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. XXX. Of the Great Turk, and his Empire. (Book 30)

BY what means the Turk endeavours to make himself Lord of the whole World, hath been, as I conceive, sufficiently de∣clared before in this Treatise: and He will also at this time already be cal∣led, The Vniversal Lord; as the King of Spain is called, The Catholick King: so that these two Princes seem now to strive, which of them shall attain to the Universal Monarchy of the whole World. And therefore I think it not amisse to examine here, in what Particulars the one of them is either Inferiour, or superiour to the other.

The Great Turk is the most Absolute Lord of, and Heir to all the Goods that his subjects have, throughout his whole Em∣pire: and not of their Goods only, but also of their Persons. And in this, He is worse then ever any Tyrant was; in that He arro∣gates all to Himself: and, because that although He calls all his People, His Sons; Yet He doth not, like a Father, suffer them

to inherit any thing; but only bestowes yearly upon every one of them as much as He thinks fit, appointing them withal the Employments that they shall serve him in. He hath also a Re∣ligion that is framed according to his own Will only, without taking the advise with him of any Arch-Priest. He hath like∣wise a most Able Souldiery; because that He takes all the like∣liest boyes, and youths through all his Dominions, and breeds them up in Seminaries, erected for that purpose: and these He employes both in his wars abroad, and in peace at home; ma∣king some of them Souldiers, and others, Judges, and Noble∣men also.

Neither hath He any Barons to stand in fear of; neither hath He any Brothers to share with Him in the Empire: For, the El∣dest Son, comming to the Empire after his Fathers death, pre∣sently makes away with all his Younger Brothers. Neither can He want any Men: seeing that He permits every one of his sub∣jects to take as many Wives to him as He is able to keep: so that neither Inheritance, nor Virginity are any hinderance to the Procreation of Children in his Territories. His custome is al∣so in making his Wars, to go as it were round about in a circle•• and so to deal with his Neigbouring enemies; neither leaving any enemy behind him, nor ever going farther from home one way then another, as hath been said before. And he hath be∣sides an Admirable Art in his making his Cessations from Arms, and Truces with his Enemies; being sure alwayes to make them for his own Advantage.

Now the Turk is descended from Iaphet, by Magog; and he hath the Lawes of Sem, derived to Him by Ishmael; whence hath sprung Mahumetanisme. And of Him, God himself fore∣told Agar, that His hand should be against every man; and every mans hand against him: and, that He should dwell in the p••esence of all his brethren. And therefore we see, that He hath pitched his Tents at Constantinople, in the uttermost Angle of Europe, over against Us, who are his Brethren, descending from Isaac, who was both the Legitimate, and Natural Brother of Ishmael. For, as the Spaniards are descended from Tubal, so the Turks are descended from Magog; who were both the Sons of Ia∣phet.

And truly the Turk doth put forth his hand every way, not only against all Christians, but also against Mahumetans, now

here, now there; one while on the right hand, and then on the left; and still goes away the Conquerour. He makes use also of another point of subtlety, which is, that so soon as ever He finds that we are at union amongst our selves, He then pre∣sently flies to making a Truce with Us: which notwithstanding he presently breakes off again, so soon as ever he sees us at dissention among our selves. And whensoever he is returned Victorious from one Couutry, He presently falls to the making of some other Expedition, either against the Persians, or the Ethiopians &c. as hath been shewed before.

And yet though all these things be thus, yet doth the King of Spain lay claime also to the Dominion of that Empire, or at least of part of it, and tha•• by reason of his Fraternity, both Natural from Iaphet, and also Legal proceeding from Abraham; but yet in respect of this Later, he hath the Preheminence above the Turk. For, he is descended from Isaac; from whom Christ, who is also God, is descended, the Cheif Law-giver of All; and He hath also thereby a general Promise made him, of the Universal Empire of the World.

And because He was Blessed also in Abraham, the last King∣dome of the Saints, which is to succeed after the end of the Four Monarchies•• and of which Daniel Prophesied, belongs unto him. But Ishmael, from whom Mahomet, the Turks Law-giver, is de∣scended, had no other promise made unto him, but that he should be an Absolute Lord, and a great and famous Warriour. Besides, both these Princes are a part of the Roman Empire; for after that the Roman Monarchy shall be at an end, there shall no other succeed it.

