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PIety and Policy, are like Mar∣tha, and Mary, Sisters: Mar∣tha failes, if Mary help not: and Mary suffers, if Martha be idle: Happy is that Kingdome where Martha complaines of Mary; but most happy where Mary complies with Martha: Where Piety and Po∣licy, goe hand in hand, there Warre shall be just; and Peace, honourable••
LEt not civil discords in a forreign Kingdome, encourage thee to make invasion. They that are factious among themselves, are jealous of one another, and more strongly prepar'd to encounter with a common Ene∣my: Those whom civill commotions set at variance, forreigne Hostility reconciles. Men rather affect the possession of an inconvenient Good, then the possibility of an uncertaine Better.
IF thou hast made a Conquest with thy Sword, thinke not to main∣taine it with thy Scepter: Neither conceive, that new favours can can∣cell old injuries: No Conquerer sits secure upon his new got Throne, so long as they subsist in power, that
were dispoil'd of their possessions by his Conquest.
LEt no price nor promise of Ho∣nour bribe thee to take part with the Enemy of thy naturall Prince: Assure thy selfe who ever wins, thou art lost: If thy Prince prevaile, thou art proclaimed a Rebell, and branded for death: If the Enemy prosper, thou shalt be reckned but as a meri∣torious Traytor, and not secure of thy selfe: He that loves the Treason hates the Traytor.
IF thy strength of parts hath rais'd thee to eminent place in the Com∣mon-wealth, take heed thou sit sure: If not, thy fall will be the greater: As Worth is fit matter for Glory; so Glory is a fair marke for Envy. By
how much the more thy Advance∣ment was thought the Reward of Desert; by so much thy fall will ad∣minister matter for disdaine: It is the ill fortune of a strong braine, if not to be dignifi'd as meritorious, to be deprest as dangerous.
IT is the duty of a Statesman, espe∣cially in a free State, to hold the Common-wealth to her first frame of Government, from which the more it swerves, the more it declines: which being declin'd is not com∣monly reduced without that extre∣mity, the danger whereof, rather ruines then rectifies. Fundamentall Alterations bring inevitable perils.
THere be three sorts of Govern∣ment; Monarchicall, Aristocra∣ticall,
Democraticall; and they are apt to fall three severall wayes into ruine: The first, by Tyranny; the se∣cond, by Ambition; the last, by Tu∣mults A Common-wealth grounded upon any one of these, is not of long continuance; but wisely mingled, each guard the other, and make that Government exact.
LEt not the proceedings of a Cap∣taine, though never so commen∣dable, be confin'd to all Times: As these alter, so must they: If these vary, and not they, ruine is at hand: He least failes in his designe, that meets Time in its owne way: And he that observes not the Alterations of the Times, shall seldome be victo∣rious but by chance: but he that can∣not alter his course according to the Alterations of the Times shall never be a Conquerour: He is a wise
Commander, and onely He, that can discover the change of Times, and changes his Proceedings ac∣cording to the Times.
IF thou desire to make warre with a Prince, with whom thou hast formerly ratified a league; assaile some Ally of his, rather then him∣selfe: If he resent it, and come, or send in ayd, thou hast a faire Gale to thy desires: If not, his infidelity in not assisting his Ally, will be disco∣vered: Hereby thou shalt gaine thy ••elfe advantage, and facilitate thy designes.
BEfore thou undertake a War, let thine Eye number thy forces, and let thy judgment weigh them: if thou hast a rich Enemy, no matter
how poore thy Souldiers be, if cou∣ragious and faithfull: Trust not too much the power of thy Treasure, for it will deceive thee, being more apt to expose thee for a Prey then to de∣fend thee: Gold is not able to finde good Souldies; but good Souldiers are able to finde out Gold.
IF the Territories of thy Equall Enemy are situated far South from thee, the advantage is thine, whether he make offensive, or defensive war; If North, the advantage is his: Cold is lesse tolerable then heat: This is a friend to Nature; that, an Enemy.
