Policie vnveiled vvherein may be learned, the order of true policie in kingdomes, and common-wealths: the matters of justice, and government; the addresses, maxims, and reasons of state: the science of governing well a people: and where the subject may learne true obedience unto their kings, princes, and soveraignes. Written in Spanish, and translated into English by I.M. of Magdalen Hall in Oxford.

CHAP. XII.

How Kings ought to carry themselues towards those Mi∣nisters, whom they finde sufficient for the gouernment both of peace, and of warre.

IN the Creation of the vaste Vniuerse, God shewed his great Omnipotencie, and his infinite wisedome in the dis∣position of those things, which hee placed therein, with such a concor∣dance and harmonie, that Diuus Tho∣mas confesseth that it could not be mended, without some dissonancie, and iarring. And he citeth the example of a well tuned Viall, wherein it is not possible to straine a string, but the consonancie in all the rest is quite marred. This was that which the Wiseman said; That with weight, number, and measure, God had created, and ordered all his Creatures. So that the parts of the Vniuerse, haue amongst themselues that proportion, that in euery one, and all ioyntly, there are found these three Circumstances, weight, number and measure. But that, which is spoken in the booke of Wise∣dome, touching the gouernment of all this huge Machina, is of greater consideration. For God touching (as being infinitely powerfull) the extremes and ends of all things in the disposing of them, he doth it with a great deale of sweetnesse. He did set an inuiolable Law, a settled and determinate Seate (as being the Author of Nature) to na∣ture it selfe; to the end, that euery thing conseruing it selfe with in it's owne proper bounds and limits, it should not be confounded with the rest. And from hence grew a most sweete and pleasing harmonie of all this great frame

of the World, so well tuned, and so well ordred, that it alone voyceth and Proclaymeth the wisedome, and om∣nipotencie of the Creator. What a goodly thing is it, to see the continuall Motion of the Celestiall bodies? The perpetuall influence, sixednesse, & resplendour of the Planets and of other starres? The fire, in it's sohere? The Ayre, the Water, and the Earth, in their most firme and stable Mansions? And only by vertue of that first Law which God settled in his first Creation? Out of this Compo∣sture, and admirable accord, and agreement of things na∣turall, is to be drawne the politicall consent and attone∣ment of a Common-wealth, appointing to euery one his site, his place, and his certaine limits of Iurisdiction for that Office, that shall be put vpon him, without once thin∣king to haue it altered or changed. And it is the obserua∣tion of the wise, and men of much experience, that if it might bee inuio••ably kept, and might bee established as an inuariable and vnchangeable decrce in the brest of the King and his Counsellours, that those of one Counsell should not be transferred and put ouer to another; nor be remo∣ued from that wherein they are already placed, vnlesse it be to your Presidentships of your Chanceries, and Visits of the Kingdome, and that they themselues of euery parti∣cular Councell should haue the nominating of their Pre∣sidents, it would in matter of gouernment be of great im∣portance. First of all, by these meanes would cease those anxieties, vexations, and cares, wherewith all of them liue, of being translated from one Councell to another; as also that extraordinary negociating and labouring for this end and purpose. Those that are of the Councell of Hazienda, pretend to be preferred to that of the Indies, & de los Ordines. And when they haue attained to these, they aspire to that of Castile. So that out of this ambitious humour, none of them sticke fast, or keepe firme footing; but from the very first day, wherein they enter into one of these Councells,

their mindes are wandring, pretending to better themselues by chopping and changing from Councell to Councell. And the mischiefe of it is; That in these Pretensions, they wast and spend that time, which they should bestow in study∣ing those points, which belong to their own Tribunall. For the curing of this sore, in the Councell of the Indies, in former times, those Counsellours had a larger allowance and greater Pension, then any of the other Councells, obli∣ging them thereby to settle themselues where they were placed, without pretending to budge, or to leape from one Councell into another, making themselues thereby capable of all those difficult businesses of the Indies, which good effect then ceased, when the Salaries were made all a like. And if this Order which I speake of, had beene well and truly kept, the disorder which is in these pretensions of change, had beene remedied, and men would haue beene more practicke, and better seene in those businesses, which are treated in euery one of them, being so different, and of so great consequence, and so hard to be vnderstood, that they will require the study and assistance of many yeares to vnderstand and know them aright. And (as the holy Ghost sayth) it is contrarie to the rules of good gouernment, and of prudence, to put one vpon that he vnderstands not, and to commit weighty affayres vnto him, who vndertaking them (as being tyed thereunto by his imployment) knowes not whether he be in the right, or no, though perhaps he presume he is. Likewise, there should be much more care had in the prouision of those places of other Audiencies, and inferiour Courtes of Chancerie, to the end that in them might be bred vp such subiects, in qualitie, learning, and vertue, that out of them, Election might be made of fit men for greater Counsells.