But according to Esdras, the G••rman, which is now the same that the Spaniard, (as hath been said before) is the Right Head, but the Turk is the Left Head of the Imperial Eagle; after that Mahomet fell off from the Emperour Heracli•••••• during whose Reign the Eagle was divided: to whom notwithstandi••g there was no other promise made, but that He should Devour the Middle Head, namely, the Constantinopolitan; whereas the Spa∣niard hath this Promise made him, that•• he should devour the Left Head, that is to say, the Turk: as we have hinted former∣ly. And although that the Spaniard hath above him one that is a Clergy Man, and that is also Armed with the Temporal Sword; yet doth this make for his advantage, both in respect

of Fate, and of His State, as hath been written before; for as much as the Spaniard, according to the example of Cyrus, hath under him the United Monarchy of the Saints; and the Pope is also a most sure defence and Safe-guard to Him; by whose Assistance, he is able to deal well enough with his enemies, both with spiritual, and Temporall weapons: and yet so, as that He may easily withal avoid the suspicion either of Covetousnesse or Profanenesse.

Now as concerning the Absolutenesse of Dominion, the Great Turk is herein much above the King of Spain. But yet I have formerly shewed, that this very thing, of his not caring to have any Barons, or Nobles under him, renders Him, and His Condition and State so weak, that if he should receive but one sound Blow onely in an open field Battel, it would so crush Him, as that he would never be able to hold up his Head again. Which cannot happen to the King of Spain; because that His Nobles, and Bishops, and also the Pope himself would speedily in such a case send in Relief to Him. The Great Turk keeps under all the Great ones among his Subjects, least they should attempt any Innovation in the State, or act any thing to the Prejudice of His Monarchy; as the Nobility of France did heretofore. But then in the mean time He doth so weaken them, that they are not able to yeild him any Re∣lief or Aide at all, in case he should come to have need of it.

As concerning Military Discipline, and the Manner of ma∣king War, the Turk far excells the Spaniard, as I have be∣fore shewed•• yet notwithstanding, if the King of Spain would but use all convenient diligence, and withal carefully observe those Rules, which I have here laid down before him; He might, even in this Particular, surpasse the Turk; and the rather, if so be He would but go himself in Person to the Wars.

And as for the number of Men, and of Souldiers, the Turk goes beyond the Spaniard; and indeed in all his greatest ex∣peditions, He hath ever done his businesse rather by his Numbers, then by valour. And yet his Subjects are divided amongst themselves in Religion; and then besides, all the Lands of every Country are given in Fee only to the Principal Com∣manders of his Militia: whereas the King of Spain hath fewer

Subjects indeed in number; but yet they are more at unity among themselves. But I have already shewn how the Number of the King of Spains Subjects may be encreased, by their Marriages with Forraign Nations•• and also how, by meanes of erecting Seminaries for the instructing of Youth both in learning, and the use of Armes, the Valour of his Souldiers may be en∣creased; the Neglect of making use of Which Meanes, hath been the cause, that the Turk hath overstript us in this parti∣cular.

As concerning the businesse of Mony, I conceive there is lit∣tle or no odds on either side. But if the King of Spain would but proceed in that Absolute way of Power over his Subjects•• that the Turk does over his; He might easily surpasse him in Riches. The King, I confesse, wants Mony; but I have for∣merly shewed him, by what waies He might gather together Mo∣ny enough to maintain a war against the Turk. Now the Turk useth infinite Celerity and speed, in putting what ever designs He hath in execution, sparing no cost or charges for the providing of all things necessary for the same: so that with the present Mony that he hath in his Treasury He presently raiseth Men, and provides them Armes, and gets all things immediately in a readinesse, in order to the expedition He is upon; and when he hath laid out all the Mony that he had in his Treasurie, he then presently falls to filling it up again, by laying fresh Impositions and Taxes upon his Subjects.

