Thomas Campanella, an Italian friar and second Machiavel, his advice to the King of Spain for attaining the universal monarchy of the world particularly concerning England, Scotland and Ireland, how to raise division between king and Parliament, to alter the government from a kingdome to a commonwealth, thereby embroiling England in civil war to divert the English from disturbing the Spaniard in bringing the Indian treasure into Spain : also for reducing Holland by procuring war betwixt England, Holland, and other sea-faring countries ... / translated into English by Ed. Chilmead, and published for awakening the English to prevent the approaching ruine of their nation ; with an admonitorie preface by William Prynne, of Lincolnes-Inne, Esquire.

CHAP. XXVI. Of Poland, Muscovia, and Tran∣sylvania. (Book 26)

THe Kingdom of Poland is in Our time the most Potent of all the Northern King∣domes; insomuch that, if it were not so divided in it self, about Points of Reli∣gion, as it is; and were withal an Heredi∣tary Kingdome, and had a Prince that were a Native, and were not Elected out of some Forraign Nation, as their custome is; it would prove a sufficient Terrour to the Great Turk; especially, if the Great Duke of Muscovia were but joyned with them. But the Nobility of that Nation, in whose Power the Election of the King is, are very much afraid of the King's Power; and for that reason They keep as hard a hand over Him, as possibly they can. The King of Spain there∣fore must endeavour as much as lies in Him, that no King be elected there, but such a one as is of the Catholick Religion; which course hath hitherto been observed amongst them. For, should they chuse themselves a King that were of any other Re∣ligion, He would then very easily be induced to countenance, by his Authority, the Northern Hereticks; who do all agree in these two Points, (although they differ among thems••lves al∣most in all the rest,) namely•• that the Pope is Antichrist; and, that the Arch-Dukes of Austria are all of them such as fight for Antichrist. And therefore, upon any the least Occasion that could be, they would be apt to joyn their forces together against both the Pope, and the Emperour, their Neighbour; had they but any Powerful Prince to head them, and to be their General: which Charge none is so able to undertake, and go through with, as the King of Poland is. For, the King of Denmark is but a weak Prince; and the King of Sweden lies too far off; and be∣sides, is severed from Germany by the Sea.

The King of Spain must then in the next place by all meanes

endeavour, that one of the House of Austria may be advanced to the Crown of Poland: or at least such a one as is some way or other allied to the House of Austria; as the now King of Poland is. And lastly, he must be such a one, as shall alwaies make head against the Turk, and that should enter into an Asso∣ciation with the Muscovites, who together should to their ut∣most endeavour, as much as in them lies, the utter Ruine, and Extirpation of the Turks.

He must also make choyce of some of the Wisest, and most Eminent persons of his Kingdom, whom He shall send as Embas∣sadours to Cracovia, and who by their presence may adde Au∣thority, and Weight to the Spanish Union, in the Esteem of the Electors of Poland: and that may obtain of them, that in case the King of Spain should have more Sons then one, that the•• They would Elect one of the Younger of them to be their King: for certainly, were any of the King of Spain's Sons chosen King of Poland, He would never be so simple, and foolish, as to take upon him to govern the Kingdome of Poland according to his Own Will and pleasure; as the King of France's Son endeavou∣red to do.

Besides, He must deal with the People of Scandia, and the Dantzickers, by the means of the King of Poland, who now is King of Swethland also, that they would joyn together, and send out a Fleet against the English; as hath been said before. For by taking this course, the Kings expense will not be half so great, as his Gains will be. He must also labour that the Prince of Transylvania may in like manner enter into a league with the Polanders; or else, that either He, or the great Duke of Musco∣via may be chosen King of Poland. For, seeing that these two Nations are not only Neighbours to ••he Turks, but do also na∣turally hate them, they might easily be able to stop his proceed∣ings. And I am verily perswaded, that among all the Northern Nations there is not any so fit, and able to oppose the Turk, as is the Muscovite; who, would but the Tartarians, and the Po∣landers joyn with him, might be able to make Incursions into the Turks Dominions, and march up even to the very Walls of Constantinople. Neither indeed hath Macedonia, or Moldavia, or Bulgaria, or Thrace ever suffered so much losse by any Nation, as by the Muscovit••s.

And if there were an Association contracted betwixt the King of Spain and the Muscovite, either by Marriage, or else by the nearer Tie of Religion, brought about there, by the Industry of the Iesuites; it must needs prove a very advantageous businesse to Him: because that Spanish Gold is, among these Northern Nations, of greater Estimation, and Account, then any thing else in the world. And then must the King of Spain be very careful, that, as soon as ever he finds he hath wrought up the affections of these people to a Willingnesse to do him any ser∣vice, He set them upon some Notable Expedition or other, while they are now ready for it, and before they begin to cool again, and repent themselves of their forwardnesse: For, Delay hath alwaies been the Ruine of the King of Spain's Affaires; by rea∣son that his Confederates, through his slownesse in putting them in execution, have alwaies had time enough to smell out the sub∣tilty of His Designs; and by this means it comes to passe, that he commonly loses his labour, and is at charge to no pur∣pose.

The Bohemians also might be hired by the King of Spain's, and the Popes Mony, to joyn with the Transylvanians against the Turks; because that They are in league with the House of Austria. Yet, when all is done, there cannot be any conside∣rable matter done in this Particular, without the Assistance of the Polanders also, and the Muscovites: and unlesse the Empe∣rour himself also be a Man of a stout, and Warlike spirit; (as we shewed before, when we spake of Germany,) and use his utmost endeavour to stop all growing Mischiefs in their very Begin∣ings; least, by Delay, they get head, and grow so much the stronger, and Intractable.