labouring to make one part too fertill they leaue other parts barren Totum corpus reipublicae cura ne dum partem aliquam tuearis reliquas deseras Lastly Princes are to make vse of the worthy counsell that the Philosopher did giue to Candicius the Theban which was Epist in ad Eand Epist 9. that men of mature age grauity vpright iudgement might bee his Deligates and helpers that yong men might goe to the warres or be otherwayes vertuously imployed That women might keepe within doores for said hee if old men sit by the fire yong men be giuen to idlenesse and women goe about mens affayres the Common-wealth shall neuer be without danger neyther thy person without paine Principis est pro salute Reipublicae noua excogitare antiqua restituere SECTIO V. By what meanes the generous mindes of Princes are knowne ALthough Salomon sayth Cor regis non perscrutabile sicut alitudo Coeli incomprehensibile Prou. 25. sicut profundtas terrae Yet as the powerfull planets of heauen and the fruites of the earth worketh vpon nourisheth inferiour bodies so be there many heauenly influences signes whereby the generous mindes of Princes are made knowne to their subiects some whereof I will shortly touch First the true generous minde of Princes is knowen by their due respect to the Lawes of their Maker and Supreme King Salomon peâ—tit a deo sapientiam ad regenduÌ„ populum dei cui dedit Dominus Cor sapiens intelligens 3. Reg. 15. with Salomon they are earnest with God that their chiefe wisedome may be in his obedience their delight in his commandements that in their owne time iustice and peace may flourish and that their posterity after them may bee worthy to sit in the chayre of of Dauid Secondly the minde of true borne Princes Senec. Epist 15. is not capable of base and sordid actions but is delighted in high and rare designes Senec. Epist â—9 for as the flame of fire whose nature is to ascend cannot be depressed So the minde of such Princes the more noble Macrob lib. 2. cap. 4. Alezander nihil animo nisi grande concepit Senec. de benef li. 2. the more inclined to Princely heroicke actions euer contemnes those things which the vulgar holdes most deare Principis animus quo vehementior eo nobilior actuosior est num foelix qui ad meliora hunc impetum dedit extra ius ditionemque fortunae se profusit Contemptor eorum quae vulgus admiratur Their care is to bee approoued of the good Eras instit Princ. such they preferre such are their counsellours such are alwayes about them they are neuer tyrant-like cruel nor vindictiue nothing offends them more then the spoyle of vniust officers or corrupt iudges Pescennius imperator Consiliarijs suis ne vel aliquam onerandi pauperes occasionem haberet addidit sallaria dicens iudicem ac officiarium nec dare debere nec accipere Dâ—og Laert. Thirdly such Princes suffer not good men basely to prostitute themselues or seruily demand iustice but are willingly inclined to giue accesse and hearing Aristippus being reprooued by his friend for lying so long at the feet of Dionisius answered I am not in the fault but Dionisius that hath cares in his feet Beroâ—l de opt stat Baptist Fulg. lib. 4. Cic. ad Brut. This Princely minde is euer giuen to follow the workes of light as charitie peace meekenesse goodnesse and temperance is wholly addicted to shun vices and follow vertue wherin euer keeping a golden meane they are meeke and mercifull but so as by lenity they nourish not the vices of their people seuere not inclined to tyranny but in repressing iniuries terifying others froÌ„ offering them Beroal de opt Stat. Qui veterom fert iniuriam inuitat nouam si quis primus laeserat debitas dedisset penas caeteri ab iniuria temper assent Chilon of Lacedemon aduiseth Princes so to moderate their actions as they be neither fearefull to their inferiours or contemned of their equalls the one sauours of tyranny the other of pusillanimity Fourthly the mind of Princes is giuen to true liberalitie Prou. 10. Goodnesse and truth vpholdes the throne of Kings base auaryce is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chiefe of euills and most distant from true noble mindes It was written vpon the tombe of queene Semiramis Quisquis Rex pecunijs eguerit operto monumento quantum voluerit Plut. in apo capiat Couetous Darius hauing taken the citie expecting great store of riches caused the monument to bee opened wherein he