It is a necessity, that is in a manner Peculiar to the Turk, of ma∣king War upon his Neighbours round about, and as it were in a Circle: for, they are all his enemies. But now, the condition of the Spaniard is otherwise. For, betwixt His Kingdome of Na∣ples, and his Duchy of Millan•• there lye the Pope and the Tus∣cans; who are united unto him by the Tie both of Religion, and Friendship. He lies something remote indeed from the Netherlands, and the West Indies: which notwithstanding render him worthy the more admiration; because that, by reason of his Fleets, he lies as it were neer unto them: and by meanes of the same he may possibly in time make himself Master of those other Parts also which he hath not yet possessed himself of; as we shall shew hereafter. The King hath also this advantage, that al∣though those Countries l••e at so great a distance from one another; yet, by the Tie of Religion, they are all joyned to Spain.

Lastly, whereas in Turky the Eldest sons of the Emperours are wont alwaies to make away with their Younger brothers, this piece of Cruelty of theirs does but set a Note of Infamy upon them: and it may easily so fall out, that some One of these Younger Brothers may get away out of his Elder Brothers pow∣er, and may be able afterwards to make War upon his Brother. And we see that this had been like to have come to passe in Gemes, the Brother of Bajazet; who, having gotten out of pri∣son, might have been able to have done his Brother very much Mischief, and, by the Assistance of the Christians, might have made his way into Greece, had he not, by the Arts his Brother Bajazet used, and by the treachery also of the Christians, been taken off by Poyson. And Selim, although He did not desire to make Himself Emperour, yet He made himself very strong; at first, only to preserve himself from being put to death; but af∣terwards, taking the Opportunity when it was offered him, He turned both his Father, and Brother out of the Empire, and commanded them to be both put to death: at which Juncture of Time, that Empire might very easily have been utterly subverted, and ruined. And truly I conceive, that the Total destruction of that Empire cannot be brought about any other way, then by this one thing; namely, their most bloody Cruelty that they Practise upon their nearest, and dearest Friends and Kindred. For, seeing that the great Turk takes as many Wives to himself as he pleases, and so gets an Infinite number of Sons by them; all which are most certainly assured, that, when ever their Eldest Brother comes to be Emperour, They shall be all of them mur∣dered: it is very probable, that some time or other there may Civil Wars arise in that Empire, by which it may either be to∣tally destroyed, or at least may be divided into many parts: which would give the Turks enemies an Opportunity of falling upon him, and so of ruining him. Neither need any one won∣der, that this hath not as yet happened to this very day; seeing that this Empire is not of any so very long standing•• For, Ot∣toman, who was the Founder of it, died but in the Year of our Lord 1328. in the time of Pope Benedict XI. And yet we know, that there have already been bloody Wars amongst them; which seems to confirm this our Prognostication; and makes me the willinger to give credit to Torquatus the Astrologer, who foretold that it would come to passe, that in the time of the Six∣teenth

Emperour of Turky, that Empire should fall to the ground: namely, when the Moon, which is the Ensign of that Empire, shall begin to decrease; that is to say, when It shall be divided into Two Hornes, by two of the Great Turks Sons rising up one against the other, and causing the Empire to be divided into Two parts: One of which Brothers, turning to Christianity, shall come over to the Christians. Now these Two Hornes signifie Two Kingdomes: for Kingdomes are oftentimes denoted by the Ensigns, or Armes of the same: as we see in the Revel••tion of St. Iohn, where the Kingdomes themselves are from their Insignia, called sometimes Dragons, sometimes Eagles, and sometimes also Lions; and the Prophet Ieremy calleth the King∣dome of the Assyrians by the name of a Dove; because the Assy∣rians had the Figure of a Dove for their Ensign, or Devise.