And that the Presidents should be chosen out of the said Councells in which they were bred vp, it is very con∣uenient, and grounded vpon good reason, For, hauing

beene conuersant in them some yeeres, by the concourse of so many things, as dayly offer themselues, thereby will be better knowen, their talent, and capacitie, their truth, their treating, their integritie, and all the worth and parts of their person, whereby the election that shall be made, will be much the better, more certaine in the things vnderta∣ken, and more safe and secure in matter of conscience. And who is he can doubt, but that those Counsailours, which haue beene for a long time in your supremer Coun∣cells will haue greater knowledge of the qualitie and sub∣stance of those businesses, which are treated in them, to∣gether with those necessary circumstances, which make for their better expedition. Besides, they will more prefectly know the State, wherein the businesses of that Tribunall stand, without being driuen to haue recourse vnto others to be better informed, spending and loosing much time therein. Againe, they know, (which is a matter of no small consideration) the rest of the Counsailours, as also their condition, their abilitie, their cleannesse of hands and heart, and their good, or bad parts, for there, better then else where, are they discouered. And this know∣ledge is very necessary in Presidents, for to deliberate, and make choise vpon all occasions, of the fittest persons, that are to be trusted, with businesses of importance. And it is of no lesse consequence to take notice of the suitors and pretenders, for to know how to carry themselues towards them, & to take particular knowledge of the good customes, ceremonies, preheminencies and priuileges of those Coun∣cells, that they may be kept and obserued, and that the authoritie of the Tribunall may be maintained, and all dis∣cordes and Competitions a voyded.

All these things are learned with time, and that expe∣rience which euery one hath of his proper Councell, wherein it is very requisite, that the President be a Master and not a Schollar, as he is, who enters newly into a Coun∣cell

though he haue serued many yeares in another: and of no little inconuenience are the nouelties, which they both attempt and do, who are admitted without this ex∣perience, being desirous to accommodate, and order things according to the measure of their own d••scourse. And how∣beit the want of experience be in Counsailours a matter of much consideration, and may be tolerated and borne withall in some; yet in realtie of truth, the lacke thereof in a President, is intolerable, and very preiudiciall to the whole Common-wealth; And from thence arise many great mischiefes, and those remedilesse. For some out of ignorance, and some out of flatterie, do leane to their opi∣nion, whereby many vniust decrees passe, whilest the ex∣perienced and wiser sort, (which euermore are the fewer) haue not power equall to their sufficiencie, to turne the course of the streame. And for this reason, so many dif∣ficulties offer themselues, so many differences are raised a∣mongst them, and so many resolutions dela••d and put off, (and peraduenture erre in the end too,) which would haue required a quicke and speedy Dispatch. But when a Presi∣dent hath that experience which is needfull, he will not g••ue way to these delayes; but being priuie to his own suffici∣encie, and confident that he is in the right, looke wha•• he presseth and affirmeth, the authoritie of his pers•••• and place, will make it good, and strike a great▪ if not the only stroake, in the businesse. For these and d••uerse other reasons, in all well gouerned Common-wea••ths and Communities, I would haue them make choise (for G••u••rnment) of such subiects as haue beene bred vp, and ••u'd some yeares in them; for they cannot but haue a great aduantage of those that are strangers thereunto, t••ough otherwise of equall parts. And this is the trace and tr••cke of the Holy Ghost, marked out vnto vs by▪ S.* 1.1 Paul; Omnis enim Ponti••ex ex hominibus assumptus pro hominibus constu••itur: For euery high Priest, taken from among men, is ordained for men.