did finde nothing but this following inscription vpon the other side of the stone Ni vir malus esses pecunia inexplebilis haud mortuorum loculos moueres wherof the morall is that Princes are not curiously to search Eras 7. apo neither affect perishing riches Auarus Princeps facultates suas non possidet sed ipsum possident Lastly the constant high minde of Princes is not troubled with vnsetled resolutions Eras instit Princ. but at all times is armed with true fortitude they are neyther puft vp with prosperitie neither deiected with aduersitie their maiesticall countenance is euer one at home or abroad Rebus aduersis animosus atque Fortis appare sapienter idem Contrahe vento nimium secundo Turgida vela This Princely minde simpathises with such as are of vpright heart constant and true Placeant regibus Prou. 16. labia iusta veraces diliguntur The true friendship of Damon and Pithias was so pleasant to Dionisius although a tyrant that hee not only pardoned the offence of the one Val max cap 7. but desired to bee admitted into their friendship A poore man exhibiting his bill fearefully to Caesar was by him thus checked or rather comforted Maâ—rob lib. 2 cap 9. An putas te assem dare Elephanto In one word the kingly minds of good Princes are free of all such taints and violent passions as praecipitates maiestie are endowed with true patience which is none of the least Princely vertues and was so eminent in Augustus Caesar that he could abide the byting iests of his meanest subiects Conuitia si irascare agnita videntur spreta exolesount When Agathocles Plut. in apo the sonne of a Potter crowned with regall dignity had besieged a certaine towne and entred the same and had sold
es princeps in terra ne ignores te ortum ex terra ex puluere ad solium ascendere atque in eundem puluerem discendere necesse est SETCIO VIII How Princes ought to moderate their power THe due calling to mind that a Prince is homo vnder which all worldly miseries and vanities are comprehended ought to bridle his power and the consideration that he is Deus or vice Dei Gods vicegerent ought to curb his will Memento ait mihi omnia in omnes licere Suet. Meminerit princeps non solum quantum sit tibi comissum sed quatenus fit permissum Quod libetlicet is the dictum of a Tyrant the right mixture of contraries is the true temper of gouernement nothing being more hurtfull to authoritie then vntimely interchange of pressing and relaxing power Varie temperandum sceptrum laxandae aut addendae imperij illae habenae Plut. in apo The arrogant presumption that all thinges are lawfull Diog. lat is the poyson which once drunke makes Kings abuse their authoritie and encline to licentiousnesse and tyranny Antigonus did seuerely checke one of his Courtiours who did suggest that all things were lawfull for Kings Not so by Iupiter sayd he onely to tyrannous and barbarous Kings but to mee nothing is lawfull but that which is honest and iust authority is not giuen to be the supplement of vice or the protection of tyrranny but to be the defence of vertue and patterne of iustice A recte agendo vocati Reges Greg. 11. Moral quod recte agendo regale nomen obtinent amittunt peccando The right tempering of authority is somtimes to dull the edge of the imperiall sword with leuitie and mercy Erasm instit prin which makes subiects more carefull to offend Other times kingly authoritie is restrained from things that are lawfull to others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 1. fol. 2. errors in priuate persons are vices and blemishes in kings Finally the affecting of iustice the florishing estate of the cōmonwealth the modest life of subiects contempt and hatred of tyrrannous liberty Argumentū recte gubernati regni si subdito videas locupletiores ac vehementer modestos cura principis reditor Rein. lor. Isocrat ad Nicol. voluptuous and superfluous aboundance wicked followers and blindfolded ignorance is the true extent of authoritie Ne animum inducas tuum alios debere honeste vitam agere regibus immodeste viuendi relicta licentia sed ea sis temperantia vt exemplum recte viuendi alijs constituas compertum habens subditorum mores prorsus ad similitudinem principis componi SECTIO IX Whose image good and bad Princes represent by what Epithetes they are knowne and of their seuerall actions Eras 3. Apo GOod Princes represent the image of God Vt deorum cū sint optime