upon the author. If it prospers, and the event be good, he is commended, but at a di∣stance,
and his reward is not commensurate with the danger. The present Emperor of
the Turks Sultan Selimus (as it is reported by some that came late out of that Country)
having made great preparations for an Expedition into Syria and Egypt changed his design
upon the persuasion of one of his Bassa's, and with a vast Army march'd against the Sophie
of Persia. Arriving in an open and ••rge Country, but for the most part Desarts and dry
and no Rivers to supply them, many Diseases were contracted in his Army, insomuch as
with hunger and sickness, it dwindled away (as many of the Romans had done in that
Country before) till at last (though he had the better of the War) he had lost most of his
men; upon which the Emperor being highly enraged, caused the Bassa who had coun∣selled
him thither to be slain. We read likewise of several Citizens advising and Enter∣prize,
upon the miscarriage of which they were all of them banished. At Rome certain
Citizens proposed and promoted very earnestly the making one of the Consuls out of the
people, and having prevailed, the first of them which went out with their Army being
beaten and over-thrown, the authors would doubtless have found the inconvenience of
their Counsel, had not the people (in whose favour it was given) appeared in their pro∣tection.
So that this is most certain, all Counsellors of this kind (whether to Princes or
Commonwealths) are betwixt those two rocks; if they do not advise what in their judg∣ments
they think profitable for their Masters, and that frankly and without respect, they
fail in their duties, and are defective that way; again if they do counsel freely, they
bring their lives and fortunes in danger, because such is the natural blindness of Mankind,
they cannot judge of the goodness or badness of any thing, but by the success; and con∣sidering
with my self, what way was most likely to avoid this infamy or danger, I can
find no better than to take all things moderately, to assume and impropriate no enterprize;
to deliver your opinion frankly, but without passion, and to defend it so modestly, that if
it be followed by your Prince or Commonwealth, it may appear to be their voluntary
act, and not done upon your importunity; in that case it will not be reasonable to com∣plain
of your Counsel, when executed by the concurrence of the rest; for if there be any
danger, it is where things are done in contradiction of the rest of the Counsel, who upon
any miscarriage will be sure to combine against you, and procure your destruction: and
though perhaps in this case there may want something of that glory which accrews to a
single person, who carries a design against the opposition of the rest, especially if it suc∣ceeds;
yet there are two advantages on your side; for first you will not run so great a
hazard in the miscarriage, and then if you advise a thing modestly, which by the obstinacy
and contradiction of the rest is carried against you, the miscarriage of their Counsel, will
make much more to your reputation. And although a good Citizen is not to desire to raise
his credit upon the misfortunes of his Country, nor indeed to rejoyce in what happens of
it self; yet when a thing is done, it is more satisfaction to have your Counsel applauded,
than to be in danger of being punished. Wherefore I am of opinion, in these doubtful
and difficult cases, there can be no better way for the Counsel either of a Prince or State,
than to deliver themselves modestly and freely; for to be sullen and say nothing, would
not only betray your Country, but expose your self, because in time you would become
suspected; and perhaps it might befal them as it did to one of the Counsel of Perseus
King of Macedon, who being defeated by Emilius Paulius, and escaping with some few of
his friends, one of them (in discourse of his Master's misfortune) began to find fault; and
blame several passages in his Conduct, which as he pretended might have been managed
much better. At which the King being inraged, turn'd to him, told him, And do you
(like a Traytor as you are) tell me of it now, when 'tis past remedy? and killed him with
his own hands; so that he pay'd dear for being silent, when it was his duty to have spoke,
and for speaking when it was discretion to have been silent; nor did his forbearing to give
his advice secure him from danger; so that I am confirmed in my opinion that the best
way is to observe the directions above said.