or shall be spent in the reading of this Treatise, if it be
well and truly considered. For by the perusall thereof, Kings
and Princes may come to know a thousand seuerall semblan∣ces
of Ministers, and disguised countenances of hypocriticall
Courtiers, and the diuers dispositions and humours, as well
of the ambitious as the couetous; their affections, conditions,
and naturall inclinations, whether they be by nature of great
and vnruly spirits, or whether they bee by fortune put into
great places. For this, without doubt, changeth man from
his first estate, and apparrelleth him with other particular
affections; And in the true knowledge of these, consisteth
the augmentation, conseruation, and good gubernation of
kingdomes, and commonwealths: as also the reputation,
credit, opinion, and authoritie of Kings. In a word, they may
out of these doctrines, and aduertisements, collect and know
how at one time the naturall dispositions, customes, and man∣ners
of the vulgar, stand affected, and how at another time
those that are not so vulgar, and of so low a ranke, and how
at all times to make vse of this knowledge, for the better in∣creasing
and inlarging of their power and greatnesse; and
how, and in what manner, they are to carry themselues to∣wards
them; as also those other, that are to aide and assist in
gouernment. For there is not any thing of more price, or more
to be valued by Kings, then this knowledge of the affections,
as well for the discerning those of others, as the moderating
of their owne. And as it were to make a iudgement, and to
prognosticate by them, the end of the actions of those that
〈◊〉〈◊〉 about, and where they intend to make their stop, and set
vp their rest, be they foes, or friends. And by the actions of
those that are present (be they Confederates, Ministers, and
dependents) their ends, designes, and pre••ensions. And par∣ticularly
in those who cleaue closer to their Kings fortune,
then his person. Points, whereon doth hang the hinge, and
wherein are included and shut vp, all both the particular and
generall passages of gouernment, and of that art, and science,