Now in this Particular the Spaniard is much more happy then the Turk; because that His Sons do not fall out, or hate each other for any such Cause. Yea, we see at this day, that those of the House of Austria, partly by reason of this very thing, be∣cause they are Brothers, and Kindred, and partly also through fear of the other Christian Princes, and of the Hereticks, are at so much the greater Concord, and Agreement among themselves. And you shall scarse find more Brothers, or Kindred, in any one Princes Family, then in that of Austria; and yet have not these ever broken the Bond of Consanguinity one with another; nor have ever raised any Commotions in their Republick, through Ambitious Ends and Respects: but have, on the contrary, pre∣served each to other their Just Rights Untoucht, and have lived together in so Unshaken a Concord and Union, as that they seem to be so many Bodies, animated all with One Soul, and guided all by One Will.

We may adde hereto, that the Younger Brothers of this House have hopes either of being made Cardinals; or else of being Elected Kings of Poland, or of some of the other Forreign Elective Kingdoms: so that the House of Austria, by reason of the Multitude of Sons, growes the Greater; whereas the Ottoman House does, for the same reason, decrease every day more and more: not to say any thing, how much the Turk's Subjects are offended with this Tyranny of his.

Experience also testifies, that the Daughters of the House of Austria have, by their Marriages with other Princes, and the In∣heritances

thereby fallen to them, very much advanced the Greatnesse of the Austrian Family, and have enlarged their Dominions in a wonderful manner: and besides, they have also caused the hearts of their Husbands, and of their Subjects, to encline to Our King: and of this we have a clear Example this day in the Wife of the Prince of Transylvania, and likewise in the Duke of Savoy's, and the King of Poland's Wife. And the wo∣men of the Austrian Family are also all of High Spirits, and are besides adorned with the Endowments of Vertue, and Gravity. Whereas, on the contrary, the Great Turk bestowing his Con∣cubines only upon his own Slaves, and Bassaes, (as they call them) gets himself no advantage at all from abroad; onely He hereby obligeth these men to be true and faithful to Him. And there∣fore my Opinion is, that it would be the best way for the King of Spain, never to marry a Wife out of the Austrian Family; unlesse He should thereby come to inherit some New Country: because that it would be much better, that those Daughters should be married abroad to Forreign Princes; that so they may turn the hearts and affections of their Husbands toward the King of Spain.

But seeing that, as hath been formerly said, the Turk stretch∣eth forth his hand against All Men; whence it comes to passe, that All men in like manner stretch forth their hands against Him; all whom yet he is frequently wont to delude by his Cessa∣tions from Armes, and Truces, (for He keeps his faith with none of them:) it would be a businesse worth our serious considera∣tion, how this Practise of his might be turned against Himself. Which that it may the easilier be effected, the King of Spain should prevail with the Persians, to invade Arabia with a Suffi∣cient Army, perswading them, that this would be the only means of securing their Own Territories; and possessing them withal with this perswasion, that the Turk is the Common Enemy, and that therefore he ought to be set upon on all sides to the utter∣most of their power; least, after they have once overcome us Christians, They themselves should fall to be his next Prey: And then•• that under a Pretense of Zeal for Religion, they should possesse themselves of the City of Mecha, where is the Sepulchre of Mahomet, who was the Head of their Empire: which Designs being but once happily, and Prosperously accomplished, that then all other things would the more easily be brought about.

Let the King of Spain also take care, that there may be a League made betwixt the Persian and Prester Iohn; and this Later should be perswaded to send out as great an Army as he could, to invade the Common Enemies, the Turk's Country; which Army should be carried over by the Red Sea, by meanes of the Portugals Fleet; or else, He may send those Forces of his in by Land: and that not onely to enlarge their Own Em∣pire, and Dominion, but also for the Advancement of their Re∣ligion, namely, by recovering of Ierusalem, where the Sepulcher of our Saviour Christ is, which both We, and the Ethiopians too have now so many Ages been deprived of. Both Nations there∣fore ought to bend their whole Forces that way.