IT is not onely uncivill, but dange∣rous for Souldiers, by reproachful•• words, to throw disgrace upon the Enemy. Base Tearmes are Bellowes
to a slaking Fury, and Goads to quic∣ken up revenge in a fleeing Foe: He that objects Cowardize against a fayling enemy, adds spirit to him, to disprove the aspersion, at his owne cost: It is therefore the part of a wise Souldier to refraine it; or of a wise Commander, to punish it.
IT is better for two weake King∣domes rather to compound an injury (though to some losse) then seeke for satisfaction by the sword; lest while they two weaken them∣selves by mutual blowes, a third de∣cide the Controversie to both their Ruines. When the Frog and the Mouse could not take up the quar∣rell, the Kite was Umpire.
LEt that Common-wealth which desires to flourish, be very strict, both in her punishments, and Re∣wards, according to the merits of the Subject, and offence of the De∣linquent: Let the Service of the De∣server be rewarded, lest thou discou∣rage worth; and let the Crime of the offender be punish't, lest thou en∣courage Vice: the neglect of the one weakens a Common-wealth; the omission of both ruines it.
IT is wisedome for him that sits at the Helme of a setled State, to demeane himselfe toward his sub∣jects at all times, so, that•• upon any evill accident, they may be ready to serve his occasion: He that is onely gracious at the approach of a danger,
will be in danger, when he expects deliverance.
IN all designes, which require not sudden Execution, take mature de∣liberation, and weigh the conveni∣ents, with the inconvenients, and then resolve; after which, neither delay the execution, nor bewray thy intention. He that discovers himself, till he hath made himselfe Master of his desires, layes himselfe open to his owne Ruine, and makes himself prisoner to his own tongue.
LIberality in a Prince is no Vir∣tue, when maintained at the Sub∣jects unwilling Cost. It is lesse re∣proach, by miserablenesse, to pre∣serve the popular love, then by libe∣rality to deserve the private thankes.
IT is the excellent property of a good and wise Prince, to use War as he doth Physicke, carefully, un∣willingly, and seasonably,•• either to prevent approaching dangers, or to correct a present mischiefe, or to re∣cover a former losse. He that declines Physicke till he be accosted with the danger, or weakned with the disease, is bold too long, and wise too la••e. That Peace is too precise, that limits the justnesse of a War to a sword drawne, or a Blow given.
LEt a Prince that would beware of Conspiracies, be rather jea∣lous of such whom his extraordina∣ry Favours have advanced, then of those whom his pleasure hath dis∣contented: These want meanes to
execute their pleasures; but they have meanes at pleasure to execute their desires: Ambition to rule is more vehement, then Malice to Re∣venge.
BEfore thou undertake a War, cast an impartiall Eye upon the Cause: If it be just, prepare thy Army; and let them all know, they fight for God and thee: It adds fire to the spirit of a Souldier, to be as∣sured, that he shall either prosper in a faire War, or perish in a just Cause.
IF thou desire to know the power of a State, observe in what cor∣respondence it lives with her neigh∣bouring State: If She make Ally∣ance with the Contribution of Mo∣ney, it is an evident signe of weak∣nesse:
If with her valour, or repute of forces, it manifests a native strength: It is an infallible signe of power, to sell friendship; and of weakenesse to buy it: That which is bought with Gold, will hardly be maintained with Steele.
IN the Calmes of Peace it is most requisite for a Prince, to prepare a∣gainst the stormes of Warre, both Theorically, in reading Heroick Hi∣stories; and practically, in maintaining Martiall discipline: Above all things, let him avoid Idlenesse, as the Bane of Honour; which in Peace, indis∣poses the Body; and in Warre, effe∣minates the Soul: Hee that would be in War victorious, must be in Peace laborious.
IF thy two neighbouring Princes fall out, shew thy selfe, either a true Friend, or a faire Enemy; It is indiscretion, to adhere to him whom thou hast least cause to feare, if he vanquish: Neutrality is dangerous, whereby thou becomest a necessa∣ry Prey to the Conquerour.
IT is a great argument of a Princes wisedome, not onely to chuse, but also to prefer wise Councellors: And such are they, that seek lesse their own advantages, then his; whom wise Princes ought to reward, lest they become their owne Carvers; and so, of good Servants, turne bad Masters.