For it matetreth much, that the head be of the same sub∣stance as is the body, and that all the members be of one and the same kinde, not to haue a head of gold, a body of braffe, and feete of clay, like vnto Nabuchodonazars image, but that all the whole body be one and the selfe same flesh and bone, all of the same matter and informed with the same forme. That bundle of sheafes which Ioseph saw; his (like the King-sheafe) lifting vp his head higher then the rest, and (if we may beleeue the Rabbins) reaching as high as heauen, and those of his brethren prostrate on the ground, doing homage thereunto, is the Embleme of the body of a Councell & it's President like vnto that of king Pharaoh. And the sacred Text doth not say, that that tall and high sheafe, was different in matter from the rest, but that all were of the same eare, and stalke; giuing vs thereby to vnder∣stand, that he, that is to be the Head or President of the whole body of a Councell, though he be to be higher then the rest, in the dignitie and hight of his Office, yet for all this, God would not, that he should be made of any other kinde of matter then were the rest of the members; That he should not besome great block-headed Lord, or a man without wit, or learning, that in his carriage and manner of life, he should seeme to be cut out of another peece of cloath, but that hee should bee of the selfe same qualitie, fashion, and profession. And that the President of euery Councell, should be chosen from amongst the Counsailours themselues, that they be moulded out of the same Masse and lumpe, as well the feete, as the head, that there goe (as we say) but a payre of sheares betweene them, and that they be clad all in one and the same liuerie. And God giuing order to his Vice-roy (and in it, to all Kings) how he was to choose a President, that should be the Head and ruler ouer his people,* 1.2 saith thus vnto him; Eum constitues, quem Dominus tuus elegerit, de numero fratrum tuorum: Thou shalt in any wise set him King ouer thee, whom thy Lord thy

God shall choose; One, from among thy brethren, shalt thou set King ouer thee. And howbeit God had heere exprest himselfe so plainely, and that he himselfe had the nomi∣nating of the person, and therefore there could be no er∣rour in the Election, yet it seemeth God was not satisfi∣ed heerewith, but comes presently with another Prouiso, and a second Mandatum, saying. Thou mayst not set a stranger ouer thee (hominem alterius gentis) which is not thy brother. He must not be of another people, or of another familie; As if he should haue said, not of ano∣ther Councell.* 1.3 Doubtlesse (saith S. Chrysostome) this is a businesse of great consequence; and we are to insist much thereupon, considering that God himselfe, doth recommend and repeate it so often vnto vs, to the end that it may be imprinted in the hearts of Kings. And in Reason of State, and matter of gouernment, it is the greatest benefit they can do to their Kingdomes. And therefore amongst o∣ther those great and many fauours which God prom••sed to conferre vpon his people, (speaking vnto them in the si∣milistude of the Vine) he indeareth this as the greatest, That he will set a guard about them, and Gardiners or vineyard-keepers, that shall be within the precincts there∣of. Dabo ei vinitores ex eodem loco:* 1.4 I will giue her, her Vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor, for a doore of hope. But (my good Lord) within the precincts of a Vineyard, what can be had there but hedges and Vine∣plants? Had it not beene better to giue vnto this Vine∣yard a lusty strong Laborour, to dresse and prune it, and to keepe and defend it from passengers? The Chalde, ••x∣pounds this place very well, For in stead of Vinitores, he puts Gubernatores, Which, are Rulers and Presidents. And for to be, as they ought to be, we haue said already, that they should be vniforme with the members. For if they be the Vine, he must likewise be a Vine, that must be ••••eir Head. Christ himselfe, that he might be the Presiden•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Head of that Apostolicall Councel where the Apostles were as tender plants, and had the same proprieties, made him∣selfe a Vine,* 1.5 to conforme himselfe vnto them. Ego sum vitis vera & vos palmites: I am the true Vine, and yee the branches: To the end that Kings may vnderstand, and all the World may know, of how great importance it is, that the Members and Head, Counsailours, and Presidents, should in their qualities and conditions, be very conformable, sithence that heerein he would not dispence with himselfe, much lesse therefore with others, and for this cause Presidents ought still to be chosen out of the same Councells, Ex eodem loco, eiusdem gentis, & de numero fratrum suorum: Out of the same place, the same people, and from amongst their bre∣thren. And if Counsailours might haue the hope of such increase of honour in their persons, it would make them much better then they are, and they would study to win themselues credit, and to cumply in all things with their obligation, seruing with carefullnesse and satisfaction as well to give their Kings good content, as that they againe, might take notice thereof, and in their greatest occasions imploy them in their seruice. This rule did that great gouerner of Gods people Moses obserue, who hauing (as wee savd) vsed diligence for to seeke out persons, which might helpe him, furnished with those qualites afore-mentioned, made a dis∣tribution and diuision amongst them, allotting them places and Offices, answearable to their Talent. And which is worthy the noting, that (as he himselfe affirmeth in ano∣ther place) the noblest, and wisest amongst them he made rulers ouer the rest. For, when in noblemen, concurre the qualities of wisedome, and prudence, and other the Vertues, there is a great deale of reason, nay a strong obligation lyes vpon it, that Presidentships, and the greatest dignities, & p••aces of honour, should be bestowed vpon them; especi∣ally, when not degenera••ing from the Vertue of their Ance∣stors, but surpassing them therein, they haue the aduantage of