It would also be very Convenient, that the Muscovite (who should be perswaded to this by some Polonian Oratours) should at the same time fall in upon Bulgaria, and Moldavia, with an Army. And the King should so order the Matter, that at one and the same time the Emperour, and the Prince of Transylvania should fall upon him in Hungary, and the Polander upon Mace∣donia, and Mysia: that the Tu••k being by this means so distracted, may not know which part to relieve first. The Georgians also should be secretly dealt withal, to embrace this General Associa∣tion, by the Venetian Merchants, and to fall upon Natolia, and Trapez••nd, or Macedonia. And for the promoting of this De∣sign, it would be very convenient, that every one should keep to himself what he hath got; except Ierusalem only; which should be reserved for the King of Spain: of which Country the King also should shortly afterward by little and little get the Posses∣sion, by making use of the Conveniency of the Red Sea.

I would also advise, that the King of Spain, and the Venetian, together with the Pope, entring into a Mutual League together, should at the same time also fall upon Morea, Cyprus, or Egypt: for which purpose such a Neapolitan Fleet, as we have formerly spoken off, would be of very excellent use and Advantage. And afterwards, they should divide such Countries and Places, as they have taken, and share them among themselves, making the Pope their Judge, and Arbitrator herein. And this Associ∣ation and League made betwixt the aforesaid Princes, I would have to last for the space of whole ten years. For by this means the Turk having his hands full at home, would be taken off from making War upon the Christians in the West, as he now does,

to the great detriment of the House of Austria.

And to this end, it would be very Expedient, that there were a League made both with the Persians and Prester Iohn: for these People might very much annoy the Western Countries. And this would also make very much for the Advantage of the Vene∣tians too, who stand in no small dread of the Turks; whom, be∣cause they are not able to match them in Power, they are fain to pacifie and keep quiet by fair means, and Presents.

There are some that are of opinion, that there are two wayes by which an Association, or League might be made by the Chri∣stians against the Turk, if not for his total ruine, yet at least to the bringing about of some very good effect. And One of these is, that all such Princes, whose Territories border upon Turky, should at one and the same time set all upon him, every one of them invading that part of the Turks Dominions that lies next him, not with any certain part only of ••is Forces, but with the whole strength and Power that he can possibly make in the World: for so, all of them should enjoy an equal share in the spoiles that were taken.

The second, and that the more Noble, is, if that very many several Princes would but resolve, for the glory of God, and the Propagation of the Church, to set upon the Turk, either alto∣ther from one part, or else from diverse parts all at once: as we read to have been done in those former Heroick times, when as many several Valiant Princes, out of Germany, the Nether∣lands•• France, and Italy, some of them selling their Territories outright, and others of them pawning the same, gathered to∣gether an Army of above forty Thousand Men, and marching with them into the Eastern Countries, and there beating the Turks out of Nice, the Persians out of Antioch, and the Saracens out of Ierusalem, they afterwards laid wast the whole East, and in a short time recovered the Holy Land. In which Expedi∣tion this especially is to be taken notice of, that neither the Em∣perour himself, nor any other King, was either their General, or so much as went along with them in it. And notwithstand∣ing that afterwards indeed the Kings of France, and of England, as also the Emperours, Conrade, and Frederick, made several ex∣peditions into those parts, not for the taking in of any New Countries, but only for the keeping of what the others had for∣merly gotten; yet for all there was not any thing at all done by them, worth the speaking of.

But now there ought to be care taken, in this businesse, that all may share alike in what shall be gotten: for otherwise, the Design would be quite spoiled, and never come to any thing. For, as in a Clock, if there be any one Exorbitant, or Irregular Wheel, it spoiles the whole Harmony, and mutual Agreement that should be in it: so likewise, in all Associations, if there be any Deficiency in one Part, it proves to be the cause of the Dis∣solution of the whole Union.

A clear example whereof we have in the League that was made betwixt the Popes, Paul III. and Pius V. the King of Spain, and the Venetians: which though it were managed with the greatest diligence, and eagernesse on all sides that could be, and with Incredible successe also; yet it came all to nothing at last; and that meerly for this one reason, namely, because that it did not equally concern the Interests of all of them, that That Expedition should be so carefully undertaken, and so diligently carried on. For, Spain hath no great advantage by any thing that is done against the Eastern People; which yet is most beneficial to the Venetians: in like manner as it is of litle or no concernment to the Venetians, what ever is done against Africk, which yet is of very great advantage to Spain.

