Remains of Sir Walter Raleigh ...

Mysteries, or Sophisms.

MYsteries, or Sophisms of State, are certain secret practices, either for the avoiding of danger, or avert∣ing such effects as tend to the preser∣vation

of the prefent State, as it is set or founded.

State Mysteries are of two sorts.

• 1. Generall: That pertain to all States; as first to provide by all means, that the same degree, or part of the Common-wealth, do not exceed both in Quantity and Quality. In Quantity, as that the number of the Nobility, or of great persons, be not more, than the State or Common-wealth can bear. In Quality, as that none grow in wealth, Liberty, Honours, &c. more than it is meet for that degree; For as in weights, the heavier weights bear down he Scale: So in Common-wealths, that part of degree that ex∣celleth the rest in Quality and Quan∣tity, overswayeth the rest after it, where∣of follow alterations, and conversions of ••tate. Secondly, to provide by all means, that the middle sort of people exceed both the extreams, (viz.) of Nobility and Gentry, and the base rascal, and beggarly sort. For this maketh the State constant and firm, when both the Extreams are tied together by a middle sort, as it were with a band, as for any conspiracie of the rich and beg∣garly sort together, it is not to be fear∣ed. To these two points, the Particu∣lar

• rules in Sophisms of every Common-wealth, are to be applied.
• 2. Particular: That serve for pre∣servation of every Common wealth, in that form of State wherein it is setled as in a Kingdom. That the Nobility may be accustomed to bear the Govern∣ment of the Prince, especially such as have their dwelling in remote places from the Princes eye, it is expedient to call them up at certain times to the Princes Court, under presence of doing them honour, or being desirous to see, and enjoy their presence; and to have their children, especially their eldest, to be attendant upon the Prince, as of special favour towards them and theirs, that so they may be trained up in du∣ty and obedience towards the Prince, and be as Hostages for the good heha∣viour, and faithfull dealing of their Parents, especially, if they be of any suspected note. To that end serves the Persian practice, in having a Band, or Train of the Satrapa's children, and other Nobles to attend the Court; which was well imitated by our Train of He••••••••••r, if they were of the No∣bler sort. Again, sometimes to borrow small sums of his Subjects and to pay them again, that he may after borrow

• greater sums and never pay: So in an Oligarchie, least it decline to a Popular State, they deceive the people with this and the like Sophisms, (viz. They compel their own sort, to wit, the rich men, by great penalties, to frequent their Assemblie, for choosing of Ma∣gistrates, for provision of Armour, war∣like Exercises, making an Execution of Laws, &. By that means seemin; to bear a hard hand over the richer, but to suffer the poorer, and meaner sort to be absent, and to neglect those Assemblies under pretence, that they will not draw them from their business, and private earnings: Yet withall to cite thither some few of them, (viz.) so many as are casily over-matched by the richer sort, to make a shew, that they would have the people or poorer sort, partakers likewise of those mat∣ters, yet terrifying those that come to their Assemblies, with the tendiousnesse of consultations, greatnesse of Fines, if they should mis-do, to the end, to make them unwilling to come again, or to have to do with those Consultations, by which means, the richer sort do still, govern the State, with the peoples li∣king, and good contentment.