natura propriū est benefacere omnibus nocere nemini ita princeps salutaris quo nihil deo proprius omnibus prodesse nemini stude incomodare Plato de repub ex Iulio polluc whose vicegerents they are him they do imitate to whom it is essentiall to be goodnesse it selfe in doing good to all and incommodating none They do not like wolues prey vpon their people but cherish and protect them they punish but seldom then are vnwillingly drawne to it and therfore iustly such Princes are intituled to the names of fathers religious meeke gentle prouident iust humane magnanimous free liberall contemners of riches commanding and ouerruling their affections of sound iudgment wise in counsell sober Demost aapud Stob. vpright firme full of authoritity princely Maiestie and industry carefull watchers ouer their people ready to do good slow to reuenge sure constant enclined to iustice easie to giue accesse courteous in speech louing the obedient louers procurers keepers of peace yet friends to soldiers and if need be can be both kings and captains Such Princes are born to the good doe liue with the fauor and die with the regrate of all men On the contrary if Apelles should delineate a tyrrannous wicked Prince he could not do drawit otherwise thē by the pattern of the Prince of darkenes a monstrous mishapen creature an armed dragon with many eyes Ex Erasm more teeth sharpe clawes insatiable belly crammed with humane blood euery way fearfull and offensiue to all but especially to good men abusing his power to the preiudice of the Commonwealth Such a Prince was Nero such was Caligula such was Heliogabulus and many others whose birth and life were plagues to the world and did iustly merite the Epithetes of tyrants vngodly cruell sauage violent auaritious deuourers of their people prowd Tamerlanes Scitharum rex rogatus quid tantum seuitiae indulgeret toruo vultu respōdisse fertur anme hominem esse putas an non potius dei iram ad hominum perniciem in terris agentem Sabel de ir difficill in giuing accesse vncourteous irefull terrible slaues to lusts intemperate inconsiderate inhumane vniust light vnconstant incorrigible contumelious the authours of warre haters and disturbers of peace borne to be the Tamerlan like scourges of the world reigning with discontent and dying with applause of all good men As the Epithetes of good wicked Princes are so are their actions different Salust in Caril the one aduances Confirmes the common good preferres it to al priuate respects tyrrany aymes altogether at their owne priuate ends neglects the publicke good either approuing the detestable oath of Oliarchy Plebem odio persequemur pro virili adnitemur vt illi sit male Arist pol. 5. Or with arrogant Xerxes cōsulting vpon affaiers rather to shewe their power then for the weal of their subiects Eras apo 5. Ne viderer meo consilio agressus contraxi vos interim mementote mihi parendum magis quam suadendum In a word the difference betwixt good and bad Princes is such as is betwixt louing fathers and rigorous Masters the one affectes the weale and health of their children the other the gaine they make by their slaues Good Princes commands things that are profitable to the State Tyrants such as are pleasant to their owne humours It is the glory of good kings to follow vertue of tyrants to embrace vice of good Princes to be secured by the loue of their subiects Isocrat de bell fugien of tyrants by the strength of wals and multitude of guards Finally the frame the actions and qualities of good Princes and Tyrants are so vnlike and different as God and Belial Cicero offic 3. Light and Darkenesse White and Blacke so that there is no blessing vnder heauen giuen to man more profitable then religious wise Princes no greater curse aboue hell more pernitious then Tyrants placed in authoritie I haue insisted this farre vppon these diuers attributes and differences that thereby good Princes may bee incited at fit times to peruse the Annals Histories of former times wherein they may