And this is the reason, that the Venetians, who stand in fear of the Power the Turk hath in the East; and the Spaniards who are afraid of their Neighbours of Algier, can never unani∣mously go on together against the Enemy, with equal courage, and desires. And by this means the Pope, lying in the mean time in the midst betwixt them both, and being forced to be at a great charge, yet hath no benefit at all thereby. But to re∣turn to our Present discourse again, whence we have digres∣sed.

There is yet another way, whereby the Turkish Empire might be overthrown; and that is, in case that some one of His Chief Commanders in war, who was at first a Christian (such as were Cicala, Occhiali, and Scande••beg) should be prevailed withal, by such large Promises as should be made him, as namely, that he should have some Christian Province given him for his reward,) to betray the Turkish Navy unto us, if at least He have it committed to his charge: or else, in case he hath been appointed by the Great Turk to manage any Kingdom under him, as His Viceroy; he should then have the possession

of that Kingdom promised him; as suppose, of Tunis, Algier, or the like. For there is no doubt to be made, but that such a one had rather be the Sole Absolute Lord of any Kingdom, whatsoever it be, and so to have the Power of transmitting it over to his Posterity; then to be but a kind of Nobler Slave to the Great Turk; having neither Power in his li••e time to give away any thing to his friends; nor at his death to leave any thing to them, And I am verily perswaded, that there is no∣thing that keeps these men from attempting such a Rebellion against the Turk, more, then because they dispaire of ever being able to bring any such their Undertakings to effect; as not da∣ring to confide in the Christians, or to rely upon them for As∣sistance. Yet if they were but sincerely, and Ingenuously dealt withal, I am clearly of opinion, that they might be brought to this.

It may also so happen, that some such Gallant Vindicator of the Peoples Liberty may spring up among the Turks themselves, as was Moses, the Hebrew, among the Subjects of Pharaoh, King of Egypt; and such a One, in case the Great Turk should entrust him with any great Authority, or Charge, might questi∣onlesse be able to do him an infinite deal of Mischief. There might also a General Association be made amongst the Christi∣ans; by whom He might be brought to a Pitch'd Battel; (as we said before) and might have one or two such Notable Blowes given him by them, that he should be never able to hold up his head again: because that he hath not any Nobles, that might relieve him in such a case. And this might the more easily be done, because that he hath within his Dominions an Infinite Number both of Christians, and Iewes: who, if they but once saw him overthrown, would all presently come over to Us. And yet in the procuring of such an Association as this, there would be re∣quired either very much Patience in the Pope, and the King of Spain; or else a very great necessity, that should force All of them to joyne together.

Now these Princes should all be bound, by mutual Covenants drawn up betwixt them, that every one of them should have a Proportionable Share of what soever shall be gotten by the said expedition; and also that those that have gotten possession of their own share, shall assist the rest also in the getting of theirs; after the Example of Reuben, and Dan: who after they had possessed themselves of the Country that lay on this side Ior∣dan,

were then to assist their brethren in the subduing of the further part of it, that lay beyond Iordan.

There ought also to be a persuasion wrought into All, and eve∣ry one of these Princes, that by the King of Assyria, in the Scrip∣tures, is prefigured unto us the Great Turk: who, after he hath destroyed the Kingdom of Israel, that is to say, the Kingdom of the East, or that of Constantinople; He will then next over∣throw the Kingdom of Iudah, that is, of the West; except they repent them of their Heresy, and return again into the Bosom•• of the Church of Rome, which is our Jerusalem: (as I have writ∣ten in my Christian Monarchy) and that so, together with the Empire, the Priesthood also will be lost, and will passe over into the New World, (as I have there demonstrated by Political Rea∣sons,) except they take the Course here set down before them. And perhaps also it may hereafter so come to passe. And when the Turk, who is the Typical Cyrus, is destroyed, then shall the Church be renewed again. It is therefore most Necessary, that all Christendom should joyn their forces together, for the destruction of this Ravenous Wolf, who by his Strength, and Cunning, hath taken from us Two Empires, and Two Hundred Kingdomes; mean while that we do nothing but fall together by the Eares one with another. But if this cannot be brought about, the Persians must then be persuaded to joyn with the Ethiopians, Muscovites, and Polonians, as hath been said before. And I do believe also, that the Great Turks Bassaes, and other of his Subjects would quickly be got to fall off from him, if so be they could but be once fully perswaded & assured, that they should each of them really be made the absolute Lords of what they now possessed. All which things ought to have their Accom∣plishment in the death of this Mahomet III. now Raigning, see∣ing that That Number is Fatal. The Great Turks Younger Sons also are to be seazed upon, and conveigh'd away, least the Eldest Brother should Murder them according to their usual Custome: and this the Venetians may do conveniently enough by their Merchants; or else the same may be committed to the Christian Slaves that are there, to be done by them.

