The holy court in five tomes, the first treating of motives which should excite men of qualitie to Christian perfection, the second of the prelate, souldier, states-man, and ladie, the third of maxims of Christianitie against prophanesse ..., the fourth containing the command of reason over the passions, the fifth now first published in English and much augemented according to the last edition of the authour containing the lives of the most famous and illustrious courtiers taken out of the Old and New Testament and other modern authours / written in French by Nicholas Caussin ; translated into English by Sr. T.H. and others.

The eleventh EXAMPLE upon the eleventh MAXIM. Of Craft.

VIce many times hath a shop near unto Vir∣tue (as said Origen) and deceives Merchants under colour of selling good commodities. Craft readily counterfeiteth wisdom, and some there are also, who make the wise to pass for subtile. But there is so much difference between them, as between glass and diamond. Craft is a false prudence, which maketh use of subtilities against right and justice; but true wisdom, though it be subtile, is never craf∣ty: For it pretends nothing at all against equity and good conscience.

If you desire to know wary wisdom, and to di∣stinguish * 1.1 it from craft, look upon what the Empe∣ress Theodora did, one of the worthiest women of her Age. She was married to the Emperour Theophilus, an Heretick, and a capital enemy to the honour of Images, which he forbade to be kept or esteemed, upon pain of death▪ Notwithstanding this pious Princess, who maintained Religion in the Empire what she might, and sweetened with much wisdom the wild humours of her husband, spared not to have in private pictures and holy Images, affording them singular veneration. It happened one day, that Dender the Emperour's fool, who played this part at Court, rather through natural blockishness, than dis∣simulation, came (as he was roaming up and down) into the Emperesse's chamber, and found her reve∣rencing those Images. He failed not in dinner-while to give the Emperour notice of it, at which time he used to entertain him with a thousand merriments, saying aloud, He found Manna (so he called the Emperess) with her babies, and that she was sudden∣ly surprized with it. Theophilus presently doubted it was Images his wife honoured, and at the rising from the Table, he sought her out all foaming with anger, and asked, where those puppets were she a∣dored in the presence of Dender? Truly we must consess, devout women have sometimes a marvellous dexterity to excuse a business; for she suddenly hit upon a handsom evasion, which freed her from the importunity of her husband. For in stead of seeming troubled and overtaken, she smiled very sweetly, ha∣ving therein an excellent grace: Behold Sir (saith she) verily one of the prettiest knacks happened in your Court of a long time. This fool Dender, who still doth somewhat worthy his name, came into my chamber, as I stood before my looking-glass with my women, and confusedly saw our faces represent∣ed in the glass, he thought they were images so sub∣tile wittied he is. Is not this an excellent jest? Then causing the fool to be taken by the arm, they set him before the looking-glass, saying: How now Dender, are not these thy habits? The Emperour was so sur∣prized with the wittie conceit of a discreet Princess, that he believed she had reason, and all the matter was instantly turned into laughter.

I term not this example a piece of craft, but a pru∣dence, * 1.2 as the stratagem of a Captain called Chares, who enjoyning his souldiers some labour upon his fortifications, and seeing they undertook it coldly, because they feared to marre their garments, which were handsome enough, he presently commanded every one should uncloth, and take the apparrel of his fellow. That done, and all the souldiers being perswaded their cassocks would not be spared by those who put them on, they wrought in good ear∣nest, and very quickly performed the task imposed upon them.

This ought to be stiled with the name of wisdom, rather than any other title. But if we observe what passeth in the world, we shall find there are two sorts of crafts. Some are politick addresses and sub∣tilities, which proceed not fully to injustice; but which notwithstanding aim at interest, at reputation and glory, by ways not sincere.

So there are men who resemble those houses, which * 1.3 have goodly gates, and most magnificent stair-ca∣ses, but never a fair chamber: they have some sweet∣ness of spirit, some readiness and prattle, which is never wanting, but no depth nor capacity, yet will seem able among company: which is the cause, that not daring to examine or solidly debate a point of doctrine, or a business, they presently flie to the conclusion, and find handsom evasions. Others have admirable tricks to seem wise, by making use of an∣other mans labour, and like droans eating the honey which the Bees gathered. Other, in handling af∣fairs, and seeking to get dispatches, amuze and daz∣zle with variety of discourse, such as they negotiate with, to the end to entrap them. Other, to cross a business, cause it to be proposed in the beginning by a man, who understands nothing thereof, of pur∣pose to give some ill impression of it. Other, break off a discourse they began upon some matter, to draw on the more appetite. Others, make a shew to have nothing less in their thoughts, than what they most desire, and let their main texts creep in the manner of a gloss. Other, have tales and histories in store, wherein they can enfold in covert terms, what they will not openly affirm. Other, in things important cause the foord to be sounded by men of less note, and many (as it is said) pull the chest-nuts out of the fire with the cats foot.