IT much conduces to the dishonour of a King, and the ilfare of his Kingdome, to multiply Nobility, in an overproportion to the Common people: Cheape Honour darkens Majesty; and a numerous Nobility brings a State to necessity.
IT is very dangerous, to try experi∣ments in a State, unlesse extreame necessity be urgent, or popular utility be palpable: It is better for a State to connive a while, at an inconveni∣ence, then too suddenly to rush upon a Reformation.
IF a valiant Prince be succeeded by a weak Successour, he may for
a while, maintaine a happy State, by the remaining vertue of his glo∣rious Predecessour: But if his life be long; or dying he be succeeded by one lesse valiant then the first, the King∣dome is in danger to fall to ruine. That Prince is a true Father to his Country, that leaves it the rich in∣heritance of a brave Sonne. When Alexander succeeded Philip, the world was too little for the Conque∣rour.
IT is very dangerous for a Pri∣nce, or Republike, to make conti∣nuall practice of cruell exaction: For, where the Subject stands in sense, or expectation of evill, he is apt to provide for his safety, either from the evill he feeles, or from the danger he feares; and growing bold in Conspiracy, makes Faction; which Faction is the Mother of Ruine.
BE carefull to consider the good, or ill disposition of the people towards thee upon ordinary occasi∣ons: if it be good, labour to continue it; if evill, provide against it: As there is nothing more terrible then a disso∣lute Multitude without a Head; so there is nothing more easie to be re∣duc'd; (if thou canst endure the first shock of their fury;) which if a litle appeas'd, every one begins to doubt himselfe, and think of home, and se∣cure themselves, either by flight, or Agreement.
THat Prince who stands in feare more of his own people, then strangers, ought to build Fortresses in his Land: But he that is more a∣fraid of Strangers then his own Peo∣ple,
shall build them more secure in the Affections of his Subjects.
CArry a watchfull Eye upon dan∣gers before they come to ripe∣nesse, and when they are ripe, let loose a speedy hand: He that expects them too long•• or meets them too soon, gives advantage to the evill: Commit their beginnings to Argus his hundred Eyes, and their ends to Briareus his hundred Hands, and thou art safe.
OF all the difficulties in a State, the Temper of a true Govern∣ment most felicifies and perpetuates it: Too sudden Alterations distem∣per it. Had Nero turned his King∣dome as he did his Harp, his Harmo∣ny had been more honourable, and his Reign more prosperous.
IF a Prince, fearing to be assail'd by a forreigne Enemy, hath a well∣arm'd people, well addrest for War, let him stay at home, and expect him, there: But if his subjects be unarm'd, or his Kingdome unacquainted with the stroke of War, let him meet the enemy in his Quarters. The farther he keeps the Warre from his own Home, the lesse danger. The Seat of War is alwayes miserable.
IT is a necessary wisdome for a Prince to grow in strength, as he encreases in Dominions: it is no lesse vertue to keep, then to get: Con∣quests not having power answera∣ble to their greatnesse, invite new Conquerors to the ruine of the old.
IT is great prudence in a statesman, to discover an inconvenience in the birth; which, so discovered, is easie to be supprest: But if it ripen into a Custome, the sudden remedy there∣of is often worse then the disease: in such a Case, it is better to tempo∣rize a little, then to struggle too much. He that opposes a full-ag'd inconvenience too suddenly, streng∣thens it.
IF thou hast conquer'd a Land, whose Language differs not from thine, change not their Lawes and Taxes, and the two Kingdomes will in a short time incorporate, and make one body: But if the Lawes and Language differ, it is difficult to maintain thy Conquest; which that
thou maist the easier doe, observe three things: First, to live there in person, (or rather send Colonies:) Secondly, to assist the weak inhabi∣tants, and weaken the mighty: Third∣ly, to admit no powerfull Foreigner to reside there: Remember Lewis the thirteenth of France; How sud∣denly he took Milan, and how soon he lost it.
IT is a gracious wisdom in a Prince, in civill Commotions, rather to use Iuleps, then Phlebotomy; and bet∣ter to breath the distemper by a wise delay, then to correct it with too rash an Onset: it is more honourable, by a slow preparation to declare him∣selfe a gracious Father, then by a hasty Warre to appeare a furious E∣nemy.
