The first part of the disquisition of truth, concerning political affaires Handled in two seuerall sections. The first whereof (by way of certaine questions probleme-wise propounded and answered) consisteth of foureteene chapters. Written by Henry Wright.

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These things then being, as I haue said, and conside∣ring that euery forme of gouernmēt is so subiect to change & alteration, it were welworth the labour to

make a true Disquisition of this nice point, to wit, what forme of gouernment were fittest for euery Kingdome and Country, whereby the welfare thereof might bee procured and continued.

TO determine this question (Right Honoura∣ble) were a very hard taske to be vndertaken and performed of any man, yet because I haue ta∣ken vpon to discourse of this subiect, I will in briefe show your Lordship my opinion therein.

And first, I am verily perswaded, that this, or that forme of gouernement, whether already establi∣shed, or to be brought in, and established, in any Kingdome or Country, doth chiefly depend vpon the nature and disposition of that Kingdome or Country, into which it hath bene already, or is to be brought: For it would be a very hard matter to bring a free forme of gouernment into that Coun∣try, who haue bene vsed to liue vnder a Monarch, as contrariwise, to reduce that people, to liue vn∣der the obedience and command of one absolute Ruler, who haue vsed to liue free of thēselues, & to bee gouerned by their owne Lawes. The Easterne Countries not enduring to brooke the Aristocra∣ticall or Democraticall State, were euer deuoted to liue vnder one sole Monarch. On the other side, no forme of gouernment would please the Athe∣nians and Heluetians (whom at this day wee call Switzers) but a Democracy: None the Lacedaemoni∣ans but an Aristocracy. The Syracusians affected a tyranicall forme of gouernement: Neither

could any of these people euer bee perswaded to forsake that forme of gouernment which they had once chosen: Nay, which is more, they did with such deadly and implacable hatred, prosecute all those who erected, or set vp any other kinds of Policies to bee gouerned, and to gouerne by, that wheresoeuer, and whensoeuer, they became Conquerours, they altered and abrogated, that forme of Gouernement, and brought in their owne forme.

Secondly, I vtterly deny all right formes of Common-wealthes, as the Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Democracy, to bee absolute and perfect: much lesse do I hold that any goodnesse can be in a Ty∣ranie, Oligarchy, or Ochlocracy; For these last rela∣ted, by reason of the multitude of euils which accompany them, are of, and in themselues al∣waies euill, the Magistrates neuer regarding the common-good but their owne ends: The former likewise, although in themselues they are good (for that in all of them, the chiefe good of the Common-wealth, or State, either is, or ought to be sought) yet accidentally, they many times be∣come euill; as well for that they last not long, as that they so easily degenerate.

To conclude therefore, I hold that forme of Common-wealth to bee best, which is compoun∣ded of the temper of all these, or at leastwise is so mixed of a Monarchy and Aristocracy, that one (indeed) for the Maiesty of the State should bee the chiefe Commander, but his power should be

gouerned, and his Councels ordered by the de∣crees and wisedome of the Senate: For by this meanes, the Prince should retaine his splendor and dignity, the Senate their power and authori∣ty, and the people their lawfull liberty.