These are sleight merchandizes taken from the shop of worldly policie, which proceed not so far as to great injustice. But there are black and hydeous sub∣tilities, which tend to the subversion of humane socie∣ty, and deserve to be abhorred by all living men.

Such were those of Tryphon, (of whom it is spo∣ken in the Book of Macchabees) which were most * 1.4 fatal to the people of God. This wicked man, being the Tutour of young Antiochus, shewed himself in the beginning very zealous in al which concerned the good of his service, and having a design to subdue Syria, he would first have surprized the Macchabees, who were then very eminent in arms. But when he saw Jonathas come towards him with an Armie of fourty thousand men, the fox played his ordinary pranks, he received him with a pleasing counte∣nance, and overwhelmed him with heaps of cour∣tesies. He told him he desired to live with him as a faithfull brother, and that he accounted it too hea∣vie a charge, to keep so great an Army on foot in full peace, which could not but be prejudicial to the repose of the people. That he might walk con∣fidently every where how he pleased, without any other armour, than the amitie of King Antiochus, which was an assured buckler for all those who would make trial of his protection. This crafty companion not content with meer complements, carried Jonathas into all the places of his charge, with such honour and respect, that he caused him to be attended as himself, making shew, that wheresoe∣ver he set foot, there roses and lillies sprang. Ne∣ver doth any man take with a snare, until he have some bayt suitable to the appetite of him who catch∣eth at it. Jonathas a little loved honour, and his senses were dazeled with the lustre of pomps, and charmed with the sweetnesses of conversation in this subtile fellow. He believed, he trusted, his whole Army was cashiered by the perswasion of a man who wished him not well. He onely kept a thousand men with him to be as a Guard, and entered with Try∣phon

into the Citie of Ptolemais, where he presently saw himself arrested, and his souldiers cut in pieces. The Impostour, desirous to extend his plot further, wrote to Symon brother of Jonathas, that he should not be troubled at what was past, and that his bro∣ther was onely detained for some money due to the King, which being satisfied, he should have liberty, onely let him send him a hundred talents of silver, with the two sons of Jonathas in hostage, to bring the business to the period he desired. The poor Sy∣mon who doubted the plot, had more wisdom to know him, than force to avoid him. For, fearing lest the people might murmur if he accepted not the ways of accommodation proposed, he sent the mo∣ney and children, whereof the one was despoiled, the other massacred with their father, by the com∣mand of the treacherous Tryphon. This factious and cruel man pursued his plot to the usurpation of the Diadem, and dispatch of his pupil. But in the end, after a reign of two years, Heaven, elements, and men conspiring against him, he was knocked down like a ravenous beast, and buried in ruins and pub∣lick desolations.

I would willingly know, to whom hath treache∣ry ever been fortunate? Was it to Saul, who after he had so many times promised David the safety of his person, yet not ceasing to persecute him, was redu∣ced to such necessity of affairs, that he slew himself with his own hands, leaving finally his spoils to him whom he meant to beguile? Was it to the unhap∣pie * 1.5 Ammon, who using treachery to draw his sister Thamar into his chamber and dishonour her, was af∣terward murdered at the table by his brother Abso∣lom? Was it to Joab, who moistened with his bloud the Altar whereunto he fled, after he had slain Ama∣sa in saluting him? Was it to Amasis King of Aegypt, * 1.6 who lost both Kingdom and life, for having foisted in another daughter than his own, whom he feigned to give in marriage to Cambyses King of Persia?

