The dignitie of man both in the perfections of his soule and bodie. Shewing as well the faculties in the disposition of the one: as the senses and organs, in the composition of the other. By A.N.

Of Policie.

Q. VVhat is Policie?

A. It is the regiment of a Citty or Common∣wealth: the bond of all society.

There is a shew of commanding and obeying in all things.

Q. How many manners of gouernment are there in Man?

A. Two: The one respecteth the soule, and acknow∣ledgeth no temporall King or maister.

The other, Ciuill Iustice, and reformeth outward manners, whereunto the body during this life is wholly subiect.

The end of commanding and obeying is publique benefit, and Ciuill Iustice: Ciuill policies are not the workes of man onely, but proceed from the Prouidence of God: It is necessarie that lawes should be appointed, that men may liue honestly and iu∣stly one with another.

Q. What be the effects and ends of Policie?

• 1 A. To frame and vnite vs to the company of men.
• 2 To conforme our manners to Ciuill Iustice.
• 3 To set vs at agreement one with another.
• 4 To maintaine and preserue common peace and tranquility.
• 5 To cause vs communicate together without fraude.
• 6 To bridle and punish the insolency of the wicked.
• 7 To represse blasphemies against the diuine Na∣ture.

Q. What signifies Policie?

1 A: A burgessey, that is to say, the participation of the rightes and priuiledges of a Towne.

2 The manner of life vsed by some politicall person.

3 A worthy deed.

4 The order, and estate, whereby one or many townes are gouerned.

Q. How is a Common-wealth diuided?

A. Into good, which respecteth the publique pro∣fit of the Citizens.

Into bad, which seeketh only the increase of priuate commoditie.

Q. How many kindes are there of good gouern∣ment?

1. A. Three: Monarchia, or princely gouernment, as it is with vs at this time, laudable and most blessed.

2. Aristocratia, or the gouernment of the Nobilitie, as was the gouernment of the first, and former Romane Consuls, that is to say, Iunius Brutus, Tarquinius, Collati∣nus, Seruius Sulpitius, Manlius, Tullius, who ruled 301. yeares. After them Furius Camillus Paulus Aemilius,

Fabij, Metelli, Scipiones, Catones, Cicero &c. all mightie in warre and peace.

3. Politia, or the Policie of the ciuill Magistrate, who expelled the Decem-viri, because one of them (that is to say) Appius Claudius rauished Virginia, the daugh∣ter of a Noble Citizen of Rome.

Q. How many kindes are there of bad gouern∣ment.

1. A. Three likewise: Tyrannis, that is to say, of Ty∣rants, as of Tarquinius, Silla, Caesar &c. Or where the king obtruding his commaundements for all reason, vndeseruedly afflicteth the common-wealth.

2. Oligarchia, or the vsurping of a few, such as were some Senators, made by the common people at Rome, inclining vnto the wandering affections of the multi∣tude, that they might merit the peoples fauour: The discommoditics of this gouernment Rome felt in that dangerous office called Trium-viratus, (that is) the office of three men in like authority, and appeared most pernitiously in that ambitious Protectorship, and Triumuiracie, of Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey, and last of all, in the Triumuiracy of Antonius, Octautus, and Lepidus.

3. Anarchia, or the authority of the raging and au∣dacious Commons: who, when Antonius was moued, and prouoked with anger, most villanously murthe∣red Cicero, and many States, because the Senate created Octautus Caesar Consul, and passing by, ambitiously put back Antonius, desiring the gouernment.

This popular State is vnstai'd, and very quickly goeth to ruine, and easily degenerateth into another Tirannie: Not the Romanes only, but the Thebanes, Spartans, and Atheni∣ans

(flourishing with great Soueraignties) haue knowne all these kindes of gouernment.

Q. How are these kindes of gouernments disposed?

A. It is to be noted that a common-wealth, and the good, and most perfect kindes of gouernment, are very seldome found absolutely simple, but fitly com∣posed amongst themselues: For a certaine mixture is voluntarily admitted amongst them, yet so mixt and tempered, that in a triple forme (as in a sweet har∣monie) one counsell signifieth as it were one minde; Yet the Common-wealth keepeth her name of the worthier part, ruling the rest.

It is also to be noted, that a Common-wealth very seldome is long found firme, and strong, if God pro∣tect it not: for it is compared to the fraile nature and inconstant minde of men (the said Politique body be∣ing compact of them) which are often tossed hither and thither with variable occurrences.

An excellent sharpnes of the wit, and an admirable quick∣nes, and Wisdome, are requisite in inuenting the best Policies.

Q. What is most profitable to a Common-wealth?

A. There is no treasure more commodious to a Prince or Common-wealth, then Councellours ex∣celling in vertue, wisdome, fidelitie and valour.

The graue Councell of Kings maketh euery thing knowne, which he would haue searched out.

Q. How many sorts of Men are necessarie in a Common-wealth?

1. A. Three: Magistrates, who may rule iustly; and these Plato calleth golden men.

2. Captaines, and Souldiers, who may valiantly and faithfully defend; and these are called Siluer men.

3. Artificers, who may helpe by disciplines, and pro∣fitable Artes, and these are called Brasen men.

A well-ordered Common-wealth consisteth of religion, and Politique Lawes.