noblenesse of blood, vpon which vertue (like a Diamond set in gold) shewes it sel••e the better and appeares the more beautifull. The words of that most wise Law-giuer, wher∣on this discourse will be the better grounded, are these; Tuli de Tribubus vestris,* 1.6 viros sapientes, & nobiles, & con∣stitui eos Principes, Tribunos, & Centuriones, & Quinque∣genarios, ac Decanos, qui docerent vos singula: I tooke the cheife of your Tribes, wise men and knowen, and made them Heads ouer ye, Captaines ouer thousands, and Captaines ouer hundreds, and Captaines ouer fifties, and Officers amongst your Tribes. Out of euery Tribe he chose the worthi∣est and most sufficient men, and made them Heads and Presidents in that gouernment. And he, that was so zea∣lous of the Lawes and good gouernment, valiant Mat∣tathias,* 1.7 in that prouision of Offices, which he distributed, at his death, he said of Simon: Scio quod vir consilij est, ipsum audite semper. And because he was so wise a Coun∣sailour, he made him President of the Councell. Iudas Machabaeus fortis viribus à juuentute su••: Iudas Macha∣baeus, was a valiant man from his youth, he had beene alwayes bred vp in the warres, Sit vobis princeps militia; and therefore he made him Generall of the Armie. For (as Plato saith) Quilibet ad ea idoneus est, inquibus sapit: Euery man is fittest for those things, wherin he hath best skill. Now, when kings shall haue found out such fit persons (as haue bin by vs propounded) they are to distribute & order their Coun∣cells and Counsailours,* 1.8 & to appoint their President, charging them to keepe euery one his proper place, and Station, & that they enuy not one another nor sue to be preferred to a supre∣mer Councell, and to haue a care that each man in his owne Councell be rewarded according to his good seruices. For it is impossible, but, that he that treateth in all businesses, must needs erre in some, nor can he, that is ouer charged with busi∣nesses giue good satisfaction vnto all. But there are some, that loue to double their files, & would, if they could, haue a 100.

Offices at once pretending, that there is want of fit men for those Offices, seeking that they may be doubled, re∣doubled, and quadrupled on themselues. They are like vnto another Gerion, of whom it is sayd, that he is in Hell, because hee would be Three, instead of One. What will become then of those, that would be twenty yea a hundred, nay inioy all the Offices in a Kingdome? These had neede of another farre greater Hell, if that be not hell enough, they haue already.

With the foresayd distinction and diuision of Coun∣cell and Counsailours, farre better and more speedily will businesses be dispatched, and the King shall be at more ease in his person, and more at quiet in Consci∣ence. And the Counsailours themselues, shall leade an easier life, haue lesse time of trouble, and more to study on State-businesses, whereby with moderate paines, they shall giue a quicker Dispatch to those things which come vnder their debating. Let this therfore serue as a Con∣clusion to this discourse; that in no kinde of hand, Of∣fices be doubled vpon one particular person, nor put out of their hinges, by the passion or pretension of those, that haue a hand therein, nor let Counsellours bee chopt and changed, from one place, to another, nor your Councells confounded. For this argues but small satis∣faction in the Ministers, and much distrustfullnesse in the Prince. But let vs passe on.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Heb. 5. 1.
• * 1.2

  Deut 17. 15.
• * 1.3

  Chrys. h••m. 10. in Gen••sim.
• * 1.4

  Hosc. 2. 15.
• * 1.5

  Ioh. 15. 5.
• * 1.6

  D••us. 1. 15.
• * 1.7

  1 Mac. 2.
• * 1.8

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.