So many Impostours there have been, who in all * 1.7 times sought to usurp Scepters and Crowns by ad∣mirable inventions: were they not all shamefully ruined in the rashness of their enterprizes? Smerdes the Magician who had possessed the Kingdom of Persia by tricks and incomparable sleights, was he not torn in pieces as a victim by Darius, and other Princes? The false Alexander, who rebelled under Demetrius Soter, after some success, was he not van∣quished under Nicanor, and slain in Arabia? Arche∣laus, who called himself the son of great Mithridates, overcome by Gabinius? Anduscus a man of no worth, who falsely boasting himself to be descended from Perseus King of Macedonia, and durft confront the Romans arms, was he not subdued by Metellus? Ariarathres, who affected the Kingdom of Cappado∣cia * 1.8 by the same ways, sent to punishment by Caesar? The false Alexius, who durst aspire to the Empire of * 1.9 Constantinople, slain by a Priest with his own sword, under the reign of Isaacus Angelus?

Josephus relateth, that pursuing the same ways, * 1.10 there was a young Jew who had been bred at Sydon, with the freed-man of a Roman Citizen, who having some resemblance of Alexander the son of Herod, whom the father had cruelly put to death, feigned he was the same Alexander, saying, Those to whom Herod had recommended this so barbarous an exe∣cution, conceived such horrour at it, that they re∣solved to save him, yet to secure their own lives up∣on the command imposed, they promised to conceal him till after the death of his father; which was done, he remaining unknown in the Citie of Sydon: But that he was now returned as from the gates of death, to demand his right, as being the indubitate and lawfull heir of the Kingdom. This Impostour had gained a subtile fellow a servant of Herod's hous∣hold, who taught him all the particulars of the Court, the better to colour his counterfeiting. He led the Bear through all the Citie with good success, and great applause of the people, who embraced this false Alexander, as a man returned back from the other world. For besides that the Jews were credu∣lous enough in any thing which flattered them, they were ever much inclined to the race of poor Mariam∣ne, whose son this man counterfeited to be: under this pretext he was very welcome into all the Cities where there were any Jews, and the poor Nation freely impoverished themselves, to afford some rea∣sonable support to this imaginary King.

When he saw himself strong in credit and coyn, he was so confident as to go to Rome, to question the Crown against Heroa's other sons; there wanted not those, whereof some countenancing him by cre∣dulity, others through the desire they had of alter∣ation, bare him to the throne. He failed not to pre∣sent himself before Augustus Caesar, the God of fortune and distributour of Crowns, shewing he had been condemned to death by his own father through false rumours, but was delivered by the goodness of the God he adored, and the mercifull hands of the mi∣nisters of execution, who durst not attempt on his person; beseeching him to pitie a fortune so wretch∣ed, and a poor King, who threw himself at his feet, as before the sanctuary of justice and mercy. Every one seemed already to favour him: But Augustus, a Monarch very penetrating, perceived this man tast∣ed not of a Prince, for taking him by the hand, he found his skin rough, as having heretofore exerci∣sed servile labours. Hereupon the Emperour drew him aside, saying: Content thy self to have hitherto abused all the world; but know thou art now be∣fore Augustus, to whom thou must no more tell a lie, than unto God. I will pardon thee, on condi∣tion thou discover the truth of this matter; but if thou liest in any one point, thou art utterly lost. This man was so amazed with the lustre of such maje∣sty, that prostrating himself at his feet, he began to confess all the imposture. Augustus perceived by the narration, he was none of the most daring in impo∣stures, and said: Friend, I give thee thy life, on con∣dition thou ransom it in my Galleys; thou hast a strong body, and canst well labour, the Scepter would have been too full of trouble; I will have thee take an Oar in hand, and live hereafter an honest man, without deceiving any.

As for the Doctour, who had been Tutour to this counterfeit Alexander, the Emperour observing him to be of a spirit more crafty, and accustomed to evil practises, caused him speedily to be put to death. One might make a huge Volume of such Impostours, as have been entrapped in their tricks; but satisfie your self with experience of Ages, and if you dare believe me, take in all your affairs a manner of proceeding noble, free, sincere, and true, throughly perswading your self, what the Wise-man said, That he who goes forward with simplicity, walketh most confidently.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The wittie conceit of Theodora. Zonaras in Theophilo.
• * 1.2

  Stratagem of Chares. Polyenus. l. 2.
• * 1.3

  Baro. de astu∣tiâ. Craft of the world.
• * 1.4

  1 Macch. 12.
• * 1.5

  2 Reg. 12.
• * 1.6

  Herod. l. 2.
• * 1.7

  Impostours surprized.
• * 1.8

  Vol. l. 9. c. 16.
• * 1.9

  Nicet. l. 3.
• * 1.10

  False Alexan∣der discover∣ed.