IT is wisdome for a Prince in faire weather to provide for Tempests: He that so much relies upon his peo∣ples faith, to neglect•• his own prepa∣ration, discovers more Confidence then wisdome: He that ventures to fall from above, with hopes to be catcht below, may be dead ere hee come to ground.
HE that would reform an ancient State in a free City•• buyes con∣venience with a great danger: To work this Reformation with the lesse mischiefe, let such a one keep the shadowes of their ancient Cu∣stomes, though in substance they be new: Let him take heed when hee alters the natures of things, they bear at least the ancient names. The
Common people, that are naturally impatient of innovations, will be sa∣tisfied with that which seems to be as well as that which is.
VPon any difference between for∣reigne States, it is neither safe nor honourable for a Prince, either to buy his Peace, or to take it up at in∣terest: He that hath not a Sword to command it, shall either want it, or want Honour with it.
IT is very requisite for a Prince, not onely to weigh his designes in the flower, but likewise in the fruit: He is an unthrift of his honour that enterprizes a designe, the failing wherein may bring him more Dis∣grace, then the successe can gain him Honour.
IT is much conducible to the hap∣pinesse of a Prince, and the secu∣rity of his State, to gain the hearts of his Subjects: They that love for feare, will seldome feare for love: it is a wise Government which gaines such a Tye upon the Subject, that he either cannot hurt, or will not: But that Government is best and most sure, when the Subject joyes in his obedience.
LEt every Souldier arme his mind with hopes, and put on courage: Whatsoever disaster falls, let not his heart sinke. The Passage of provi∣dence lyes through many crooked wayes; A despairing heart is the true Prophet of approaching evil: his acti∣ons may weave the webs of fortune, but not break them.
IT is the part of a wise Magistrate to vindicate a man of power or State-imployment from the malici∣ous scandals of the giddy-headed multitude, and to punish it with great severity: Scandall breeds Ha∣tred; Hatred begets Division; Di∣vision makes Faction, and Faction brings Ruine.
THe strongest Castles a Prince can build, to secure him from Domesticke commotions, or for∣raigne Invasions, is in the hearts of his Subjects; And the meanes to gaine that strength is, in all his acti∣ons to appeare for the publike good, studious to contrive, and resolute to performe.
A Kingdome is a great building, whose two maine supporters are the Government of the State, and the Government of the Church: It is the part of a wise Master to keepe those Pillars in their first po∣sture, irremoveable: If either faile, it is wisedome rather to repaire it, then remove it: He that puls downe the old, to set up a new, may draw the roofe upon his head, and ruine the foundation.
IT is necessary wisdome in a Prince to encourage in his Kingdome, Manufacture, Merchandize, Arts, and Armes In Manufacture lye the vitall spirits of the body politique: In Merchandize, the spirits naturall; In Arts and Armes, the Animall: If
either of these languish, the Body droopes: As these flourish, the Body flourishes.
TRue Religion is a setler in a State, rather then a Stickler; While shee confirmes an establisht Government, she moves in her own Spheer: But when she endeavours to alter the old, or to erect a new, she workes out of her owne Vineyard: When she keepes the Keyes, she sends showers of Milke: But when she drawes the Sword, she sayles in Seas of Bloud: Labour therefore to settle Religion in the Church; and Religion shall settle Peace in thy Land.
IF thou entertaine any forraig••e Souldiers into thine Army let them
beare thy Colours, and be at thy Pay, lest they interest their owne Prince: Auxiliary Souldiers are the most dangerous: A forraigne Prince needs no greater invitation to seize upon thy City, then when he is required to defend it.
BE cautious in undertaking a de∣signe, upon the report of those that are banished their Countrey, lest thou come off with shame or losse, or both. Their end expects advantages from thy Actions, whose miseries lay hold of all opportunities, and seeke to be redrest by thy Ruine.