worthy and others in barring those whose merit deserues preferment Next because Couetousnesse is the most dangerous euill in a State Caput sit in omni procuratione negotij muneris publici vt auaritiae pellatur etiam minima suspitio Cic. 2. offic Ex Dione Cassio Eras 6. apo and drawes men headlong into wickednesse and miserie therefore it concerneth Princes to be carefull that Iudges and other publike Officers be not onely free themselues from disloyalty bribery or corruption but their followers and attendants also frō the least suspition thereof Apollo Pithius by Oracle denounceth the ouerthrow of Sparta O Sparta sayd hee whosoeuer is your King Lady Pecunia is Queene therefore your destruction is at hand This was a true Oracle from a false God yet worthy the obseruation in the Morall Theopompus being asked how Princes might iustly gouerne their people Ex Plut. answered By giuing his Friends no more liberty then is iust and by carefull watching that subordinate Officers vprightly discharge their plaees Augustus Caesar oft times did preferre his Friends to eminent places of Authority but they were such whose sufficiency did answere his expectation in the administration of Iustice and good example Rhein Lor. Suet. in Caes Secondly it is necessary for Princes by admonitions and louing exhortations to recommend Iustice and Vprightnesse to their subordinate Delegates other times by threatening and exemplarie punishment checke the least suspition of corruption Agesilaus vsed often to exhort his Deputies Plut. in Pol◠that they should rather study Iustice and publike good then the insatiable desire of Riches Flauius Domitian did not onely seuerely checke suspected Iudges Hinc Lex repetundarum promulgata strictissimè conseruata fuit Qua repetebātur omnes res vel dolo vel vi ablatae Sabell but did giue way to all such as were wronged by thē to enter suit against them and did seuerely punish such as were found guilty Epaminondas hearing a poore man who had beene long kept in suit of Law complayne of want did send him vnto the Iudge of that Court where hee was in suit with a Warrant to receiue a Talent of Money the Iudge did deliuer it vnto the Beggar but did humbly petition vnto the King that hee would be pleased to shew him the reason why hee had imposed such a great summe vpon him Because sayd Epaminondas the man whom I sent is poore and honest but thou art rich and a robber of him and the Common-wealth A notable example for Princes to looke vnto such as in Magistracie haue indirectly encreased Riches Salomons sentence against such was Qui iniuria afficit pauperem vt detescat ipse dabit ditioribus egebit ipse Acl. Spart For certainely no punishment will so curbe such as are corrupted as sometimes for example after lawfull Tryall to seize vpon their vnlawfull Purchase Adrianus Imperator quos pauperes innocentes vidit sponte ditauit quos calliditate ditatos summo odio habuit ad paupertatem redegit SECTIO XVII Of Secrecie in the managing of the weightie affaires of Princes and what Iuditious Policie Princes may sometimes lawfully vse SEcrecie is the best and most sure Guardian of great Affaires to which there is nothing more preiudiciall Veget. de Re. Mil. then immature discouerie and is recommended to Princes as a chiefe Pillar of Empire Diog. apud Stob. Omnium difficilimū areanum reticere ex dog Philos Vt Principis est secreta non facile alicuj concredere ita nemo prudens studuetit indagine consequi principum arcana Eras ◠Apo. Counsell without secrecie is like an abortiue birth brought forth without life and therefore to be imprisoned in the Wombe of secret thoughts Salomon to this purpose sayth In absconditis conciliabitur Because Secrecie is a most difficill Humane action the ancient Heathen did picture their Gods with one hand vpon their mouth morallizing that important Affaires by Princes are onely to be imparted to such of whose secrecie and loyaltie they are well assured Great Alexander hauing receiued a Letter from his Mother Olimpias giuing it to his Secretary to reade did touch his mouth with his Signet thereby enioyning secrecie to him Philippides the Fauorite of Lisymachus being demanded by his Soueraigne what Benefit hee desired to haue conferred vpon him answered I refuse nothing O King onely impart no secret to me for it is difficill to keepe counsell and dangerous to reueale the secrets of a King Arcanū neque tu scrutabris vllius vnquā Horat. lib. 3. Commissumque tegas et vino tortus et ira Augustus Caesar caused the bones of Thallus who had opened a Letter cōmitted to his trust to Suet. in Caes be broken to the terror of such vntrustie attendants This secrecie the necessitie whereof is knowne to such who are entred in the first elements of State is seconded by the wise