The true and liuely Portraiture of the Honourable and learned Knight Sr Walter Ralegh THE PRINCE OR MAXIMS OF STATE Written By Sir WALTER RAVVLEY and presented to Prince HENRY Sapere Silere London Printed MDCXLII THE CONTENTS OF Government Of Policy Of Monarchy Of Aristocraty or Senatory State Of Free State or popular State Of Tyranny Of Olygarchy or the Government of a few Of a Common-wealth Of causes of States and Common-wealths in generall Of founding a State Of causes preserving a State or Common-wealth Of Mysteries or Sophismes Of Axioms or rules of preserving a State Rules for preserving of a Kingdome Hereditary Conquered Kingdomes hereditary are preserved at home by the ordering of a Prince Kingdomes new gotten or purchased by force are preserved by 10. Rules Rules politique of Tyrants Sophismes of a barbarous and professed tyranny Sophismes of the Sophisticall or subtill tyrant to hould up his State Of preservation of an Aristocraty Of preservation of an Olygarchy by Sophismes Rules Of conversion of States in generall Causes of conversions of States are of two sorts Generall and Particular Particular causes of Conversion of State are of two sorts Of sedition Causes of sedition are of two sorts Of alteration without violence A Method how to make use of the booke before in the reading of story Old age is not ever unfit for publique Government Example of the like practise in Charles the fifâ— Of observation for the Affirmative and the Negative Of defence for David in marrying Abishag Politicall Nobility Of Adoniah aspiring to the Kingdome Observations Of wayes of such as aspire to the Kingdome and markeâ— to discerne them OF GOVERNMENT GOvernment is of two sorts 1. Private of himselfe Sobriety Of his Family called Oecâ—nomy 2. Publique of the Common-wealth called Policy A man must first governe himselfe ere he be fit to governe a Family And his Family ere hee bee fit to beare the Governement in the Common-wealth Of Policy POlicy is an Art of Government of a Common-wealth and some part of it according to that State or formâ— of Government wherein it is setled for the publique good State is the frame or set order of a Common-wealth or of the Governours that rule the same specially of the chiefe and Soveraigne Governour that commands the rest The State or Soveraignty consisteth in 5. points 1. Making or annulling of Lawes 2. Creating and disposing of Magistrates 3. Power over life and death 4. Making of Warre or Peace 5. Highest or last appeale Where these 5. aâ—e either in one or in more there is the State These 5. points of State rest either in 1. One Monarchy or Kingdome 2. Some few chiefe of men for vertue and wisedome called an Aristocraâ—y 3. Many called a Free State or a Popular State These three sorts of Government have respect to the Common good and therefore are Iust and Lawfull States These 3. degenerate into 3. other Governements 1. Monarchy 2. Aristocraty 3. Popular Estate Into 1. Tyrany 2. Oligarchy or Government of a few rich or able 3. Common-wealth or Government of all the common baser sort and therefore called a Common wealth by an vsurped Nickname These all respect there owne and not the publique good and therefore are called Bastard Governements 1. Monarchy A Monarchy or Kingdome is the Governement of a State by one head or Chiefe tending to the Common benefit of all Monarchies or Kingdomes are of 3. sorts touching the right or possession of them viz. 1. Hereditary by discent as the English French c. 2. Elective by suffrage of the other Orders or some of them as the Pâ—lâ—nian 3. Mixt or of both kinds viz by Discent yet not tyed to the next of bloud as the ancient Jewish State Monarchies are of 2. sorts touching their power or â—uthority viz. 1. Intier Where the whole power of ordering all State matters both in peace and warre doth by law and custome appertaine to the Prince as in the English Kingdome where the Prince hath power to make Lawes League and Warre to create Magistrates To pardon life Of appeale c. Though to give a contentment to the other degrees they have a sufferage in making Lawes yet ever subject to the Princes pleasure nor negative will 2. Limited or restrained that hath no full power in all the points or matters of State as the Military King that hath not the Soveraignty in time of peace as the making of Lawes c. But in Warre onely as the Poloniâ—â— Kings 2. Aristocraty or Senatory State AN Aristocraty is the Government of a Common-wealth by some competent number of the better sort preferred for wisedome and other vertues for the publique good Aristocraties are of 3. sorts viz where the Senators are chosen for 1. Vertue Riches and the Common good as the Venetian 2. Vertue and the publique good without respect of wealth as sometimes the Roman when some of the Senatours were fetched from the plough and some from the Schooles 3. Vertue and Wealth more respecting their private then the publique good which inclineth towards an Oligarchy or the Government of the Richer or Nobler sort as in Rome towards the end 3. Free State or Popular State THe Popular State is the Government of a State by the Choiser sort of people tending to the publique good of all sorts viz. with due respect of the better nobler and richer sort In every Iust State some part of the Government is or ought to bee imparted to the people As in a Kingdome a voice or sufferage in making Lawes and sometimes also in levying of Armes if the charge bee great and the Prince forced to borrow helpe of his Subjects the matter rightly may bee propounded to a Parliament that the taxe may seeme to have proceeded from themselves So consultations and some proceedings in Judiciall matters may in part bee referred to them The reason least seeing themselves to be in no number nor of reckoning they mislike the state or kind of Government And where the Multitude is discontented there must needs bee many Enemies to the present state For which cause Tyrants which allow the people no manner of dealing in State matters are forced to bereave them of their wits and weapons and all other meanes whereby they may resist or amend themselves as in Rusheland Turkey c. 4. Tyranny A Tyranny is the swarving or distorting of a Monarchy or the Government of one tending not to the publique good but the private benefit of himselfe and his followers As in the Russe and Turkish Government where the State and Wealth of other orders are employed onely to the uphoulding of the greatnesse of the King or Emperour This is the worst of all the Bastard States because it is the perverting of the best Regiment to wit of a Monarchy which resembleth the Soveraigne Government of God himselfe 5. Obligarchy or the Government of a few AN Oligarchy is the swarving or the corruption of an Aristocraty or the Government of
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