IF thou endeavourest to make a Republique in a Nation where the Gentry abounds, thou shalt hardly prosper in that designe: And
if thou wouldest erect a Principality in a Land, where there is much e∣quality of people, thou shalt not ea∣sily effect it. The way to bring the first to passe, is to weaken the Gen∣try: The meanes to effect the last, is to advance and strengthen ambiti∣ous, and turbulent spirits; so that being placed in the midst of them, their forces may maintaine thy pow∣er; and thy favour may preserve their Ambition: Otherwise there shall be neither proportion nor continuance.
IT is more excellent for a Prince to have a provident Eye for the preventing future mischiefes, then to have a potent Arme for the sup∣pressing present evils: Mischiefes in a State are like Hectique Feavers in a body: In the beginning hard to be knowne, but easie to be cured;
but, let it alone a while, it becomes more easie to be knowne, but more hard to be cured.
IF a Kingdome be apt to Rebelli∣on, it is wisedome to preserve the Nobility and Commons at vari∣ance: Where one of them is dis∣contented, the danger is not great: The Commons are slow of motion, if not quickned with the Nobility; the Nobility is weake of power, if not strengthened by the Commons: Then is danger, when the Commo∣nalty troubles the water, and the No∣bility steps in.
IT is very requisite for a Prince to have an Eye that the Clergy be e∣lected, and come in, either by colla∣tion from him, or particular patrons,
and not by the People; and that their power hold dependance upon home, and not forreign Autho∣rity: It is dangerous in a Kingdome, where the Crosiars receive not their power from the Regall Sword.
IT is a perillous weaknesse in a State, to be slow of resolution in the time of Warre: To be irresolute in determination is both the signe, and the ruine of a weake State: such affaires attend not Time: Let the wise Statesman therefore abhor de∣lay, and resolve rather what to doe, then advise what to say: Slow deli∣berations are symptomes, either of a faint courage, or weake Forces, or false Hearts.
IF a Conquerour hath subdued a country, or a city abounding with pleasures, let him be very circum∣spect to keepe himselfe and his soul∣diers temperate. Pleasures bring ef∣feminacy; and effimenacy fore-runs ruine: such conquests, without blood or sweat, sufficiently do revenge themselves upon their intemperate conquerours.
IT is an infallible signe of approa∣ching ruine in a Republike, when Religion is neglected, and her esta∣blisht ceremonies interrupted: let therefore that Prince that would be potent, be pious; and that he may punish loosenesse the better, let him be religious: the joy of Ierusalem depends upon the peace of Sion.
LEt that Prince that desires full soveraignty, temper the great∣nesse of too potent a Nobility: a great and potent Nobility quickens the people, but presses their fortunes: it adds Majesty to a Monarch, but diminishes his power.
IT is dangerous for a Prince to use ambitious Natures, but upon ne∣cessity, either for his Warres, or to be Skreens to his dangers, or to be instruments for the demolishing in∣solent greatnesse: and that they may be the lesse dangerous, let him chuse them rather out of meane births then noble; and out of harsh natures, rather then plausible. And alwayes be sure to ballance them with those that are as proud as they.
LEt Princes be very circumspect in the choyce of their Councel∣lours, chusing neither by the great∣nesse of the beard, nor by the smooth∣nesse of the face: let him be wise, but not crafty: active, without pri∣vate ends: couragious, without ma∣lice: religious, without faction: se∣cret without fraud; one better read in his Princes businesse, then his Na∣ture: and a riddle onely to be read above.
IN a mixt Monarchy, if the Hie∣rarchy grow too absolute, it is wisdome in a Prince, rather to depresse it then suppresse it: all alte∣rations in a fundamentall Govern∣ment bring apparent dangers; but too sudden alteration threatens ine∣vitable
ruine: when Aaron made a moulten Calfe, Moses altered not the Government, but reproved the Governour.
BEfore thou build a Fortresse, consider to what end: if for re∣sistance against the Enemy, it is use∣lesse; a valiant Army is a living For∣tresse: if for suppressing the subject, it is hurtfull: it breeds Jealousies, and Jealousies beget hatred: if thou hast a strong Army to maintain it, it adds nothing to thy strength: if thy Army be weake it conduces much to thy danger: the surest For∣tres••e is the hands of thy souldiers, and the safest Citadell is the hearts of thy subjects.