choyse of such whom Princes priuately imploy in matters of weight Plut. in Poll. For sometimes to good ends both good and bad subiects are to be conciliate And although Princes do detest trecherous and wicked followers yet make they vse of both sorts for the effecting of good and commendable purposes Est quaedam honesta atque commendabilis calliditas Bas Which politike parts of Gouernment otherwise then they fall out cannot be reduced to a definite number neyther bee better illustrated then by precedent Examples and are to be vsed according to the necessitie of time Qui regnare volunt multis dormire sagaci Multaque concilio dissimulare solent Hannibal hauing resolued to beleaguer Sagunth Liu. lib. 2. Bell. Prin. 2. did bring his Army against another Citie lest his intention against Sagunth should be discouered Another time the same Hannibal did spare a field of Corne that did belong to his enemy Fabius Val. lib. 7. cap. 3. thereby giuing cause of suspition to the Senate against Fabius This cunning clothed practice might haue somewhat preuayled if the Pietie of Fabius and Pollicie of Hannibal had not beene well knowne to the Romanes Sometimes Wisdome aduiseth Princes rather to winke at capitall Offences Trebell Pol. Dissimulat iniuriam callidus at stultus statim prodit iram suam Pro. 12.13 Liu. lib. 3. Bell. Prin. 2. Omnia Hannibali hostium non secus quam sua nota erant Liu. 22. then violently in an vnfit time to bewray their iustly conceiued displeasure Marcus Marcellus hearing that some of his Councell had priuate intelligence with his Enemy Hannibal did conceale his knowledge till such time as Hannibal was past hope of taking the City Nola Then did he shut his Gates strengthen his Guards and call the Conspirators to an accompt Amongst all these and many other Pollicies there is none more profitable for State then to haue good intelligence of the Affayres of Enemyes or of such of whose friendship Princes are least secured to prie into their Strength Intentions Preparations The Carthaginians fearing
Egip de leg the lawes established and to the ancient costomary lawes That which the ancients did call the law of nature as to do good and shun euill August de Ciuit. dei doe to others as we wold others should doe to vs needes no great learning because naturall reason draweth men to the knowledge of it Aul. Gel. lib. 5. The lawes established are such as are prescribed by Emperours and Kings for the gouerntment of their people and do consist partly in reason partly in opinion Customary lawes are such as by little and little Haelinand lib. 7. haue bin brought among people and haue no other force but in being well or ill obserued In short we call the law of nature that wbich reason commands the lawe established that which is written and confirmed customary Law that which hath long beene and now is in vse Other ancient lawyers subdiuides lawes Gratian lib. 3. in lawes of nations ciuill lawes consular lawes publicke lawes military lawes Romane lawes and lawes of Magistrates The law of nations is a law by all people generally obserued Papinian lib. 3. as to seize vpon that which hath no owner to defend their countrey it is called the law of nations because amongst all nations it hath bin generally receiued and obserued Iustin Cod 4. The ciuil law hath the institution froÌ„ the right instructioÌ„ and prosecution of processe to assigne time to answer accuse proue oppose cite alledge report conclude giue sentence to execute it to the end that euery one might haue their due and be defended from wrong Consular law did enact what men of life Consuls should bee what habit they should haue how they should be accompanyed Trog Pom. lib. 2. where they should assemble of what affairs they should treat how long they should sit and what goods they should possesse Iust lib. 22. This law was peculiar onely to the Consuls of Rome Leges Quiritum were Roman lawes or priuiledges proper to foure sorts of noble ancient worthy Roman gentlemeÌ„ Patricijs veteranis militibus Quiritibus al which names were imposed according to the variety of time by this law they were priuiledgd to sit in their teÌ„ples not to be imprisoned for debt if any of theÌ„ were seized by pouerty to bee sustained vpon the common good to be liable onely to the Iudicatory of Rome to bee free of taxes and subsidies and to haue the benefit of diuers other priuiledges