persons be not more then the State or Common-wealth can-beare In quality as that none grow in wealth liberty honours c. more then that is meet for that degree For as in weights the heavier weights beare downe the Skale So in Common-wealths that part or degree that excelleth the rest in Quâ—lity and Quantity overswayeth the rest after it whereof follow alterations and conversions of State Secondly to provide by all meanes that the middle sort of people exceed both the extreames viz. of Nobility and Gentry and the Base Rascall and beggerly sort For this maketh the State constant and firme when both the Extreames are tied together by a middle sort as it were with a band as for any conspiracy of the rich and beggerly sort together it is not to bee feared To these two points the Particular Rules or Sophismes of every Common-wealth are to bee applied 2. Particular That serve for preservation of every Common-wealth in that forme of State wherein it is setled as in a Kingdome That the Nobility may bee accustomed to beare the Government of the Prince especially such as have their dwelling in remote places from the Princes eye it is expedient to call them up at certaine times to the Princes Court under pretence of doing them honour or being desirous to see and enjoy their presence and to have their children especially their eldest to bee attendant upon the Prince as of speciall favour towards them and theirs that so they may bee trained up in duty and obedience towards the Prince and bee as Hostages for the good behaviour and faithfull dealing of their Parents especially if they bee of any suspected note To that end serves the Persian practize in having a band or traine of the Satrapaes children and other Nobles to attend the Court which was well imited by our traine of Henchmâ—n if they were of the Nobler sort Againe sometimes to borrow smale summes of his Subjects and to pay them againe that hee may after borrow greater summes and never pay So in an Oligarchy least it decline to a Popular State they deceive the people with this and the like Sophismes viz. They compell their owne sort to wit the rich men by great penalties to frequent their assemblies for choosing of Magistrates for provision of Armour warlike Exercise making an Execution of lawes c. By that meanes seeming to beare a hard hand over the richer but to suffer the poorer and meaner sort to bee absent and to neglect those assemblies under pretence that they will noâ— draw them from their businesse and private earnings Yet withall to cite thither some few of them viz. so many as are easily over-matched by the richer sort to make a shew that they would have the people or poorer sort partakers likewise of those matters yet terrifying those that come to their Assemblies with the tediousnesse of consultations greatnesse of fines if they should miâ—doc To the end to make them unwilling to come againe or to have to doe with those consultations by which meanes the Richer sort doe still governe the State with the peopleâ— liking and good contentment Axioms Axioms or Rules of preserving the State are 1. Generall that serve for all Common-wealths 2. Particular that serve for every severall State Generall Rules 1. THe first and principall Rule of Policy to bee observed in all States is to professe and practize and maintaine the true worship and religion of Almighty God prescribed unto us in his word which is the chiefe end of all Government The Axiom that God bee obeyed simply without exception though hee command that which seemeth unreasonable and absurd to humane Policy as in the Iewes Common-wealth That all the men should repaire yearely to one place to worship God foure times leaving none to defend their coast though being beset with many Enemies Not to sow the seventh yeare but to suffer the ground to rest untilled without respect or feare of famine c. 2. To avoid the causes of conversions whereby States are overthrowne that are set downe in the title of conversions For that Common-wealths as naturall bodies are preserved by avoiding that which hurteth the health and State thereof and are so cured by contrary Medicines 3. To take heed that no Magistrate bee created or continued contrary to the Lawes and Policy of that State As that in a Senate there bee not created a perpetuall Dictator as Caesar in Rome In a Kingdome that there bee no Senate or convention of equall power with the Prince in State matters as in Poland 4. To create such Magistrates as love the State as it is setled and take heed of the contrary practize as to advance Popular persons in a Kingdome or Aristocraty And secondly to advance such as have skill to discerne what doth preserve and what hurteth or altereth the present State 5. To that end to have certaine Officers to pry abroad and to observe such as doe not live and behave â—hemselves in fit sort agreeable to the present State but desire rather to bee under some other forme or kind of Government 6. To take heed that Magistracies bee not sold for money nor bribe in their Offices which is specially to bee observed in that Common-wealth which is governed by a few of the Richer sort For if the Magistrate gaine nothing but his Common Fees the Common sort and such as want honour take in good part that they bee not preferred and are glad rather that themselves are suffered to intend private businesse But if the Magistrate â—uy and sell matters the Common people are doâ—bly grieved both because they are debarred of those preferments and of that gaine which they see to grow by them which is the cause that the Germaine Olygarchies continue â—o firme for both they suffer the poorer sort to grow into wealth and the Richer sort are by that meanes freed and secured from being under the poore 7. To take heed that the State as it is setled and maintained bee not over strict nor exceed in his kind viz. That a Kingdome be not too Monarchicall Nor a Popular State bee too Popular For which cause it is good that the Magistrates sometimes yeeld of his right touching honour and behave themselves familiarly with those that are equall unto them in other parts though inferiour for place and office And sometimes popularly with the Common people which is the cause that some Common-wealths though they bee very simply and unskilfully set yet continue firme because the Magistrates behave themselves wisely and with due respect towards the rest that are without honour And therefore some kind of Moderate popularity is to bee used in every Common-wealth 8. To take heed of small beginnings and to meet with them even at the first as well touching the breaking and altering of Lawes as of other Rules which concerne the continuance of every severall State For the disease and alteration of a Common-wealth doth not happen all at once but growes by degrees
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
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