IT is a Princely Alchymie, out of a necessary Warre to extract an honourable Peace, and more be∣seeming the Majesty of a Prince to thirst after Peace, then conquest: blessednesse is promis'd to the Peace∣maker; not to the conquerour: it is a happy State, whose Prince hath a peacefull Hand, and a Martiall Heart, able both to use Peace, and to manage Warre.
IT is a dishonourable thing for a Prince to ••unne in debt for State∣service; but to pay it in the par∣don of a Criminall Offence, is most dangerous. To cancell the faults of subjects, with their deserts, is not onely the symptome of a disordered Common-wealth, but also of her Ruine.
LEt not a Commander be too for∣ward to undertake a Warre, without the person of his Prince: it is a thanklesse imploiment, where mischiefe attends upon the best suc∣cesse; and where (if a Conquerour) he shall be in danger, either through his owne Ambition, or his Princes suspition.
IT is a great oversight in a Prince, for any respects, either Actively, or Passively to make a forreigne Kingdome strong: he that gives meanes to another to become pow∣erfull, weakens himselfe, and enables him to take the advantage of his own weaknesse.
VVHen the humours of the peo∣ple are stirr'd by discontents, or popular griefe, it is wisdome in a Prince to give them moderate li∣berty to evaporate: he that turnes the humour backe too hastily makes the wound bleed inwardly, and fil•• the body with malignity.
IF having levyed an Army, thou findest thy selfe too weake, either through the want of men or mo∣ny; the longer thou delayst to fight, the greater thy Inconvenience growes: if once thy Army falls a∣s••nder, thou certainly loosest by thy delay: where hazarding thy fortunes betimes, thou hast the advantage of thy men, and mayst by fortune wi••••e the day: it is lesse dishonour
to bee overcome by force then by flight.
IT is the part of a wise Comman∣der in Warres, either Offensive or Defensive, to work a necessi∣ty of fighting into the brests of his Souldiers: Necessity of action takes away the feare of the Act, and makes bold Resolution the favourite of For∣tune.
CLemency and mildnesse is most proper for a Principality, but re∣servednesse and severity for a Re∣publique; but moderation in both: Excesse in the one breeds contempt: in the other, Hatred; when to sharpen the first, and when to sweeten the the last, let Time and Occasion di∣rect thy judgement.
IT is very requisite for a Prince that desires the continuance of Peace, in time of Peace to encourage, and re∣spect his Commanders: When brave Spirits finde neglect to be the effect of quiet times, they devise all means to remove the Cause, and by sugge∣sting inducements to new Warres, disturb and unsettle the old Peace, buying private honour with publique danger.
BE not covetous for priority in advising thy Prince to a doubt∣full Attempt, which concernes his State: if it prosper, the Glory must be his; if it faile, the dishonour will be thine: When the Spirit of a Prince is stopped in the discharge, it will re∣coyle and wound the first adviser.
IF being the Commander of an ar∣my, thou espiest a grosse and mani∣fest error in thine Enemy, look well to thy selfe, for treachery is not farre off: Hee whom desire of victory binds too much, is apt to stumble at his owne Ruine.
IT is the height of a provident Commander not only to keep his own designes indiscoverable to his Enemy; but likewise to be studi∣ous to discover his: He that can best doe the one, and nearest guesse at the other, is the next step to a conqueror. But he that failes in both, must either ascribe his Overthrow to his owne Folly, or his victory to the Hand of Fortune.
IF thou be ambitious of Honour, and yet fearfull of the Canker of Honour, Envy; so behave thy self, that Opinion may be satisfied in this, that thou seekest Merit, and not ••••me; and that thou attribute••t thy Preferment rather to Providence, then thy own Vertue: Honour is a due debt to the deserver; and who ever envied the payment of a debt? a just advancement is a providentiall act, and who ever envied the act of Providence?
IT behoves a Prince to bee very circumspect before hee make a League; which, being made, and then broke, is the forfeiture of his Honour: He that obtaines a King∣dome with the rupture of his faith,
hath gain'd the Glory of a Conquest, but lost the honour of a Conquerour.