After that this Empire shall be thus weakned, and divided, it would be convenient then to send thether some Preachers, who should endeavour to convince the Natives of their Error. There should care also be taken by meanes for the bringing

of Printing into Turky; by meanes whereof that People may be taken off from the exercise of Arms, and may apply themselves to Books; and by being taken up with Disputations concern∣ing Points of Divinity, and Philosophy, both of the Peripateticks, Stoicks, Platonists, and Telesians, they may be divided amongst themselves, and so be the more weakned. For, those that give themselves to the study of Books onely, usually become a Prey to such as apply themselves to the exercise of Armes, and the study of the Arts too: as we see in the example of Athens, which became a Prey to the Lacedemo••ians; both which Nations Phi∣lip, King of Macedon, by the force of his Armes afterwards sub∣dued, being first instructed by Epaminondas by what meanes this was to be effectd. Cato was wont to say, that the Romans would lose their Empire, so soon as ever they should begin to apply themselves to the study of the Greek Tongue, and Sciences. This the Great Turk, who is wiser then We are, knew very well; and therefore preferred rather the exercise of Armes, and got him great Guns, and Slaves; I mean, those Jewes, that were sent to him by Ferdinand, the last King of Arragon: for he knew very well, what, and how great Advantage might be made by Slaves; and that the Children that they should beget, were to be brought up in the exercise of Armes, and the know∣ledge of Military Affaires.

But then, on the contrary, He would not receive, nor accept of those Printing-Presses, and Letter, ••or the Printing of the Ara∣bick Tongue, that were sent Him by the great Duke of Tuscany; because he would not have his Dominions filled with Books, be∣cause that would much take off the Military Valour of his Sub∣jects; and besides, because that Mahumetanisme, by frequent Disputations about it, might easily in a short time have been overthrown.

It hath also been very prejudicial unto Us, that we have had no Law made for the Injoyning of Silence; whereby we should have been commanded to conceal some things from others: which Law certainly would have been of very good use. But now adaies in Germany all things are made Publick, and laid open to the whole World: and hence it is, that we see every one there publisheth in Print a New Bible; and that the Empire goes to ruine, and that all places are overwhelmed with Luxury, and Riot. And, had not the fear of the King of Spain's Armies kept the

Netherlanders in Awe, they also would by this time have been at Eff••minate, and Luxurious as the Germans are. And the like would have befallen to the English also. So that we might have hopes, that unlesse there were a War maintained amongst them, to keep them in exercise, they would all quickly come to utter ruine; after that they should but once come to be Effeminate, Heart-lesse, and at discord one with another; as we have said formerly: and that so much the rather, because that the Heresie they professe, seeing it denyes the Freedom of the Will, is repugnant to all Principles of Policy. Now all Heresies, when they are once gone so far as to Atheisme, are reduced again into the way of Truth by some Wise Prophet or other; such as were in Italy, Thomas Aquinas, Dominicus, Scotus, and others. For, Her••sies also have their Periods, as well as States; which fall first, from being governed by good Kings, into the hands of Tyrants; from their Tyranny, into an Aristocracy, from thence into an Oligar∣chy, and so at length to a Democracy; and in the end they shift about again, and in a Circle, as it were, return again to their first form, either of a Kingdom, or a Tyranny.