that none except the aboue named persons enioyed Lsges publicae were common ordinances or statutes that all the people did obserue as repayring of Temples common houses Capitoll lib. 3. walls of citties measuring of streets prouiding of things needfull to the common vse gathering of taxes impositions and the like Veget lib. 7 Lawes Militar were such as were made by those of iudgement and experience to whom the ordering of military affairs was committed and do chiefly consist in denouncing war confirming peace making appoyntments taking assurance in paying of souldyers setting of guards watches and sentinels making of trenches assigning of battels in giuing the assault making the retreat redeeming prisoners appoynting of tryumphs and finally in whatsoeuer did concerne the gouernment of military affayres The lawes of Magistrates were lawes made by diuers Princes and Consuls and had their names froÌ„ the authors as Lex Caesarea coÌ„manded gates to be open at time of meales Corn. Nepos Lex Pompeia did assigne tutors or curators for pupils by the law Cornelia lands were diuided By the law Augusta Augustus did impose tributes vpon the people for the publicke good The Consul Falcidius enacted the law Falcidia by which fathers were holden to be carefull for the education of their children By the law Sempronia it was enacted that no father might disinherit his sonne not being a traytor to the Roman Empire But because the variety of laws is impertinent to my purpose I will come to the most necessary considerations that princes are to lay before them in making disanulling renuing interpreting executing of lawes First in the making of lawes as the necessitie of time shall require kings are to consider 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 2. fol. 27. Ex tractat de 12. abus Omnium legum est inanis censura nisi diuinae Legis imaginem ferat Aug. de Cin. D. 6. Possid lib. 3 Plat. 4. de rep 6. de leg that lex Dei is via regalis quae nec ad dextram nec ad sinistram declinat First these things which doe belong vnto the true worship of God are to be confirmed next those things that are conuenient for the commonwealth then those that are honest and commendable thereafter things profitable the laws made must be rather wholesome then many that they taste not of couetousnesse oppression or priuat gaine Lawes may bee disannulled wholly Arist 1. in Rhet. when they are repugnant to religion and pollicy in part when some things ate to bee changed which formerly the necessitie of time or some other causes haue tollerated In the interpretation of laws August de dic Sapient sanctity equitie rather then the literall meaning are to be respected lest by wrested glosses legitimate lawes be bastardized white be made black and blacke white In the execution of laws vnderstanding what good is to be done what euill is to be repressed is required who are worthy of reward Arist 7. pol Plato 2.10 de Rep. who of punishment for the lawes are no lesse ordayned to defend and prefer the vertuous theÌ„ to punish the wicked The execution of laws must neither be ouerstrictly or remissely vrged but enforced or moderated as occasion shall serue and offenders merit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 2. fol. 30. 85. Seueritas nisi in tra coÌ„gurentes nocentium paeuas se coercet saeua crude liuas est Lact lib. 6. Summum ius est summa iniuria when seueritie hath his rigour oft times it pulleth vp many goodly plants which being manured with clemency might produce many excellent fruits of obedience seruice and merit Lastly Amor odium proptium coÌ„modum facâ—iunt saepe Iudicem non agnoscere veritatem Arist Rhet. 1. the equall obseruation of lawes and distribution of iustice by Princes is carefully to be looked vnto least the mighty and powerfull offenders escape onely the weake and poore bee punished and wronged Old Cato Stoicall Diogines wise Anacharsis and many others did complayne vpon this error because they did well know that it is the height of vniustice to execute lawes in equally Contingit sepenumero vt qui parua tollunt depraehensi pendant magnorum autem raptores aut splendidi depeculatores factis argento vijs euadant Arist apud Diog. lib. 5. Sine iustitia ne Iupiter quideÌ„ principem agere potest Lud. Viues super Aug. Eurip. in Ores The Princely distribution of iustice is nothing else but suum cuique tribuere is the