LEt States that aym at greatnesse, beware lest new Gentry multiply too fast, or grow too glorious; Where there is too great a disproportion be∣twixt the Gentry and the common Subject, the one growes insolent; the other slavish: When the body of the Gentry growes too glorious for a Corslet, there the heads of the vulgar waxe too heavy for the Hel∣met.
VPon the beleaguering of a city, let the Commander endeavour to take from the Defendants, all scru∣ples which may invite them to a ne∣cessity of defence: Whom the feare of slavery necessitates to fight, the
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boldnesse of their resolution will dis∣advantage the assaylants, and diffici∣litate their design: Sense of necessi∣ty justifies the Warre; and they are hopefull in their armes, who have no other hope but in their armes.
IT is good for States & Princes (if they use ambitious men for their advantage) so to order things, that they be still progressive, rather then retrograde: When ambitious men finde an open passage, they are rather busie then dangerous; and if well watcht in their proceedings, they will catch themselves in their own snare, and prepare a way for their own destruction.
OF all Recreations, Hunting is most proper to a Commander;
by the frequency whereof he may be instructed in that necessary know∣ledge of situation, with pleasure; which, by earnest experience, would be dearly purchas'd. The Chase is a faire Resemblance of a hopefull Warre, proposing to the Pursuer a flying Enemy.
EXpect the army of thy Enemy on plain and easie ground, and still avoyd mountainous and rocky places, and straight passages, to the utmost of thy power: it is not safe to pitch any where, where thy for∣ces cannot be brought together: He never deserv'd the name of good Gamster, that hazards his whole Rest, upon lesse then the strength of his whole Game.
IT matters not much whether in government, thou tread the steps of severe Hannibal, or gentle Sci∣pio, so thy actions be honourable, and thy life vertuous: Both in the one, and the other, there is both de∣fect and danger, if not corrected, and supported by the faire Repute of some extraordinary Endowments: No matter, whether black or white, so the Steed be good.
IT is the safest way in a Martiall expedition, to commit the maine charge to one: Companions in command beget confusion in the Campe: When two able Comman∣ders are joyned in equall Commissi∣on, each is apt to think his own way best, and by mutuall thwarting each
other, both give opportunity to the Enemy.
IT is a high point of Providence in a Prince to observe popular Sects in their first Rise, and with •• severe hand, to nippe them in the Budde: But being once full ag'd, it is wisdome not to oppose them with too strong a hand; lest in suppressing one, there arise two: a soft Current is soon stopped; but a strong streame resisted, breaks into many, or over∣whelmes all.
IT makes very much to thy advan∣tage to observe strictly the Natio∣nall vertues, and vices, and humours of forrein Kingdomes, whereby the times past shall read usefull Lectures to the times present: He that would
see what shall be, let him consider what hath been.
IF, like Manlius, thou command stout and great things, bee like Manlius stout to execute great com∣mands: it is a great blemish in So∣veraignty when the Will roares, and the Power whispers: if thou canst not execute as freely as thou com∣mandst, command no more then what thou maist as freely execute.
IF one Prince desire to obtaine any thing of another, let him (if occa∣sion will beare it) give him no time to advise: Let him endeavour to make him see a necessity of sudden resolution, and the danger either of Deniall, or Delay; Hee that gives time to resolve, gives leasure to deny, and warning to prepare.
LEt not thine army at the first en∣counter be too prodigall in her assaults but husband her strength for a dead lift: When the enemy hath abated the fury of his first heat; let him then feel thou hast reserved thy forces for the last blow; So shall the honour he hath gained by his valour encrease the glory of thy victory: Fore-games when they prove are speediest, but after-games, if wisely play'd, are surest.
IT is very requisite for a Prince to keep the Church alwayes in pro∣portion to the State. If the Govern∣ment of the one be Monarchicall, and the other Democraticall, they will agree, like Metall joyned with clay, but for a while. Durable is that
State, where Aaron commands the people, and where Moses com∣mands Aaron: But most happy in the continuance, where God com∣mands both.
LEt not the Covetousnesse of a Captaine purloyne to his owne use, or any way bereave his souldiers of any profit due unto their service, either in their meanes or spoyles: Such injuries (being quickn'd by their dayly necessities) are never forgot: What Souldiers earne with the hazard of their lives, (if not en∣joy'd) prophesies an overthrow in the next Battell.
IF a Prince expect vertuous Sub∣jects, let his Subjects have a ver∣tuous prince; So shall he the better
punish the vices of his degenerate Subjects; So shall they trulier prize vertue, and follow it, being exempli∣fied in their Prince.
IT is the property of a wise Com∣mander, to cast an eye rather upon Actions, then upon persons; and ra∣ther to reward the merits of men then to read the Letters of Ladies: He that for favour, or reward, pre∣ferres a worthlesse Souldier, betrayes a Kingdome, to advance a Traytor.
VVHere Order and Fury are well acquainted, the Warre prospers, and Souldiers end no lesse men then they begunne: Order is quickened by Fury, and Fury is re∣gulated by Order: But where Order is wanting Fury runs her own way,
and being an unthrift of its owne strength, failing in the first assault, cravens; and such beginning more then men, end lesse then women.
IT is the quality of a wise Com∣mander, to make his Souldiers confident of his wisdome, and their own strength: if any danger be, to conceale it; if manifest, to lessen it: Let him possesse his army with the justnesse of the Warre, and with a certainty of the victory. A good cause makes a stout heart, and a strong arme. They that feare an o∣verthrow, are halfe conquered.
IT is requisite in a Generall to min∣gle love with the severity of his Discipline: they that cannot be in∣duced to feare for love, will never be
inforced to love for feare: Love o∣pens the heart, Feare shuts it: That encourages, This compelles: And victory meets encouragement, but flees Compulsion.
IT is the part of a well advised State never to entrust a weighty service, unto whom a noted injury or dis∣honour hath been done; Hee can never bee zealous in performance of Service, the height of whose expectation can rather recover a lost name, then gaine a fresh ho∣nour.
THree wayes there be to begin a Repute, and gain dignities in a Common-wealth: The first by the vertue of glorious Parents, which, till thou degenerate too much, may
raise thee upon the wings of Opini∣on: The second is by associating with those, whose actions are known eminent: The third, by acting some exploit, either publique or private, which in thy hand hath proved ho∣nourable. The two first may misse, being founded on Opinion: the last seldome failes, being grounded upon Evidence.
IF thou art cal'd to the Dignity of a Commander, dignify thy place by thy Commands: and that thou maist be the more perfect in com∣manding others, practice upon thy selfe: Remember, thou art a servant to the publike weale, and therefore forget all private respects, either of kin or friend: Remember thou art a Champion for a Kingdome; forget therefore all private affections ei∣ther of Love or Hate: He that would
do his Country right, must not be too sensible of a personall wrong.
IT is the part of a wise Comman∣der to read Books, not so much as Men; nor men so much as Nations: He that can discerne the inclinations, conditions, and passions of a King∣dome, gaines his Prince a great ad∣vantage both in Peace and Warre.
ANd you most High and Mighty Princes of this lower World, who at this intricate and various game of Warre, vye Kingdomes, and winne Crownes; and by the death of your renowned Subjects, gaine the lives of your bold-hearted Enemies; Know there is a Quo Warranto, Whereto you are to give account of your Eye-glorious actions, accord∣ing
to the righteous rules of Sacred Justice: How warrantable it is to rend imperiall Crownes from off the Soveraign heads of their too weak possessours; or to snatch Scepters from out the conquer'd hand of hea∣ven-anointed Majesty, and by your vast ambitions still to enlarge your large Dominions, with Kingdomes ••avisht from their naturall Princes, judge you. O let your brave designs, and well-weighed actions, be as just as ye are glorious; and consider, that all your Warres, whose ends are not to defend your own Possessions, or to recover your dispossessions ••a••e but Princely injuries, which none but heaven can right. But where neces∣sity strikes up her hard Alarmes, or wrong'd Religion, beats her zealous Marches, Go on, and prosper, and let both Swords and Stratagems pro∣claim a victory, whose noys'd re∣nown may fill the world with your eternall Glory.